Urban Centre · Area profile
Bowen
45 km²
A strong Indigenous presence sets Bowen apart, with 10.8% of residents identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. This growing community of 9,612 people is older than the national average, and a fifth of residents are now seniors. It is a place where traditional roots and a rising number of overseas arrivals meet, creating a community that is more diverse than many similar areas in the region.
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The area has a much higher proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people than the state and nation, a figure that rose 3.3 points since 2011. Residents are noticeably older than the national figure, with a typical age of 41.
While 74.1% were born in Australia, there is a significant overseas-born population of 15.5%, which is much higher than most similar areas. Australian and English are the most common ancestries.
A higher number of people use a language other than English at home compared to similar areas, though this is still far below the national figure. Those who speak little or no English fell to 1.7% by 2021.
Nearly half of residents identify as Christian, while 38.1% report no religion. This last group has grown significantly, rising 19 points since 2011.
Educational attainment is far below the state and national figures, with only 9.3% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. However, Year 12 completion rose 7.2 points since 2011.
Typical weekly household income is $1,319, which is well below the national figure. Despite this, the proportion of households earning $3,000 or more a week rose 7.8 points since 2011.
More people here need help with daily activities than in most similar areas, a figure that rose 2.2 points since 2011. Long-term health conditions are about the same as the state average.
Volunteering is much lower than in most similar areas and fell 4.4 points since 2011. Unpaid care for children and housework is also lower than the state and national figures.
About 30.5% of people live alone, which is well above the national figure. This is consistent with a population that has a high proportion of seniors.
Renting is much more common here than in most similar areas, with 40.4% of households renting. Detached houses are very common, though the typical weekly rent of $270 is well below the national figure.
The community is heavily reliant on cars, with only 3.8% of people working from home—a figure far below the national average. Very few people, just 2.5%, commute by public transport.
Bowen sees a high amount of movement, with 41.3% of people moving in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals are far more common here than in the rest of the state.
Full-time employment is well above the national figure at 62.5%, though this fell 4.1 points since 2011. Work is concentrated in agriculture, health care, and transport.
The area is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score well below the state average. While most homes are near a park, very few are within a 15-minute walk of health services or groceries.