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Major Cities of Australia vs Remote Australia

Remoteness Area comparison ≈ 496 km apart · Major Cities of Australia profile · Remote Australia profile

Major Cities of Australia Remote Australia

Major Cities of Australia and Remote Australia are very different environments. Major Cities of Australia is much more diverse and wealthier, with 35.5% of people born overseas and a typical weekly household income of $1,888. In contrast, Remote Australia has a far older population, with a typical age of 50 compared to 37 in the cities. Housing also differs greatly; 94.1% of homes in Remote Australia are separate houses, while those in Major Cities of Australia are more likely to live in flats or apartments.

Both areas sit near the national figure for the share of one-parent families. However, many other gaps have grown since 2011. Residents in Remote Australia are now far older, and the difference in typical household income has widened to $894. The divide in education has also increased, with the gap in bachelor degree holders widening to 19 percentage points.

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Where they differ most

Other language: 27.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Year 12: 31.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Separate houses: 26.1 pts higher in Remote Australia Population: 5,009,992 larger in Major Cities of Australia Mortgage: $1,200 higher in Major Cities of Australia

Demographics & Identity

Population in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +5,009,992 larger in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
5,018,415 97th pct 8,423 40th pct
Median age in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +13 yrs older in Remote Australia gap widening
37 yrs 25th pct 50 yrs 89th pct
First Nations in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +5.8 pts higher in Remote Australia gap steady
0.7% 5th pct 6.5% 50th pct
Aged 65+ in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +10.2 pts higher in Remote Australia gap widening
15.1% 43rd pct 25.3% 90th pct
Under 15 in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +4.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
18.1% 57th pct 13.3% 24th pct
De facto in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +4.0 pts higher in Remote Australia gap narrowing
10.8% 14th pct 14.8% 69th pct

Age structure

31.1% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +8.2 pts 22.9%
23.4% Older adults (45–64) +7.6 pts ▸ 31.1%
15.1% Seniors (65+) +10.2 pts ▸ 25.3%
18.1% Children (0–14) ◂ +4.8 pts 13.3%
12.3% Youth (15–24) ◂ +4.8 pts 7.5%

Marital status

46.8% Married ◂ +2.8 pts 44.0%
38.1% Never married ◂ +4.8 pts 33.3%
7.7% Divorced +4.7 pts ▸ 12.4%
4.6% Widowed +1.6 pts ▸ 6.1%
2.9% Separated +1.2 pts ▸ 4.1%

Age & sex structure

Major Cities of Australia Remote 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 Remote Australia +21.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
35.5% 100th pct 14.4% 50th pct

Country of birth

60.2% Australia +14.4 pts ▸ 74.6%
4.9% India ◂ +4.4 pts 0.5%
2.7% England +0.8 pts ▸ 3.4%
3.3% China ◂ +3.0 pts 0.4%
1.8% Vietnam ◂ +1.7 pts 0.1%
1.7% New Zealand ◂ +0.1 pts 1.6%
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 even 0.5%

Ancestry

25.7% English +16.5 pts ▸ 42.2%
23.5% Australian +15.2 pts ▸ 38.8%
8.4% Irish +1.9 pts ▸ 10.3%
7.2% Scottish +1.1 pts ▸ 8.3%
8.2% Chinese ◂ +7.5 pts 0.7%
6.5% Italian ◂ +5.5 pts 1.1%
5.3% Indian ◂ +4.8 pts 0.5%
2.9% German +1.4 pts ▸ 4.3%
3.4% Greek ◂ +3.3 pts 0.1%
2.4% Vietnamese ◂ +2.2 pts 0.2%
1.5% Dutch +0.2 pts ▸ 1.7%
1.7% Filipino ◂ +1.2 pts 0.5%

Language

Other language in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +27.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
33.9% 93rd pct 6.1% 32nd pct
Limited English in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +5.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
5.4% 92nd pct 0.3% 12th pct

Language used at home

61.3% English only +22.5 pts ▸ 83.8%
4.3% Mandarin ◂ +3.8 pts 0.5%
2.3% Vietnamese ◂ +2.2 pts 0.1%
2.1% Greek ◂ +2.1 pts 0.0%
2.0% Punjabi ◂ +1.8 pts 0.2%
1.8% Arabic ◂ +1.8 pts 0.0%
1.7% Italian ◂ +1.6 pts 0.0%
1.6% Cantonese ◂ +1.6 pts 0.0%
1.3% Hindi ◂ +1.1 pts 0.2%
0.5% Tagalog ◂ +0.4 pts 0.1%

Religion

No religion in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +7.8 pts higher in Remote Australia gap widening
37.3% 39th pct 45.2% 71st pct

Religious affiliation

37.3% No religion +7.8 pts ▸ 45.2%
40.3% Christianity ◂ +1.6 pts 38.7%
6.2% Not stated +5.5 pts ▸ 11.8%
5.2% Islam ◂ +4.5 pts 0.7%
4.1% Hinduism ◂ +2.4 pts 1.8%
3.8% Buddhism ◂ +2.9 pts 0.9%
2.1% Other religions ◂ +1.2 pts 0.9%
0.9% Judaism ◂ +0.9 pts 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +31.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
66.8% 99th pct 35.1% 32nd pct
Bachelor+ in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +18.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
32.7% 98th pct 13.8% 53rd pct

Highest year of school

66.8% Year 12 ◂ +31.7 pts 35.1%
9.6% Year 10 +21.9 pts ▸ 31.4%
9.3% Year 9 or below +3.4 pts ▸ 12.7%
8.7% Year 11 +0.5 pts ▸ 9.2%

Highest qualification level

19.3% Certificate III / IV +14.7 pts ▸ 34.1%
32.4% Bachelor degree ◂ +16.7 pts 15.7%
15.4% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +2.2 pts 13.2%
13.6% Postgraduate degree ◂ +7.6 pts 6.0%
4.6% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +2.6 pts 1.9%
1.3% Certificate I / II +1.5 pts ▸ 2.8%

Field of qualification

20.8% Management & commerce ◂ +6.6 pts 14.3%
12.3% Engineering & related +4.8 pts ▸ 17.2%
12.5% Society & culture ◂ +3.7 pts 8.8%
10.0% Health ◂ +2.8 pts 7.1%
4.6% Food, hospitality & personal services +3.1 pts ▸ 7.6%
7.5% Education ◂ +0.8 pts 6.7%
5.2% Architecture & building +0.4 pts ▸ 5.7%
5.2% Information technology ◂ +3.6 pts 1.5%
4.8% Creative arts ◂ +2.5 pts 2.4%
1.2% Agriculture & environment +3.1 pts ▸ 4.2%
3.8% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +2.0 pts 1.8%

Income

Personal income in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +$240 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$838 69th pct $598 24th pct
Household income in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +$894 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$1,888 75th pct $994 0th pct
Family income in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +$853 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$2,236 82nd pct $1,383 8th pct
High earners in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +7.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
13.5% 76th pct 6.4% 28th pct
High-income homes in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +17.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
25.1% 85th pct 8.2% 0th pct

Household income distribution

24.0% $650–$1,499 +8.2 pts ▸ 32.3%
30.9% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +8.8 pts 22.1%
14.1% Under $650 +13.4 pts ▸ 27.6%
14.0% $4,000 or more ◂ +10.5 pts 3.5%
11.1% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +6.5 pts 4.7%

Personal income distribution

38.8% Under $650 +8.2 pts ▸ 47.1%
30.7% $650–$1,499 ◂ +3.0 pts 27.7%
18.8% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +7.7 pts 11.1%
5.5% $3,000 or more ◂ +3.3 pts 2.3%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +8.9 pts higher in Remote Australia
25.7% 42nd pct 34.6% 94th pct
Mental health in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +2.5 pts higher in Remote Australia
8.2% 42nd pct 10.7% 76th pct
Needs assistance in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +2.1 pts higher in Remote Australia gap steady
5.6% 60th pct 7.7% 100th pct

Long-term health conditions reported

7.0% Arthritis +6.9 pts ▸ 13.9%
8.2% Mental health +2.5 pts ▸ 10.7%
7.9% Asthma +0.7 pts ▸ 8.6%
7.8% Other condition +0.7 pts ▸ 8.5%
4.5% Diabetes +1.7 pts ▸ 6.2%
3.3% Heart disease +2.3 pts ▸ 5.7%
2.5% Cancer +1.4 pts ▸ 3.9%
1.2% Lung condition +1.8 pts ▸ 3.1%
0.8% Stroke +0.3 pts ▸ 1.1%
0.7% Dementia +0.1 pts ▸ 0.8%

Number of long-term health conditions

67.3% None ◂ +13.6 pts 53.7%
18.0% One condition +3.5 pts ▸ 21.5%
5.2% Two conditions +2.9 pts ▸ 8.1%
2.5% Three or more +2.5 pts ▸ 5.0%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +6.6 pts higher in Remote Australia gap steady
12.0% 31st pct 18.7% 71st pct
Unpaid carers in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +0.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
12.6% 74th pct 11.8% 64th pct
Unpaid child care in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +7.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
26.5% 75th pct 19.0% 30th pct
Defence service in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +2.7 pts higher in Remote Australia
1.6% 12th pct 4.3% 86th pct
Housework 15h+ in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +5.1 pts higher in Remote Australia gap narrowing
19.0% 43rd pct 24.1% 86th pct

First Nations

First Nations people in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +34,005 larger in Major Cities of Australia
34,553 86th pct 548 33rd pct
Median age in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +6 yrs older in Remote Australia
25 yrs 43rd pct 31 yrs 71st pct
Year 12 in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +21.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
49.1% 96th pct 27.5% 43rd pct
Unemployment in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +0.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
8.9% 11th pct 8.2% 4th pct
Median income in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +$195 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$687 86th pct $492 40th pct
Household income in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +$554 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$1,786 86th pct $1,232 35th pct
Indigenous language in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +3.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
6.2% 47th pct 2.6% 12th pct

Family & Households

Household size in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +0.6 larger in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
2.6 77th pct 2.0 9th pct
One-parent in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +0.5 pts higher in Remote Australia gap narrowing
13.1% 25th pct 13.6% 31st pct
Living alone in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +13.5 pts higher in Remote Australia gap widening
25.0% 23rd pct 38.6% 100th pct

Family composition

61.8% Couples with children ◂ +21.3 pts 40.5%
23.9% Couples without children +21.0 pts ▸ 44.9%
13.1% One-parent families +0.5 pts ▸ 13.6%
1.3% Other families ◂ +0.3 pts 1.0%

Household size

31.3% 2 people +8.5 pts ▸ 39.8%
25.0% 1 person +13.5 pts ▸ 38.6%
17.1% 4 people ◂ +9.3 pts 7.8%
16.9% 3 people ◂ +7.5 pts 9.4%
6.5% 5 people ◂ +3.6 pts 2.9%
3.2% 6 or more ◂ +1.6 pts 1.5%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +$208 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$388 86th pct $180 25th pct
Mortgage in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +$1,200 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$2,000 89th pct $800 2nd pct
People / bedroom in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +0.20 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
0.90 71st pct 0.70 0th pct
Renting in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +7.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
30.6% 57th pct 22.8% 18th pct
Owned outright in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +18.3 pts higher in Remote Australia gap widening
29.6% 36th pct 47.9% 94th pct
Separate houses in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +26.1 pts higher in Remote Australia gap widening
68.0% 11th pct 94.1% 88th pct
3+ bedrooms in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +2.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
72.2% 36th pct 69.3% 20th pct

How homes are owned or rented

29.6% Owned outright +18.3 pts ▸ 47.9%
36.8% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +14.6 pts 22.2%
30.6% Rented ◂ +7.8 pts 22.8%
1.6% Other tenure +3.3 pts ▸ 4.9%
1.4% Not stated +0.7 pts ▸ 2.0%

Types of homes

68.0% Separate house +26.1 pts ▸ 94.1%
16.3% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +14.0 pts 2.3%
15.3% Flat or apartment ◂ +14.0 pts 1.3%
0.3% Other dwelling +0.8 pts ▸ 1.1%

Bedrooms per home

39.7% 3 bedrooms +12.1 pts ▸ 51.8%
26.8% 4 bedrooms ◂ +12.5 pts 14.3%
20.4% 2 bedrooms +1.3 pts ▸ 21.8%
5.8% 1 bedroom even 5.8%
5.6% 5 or more ◂ +2.5 pts 3.2%
0.3% Studio / none +0.8 pts ▸ 1.1%

Weekly rent distribution

7.2% Under $200 +45.6 pts ▸ 52.8%
50.6% $350–$549 ◂ +44.3 pts 6.4%
24.4% $200–$349 +9.3 pts ▸ 33.7%
9.7% $550–$749 ◂ +9.3 pts 0.4%
4.5% $750 or more ◂ +4.2 pts 0.4%

Monthly mortgage distribution

13.1% Under $1,000 +44.8 pts ▸ 57.9%
34.7% $1,800–$2,999 ◂ +27.4 pts 7.3%
25.7% $1,000–$1,799 +0.8 pts ▸ 26.5%
20.0% $3,000 or more ◂ +16.9 pts 3.1%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +2.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
8.6% 76th pct 6.0% 58th pct
Work from home in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +20.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
28.5% 99th pct 7.8% 30th pct
PT commute in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +3.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
3.5% 71st pct 0.3% 14th pct

How people get to work

46.8% Car (driver) +11.9 pts ▸ 58.7%
28.5% Worked at home ◂ +20.7 pts 7.8%
2.0% Walked +8.6 pts ▸ 10.5%
3.2% Car (passenger) +1.9 pts ▸ 5.1%
2.0% Train ◂ +2.0 pts 0.0%
0.8% Bicycle ◂ +0.2 pts 0.6%
0.6% Bus ◂ +0.4 pts 0.3%

Motor vehicles per home

37.5% 1 vehicle +2.0 pts ▸ 39.5%
37.0% 2 vehicles ◂ +0.9 pts 36.1%
11.0% 3 vehicles +1.2 pts ▸ 12.2%
8.6% No vehicle ◂ +2.6 pts 6.0%
5.9% 4 or more +0.4 pts ▸ 6.3%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +2.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
41.1% 72nd pct 38.5% 56th pct
Recent arrivals in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +1.8 pts higher in Remote Australia gap narrowing
15.9% 52nd pct 17.8% 63rd pct

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +1.5 pts higher in Remote Australia gap steady
5.3% 56th pct 6.8% 72nd pct
Participation in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +14.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
64.1% 86th pct 49.5% 28th pct
Full-time in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +6.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
60.0% 57th pct 53.9% 20th pct

Industries people work in

6.1% Accommodation & food +13.9 pts ▸ 20.0%
13.7% Health care & social assistance ◂ +6.8 pts 6.9%
0.6% Agriculture, forestry & fishing +12.2 pts ▸ 12.8%
0.2% Mining +10.6 pts ▸ 10.8%
9.5% Professional & technical ◂ +7.1 pts 2.4%
9.5% Retail trade ◂ +2.2 pts 7.3%
9.2% Construction ◂ +3.5 pts 5.7%
8.8% Education & training ◂ +2.5 pts 6.4%
6.8% Manufacturing ◂ +3.3 pts 3.5%
5.5% Public administration & safety ◂ +1.8 pts 3.7%
4.9% Transport & warehousing ◂ +0.5 pts 4.4%
4.7% Finance & insurance ◂ +3.9 pts 0.8%

Occupations people work in

26.9% Professionals ◂ +16.6 pts 10.3%
7.9% Labourers +12.6 pts ▸ 20.4%
13.7% Managers +3.2 pts ▸ 16.9%
12.1% Technicians & trades +1.4 pts ▸ 13.4%
12.8% Clerical & administrative ◂ +4.7 pts 8.1%
10.6% Community & personal service +1.9 pts ▸ 12.6%
5.8% Machinery operators & drivers +4.2 pts ▸ 10.1%
8.3% Sales workers ◂ +2.4 pts 5.9%

Walkability

Walk score in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +3.6 higher in Major Cities of Australia
7.2 100th pct 3.5 62nd pct
Types ≤15 min in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +2.9 more in Major Cities of Australia
6.7 100th pct 3.8 61st pct
15-min city in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +39.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
83.4% 100th pct 43.8% 58th pct
Walk to shops in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +31.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
82.7% 100th pct 51.0% 71st pct
Walk to transit in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +52.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
92.0% 93rd pct 40.0% 50th pct
Walk to school in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +48.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
87.9% 100th pct 39.4% 30th pct
Walk to a park in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +37.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
98.2% 99th pct 60.7% 43rd pct
Walk to health in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +32.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
73.8% 100th pct 41.2% 67th pct
Amenities/1k in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +44.4 more in Remote Australia
14.2 14th pct 58.6 87th pct
Intersections/km² in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +155 higher in Major Cities of Australia
155 99th pct 0 29th pct
Mean slope in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +3.3 pts higher in Remote Australia
4.7% 42nd pct 8.0% 90th 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 Remote Australia with nearby areas

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

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Major Cities of Australia vs Remote Australia [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/ra/RA20/major-cities-of-australia/vs/RA63/remote-australia