Suburb / Locality · Area profile
Meekatharra
26,582 km²
A strong First Nations presence defines Meekatharra, where 45.6% of the population are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This is a noticeably young community with a typical resident aged just 33, far below the national figure of 38. The area is marked by a high proportion of de facto relationships and a significant number of one-parent families. While many residents work full-time in the mining industry, it is also a place where lower typical incomes and high rental rates are common.
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The community is much younger than most areas, with only 9.9% of people aged 65 or over. A high 24.2% of residents are in de facto relationships, which is far above the national figure.
Most residents were born in Australia, and those who identify with an ancestry most commonly list English or Australian. Only 10.7% of the population were born overseas, which is far below the state and national figures.
English is the main language for 65% of the community. While 15% of people use another language at home, this is well below the state and national figures.
About 42.2% of people report having no religion, which is well above the national figure. Christianity is the next most common affiliation at 29.4%.
Education levels are much lower than most areas, with only 29.1% of residents completing Year 12. A bachelor degree or higher is held by just 7.3% of adults, far below the national figure.
Typical weekly household income is $1,273, which is well below the national figure of $1,746. However, typical personal income is $824, which is about the same as the national figure.
Residents are generally healthier than those in most other areas. Only 21.3% have a long-term health condition and 5.1% have a mental health condition, both of which are well below the national figures.
Community participation is low, with only 10% of people volunteering. This is well below the national figure of 14.1%.
First Nations people make up a large part of the population, with 18.1% speaking a First Nations language. This group faces significant challenges, with an unemployment rate of 25.3% and a typical personal income of $374, which is well below the national figure.
One-parent families are very common here at 31.8%, far above the national figure. Additionally, 33.5% of people live alone, which is well above the national average.
Renting is very common, with 47.8% of households renting, far above the national figure. However, typical weekly rent is only $110, which is among the lowest in the country.
The area has a high number of homes with no motor vehicle (18.4%) and a higher-than-usual 8.1% of people commute by public transport.
The community is quite mobile, with 37% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas are among the highest at this level, at 33%.
Mining is the biggest industry, employing 26.3% of the workforce. While 73.1% of people are employed full-time, the overall unemployment rate is 8.9%, which is well above the national figure.
The area is mostly car-dependent, but it is very easy to reach groceries and health services on foot. About 91.9% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries, far above the state figure.