Suburb / Locality · Area profile
Heatley
2 km²
A significant First Nations presence sets Heatley apart from most similar areas in Queensland. This community in Townsville has a population of 3,907 people and is notably walkable, with almost every home within a short stroll of a park or school. It is a diverse area where many residents deal with long-term health challenges and lower incomes than the national typicals. Despite these pressures, the neighbourhood is defined by a high proportion of family homes and a strong connection to public transport.
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First Nations people make up 13.2% of the population, which is well above the national figure of 3.2%. The typical resident is 40 years old, and about 20.6% of the community are seniors aged 65 and over.
Most residents were born in Australia, and those with overseas heritage often cite English, Irish, or Scottish ancestry. Only 12.6% of people were born overseas, which is far below the national figure of 27.7%.
English is the main language for 82.9% of residents, though 8.9% use another language at home, a rate much higher than in most similar areas. Tagalog is the most common non-English language spoken.
About half of the community identifies as Christian, while 38.3% report having no religion. This lack of religious affiliation is about the same as the national figure.
Education levels are lower than most areas, with only 10.6% of adults holding a bachelor degree, far below the national figure of 26.3%. About 44.4% of residents completed Year 12, which is also far below the national average.
Incomes in Heatley are well below the national typicals, with a typical household earning $1,266 a week compared to the Australian figure of $1,746. Only 9% of households earn $3,000 or more per week.
Health challenges are common here, as 35.6% of people have a long-term health condition, which is well above the national figure of 27.7%. This is consistent with the 9.3% of residents who need help with daily activities.
The area has a strong military connection, with 6.9% of people having served in the Defence Force, a rate well above the national figure of 2.8%. Unpaid care for others is also more common than in most areas.
There are 515 First Nations people in the area, and 12% speak a First Nations language. Typical weekly incomes for First Nations households are $1,138, which is well below the national figure of $1,507.
One-parent families make up 26.7% of households, far above the national figure of 14.1%. Additionally, 31.8% of people live alone, which is much higher than in most similar areas.
Separate houses are very common, making up 83.9% of all homes. While 32.8% of the community rent, the typical weekly rent of $280 is well below the national figure of $375.
Public transport is highly accessible, with 17 stops in the area and 98.5% of homes within a 10-minute walk of one. However, 10.5% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is well above the national figure.
The area is relatively stable, though 36% of residents have moved in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 14.4% of the population, which is about the same as the national figure.
The unemployment rate is 8.4%, which is well above the national figure of 5.1%. Those who are working are most commonly employed in health care, social assistance, or retail.
Heatley is very walkable, with 93% of homes having a '15-minute-city' walkshed. Almost every resident can walk to a park or school within 15 minutes.