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Major Cities of Australia vs Remote Australia

Remoteness Area comparison ≈ 441 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 very walkable and has far more people born overseas (27.6%) and far more adults with a bachelor degree or higher (26.2%). In contrast, Remote Australia is car-dependent and has a far higher share of First Nations people (17.2%) and those who speak a First Nations language (17.5%). Housing also differs, with separate houses being far more common in Remote Australia (85.7%) compared to Major Cities of Australia (69.1%).

The gap in school completion has widened since 2011, as Year 12 completion is now far higher in Major Cities of Australia (63.3%) than in Remote Australia (41.7%). Despite this, the two areas share a typical resident age of 37 and a very similar typical weekly personal income of around $830. Both areas also have about the same share of people aged 65 and over, sitting between 14.8% and 15.7%.

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Where they differ most

Population: 3,259,786 larger in Major Cities of Australia Year 12: 21.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Born overseas: 17.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Separate houses: 16.6 pts higher in Remote Australia Bachelor+: 14.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia

Demographics & Identity

Population in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +3,259,786 larger in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
3,331,137 92nd pct 71,351 59th pct
Median age in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia even gap narrowing
37 yrs 25th pct 37 yrs 25th pct
First Nations in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +14.4 pts higher in Remote Australia gap widening
2.7% 25th pct 17.2% 76th pct
Aged 65+ in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +0.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
15.7% 47th pct 14.8% 42nd pct
Under 15 in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +1.4 pts higher in Remote Australia gap narrowing
18.8% 73rd pct 20.2% 86th pct
De facto in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +3.7 pts higher in Remote Australia gap steady
12.8% 43rd pct 16.4% 84th pct

Age structure

28.6% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +1.4 pts 27.2%
24.1% Older adults (45–64) +2.3 pts ▸ 26.4%
18.8% Children (0–14) +1.4 pts ▸ 20.2%
15.7% Seniors (65+) ◂ +0.8 pts 14.8%
12.9% Youth (15–24) ◂ +1.5 pts 11.4%

Marital status

44.9% Married ◂ +3.0 pts 41.9%
37.9% Never married +3.8 pts ▸ 41.6%
9.4% Divorced ◂ +0.8 pts 8.6%
4.4% Widowed ◂ +0.2 pts 4.3%
3.4% Separated +0.1 pts ▸ 3.6%

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 +17.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
27.6% 85th pct 10.6% 26th pct

Country of birth

67.8% Australia +8.9 pts ▸ 76.7%
5.0% New Zealand ◂ +2.7 pts 2.3%
4.2% England ◂ +2.8 pts 1.4%
1.8% India ◂ +1.5 pts 0.3%
1.5% China ◂ +1.4 pts 0.2%
1.0% Philippines +0.1 pts ▸ 1.2%
1.2% South Africa ◂ +0.6 pts 0.6%
0.7% Vietnam ◂ +0.6 pts 0.1%
0.3% Italy ◂ +0.1 pts 0.2%
0.3% Nepal ◂ +0.2 pts 0.1%

Ancestry

37.7% English ◂ +6.0 pts 31.8%
31.4% Australian +3.9 pts ▸ 35.3%
11.1% Irish ◂ +1.7 pts 9.4%
10.3% Scottish ◂ +2.0 pts 8.2%
5.4% German ◂ +0.5 pts 4.9%
4.2% Chinese ◂ +3.3 pts 0.9%
2.9% Italian +0.3 pts ▸ 3.1%
2.4% Indian ◂ +2.0 pts 0.4%
1.7% Dutch ◂ +0.7 pts 1.0%
1.5% Filipino +0.1 pts ▸ 1.6%
0.9% Vietnamese ◂ +0.8 pts 0.1%
0.8% Greek ◂ +0.6 pts 0.2%

Language

Other language in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +8.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
16.5% 73rd pct 7.9% 44th pct
Limited English in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +1.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
2.2% 74th pct 0.6% 28th pct

Language used at home

78.5% English only +1.1 pts ▸ 79.6%
2.3% Mandarin ◂ +2.1 pts 0.2%
0.9% Vietnamese ◂ +0.8 pts 0.1%
0.8% Punjabi ◂ +0.7 pts 0.1%
0.8% Cantonese ◂ +0.7 pts 0.1%
0.6% Hindi ◂ +0.5 pts 0.1%
0.4% Tagalog even 0.4%
0.4% Arabic ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%
0.4% Italian ◂ +0.1 pts 0.3%
0.3% Greek ◂ +0.2 pts 0.1%

Religion

No religion in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +9.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
42.8% 59th pct 33.4% 30th pct

Religious affiliation

44.1% Christianity +6.9 pts ▸ 51.0%
42.8% No religion ◂ +9.4 pts 33.4%
6.8% Not stated +7.5 pts ▸ 14.2%
1.8% Hinduism ◂ +1.5 pts 0.3%
1.8% Buddhism ◂ +1.3 pts 0.5%
1.6% Islam ◂ +1.4 pts 0.2%
1.1% Other religions ◂ +0.8 pts 0.3%
0.1% Judaism ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +21.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
63.3% 93rd pct 41.7% 56th pct
Bachelor+ in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +14.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
26.2% 86th pct 11.3% 32nd pct

Highest year of school

63.3% Year 12 ◂ +21.7 pts 41.7%
17.8% Year 10 +7.1 pts ▸ 24.9%
6.8% Year 9 or below +4.2 pts ▸ 11.0%
6.1% Year 11 +1.2 pts ▸ 7.3%

Highest qualification level

27.0% Certificate III / IV +8.4 pts ▸ 35.3%
27.3% Bachelor degree ◂ +12.3 pts 15.0%
15.9% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +5.0 pts 10.9%
9.2% Postgraduate degree ◂ +6.4 pts 2.8%
3.9% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +1.9 pts 2.0%
2.0% Certificate I / II +0.7 pts ▸ 2.7%

Field of qualification

20.5% Management & commerce ◂ +9.6 pts 10.9%
13.2% Engineering & related +5.5 pts ▸ 18.7%
12.5% Society & culture ◂ +5.5 pts 7.0%
11.2% Health ◂ +3.1 pts 8.1%
7.6% Education ◂ +0.1 pts 7.5%
5.8% Architecture & building ◂ +1.3 pts 4.5%
5.5% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +0.1 pts 5.4%
1.4% Agriculture & environment +3.2 pts ▸ 4.6%
4.0% Creative arts ◂ +2.7 pts 1.3%
3.1% Information technology ◂ +2.4 pts 0.7%
2.8% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +1.4 pts 1.4%

Income

Personal income in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +$6 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
$832 68th pct $826 67th pct
Household income in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +$229 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$1,818 71st pct $1,589 60th pct
Family income in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +$161 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$2,142 78th pct $1,981 71st pct
High earners in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +0.3 pts higher in Remote Australia gap narrowing
12.2% 72nd pct 12.5% 73rd pct
High-income homes in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +4.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
22.9% 80th pct 18.8% 70th pct

Household income distribution

31.2% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +4.1 pts 27.1%
25.6% $650–$1,499 ◂ +1.1 pts 24.5%
13.7% Under $650 +4.1 pts ▸ 17.8%
12.2% $4,000 or more ◂ +2.6 pts 9.6%
10.7% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +1.5 pts 9.2%

Personal income distribution

38.1% Under $650 ◂ +3.1 pts 35.0%
32.6% $650–$1,499 ◂ +5.4 pts 27.2%
18.2% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +0.2 pts 18.0%
4.7% $3,000 or more ◂ +0.4 pts 4.3%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +5.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
28.0% 57th pct 23.0% 31st pct
Mental health in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +3.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
9.6% 63rd pct 5.8% 27th pct
Needs assistance in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +1.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
5.6% 60th pct 3.9% 28th pct

Long-term health conditions reported

9.6% Mental health ◂ +3.8 pts 5.8%
8.6% Other condition ◂ +3.2 pts 5.4%
8.5% Asthma ◂ +1.6 pts 6.9%
8.1% Arthritis ◂ +1.4 pts 6.6%
4.1% Diabetes +0.7 pts ▸ 4.8%
3.8% Heart disease ◂ +0.1 pts 3.7%
3.0% Cancer ◂ +0.6 pts 2.3%
1.8% Lung condition ◂ +0.1 pts 1.8%
0.9% Stroke ◂ +0.1 pts 0.8%
0.7% Dementia ◂ +0.2 pts 0.5%

Number of long-term health conditions

64.3% None ◂ +2.4 pts 61.9%
19.2% One condition ◂ +3.5 pts 15.7%
5.9% Two conditions ◂ +1.1 pts 4.8%
3.0% Three or more ◂ +0.5 pts 2.5%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +4.1 pts higher in Remote Australia gap steady
13.5% 37th pct 17.7% 61st pct
Unpaid carers in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +2.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
11.2% 55th pct 8.9% 27th pct
Unpaid child care in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +3.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
27.5% 86th pct 24.4% 52nd pct
Defence service in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +0.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
3.5% 69th pct 2.8% 36th pct
Housework 15h+ in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +0.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
20.1% 56th pct 19.3% 46th pct

First Nations

First Nations people in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +78,578 larger in Major Cities of Australia
90,830 94th pct 12,252 67th pct
Median age in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +2 yrs older in Remote Australia
23 yrs 14th pct 25 yrs 43rd pct
Year 12 in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +19.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
51.1% 98th pct 31.2% 54th pct
Unemployment in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +4.6 pts higher in Remote Australia
11.2% 30th pct 15.8% 59th pct
Median income in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +$185 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$645 80th pct $460 33rd pct
Household income in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +$490 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$1,706 81st pct $1,216 32nd pct
Indigenous language in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +12.1 pts higher in Remote Australia
5.4% 41st pct 17.5% 75th pct

Family & Households

Household size in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +0.1 larger in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
2.6 77th pct 2.5 67th pct
One-parent in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +1.5 pts higher in Remote Australia gap steady
14.9% 54th pct 16.4% 73rd pct
Living alone in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +5.6 pts higher in Remote Australia gap widening
23.7% 14th pct 29.2% 58th pct

Family composition

57.4% Couples with children ◂ +3.8 pts 53.6%
26.4% Couples without children +2.1 pts ▸ 28.6%
14.9% One-parent families +1.5 pts ▸ 16.4%
1.2% Other families +0.2 pts ▸ 1.4%

Household size

34.1% 2 people +0.3 pts ▸ 34.4%
23.7% 1 person +5.6 pts ▸ 29.2%
16.7% 3 people ◂ +3.7 pts 13.0%
15.9% 4 people ◂ +3.7 pts 12.1%
6.3% 5 people +0.4 pts ▸ 6.7%
3.3% 6 or more +1.3 pts ▸ 4.6%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +$200 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
$400 89th pct $200 30th pct
Mortgage in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +$607 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$1,907 86th pct $1,300 36th pct
People / bedroom in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +0.10 higher in Remote Australia gap steady
0.80 43rd pct 0.90 71st pct
Renting in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +1.1 pts higher in Remote Australia gap narrowing
34.9% 70th pct 36.0% 72nd pct
Owned outright in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +4.4 pts higher in Remote Australia gap steady
26.5% 26th pct 30.9% 42nd pct
Separate houses in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +16.6 pts higher in Remote Australia gap widening
69.1% 13th pct 85.7% 47th pct
3+ bedrooms in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +5.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
75.9% 57th pct 70.3% 27th pct

How homes are owned or rented

34.9% Rented +1.1 pts ▸ 36.0%
35.7% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +13.6 pts 22.1%
26.5% Owned outright +4.4 pts ▸ 30.9%
1.6% Other tenure +5.8 pts ▸ 7.5%
1.3% Not stated +2.3 pts ▸ 3.6%

Types of homes

69.1% Separate house +16.6 pts ▸ 85.7%
16.5% Flat or apartment ◂ +13.5 pts 3.1%
13.8% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +7.3 pts 6.5%
0.4% Other dwelling +2.8 pts ▸ 3.3%

Bedrooms per home

35.7% 3 bedrooms +6.6 pts ▸ 42.3%
31.5% 4 bedrooms ◂ +9.9 pts 21.5%
17.4% 2 bedrooms even 17.4%
8.7% 5 or more ◂ +2.2 pts 6.4%
5.0% 1 bedroom +2.3 pts ▸ 7.3%
0.4% Studio / none +1.1 pts ▸ 1.5%

Weekly rent distribution

53.2% $350–$549 ◂ +38.3 pts 14.9%
7.5% Under $200 +37.8 pts ▸ 45.3%
22.3% $200–$349 +6.3 pts ▸ 28.6%
10.9% $550–$749 ◂ +8.8 pts 2.1%
3.1% $750 or more ◂ +2.7 pts 0.5%

Monthly mortgage distribution

35.8% $1,800–$2,999 ◂ +15.6 pts 20.2%
30.2% $1,000–$1,799 +4.2 pts ▸ 34.3%
12.8% Under $1,000 +16.2 pts ▸ 29.0%
15.5% $3,000 or more ◂ +7.3 pts 8.2%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +1.0 pts higher in Remote Australia gap steady
6.0% 58th pct 7.0% 69th pct
Work from home in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +4.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
16.7% 86th pct 11.9% 64th pct
PT commute in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +2.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
3.9% 75th pct 1.9% 52nd pct

How people get to work

57.0% Car (driver) ◂ +1.9 pts 55.1%
16.7% Worked at home ◂ +4.7 pts 11.9%
2.2% Walked +7.2 pts ▸ 9.4%
4.0% Car (passenger) +1.5 pts ▸ 5.5%
2.1% Bus ◂ +0.2 pts 1.8%
1.6% Train ◂ +1.6 pts 0.0%
0.7% Bicycle ◂ +0.2 pts 0.5%

Motor vehicles per home

38.3% 2 vehicles ◂ +2.5 pts 35.8%
36.5% 1 vehicle ◂ +3.4 pts 33.1%
12.4% 3 vehicles +2.1 pts ▸ 14.5%
6.8% 4 or more +2.8 pts ▸ 9.6%
6.0% No vehicle +1.0 pts ▸ 7.0%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +12.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
47.3% 86th pct 35.3% 43rd pct
Recent arrivals in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +5.8 pts higher in Remote Australia gap widening
13.8% 36th pct 19.6% 72nd pct

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +1.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
5.4% 57th pct 4.1% 27th pct
Participation in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +4.3 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
64.2% 86th pct 59.9% 72nd pct
Full-time in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +10.0 pts higher in Remote Australia gap widening
58.3% 48th pct 68.3% 85th pct

Industries people work in

0.6% Agriculture, forestry & fishing +17.7 pts ▸ 18.3%
1.1% Mining +15.2 pts ▸ 16.2%
15.6% Health care & social assistance ◂ +6.5 pts 9.1%
9.4% Retail trade ◂ +3.4 pts 5.9%
9.3% Construction ◂ +3.7 pts 5.6%
8.8% Education & training ◂ +1.3 pts 7.5%
7.2% Accommodation & food +1.4 pts ▸ 8.6%
8.1% Professional & technical ◂ +6.4 pts 1.7%
5.9% Public administration & safety ◂ +0.3 pts 5.7%
5.7% Manufacturing ◂ +2.7 pts 3.0%
4.8% Transport & warehousing ◂ +1.3 pts 3.5%
3.8% Other services ◂ +0.8 pts 3.0%

Occupations people work in

24.0% Professionals ◂ +11.7 pts 12.3%
12.6% Managers +6.4 pts ▸ 19.0%
12.7% Technicians & trades +2.3 pts ▸ 15.0%
8.9% Labourers +5.0 pts ▸ 13.9%
13.3% Clerical & administrative ◂ +3.7 pts 9.6%
5.8% Machinery operators & drivers +6.9 pts ▸ 12.8%
12.0% Community & personal service ◂ +2.4 pts 9.6%
8.8% Sales workers ◂ +3.4 pts 5.4%

Walkability

Walk score in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +4.2 higher in Major Cities of Australia
6.2 87th pct 2.0 11th pct
Types ≤15 min in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +3.5 more in Major Cities of Australia
5.8 86th pct 2.3 12th pct
15-min city in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +47.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
72.0% 86th pct 24.2% 12th pct
Walk to shops in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +47.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
73.0% 90th pct 25.5% 11th pct
Walk to transit in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +85.3 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
85.3% 85th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to school in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +33.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
71.9% 85th pct 38.2% 28th pct
Walk to a park in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +45.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
95.3% 87th pct 50.1% 14th pct
Walk to health in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +36.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
58.6% 88th pct 22.3% 15th pct
Amenities/1k in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +8.8 more in Remote Australia
13.6 9th pct 22.4 57th pct
Intersections/km² in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +72 higher in Major Cities of Australia
73 85th pct 0 17th pct
Mean slope in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +1.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
6.1% 73rd pct 5.0% 48th pct

Compare Major Cities of Australia with nearby areas

Inner Regional 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 Inner Regional Australia Very Remote Australia Inner Regional Australia

Compare Remote Australia with nearby areas

Outer Regional Australia Inner Regional Australia Major Cities of Australia Outer Regional Australia Very Remote Australia Remote Australia Very Remote Australia Major Cities of Australia Inner Regional Australia Inner Regional Australia Major Cities of Australia Inner Regional 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/RA30/major-cities-of-australia/vs/RA33/remote-australia