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Major Cities of Australia vs Inner Regional Australia

Remoteness Area comparison ≈ 149 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 very different environments. Major Cities of Australia is a huge urban area where 35.3% of people were born overseas and 31.7% of adults have a bachelor degree or higher. In contrast, Inner Regional Australia is sparsely populated and has a much larger First Nations population at 60%. Housing also differs greatly; 97.8% of homes in Inner Regional Australia are separate houses, while Major Cities of Australia has more variety and is very walkable (7.1). Inner Regional Australia is car-dependent (0.9), with no homes within a 10 minute walk of public transport.

The gap in education and income has widened since 2011, with more adults in Major Cities of Australia completing Year 12 and earning high incomes. Despite these shifting trends, the two areas share some similarities. They have nearly the same proportion of people aged 65 and over, around 16%, and similar rates of volunteering. They also both have about 11% of their population providing unpaid care.

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Where they differ most

First Nations: 57.8 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia Born overseas: 30.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Other language: 29.3 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Rent: $360 higher in Major Cities of Australia Renting: 30.0 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia

Demographics & Identity

Population in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +6,080,118 larger in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
6,080,428 100th pct 310 15th pct
Median age in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1 yrs older in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
37 yrs 25th pct 38 yrs 32nd pct
First Nations in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +57.8 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap steady
2.2% 19th pct 60.0% 100th pct
Aged 65+ in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.6 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
15.8% 47th pct 16.5% 51st pct
Under 15 in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
18.3% 63rd pct 17.1% 45th pct
De facto in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
10.0% 7th pct 8.2% 0th pct

Age structure

29.8% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +8.2 pts 21.6%
23.9% Older adults (45–64) +1.6 pts ▸ 25.5%
18.3% Children (0–14) ◂ +1.2 pts 17.1%
15.8% Seniors (65+) +0.6 pts ▸ 16.5%
12.2% Youth (15–24) +1.7 pts ▸ 13.9%

Marital status

36.5% Never married +17.2 pts ▸ 53.7%
47.7% Married ◂ +14.7 pts 32.9%
8.1% Divorced ◂ +4.8 pts 3.3%
4.7% Widowed +0.6 pts ▸ 5.3%
3.0% Separated ◂ +0.6 pts 2.4%

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

Born overseas in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +30.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
35.3% 100th pct 4.8% 0th pct

Country of birth

60.1% Australia +5.3 pts ▸ 65.5%
4.0% China ◂ +4.0 pts 0.0%
3.2% India ◂ +3.2 pts 0.0%
2.9% England ◂ +1.6 pts 1.3%
1.6% Philippines ◂ +1.6 pts 0.0%
1.6% New Zealand ◂ +1.6 pts 0.0%
1.6% Vietnam ◂ +1.6 pts 0.0%
1.0% Nepal ◂ +1.0 pts 0.0%
0.7% South Africa ◂ +0.7 pts 0.0%
0.7% Italy ◂ +0.7 pts 0.0%

Ancestry

26.1% English ◂ +14.8 pts 11.3%
24.6% Australian ◂ +5.6 pts 19.0%
9.3% Chinese ◂ +9.3 pts 0.0%
8.1% Irish ◂ +5.9 pts 2.3%
6.7% Scottish ◂ +5.1 pts 1.6%
4.1% Italian ◂ +3.2 pts 1.0%
4.1% Indian ◂ +2.4 pts 1.6%
2.6% German ◂ +0.3 pts 2.3%
2.3% Filipino ◂ +2.3 pts 0.0%
2.2% Greek ◂ +2.2 pts 0.0%
2.0% Vietnamese ◂ +2.0 pts 0.0%
1.0% Dutch ◂ +1.0 pts 0.0%

Language

Other language in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +29.3 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
33.5% 92nd pct 4.2% 15th pct
Limited English in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +5.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
5.7% 93rd pct 0.0% 0th pct

Language used at home

61.2% English only +3.3 pts ▸ 64.5%
4.4% Mandarin ◂ +4.4 pts 0.0%
3.7% Arabic ◂ +3.7 pts 0.0%
2.4% Cantonese ◂ +2.4 pts 0.0%
1.9% Vietnamese ◂ +1.9 pts 0.0%
1.3% Hindi ◂ +1.3 pts 0.0%
1.3% Greek ◂ +1.3 pts 0.0%
1.0% Italian ◂ +1.0 pts 0.0%
0.8% Tagalog ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%
0.8% Punjabi ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%

Religion

No religion in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +3.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
32.2% 26th pct 29.0% 14th pct

Religious affiliation

46.2% Christianity ◂ +14.2 pts 31.9%
6.5% Not stated +26.1 pts ▸ 32.6%
32.2% No religion ◂ +3.2 pts 29.0%
5.6% Islam ◂ +5.6 pts 0.0%
4.3% Hinduism ◂ +4.3 pts 0.0%
1.2% Other religions +2.7 pts ▸ 3.9%
3.4% Buddhism ◂ +3.4 pts 0.0%
0.6% Judaism ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +24.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
64.4% 95th pct 39.8% 51st pct
Bachelor+ in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +17.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
31.7% 96th pct 14.2% 60th pct

Highest year of school

64.4% Year 12 ◂ +24.6 pts 39.8%
16.5% Year 10 ◂ +5.5 pts 11.0%
8.7% Year 9 or below +7.4 pts ▸ 16.1%
4.2% Year 11 even 4.2%

Highest qualification level

31.8% Bachelor degree ◂ +18.5 pts 13.4%
20.0% Certificate III / IV ◂ +3.4 pts 16.6%
14.7% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +8.8 pts 5.9%
13.4% Postgraduate degree ◂ +9.7 pts 3.7%
3.3% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +1.6 pts 1.6%
1.5% Certificate I / II +1.2 pts ▸ 2.7%

Field of qualification

23.7% Management & commerce ◂ +16.3 pts 7.5%
12.5% Engineering & related ◂ +8.8 pts 3.7%
12.2% Society & culture ◂ +0.9 pts 11.2%
9.2% Health ◂ +2.2 pts 7.0%
6.9% Education ◂ +2.1 pts 4.8%
1.1% Agriculture & environment +4.8 pts ▸ 5.9%
5.0% Architecture & building ◂ +1.8 pts 3.2%
4.8% Information technology ◂ +4.8 pts 0.0%
4.6% Creative arts ◂ +1.9 pts 2.7%
4.1% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +4.1 pts 0.0%
3.3% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +1.7 pts 1.6%

Income

Personal income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$277 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$862 72nd pct $585 23rd pct
Household income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$184 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
$2,009 81st pct $1,825 72nd pct
Family income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$639 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
$2,326 86th pct $1,687 35th pct
High earners in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +7.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
15.2% 82nd pct 8.1% 42nd pct
High-income homes in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +11.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
28.6% 89th pct 16.9% 59th pct

Household income distribution

29.2% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +11.2 pts 18.0%
22.5% $650–$1,499 ◂ +7.9 pts 14.6%
17.2% $4,000 or more ◂ +12.7 pts 4.5%
13.9% Under $650 +0.7 pts ▸ 14.6%
11.5% $3,000–$3,999 +0.9 pts ▸ 12.4%

Personal income distribution

37.9% Under $650 ◂ +2.9 pts 35.0%
29.7% $650–$1,499 ◂ +15.5 pts 14.2%
19.4% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +9.2 pts 10.2%
6.6% $3,000 or more ◂ +4.1 pts 2.4%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +3.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
25.0% 39th pct 21.6% 26th pct
Mental health in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +2.0 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia
7.3% 37th pct 9.4% 59th pct
Needs assistance in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.7 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap steady
5.5% 56th pct 6.1% 73rd pct

Long-term health conditions reported

4.7% Diabetes +5.7 pts ▸ 10.3%
7.3% Mental health +2.0 pts ▸ 9.4%
7.6% Other condition +0.1 pts ▸ 7.7%
7.2% Asthma +0.2 pts ▸ 7.4%
7.3% Arthritis ◂ +0.9 pts 6.5%
3.5% Heart disease +1.9 pts ▸ 5.5%
0.7% Dementia +1.8 pts ▸ 2.6%
2.5% Cancer ◂ +0.3 pts 2.3%
1.4% Lung condition +0.9 pts ▸ 2.3%
0.8% Stroke +0.2 pts ▸ 1.0%

Number of long-term health conditions

67.6% None ◂ +23.8 pts 43.9%
17.4% One condition ◂ +4.5 pts 12.9%
2.5% Three or more +3.6 pts ▸ 6.1%
5.0% Two conditions ◂ +1.8 pts 3.2%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
11.8% 30th pct 11.0% 26th pct
Unpaid carers in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
11.0% 49th pct 10.6% 41st pct
Unpaid child care in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +7.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
25.5% 63rd pct 17.9% 27th pct
Defence service in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +11.5 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia
1.9% 14th pct 13.4% 100th pct
Housework 15h+ in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +3.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
20.5% 59th pct 16.7% 32nd pct

First Nations

First Nations people in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +135,735 larger in Major Cities of Australia
135,921 100th pct 186 29th pct
Median age in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +18 yrs older in Inner Regional Australia
24 yrs 29th pct 42 yrs 88th pct
Year 12 in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +18.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
40.3% 84th pct 21.4% 24th pct
Unemployment in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
8.8% 11th pct 7.9% 1st pct
Median income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$218 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$652 81st pct $434 28th pct
Household income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$726 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$1,746 83rd pct $1,020 8th pct
Indigenous language in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +2.7 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia
4.3% 31st pct 7.0% 52nd pct

Family & Households

Household size in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.3 larger in Inner Regional Australia gap steady
2.7 86th pct 3.0 93rd pct
One-parent in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +23.2 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
13.5% 30th pct 36.8% 100th pct
Living alone in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.3 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
23.8% 14th pct 22.5% 10th pct

Family composition

61.4% Couples with children ◂ +27.2 pts 34.2%
13.5% One-parent families +23.2 pts ▸ 36.8%
23.9% Couples without children ◂ +5.1 pts 18.8%
1.2% Other families +9.5 pts ▸ 10.7%

Household size

31.3% 2 people ◂ +0.9 pts 30.3%
23.8% 1 person ◂ +1.3 pts 22.5%
17.0% 3 people ◂ +9.1 pts 7.9%
16.9% 4 people ◂ +0.1 pts 16.9%
3.9% 6 or more +11.8 pts ▸ 15.7%
7.1% 5 people ◂ +2.6 pts 4.5%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$360 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$450 100th pct $90 0th pct
Mortgage in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$451 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$2,300 100th pct $1,849 81st pct
People / bedroom in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.10 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
0.90 71st pct 0.80 43rd pct
Renting in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +30.0 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
35.2% 71st pct 65.2% 99th pct
Owned outright in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +28.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
28.6% 31st pct 0.0% 0th pct
Separate houses in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +39.4 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap widening
58.4% 0th pct 97.8% 100th pct
3+ bedrooms in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +8.7 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
65.4% 6th pct 74.2% 46th pct

How homes are owned or rented

35.2% Rented +30.0 pts ▸ 65.2%
33.2% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +33.2 pts 0.0%
28.6% Owned outright ◂ +28.6 pts 0.0%
1.3% Not stated +16.7 pts ▸ 18.0%
1.7% Other tenure +7.3 pts ▸ 9.0%

Types of homes

58.4% Separate house +39.4 pts ▸ 97.8%
27.8% Flat or apartment ◂ +27.8 pts 0.0%
13.1% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +13.1 pts 0.0%
0.5% Other dwelling +2.9 pts ▸ 3.4%

Bedrooms per home

24.4% 4 bedrooms +18.3 pts ▸ 42.7%
32.6% 3 bedrooms ◂ +6.7 pts 25.8%
24.9% 2 bedrooms ◂ +24.9 pts 0.0%
8.5% 5 or more ◂ +2.9 pts 5.6%
7.6% 1 bedroom ◂ +7.6 pts 0.0%
0.8% Studio / none ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%

Weekly rent distribution

8.9% Under $200 +37.7 pts ▸ 46.6%
43.5% $350–$549 ◂ +34.8 pts 8.6%
20.6% $550–$749 ◂ +20.6 pts 0.0%
14.1% $200–$349 +3.1 pts ▸ 17.2%
9.7% $750 or more ◂ +9.7 pts 0.0%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
10.6% 84th pct 9.9% 81st pct
Work from home in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +30.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
36.2% 100th pct 5.4% 15th pct
PT commute in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +3.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
3.4% 70th pct 0.0% 0th pct

How people get to work

37.3% Car (driver) +4.7 pts ▸ 41.9%
36.2% Worked at home ◂ +30.8 pts 5.4%
2.2% Walked +27.9 pts ▸ 30.1%
2.7% Car (passenger) +4.8 pts ▸ 7.5%
2.2% Train ◂ +2.2 pts 0.0%
1.1% Bus ◂ +1.1 pts 0.0%
0.4% Bicycle ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

33.6% 2 vehicles +11.5 pts ▸ 45.1%
39.6% 1 vehicle ◂ +10.0 pts 29.6%
10.6% No vehicle ◂ +0.8 pts 9.9%
10.4% 3 vehicles ◂ +0.5 pts 9.9%
5.8% 4 or more ◂ +0.2 pts 5.6%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +12.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
40.8% 71st pct 28.4% 15th pct
Recent arrivals in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia
15.1% 45th pct —

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.8 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
5.0% 44th pct 6.9% 72nd pct
Participation in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +18.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
59.9% 72nd pct 41.5% 20th pct
Full-time in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +5.2 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
58.2% 47th pct 63.4% 68th pct

Industries people work in

5.8% Public administration & safety +37.2 pts ▸ 43.0%
14.1% Health care & social assistance ◂ +2.3 pts 11.8%
10.2% Professional & technical ◂ +5.9 pts 4.3%
8.3% Construction +1.4 pts ▸ 9.7%
8.9% Retail trade ◂ +5.7 pts 3.2%
8.6% Education & training ◂ +2.2 pts 6.5%
6.4% Finance & insurance ◂ +6.4 pts 0.0%
5.8% Accommodation & food ◂ +0.4 pts 5.4%
5.4% Manufacturing ◂ +5.4 pts 0.0%
4.9% Transport & warehousing ◂ +4.9 pts 0.0%
3.3% Other services ◂ +3.3 pts 0.0%
1.5% Arts & recreation +1.8 pts ▸ 3.2%

Occupations people work in

14.5% Managers +15.6 pts ▸ 30.1%
28.4% Professionals ◂ +5.8 pts 22.6%
13.6% Clerical & administrative ◂ +5.0 pts 8.6%
11.0% Technicians & trades ◂ +3.5 pts 7.5%
9.9% Community & personal service +0.9 pts ▸ 10.8%
7.1% Labourers +3.7 pts ▸ 10.8%
7.9% Sales workers ◂ +7.9 pts 0.0%
5.7% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +5.7 pts 0.0%

Walkability

Walk score in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +6.2 higher in Major Cities of Australia
7.1 100th pct 0.9 5th pct
Types ≤15 min in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +5.6 more in Major Cities of Australia
6.6 100th pct 0.9 5th pct
15-min city in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +82.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
82.4% 100th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to shops in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +54.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
78.0% 96th pct 23.2% 10th pct
Walk to transit in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +96.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
96.1% 99th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to school in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +63.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
87.0% 100th pct 23.2% 14th pct
Walk to a park in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +48.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
96.8% 93rd pct 48.2% 14th pct
Walk to health in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +66.3 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
66.3% 97th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Amenities/1k in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +64.0 more in Inner Regional Australia
13.4 8th pct 77.4 91st pct
Intersections/km² in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +83 higher in Major Cities of Australia
87 88th pct 4 72nd pct
Mean slope in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +2.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
7.0% 86th pct 4.1% 32nd 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

Inner Regional Australia Major Cities of Australia Major Cities of Australia Inner Regional Australia Outer Regional Australia Remote Australia Very Remote Australia Major Cities of Australia Inner Regional Australia Inner Regional Australia Very Remote Australia Outer Regional 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/RA91/inner-regional-australia