Atherton

Demographics & education

In the 2006 Census, 6,247 people were usually resident in Atherton: of these 47.1% were male and 52.9% were female. Of the total population 7.9% were Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

In the 2006 Census, 22.4% of people usually resident in Atherton were children aged 0-14 years, and 31.6% were people aged 55 years and over. The median age was 40 years.

In the 2006 Census, 91.4% of people usually resident in Atherton were Australian citizens, 13.7% were born overseas and 1.3% people were overseas visitors.

In the 2006 Census, 48.7% of people aged 15 years and over usually resident in Atherton were married, 13.4% were either separated or divorced, 9.7% were widowed and 28.1% were never married.

Cultural & language diversity

In the 2006 Census, 81.0% of people usually resident in Atherton, stated they were born in Australia. Other common responses for country of birth were England 3.8%, New Zealand 1.9%, Italy 1.3%, Germany 0.9% and Papua New Guinea 0.6%.

In the 2006 Census, the most common responses for religious affiliation for people usually resident in Atherton were Catholic 26.0%, No Religion 19.0%, Anglican 17.7%, Uniting Church 7.6% and Presbyterian and Reformed 4.8%.

In the 2006 Census, the most common responses for language other than English spoken at home by people usually resident in Atherton were Italian 1.9%, German 0.5%, French 0.2%, Cantonese 0.2% and Spanish 0.2%. English was stated as the only language spoken at home by 91.7%.

Employment

During the week prior to the 2006 Census, 2,589 people aged 15 years and over in Atherton were in the labour force. Of these 56.7% worked full-time, 30.3% worked part-time, 4.0% were away from work, 3.8% were employed but did not state their hours worked and 5.3% were unemployed. 1,996 people were not in the labour force.

In the 2006 Census, the most common responses for occupation for Atherton were Professionals 16.6%, Labourers 15.2%, Technicians and Trades Workers 14.9%, Clerical and Administrative Workers 11.8%, Community and Personal Service Workers 11.8%, Sales Workers 11.2%, Managers 10.6% and Machinery Operators And Drivers 5.8%.

In the 2006 Census, of the employed people aged 15 years and over in Atherton, the most common responses for industry of employment included School Education 7.8%, Cafes, Restaurants and Takeaway Food Services 4.2%, Supermarket and Grocery Stores 4.1%, Public Order and Safety Services 3.5% and Hospitals 3.0%.

In the 2006 Census in Atherton, the median weekly personal income for people aged 15 years and over who were usual residents was $378, the median family income was $908 and the median household income was $663.

Family composition

In the 2006 Census, there were 1,664 families in Atherton: of these 44.6% were couple families without children, 35.0% were couple families with children, 19.0% were one parent families and 1.4% were other families.

Dwelling structure

Dwellings include visitor only and other not-classifiable households unless otherwise stated

In the 2006 Census 2,630 occupied private dwellings were counted in Atherton.

In the 2006 Census, of the occupied private dwellings in Atherton, 80.8% were separate houses, 5.4% were semi-detached, row or terrace houses, townhouses etc, 9.3% were flats, units or apartments and 4.5% were other dwellings.

In the 2006 Census in Atherton, 36.8% of occupied private dwellings were owned outright, 18.9% were owned with a mortgage and 38.2% were rented.

In the 2006 Census in Atherton, of the occupied private dwellings being rented, 34.9% were rented from a real estate agent, 13.4% were rented from a State or Territory housing authority and 48.2% were rented from other landlord type.

Dwelling characteristics

In the 2006 Census in Atherton, the median weekly rent was $150. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,005. The average people per household was 2.3 and the average number of people per bedroom was 1.1.

Household composition

In the 2006 Census in Atherton, 62.4% of occupied private dwellings were family households, 29.3% were single (or lone) person households and 2.5% were group households.