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Major Cities of Australia vs Inner Regional Australia

Remoteness Area comparison ≈ 575 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 places. Major Cities of Australia is much more diverse, with 35.5% of people born overseas and 33.9% using a language other than English at home. In contrast, Inner Regional Australia is sparsely populated and has a very high First Nations population of 60.0%. Education and work also differ; 32.7% of adults in Major Cities of Australia hold a bachelor degree or higher, compared to 14.2% in Inner Regional Australia, and far more people work from home in the cities (28.5% against 5.4%).

Typical weekly household incomes are very similar in both areas, sitting around $1,800. While they share this financial baseline, their living situations vary widely. Inner Regional Australia is car-dependent and mostly consists of separate houses (97.8%), while Major Cities of Australia is very walkable with far more apartments. Over time, the gaps in education and overseas births have widened, and the difference in typical weekly rent has grown to $298.

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Where they differ most

First Nations: 59.3 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia Born overseas: 30.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Other language: 29.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Year 12: 27.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Renting: 34.6 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia

Demographics & Identity

Population in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +5,018,105 larger in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
5,018,415 97th 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 +59.3 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap steady
0.7% 5th pct 60.0% 100th pct
Aged 65+ in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.4 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
15.1% 43rd pct 16.5% 51st pct
Under 15 in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
18.1% 57th pct 17.1% 45th pct
De facto in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +2.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
10.8% 14th pct 8.2% 0th pct

Age structure

31.1% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +9.5 pts 21.6%
23.4% Older adults (45–64) +2.1 pts ▸ 25.5%
18.1% Children (0–14) ◂ +1.0 pts 17.1%
15.1% Seniors (65+) +1.4 pts ▸ 16.5%
12.3% Youth (15–24) +1.6 pts ▸ 13.9%

Marital status

38.1% Never married +15.5 pts ▸ 53.7%
46.8% Married ◂ +13.8 pts 32.9%
7.7% Divorced ◂ +4.4 pts 3.3%
4.6% Widowed +0.7 pts ▸ 5.3%
2.9% Separated ◂ +0.4 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 +30.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
35.5% 100th pct 4.8% 0th pct

Country of birth

60.2% Australia +5.3 pts ▸ 65.5%
4.9% India ◂ +4.9 pts 0.0%
3.3% China ◂ +3.3 pts 0.0%
2.7% England ◂ +1.4 pts 1.3%
1.8% Vietnam ◂ +1.8 pts 0.0%
1.7% New Zealand ◂ +1.7 pts 0.0%
1.2% Philippines ◂ +1.2 pts 0.0%
1.2% Italy ◂ +1.2 pts 0.0%
0.5% South Africa ◂ +0.5 pts 0.0%
0.4% Nepal ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%

Ancestry

25.7% English ◂ +14.4 pts 11.3%
23.5% Australian ◂ +4.5 pts 19.0%
8.4% Irish ◂ +6.1 pts 2.3%
8.2% Chinese ◂ +8.2 pts 0.0%
7.2% Scottish ◂ +5.6 pts 1.6%
6.5% Italian ◂ +5.6 pts 1.0%
5.3% Indian ◂ +3.7 pts 1.6%
3.4% Greek ◂ +3.4 pts 0.0%
2.9% German ◂ +0.6 pts 2.3%
2.4% Vietnamese ◂ +2.4 pts 0.0%
1.7% Filipino ◂ +1.7 pts 0.0%
1.5% Dutch ◂ +1.5 pts 0.0%

Language

Other language in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +29.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
33.9% 93rd pct 4.2% 15th pct
Limited English in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +5.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
5.4% 92nd pct 0.0% 0th pct

Language used at home

61.3% English only +3.2 pts ▸ 64.5%
4.3% Mandarin ◂ +4.3 pts 0.0%
2.3% Vietnamese ◂ +2.3 pts 0.0%
2.1% Greek ◂ +2.1 pts 0.0%
2.0% Punjabi ◂ +2.0 pts 0.0%
1.8% Arabic ◂ +1.8 pts 0.0%
1.7% Italian ◂ +1.7 pts 0.0%
1.6% Cantonese ◂ +1.6 pts 0.0%
1.3% Hindi ◂ +1.3 pts 0.0%
0.5% Tagalog ◂ +0.5 pts 0.0%

Religion

No religion in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +8.3 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
37.3% 39th pct 29.0% 14th pct

Religious affiliation

40.3% Christianity ◂ +8.4 pts 31.9%
37.3% No religion ◂ +8.3 pts 29.0%
6.2% Not stated +26.4 pts ▸ 32.6%
5.2% Islam ◂ +5.2 pts 0.0%
4.1% Hinduism ◂ +4.1 pts 0.0%
2.1% Other religions +1.8 pts ▸ 3.9%
3.8% Buddhism ◂ +3.8 pts 0.0%
0.9% Judaism ◂ +0.9 pts 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +27.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
66.8% 99th pct 39.8% 51st pct
Bachelor+ in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +18.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
32.7% 98th pct 14.2% 60th pct

Highest year of school

66.8% Year 12 ◂ +27.0 pts 39.8%
9.3% Year 9 or below +6.8 pts ▸ 16.1%
9.6% Year 10 +1.4 pts ▸ 11.0%
8.7% Year 11 ◂ +4.4 pts 4.2%

Highest qualification level

32.4% Bachelor degree ◂ +19.0 pts 13.4%
19.3% Certificate III / IV ◂ +2.8 pts 16.6%
15.4% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +9.5 pts 5.9%
13.6% Postgraduate degree ◂ +9.8 pts 3.7%
4.6% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +3.0 pts 1.6%
1.3% Certificate I / II +1.4 pts ▸ 2.7%

Field of qualification

20.8% Management & commerce ◂ +13.4 pts 7.5%
12.5% Society & culture ◂ +1.3 pts 11.2%
12.3% Engineering & related ◂ +8.6 pts 3.7%
10.0% Health ◂ +3.0 pts 7.0%
7.5% Education ◂ +2.7 pts 4.8%
1.2% Agriculture & environment +4.7 pts ▸ 5.9%
5.2% Architecture & building ◂ +2.0 pts 3.2%
5.2% Information technology ◂ +5.2 pts 0.0%
4.8% Creative arts ◂ +2.2 pts 2.7%
4.6% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +4.6 pts 0.0%
3.8% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +2.2 pts 1.6%

Income

Personal income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$253 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$838 69th pct $585 23rd pct
Household income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$63 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
$1,888 75th pct $1,825 72nd pct
Family income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$549 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
$2,236 82nd pct $1,687 35th pct
High earners in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +5.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
13.5% 76th pct 8.1% 42nd pct
High-income homes in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +8.3 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
25.1% 85th pct 16.9% 59th pct

Household income distribution

30.9% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +12.9 pts 18.0%
24.0% $650–$1,499 ◂ +9.4 pts 14.6%
14.1% Under $650 +0.5 pts ▸ 14.6%
14.0% $4,000 or more ◂ +9.5 pts 4.5%
11.1% $3,000–$3,999 +1.2 pts ▸ 12.4%

Personal income distribution

38.8% Under $650 ◂ +3.9 pts 35.0%
30.7% $650–$1,499 ◂ +16.5 pts 14.2%
18.8% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +8.7 pts 10.2%
5.5% $3,000 or more ◂ +3.1 pts 2.4%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +4.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
25.7% 42nd pct 21.6% 26th pct
Mental health in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.1 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia
8.2% 42nd pct 9.4% 59th pct
Needs assistance in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.5 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap steady
5.6% 60th pct 6.1% 73rd pct

Long-term health conditions reported

4.5% Diabetes +5.8 pts ▸ 10.3%
8.2% Mental health +1.1 pts ▸ 9.4%
7.9% Asthma ◂ +0.5 pts 7.4%
7.8% Other condition ◂ +0.1 pts 7.7%
7.0% Arthritis ◂ +0.5 pts 6.5%
3.3% Heart disease +2.1 pts ▸ 5.5%
0.7% Dementia +1.9 pts ▸ 2.6%
2.5% Cancer ◂ +0.2 pts 2.3%
1.2% Lung condition +1.0 pts ▸ 2.3%
0.8% Stroke +0.1 pts ▸ 1.0%

Number of long-term health conditions

67.3% None ◂ +23.4 pts 43.9%
18.0% One condition ◂ +5.1 pts 12.9%
2.5% Three or more +3.7 pts ▸ 6.1%
5.2% Two conditions ◂ +2.0 pts 3.2%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
12.0% 31st pct 11.0% 26th pct
Unpaid carers in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +2.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
12.6% 74th pct 10.6% 41st pct
Unpaid child care in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +8.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
26.5% 75th pct 17.9% 27th pct
Defence service in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +11.8 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia
1.6% 12th pct 13.4% 100th pct
Housework 15h+ in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +2.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
19.0% 43rd pct 16.7% 32nd pct

First Nations

First Nations people in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +34,367 larger in Major Cities of Australia
34,553 86th pct 186 29th pct
Median age in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +17 yrs older in Inner Regional Australia
25 yrs 43rd pct 42 yrs 88th pct
Year 12 in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +27.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
49.1% 96th pct 21.4% 24th pct
Unemployment in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
8.9% 11th pct 7.9% 1st pct
Median income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$253 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$687 86th pct $434 28th pct
Household income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$766 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$1,786 86th pct $1,020 8th pct
Indigenous language in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.8 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia
6.2% 47th pct 7.0% 52nd pct

Family & Households

Household size in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.4 larger in Inner Regional Australia gap steady
2.6 77th pct 3.0 93rd pct
One-parent in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +23.7 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
13.1% 25th pct 36.8% 100th pct
Living alone in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +2.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
25.0% 23rd pct 22.5% 10th pct

Family composition

61.8% Couples with children ◂ +27.6 pts 34.2%
13.1% One-parent families +23.7 pts ▸ 36.8%
23.9% Couples without children ◂ +5.1 pts 18.8%
1.3% Other families +9.4 pts ▸ 10.7%

Household size

31.3% 2 people ◂ +1.0 pts 30.3%
25.0% 1 person ◂ +2.5 pts 22.5%
17.1% 4 people ◂ +0.3 pts 16.9%
16.9% 3 people ◂ +9.0 pts 7.9%
3.2% 6 or more +12.6 pts ▸ 15.7%
6.5% 5 people ◂ +2.0 pts 4.5%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$298 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$388 86th pct $90 0th pct
Mortgage in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$151 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$2,000 89th 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 +34.6 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
30.6% 57th pct 65.2% 99th pct
Owned outright in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +29.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
29.6% 36th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Separate houses in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +29.8 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap widening
68.0% 11th pct 97.8% 100th pct
3+ bedrooms in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +2.0 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
72.2% 36th pct 74.2% 46th pct

How homes are owned or rented

30.6% Rented +34.6 pts ▸ 65.2%
36.8% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +36.8 pts 0.0%
29.6% Owned outright ◂ +29.6 pts 0.0%
1.4% Not stated +16.6 pts ▸ 18.0%
1.6% Other tenure +7.3 pts ▸ 9.0%

Types of homes

68.0% Separate house +29.8 pts ▸ 97.8%
16.3% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +16.3 pts 0.0%
15.3% Flat or apartment ◂ +15.3 pts 0.0%
0.3% Other dwelling +3.1 pts ▸ 3.4%

Bedrooms per home

26.8% 4 bedrooms +15.9 pts ▸ 42.7%
39.7% 3 bedrooms ◂ +13.9 pts 25.8%
20.4% 2 bedrooms ◂ +20.4 pts 0.0%
5.8% 1 bedroom ◂ +5.8 pts 0.0%
5.6% 5 or more even 5.6%
0.3% Studio / none ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%

Weekly rent distribution

50.6% $350–$549 ◂ +42.0 pts 8.6%
7.2% Under $200 +39.3 pts ▸ 46.6%
24.4% $200–$349 ◂ +7.1 pts 17.2%
9.7% $550–$749 ◂ +9.7 pts 0.0%
4.5% $750 or more ◂ +4.5 pts 0.0%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.3 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
8.6% 76th pct 9.9% 81st pct
Work from home in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +23.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
28.5% 99th pct 5.4% 15th pct
PT commute in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +3.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
3.5% 71st pct 0.0% 0th pct

How people get to work

46.8% Car (driver) ◂ +4.8 pts 41.9%
2.0% Walked +28.1 pts ▸ 30.1%
28.5% Worked at home ◂ +23.2 pts 5.4%
3.2% Car (passenger) +4.3 pts ▸ 7.5%
2.0% Train ◂ +2.0 pts 0.0%
0.8% Bicycle ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%
0.6% Bus ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

37.0% 2 vehicles +8.0 pts ▸ 45.1%
37.5% 1 vehicle ◂ +7.9 pts 29.6%
11.0% 3 vehicles ◂ +1.1 pts 9.9%
8.6% No vehicle +1.3 pts ▸ 9.9%
5.9% 4 or more ◂ +0.3 pts 5.6%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +12.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
41.1% 72nd pct 28.4% 15th pct
Recent arrivals in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia
15.9% 52nd pct —

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.5 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
5.3% 56th pct 6.9% 72nd pct
Participation in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +22.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
64.1% 86th pct 41.5% 20th pct
Full-time in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +3.4 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
60.0% 57th pct 63.4% 68th pct

Industries people work in

5.5% Public administration & safety +37.5 pts ▸ 43.0%
13.7% Health care & social assistance ◂ +1.9 pts 11.8%
9.2% Construction +0.5 pts ▸ 9.7%
9.5% Professional & technical ◂ +5.2 pts 4.3%
9.5% Retail trade ◂ +6.2 pts 3.2%
8.8% Education & training ◂ +2.4 pts 6.5%
6.8% Manufacturing ◂ +6.8 pts 0.0%
6.1% Accommodation & food ◂ +0.8 pts 5.4%
4.9% Transport & warehousing ◂ +4.9 pts 0.0%
4.7% Finance & insurance ◂ +4.7 pts 0.0%
3.4% Other services ◂ +3.4 pts 0.0%
3.2% Administrative & support ◂ +3.2 pts 0.0%

Occupations people work in

13.7% Managers +16.4 pts ▸ 30.1%
26.9% Professionals ◂ +4.3 pts 22.6%
12.8% Clerical & administrative ◂ +4.2 pts 8.6%
12.1% Technicians & trades ◂ +4.5 pts 7.5%
10.6% Community & personal service +0.1 pts ▸ 10.8%
7.9% Labourers +2.9 pts ▸ 10.8%
8.3% Sales workers ◂ +8.3 pts 0.0%
5.8% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +5.8 pts 0.0%

Walkability

Walk score in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +6.2 higher in Major Cities of Australia
7.2 100th pct 0.9 5th pct
Types ≤15 min in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +5.7 more in Major Cities of Australia
6.7 100th pct 0.9 5th pct
15-min city in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +83.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
83.4% 100th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to shops in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +59.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
82.7% 100th pct 23.2% 10th pct
Walk to transit in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +92.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
92.0% 93rd pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to school in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +64.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
87.9% 100th pct 23.2% 14th pct
Walk to a park in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +50.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
98.2% 99th pct 48.2% 14th pct
Walk to health in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +73.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
73.8% 100th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Amenities/1k in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +63.2 more in Inner Regional Australia
14.2 14th pct 77.4 91st pct
Intersections/km² in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +151 higher in Major Cities of Australia
155 99th pct 4 72nd pct
Mean slope in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
4.7% 42nd pct 4.1% 32nd 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

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/RA20/major-cities-of-australia/vs/RA91/inner-regional-australia