3,365
Higher than 77% of sub-region (sa3) areas.
The number of people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
West Pilbara · Sub-region (SA3)
First Nations in West Pilbara
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 a quarter of First Nations people in West Pilbara speak a traditional language, reflecting a deep cultural connection to country. The region is home to 3,365 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, a population larger than about 79% of similar areas.
3,365
- 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 West Pilbara — higher than 77% of areas.
| West Pilbara | 3,365 |
|---|---|
| Rest of WA | 45,110 |
| Western Australia | 88,693 |
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 typical age for First Nations people in both Western Australia and Australia, which is 24.
26 yrs
Older than 64% 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 for First Nations residents is 32.6%, which is lower than most areas. This figure is about the same as the state average but well below the national rate of 37.0%.
32.6%
Lower than 73% 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 10.3%, placing the area around the middle for its level. This is a little below the national figure and well below the 15.9% rate seen across Western Australia.
10.3%
Lower than 51% 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.
Typical household incomes for First Nations families are $2,181, which is much higher than most areas and well above the state and national figures. Personal incomes are also higher than usual, with a typical amount of $643.
$643
Higher than 60% of sub-region (sa3) areas.
Median total personal income per week for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15+.
$2,181
Higher than 86% 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.
Language is a strong part of life here, as 24.6% of First Nations people speak a traditional language. This is among the highest rates for similar areas and far above the national figure of 12.3%.
24.6%
Higher than 92% 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 West Pilbara
Cite this page
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). First Nations in West Pilbara [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/51003/west-pilbara/topic/first-nations