Very Remote Australia

The community has aged significantly, with the typical resident being 11 years older than in 2011. Seniors make up 19.1% of the population, which is higher than most similar areas.

Many residents were born overseas, at 30.6%, which is a little above the national figure. This is a diverse mix, with Australian, English, and Chinese being the most common ancestries.

Language diversity is very high, with 43.1% of people using a language other than English at home—far above the national figure of 22.3%. Consequently, the proportion of people who speak little or no English is well above the national average.

While 27.2% of people report no religion—which is far below the national figure—this group has grown by 18 percentage points since 2011. Christianity and Islam are also prominent faiths here.

Education levels are lower than in most areas, with only 13% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. However, Year 12 completion has risen by 16 percentage points since 2011.

Typical family incomes are a little below the national figure at $1,894 per week. Personal incomes are slightly higher than the national figure, though the same number of people earn $2,000 or more a week compared to similar areas.

Residents are generally healthier than those in most other areas. Long-term health conditions affect 19% of the population, which is well below the national figure of 27.7%.

Volunteering is a standout feature, with 22.4% of people helping out—well above the national figure of 14.1%. Unpaid care for children and housework has also increased since 2011.

The First Nations community is small but distinct, with 40% speaking a First Nations language. Typical personal incomes for this group are a little above the national figure.

Living arrangements have shifted, with the number of people living alone rising to 33%, which is well above the national figure. Average household size has also fallen since 2011.

Separate houses are common here, though rental rates are well above the national figure at 37.5%. Typical weekly rent is $200, which is far below the national figure of $375.

The area is highly reliant on cars, as only 4% of homes have no motor vehicle. Working from home is rare here, at just 5.3%, which is far below the national figure.

The population is relatively stable, with far fewer people moving in the last five years compared to the national average. Recent arrivals from overseas are also well below the national figure.

The unemployment rate is very low at 2.1%, well below the national figure. Many residents work in public administration and safety or the accommodation and food services industry.

The area is mostly car-dependent with a low walkability score of 3.1. While over half of homes are within a 15-minute walk of a park, no homes are within a 10-minute walk of public transport.