Kowanyama, QLD: suburb profile

The population of Kowanyama QLD is 1,079 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Kowanyama is $341 per week ($17,732 per year). Median rent in Kowanyama is $115 per week ($498 per month). Kowanyama has a median age of 29 years, younger than the national median of 38. Kowanyama has a population density of 0.4 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Kowanyama is New Zealand. The most common religion is Anglican (71.8% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Australian Indigenous Languages.

There were 1,075 recorded offences in Kowanyama in 2025-26, a rate of 996 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was assault (534 offences).

Population
1,079
Census 2021
Median income
$341/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$115/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
29years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from Queensland Police Service (data.qld.gov.au), 2025-26.

Kowanyama vs the typical QLD suburb

The median personal income in Kowanyama is $341 a week, 54% below the typical QLD suburb ($747). That ranks 1,522nd of 1,527 QLD suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $115 a week, $205 less than the typical QLD suburb. Rent takes 10.2% of the median household income here, against 20.4% in the typical QLD suburb. The median resident is 29, 13 years younger than in the typical QLD suburb (42).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureKowanyamaTypical QLDDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$341/wk$747/wk −54%$766/wk
Household income$1,132/wk$1,593/wk −29%$1,637/wk
Rent$115/wk$320/wk −64%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$0/mo$1,625/mo −100%$1,733/mo
Median age2942 −13 yrs42
Rent share of household income10.2%20.4% −10.3 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Kowanyama, the typical QLD suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Kowanyama Population

1,079 residents at the 2021 Census.

Kowanyama Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$341/wk
$17,732 per year
Ranked 8,820 of 14,663
Median Rent
$115/wk
$498 per month
Ranked 8,557 of 14,663
Median Age
29years
9 years younger than the national median
Mortgage
$0/mo
Avg household size: 3.7 · 1.3 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Kowanyama Rent Prices & Affordability

10% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $1,132/wk
Median rent $115/wk
Rent to income 10.2%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Kowanyama against your income

About $4,905 a month
Median rent $115/wk
Left after rent $1,017/wk
Rent share 10.2%

Kowanyama Map

Kowanyama, Queensland Map data: OpenStreetMap
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Kowanyama, Queensland: 15.2774°S, 141.8092°E

Kowanyama Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents

People in Kowanyama

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 48.4% (519) Female 51.6% (554)

Population Density

0.4
people per km²
1,079 people · 2555.3 km²

Households

3.7
Avg household size
1.3
Persons per bedroom
$858
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

New Zealand
0.6%
South Africa
0.5%
Afghanistan
0.0%
Bangladesh
0.0%
Bosnia and Herzegovina
0.0%
Brazil
0.0%
Cambodia
0.0%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Australian Indigenous Languages
3.0%
Afrikaans
0.0%
Arabic
0.0%
Cantonese
0.0%
Mandarin
0.0%
Other Chinese languages
0.0%
Croatian
0.0%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

Australian Aboriginal
83.9%
English
3.0%
Australian
2.2%
Irish
0.6%
Scottish
0.6%
German
0.4%
Samoan
0.4%
Dutch
0.3%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

Anglican
71.8%
Not stated
13.0%
No religion
10.6%
Catholic
1.9%
Pentecostal
0.8%
Christian (other)
0.7%
Christnty Sevnth dy Advntst
0.7%
Uniting Church
0.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

86.8%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
10.9% 86
Separated
0.8% 6
Divorced
1.0% 8
Widowed
2.8% 22
Never married
84.6% 670

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
39.3%
One parent: children under 15
29.4%
Couple: no children
13.1%
One parent: no children under 15
10.5%
Couple: no children under 15
7.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
16.1%
2 persons
21.8%
3 persons
15.3%
4 persons
10.9%
5 persons
11.7%
6+ persons
24.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Kowanyama

Housing Tenure

Of the 247 occupied private dwellings in Kowanyama at the 2021 Census, 85.4% were rented, 5.3% owned outright and 0.0% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
6.5% 16 dwellings
Owned outright
5.3% 13 dwellings
Rented
85.4% 211 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
4.0% 10 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
78.8%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
17.4%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
3.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
1.2%
2 bedrooms
31.1%
3 bedrooms
50.6%
4 bedrooms
14.1%
5 bedrooms
2.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
46.6%
1 vehicle
32.9%
2 vehicles
13.7%
3 vehicles
3.8%
4+ vehicles
3.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Kowanyama

Employment

Employed full-time
17.4% 108 people
Employed part-time
8.5% 53 people
Unemployed
20.6% 128 people
Not in labour force
53.5% 332 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Community & Personal Service
29.7%
Professionals
24.8%
Technicians & Trade Workers
13.9%
Clerical & Administrative
9.9%
Managers
7.9%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
6.9%
Sales Workers
4.0%
Labourers
3.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

$150-$299/wk
4.4%
$300-$399/wk
6.9%
$400-$499/wk
8.4%
$500-$649/wk
4.9%
$650-$799/wk
9.9%
$800-$999/wk
8.9%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
7.9%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
15.3%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
8.9%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
1.5%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
8.4%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
5.9%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
2.5%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
3.9%
$4,000+/wk
2.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
7.9%
$1-$149/wk
6.3%
$150-$299/wk
39.7%
$300-$399/wk
11.9%
$400-$499/wk
3.5%
$500-$649/wk
2.5%
$650-$799/wk
7.3%
$800-$999/wk
6.5%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
3.3%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
3.3%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
1.0%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
2.1%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
3.3%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Walked only
49.1%
Car (driver)
32.7%
Car (passenger)
13.3%
Did not go to work
3.0%
Bicycle
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 10 or equivalent
45.7%
Year 12 or equivalent
24.2%
Year 11 or equivalent
22.4%
Year 9 or equivalent
7.7%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
52.8%
Certificate I/II
21.1%
Bachelor Degree
16.1%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
7.5%
Postgraduate Degree
2.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Education
32.9%
Engineering
14.6%
Society & Culture
13.4%
Health
12.2%
Architecture & Building
7.3%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
7.3%
Agriculture & Environment
6.1%
Management & Commerce
6.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
57.0%
Secondary: Government
26.9%
Pre-school
8.1%
Secondary: Catholic
4.8%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
1.6%
Vocational Education
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
80.2%
Has need for assistance
2.6%
Need for assistance not stated
17.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Diabetes
46
Heart disease
36
Kidney disease
21
Mental health
19
Cancer
4
Stroke
3
Asthma
3
Lung condition
3
Arthritis
3

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
6.0% 36
Did not provide
94.0% 564

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
4.1% 24
Not a volunteer
95.9% 566

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.5% 3
Current ADF: Reserves
0.5% 3
Previously served
1.8% 11
Never served
97.3% 607

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
32.1%
1 child
19.2%
2 children
16.0%
3 children
11.1%
4 children
11.1%
5+ children
10.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

1981: 1990
4
2001: 2010
3
2018
3

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

4.8%
moved in the last year
10.5%
moved in the last 5 years
41.0%
unemployment rate (Census)
39.0%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
909
Moved: same area (SA2)
19
Moved from QLD
18

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
44.5%
5: 14 hours
9.4%
15: 29 hours
8.1%
30+ hours
22.3%
Did not do domestic work
15.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
64.9%
Intact family: other children present
13.5%
Step family: no other children
12.2%
Blended family: no other children
5.4%
Step family: other children present
4.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Kowanyama Crime Statistics

1,075 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Assault
534
Domestic Violence
298
Break & Enter
69
Property Damage
69
Theft
37
Traffic
28
Drug Offences
22
Weapons
12
Robbery
4
Sexual Offences
2

Total offences by year

2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: Queensland Police Service (data.qld.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Wellesley Islands
Income: $283/wk Rent: $104/wk $11/wk less rent
Cherbourg
Income: $375/wk Rent: $100/wk $15/wk less rent

Compare Kowanyama

Frequently Asked Questions About Kowanyama

What is the population of Kowanyama QLD?

The population of Kowanyama QLD is 1,079 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 0.4 people per km². Kowanyama is ranked #3,862 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Kowanyama?

The median personal income in Kowanyama QLD is $341 per week, or $17,732 per year. The median household income is $1,132 per week. Family income is $858 per week. Kowanyama is ranked #8,820 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Kowanyama?

Median rent in Kowanyama QLD is $115 per week ($498 per month). Rent represents 10.2% of household income, which is considered affordable. Kowanyama ranks #8,557 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What is the median age in Kowanyama?

The median age in Kowanyama QLD is 29 years. This is younger than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Kowanyama a good suburb to live in?

Kowanyama is a suburb in Queensland with a population of 1,079. The median income is $341/wk, which is below the typical QLD suburb ($747/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (10.2% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Explore More

Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Brisbane Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 31575. All dollar figures in AUD.