State Electorate · Area profile
Cook
193,929 km²
A strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander presence defines Cook, where 34.3% of the population identifies as such. This is a young community with children making up 21.3% of residents, a figure well above the national average. The area is sparsely populated across a vast landscape, with a high proportion of people living in large family groups or renting. Overall, it is a place with a distinct cultural identity and a youthful profile compared to the rest of Queensland.
34 schools within reach make Cook convenient for families.
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The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is far above the national figure and rose 33 points since 2011. Families here are often larger and younger, with a high rate of de facto relationships at 20.8%.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the proportion of people born overseas is far below the national figure. English and Australian are the most common ancestries listed.
Language diversity is high, with 26.1% of people using a language other than English at home, a figure well above the national average. This rose 14 points since 2011.
About half of the community identifies as Christian. Those with no religion make up 34.3% of the population, which is well below the national figure.
Education levels are much lower than most areas, with only 43.3% of residents completing Year 12. The proportion of adults with a bachelor degree or higher fell 20 points since 2011.
Typical incomes are much lower than the national figure, with a typical weekly household earning $1,341. The number of households earning $3,000 or more a week is also well below the state average.
Long-term health conditions are much lower than in most areas, at 21.1%. Similarly, only 4.9% of people report a mental health condition, which is well below the national figure.
Volunteering rates are around the national average, though they fell nearly 7 points since 2011. The area has a slightly higher proportion of people who served in the Defence Force.
Homes tend to be crowded, with 2.7 people per home. One-parent families are very common at 21.1%, a rate well above the national figure.
Renting is far more common here than elsewhere in Australia, at 44.8%. While most people live in separate houses, typical weekly rents are among the lowest in the region at $179.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, as there are no public transport stops or routes. About 13.6% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is well above the national average.
The community is relatively stable, with far fewer people moving in the last five years compared to the state average. Recent arrivals from overseas are a little above the national figure.
Fewer people are working or looking for work compared to most areas, and the unemployment rate is a little above the national figure at 7.2%.
The area is mostly car-dependent with a walkability score far below the state average. Most homes are not within a 15-minute walk of groceries, health services, or schools.