# Ballarat vs Castlemaine - Kerang — 2021 Census comparison

Indigenous Area comparison · about 146 km apart

Ballarat and Castlemaine - Kerang are two distinct Victorian regions separated by about 146 km. Ballarat is far more walkable, with a score of 5.6 (somewhat walkable) compared to 3.7 (mostly car-dependent) in Castlemaine - Kerang. This is seen in local access, as Ballarat has far more homes within a 15-minute walk of groceries (63.8% vs 42.0%) and public transport (79.0% vs 48.3%). Ballarat also has a far larger First Nations population, with 2,196 people compared to 1,190 in Castlemaine - Kerang, and a much higher rate of First Nations Year 12 completion at 43.6% against 31.3%.

Both areas share very similar First Nations unemployment rates, which sit at 12.2% in Ballarat and 12.0% in Castlemaine - Kerang. This common challenge exists alongside a wide gap in age and income for First Nations people; residents in Castlemaine - Kerang are noticeably older with a typical age of 27, while those in Ballarat are younger at 22. First Nations personal incomes are also a little higher in Ballarat, where the typical person earns $553 compared to $470 in Castlemaine - Kerang.

## First Nations

| Statistic | Ballarat | Castlemaine - Kerang | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| First Nations people | 2,196 | 1,190 | 1,006 larger in Ballarat |  |
| Median age | 22 yrs | 27 yrs | 5 yrs older in Castlemaine - Kerang |  |
| Year 12 | 43.6% | 31.3% | 12.3 pts higher in Ballarat |  |
| Unemployment | 12.2% | 12.0% | 0.3 pts higher in Ballarat |  |
| Median income | $553 | $470 | $83 higher in Ballarat |  |
| Household income | $1,364 | $1,110 | $254 higher in Ballarat |  |
| Indigenous language | 5.1% | 2.6% | 2.4 pts higher in Ballarat |  |

## Walkability

| Statistic | Ballarat | Castlemaine - Kerang | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Walk score | 5.6 | 3.7 | 1.9 higher in Ballarat |  |
| Types ≤15 min | 5.5 | 3.9 | 1.6 more in Ballarat |  |
| 15-min city | 64.1% | 44.6% | 19.5 pts higher in Ballarat |  |
| Walk to shops | 63.8% | 42.0% | 21.8 pts higher in Ballarat |  |
| Walk to transit | 79.0% | 48.3% | 30.7 pts higher in Ballarat |  |
| Walk to school | 70.2% | 45.7% | 24.5 pts higher in Ballarat |  |
| Walk to a park | 93.0% | 68.8% | 24.2 pts higher in Ballarat |  |
| Walk to health | 48.2% | 32.3% | 16.0 pts higher in Ballarat |  |
| Intersections/km² | 23 | 1 | 22 higher in Ballarat |  |
| Mean slope | 4.8% | 4.9% | 0.0 pts higher in Castlemaine - Kerang |  |

Interactive comparison: https://censusatlas.au/compare/iare/IARE202001/ballarat/vs/IARE202005/castlemaine-kerang