The population at March 1991 was 568 distributed between Home Island (437) and West Island (131).
The Cocos Malays are descendants of the original settlers and labourers brought to the islands between 1826 and 1831 and of others recruited later. They are mostly of Malay origin, although some trace their ancestry to East Africa, China, Java, Borneo and Malacca.
The Cocos Malays are Muslims and speak a local dialect of Malay. Most are Australian citizens.
Through the Cocos Islands Co-operative Society, the Cocos Malays undertake building and construction, copra production, and stevedoring and lighterage services.
The West Island community, mostly on service from mainland Australia, is employed by Commonwealth departments or by the Shell Company (Pacific Islands) Limited.
While local fishing is good and domestic gardens provide small quantities of vegetables, bananas and pawpaws the islands are not self-sufficient and foodstuffs, consumer items and fuels are imported from the mainland and Singapore.
In 1981 the Government opened an animal quarantine station on West Island. The station, operated by the Department of Health, gives Australian livestock producers access to important sources of overseas genetic material.
A 24-hour international flight information service for the region,
covering 5.7 million square kilometres, is maintained by the Department of Aviation.
The Cocos Meteorological Station provides a full range of surface
and upper air observations which are of special value in aviation
forecasts for Indian Ocean Rights.
There is now a weekly air charter service between Perth, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island. The only other transport link with Cocos is a shipping service from Fremantle at present sailing every six to eight weeks.
The Territory's own postal service, including a philatelic bureau, was opened in 1979. The service is run by the Administration, provides local employment, and directs its profits to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Council for use on community projects .
There are primary schools on Home and West Islands, and a secondary school on West Island with classes to Year 10 level.
A four-bed hospital on West Island is equipped to handle most surgical and medical emergencies. A resident Malay-speaking nursing sister conducts public health and hygiene programs on Home Island.
Both Home and West Islands have their own social clubs and clubhouses
for film screenings, dances and other community activities. West
and Home Islanders support a variety of sports and activities
and join in the Territory's major sporting event, the Cocos Olympics,
which is held each October.