Kowanyama
At 1,079 residents, Kowanyama has a median age of 29, which is 11 years below the national figure, and a very low density of 0.4 people per square kilometre across 2,555.33 square kilometres. Its housing market is strongly rental-based, with 87.9% of occupied dwellings rented, while unemployment reaches 40.6%. Compared with nearby Cape York communities such as Aurukun and Pormpuraaw, Kowanyama's large land area and dispersed settlement create a different service and housing context. The profile is shaped by public administration, education and local services, while population change across the wider area is 0.4% below zero over 10 years.
Local council: Kowanyama
Population
1,079
Median Age
29.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,132/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Kowanyama is a specialised purchase market because 87.9% of occupied dwellings are rented and only 5.4% are owned outright. Detached homes account for 78.8% of dwellings, while 21.2% are semi-detached, with 3-bedroom homes the largest group at 50.6%. Two-bedroom homes represent 31.1%, and 4-bedroom or larger homes account for 17.0%. The rental reference point is $115 per week, equal to 10.2% of household income, while household income sits at the 21.1 percentile nationally. Compared with an owner-occupier suburb, buyers should allow more time for local transaction evidence, dwelling condition checks and tenure due diligence.
For Buyers
Kowanyama is a specialised purchase market because 87.9% of occupied dwellings are rented and only 5.4% are owned outright. Detached homes account for 78.8% of dwellings, while 21.2% are semi-detached, with 3-bedroom homes the largest group at 50.6%. Two-bedroom homes represent 31.1%, and 4-bedroom or larger homes account for 17.0%. The rental reference point is $115 per week, equal to 10.2% of household income, while household income sits at the 21.1 percentile nationally. Compared with an owner-occupier suburb, buyers should allow more time for local transaction evidence, dwelling condition checks and tenure due diligence.
For Investors
Kowanyama may suit investors seeking a highly localised rental strategy rather than a conventional growth market. Rent is $115 per week, 87.9% of occupied dwellings are rented and the vacancy rate is 5.6%, creating a clear tenant base but also requiring careful assessment of property management and maintenance access. No development projects were recorded in the past 12 months, and the forecast migration driver is Balanced. The annual growth trend is 0.22%, so the rental case is more dependent on service-worker demand and occupancy than on rapid capital appreciation. The renter share is substantially higher than the 5.4% owning outright, but the market is smaller and less liquid than a major regional centre.
Schools in Kowanyama
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Kowanyama State School
Demographics
Kowanyama has a young population, with a median age of 29, or 11 years below the national comparison. University attainment is 8.5%, which is 21.6 percentage points below the national figure, while the average household contains 3.7 people, 1.2 above the national average. Residential stability is high: 94.2% of residents stayed at the same address, compared with a turnover rate of 5.8%. Christianity is recorded for 819 people and no religion for 114. English ancestry accounts for 32 people, with Irish and Scottish ancestry each recorded for 7. Overseas-born residents represent 1.3%, so the population profile is more locally rooted and less internationally migrant-driven than the national pattern.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
78.8%
Houses
21.2%
Townhouse
0.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Kowanyama's tenure profile is dominated by renting: 87.9% of occupied dwellings are rented, compared with 5.4% owned outright and 6.7% in other tenure categories. Separate houses make up 78.8% of dwellings, while semi-detached homes account for 21.2%. Three-bedroom dwellings are the main format at 50.6%, followed by 2-bedroom homes at 31.1% and 4-bedroom or larger homes at 17.0%. The weekly rent of $115 represents 10.2% of household income, so measured rent pressure is below the level normally associated with mortgage or rental stress. The rental share is much higher than outright ownership, making housing availability and dwelling upkeep more important than conventional owner-occupier price comparisons.
Mortgage / mo
$0
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$115
Census 2021
HH Size
3.7
Personal Income / wk
$341
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.6%
Unoccupied
15
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
10.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
33.1%
Couples with children
21.2%
Couples, no children
40.8%
Single parent
245
Total families
Economy & Employment
Employment is concentrated in public services. Public administration accounts for 41.3% of industry employment, or 38 workers, followed by education at 38.0% and 35 workers, healthcare at 16.3% and 15 workers, and hospitality at 4.3% and 4 workers. This concentration supports essential services but leaves the local economy sensitive to government and institutional staffing. The labour force is 313 people, with 127 unemployed and an unemployment rate of 40.6%; participation is 39.4%, and 57.0% of employed people work full time. Household income is $1,132 per week, at the 21.1 percentile, which is below the national distribution. All four SEIFA measures sit in decile 1: IEO 763, IER 510, IRSD 535 and IRSAD 693, indicating disadvantage remains materially higher than in higher-decile areas.
Unemployment
40.6%
Labour Force
313
Unemployed
127
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.0%
Part-time
29.0%
Participation
39.4%
Employed
186
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
8.5%
Postgraduate
1.1%
Born Overseas
1.3%
Dwellings
241
Transport to Work
Kowanyama's low density of 0.4 people per square kilometre across 2,555.33 square kilometres shapes daily access. Walking and cycling account for 52.5% of reported travel, compared with 33.8% driving a car, so local trips can be practical without relying on private vehicles for every journey. One local school, Kowanyama State School, provides government-sector access; families should confirm enrolment arrangements against the exact address and year level. The IRSAD score is 693 in decile 1, which is below higher-decile areas and signals that service access and household resources need careful consideration. The population of 1,079 and average household size of 3.7 support a close service catchment, but distance and limited local choice make planning important.
Drive
33.8%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
52.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Growth Outlook
Kowanyama's growth outlook is restrained. The annual trend is 0.22%, while population change across the wider area is negative at 0.4% over 10 years, below zero. Migration is classified as Balanced, but the trajectory is labelled Declining young, with the young share down 2.1 percentage points and the senior share up 2.2 points. Rent growth of 162.2% has coincided with worsening affordability, moving from 15.4 in 2011 to 34.2 in 2021, while real income growth is negative at 4.3%. The gentrification score is 0 and the stage is Not gentrifying. Compared with a high-growth market, these indicators point to gradual change driven more by service stability than by strong population expansion.
Population trend: Kowanyama council area
Kowanyama sits in the Kowanyama council area. These are the council area's residents, not Kowanyama's.
Residents 2025
1,155
Growth, 5 yr average
+1.4%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+0.7%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Kowanyama compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kowanyama a good suburb to live in?
Kowanyama may suit residents who value a small Cape York community, local services and active travel. Walking or cycling accounts for 52.5% of reported travel, and the median age is 29. Housing access and services require planning because 87.9% of dwellings are rented and the area covers 2,555.33 square kilometres.
What is the median house price in Kowanyama?
A current median house price cannot be stated reliably for Kowanyama. Buyers should seek recent local transaction evidence and inspect dwelling condition carefully. The rental reference point is $115 per week, and 87.9% of occupied dwellings are rented, making tenure and local availability important parts of purchase research.
What schools are in Kowanyama?
Kowanyama State School is the local government school listed for the suburb. Families should confirm enrolment zones, year-level availability and transport arrangements for the exact address. Kowanyama has 1,079 residents, so school access should be checked early when assessing a move with children.
Is Kowanyama safe?
Safety should be assessed through current Queensland Police information and local advice rather than inferred from population size. Kowanyama has 1,079 residents, while practical checks should include lighting, travel routes, community guidance and property security. Ask local service providers about current conditions before choosing a home.
Is Kowanyama good for property investment?
Kowanyama is a specialised investment market. Rents average $115 per week, 87.9% of occupied dwellings are rented and vacancy is 5.6%, but there were 0 recorded development projects in the past 12 months. The annual growth trend is only 0.22%, so local management, maintenance access and tenant demand matter more than a standard metropolitan growth strategy.
How is Kowanyama's population changing?
Population change across the wider area is 0.4% below zero over 10 years, while the annual trend is 0.22%. The trajectory is labelled Declining young, with the young share down 2.1 percentage points and the senior share up 2.2 points. Migration is classified as Balanced, indicating gradual rather than rapid change.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
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