Urban Centre · Area profile
Cooktown
10 km²
A far higher proportion of people identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in Cooktown than in the rest of the state. This community of 1,797 people has grown 20% since 2011 and is noticeably older than the national average. It is a place where many residents live alone or in one-parent families, while a significant number of homes are rented. The town is characterized by a mix of professional workers and a strong Indigenous presence in a small, coastal setting.
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The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population rose to 22.4%, which is far above the national figure of 3.2%. The typical resident is 43, making the community noticeably older than Queensland and Australia, while 20.8% of people are in de facto relationships.
Australian and English are the most common ancestries, though those born overseas make up 13.2% of the population. This is a higher share than most similar areas, but still well below the Queensland average of 22.7%.
People using another language at home rose to 11.5% since 2011, a figure much higher than most similar areas. Despite this, only 0.4% of residents speak little or no English.
About 40.5% of residents report having no religion, which is about the same as the Queensland figure. This represents a 16 point increase since 2011, while Christianity remains the most common faith at 42.4%.
More adults here hold a bachelor degree or higher (16.6%) and have completed Year 12 (42.2%) than in most similar areas. However, both figures remain well below the national averages.
Typical weekly household income is $1,252, which is well below the national figure of $1,746. While 13% of households earn $3,000 or more a week, the typical personal income rose to $697 since 2011.
Residents are much healthier than those in most similar areas, with only 23% having a long-term health condition. Mental health conditions are also much lower here than in the rest of the state.
Volunteering is well above the national figure at 18%, and there is a higher rate of former Defence Force members (4.9%) compared to most areas. Unpaid care for children and housework is well below the state average.
A high number of people live alone (35.6%) or in one-parent families (19.7%), both of which are well above the national figures. The typical home holds 2.3 people.
Renters make up 47.2% of households, far above the national average of 30.6%. Typical weekly rent is $220, which is far below the national figure of $375.
Most people drive to work, and 9.3% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is well above the state average. Working from home is rare here, at just 6.4%.
The population is quite mobile, with 45.3% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas fell to 10.1% since 2011.
Full-time employment is a little above the national average at 61.3%, though the unemployment rate of 6.7% is slightly higher than the state figure. Many residents work in health care, social assistance, or public safety.
The area is mostly car-dependent with a walkability score of 3.6. While 73.2% of homes are within a short walk of health services, no one lives within 10 minutes of public transport.