Suburb / Locality · Area profile
Atherton
94 km²
Set in the Tablelands, Atherton is a large regional centre defined by an older population and a strong First Nations presence. The typical resident is 46, which is far older than the national figure, and over a quarter of the community are seniors. It is a place where many people live alone or in one-parent families, often in detached houses. While the area is mostly car-dependent, it serves as a significant hub for the region with a population of 7,724.
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Atherton has a much higher proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people than most areas, at 9.2%. The community is notably older than the state and national averages, with 27.1% of residents aged 65 and over.
English and Australian are the most common ancestries here. While 13.6% of residents were born overseas, this is far below the national figure of 27.7%.
Most people use only English at home, though the 6.1% who use another language is higher than in similar areas. Very few people, just 0.5%, speak little or no English.
Almost half of the population identify as Christian, while 38.4% report no religion, which is about the same as the national figure.
Education levels are lower than the state average, with only 43.3% of residents completing Year 12 and 13.4% holding a bachelor degree or higher. The area is well-served by schools, with six located within 3km.
Typical incomes are well below the national figures, with a typical weekly household earning $1,099. Only 9.2% of households earn $3,000 or more per week, which is far below the national average.
Health challenges are more common here, as 31.7% of people have a long-term health condition. This is reflected in the 7.9% of residents who need help with daily activities, a figure much higher than most areas.
Volunteering is common, with 17.4% of people helping out, which is well above the national figure. There is also a strong military connection, as 4.5% of residents served in the Defence Force.
The First Nations community is large, numbering 713 people. This group is generally younger than the wider population, with a typical age of 22, though they face higher unemployment at 16.8%.
Living arrangements are distinctive, with 34.5% of people living alone and 21.5% in one-parent families, both of which are much higher than in most areas.
Detached houses are very common, and 36.9% of homes are owned outright. Renting is also more common than usual at 36.9%, though the typical weekly rent of $280 is well below the national figure.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, with 64.4% of people driving to work and almost no one using public transport. Only 7.4% of people work from home, which is far below the national average.
The population is quite mobile, with 41.2% of residents having moved in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals make up 12.3% of the community.
Fewer adults are working or looking for work compared to the state average. The local workforce is concentrated in health care, retail, and agriculture.
Atherton is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score well below the state average. While most people can walk to a park or school, only 42.5% live within a 15-minute walk of groceries.