The Fascinating Facts of Norfolk’s

Census

The only residents of Norfolk Island who are increasing in numbers are those who have been divorced. This is shown in a detailed analysis of the island’s population, made at the June, 1961, census, and just issued by the Commonwealth Statistician, Mr. K. M.

Archer The census showed the Norfolk Island population at 844, a decrease of 98 on the 1954 census.

Of these, 357 had never married, a decrease of 19. The “un marrieds” included 232 under the age of 15.

There were 376 married people (a decrease of 64), 14 married but permanently separated (-6), 75 widowed (-14) and 22 divorced, an increase of six.

The island must have the best-balanced population (as between the sexes) of all the States and Territories. There were 421 males and 423 females.

Mr. Archer comments on the high proportion of older people, 14.5 per cent, of the population being over 65 years of age.

Less than half the population (217 males and 179 females) were born on the island. The island’s 14 foreign citizens comprise eight Americans, four French, one Belgian and one German.

Main occupations of the 235 men and 76 women who work on the island were: Primary production, 91; commerce, 44; public authority, 37; transport and communication, 30; community and business services, 27; amusement, hotels, accommodation and cafes, 27; building, 25; and manufacturing, 15.

The census showed that of the 356 houses on the island, 71 were unoccupied, and that only 27 houses had been built since June, 1954.