6,359
Higher than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
The number of people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
East Arnhem · Statistical Area 2 (SA2)
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.
Nearly 96% of First Nations people in East Arnhem speak a First Nations language, which is far above the national figure. The region is home to 6,359 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, making it one of the largest groups of its kind in the country. While cultural ties are very strong, many residents face significant challenges with employment and income.
6,359
- 1–1: 115 areas
- 1–2: 0 areas
- 2–3: 0 areas
- 3–3: 4 areas
- 3–5: 5 areas
- 5–7: 5 areas
- 7–9: 5 areas
- 9–12: 12 areas
- 12–17: 8 areas
- 17–23: 14 areas
- 23–31: 70 areas
- 31–43: 94 areas
- 43–58: 138 areas
- 58–80: 164 areas
- 80–109: 222 areas
- 109–149: 249 areas
- 149–204: 254 areas
- 204–279: 230 areas
- 279–381: 221 areas
- 381–521: 206 areas
- 521–712: 161 areas
- 712–974: 127 areas
- 974–1,331: 86 areas
- 1,331–1,820: 42 areas
- 1,820–2,488: 21 areas
- 2,488–3,402: 12 areas
- 3,402–4,651: 5 areas
- 4,651–6,359: 2 areas
All statistical area 2 (sa2) areas, 2021. The marker is East Arnhem — higher than 99% of areas.
| East Arnhem | 6,359 |
|---|---|
| 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 a little older than the national figure of 24, but about the same as the Northern Territory average.
26 yrs
Older than 64% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Median age of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people — half are older, half younger.
Education
School completion among First Nations people.
About 28.6% of First Nations people have finished Year 12. This is well above the Northern Territory figure, though it remains well below the Australian average of 37%.
28.6%
Lower than 87% of statistical area 2 (sa2) 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 for First Nations people is 32.1%, which is among the highest at this level. This is far above both the Northern Territory (20.8%) and the national rate (12.3%).
32.1%
Higher than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Unemployed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as a share of the First Nations labour force (aged 15+).
Income
Personal and household incomes.
Typical personal income is among the lowest at this level at $283, which is far below the Australian figure of $540. Household income is $1,383, which is about the same as the Northern Territory average.
$283
Lower than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Median total personal income per week for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15+.
$1,383
Lower than 71% of statistical area 2 (sa2) 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.
An overwhelming 95.8% of First Nations people speak a First Nations language. This is far above the 60.1% seen across the Northern Territory and the 12.3% national average.
95.8%
Higher than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) 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/sa2/702041063/east-arnhem/topic/first-nations