Bamaga

Bamaga is far younger than the national figure, with children under 15 making up 33.5% of the population. De facto relationships are also far more common here than in the rest of Australia, where they account for 23.8% of couples.

The community is almost entirely Australian-born, with only 3.2% of residents born overseas, a figure far below the national average.

Language diversity is very high, as 70.5% of people use another language at home, which is far above the Queensland figure. Consequently, those who speak little or no English are also well above the state and national averages.

The community is strongly religious, with 74.8% of people identifying as Christian. This means the proportion of people with no religion is far below the national figure.

While a high number of residents have completed Year 12, those with a bachelor degree or higher are far below the national average. Most adults hold a Certificate III or IV qualification.

Typical family and personal incomes are well below the national figures. Most people earn under $1,500 a week, and very few earn $3,000 or more.

Residents report far fewer long-term health and mental health conditions than the state and national averages. Only 1.9% of people need help with daily activities, which is much lower than most areas.

A high proportion of people, 36.5%, provide unpaid care for children, which is far above the national average. Interestingly, the area has a much higher rate of former Defence Force members than most of Queensland.

First Nations people make up a huge part of the community, with 88.3% speaking a First Nations language. Year 12 completion for First Nations residents is far above the national average.

Homes are typically large, with 3.4 people per household. One-parent families are far more common here than in the rest of the country, making up 30.7% of families.

Renting is the primary way people live, with 93.8% of households renting and almost no one owning their home. Because of this, typical weekly rents are far below the state and national figures at just $120.

Many homes have no motor vehicle, a figure far above the national average. Public transport is virtually non-existent, so most people drive or walk to work.

The population is stable, with far fewer people moving in the last five years compared to the state average. There have been no recent arrivals from overseas.

Full-time employment is well above the national average, though the unemployment rate is also much higher. Many residents work in health care, social assistance, or education.

The area is quite walkable, with 92.5% of homes within a 15-minute walk of basic amenities like groceries, health services, and parks.