7,893
Higher than 89% of council (lga) areas.
The number of people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
East Arnhem · Council (LGA)
First Nations in East Arnhem
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities — how many people identify as First Nations, and how they fare on age, schooling, work, income and language. From the ABS 2021 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Profile; the ABS notes these counts are an undercount.
An overwhelming 96.1% of First Nations people in East Arnhem speak a traditional language, making it one of the strongest hubs for Indigenous culture in the country. With 7,893 First Nations residents, this is one of the largest populations of its kind at this level. However, daily life is shaped by significant gaps in employment and income compared to the rest of the nation.
7,893
- 1–1: 9 areas
- 1–2: 0 areas
- 2–3: 0 areas
- 3–4: 3 areas
- 4–6: 0 areas
- 6–9: 1 area
- 9–12: 12 areas
- 12–18: 5 areas
- 18–25: 11 areas
- 25–36: 20 areas
- 36–52: 16 areas
- 52–74: 13 areas
- 74–106: 29 areas
- 106–151: 26 areas
- 151–217: 32 areas
- 217–310: 44 areas
- 310–444: 37 areas
- 444–636: 42 areas
- 636–910: 51 areas
- 910–1,302: 49 areas
- 1,302–1,864: 32 areas
- 1,864–2,668: 55 areas
- 2,668–3,819: 26 areas
- 3,819–5,466: 24 areas
- 5,466–7,823: 11 areas
- 7,823–11,198: 7 areas
- 11,198–16,027: 5 areas
- 16,027–22,940: 5 areas
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is East Arnhem — higher than 89% of areas.
| East Arnhem | 7,893 |
|---|---|
| Rest of NT | 45,289 |
| Northern Territory | 61,115 |
Population & age
How many people identify as First Nations, and the typical age.
The typical First Nations resident here is 26 years old. This is about the same as the Northern Territory average and a little older than the national figure of 24.
26 yrs
Older than 57% of council (lga) areas.
Median age of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people — half are older, half younger.
Education
School completion among First Nations people.
Year 12 completion sits at 25.8%, which is far below the Australian figure of 37%. This is a little above the Northern Territory rate of 23.2%, but still much lower than most other areas.
25.8%
Lower than 76% of council (lga) areas.
Share of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people whose highest year of school is Year 12 or equivalent.
Work
Engagement with the labour force.
Unemployment is a major challenge, with a rate of 33.4%. This is among the highest for similar areas and far above the national figure of 12.3%.
33.4%
Higher than 95% of council (lga) areas.
Unemployed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as a share of the First Nations labour force (aged 15+).
Income
Personal and household incomes.
Personal incomes are among the lowest at this level, with the typical person earning $274, which is far below the Australian figure of $540. Household income is $1,216, which is a little below the national typical of $1,507.
$274
Lower than 99% of council (lga) areas.
Median total personal income per week for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15+.
$1,216
Lower than 68% of council (lga) areas.
Median total weekly income for households with one or more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members.
Language & culture
Use of an Australian Indigenous language at home.
Language use is exceptionally high, with 96.1% of First Nations people speaking a traditional language. This is far above the 12.3% seen across Australia and the 60.1% in the Northern Territory.
96.1%
Higher than 99% of council (lga) areas.
Share of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who use an Australian Indigenous language at home.
Sources
- Census of Population and Housing — Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021 (CC BY 4.0).
More for East Arnhem
Cite this page
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). First Nations in East Arnhem [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA71300/east-arnhem/topic/first-nations