🔍

Christmas Island

6798 • Other Territories

1,692
Population (2021)
$64,116
Median Income
136.14 km²
Area
$150/wk
Median Rent
RemoteMulticulturalCoastalUniqueTourist Hub

About Christmas Island

Christmas Island is an Australian external territory located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 2,600 kilometres northwest of Perth and 360 kilometres south of Java, Indonesia. The island covers 136 square kilometres and had a population of 1,692 at the 2021 Census, making it one of Australia's most remote and unique inhabited territories. With a median age of 38 and a notably high proportion of residents born overseas — particularly from Malaysia, Singapore, and the broader Asia-Pacific region — Christmas Island is one of the most culturally and religiously diverse places under Australian administration.

The island is renowned for one of nature's great spectacles: the annual migration of millions of red crabs from the rainforest interior to the coast each wet season. Christmas Island National Park covers around 63% of the island's land area, protecting pristine rainforest, sea cliffs, and coral reefs that attract nature lovers and divers from around the world. The main settlement, Flying Fish Cove (also known as The Settlement), serves as the island's administrative and commercial hub. Residents enjoy a close-knit multicultural community lifestyle with access to schooling, a small hospital, and regular flights to Perth.

Christmas Island falls under postcode 6798 and is governed by Unincorporated Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Unclassified (OT) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Other Territories
Postcode
6798
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Unincorporated
Federal Electorate
Lingiari
State Electorate
Unclassified (OT)
Type
Rural
Timezone
Christmas
Coordinates
-10.49°, 105.62°
Statistical Area
Other Territories
Area
136.14 km²
Elevation
222m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited local services — Flying Fish Cove / The Settlement Varies by location

Commute to Perth CBD

Distance
2600 km
By Train
No rail service. Flights from Christmas Island Airport to Perth (~3.5 hours)
By Car (Peak)
Not applicable
By Car (Off-Peak)
Not applicable

🛣️ Access is by air only; regular flights operate to Perth. Sea freight connects to the mainland.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Flying Fish Cove has walkable amenities for daily needs, but most parts of the island require a car or motorbike

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$150
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,300
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
38 years

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,843
Census 2021
1,692
▼ 8.2% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$60,528
Income 2021
$64,116
▲ 5.9% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 690
Born Overseas 739

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Malaysia 314
  • 2. Singapore 43
  • 3. England 33
  • 4. New Zealand 32
  • 5. Philippines 27
  • 6. India 22
  • 7. Indonesia 17
  • 8. Thailand 13
  • 9. Vietnam 13
  • 10. Iraq 12

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Chinese 376
Australian 288
English 212
Irish 56
Scottish 47
German 28
Filipino 27
Indian 24
Dutch 14
South African 11

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

323
Both parents born in Australia
695
Both parents born overseas
223
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Islam
22.1%
No Religion
19.9%
Buddhism
15.2%
Christianity
14.5%
Hinduism
0.6%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
83 (4.9%)
5-14 years
200 (11.8%)
15-19 years
54 (3.2%)
20-24 years
73 (4.3%)
25-34 years
319 (18.9%)
35-44 years
271 (16.0%)
45-54 years
263 (15.5%)
55-64 years
210 (12.4%)
65-74 years
178 (10.5%)
75-84 years
32 (1.9%)
85+ years
4 (0.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Christmas Island known for? +

Christmas Island is best known for its spectacular annual red crab migration, where tens of millions of red crabs travel from the rainforest to the coast to breed — a natural event recognised worldwide. It is also renowned for its national park, diverse coral reefs, and multicultural community.

How far is Christmas Island from Perth? +

Christmas Island is approximately 2,600 kilometres northwest of Perth, accessible by a roughly 3.5-hour flight. It is closer to Indonesia (about 360 km from Java) than to the Australian mainland.

Does Christmas Island have public transport? +

Christmas Island has no railway. Getting around the island typically requires a car or motorbike. The island is connected to Australia by regular flights via Christmas Island Airport.

What is the population of Christmas Island? +

According to the 2021 Census, Christmas Island has a population of approximately 1,692 residents, representing a diverse mix of Chinese-Australian, Malay-Australian, and other backgrounds.

Is Christmas Island a good place to live? +

Christmas Island offers a unique and adventurous lifestyle surrounded by national park, coral reefs, and a multicultural village community. It is best suited to those comfortable with remoteness, and is popular with government and service workers.

What is the postcode for Christmas Island? +

The postcode for Christmas Island is 6798, the only postcode assigned to this Australian external territory.