In the 2021 census, the Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire had a population of 976 people, of whom 863 (88.4%) are Indigenous Australians.

[1] Guugu Yimithirr (also known as Koko Yindjir, Gugu Yimidhirr, Guguyimidjir) is an Australian Aboriginal language of Hope Vale and the Cooktown area.

The language region includes the local government area of the Aboriginal Shire of Hope Vale and the Shire of Cook, particularly the localities of Cape Bedford, Battle Camp and sections of the Normanby River and Annan River.

[1] The Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council operates under the requirements set out in the Queensland Local Government Act.

However, in the township of Hope Vale the council is also the Trustee of the land and as such has added responsibilities that are quite different from a typical local government body.