Statistical Area 2 (SA2) · Area profile
West Gladstone
7 km²
A significant number of residents live in West Gladstone, where many more people identify as First Nations compared to the rest of the state. This community is marked by a high proportion of renters and a notable number of single-parent families. While it is an area of lower typical incomes, it is exceptionally walkable, with almost every home within a short stroll of parks, shops, and health services. The population has grown slightly, reaching 4,832 people in 2021.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 7.9% of the population, which is well above the national figure of 3.2%. The typical resident is 40, and the number of seniors aged 65 and over rose to 16.7% in 2021.
The area is less diverse than most, with only 15.7% of people born overseas, a figure far below the Australian average of 27.7%. Most residents claim Australian or English ancestry.
English is the dominant language, with only 8.3% of people using another language at home, which is far below the national figure of 22.3%. Very few residents, just 0.7%, speak little or no English.
People with no religion make up 46.1% of the community, which is well above the national figure of 38.9%. This figure has risen sharply by 17 points since 2016.
Academic qualifications are lower than in most areas, with only 14.0% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Only 46.0% of residents completed Year 12, which is far below the national figure of 58.8%.
Typical weekly household income is $1,329, which is well below the national figure of $1,746. Just 13.4% of households earn $3,000 or more per week, a figure well below the national average.
More people here need help with daily activities than in most areas, at 7.5%. Mental health conditions are also more common, affecting 11.4% of the population.
Volunteering has fallen to 15.2% since 2016, though this is still a little above the national figure. About 3.4% of residents have served in the Defence Force, which is higher than most similar areas.
First Nations residents face significant challenges, with an unemployment rate of 26.2% and a typical personal income of $451, both of which are much lower than national figures. Only 31.6% finished Year 12.
The area has a high number of single-person homes, with 36.4% of people living alone. One-parent families are also very common at 22.5%, which is well above the national figure.
Renting is very common here, with 44.0% of households renting, far above the national figure of 30.6%. However, the typical weekly rent of $230 is much lower than the national figure.
Most people drive to work, and very few use public transport, at just 0.6%. About 8.9% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is higher than most similar areas.
The community is quite mobile, with 44.2% of people having moved in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals fell to 12.4% in 2021.
Full-time employment is high at 64.0%, well above the national figure. However, the overall unemployment rate of 10.6% is among the highest for similar areas.
The area is ranked among the most disadvantaged for its size, with a low overall advantage score of 884. It has a small number of businesses compared to similar regions.
The area is warmer and wetter than much of Queensland, with average annual rainfall of 754mm and a typical minimum temperature of 18.9 degrees.
The area is very walkable, with 95.6% of homes within a 15-minute walk of basic amenities. Almost every home is within a short stroll of a park, school, or grocery store.