Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw

Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw's population is around 1,798 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 107 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,691 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 1,798 from the ABS as of June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 0.30 persons per square kilometer. Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw's growth rate of 6.3% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region's growth rate of 4.5%. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by natural growth, contributing approximately 94.9% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data are applied for each age cohort where utilised. Future population trends indicate a median increase just below non-metropolitan areas nationally, with an expected expansion of 101 persons to 2041 based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total gain of 5.6% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Kowanyama-Pormpuraaw averaged approximately seven new dwelling approvals annually between FY-21 and FY-25, with a total of 35 homes approved during this period. No approvals have been recorded so far in FY-26. On average, 1.3 new residents arrived per new home over the past five financial years.

This ratio suggests a balance between supply and demand, maintaining stable market conditions. The average construction value of new properties was $556,000, indicating a focus on premium market segments. In FY-26, $7.0 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting the area's residential character.

Compared to the rest of Queensland, Kowanyama-Pormpuraaw has shown slightly higher development activity over the past five years, with 27.0% more approvals per person than the regional average. This trend supports good buyer choice and helps maintain existing property values. Recent building activity comprises solely standalone homes, preserving the area's traditional low-density character and catering to families seeking space. New construction favours detached housing more than current patterns suggest (83.0%), demonstrating strong demand for family homes despite increasing density pressures. With approximately 263 people per approval, Kowanyama-Pormpuraaw reflects a transitioning market. Population forecasts indicate an expected gain of 101 residents by 2041. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

No changes can affect a region's performance more than alterations to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that are expected to significantly impact this area. Notable projects include Queensland National Land Transport Network Maintenance, Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan SuperGrid, Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, repeated thrice without variation, with the following list specifying those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Employment conditions in Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw has a balanced workforce with white collar and blue collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well represented.

The unemployment rate was 21.6% in September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 1.3% over the past year. There were 602 residents employed while the unemployment rate was 17.5% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation was at 44.9%, significantly lower than Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading employment industries among residents include public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training.

Public administration & safety has particularly notable concentration with employment levels at 6.8 times the regional average. Construction has limited presence with 2.3% employment compared to 10.1% regionally. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 1.3% while labour force decreased by 0.4%, resulting in unemployment falling by 1.3 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld experienced employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%. State-level data to 25-Nov shows QLD employment contracted by 0.01% with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, broadly in line with the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that while national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.3% over ten years.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

The Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw SA2's median income among taxpayers was $36,585 and average income stood at $47,737 in the financial year 2022. These figures are lower than those for Rest of Qld which were $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated median income is approximately $41,703 and average income is $54,415 as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw fall between the 0th and 7th percentiles nationally. In this area, 35.5% of locals (638 people) have incomes ranging from $800 to $1,499, differing from the surrounding region where incomes predominantly fall within the $1,500 to $2,999 category at 31.7%. Despite modest housing costs allowing for retention of 89.7% of income, total disposable income ranks at just the 13th percentile nationally.

Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The dwelling structure in Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw, as per the latest Census, consisted of 82.7% houses and 17.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This is similar to Non-Metro Qld's figures of 82.5% houses and 17.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw was at 3.8%, with the rest being mortgaged (0.0%) or rented (96.2%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $0, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517 and Australia's national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent in Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw was recorded at $118, significantly below Non-Metro Qld's $140 and the national figure of $375.

Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 83.4% of all households, including 29.1% composed of couples with children, 18.7% consisting of couples without children, and 25.9% being single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 16.6%, with lone person households at 15.4% and group households comprising 2.5%. The median household size is 3.6 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.9.

Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 7.0%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 4.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.9%) and graduate diplomas (0.5%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 38.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (4.2%) and certificates (34.0%).

Educational participation is high, with 32.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 17.1% in primary education, 9.8% in secondary education, and 0.6% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Health outcomes data shows exceptional results across Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw, particularly for younger cohorts who have a very low prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately 46% (~827 people) of the total population has private health cover, compared to 49.9% in the rest of Queensland and 55.3% nationally. The most prevalent medical conditions are diabetes (12.4%) and heart disease (8.5%), with 74.7% of residents reporting no medical ailments, compared to 79.2% in the rest of Queensland.

The area has 8.5% (153 people) of residents aged 65 and over, lower than the 11.5% in the rest of Queensland. While health outcomes among seniors are above average, they require more attention than the broader population.

Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Kowanyama-Pormpuraaw had a cultural diversity index below the average, with 89.4% citizens, 97.6% born in Australia, and 75.9% speaking English only at home as of June 2016. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 86.9%, compared to 64.7% across Rest of Qld. In terms of ancestry, Australian Aboriginal was 85.0%, substantially higher than the regional average of 25.3%.

English ancestry was 3.9%, notably lower than the regional average of 14.2%. Other ancestry comprised 3.9%, also notably lower than the regional average of 28.1%. Samoan and Korean ethnic groups were notably overrepresented at 0.2% each, compared to their respective regional averages of 0.2% and 0.0%.

Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw has a median age of 31 years, which is younger than Rest of Qld's 41 and the national average of 38. The 15-24 age group makes up 16.4%, higher than Rest of Qld, while the 65-74 cohort is at 4.9%. From 2021 to present, the 55-64 age group grew from 8.6% to 11.5%, and the 75-84 cohort increased from 1.4% to 3.0%. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort declined from 16.5% to 14.0%, and the 25-34 group dropped from 15.9% to 13.7%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw. The 75-84 age cohort is projected to grow by 83 people (156%), from 53 to 137. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 51% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, both 0-4 and 45-54 age groups are expected to decrease in numbers.