Bowen

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 10.6% of the population, which is well above the national figure of 3.2%. The typical resident is 42, making the community noticeably older than both Queensland and Australia, where the usual age is 38.

Three quarters of residents were born in Australia, and English and Irish are the most common ancestries after Australian. About 14.5% of people were born overseas, which is higher than most similar areas but far below the national average of 27.7%.

English is the main language for 81.8% of the community. While 8.0% of people use another language at home, which is higher than in many similar areas, this is still far below the national figure of 22.3%.

About 48.5% of residents identify as Christian. Those with no religion make up 37.5% of the population, a figure that is a little below the national average of 38.9%.

Education levels are lower than in most areas, with only 9.0% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher compared to 26.3% nationally. Only 37.3% of residents completed Year 12, which is far below the national figure of 58.8%.

Typical weekly household income is $1,343, which is well below the national figure of $1,746. Personal incomes follow a similar trend, with the typical weekly pay at $710, slightly below the national average of $805.

About 6.9% of people need help with daily activities, which is a little above the national average of 5.8%. Long-term health conditions affect 29.0% of the population, with arthritis being the most common condition at 10.3%.

Volunteer rates are much lower than in most similar areas, with only 12.4% of people volunteering. This lower level of participation extends to unpaid care, with 10.4% of people providing care, slightly below the national figure of 11.9%.

First Nations people number 1,188 and have a typical age of 24. While the unemployment rate of 10.6% is a little below the national figure, Year 12 completion is lower than most areas at 35.9%.

Many people live alone here, at 29.2%, which is well above the national figure of 25.6%. One-parent families also make up a higher proportion of the community than in most similar areas, at 14.5%.

Detached houses are very common at 83.2%, far above the national average. Renting is much more common here than in similar areas, with 37.5% of households renting at a typical weekly cost of $270, which is well below the national figure of $375.

Most people drive to work, and 38.7% of homes have two vehicles. Working from home is very rare at 4.8%, far below the national average of 21.0%.

The area has seen significant movement, with 39.4% of people moving in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals are particularly high at 28.8%, far above the national figure of 14.5%.

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing are the primary industries, employing 17.0% of the workforce. Full-time employment is well above the national average at 63.5%, though the overall percentage of adults working or looking for work is lower than most areas.

The town is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score of 2.7, far below the Queensland average of 5.0. Only 37.0% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries, and none are within 10 minutes of public transport.