Statistics

Darkan has a temperate mediterranean climate with temperatures ranging from hot days during the summer months (November - March, average maximum of 31ºC) and cooler days and nights during winter (April - October, average minimum of 5ºC). The town is subject to some thunderstorm activity during the summer.

The average monthly rainfall for Darkan is provided in the table below. The majority of rain falls during the winter months. With the major local industry being wool production from Merino sheep, reliable rainfall is required to allow for heavy stocking rates, in an area regarded as one of the fastest growing regions in Western Australia.

West Arthur Monthly Rainfall Chart
 JanFebMarAprMayJun
Average Monthly Rainfall 11.1 14.8 17.8 31.2 73.2 104.1
Highest Monthly Rainfall 187.4 229.9 114.6 113.7 175.4 309.3
Lowest Monthly Rainfall 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.6 28.2
 JulAugSepOctNovDec
Average Monthly Rainfall 102.1 80.8 54.3 38.3 20.2 10.4
Highest Monthly Rainfall 260.1 236.3 146.3 118.3 100.8 67.2
Lowest Monthly Rainfall 34.4 21.0 5.8 0.5 0.0 0.0

Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Age Profile

The pie chart summarises the age profile for the region. According to the Census data, the majority of the population are between 30-39 years of age (20% of the population), 16% are between 0-9 years and 14% are between 40-49 years and 20-29 years.

Pie Chart displaying West Arthur's percentage of age groups

Age and Profile Information
 MaleFemalePersons
Total Persons 526 462 988
Aboriginal 3 5 8
Torres Strait Islander 0 0 0
Both Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander 0 0 0
Australian Born 477 394 871
Born Overseas      
Canada, Ireland, NZ, South Africa, UK and USA 26 40 66
Other Country 10 14 24
Total 36 54 90
Speaks English only and aged 5 years and over 475 398 873
Speaks language other than English and aged 5 years and over 4 6 10
Australian citizen 500 427 927
Unemployed 10 13 23
Employed 337 204 541
In the labour force 347 217 564
Not in the labour force 129 209 338
Unemployment Rate 2.9% 6.0% 4.1%

2006 Profile Of Disability

The Profile of Disability for the Shire of West Arthur, is obtainable by downloading the file below. It has been compiled by the Disability Services Commission in collaboration with the ABS to inform people about the prevalence of disability at a local level. It is based on data collected in 2003.