8,236
Higher than 90% of sub-region (sa3) areas.
The number of people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
East Arnhem · Sub-region (SA3)
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.
A huge 93.3% of First Nations people in East Arnhem speak an Indigenous language, one of the highest rates in the country. The region is home to 8,236 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, making it one of the largest populations at this level. This strong cultural identity exists alongside significant challenges with employment and low typical incomes.
8,236
- 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 East Arnhem — higher than 90% of areas.
| East Arnhem | 8,236 |
|---|---|
| Rest of NT | 45,289 |
| Northern Territory | 61,115 |
Population & age
How many people identify as First Nations, and the typical age.
The typical age for First Nations residents is 26, which is a little older than the national figure of 24 and about the same as across the Northern Territory.
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.
About 26.2% of First Nations people have finished Year 12. This is far below the Australian figure of 37.0%, though it is well above the Northern Territory's 23.2%.
26.2%
Lower than 88% 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.
Unemployment for First Nations people is 30.8%, among the highest for similar areas. This is far above the national rate of 12.3% and well above the Territory's 20.8%.
30.8%
Higher than 97% 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 personal income for First Nations people is $278, among the lowest at this level and far below the national figure of $540. Household incomes are also much lower than most areas at $1,309.
$278
Lower than 99% of sub-region (sa3) areas.
Median total personal income per week for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15+.
$1,309
Lower than 79% 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.
First Nations language use is exceptionally high at 93.3%. This is far above both the Northern Territory (60.1%) and the national average (12.3%).
93.3%
Higher than 99% 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 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/sa3/70204/east-arnhem/topic/first-nations