🔍

Hope Vale

QLD 4895 • Rest of QLD

1,004
Population (2021)
$43,004
Median Household Income
1303.39 km²
Area
$120/wk
Median Rent
Indigenous CommunityRemoteCultural HeritageCape YorkRural

About Hope Vale

Hope Vale is a remote Indigenous community located 46 kilometres northwest of Cooktown on Cape York Peninsula, Queensland. With a population of approximately 1,000 people, it is the oldest continuing mission community in North Queensland, originally established by Lutheran missionaries in 1886. The community is home to thirteen clans and is run by its own elected Aboriginal Shire Council, having received a deed of grant in trust for 110,000 hectares of traditional lands.

Life in Hope Vale centres around Indigenous culture and community connection. The township features the Indigenous Knowledge Centre, an art centre showcasing traditional craftsmanship, and is surrounded by tropical bushland, mountain ranges and pristine coastline. The local language Guugu Yimithirr is still spoken, preserving thousands of years of cultural heritage. Residents enjoy access to the nearby Coral Sea coastline and connection to Cooktown for essential services and supplies.

Hope Vale falls under postcode 4895 and is governed by Cook Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Cook electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Queensland Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4895
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Cook
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Cook
Type
Rural
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-15.14°, 145.22°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
1303.39 km²
Elevation
8m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$120
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$975
Avg Household Size
3 people
Median Age
29 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
73.8%

129 state housing + 88 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Commute to Cairns

Distance
372 km
By Car (Peak)
4h 30min
By Car (Off-Peak)
4h 30min

🛣️ Remote location - no public transport. Cooktown (46km) is the nearest major town. Sealed road access via Mulligan Highway.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Essential services within the community; Cooktown required for major shopping and medical services.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Cook Local Government Area, which contains Hope Vale. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
1,391.2 / 100k
2yr Up 27.4% 10yr Up 87.0%
Motor vehicle theft
245.5 / 100k
2yr Down 16.5% 10yr Up 50.9%
Non-FV assault
4,746.5 / 100k
2yr Up 18.3% 10yr Up 219.1%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
409.2 / 100k
2yr Up 39.2% 10yr Down 20.0%
View all offence categories for Cook →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,015
Census 2021
1,004
▼ 1.1% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$17,212
Personal Income 2021
$20,280
▲ 17.8% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$20,280 / yr
$390/wk
Household
$43,004 / yr
$827/wk
Family
$45,708 / yr
$879/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 935
Born Overseas 19

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 7
  • 2. Fiji 4
  • 3. Philippines 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian Aboriginal 862
Australian 58
English 50
German 13
Irish 10
Scottish 8
Italian 5
Maori 5
Filipino 4
French 4

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

901
Both parents born in Australia
22
Both parents born overseas
25
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
79.9%
No Religion
10.9%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
103 (10.3%)
5-14 years
188 (18.7%)
15-19 years
68 (6.8%)
20-24 years
77 (7.7%)
25-34 years
170 (16.9%)
35-44 years
117 (11.7%)
45-54 years
122 (12.2%)
55-64 years
84 (8.4%)
65-74 years
46 (4.6%)
75-84 years
14 (1.4%)
85+ years
6 (0.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hope Vale known for? +

Hope Vale is known as one of North Queensland's oldest continuing mission communities, home to thirteen clans whose ancestors have lived on Cape York Peninsula for thousands of years. The community is renowned for preserving the Guugu Yimithirr language and traditional culture, and its Indigenous Knowledge Centre showcases local art and craftsmanship.

How far is Hope Vale from Cairns? +

Hope Vale is approximately 372 kilometres north of Cairns, reached via the Mulligan Highway through Cooktown. The drive takes around 4.5 hours, with Cooktown (46 km south) being the nearest major town.

Does Hope Vale have public transport? +

Hope Vale has no public transport services. It is a remote community accessed by sealed road via the Mulligan Highway, and a car is essential. Cooktown (46 km away) provides the nearest regular services and transport connections.

What is the population of Hope Vale? +

According to the 2021 Census, Hope Vale has a population of approximately 1,004 residents, making it a small but significant Indigenous community on Cape York Peninsula.

Is Hope Vale a good place to live? +

Hope Vale offers a unique, culturally rich lifestyle for those connected to the Guugu Yimithirr community. The area features pristine tropical coastline, traditional bushland, and a strong sense of communal identity, though essential services are limited and Cooktown is the nearest major hub.

What is the postcode for Hope Vale? +

The postcode for Hope Vale, QLD is 4895.

What is the average income in Hope Vale? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Hope Vale is about $390 per week (around $20,300 per year). The median household income is $827 per week and the median family income is $879 per week.

What is the age profile of Hope Vale? +

The median age in Hope Vale is 29. The largest age group is 5–14 (188 residents, around 19%). Around 36% of residents are under 20 and about 7% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Hope Vale a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Hope Vale is part of the Cook LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Hope Vale? +

In Hope Vale, the median weekly rent is $120, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $975 (2021 Census).