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Major Cities of Australia vs Inner Regional Australia

Remoteness Area comparison ≈ 864 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 and very different in character. Major Cities of Australia is a large, diverse hub where 27.6% of people were born overseas and 16.5% use another language at home. In contrast, Inner Regional Australia is sparsely populated and has a very high First Nations population of 60.0%, though its residents are far older, with a typical First Nations age of 42 compared to 23 in the cities. Housing also differs wildly: Inner Regional Australia is dominated by separate houses (97.8%) and renting (65.2%), while typical weekly rents in Major Cities of Australia are far higher at $400, compared to just $90 in the regional area.

Both areas sit near the national figure for the share of people aged 65 and over, at around 16%. They also share a similar typical weekly household income of about $1,820. However, other gaps are widening; more people in Major Cities of Australia now work from home, and the difference in Year 12 completion has grown to 23.5 percentage points. While Major Cities of Australia is very walkable, Inner Regional Australia is car-dependent.

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Where they differ most

First Nations: 57.3 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia Renting: 30.3 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia Owned outright: 26.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Separate houses: 28.7 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia Population: 3,330,827 larger in Major Cities of Australia

Demographics & Identity

Population in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +3,330,827 larger in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
3,331,137 92nd 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 +57.3 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap steady
2.7% 25th pct 60.0% 100th pct
Aged 65+ in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.8 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
15.7% 47th pct 16.5% 51st pct
Under 15 in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
18.8% 73rd pct 17.1% 45th pct
De facto in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +4.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
12.8% 43rd pct 8.2% 0th pct

Age structure

28.6% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +6.9 pts 21.6%
24.1% Older adults (45–64) +1.3 pts ▸ 25.5%
18.8% Children (0–14) ◂ +1.7 pts 17.1%
15.7% Seniors (65+) +0.8 pts ▸ 16.5%
12.9% Youth (15–24) +1.0 pts ▸ 13.9%

Marital status

37.9% Never married +15.8 pts ▸ 53.7%
44.9% Married ◂ +12.0 pts 32.9%
9.4% Divorced ◂ +6.1 pts 3.3%
4.4% Widowed +0.9 pts ▸ 5.3%
3.4% Separated ◂ +1.0 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 +22.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
27.6% 85th pct 4.8% 0th pct

Country of birth

67.8% Australia ◂ +2.3 pts 65.5%
5.0% New Zealand ◂ +5.0 pts 0.0%
4.2% England ◂ +2.9 pts 1.3%
1.8% India ◂ +1.8 pts 0.0%
1.5% China ◂ +1.5 pts 0.0%
1.2% South Africa ◂ +1.2 pts 0.0%
1.0% Philippines ◂ +1.0 pts 0.0%
0.7% Vietnam ◂ +0.7 pts 0.0%
0.3% Italy ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%
0.3% Nepal ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%

Ancestry

37.7% English ◂ +26.4 pts 11.3%
31.4% Australian ◂ +12.4 pts 19.0%
11.1% Irish ◂ +8.9 pts 2.3%
10.3% Scottish ◂ +8.6 pts 1.6%
5.4% German ◂ +3.2 pts 2.3%
4.2% Chinese ◂ +4.2 pts 0.0%
2.9% Italian ◂ +1.9 pts 1.0%
2.4% Indian ◂ +0.8 pts 1.6%
1.7% Dutch ◂ +1.7 pts 0.0%
1.5% Filipino ◂ +1.5 pts 0.0%
0.9% Vietnamese ◂ +0.9 pts 0.0%
0.8% Greek ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%

Language

Other language in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +12.3 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
16.5% 73rd pct 4.2% 15th pct
Limited English in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +2.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
2.2% 74th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Language used at home

78.5% English only ◂ +13.9 pts 64.5%
2.3% Mandarin ◂ +2.3 pts 0.0%
0.9% Vietnamese ◂ +0.9 pts 0.0%
0.8% Punjabi ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%
0.8% Cantonese ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%
0.6% Hindi ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%
0.4% Arabic ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%
0.4% Tagalog ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%
0.4% Italian ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%
0.3% Greek ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%

Religion

No religion in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +13.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
42.8% 59th pct 29.0% 14th pct

Religious affiliation

44.1% Christianity ◂ +12.1 pts 31.9%
42.8% No religion ◂ +13.7 pts 29.0%
6.8% Not stated +25.8 pts ▸ 32.6%
1.1% Other religions +2.8 pts ▸ 3.9%
1.8% Hinduism ◂ +1.8 pts 0.0%
1.8% Buddhism ◂ +1.8 pts 0.0%
1.6% Islam ◂ +1.6 pts 0.0%
0.1% Judaism ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +23.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
63.3% 93rd pct 39.8% 51st pct
Bachelor+ in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +12.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
26.2% 86th pct 14.2% 60th pct

Highest year of school

63.3% Year 12 ◂ +23.5 pts 39.8%
17.8% Year 10 ◂ +6.8 pts 11.0%
6.8% Year 9 or below +9.3 pts ▸ 16.1%
6.1% Year 11 ◂ +1.8 pts 4.2%

Highest qualification level

27.3% Bachelor degree ◂ +14.0 pts 13.4%
27.0% Certificate III / IV ◂ +10.4 pts 16.6%
15.9% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +10.0 pts 5.9%
9.2% Postgraduate degree ◂ +5.5 pts 3.7%
3.9% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +2.3 pts 1.6%
2.0% Certificate I / II +0.7 pts ▸ 2.7%

Field of qualification

20.5% Management & commerce ◂ +13.1 pts 7.5%
13.2% Engineering & related ◂ +9.5 pts 3.7%
12.5% Society & culture ◂ +1.3 pts 11.2%
11.2% Health ◂ +4.3 pts 7.0%
7.6% Education ◂ +2.8 pts 4.8%
1.4% Agriculture & environment +4.5 pts ▸ 5.9%
5.8% Architecture & building ◂ +2.6 pts 3.2%
5.5% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +5.5 pts 0.0%
4.0% Creative arts ◂ +1.3 pts 2.7%
3.1% Information technology ◂ +3.1 pts 0.0%
2.8% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +1.2 pts 1.6%

Income

Personal income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$247 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$832 68th pct $585 23rd pct
Household income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$7 higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
$1,818 71st pct $1,825 72nd pct
Family income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$455 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
$2,142 78th pct $1,687 35th pct
High earners in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +4.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
12.2% 72nd pct 8.1% 42nd pct
High-income homes in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +6.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
22.9% 80th pct 16.9% 59th pct

Household income distribution

31.2% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +13.2 pts 18.0%
25.6% $650–$1,499 ◂ +11.0 pts 14.6%
13.7% Under $650 +0.9 pts ▸ 14.6%
10.7% $3,000–$3,999 +1.7 pts ▸ 12.4%
12.2% $4,000 or more ◂ +7.7 pts 4.5%

Personal income distribution

38.1% Under $650 ◂ +3.2 pts 35.0%
32.6% $650–$1,499 ◂ +18.4 pts 14.2%
18.2% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +8.0 pts 10.2%
4.7% $3,000 or more ◂ +2.2 pts 2.4%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +6.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
28.0% 57th pct 21.6% 26th pct
Mental health in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.3 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
9.6% 63rd 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

4.1% Diabetes +6.2 pts ▸ 10.3%
9.6% Mental health ◂ +0.3 pts 9.4%
8.6% Other condition ◂ +0.8 pts 7.7%
8.5% Asthma ◂ +1.1 pts 7.4%
8.1% Arthritis ◂ +1.6 pts 6.5%
3.8% Heart disease +1.6 pts ▸ 5.5%
3.0% Cancer ◂ +0.7 pts 2.3%
0.7% Dementia +1.9 pts ▸ 2.6%
1.8% Lung condition +0.4 pts ▸ 2.3%
0.9% Stroke +0.1 pts ▸ 1.0%

Number of long-term health conditions

64.3% None ◂ +20.4 pts 43.9%
19.2% One condition ◂ +6.3 pts 12.9%
3.0% Three or more +3.1 pts ▸ 6.1%
5.9% Two conditions ◂ +2.6 pts 3.2%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +2.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
13.5% 37th pct 11.0% 26th pct
Unpaid carers in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
11.2% 55th pct 10.6% 41st pct
Unpaid child care in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +9.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
27.5% 86th pct 17.9% 27th pct
Defence service in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +9.9 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia
3.5% 69th pct 13.4% 100th pct
Housework 15h+ in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +3.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
20.1% 56th pct 16.7% 32nd pct

First Nations

First Nations people in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +90,644 larger in Major Cities of Australia
90,830 94th pct 186 29th pct
Median age in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +19 yrs older in Inner Regional Australia
23 yrs 14th pct 42 yrs 88th pct
Year 12 in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +29.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
51.1% 98th pct 21.4% 24th pct
Unemployment in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +3.3 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
11.2% 30th pct 7.9% 1st pct
Median income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$211 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$645 80th pct $434 28th pct
Household income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$686 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$1,706 81st pct $1,020 8th pct
Indigenous language in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.6 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia
5.4% 41st 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 +21.8 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
14.9% 54th pct 36.8% 100th pct
Living alone in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
23.7% 14th pct 22.5% 10th pct

Family composition

57.4% Couples with children ◂ +23.2 pts 34.2%
14.9% One-parent families +21.8 pts ▸ 36.8%
26.4% Couples without children ◂ +7.6 pts 18.8%
1.2% Other families +9.5 pts ▸ 10.7%

Household size

34.1% 2 people ◂ +3.8 pts 30.3%
23.7% 1 person ◂ +1.2 pts 22.5%
15.9% 4 people +1.0 pts ▸ 16.9%
16.7% 3 people ◂ +8.8 pts 7.9%
3.3% 6 or more +12.4 pts ▸ 15.7%
6.3% 5 people ◂ +1.8 pts 4.5%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$310 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$400 89th pct $90 0th pct
Mortgage in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$58 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$1,907 86th pct $1,849 81st pct
People / bedroom in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia even gap steady
0.80 43rd pct 0.80 43rd pct
Renting in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +30.3 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
34.9% 70th pct 65.2% 99th pct
Owned outright in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +26.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
26.5% 26th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Separate houses in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +28.7 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap widening
69.1% 13th pct 97.8% 100th pct
3+ bedrooms in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
75.9% 57th pct 74.2% 46th pct

How homes are owned or rented

34.9% Rented +30.3 pts ▸ 65.2%
35.7% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +35.7 pts 0.0%
26.5% Owned outright ◂ +26.5 pts 0.0%
1.3% Not stated +16.6 pts ▸ 18.0%
1.6% Other tenure +7.4 pts ▸ 9.0%

Types of homes

69.1% Separate house +28.7 pts ▸ 97.8%
16.5% Flat or apartment ◂ +16.5 pts 0.0%
13.8% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +13.8 pts 0.0%
0.4% Other dwelling +2.9 pts ▸ 3.4%

Bedrooms per home

31.5% 4 bedrooms +11.2 pts ▸ 42.7%
35.7% 3 bedrooms ◂ +9.9 pts 25.8%
17.4% 2 bedrooms ◂ +17.4 pts 0.0%
8.7% 5 or more ◂ +3.0 pts 5.6%
5.0% 1 bedroom ◂ +5.0 pts 0.0%
0.4% Studio / none ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%

Weekly rent distribution

53.2% $350–$549 ◂ +44.6 pts 8.6%
7.5% Under $200 +39.0 pts ▸ 46.6%
22.3% $200–$349 ◂ +5.1 pts 17.2%
10.9% $550–$749 ◂ +10.9 pts 0.0%
3.1% $750 or more ◂ +3.1 pts 0.0%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +3.8 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
6.0% 58th pct 9.9% 81st pct
Work from home in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +11.3 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
16.7% 86th pct 5.4% 15th pct
PT commute in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +3.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
3.9% 75th pct 0.0% 0th pct

How people get to work

57.0% Car (driver) ◂ +15.0 pts 41.9%
2.2% Walked +28.0 pts ▸ 30.1%
16.7% Worked at home ◂ +11.3 pts 5.4%
4.0% Car (passenger) +3.5 pts ▸ 7.5%
2.1% Bus ◂ +2.1 pts 0.0%
1.6% Train ◂ +1.6 pts 0.0%
0.7% Bicycle ◂ +0.7 pts 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

38.3% 2 vehicles +6.8 pts ▸ 45.1%
36.5% 1 vehicle ◂ +6.9 pts 29.6%
12.4% 3 vehicles ◂ +2.6 pts 9.9%
6.0% No vehicle +3.8 pts ▸ 9.9%
6.8% 4 or more ◂ +1.1 pts 5.6%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +18.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
47.3% 86th pct 28.4% 15th pct
Recent arrivals in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia
13.8% 36th pct —

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.5 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
5.4% 57th pct 6.9% 72nd pct
Participation in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +22.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
64.2% 86th pct 41.5% 20th pct
Full-time in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +5.1 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
58.3% 48th pct 63.4% 68th pct

Industries people work in

5.9% Public administration & safety +37.1 pts ▸ 43.0%
15.6% Health care & social assistance ◂ +3.8 pts 11.8%
9.3% Construction +0.4 pts ▸ 9.7%
9.4% Retail trade ◂ +6.1 pts 3.2%
8.8% Education & training ◂ +2.4 pts 6.5%
8.1% Professional & technical ◂ +3.8 pts 4.3%
7.2% Accommodation & food ◂ +1.8 pts 5.4%
5.7% Manufacturing ◂ +5.7 pts 0.0%
4.8% Transport & warehousing ◂ +4.8 pts 0.0%
3.8% Other services ◂ +3.8 pts 0.0%
3.5% Administrative & support ◂ +3.5 pts 0.0%
1.8% Arts & recreation +1.4 pts ▸ 3.2%

Occupations people work in

12.6% Managers +17.5 pts ▸ 30.1%
24.0% Professionals ◂ +1.4 pts 22.6%
13.3% Clerical & administrative ◂ +4.7 pts 8.6%
12.7% Technicians & trades ◂ +5.2 pts 7.5%
12.0% Community & personal service ◂ +1.3 pts 10.8%
8.9% Labourers +1.9 pts ▸ 10.8%
8.8% Sales workers ◂ +8.8 pts 0.0%
5.8% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +5.8 pts 0.0%

Walkability

Walk score in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +5.2 higher in Major Cities of Australia
6.2 87th pct 0.9 5th pct
Types ≤15 min in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +4.9 more in Major Cities of Australia
5.8 86th pct 0.9 5th pct
15-min city in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +72.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
72.0% 86th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to shops in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +49.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
73.0% 90th pct 23.2% 10th pct
Walk to transit in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional 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 Inner Regional Australia +48.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
71.9% 85th pct 23.2% 14th pct
Walk to a park in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +47.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
95.3% 87th pct 48.2% 14th pct
Walk to health in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +58.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
58.6% 88th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Amenities/1k in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +63.9 more in Inner Regional Australia
13.6 9th pct 77.4 91st pct
Intersections/km² in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +69 higher in Major Cities of Australia
73 85th pct 4 72nd pct
Mean slope in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +2.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
6.1% 73rd pct 4.1% 32nd 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 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/RA30/major-cities-of-australia/vs/RA91/inner-regional-australia