Suburb / Locality · Area profile
North Stradbroke Island
261 km²
A strong First Nations presence and a mature population define North Stradbroke Island. The community is far older than the national average, with a typical resident aged 47. It is a place of contrasts, where nearly half of all homes are owned outright, yet typical incomes are well below those in Queensland and across Australia. This creates a unique island character where a high proportion of residents live alone and many rely on unpaid care and community support.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 35.9% of the population, which is far above the national figure of 3.2%. The area is notably older than most, with the typical resident aged 47.
The community is overwhelmingly Australian-born, with only 7.7% of people born overseas, a figure far below the national average of 27.7%. Most residents claim Australian, English, or Irish ancestry.
English is the dominant language, and only 2.2% of residents use another language at home, which is far below the national figure of 22.3%.
Religious affiliation is higher here than in most areas; 43.1% of residents identify as Christian, while 32.6% report having no religion, which is well below the national average.
Educational attainment is much lower than most areas, with only 30.5% of residents completing Year 12, compared to 58.8% nationally. Only 10.8% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher.
Typical incomes are well below the national figure, with the typical household earning $1,104 a week. Only 9.6% of households earn $3,000 or more per week, which is far below the national average.
Health challenges are more common here than in most areas. Long-term health conditions affect 37.6% of people, and 7.2% need help with daily activities, both of which are above the national average.
Residents are more likely to provide unpaid care than people in most areas, with 17.3% doing so. This is consistent with the high number of people who need help with daily activities.
First Nations people are a key part of the community, though they face significant gaps in outcomes. The typical First Nations resident is 42, and Year 12 completion is far below the national figure at 26.1%.
Living arrangements are unique, with 43.8% of people living alone, which is far above the national average of 25.6%. Homes are generally small, with just 2.1 people per household.
Home ownership is high, with 49.3% of homes owned outright, far above the national figure of 31.0%. However, the typical weekly rent of $237 is well below the national average.
The area is heavily car-dependent, with no public transport routes and 20.3% of homes having no motor vehicle, which is far above the national average.
The population is relatively stable, and the 34.7% of people who moved in the last five years is well below the national figure of 40.7%.
Fewer adults are working or looking for work compared to most areas, at 45.3%. Local industries are diverse, with a strong presence in agriculture, forestry, and fishing.
The island is almost entirely car-dependent, with a walkability score of 0.6. Very few homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries, health services, or schools.