Suburb / Locality · Area profile
Kalkarindji
6 km²
A vast gap in age and identity separates Kalkarindji from the rest of the nation, with a population that is far younger and more traditionally Indigenous than the Australian average. The community is notably youthful, with a typical resident aged just 29 and over a quarter of the population being children. This young demographic is reflected in the local homes, which are often large and crowded. The area is defined by a deep connection to First Nations culture and language, though it faces significant economic challenges.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 81.2% of the population, which is far above the national figure of 3.2%. The community is very young, with 27.2% of residents under 15 and only 5.5% aged 65 or over.
The population is overwhelmingly born in Australia, with only 1.0% of residents born overseas, far below the national figure of 27.7%.
Language diversity is very high here, with 78.6% of people using another language at home, far above the 22.3% seen across Australia.
Christianity is the primary faith for 70.5% of the community, while those with no religion make up 15.9%, which is far below the national figure of 38.9%.
Education levels are much lower than most areas, with only 17.7% of residents completing Year 12, far below the national figure of 58.8%.
Incomes are among the lowest in the region; the typical weekly family income is just $762, far below the national figure of $2,120.
Long-term health conditions are reported by 16.4% of residents, which is far below the national figure of 27.7%.
Unpaid care is a major part of local life, with 48.0% of people caring for children, far above the national figure of 26.3%.
First Nations identity is central to the community, with 92.3% of people speaking a First Nations language, far above the national figure of 12.3%. However, the unemployment rate for First Nations people is among the highest at 31.6%.
Homes are larger than usual, with 3.5 people per household, and one-parent families are very common at 32.3%, far above the national figure of 14.1%.
Renting is the primary tenure for 79.3% of households, far above the national figure of 30.6%, and the typical weekly rent is very low at $76.
Vehicle ownership is low, with 46.4% of homes having no motor vehicle, far above the national figure of 7.4%.
The community is very stable, with only 19.0% of people moving in the last five years, far below the national figure of 40.7%.
The unemployment rate is very high at 23.1%, far above the national figure of 5.1%, and only 47.3% of adults are working or looking for work.
While almost every home is within a short walk of a school or health service, there are no grocery stores within a 15-minute walk.
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