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Major Cities of Australia vs Inner Regional Australia

Remoteness Area comparison ≈ 577 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 in scale and lifestyle. Major Cities of Australia is much more multicultural, with 35.5% of people born overseas and 33.9% using another language at home, compared to 17.9% and 11.9% in Inner Regional Australia. The cities are also more walkable and better connected; 83.4% of city homes have a 15-minute-city walkshed, while 65.5% do in the inner regional area. Work patterns differ sharply, with 28.5% of people working from home in Major Cities of Australia compared to just 7.5% in Inner Regional Australia.

The gap in home ownership types has widened since 2011, with separate houses now far more common in Inner Regional Australia. Despite this shift, the two areas share similar rates of unemployment and a similar share of people providing unpaid care. Both areas also have about the same proportion of homes with three or more bedrooms, though the typical weekly household income is well higher in Major Cities of Australia at $1,888 compared to $1,481.

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Where they differ most

Population: 4,672,924 larger in Major Cities of Australia Other language: 22.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Work from home: 21.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Born overseas: 17.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Separate houses: 16.4 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia

Demographics & Identity

Population in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +4,672,924 larger in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
5,018,415 97th pct 345,491 75th pct
Median age in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +2 yrs older in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
37 yrs 25th pct 39 yrs 38th pct
First Nations in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +3.6 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap steady
0.7% 5th pct 4.3% 36th pct
Aged 65+ in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +4.0 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap widening
15.1% 43rd pct 19.1% 67th pct
Under 15 in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
18.1% 57th pct 16.9% 43rd pct
De facto in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +2.5 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap steady
10.8% 14th pct 13.3% 50th pct

Age structure

31.1% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +2.9 pts 28.2%
23.4% Older adults (45–64) +0.8 pts ▸ 24.2%
15.1% Seniors (65+) +4.0 pts ▸ 19.1%
18.1% Children (0–14) ◂ +1.2 pts 16.9%
12.3% Youth (15–24) ◂ +0.7 pts 11.6%

Marital status

46.8% Married ◂ +3.5 pts 43.3%
38.1% Never married +0.1 pts ▸ 38.2%
7.7% Divorced +2.1 pts ▸ 9.7%
4.6% Widowed +1.1 pts ▸ 5.7%
2.9% Separated +0.2 pts ▸ 3.1%

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 +17.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
35.5% 100th pct 17.9% 67th pct

Country of birth

60.2% Australia +17.4 pts ▸ 77.6%
4.9% India ◂ +3.4 pts 1.6%
3.3% China ◂ +1.5 pts 1.8%
2.7% England +0.5 pts ▸ 3.2%
1.8% Vietnam ◂ +1.5 pts 0.4%
1.7% New Zealand ◂ +0.8 pts 0.8%
0.4% Nepal +1.2 pts ▸ 1.6%
1.2% Philippines ◂ +0.7 pts 0.5%
1.2% Italy ◂ +1.0 pts 0.2%
0.5% South Africa ◂ +0.1 pts 0.4%

Ancestry

25.7% English +17.2 pts ▸ 42.9%
23.5% Australian +15.1 pts ▸ 38.6%
8.4% Irish +1.9 pts ▸ 10.3%
7.2% Scottish +2.2 pts ▸ 9.4%
8.2% Chinese ◂ +5.0 pts 3.2%
6.5% Italian ◂ +4.7 pts 1.8%
5.3% Indian ◂ +3.8 pts 1.5%
2.9% German +0.7 pts ▸ 3.6%
3.4% Greek ◂ +2.8 pts 0.6%
2.4% Vietnamese ◂ +2.0 pts 0.4%
1.5% Dutch +0.7 pts ▸ 2.2%
1.7% Filipino ◂ +1.0 pts 0.7%

Language

Other language in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +22.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
33.9% 93rd pct 11.9% 60th pct
Limited English in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +4.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
5.4% 92nd pct 1.3% 60th pct

Language used at home

61.3% English only +22.3 pts ▸ 83.6%
4.3% Mandarin ◂ +2.1 pts 2.1%
2.3% Vietnamese ◂ +1.9 pts 0.4%
2.1% Greek ◂ +1.8 pts 0.3%
2.0% Punjabi ◂ +1.3 pts 0.7%
1.8% Arabic ◂ +1.5 pts 0.2%
1.7% Italian ◂ +1.5 pts 0.2%
1.6% Cantonese ◂ +1.2 pts 0.4%
1.3% Hindi ◂ +1.0 pts 0.3%
0.5% Tagalog ◂ +0.3 pts 0.2%

Religion

No religion in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +12.5 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap widening
37.3% 39th pct 49.8% 94th pct

Religious affiliation

37.3% No religion +12.5 pts ▸ 49.8%
40.3% Christianity ◂ +2.3 pts 38.0%
6.2% Not stated even 6.2%
5.2% Islam ◂ +4.0 pts 1.2%
4.1% Hinduism ◂ +1.6 pts 2.5%
3.8% Buddhism ◂ +2.6 pts 1.2%
2.1% Other religions ◂ +1.1 pts 1.0%
0.9% Judaism ◂ +0.8 pts 0.1%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +13.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
66.8% 99th pct 53.8% 80th pct
Bachelor+ in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +5.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
32.7% 98th pct 26.9% 87th pct

Highest year of school

66.8% Year 12 ◂ +13.0 pts 53.8%
9.6% Year 10 +15.1 pts ▸ 24.7%
9.3% Year 9 or below ◂ +0.8 pts 8.5%
8.7% Year 11 ◂ +1.3 pts 7.3%

Highest qualification level

32.4% Bachelor degree ◂ +5.9 pts 26.5%
19.3% Certificate III / IV +7.9 pts ▸ 27.3%
15.4% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +2.4 pts 12.9%
13.6% Postgraduate degree ◂ +1.1 pts 12.5%
4.6% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +0.4 pts 4.2%
1.3% Certificate I / II +1.1 pts ▸ 2.4%

Field of qualification

20.8% Management & commerce ◂ +1.5 pts 19.4%
12.5% Society & culture +0.7 pts ▸ 13.2%
12.3% Engineering & related ◂ +0.7 pts 11.6%
10.0% Health +1.5 pts ▸ 11.5%
7.5% Education +1.0 pts ▸ 8.5%
5.2% Architecture & building +0.3 pts ▸ 5.6%
4.6% Food, hospitality & personal services +0.7 pts ▸ 5.3%
5.2% Information technology ◂ +1.8 pts 3.4%
4.8% Creative arts ◂ +1.3 pts 3.6%
3.8% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +0.2 pts 3.6%
1.2% Agriculture & environment +1.0 pts ▸ 2.2%

Income

Personal income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$80 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$838 69th pct $758 55th pct
Household income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$407 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$1,888 75th pct $1,481 49th pct
Family income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$364 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$2,236 82nd pct $1,872 56th pct
High earners in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +4.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
13.5% 76th pct 8.7% 52nd pct
High-income homes in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +8.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
25.1% 85th pct 16.5% 57th pct

Household income distribution

30.9% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +1.2 pts 29.6%
24.0% $650–$1,499 +5.7 pts ▸ 29.8%
14.1% Under $650 +3.4 pts ▸ 17.6%
14.0% $4,000 or more ◂ +6.2 pts 7.8%
11.1% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +2.4 pts 8.8%

Personal income distribution

38.8% Under $650 +2.5 pts ▸ 41.4%
30.7% $650–$1,499 +3.7 pts ▸ 34.4%
18.8% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +3.1 pts 15.7%
5.5% $3,000 or more ◂ +2.7 pts 2.9%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +6.8 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia
25.7% 42nd pct 32.4% 79th pct
Mental health in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +3.4 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia
8.2% 42nd pct 11.6% 86th pct
Needs assistance in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.8 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap steady
5.6% 60th pct 6.4% 78th pct

Long-term health conditions reported

8.2% Mental health +3.4 pts ▸ 11.6%
7.0% Arthritis +4.3 pts ▸ 11.3%
7.9% Asthma +1.2 pts ▸ 9.1%
7.8% Other condition +1.0 pts ▸ 8.8%
4.5% Diabetes +0.2 pts ▸ 4.7%
3.3% Heart disease +0.8 pts ▸ 4.1%
2.5% Cancer +0.7 pts ▸ 3.2%
1.2% Lung condition +0.9 pts ▸ 2.1%
0.8% Stroke +0.3 pts ▸ 1.2%
0.7% Dementia +0.2 pts ▸ 0.9%

Number of long-term health conditions

67.3% None ◂ +6.9 pts 60.4%
18.0% One condition +3.4 pts ▸ 21.4%
5.2% Two conditions +2.1 pts ▸ 7.2%
2.5% Three or more +1.3 pts ▸ 3.8%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +5.9 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap widening
12.0% 31st pct 18.0% 64th pct
Unpaid carers in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
12.6% 74th pct 12.5% 72nd pct
Unpaid child care in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.3 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
26.5% 75th pct 26.8% 79th pct
Defence service in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +2.3 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia
1.6% 12th pct 3.8% 78th pct
Housework 15h+ in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.2 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
19.0% 43rd pct 20.2% 58th pct

First Nations

First Nations people in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +19,735 larger in Major Cities of Australia
34,553 86th pct 14,818 72nd pct
Median age in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1 yrs older in Major Cities of Australia
25 yrs 43rd pct 24 yrs 29th pct
Year 12 in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +10.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
49.1% 96th pct 38.6% 79th pct
Unemployment in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +2.1 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia
8.9% 11th pct 10.9% 28th pct
Median income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$97 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$687 86th pct $590 73rd pct
Household income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$365 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$1,786 86th pct $1,421 59th pct
Indigenous language in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +4.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
6.2% 47th pct 2.1% 8th pct

Family & Households

Household size in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.2 larger in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
2.6 77th pct 2.4 43rd pct
One-parent in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +3.5 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap steady
13.1% 25th pct 16.5% 74th pct
Living alone in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +3.3 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
25.0% 23rd pct 28.3% 49th pct

Family composition

61.8% Couples with children ◂ +9.4 pts 52.4%
23.9% Couples without children +6.0 pts ▸ 29.9%
13.1% One-parent families +3.5 pts ▸ 16.5%
1.3% Other families ◂ +0.1 pts 1.2%

Household size

31.3% 2 people +3.2 pts ▸ 34.5%
25.0% 1 person +3.3 pts ▸ 28.3%
17.1% 4 people ◂ +3.5 pts 13.6%
16.9% 3 people ◂ +1.1 pts 15.8%
6.5% 5 people ◂ +1.2 pts 5.3%
3.2% 6 or more ◂ +0.6 pts 2.5%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$68 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
$388 86th pct $320 73rd pct
Mortgage in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$548 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$2,000 89th pct $1,452 50th 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 +1.3 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
30.6% 57th pct 29.3% 52nd pct
Owned outright in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +4.1 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap widening
29.6% 36th pct 33.7% 51st pct
Separate houses in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +16.4 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap widening
68.0% 11th pct 84.3% 41st pct
3+ bedrooms in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
72.2% 36th pct 72.0% 35th pct

How homes are owned or rented

36.8% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +2.8 pts 34.0%
29.6% Owned outright +4.1 pts ▸ 33.7%
30.6% Rented ◂ +1.3 pts 29.3%
1.6% Other tenure even 1.6%
1.4% Not stated even 1.4%

Types of homes

68.0% Separate house +16.4 pts ▸ 84.3%
16.3% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +9.5 pts 6.8%
15.3% Flat or apartment ◂ +7.1 pts 8.2%
0.3% Other dwelling +0.1 pts ▸ 0.4%

Bedrooms per home

39.7% 3 bedrooms +8.3 pts ▸ 48.0%
26.8% 4 bedrooms ◂ +7.8 pts 19.1%
20.4% 2 bedrooms +0.9 pts ▸ 21.3%
5.8% 1 bedroom ◂ +0.9 pts 4.9%
5.6% 5 or more ◂ +0.7 pts 5.0%
0.3% Studio / none even 0.3%

Weekly rent distribution

50.6% $350–$549 ◂ +14.2 pts 36.5%
24.4% $200–$349 +11.9 pts ▸ 36.3%
7.2% Under $200 +10.3 pts ▸ 17.6%
9.7% $550–$749 ◂ +4.1 pts 5.7%
4.5% $750 or more ◂ +3.5 pts 1.1%

Monthly mortgage distribution

25.7% $1,000–$1,799 +17.0 pts ▸ 42.7%
34.7% $1,800–$2,999 ◂ +11.8 pts 22.9%
13.1% Under $1,000 +9.7 pts ▸ 22.8%
20.0% $3,000 or more ◂ +12.7 pts 7.2%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
8.6% 76th pct 6.9% 68th pct
Work from home in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +21.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
28.5% 99th pct 7.5% 27th pct
PT commute in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia even gap narrowing
3.5% 71st pct 3.5% 71st pct

How people get to work

46.8% Car (driver) +15.7 pts ▸ 62.5%
28.5% Worked at home ◂ +21.0 pts 7.5%
3.2% Car (passenger) +2.4 pts ▸ 5.7%
2.0% Walked +2.5 pts ▸ 4.5%
0.6% Bus +2.8 pts ▸ 3.4%
2.0% Train ◂ +2.0 pts 0.0%
0.8% Bicycle +0.2 pts ▸ 0.9%

Motor vehicles per home

37.5% 1 vehicle ◂ +1.0 pts 36.6%
37.0% 2 vehicles ◂ +1.6 pts 35.5%
11.0% 3 vehicles +2.1 pts ▸ 13.1%
8.6% No vehicle ◂ +1.6 pts 6.9%
5.9% 4 or more +2.0 pts ▸ 7.9%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +2.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
41.1% 72nd pct 39.0% 60th pct
Recent arrivals in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +4.5 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap widening
15.9% 52nd pct 20.4% 73rd pct

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.8 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap steady
5.3% 56th pct 6.1% 67th pct
Participation in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +2.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
64.1% 86th pct 61.3% 76th pct
Full-time in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +4.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
60.0% 57th pct 55.2% 25th pct

Industries people work in

13.7% Health care & social assistance +3.8 pts ▸ 17.6%
8.8% Education & training +1.4 pts ▸ 10.2%
9.5% Retail trade +0.3 pts ▸ 9.8%
9.5% Professional & technical ◂ +3.6 pts 5.9%
9.2% Construction ◂ +0.7 pts 8.4%
5.5% Public administration & safety +3.0 pts ▸ 8.5%
6.1% Accommodation & food +1.7 pts ▸ 7.8%
6.8% Manufacturing ◂ +1.4 pts 5.5%
4.9% Transport & warehousing ◂ +1.2 pts 3.7%
4.7% Finance & insurance ◂ +2.4 pts 2.3%
3.4% Other services +0.4 pts ▸ 3.9%
3.2% Administrative & support ◂ +0.4 pts 2.9%

Occupations people work in

26.9% Professionals ◂ +3.9 pts 23.0%
10.6% Community & personal service +3.4 pts ▸ 14.0%
13.7% Managers ◂ +1.7 pts 11.9%
12.1% Technicians & trades +1.2 pts ▸ 13.3%
12.8% Clerical & administrative ◂ +0.3 pts 12.5%
7.9% Labourers +1.6 pts ▸ 9.5%
8.3% Sales workers +0.5 pts ▸ 8.8%
5.8% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +0.6 pts 5.2%

Walkability

Walk score in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.4 higher in Major Cities of Australia
7.2 100th pct 5.7 84th pct
Types ≤15 min in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.3 more in Major Cities of Australia
6.7 100th pct 5.4 83rd pct
15-min city in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +17.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
83.4% 100th pct 65.5% 82nd pct
Walk to shops in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +18.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
82.7% 100th pct 64.5% 82nd pct
Walk to transit in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +4.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
92.0% 93rd pct 87.2% 86th pct
Walk to school in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +23.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
87.9% 100th pct 64.9% 79th pct
Walk to a park in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +5.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
98.2% 99th pct 92.3% 84th pct
Walk to health in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +25.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
73.8% 100th pct 48.2% 76th pct
Amenities/1k in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +4.9 more in Inner Regional Australia
14.2 14th pct 19.1 43rd pct
Intersections/km² in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +138 higher in Major Cities of Australia
155 99th pct 17 74th pct
Mean slope in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +4.7 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia
4.7% 42nd pct 9.4% 96th pct

Compare Major Cities of Australia with nearby areas

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

Compare Inner Regional Australia with nearby areas

Outer Regional Australia Remote Australia Very Remote Australia Major Cities of Australia Inner Regional Australia Inner Regional Australia Major Cities of Australia Outer Regional Australia Inner Regional Australia Inner Regional Australia Remote Australia Major Cities of 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/RA20/major-cities-of-australia/vs/RA61/inner-regional-australia