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Major Cities of Australia vs Inner Regional Australia

Name: Major Cities of Australia vs Inner Regional Australia — 2021 Census comparison
Creator: Australian Bureau of Statistics
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Remoteness Area comparison ≈ 692 km apart · Major Cities of Australia profile · Inner Regional Australia profile

Major Cities of Australia Inner Regional Australia

Major Cities of Australia and Inner Regional Australia are far apart and offer very different lifestyles. Major Cities of Australia is much more diverse, with 35.3% of people born overseas and 33.5% using another language at home. It is also more walkable (very walkable) compared to Inner Regional Australia (mostly car-dependent), and has a higher share of university-qualified adults at 31.7% compared to 14.1%. In contrast, Inner Regional Australia has a higher share of separate houses (87.2% versus 58.4%) and larger homes, with 79.5% having three or more bedrooms.

Both areas have a similar share of children under 15, with each at around 18%. Since 2011, the gaps between them have generally widened. The difference in typical weekly household income has grown to $636, and the age gap has increased, with residents now noticeably older in Inner Regional Australia. The shift in work habits is also striking; while working from home was once similar, it is now far higher in Major Cities of Australia.

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Where they differ most

Other language: 28.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Separate houses: 28.8 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia Work from home: 27.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Born overseas: 21.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Population: 5,082,622 larger in Major Cities of Australia

Demographics & Identity

Population in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +5,082,622 larger in Major Cities of Australia gap widening

6,080,428 100th pct 997,806 86th pct

Median age in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +6 yrs older in Inner Regional Australia gap widening

37 yrs 25th pct 43 yrs 68th pct

Age structure

29.8% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +7.2 pts 22.6%

23.9% Older adults (45–64) +2.7 pts ▸ 26.6%

15.8% Seniors (65+) +5.7 pts ▸ 21.5%

18.3% Children (0–14) ◂ +0.1 pts 18.2%

12.2% Youth (15–24) ◂ +1.1 pts 11.1%

Marital status

47.7% Married ◂ +0.3 pts 47.4%

36.5% Never married ◂ +4.2 pts 32.3%

8.1% Divorced +2.4 pts ▸ 10.5%

4.7% Widowed +1.1 pts ▸ 5.8%

3.0% Separated +1.0 pts ▸ 4.0%

Age & sex structure

Major Cities of Australia Inner Regional Australia

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

Ancestry & Birthplace

Country of birth

60.1% Australia +19.7 pts ▸ 79.8%

4.0% China ◂ +3.8 pts 0.2%

3.2% India ◂ +2.7 pts 0.6%

2.9% England +0.2 pts ▸ 3.1%

1.6% New Zealand +0.9 pts ▸ 2.4%

1.6% Philippines ◂ +0.6 pts 0.9%

1.6% Vietnam ◂ +1.4 pts 0.1%

1.0% Nepal ◂ +0.9 pts 0.1%

0.7% South Africa even 0.7%

0.7% Italy ◂ +0.6 pts 0.1%

Ancestry

26.1% English +15.3 pts ▸ 41.5%

24.6% Australian +14.5 pts ▸ 39.2%

8.1% Irish +3.1 pts ▸ 11.2%

6.7% Scottish +4.1 pts ▸ 10.8%

9.3% Chinese ◂ +8.3 pts 0.9%

2.6% German +5.7 pts ▸ 8.3%

4.1% Italian ◂ +2.2 pts 1.9%

4.1% Indian ◂ +3.4 pts 0.7%

2.3% Filipino ◂ +1.0 pts 1.2%

2.2% Greek ◂ +1.9 pts 0.3%

2.0% Vietnamese ◂ +1.8 pts 0.1%

1.0% Dutch +0.5 pts ▸ 1.5%

Language

Language used at home

61.2% English only +26.4 pts ▸ 87.6%

4.4% Mandarin ◂ +4.0 pts 0.4%

3.7% Arabic ◂ +3.5 pts 0.1%

2.4% Cantonese ◂ +2.3 pts 0.1%

1.9% Vietnamese ◂ +1.8 pts 0.2%

1.3% Hindi ◂ +1.2 pts 0.1%

1.3% Greek ◂ +1.2 pts 0.0%

1.0% Italian ◂ +0.8 pts 0.1%

0.8% Tagalog ◂ +0.4 pts 0.4%

0.8% Punjabi ◂ +0.6 pts 0.2%

Religion

Religious affiliation

46.2% Christianity +3.3 pts ▸ 49.5%

32.2% No religion +7.0 pts ▸ 39.2%

6.5% Not stated +2.3 pts ▸ 8.8%

5.6% Islam ◂ +5.2 pts 0.4%

4.3% Hinduism ◂ +3.7 pts 0.6%

3.4% Buddhism ◂ +2.7 pts 0.8%

1.2% Other religions ◂ +0.5 pts 0.7%

0.6% Judaism ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Highest year of school

64.4% Year 12 ◂ +19.3 pts 45.1%

16.5% Year 10 +11.4 pts ▸ 27.9%

8.7% Year 9 or below +3.0 pts ▸ 11.7%

4.2% Year 11 +3.0 pts ▸ 7.2%

Highest qualification level

20.0% Certificate III / IV +18.5 pts ▸ 38.5%

31.8% Bachelor degree ◂ +14.4 pts 17.4%

14.7% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +0.6 pts 14.1%

13.4% Postgraduate degree ◂ +9.3 pts 4.2%

3.3% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +0.4 pts 2.9%

1.5% Certificate I / II +1.5 pts ▸ 3.0%

Field of qualification

23.7% Management & commerce ◂ +9.2 pts 14.5%

12.5% Engineering & related +5.0 pts ▸ 17.5%

12.2% Society & culture ◂ +1.2 pts 11.0%

9.2% Health +1.6 pts ▸ 10.7%

6.9% Education +1.8 pts ▸ 8.7%

5.0% Architecture & building +1.0 pts ▸ 6.0%

4.1% Food, hospitality & personal services +1.8 pts ▸ 5.9%

4.8% Information technology ◂ +3.5 pts 1.4%

4.6% Creative arts ◂ +2.5 pts 2.0%

3.3% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +1.6 pts 1.6%

1.1% Agriculture & environment +1.7 pts ▸ 2.8%

Income

Personal income in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +$186 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening

$862 72nd pct $676 34th pct

Household income in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +$636 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening

$2,009 81st pct $1,373 34th pct

Family income in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +$634 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening

$2,326 86th pct $1,692 36th pct

Household income distribution

22.5% $650–$1,499 +8.2 pts ▸ 30.7%

29.2% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +1.9 pts 27.2%

13.9% Under $650 +4.8 pts ▸ 18.7%

17.2% $4,000 or more ◂ +10.5 pts 6.7%

11.5% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +3.6 pts 7.8%

Personal income distribution

37.9% Under $650 +6.4 pts ▸ 44.3%

29.7% $650–$1,499 +0.5 pts ▸ 30.2%

19.4% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +5.4 pts 14.0%

6.6% $3,000 or more ◂ +3.9 pts 2.7%

Health & Disability

Long-term health conditions reported

7.3% Arthritis +4.5 pts ▸ 11.8%

7.3% Mental health +3.4 pts ▸ 10.8%

7.2% Asthma +2.2 pts ▸ 9.3%

7.6% Other condition +1.4 pts ▸ 9.0%

4.7% Diabetes +0.9 pts ▸ 5.5%

3.5% Heart disease +1.8 pts ▸ 5.3%

2.5% Cancer +1.2 pts ▸ 3.7%

1.4% Lung condition +1.6 pts ▸ 2.9%

0.8% Stroke +0.4 pts ▸ 1.3%

0.7% Dementia +0.1 pts ▸ 0.8%

Number of long-term health conditions

67.6% None ◂ +10.6 pts 57.0%

17.4% One condition +3.5 pts ▸ 20.9%

5.0% Two conditions +2.6 pts ▸ 7.7%

2.5% Three or more +2.1 pts ▸ 4.6%

Community Participation

First Nations

First Nations people in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +81,437 larger in Major Cities of Australia

135,921 100th pct 54,484 89th pct

Median age in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +2 yrs older in Major Cities of Australia

24 yrs 29th pct 22 yrs 3rd pct

Median income in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +$109 higher in Major Cities of Australia

$652 81st pct $543 56th pct

Household income in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +$305 higher in Major Cities of Australia

$1,746 83rd pct $1,441 61st pct

Family & Households

Household size in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +0.2 larger in Major Cities of Australia gap steady

2.7 86th pct 2.5 67th pct

Family composition

61.4% Couples with children ◂ +10.5 pts 50.9%

23.9% Couples without children +8.3 pts ▸ 32.2%

13.5% One-parent families +2.4 pts ▸ 15.9%

1.2% Other families ◂ +0.2 pts 1.0%

Household size

31.3% 2 people +6.9 pts ▸ 38.2%

23.8% 1 person +2.0 pts ▸ 25.8%

17.0% 3 people ◂ +3.0 pts 14.0%

16.9% 4 people ◂ +4.3 pts 12.7%

7.1% 5 people ◂ +1.2 pts 5.9%

3.9% 6 or more ◂ +0.4 pts 3.5%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +$150 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening

$450 100th pct $300 67th pct

Mortgage in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +$783 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening

$2,300 100th pct $1,517 57th pct

People / bedroom in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +0.10 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady

0.90 71st pct 0.80 43rd pct

How homes are owned or rented

28.6% Owned outright +7.3 pts ▸ 35.9%

35.2% Rented ◂ +8.3 pts 26.9%

33.2% Owned with a mortgage +0.3 pts ▸ 33.6%

1.7% Other tenure +0.2 pts ▸ 1.9%

1.3% Not stated +0.5 pts ▸ 1.8%

Types of homes

58.4% Separate house +28.8 pts ▸ 87.2%

27.8% Flat or apartment ◂ +24.2 pts 3.6%

13.1% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +5.4 pts 7.7%

0.5% Other dwelling +0.6 pts ▸ 1.1%

Bedrooms per home

32.6% 3 bedrooms +8.3 pts ▸ 40.9%

24.4% 4 bedrooms +7.4 pts ▸ 31.7%

24.9% 2 bedrooms ◂ +10.1 pts 14.8%

8.5% 5 or more ◂ +1.6 pts 6.9%

7.6% 1 bedroom ◂ +4.2 pts 3.4%

0.8% Studio / none ◂ +0.2 pts 0.6%

Weekly rent distribution

14.1% $200–$349 +37.5 pts ▸ 51.6%

43.5% $350–$549 ◂ +15.3 pts 28.1%

20.6% $550–$749 ◂ +18.5 pts 2.1%

8.9% Under $200 +5.1 pts ▸ 14.0%

9.7% $750 or more ◂ +9.3 pts 0.4%

Monthly mortgage distribution

18.3% $1,000–$1,799 +22.4 pts ▸ 40.7%

33.3% $1,800–$2,999 ◂ +7.8 pts 25.5%

30.7% $3,000 or more ◂ +23.3 pts 7.4%

11.3% Under $1,000 +9.2 pts ▸ 20.5%

Transport & Vehicles

How people get to work

37.3% Car (driver) +30.2 pts ▸ 67.5%

36.2% Worked at home ◂ +27.7 pts 8.5%

2.7% Car (passenger) +2.6 pts ▸ 5.3%

2.2% Walked +0.2 pts ▸ 2.4%

2.2% Train ◂ +2.1 pts 0.1%

1.1% Bus ◂ +0.5 pts 0.6%

0.4% Bicycle +0.1 pts ▸ 0.4%

Motor vehicles per home

39.6% 1 vehicle ◂ +5.4 pts 34.2%

33.6% 2 vehicles +4.1 pts ▸ 37.7%

10.4% 3 vehicles +4.0 pts ▸ 14.4%

10.6% No vehicle ◂ +5.7 pts 4.9%

5.8% 4 or more +2.9 pts ▸ 8.8%

Migration & Movement

Jobs & Industry

Industries people work in

14.1% Health care & social assistance +1.8 pts ▸ 16.0%

10.2% Professional & technical ◂ +6.2 pts 4.1%

8.9% Retail trade +0.7 pts ▸ 9.6%

8.3% Construction +1.2 pts ▸ 9.4%

8.6% Education & training +0.5 pts ▸ 9.1%

5.4% Manufacturing +1.7 pts ▸ 7.1%

5.8% Accommodation & food +0.8 pts ▸ 6.5%

6.4% Finance & insurance ◂ +4.9 pts 1.5%

5.8% Public administration & safety ◂ +0.3 pts 5.5%

4.9% Transport & warehousing ◂ +0.3 pts 4.6%

0.4% Agriculture, forestry & fishing +4.5 pts ▸ 4.9%

3.3% Other services +1.0 pts ▸ 4.3%

Occupations people work in

28.4% Professionals ◂ +12.1 pts 16.3%

11.0% Technicians & trades +5.0 pts ▸ 16.0%

14.5% Managers ◂ +3.4 pts 11.2%

13.6% Clerical & administrative ◂ +1.8 pts 11.8%

9.9% Community & personal service +3.1 pts ▸ 13.0%

7.1% Labourers +5.5 pts ▸ 12.6%

7.9% Sales workers +0.9 pts ▸ 8.7%

5.7% Machinery operators & drivers +2.7 pts ▸ 8.4%

Walkability

Walk score in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +3.9 higher in Major Cities of Australia

7.1 100th pct 3.3 38th pct

Types ≤15 min in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +3.2 more in Major Cities of Australia

6.6 100th pct 3.4 34th pct

15-min city in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +44.3 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia

82.4% 100th pct 38.1% 36th pct

Walk to shops in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +36.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia

78.0% 96th pct 41.8% 38th pct

Walk to transit in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +64.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia

96.1% 99th pct 32.1% 40th pct

Walk to school in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +42.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia

87.0% 100th pct 44.2% 42nd pct

Walk to a park in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +28.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia

96.8% 93rd pct 68.0% 59th pct

Walk to health in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +36.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia

66.3% 97th pct 30.1% 38th pct

Amenities/1k in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +1.8 more in Major Cities of Australia

13.4 8th pct 11.7 0th pct

Intersections/km² in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +85 higher in Major Cities of Australia

87 88th pct 2 64th pct

Mean slope in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +0.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia

7.0% 86th pct 6.3% 77th pct

Compare Major Cities of Australia with nearby areas

Inner Regional Australia Inner Regional Australia Major Cities of Australia Outer Regional Australia Inner Regional Australia Remote Australia Inner Regional Australia Major Cities of Australia Very Remote Australia Inner Regional Australia Major Cities of Australia Very Remote Australia

Compare Inner Regional Australia with nearby areas

Major Cities of Australia Outer Regional Australia Remote Australia Outer Regional Australia Major Cities of Australia Inner Regional Australia Inner Regional Australia Remote Australia Major Cities of Australia Very Remote Australia Inner Regional Australia Very Remote Australia

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Major Cities of Australia vs Inner Regional Australia [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/ra/RA10/major-cities-of-australia/vs/RA31/inner-regional-australia