Southern Moreton Bay Islands

The area is far older than the national figure, with a typical resident aged 61 and very few children under 15. About 4.3% of the population is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, which is a little above the Australian average.

English is the most common ancestry at 45.4%, followed by Australian and Irish. While 23.8% of residents were born overseas, this is well below the national average.

English is the primary language for 87.1% of the community. Only 4.5% of people use another language at home, a figure far below both the state and national averages.

Religious views are split almost evenly, with 43.2% of people identifying as Christian and 42.9% reporting no religion, which is slightly above the Queensland figure.

Education levels are much lower than most areas, with only 11.8% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher and 35.7% completing Year 12, far below the national average.

Incomes are among the lowest for its level, with a typical household earning $761 a week, which is far below the national figure of $1,746.

Health challenges are common here; 47.2% of people have a long-term health condition, and 13.4% need help with daily activities, both far above national levels.

Unpaid care is a major part of local life, with 16.8% of people providing unpaid care and 27.3% doing significant housework. There is also a higher rate of former Defence Force members compared to the state.

First Nations residents are typically older than those in the state, with a typical age of 40. However, they face significant challenges, including an unemployment rate of 19.1% and a typical personal income well below the national figure.

Small households are the norm, with 40.9% of people living alone and only 1.9 people per home. One-parent families are much more common here than in most other areas.

Housing is almost exclusively separate houses, and 50.6% are owned outright, far above the national average. Rents are also much lower than typical, with a usual weekly rent of $260.

Cars are essential as there are no public transport routes or stops, and 78% of people face a long drive to the city. This car-dependency is reflected in the 10.9% of homes without a vehicle, which is well above the national figure.

The area has seen a lot of movement, with 44.7% of people arriving in the last five years. In contrast, recent arrivals from overseas are among the lowest at this level.

Working rates are far below the state average, with only 31.1% of adults working or looking for work. The unemployment rate is also among the highest at 13.5%.

The area is ranked among the most disadvantaged for its level, though it has experienced very strong population growth of 22.1% since 2021.

The islands are much wetter than the state average, with 1,477mm of annual rainfall, while the maximum temperatures are well below the Queensland average.

The area is very car-dependent with a low walkability score of 1.9. Most homes are far from essential services, with only 22.6% within a 15-minute walk of groceries.