Bowen

Demographics & education

In the 2006 Census, 6,183 people were usually resident in Bowen: of these 48.8% were male and 51.2% were female. Of the total population 8.0% were Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

In the 2006 Census, 23.0% of people usually resident in Bowen were children aged 0-14 years, and 23.9% were people aged 55 years and over. The median age was 33 years.

In the 2006 Census, 90.5% of people usually resident in Bowen were Australian citizens, 6.6% were born overseas and 0.1% people were overseas visitors.

In the 2006 Census, 39.9% of people aged 15 years and over usually resident in Bowen were married, 14.0% were either separated or divorced, 7.9% were widowed and 38.2% were never married.

Cultural & language diversity

In the 2006 Census, 85.9% of people usually resident in Bowen, stated they were born in Australia. Other common responses for country of birth were England 1.7%, New Zealand 0.7%, Scotland 0.3%, Italy 0.3% and Philippines 0.3%.

In the 2006 Census, the most common responses for religious affiliation for people usually resident in Bowen were Catholic 32.1%, Anglican 29.1%, No Religion 10.9%, Uniting Church 7.1% and Presbyterian and Reformed 3.1%.

In the 2006 Census, the most common responses for language other than English spoken at home by people usually resident in Bowen were Italian 0.5%, German 0.2%, Cantonese 0.1%, Polish 0.1% and Croatian 0.1%. English was stated as the only language spoken at home by 92.1%.

Employment

During the week prior to the 2006 Census, 2,624 people aged 15 years and over in Bowen were in the labour force. Of these 58.6% worked full-time, 27.1% worked part-time, 3.5% were away from work, 2.6% were employed but did not state their hours worked and 8.2% were unemployed. 1,828 people were not in the labour force.

In the 2006 Census, the most common responses for occupation for Bowen were Technicians and Trades Workers 15.4%, Labourers 15.3%, Professionals 14.8%, Clerical and Administrative Workers 13.3%, Sales Workers 10.4%, Community and Personal Service Workers 10.3%, Managers 10.2% and Machinery Operators And Drivers 8.8%.

In the 2006 Census, of the employed people aged 15 years and over in Bowen, the most common responses for industry of employment included Hospitals 6.1%, Domestic Appliance Manufacturing 4.4%, School Education 4.2%, Cafes, Restaurants and Takeaway Food Services 4.0% and Residential Care Services 2.6%.

In the 2006 Census in Bowen, the median weekly personal income for people aged 15 years and over who were usual residents was $381, the median family income was $985 and the median household income was $714.

Family composition

In the 2006 Census, there were 1,523 families in Bowen: of these 35.1% were couple families without children, 38.9% were couple families with children, 23.8% were one parent families and 2.1% were other families.

Dwelling structure

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

In the 2006 Census 2,464 occupied private dwellings were counted in Bowen.

In the 2006 Census, of the occupied private dwellings in Bowen, 85.7% were separate houses, 4.2% were semi-detached, row or terrace houses, townhouses etc, 8.7% were flats, units or apartments and 1.4% were other dwellings.

In the 2006 Census in Bowen, 28.7% of occupied private dwellings were owned outright, 25.6% were owned with a mortgage and 37.7% were rented.

In the 2006 Census in Bowen, of the occupied private dwellings being rented, 44.8% were rented from a real estate agent, 32.2% were rented from a State or Territory housing authority and 20.0% were rented from other landlord type.

Dwelling characteristics

In the 2006 Census in Bowen, the median weekly rent was $150. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,128. The average people per household was 2.4 and the average number of people per bedroom was 1.1.

Household composition

In the 2006 Census in Bowen, 60.6% of occupied private dwellings were family households, 30.2% were single (or lone) person households and 3.4% were group households.