Barunga

This is a very young community where children under 15 make up 34.4% of the population, far above the national figure. About 94.7% of residents are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and seniors aged 65 and over are very few at just 3.0%.

The community is almost entirely Australian-born, with 97.6% of residents born here. Only 1.2% of people were born overseas, which is far below the national figure.

Cultural heritage is strong here, with 83.7% of people using another language at home, far above the national average. This includes 12.5% who speak little or no English, which is well above the figure for most of Australia.

Christianity is the most common faith at 65.6%. Those reporting no religion make up 25.2%, which is far below the national figure of 38.9%.

Schooling levels are much lower than in most areas, with only 14.4% of residents completing Year 12. Very few adults hold a bachelor degree or higher, at just 5.9%, which is far below the national figure.

Typical incomes are among the lowest in the country; the typical personal weekly income is just $298. No households earn $3,000 or more per week, which is far below the Northern Territory and national levels.

While 21.7% of residents have a long-term health condition, this is well below the national figure. Very few people report a mental health condition at 0.9%.

Family care is a priority here, with 50.7% of people caring for children unpaid, far above the national average. This is consistent with the high number of First Nations families and children in the area.

First Nations people make up the vast majority of the 337 residents, and 86.8% speak a First Nations language. This is far above the national figure and reflects a strong cultural identity.

Homes are typically large, with 3.8 people per household, well above the national average. One-parent families are very common, making up 39.2% of the community.

Renting is the norm for 86.3% of households, and no homes are owned outright. Typical weekly rent is very low at $100, and many homes are crowded, with 1.5 people per bedroom.

The area is largely without vehicles, as 65.0% of homes have no motor vehicle. Most people get to work by walking, which is the primary mode of travel for 69.1% of workers.

The population is relatively stable, with 26.5% of people moving in the last five years, which is far below the national figure.

Only 32.4% of adults are working or looking for work, far below the national average. The unemployment rate is 11.3%, which is well above both the state and national figures.

While almost every home is within a 15-minute walk of a park or health service, there are no groceries within that distance. The overall walkability score is low, making the area mostly car-dependent for essential services.