26,935
Higher than 91% of region (sa4) areas.
The number of people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
Cairns · Region (SA4)
First Nations in Cairns
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 23% of First Nations people in Cairns speak a traditional language, highlighting a deep cultural presence in the region. With 26,935 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it is one of the largest populations for this group at its level. The community is young, with a typical age of 24 years.
26,935
- 1–1: 7 areas
- 1–2: 0 areas
- 2–3: 0 areas
- 3–5: 1 area
- 5–7: 0 areas
- 7–10: 2 areas
- 10–15: 0 areas
- 15–21: 0 areas
- 21–31: 0 areas
- 31–46: 1 area
- 46–67: 0 areas
- 67–99: 0 areas
- 99–145: 0 areas
- 145–213: 1 area
- 213–312: 1 area
- 312–458: 1 area
- 458–671: 1 area
- 671–984: 2 areas
- 984–1,444: 4 areas
- 1,444–2,117: 4 areas
- 2,117–3,105: 9 areas
- 3,105–4,553: 13 areas
- 4,553–6,677: 16 areas
- 6,677–9,792: 13 areas
- 9,792–14,359: 13 areas
- 14,359–21,058: 11 areas
- 21,058–30,882: 6 areas
- 30,882–45,289: 1 area
All region (sa4) areas, 2021. The marker is Cairns — higher than 91% of areas.
| Cairns | 26,935 |
|---|---|
| Rest of Qld | 159,179 |
| Queensland | 237,303 |
Population & age
How many people identify as First Nations, and the typical age.
Cairns is home to 26,935 First Nations people, making it one of the largest populations of this group at this level. The typical resident is 24, which is about the same as the national figure.
24 yrs
Younger than 57% of region (sa4) areas.
Median age of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people — half are older, half younger.
Education
School completion among First Nations people.
School completion is a strength here, with 43.3% of First Nations people finishing Year 12. This is well above the Australian figure of 37% and about the same as the Queensland rate.
43.3%
Higher than 66% of region (sa4) 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.
Job seeking is a challenge in the region, as the unemployment rate for First Nations people is 18.2%. This is much higher than most areas and well above both the state and national figures.
18.2%
Higher than 87% of region (sa4) areas.
Unemployed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as a share of the First Nations labour force (aged 15+).
Income
Personal and household incomes.
Earnings are generally low, with typical household incomes of $1,347 and personal incomes of $508. Both figures are a little below the Queensland and Australian averages.
$508
Lower than 77% of region (sa4) areas.
Median total personal income per week for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15+.
$1,347
Lower than 77% of region (sa4) 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.
Cultural heritage is strong, with 22.9% of First Nations people speaking a traditional language. This is far above the national figure of 12.3% and among the highest rates for this level.
22.9%
Higher than 93% of region (sa4) 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 Cairns
Cite this page
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). First Nations in Cairns [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/sa4/306/cairns/topic/first-nations