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Remote Australia vs Very Remote Australia

Name: Remote Australia vs Very Remote Australia — 2021 Census comparison
Creator: Australian Bureau of Statistics
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Remoteness Area comparison ≈ 841 km apart · Remote Australia profile · Very Remote Australia profile

Remote Australia Very Remote Australia

Remote Australia and Very Remote Australia are two sparsely populated regions. Very Remote Australia has a much stronger First Nations presence, with 37.4% of people identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander compared to 17.2% in Remote Australia. This is consistent with a much higher share of people speaking a First Nations language in Very Remote Australia (48.9% versus 17.5%). Residents in Very Remote Australia are also more likely to rent their homes (46.8% compared to 36.0%) and more likely to live within a 15-minute walk of groceries (45.5% versus 25.5%).

Both areas sit near the national figure for the share of homes owned outright. They also share very similar rates of people who have served in the Defence Force and those who volunteer. While some gaps have remained steady since 2011, the difference in renting shares has widened. Remote Australia continues to have a higher typical weekly rent ($200) than Very Remote Australia ($145), a gap that has also grown over time.

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Where they differ most

First Nations: 20.3 pts higher in Very Remote Australia Limited English: 2.5 pts higher in Very Remote Australia Other language: 13.1 pts higher in Very Remote Australia Family income: $394 higher in Remote Australia Renting: 10.8 pts higher in Very Remote Australia

Demographics & Identity

Population in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia +18,870 larger in Remote Australia gap steady

71,351 59th pct 52,481 57th pct

Median age in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia +2 yrs older in Remote Australia gap steady

37 yrs 25th pct 35 yrs 7th pct

Age structure

27.2% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +0.2 pts 27.0%

26.4% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +1.2 pts 25.2%

20.2% Children (0–14) +2.0 pts ▸ 22.2%

14.8% Seniors (65+) ◂ +2.2 pts 12.6%

11.4% Youth (15–24) +1.6 pts ▸ 13.0%

Marital status

41.6% Never married +8.7 pts ▸ 50.4%

41.9% Married ◂ +6.4 pts 35.5%

8.6% Divorced ◂ +1.9 pts 6.7%

4.3% Widowed +0.2 pts ▸ 4.4%

3.6% Separated ◂ +0.6 pts 3.0%

Age & sex structure

Remote Australia Very Remote Australia

Bars show the share of each area's own population, so differently sized areas stay comparable.

Ancestry & Birthplace

Country of birth

76.7% Australia +5.5 pts ▸ 82.2%

2.3% New Zealand ◂ +1.1 pts 1.2%

1.4% England ◂ +0.6 pts 0.9%

1.2% Philippines ◂ +0.8 pts 0.3%

0.6% South Africa ◂ +0.3 pts 0.2%

0.3% India ◂ +0.1 pts 0.2%

0.1% Vietnam +0.2 pts ▸ 0.3%

0.2% Italy ◂ +0.1 pts 0.1%

0.2% China ◂ +0.1 pts 0.1%

0.1% Nepal even 0.0%

Ancestry

35.3% Australian ◂ +7.3 pts 28.0%

31.8% English ◂ +7.2 pts 24.5%

9.4% Irish ◂ +2.1 pts 7.4%

8.2% Scottish ◂ +1.7 pts 6.6%

4.9% German ◂ +1.3 pts 3.6%

3.1% Italian ◂ +1.9 pts 1.2%

1.6% Filipino ◂ +1.1 pts 0.5%

1.0% Dutch ◂ +0.4 pts 0.6%

0.9% Chinese ◂ +0.2 pts 0.7%

0.4% Indian ◂ +0.1 pts 0.3%

0.1% Vietnamese +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

0.2% Greek ◂ +0.1 pts 0.1%

Language

Language used at home

79.6% English only ◂ +12.6 pts 67.0%

0.4% Tagalog ◂ +0.3 pts 0.1%

0.3% Italian ◂ +0.2 pts 0.1%

0.1% Vietnamese +0.2 pts ▸ 0.3%

0.2% Mandarin ◂ +0.1 pts 0.1%

0.1% Punjabi ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

0.1% Hindi even 0.0%

0.1% Greek even 0.1%

0.1% Cantonese even 0.0%

0.0% Arabic even 0.0%

Religion

Religious affiliation

51.0% Christianity +4.3 pts ▸ 55.2%

33.4% No religion ◂ +4.3 pts 29.1%

14.2% Not stated ◂ +0.2 pts 14.1%

0.3% Other religions +0.5 pts ▸ 0.9%

0.5% Buddhism ◂ +0.2 pts 0.3%

0.3% Hinduism ◂ +0.1 pts 0.2%

0.2% Islam ◂ +0.1 pts 0.2%

0.0% Judaism even 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Highest year of school

41.7% Year 12 ◂ +2.0 pts 39.6%

24.9% Year 10 ◂ +0.3 pts 24.6%

11.0% Year 9 or below +2.1 pts ▸ 13.2%

7.3% Year 11 +0.7 pts ▸ 8.0%

Highest qualification level

35.3% Certificate III / IV ◂ +0.9 pts 34.4%

15.0% Bachelor degree ◂ +2.0 pts 13.1%

10.9% Advanced diploma / diploma even 10.8%

2.7% Certificate I / II +1.6 pts ▸ 4.3%

2.8% Postgraduate degree ◂ +0.5 pts 2.3%

2.0% Graduate diploma / certificate +0.1 pts ▸ 2.2%

Field of qualification

18.7% Engineering & related ◂ +4.8 pts 13.9%

10.9% Management & commerce ◂ +0.1 pts 10.9%

7.5% Education +1.1 pts ▸ 8.6%

8.1% Health +0.4 pts ▸ 8.4%

7.0% Society & culture +0.7 pts ▸ 7.7%

4.5% Architecture & building +1.2 pts ▸ 5.7%

4.6% Agriculture & environment +1.0 pts ▸ 5.6%

5.4% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +1.0 pts 4.4%

1.4% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +0.4 pts 1.0%

1.3% Creative arts ◂ +0.1 pts 1.2%

0.7% Information technology ◂ +0.3 pts 0.4%

Income

Personal income in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia +$93 higher in Remote Australia gap widening

$826 67th pct $733 48th pct

Household income in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia +$198 higher in Remote Australia gap narrowing

$1,589 60th pct $1,391 36th pct

Family income in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia +$394 higher in Remote Australia gap widening

$1,981 71st pct $1,587 24th pct

Household income distribution

27.1% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +1.7 pts 25.4%

24.5% $650–$1,499 +2.4 pts ▸ 26.9%

17.8% Under $650 +1.2 pts ▸ 19.0%

9.6% $4,000 or more ◂ +2.8 pts 6.8%

9.2% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +1.7 pts 7.4%

Personal income distribution

35.0% Under $650 +3.4 pts ▸ 38.4%

27.2% $650–$1,499 +0.2 pts ▸ 27.5%

18.0% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +3.1 pts 14.9%

4.3% $3,000 or more ◂ +1.1 pts 3.1%

Health & Disability

Long-term health conditions reported

6.9% Asthma ◂ +0.7 pts 6.2%

6.6% Arthritis ◂ +1.2 pts 5.4%

5.8% Mental health ◂ +1.4 pts 4.4%

4.8% Diabetes +0.9 pts ▸ 5.6%

5.4% Other condition ◂ +0.6 pts 4.7%

3.7% Heart disease even 3.7%

2.3% Cancer ◂ +0.6 pts 1.8%

1.8% Lung condition ◂ +0.4 pts 1.4%

0.8% Stroke ◂ +0.1 pts 0.7%

0.5% Dementia even 0.5%

Number of long-term health conditions

61.9% None +2.0 pts ▸ 63.9%

15.7% One condition ◂ +0.7 pts 15.0%

4.8% Two conditions ◂ +0.8 pts 4.0%

2.5% Three or more ◂ +0.3 pts 2.2%

Community Participation

First Nations

First Nations people in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia +7,392 larger in Very Remote Australia

12,252 67th pct 19,644 75th pct

Median age in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia even

25 yrs 43rd pct 25 yrs 43rd pct

Median income in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia +$29 higher in Remote Australia

$460 33rd pct $431 27th pct

Household income in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia +$54 higher in Remote Australia

$1,216 32nd pct $1,162 26th pct

Family & Households

Household size in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia +0.2 larger in Very Remote Australia gap steady

2.5 67th pct 2.7 86th pct

Family composition

53.6% Couples with children ◂ +0.2 pts 53.4%

28.6% Couples without children ◂ +4.6 pts 24.0%

16.4% One-parent families +4.2 pts ▸ 20.6%

1.4% Other families +0.5 pts ▸ 2.0%

Household size

34.4% 2 people ◂ +3.8 pts 30.6%

29.2% 1 person +0.3 pts ▸ 29.5%

13.0% 3 people ◂ +0.3 pts 12.7%

12.1% 4 people ◂ +0.2 pts 11.9%

4.6% 6 or more +3.2 pts ▸ 7.8%

6.7% 5 people +0.8 pts ▸ 7.5%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia +$55 higher in Remote Australia gap widening

$200 30th pct $145 15th pct

Mortgage in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia +$300 higher in Remote Australia gap narrowing

$1,300 36th pct $1,000 13th pct

People / bedroom in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia even gap steady

0.90 71st pct 0.90 71st pct

How homes are owned or rented

36.0% Rented +10.8 pts ▸ 46.8%

30.9% Owned outright ◂ +3.5 pts 27.5%

22.1% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +7.8 pts 14.2%

7.5% Other tenure +0.5 pts ▸ 8.0%

3.6% Not stated ◂ +0.1 pts 3.5%

Types of homes

85.7% Separate house ◂ +3.2 pts 82.5%

6.5% Townhouse / semi-detached +1.5 pts ▸ 8.0%

3.3% Other dwelling +0.6 pts ▸ 3.8%

3.1% Flat or apartment ◂ +0.3 pts 2.7%

Bedrooms per home

42.3% 3 bedrooms ◂ +2.8 pts 39.5%

21.5% 4 bedrooms ◂ +1.4 pts 20.2%

17.4% 2 bedrooms +3.0 pts ▸ 20.4%

6.4% 5 or more +2.0 pts ▸ 8.5%

7.3% 1 bedroom ◂ +0.4 pts 6.9%

1.5% Studio / none ◂ +0.2 pts 1.2%

Weekly rent distribution

45.3% Under $200 +20.7 pts ▸ 66.0%

28.6% $200–$349 ◂ +12.6 pts 16.0%

14.9% $350–$549 ◂ +11.0 pts 3.9%

2.1% $550–$749 +1.1 pts ▸ 3.3%

0.5% $750 or more +1.1 pts ▸ 1.6%

Monthly mortgage distribution

29.0% Under $1,000 +15.1 pts ▸ 44.1%

34.3% $1,000–$1,799 ◂ +9.0 pts 25.4%

20.2% $1,800–$2,999 ◂ +6.7 pts 13.5%

8.2% $3,000 or more +0.6 pts ▸ 8.7%

Transport & Vehicles

How people get to work

55.1% Car (driver) ◂ +9.8 pts 45.2%

9.4% Walked +8.6 pts ▸ 18.0%

11.9% Worked at home +0.8 pts ▸ 12.8%

5.5% Car (passenger) +0.8 pts ▸ 6.3%

1.8% Bus ◂ +0.8 pts 1.0%

0.5% Bicycle +0.6 pts ▸ 1.1%

0.0% Train even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

35.8% 2 vehicles ◂ +7.3 pts 28.5%

33.1% 1 vehicle +2.4 pts ▸ 35.5%

7.0% No vehicle +8.5 pts ▸ 15.5%

14.5% 3 vehicles ◂ +3.2 pts 11.3%

9.6% 4 or more ◂ +0.3 pts 9.3%

Migration & Movement

Jobs & Industry

Industries people work in

18.3% Agriculture, forestry & fishing +1.6 pts ▸ 19.9%

16.2% Mining ◂ +9.5 pts 6.7%

5.7% Public administration & safety +7.6 pts ▸ 13.3%

9.1% Health care & social assistance +1.7 pts ▸ 10.9%

7.5% Education & training +1.9 pts ▸ 9.4%

8.6% Accommodation & food ◂ +2.4 pts 6.2%

5.9% Retail trade +0.2 pts ▸ 6.2%

5.6% Construction +0.4 pts ▸ 6.1%

3.5% Transport & warehousing +0.1 pts ▸ 3.6%

3.0% Other services ◂ +0.5 pts 2.5%

3.0% Manufacturing ◂ +0.6 pts 2.4%

2.7% Administrative & support ◂ +0.2 pts 2.4%

Occupations people work in

19.0% Managers +0.8 pts ▸ 19.8%

13.9% Labourers +2.4 pts ▸ 16.2%

15.0% Technicians & trades ◂ +2.4 pts 12.6%

12.3% Professionals +1.2 pts ▸ 13.4%

12.8% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +3.8 pts 9.0%

9.6% Community & personal service +1.7 pts ▸ 11.3%

9.6% Clerical & administrative +0.3 pts ▸ 9.9%

5.4% Sales workers ◂ +0.7 pts 4.7%

Walkability

Walk score in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia +0.9 higher in Very Remote Australia

2.0 11th pct 2.8 22nd pct

Types ≤15 min in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia +1.0 more in Very Remote Australia

2.3 12th pct 3.3 31st pct

15-min city in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia +18.3 pts higher in Very Remote Australia

24.2% 12th pct 42.5% 52nd pct

Walk to shops in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia +20.0 pts higher in Very Remote Australia

25.5% 11th pct 45.5% 58th pct

Walk to transit in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia even

0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Walk to school in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia +13.7 pts higher in Very Remote Australia

38.2% 28th pct 51.9% 62nd pct

Walk to a park in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia +4.4 pts higher in Very Remote Australia

50.1% 14th pct 54.5% 23rd pct

Walk to health in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia +17.6 pts higher in Very Remote Australia

22.3% 15th pct 39.9% 64th pct

Amenities/1k in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia +11.2 more in Very Remote Australia

22.4 57th pct 33.6 69th pct

Intersections/km² in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia even

0 17th pct 0 1st pct

Mean slope in Remote Australia in Very Remote Australia +1.6 pts higher in Remote Australia

5.0% 48th pct 3.4% 19th pct

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

Compare Very Remote Australia with nearby areas

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

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Remote Australia vs Very Remote Australia [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/ra/RA33/remote-australia/vs/RA34/very-remote-australia