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South Burnett vs Western Downs

Council (LGA) comparison ≈ 126 km apart · South Burnett profile · Western Downs profile

South Burnett Western Downs

Western Downs and South Burnett are both regional Queensland areas with similar population sizes, though they differ significantly in age and income. Western Downs is much younger, with a typical resident aged 38 compared to 48 in South Burnett. This younger profile is reflected in the families; children under 15 make up 21.4% of Western Downs, which is well higher than the 17.0% in South Burnett. Western Downs also sees higher employment and pay, with a typical weekly household income of $1,374, well higher than the $1,045 found in South Burnett.

Both areas share a very similar lifestyle in many ways, with nearly identical rates of unemployment and typical weekly rents. They also both lack public transport, reporting zero stops and routes. However, the gaps between them are often widening. The age difference has grown since 2011, as residents in South Burnett are now 10 years older than those in Western Downs, up from a 5-year gap a decade ago.

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Where they differ most

Median age: 10 yrs older in South Burnett Participation: 12.4 pts higher in Western Downs Unpaid carers: 2.9 pts higher in South Burnett Aged 65+: 9.3 pts higher in South Burnett Under 15: 4.4 pts higher in Western Downs

Demographics & Identity

Population in South Burnettin Western Downs +847 larger in Western Downs gap widening
32,996 68th pct 33,843 68th pct
Median age in South Burnettin Western Downs +10 yrs older in South Burnett gap widening
48 yrs 79th pct 38 yrs 29th pct
First Nations in South Burnettin Western Downs +1.4 pts higher in Western Downs gap widening
6.2% 64th pct 7.6% 72nd pct
Aged 65+ in South Burnettin Western Downs +9.3 pts higher in South Burnett gap widening
26.4% 83rd pct 17.1% 35th pct
Under 15 in South Burnettin Western Downs +4.4 pts higher in Western Downs gap widening
17.0% 42nd pct 21.4% 85th pct
De facto in South Burnettin Western Downs +1.7 pts higher in Western Downs gap steady
11.2% 24th pct 12.8% 51st pct

Age structure

27.1% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +2.0 pts 25.1%
26.4% Seniors (65+) ◂ +9.3 pts 17.1%
19.2% Young adults (25–44) +5.5 pts ▸ 24.7%
17.0% Children (0–14) +4.4 pts ▸ 21.4%
10.3% Youth (15–24) +1.5 pts ▸ 11.7%

Marital status

46.4% Married ◂ +0.2 pts 46.2%
30.6% Never married +4.5 pts ▸ 35.0%
11.5% Divorced ◂ +2.7 pts 8.8%
7.0% Widowed ◂ +1.4 pts 5.6%
4.5% Separated ◂ +0.1 pts 4.3%

Age & sex structure

South Burnett Western Downs

Bars show the share of each area's own population, so differently sized areas stay comparable.

Ancestry & Birthplace

Born overseas in South Burnettin Western Downs +1.8 pts higher in South Burnett gap narrowing
9.7% 33rd pct 7.9% 23rd pct

Country of birth

80.4% Australia +1.5 pts ▸ 81.9%
2.5% England ◂ +1.3 pts 1.2%
1.9% New Zealand ◂ +0.6 pts 1.4%
0.8% Philippines +0.7 pts ▸ 1.5%
0.3% South Africa +0.2 pts ▸ 0.5%
0.2% India +0.1 pts ▸ 0.3%
0.1% China even 0.1%
0.1% Vietnam even 0.1%
0.1% Italy even 0.0%
0.0% Nepal even 0.1%

Ancestry

40.6% Australian +2.3 pts ▸ 42.9%
41.3% English ◂ +3.4 pts 37.8%
10.5% German ◂ +1.7 pts 8.8%
10.2% Irish +0.2 pts ▸ 10.4%
9.8% Scottish ◂ +0.3 pts 9.5%
1.1% Filipino +0.6 pts ▸ 1.7%
1.3% Italian ◂ +0.2 pts 1.1%
1.2% Dutch ◂ +0.2 pts 1.0%
0.7% Chinese ◂ +0.2 pts 0.5%
0.3% Indian +0.1 pts ▸ 0.4%
0.2% Greek ◂ +0.1 pts 0.1%
0.1% Vietnamese even 0.1%

Language

Other language in South Burnettin Western Downs +1.0 pts higher in Western Downs gap steady
3.1% 22nd pct 4.1% 35th pct
Limited English in South Burnettin Western Downs +0.1 pts higher in South Burnett gap steady
0.4% 36th pct 0.3% 32nd pct

Language used at home

87.9% English only ◂ +1.8 pts 86.1%
0.3% Tagalog +0.3 pts ▸ 0.6%
0.3% Mandarin ◂ +0.1 pts 0.1%
0.1% Punjabi +0.1 pts ▸ 0.1%
0.0% Hindi +0.1 pts ▸ 0.1%
0.1% Arabic ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%
0.1% Vietnamese even 0.1%
0.1% Italian even 0.0%
0.1% Cantonese even 0.1%
0.0% Greek even 0.0%

Religion

No religion in South Burnettin Western Downs +7.1 pts higher in South Burnett gap steady
37.8% 36th pct 30.6% 19th pct

Religious affiliation

49.6% Christianity +7.3 pts ▸ 56.9%
37.8% No religion ◂ +7.1 pts 30.6%
11.0% Not stated +0.2 pts ▸ 11.3%
0.7% Other religions ◂ +0.3 pts 0.3%
0.5% Buddhism ◂ +0.2 pts 0.3%
0.2% Hinduism +0.1 pts ▸ 0.3%
0.2% Islam +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%
0.0% Judaism even 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in South Burnettin Western Downs +5.8 pts higher in Western Downs gap widening
35.4% 25th pct 41.2% 48th pct
Bachelor+ in South Burnettin Western Downs +1.3 pts higher in Western Downs gap steady
9.5% 21st pct 10.8% 32nd pct
Schools in South Burnettin Western Downs +5 more in Western Downs
27 78th pct 32 82nd pct
Schools/1k kids in South Burnettin Western Downs +0.38 more in South Burnett
4.80 60th pct 4.42 57th pct
Students in South Burnettin Western Downs +1,378 more in Western Downs
4,979 65th pct 6,357 70th pct
Avg size in South Burnettin Western Downs +21 larger in Western Downs
184 43rd pct 205 46th pct
ICSEA in South Burnettin Western Downs +19 higher in Western Downs
929 26th pct 948 35th pct

Highest year of school

35.4% Year 12 +5.8 pts ▸ 41.2%
30.8% Year 10 ◂ +3.0 pts 27.8%
16.1% Year 9 or below ◂ +3.1 pts 12.9%
6.9% Year 11 ◂ +0.5 pts 6.4%

Highest qualification level

38.3% Certificate III / IV ◂ +0.4 pts 37.9%
13.3% Bachelor degree +2.4 pts ▸ 15.7%
13.4% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +0.9 pts 12.4%
3.6% Certificate I / II +0.1 pts ▸ 3.7%
2.5% Postgraduate degree ◂ +0.7 pts 1.8%
2.0% Graduate diploma / certificate even 2.0%

Field of qualification

15.9% Engineering & related +1.2 pts ▸ 17.1%
11.9% Management & commerce +2.0 pts ▸ 14.0%
11.6% Society & culture ◂ +3.3 pts 8.2%
9.1% Health ◂ +1.1 pts 8.1%
8.7% Education ◂ +0.1 pts 8.6%
4.0% Agriculture & environment +2.4 pts ▸ 6.3%
5.7% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +0.1 pts 5.6%
5.4% Architecture & building ◂ +0.9 pts 4.5%
1.3% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +0.3 pts 1.0%
1.2% Creative arts ◂ +0.1 pts 1.1%
1.1% Information technology ◂ +0.2 pts 0.9%

Income

Personal income in South Burnettin Western Downs +$174 higher in Western Downs gap widening
$542 11th pct $716 43rd pct
Household income in South Burnettin Western Downs +$329 higher in Western Downs gap widening
$1,045 11th pct $1,374 48th pct
Family income in South Burnettin Western Downs +$376 higher in Western Downs gap widening
$1,337 13th pct $1,713 44th pct
High earners in South Burnettin Western Downs +3.0 pts higher in Western Downs gap widening
5.1% 16th pct 8.1% 47th pct
High-income homes in South Burnettin Western Downs +4.5 pts higher in Western Downs gap widening
8.6% 14th pct 13.1% 44th pct

Household income distribution

35.1% $650–$1,499 ◂ +5.1 pts 30.0%
22.5% $1,500–$2,999 +5.5 pts ▸ 28.0%
24.5% Under $650 ◂ +5.8 pts 18.7%
4.8% $3,000–$3,999 +2.0 pts ▸ 6.9%
3.7% $4,000 or more +2.5 pts ▸ 6.3%

Personal income distribution

50.9% Under $650 ◂ +10.1 pts 40.9%
27.3% $650–$1,499 +3.0 pts ▸ 30.2%
9.3% $1,500–$2,999 +4.9 pts ▸ 14.2%
1.6% $3,000 or more +1.2 pts ▸ 2.8%

Health & Disability

Health condition in South Burnettin Western Downs +6.4 pts higher in South Burnett
36.6% 91st pct 30.2% 55th pct
Mental health in South Burnettin Western Downs +2.5 pts higher in South Burnett
12.3% 95th pct 9.8% 69th pct
Needs assistance in South Burnettin Western Downs +3.5 pts higher in South Burnett gap steady
10.0% 100th pct 6.4% 68th pct

Long-term health conditions reported

13.9% Arthritis ◂ +4.4 pts 9.5%
12.3% Mental health ◂ +2.5 pts 9.8%
10.0% Asthma +0.2 pts ▸ 10.2%
10.1% Other condition ◂ +2.9 pts 7.2%
6.5% Diabetes ◂ +1.1 pts 5.4%
6.2% Heart disease ◂ +1.8 pts 4.4%
4.0% Cancer ◂ +1.1 pts 3.0%
3.5% Lung condition ◂ +1.4 pts 2.1%
1.6% Stroke ◂ +0.5 pts 1.1%
0.9% Dementia ◂ +0.3 pts 0.6%

Number of long-term health conditions

52.0% None +5.3 pts ▸ 57.3%
21.8% One condition ◂ +2.4 pts 19.4%
8.8% Two conditions ◂ +2.2 pts 6.7%
5.9% Three or more ◂ +1.8 pts 4.1%

Community Participation

Volunteering in South Burnettin Western Downs +2.8 pts higher in Western Downs gap steady
16.7% 45th pct 19.5% 60th pct
Unpaid carers in South Burnettin Western Downs +2.9 pts higher in South Burnett gap steady
14.3% 88th pct 11.4% 39th pct
Unpaid child care in South Burnettin Western Downs +5.4 pts higher in Western Downs gap widening
20.5% 17th pct 25.9% 59th pct
Defence service in South Burnettin Western Downs +1.7 pts higher in South Burnett
4.7% 89th pct 3.0% 49th pct
Housework 15h+ in South Burnettin Western Downs +2.5 pts higher in South Burnett gap steady
24.6% 74th pct 22.1% 50th pct

First Nations

First Nations people in South Burnettin Western Downs +540 larger in Western Downs
2,045 79th pct 2,585 85th pct
Median age in South Burnettin Western Downs +2 yrs older in South Burnett
22 yrs 21st pct 20 yrs 7th pct
Year 12 in South Burnettin Western Downs even
34.2% 54th pct 34.2% 54th pct
Unemployment in South Burnettin Western Downs +0.1 pts higher in South Burnett
13.5% 63rd pct 13.3% 62nd pct
Median income in South Burnettin Western Downs +$27 higher in Western Downs
$501 35th pct $528 43rd pct
Household income in South Burnettin Western Downs +$104 higher in Western Downs
$1,235 34th pct $1,339 46th pct
Indigenous language in South Burnettin Western Downs +0.2 pts higher in Western Downs
2.8% 28th pct 3.0% 30th pct

Family & Households

Household size in South Burnettin Western Downs +0.2 larger in Western Downs gap steady
2.3 29th pct 2.5 71st pct
One-parent in South Burnettin Western Downs +0.8 pts higher in South Burnett gap narrowing
17.1% 76th pct 16.3% 72nd pct
Living alone in South Burnettin Western Downs +3.0 pts higher in South Burnett gap widening
30.2% 59th pct 27.2% 38th pct

Family composition

45.6% Couples with children +8.3 pts ▸ 53.9%
35.9% Couples without children ◂ +7.4 pts 28.6%
17.1% One-parent families ◂ +0.8 pts 16.3%
1.4% Other families ◂ +0.2 pts 1.2%

Household size

39.9% 2 people ◂ +4.1 pts 35.8%
30.2% 1 person ◂ +3.0 pts 27.2%
12.1% 3 people +1.4 pts ▸ 13.5%
9.2% 4 people +3.3 pts ▸ 12.5%
5.3% 5 people +1.4 pts ▸ 6.7%
3.3% 6 or more +0.8 pts ▸ 4.2%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in South Burnettin Western Downs +$5 higher in South Burnett gap steady
$245 45th pct $240 43rd pct
Mortgage in South Burnettin Western Downs +$217 higher in Western Downs gap widening
$1,083 29th pct $1,300 43rd pct
People / bedroom in South Burnettin Western Downs even gap steady
0.80 43rd pct 0.80 43rd pct
Renting in South Burnettin Western Downs +7.1 pts higher in Western Downs gap widening
25.0% 48th pct 32.1% 71st pct
Owned outright in South Burnettin Western Downs +9.3 pts higher in South Burnett gap widening
43.2% 71st pct 33.9% 39th pct
Separate houses in South Burnettin Western Downs +2.2 pts higher in South Burnett gap steady
92.4% 66th pct 90.2% 54th pct
3+ bedrooms in South Burnettin Western Downs +6.2 pts higher in Western Downs gap widening
74.8% 39th pct 81.1% 75th pct

How homes are owned or rented

43.2% Owned outright ◂ +9.3 pts 33.9%
25.0% Rented +7.1 pts ▸ 32.1%
27.4% Owned with a mortgage +0.1 pts ▸ 27.5%
2.1% Other tenure +2.5 pts ▸ 4.6%
2.3% Not stated ◂ +0.4 pts 2.0%

Types of homes

92.4% Separate house ◂ +2.2 pts 90.2%
2.1% Townhouse / semi-detached +5.3 pts ▸ 7.5%
4.1% Flat or apartment ◂ +3.2 pts 0.8%
1.1% Other dwelling ◂ +0.1 pts 1.1%

Bedrooms per home

44.2% 3 bedrooms ◂ +3.1 pts 41.1%
24.9% 4 bedrooms +7.5 pts ▸ 32.5%
17.1% 2 bedrooms ◂ +4.3 pts 12.8%
5.7% 5 or more +1.8 pts ▸ 7.5%
4.6% 1 bedroom ◂ +1.1 pts 3.5%
1.1% Studio / none ◂ +0.4 pts 0.7%

Weekly rent distribution

62.1% $200–$349 ◂ +0.9 pts 61.2%
24.5% Under $200 +1.4 pts ▸ 25.8%
8.2% $350–$549 ◂ +2.1 pts 6.1%
0.5% $750 or more ◂ +0.3 pts 0.1%
0.1% $550–$749 +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

Monthly mortgage distribution

39.9% Under $1,000 ◂ +7.5 pts 32.4%
38.5% $1,000–$1,799 ◂ +0.6 pts 37.9%
11.0% $1,800–$2,999 +5.3 pts ▸ 16.3%
4.1% $3,000 or more +2.5 pts ▸ 6.6%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in South Burnettin Western Downs +0.4 pts higher in South Burnett gap steady
4.8% 46th pct 4.5% 40th pct
Work from home in South Burnettin Western Downs +3.0 pts higher in Western Downs gap steady
9.5% 33rd pct 12.5% 53rd pct
PT commute in South Burnettin Western Downs +0.5 pts higher in Western Downs gap steady
0.9% 47th pct 1.4% 58th pct
PT stops in South Burnettin Western Downs even
0 0th pct 0 0th pct
Stops/1k in South Burnettin Western Downs even
0.00 0th pct 0.00 0th pct
Departures/1k in South Burnettin Western Downs even
0.0 0th pct 0.0 0th pct
PT routes in South Burnettin Western Downs even
0 0th pct 0 0th pct

How people get to work

65.3% Car (driver) ◂ +3.6 pts 61.7%
9.5% Worked at home +3.0 pts ▸ 12.5%
5.8% Car (passenger) ◂ +0.4 pts 5.5%
4.4% Walked +0.8 pts ▸ 5.2%
0.8% Bus +0.5 pts ▸ 1.3%
0.5% Bicycle +0.1 pts ▸ 0.5%
0.0% Train even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

36.1% 2 vehicles +0.5 pts ▸ 36.6%
35.7% 1 vehicle ◂ +3.0 pts 32.7%
15.0% 3 vehicles +1.3 pts ▸ 16.3%
8.4% 4 or more +1.6 pts ▸ 10.0%
4.8% No vehicle ◂ +0.4 pts 4.5%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in South Burnettin Western Downs +2.1 pts higher in Western Downs gap widening
36.5% 59th pct 38.6% 68th pct
Recent arrivals in South Burnettin Western Downs +9.2 pts higher in Western Downs gap narrowing
10.5% 45th pct 19.7% 80th pct

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in South Burnettin Western Downs +1.0 pts higher in South Burnett gap narrowing
5.6% 74th pct 4.6% 56th pct
Participation in South Burnettin Western Downs +12.4 pts higher in Western Downs gap widening
47.2% 13th pct 59.6% 59th pct
Full-time in South Burnettin Western Downs +6.3 pts higher in Western Downs gap narrowing
58.2% 41st pct 64.5% 75th pct

Industries people work in

11.6% Agriculture, forestry & fishing +6.8 pts ▸ 18.4%
14.4% Health care & social assistance ◂ +5.5 pts 8.9%
10.4% Retail trade ◂ +0.9 pts 9.5%
10.2% Manufacturing ◂ +5.4 pts 4.8%
9.8% Education & training ◂ +1.7 pts 8.1%
7.3% Construction +1.3 pts ▸ 8.6%
5.4% Accommodation & food +0.5 pts ▸ 5.9%
5.0% Public administration & safety +0.3 pts ▸ 5.2%
3.0% Transport & warehousing +1.1 pts ▸ 4.1%
3.0% Mining +0.9 pts ▸ 3.8%
3.5% Other services +0.3 pts ▸ 3.8%
2.8% Electricity, gas & water +0.3 pts ▸ 3.0%

Occupations people work in

15.3% Managers +4.0 pts ▸ 19.2%
17.1% Labourers ◂ +2.2 pts 14.9%
13.4% Technicians & trades +2.0 pts ▸ 15.4%
12.9% Community & personal service ◂ +3.6 pts 9.2%
12.8% Professionals ◂ +1.4 pts 11.5%
9.4% Clerical & administrative +1.4 pts ▸ 10.8%
8.1% Machinery operators & drivers +1.4 pts ▸ 9.5%
8.8% Sales workers ◂ +1.1 pts 7.7%

Economy & Advantage

IRSAD decile in South Burnettin Western Downs +1 higher in Western Downs
2 14th pct 3 29th pct
IRSD decile in South Burnettin Western Downs +1 higher in Western Downs
2 14th pct 3 29th pct
IER decile in South Burnettin Western Downs +1 higher in Western Downs
3 29th pct 4 36th pct
IEO decile in South Burnettin Western Downs +1 higher in Western Downs
2 14th pct 3 29th pct
IRSAD score in South Burnettin Western Downs +37 higher in Western Downs
885 13th pct 922 27th pct
ERP in South Burnettin Western Downs +341 higher in Western Downs
35,111 67th pct 35,452 67th pct
Growth in South Burnettin Western Downs +2.2 pts higher in South Burnett
5.4% 65th pct 3.2% 46th pct
Businesses in South Burnettin Western Downs +1,742 higher in Western Downs
3,472 67th pct 5,214 74th pct
Approvals in South Burnettin Western Downs +79 higher in South Burnett
143 64th pct 64 53rd pct

Environment & Climate

Rainfall in South Burnettin Western Downs +65 higher in South Burnett
616 45th pct 551 38th pct
Max temp in South Burnettin Western Downs +1.0 higher in Western Downs
27.4 75th pct 28.4 79th pct
Min temp in South Burnettin Western Downs +0.6 higher in Western Downs
11.9 60th pct 12.5 66th pct

Crime & Safety

Crime rate in South Burnettin Western Downs +3,326 higher in Western Downs
12,923 75th pct 16,249 86th pct
Assault/100k in South Burnettin Western Downs +98 higher in Western Downs
1,052 55th pct 1,149 60th pct
Sexual/100k in South Burnettin Western Downs +55 higher in Western Downs
297 59th pct 352 73rd pct
Robbery/100k in South Burnettin Western Downs +97 higher in South Burnett
115 94th pct 18 37th pct
Burglary/100k in South Burnettin Western Downs +14 higher in Western Downs
867 78th pct 881 78th pct
Theft/100k in South Burnettin Western Downs +715 higher in Western Downs
1,906 72nd pct 2,621 87th pct
Vehicle theft/100k in South Burnettin Western Downs +87 higher in South Burnett
509 68th pct 423 59th pct
Property damage/100k in South Burnettin Western Downs +70 higher in Western Downs
973 68th pct 1,043 72nd pct
Drugs/100k in South Burnettin Western Downs +157 higher in Western Downs
2,121 88th pct 2,278 89th pct
5-yr change in South Burnettin Western Downs +19.3 pts higher in Western Downs
-16.2% 13th pct 3.1% 41st pct

Walkability

Walk score in South Burnettin Western Downs +0.3 higher in Western Downs
1.9 12th pct 2.2 14th pct
Types ≤15 min in South Burnettin Western Downs +0.3 more in Western Downs
2.1 12th pct 2.4 15th pct
15-min city in South Burnettin Western Downs +5.7 pts higher in Western Downs
25.6% 14th pct 31.3% 21st pct
Walk to shops in South Burnettin Western Downs +4.2 pts higher in Western Downs
27.7% 17th pct 31.9% 23rd pct
Walk to transit in South Burnettin Western Downs even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to school in South Burnettin Western Downs +3.3 pts higher in Western Downs
34.2% 19th pct 37.5% 23rd pct
Walk to a park in South Burnettin Western Downs +1.2 pts higher in Western Downs
42.0% 13th pct 43.2% 14th pct
Walk to health in South Burnettin Western Downs +4.1 pts higher in Western Downs
23.9% 24th pct 28.0% 30th pct
Amenities/1k in South Burnettin Western Downs +0.3 more in South Burnett
13.7 27th pct 13.4 25th pct
Intersections/km² in South Burnettin Western Downs even
0 41st pct 0 29th pct
Mean slope in South Burnettin Western Downs +1.9 pts higher in South Burnett
5.8% 67th pct 3.9% 36th pct

Compare South Burnett with nearby areas

Cherbourg Gympie North Burnett Somerset Fraser Coast Western Downs Toowoomba Noosa

Compare Western Downs with nearby areas

South Burnett Goondiwindi Toowoomba Cherbourg North Burnett Banana Lockyer Valley Somerset

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). South Burnett vs Western Downs [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/lga/LGA36630/south-burnett/vs/LGA37310/western-downs