Statistical Area 2 (SA2) · Area profile
Heatley
2 km²
A short walk to a park, school, or bus stop is part of daily life for most people in Heatley. This community in Townsville has a high proportion of First Nations residents and a population that is growing older, with a notable increase in seniors since 2011. It is a place where typical incomes are well below the national figure, and many households are headed by single parents. Despite these challenges, the area is very walkable and has a strong presence of detached housing.
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First Nations people make up 13.2% of the population, which is well above the national figure. The community is ageing, with 20.6% of residents aged 65 and over, a figure that has risen by 5.5 points since 2011.
The area is less diverse than most, with only 12.6% of people born overseas—far below the Australian average of 27.7%. Most residents claim Australian or English ancestry.
English is the primary language for 82.9% of the community. While the proportion of people using another language at home has risen slightly to 8.9%, this is still well below the Queensland average.
Half of the population identifies as Christian. About 38.3% of residents report having no religion, a figure that has jumped by 17 points since 2011.
Educational attainment is much lower than in most areas, with only 44.4% of residents completing Year 12. Just 10.6% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher, which is far below the national figure.
Incomes here are much lower than the national average. The typical weekly household income is $1,266, and only 9% of households earn $3,000 or more per week.
Health challenges are common, with 35.6% of people living with a long-term condition. About 9.3% of residents need help with daily activities, which is among the highest rates for similar areas.
The community has a strong connection to the Defence Force, with 6.9% of people having served. However, volunteering rates are much lower than in most other areas.
First Nations residents are younger than the general population, with a typical age of 21. This group faces significant disadvantage, with an unemployment rate of 14.1% and typical household incomes well below the state average.
One-parent families are very common at 26.7%, far above the national figure. Additionally, 31.8% of people live alone, which is much higher than in most other areas.
Most people live in separate houses, and 81.7% of homes have three or more bedrooms. Rents are much lower than the national average, with a typical weekly cost of $280.
Cars are the primary way to get around, though 10.5% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is well above the national figure. Only 0.9% of people commute using public transport.
The community is relatively stable, with 36% of people moving in the last five years—well below the Queensland average. Recent overseas arrivals make up 14.4% of the population.
Working or looking for work is less common here than in most areas, and the unemployment rate is 8.4%, which is well above the national average.
Heatley is among the most disadvantaged areas in its category, ranking in the lowest 10% for overall advantage, education, and access to resources.
The area experiences much higher rainfall than the Queensland average, with 1,225mm annually. Minimum temperatures are also well above the state average.
The neighborhood is very walkable, with 100% of homes within a 15-minute walk of a park and 98.5% within 10 minutes of public transport.