7,060
Higher than 89% of sub-region (sa3) areas.
The number of people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
Shoalhaven · Sub-region (SA3)
First Nations in Shoalhaven
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.
A significant gap in school completion marks the First Nations experience in Shoalhaven, where only 30% of people finished Year 12. This is well below the figures for both New South Wales and Australia. While the region has one of the largest First Nations populations at this level, many face challenges with lower incomes and education.
7,060
- 1–1: 10 areas
- 1–2: 0 areas
- 2–3: 0 areas
- 3–4: 1 area
- 4–6: 1 area
- 6–8: 0 areas
- 8–11: 3 areas
- 11–16: 0 areas
- 16–23: 1 area
- 23–32: 1 area
- 32–45: 1 area
- 45–64: 0 areas
- 64–91: 0 areas
- 91–129: 3 areas
- 129–182: 3 areas
- 182–257: 9 areas
- 257–364: 15 areas
- 364–515: 23 areas
- 515–729: 30 areas
- 729–1,031: 45 areas
- 1,031–1,458: 40 areas
- 1,458–2,063: 37 areas
- 2,063–2,918: 44 areas
- 2,918–4,128: 33 areas
- 4,128–5,840: 29 areas
- 5,840–8,262: 17 areas
- 8,262–11,687: 6 areas
- 11,687–16,534: 6 areas
All sub-region (sa3) areas, 2021. The marker is Shoalhaven — higher than 89% of areas.
| Shoalhaven | 7,060 |
|---|---|
| Rest of NSW | 185,873 |
| New South Wales | 278,043 |
Population & age
How many people identify as First Nations, and the typical age.
There are 7,060 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the area. The typical person in this group is 24, which is about the same as the national figure.
24 yrs
Younger than 57% of sub-region (sa3) areas.
Median age of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people — half are older, half younger.
Education
School completion among First Nations people.
Year 12 completion is only 30%, which is much lower than most areas and well below the New South Wales rate of 35%.
30.0%
Lower than 80% of sub-region (sa3) 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.
The unemployment rate for First Nations people is 11.1%. This is a little above the state figure but a little below the Australian average of 12.3%.
11.1%
Higher than 55% of sub-region (sa3) areas.
Unemployed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as a share of the First Nations labour force (aged 15+).
Income
Personal and household incomes.
Household income is much lower than most areas at $1,332, which is a little below the state average. Typical personal income is $545, roughly the same as the national figure.
$545
Lower than 71% of sub-region (sa3) areas.
Median total personal income per week for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15+.
$1,332
Lower than 77% of sub-region (sa3) 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.
Only 3.3% of First Nations people speak a First Nations language. This is much lower than most areas and well below the Australian figure of 12.3%.
3.3%
Lower than 80% of sub-region (sa3) 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 Shoalhaven
Cite this page
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). First Nations in Shoalhaven [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/11401/shoalhaven/topic/first-nations