Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
Christmas Island suburb profile
Christmas Island, AU · Postcode 6798
This Christmas Island suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for Christmas Island, AU (postcode 6798). Use it as a free suburb report covering population, median rent, household income, age, housing tenure and employment, plus how those figures changed since Census 2016— then compare Christmas Island with nearby suburbs.
Christmas Island at a glance
Population
1,692
Median rent
$150/wk
Household income
$2,109/wk
Median age
38
Christmas Island trends (2016 → 2021)
Change since the previous Census. Historical figures are mapped from State Suburbs (SSC) to today's suburb boundaries.
Population
Census 2011 → 2016 → 2021
-18.3% over 10 years
Population
1,692
was 1,843 in 2016
-151 · -8.2%
Median rent
$150/wk
was $152/wk in 2016
$2 · -1.3%
Household income
$2,109/wk
was $2,141/wk in 2016
$32 · -1.5%
Median age
38
was 38 in 2016
0 · 0%
Dig deeper: Christmas Island population growth · Christmas Island then and now
Christmas Island vs nearby & AU
Median Census 2021 figures for Christmas Island, nearby suburbs (1), and the AU state median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
-23.1% vs area
- Christmas Island$150/wk
- AU$195/wk
Household income
+28.1% vs area
- Christmas Island$2,109/wk
- AU$1,646.5/wk
Median age
-13.6% vs area
- Christmas Island38
- AU44
Personal income
+25.2% vs area
- Christmas Island$1,233/wk
- AU$984.5/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in AU.
Socio-economic profile
How Christmas Island compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
Christmas Island sits around the national middle for socio-economic advantage. It shows limited economic resources.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 3970.5
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 5972.4
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 2942.7
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 4957.2
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
Christmas Island on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for Christmas Island, AU.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
Christmas Island people
- Population
- 1,692
- Median age
- 38
- Born overseas
- 43.7%
- Average household size
- 2.5
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
Christmas Island income
- Median household income
- $2,109/wk
- Median personal income
- $1,233/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
Christmas Island housing
- Median rent
- $150/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $1,300/mo
- Separate houses
- 36.1%
- Flats & apartments
- 23.7%
- Owned outright
- 20%
- Mortgaged
- 11.8%
- Rented
- 38.1%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 20.4%
Median weekly rent for rented dwellings
Median monthly mortgage repayment
Percentage of dwellings that are separate houses
Percentage of dwellings that are flats or apartments
Percentage of dwellings owned without a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings with a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings rented
Percentage of private dwellings unoccupied on Census night
Christmas Island work
- Employment to population
- 55%
- Unemployment rate
- 1.5%
- Year 12 or above
- 38.5%
Employed persons as a percentage of population aged 15+
Unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force
Percentage with Year 12 or equivalent as highest school level
Nearby suburb profiles (near 6798)
Compare Christmas Island with nearby suburbs
Christmas Island in numbers
Christmas Island had 1,692 residents at the 2021 Census, making it the 2nd most populous suburb or locality in AU out of 5. The median age is 38, 14% below the typical AU suburb. The average household has 2.5 people. 43.7% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 20% own their home outright, 11.8% are paying a mortgage, 38.1% rent. Separate houses make up 36.1% of dwellings, with 23.7% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $150/wk, 23% below the typical AU suburb.
Median household income was $2,109/wk, 28% above the typical AU suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 1.5%. 38.5% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 3 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population fell 8.2% (from 1,843 to 1,692). Median rent moved from $152/wk to $150/wk (-1.3%).
Christmas Island suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in Christmas Island, AU?
- The median weekly rent in Christmas Island was $150/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in Christmas Island, AU?
- Christmas Island had 1,692 residents at the 2021 Census, down 8.2% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in Christmas Island?
- Median household income in Christmas Island was $2,109/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in Christmas Island?
- 38.1% of occupied homes in Christmas Island were rented, 20% were owned outright and 11.8% were owned with a mortgage.
About this Christmas Island suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching Christmas Island. Where shown, 2016 values come from the 2016 State Suburbs (SSC) profile, linked via ABS geographic correspondence — boundaries are not always identical. Medians may be suppressed for very small areas. This is not financial or relocation advice — use it alongside current market data.
Source: ABS Census 2021. Methodology