CensusAtlas

Compare

Major Cities of Australia vs Very Remote Australia

Remoteness Area comparison ≈ 1,030 km apart · Major Cities of Australia profile · Very Remote Australia profile

Major Cities of Australia Very Remote Australia

Major Cities of Australia and Very Remote Australia are vastly different in their makeup and layout. Very Remote Australia has a much higher First Nations population at 29.1%, where 44.2% of people speak a First Nations language. In contrast, Major Cities of Australia is much more diverse in terms of overseas births, with 36.2% born abroad. Educational gaps are also stark; 62.1% of people in Major Cities of Australia completed Year 12 and 26.7% hold a bachelor degree, compared to 36.4% and 10.8% in Very Remote Australia. While Major Cities of Australia is very walkable, Very Remote Australia is mostly car-dependent.

Both areas are almost identical when it comes to the share of children under 15, which sits around 19%. This commonality exists alongside growing divides in other areas. The gap in Year 12 completion and university degrees has widened since 2011, while the difference in typical weekly rent has narrowed. At the same time, the number of people working or looking for work is now far higher in Major Cities of Australia than it was a decade ago relative to Very Remote Australia.

Open map →

Where they differ most

First Nations: 27.2 pts higher in Very Remote Australia Year 12: 25.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Renting: 30.1 pts higher in Very Remote Australia Population: 2,026,995 larger in Major Cities of Australia Born overseas: 21.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia

Demographics & Identity

Population in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +2,026,995 larger in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
2,087,667 89th pct 60,672 58th pct
Median age in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +2 yrs older in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
37 yrs 25th pct 35 yrs 7th pct
First Nations in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +27.2 pts higher in Very Remote Australia gap steady
2.0% 16th pct 29.1% 86th pct
Aged 65+ in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +7.3 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
15.8% 47th pct 8.4% 13th pct
Under 15 in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +0.6 pts higher in Very Remote Australia gap steady
19.0% 75th pct 19.6% 81st pct
De facto in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +8.5 pts higher in Very Remote Australia gap steady
11.5% 21st pct 20.0% 99th pct

Age structure

28.9% Young adults (25–44) +5.8 pts ▸ 34.7%
24.2% Older adults (45–64) +1.5 pts ▸ 25.8%
19.0% Children (0–14) +0.6 pts ▸ 19.6%
15.8% Seniors (65+) ◂ +7.3 pts 8.4%
12.1% Youth (15–24) ◂ +0.6 pts 11.5%

Marital status

36.1% Never married +12.5 pts ▸ 48.6%
47.6% Married ◂ +10.9 pts 36.7%
8.7% Divorced ◂ +0.8 pts 7.9%
4.4% Widowed ◂ +1.6 pts 2.8%
3.2% Separated +0.9 pts ▸ 4.1%

Age & sex structure

Major Cities of Australia Very 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 Very Remote Australia +21.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
36.2% 100th pct 15.0% 54th pct

Country of birth

59.3% Australia +6.7 pts ▸ 66.0%
8.0% England ◂ +5.5 pts 2.5%
2.8% New Zealand +0.5 pts ▸ 3.3%
2.8% India ◂ +2.3 pts 0.4%
1.8% South Africa ◂ +1.2 pts 0.7%
1.5% Philippines ◂ +0.4 pts 1.1%
1.3% China ◂ +1.0 pts 0.3%
0.8% Vietnam ◂ +0.5 pts 0.3%
0.8% Italy ◂ +0.6 pts 0.2%
0.2% Nepal ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%

Ancestry

37.0% English ◂ +13.3 pts 23.7%
27.9% Australian ◂ +4.4 pts 23.5%
8.8% Irish ◂ +2.8 pts 6.1%
8.7% Scottish ◂ +2.9 pts 5.8%
5.5% Italian ◂ +3.4 pts 2.2%
5.4% Chinese ◂ +4.4 pts 0.9%
3.5% Indian ◂ +2.9 pts 0.6%
2.8% German ◂ +0.4 pts 2.4%
2.0% Dutch ◂ +0.8 pts 1.2%
1.8% Filipino ◂ +0.6 pts 1.3%
1.1% Vietnamese ◂ +0.8 pts 0.3%
0.7% Greek ◂ +0.5 pts 0.2%

Language

Other language in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +1.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
21.1% 82nd pct 19.4% 79th pct
Limited English in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +0.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
2.7% 80th pct 1.9% 69th pct

Language used at home

73.9% English only ◂ +13.1 pts 60.8%
2.4% Mandarin ◂ +1.9 pts 0.4%
1.1% Italian ◂ +0.9 pts 0.2%
1.0% Vietnamese ◂ +0.7 pts 0.4%
1.0% Punjabi ◂ +0.9 pts 0.1%
0.9% Cantonese ◂ +0.8 pts 0.1%
0.7% Arabic ◂ +0.6 pts 0.1%
0.7% Tagalog ◂ +0.2 pts 0.5%
0.5% Hindi ◂ +0.5 pts 0.1%
0.2% Greek ◂ +0.1 pts 0.1%

Religion

No religion in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +4.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
42.2% 56th pct 38.1% 41st pct

Religious affiliation

42.2% No religion ◂ +4.1 pts 38.1%
41.9% Christianity ◂ +7.0 pts 34.9%
6.5% Not stated +17.0 pts ▸ 23.5%
3.0% Islam ◂ +2.5 pts 0.5%
2.5% Buddhism ◂ +1.6 pts 0.9%
2.4% Hinduism ◂ +2.0 pts 0.4%
1.3% Other religions +0.3 pts ▸ 1.6%
0.3% Judaism ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +25.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
62.1% 91st pct 36.4% 40th pct
Bachelor+ in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +15.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
26.7% 87th pct 10.8% 27th pct

Highest year of school

62.1% Year 12 ◂ +25.7 pts 36.4%
17.5% Year 10 +3.6 pts ▸ 21.1%
8.1% Year 11 +2.9 pts ▸ 11.0%
6.3% Year 9 or below +3.1 pts ▸ 9.4%

Highest qualification level

26.2% Certificate III / IV +3.3 pts ▸ 29.5%
28.2% Bachelor degree ◂ +15.1 pts 13.1%
15.2% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +6.3 pts 8.9%
9.2% Postgraduate degree ◂ +6.3 pts 2.9%
3.9% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +2.1 pts 1.8%
2.4% Certificate I / II +0.6 pts ▸ 3.0%

Field of qualification

18.9% Management & commerce ◂ +10.1 pts 8.8%
16.8% Engineering & related +0.5 pts ▸ 17.3%
11.4% Society & culture ◂ +5.4 pts 6.0%
11.0% Health ◂ +5.1 pts 5.9%
7.9% Education ◂ +1.5 pts 6.3%
5.1% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +0.8 pts 4.3%
4.9% Architecture & building ◂ +0.5 pts 4.4%
3.8% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +2.0 pts 1.8%
3.5% Creative arts ◂ +2.2 pts 1.4%
1.5% Agriculture & environment +1.6 pts ▸ 3.1%
2.8% Information technology ◂ +2.3 pts 0.5%

Income

Personal income in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +$136 higher in Very Remote Australia gap narrowing
$860 72nd pct $996 77th pct
Household income in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +$156 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$1,865 74th pct $1,709 66th pct
Family income in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +$380 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$2,260 83rd pct $1,880 56th pct
High earners in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +2.2 pts higher in Very Remote Australia gap narrowing
15.2% 81st pct 17.4% 87th pct
High-income homes in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +4.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
24.3% 83rd pct 19.9% 73rd pct

Household income distribution

29.1% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +1.5 pts 27.6%
23.3% $650–$1,499 ◂ +0.4 pts 23.0%
14.3% Under $650 +1.7 pts ▸ 16.0%
13.5% $4,000 or more ◂ +3.5 pts 9.9%
10.8% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +0.8 pts 10.0%

Personal income distribution

38.4% Under $650 ◂ +8.2 pts 30.2%
29.1% $650–$1,499 ◂ +9.3 pts 19.8%
20.0% $1,500–$2,999 +0.5 pts ▸ 20.5%
6.2% $3,000 or more +0.5 pts ▸ 6.7%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +9.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
26.0% 43rd pct 16.9% 13th pct
Mental health in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +4.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
8.4% 44th pct 4.2% 14th pct
Needs assistance in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +2.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
4.6% 40th pct 2.6% 13th pct

Long-term health conditions reported

8.4% Mental health ◂ +4.2 pts 4.2%
7.6% Other condition ◂ +3.4 pts 4.2%
7.4% Arthritis ◂ +3.6 pts 3.8%
7.3% Asthma ◂ +2.3 pts 5.0%
4.3% Diabetes +0.1 pts ▸ 4.4%
3.5% Heart disease ◂ +0.9 pts 2.6%
2.7% Cancer ◂ +1.4 pts 1.3%
1.5% Lung condition ◂ +0.5 pts 1.1%
0.8% Stroke ◂ +0.4 pts 0.4%
0.7% Dementia ◂ +0.4 pts 0.3%

Number of long-term health conditions

66.5% None ◂ +5.6 pts 60.9%
18.2% One condition ◂ +6.0 pts 12.2%
5.3% Two conditions ◂ +2.1 pts 3.2%
2.5% Three or more ◂ +1.0 pts 1.5%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +0.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
15.1% 44th pct 14.3% 40th pct
Unpaid carers in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +3.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
10.9% 45th pct 7.7% 15th pct
Unpaid child care in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +3.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
29.2% 89th pct 25.7% 65th pct
Defence service in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +0.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
2.8% 36th pct 2.4% 25th pct
Housework 15h+ in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +4.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
19.7% 52nd pct 15.0% 26th pct

First Nations

First Nations people in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +23,147 larger in Major Cities of Australia
40,806 87th pct 17,659 74th pct
Median age in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +4 yrs older in Very Remote Australia
23 yrs 14th pct 27 yrs 57th pct
Year 12 in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +17.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
40.6% 85th pct 23.1% 29th pct
Unemployment in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +5.3 pts higher in Very Remote Australia
15.1% 55th pct 20.4% 72nd pct
Median income in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +$251 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$600 75th pct $349 10th pct
Household income in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +$658 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$1,653 78th pct $995 4th pct
Indigenous language in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +35.9 pts higher in Very Remote Australia
8.3% 59th pct 44.2% 91st pct

Family & Households

Household size in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +0.1 larger in Very Remote Australia gap narrowing
2.6 77th pct 2.7 86th pct
One-parent in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +6.8 pts higher in Very Remote Australia gap steady
13.4% 27th pct 20.2% 87th pct
Living alone in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +4.3 pts higher in Very Remote Australia gap widening
25.0% 23rd pct 29.3% 59th pct

Family composition

60.0% Couples with children ◂ +6.6 pts 53.4%
25.5% Couples without children ◂ +1.2 pts 24.2%
13.4% One-parent families +6.8 pts ▸ 20.2%
1.2% Other families +1.1 pts ▸ 2.2%

Household size

32.9% 2 people ◂ +2.8 pts 30.1%
25.0% 1 person +4.3 pts ▸ 29.3%
16.5% 4 people ◂ +3.5 pts 13.0%
16.4% 3 people ◂ +3.1 pts 13.3%
6.4% 5 people +0.9 pts ▸ 7.3%
2.8% 6 or more +4.1 pts ▸ 6.9%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +$230 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
$350 79th pct $120 9th pct
Mortgage in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +$405 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
$1,907 86th pct $1,502 55th pct
People / bedroom in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +0.10 higher in Very Remote Australia gap steady
0.80 43rd pct 0.90 71st pct
Renting in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +30.1 pts higher in Very Remote Australia gap narrowing
26.8% 43rd pct 56.9% 94th pct
Owned outright in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +10.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
28.4% 30th pct 18.0% 14th pct
Separate houses in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +4.0 pts higher in Very Remote Australia gap narrowing
77.5% 24th pct 81.6% 29th pct
3+ bedrooms in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +11.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
82.4% 95th pct 70.7% 29th pct

How homes are owned or rented

26.8% Rented +30.1 pts ▸ 56.9%
41.8% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +30.4 pts 11.4%
28.4% Owned outright ◂ +10.4 pts 18.0%
1.7% Other tenure +7.9 pts ▸ 9.6%
1.2% Not stated +2.9 pts ▸ 4.1%

Types of homes

77.5% Separate house +4.0 pts ▸ 81.6%
14.3% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +8.1 pts 6.3%
7.7% Flat or apartment ◂ +5.3 pts 2.4%
0.3% Other dwelling +6.6 pts ▸ 6.9%

Bedrooms per home

36.8% 3 bedrooms +9.9 pts ▸ 46.8%
39.1% 4 bedrooms ◂ +18.8 pts 20.3%
12.7% 2 bedrooms +3.4 pts ▸ 16.0%
3.6% 1 bedroom +4.2 pts ▸ 7.8%
6.4% 5 or more ◂ +2.9 pts 3.6%
0.2% Studio / none +1.4 pts ▸ 1.6%

Weekly rent distribution

10.4% Under $200 +49.4 pts ▸ 59.8%
43.3% $350–$549 ◂ +34.2 pts 9.1%
34.2% $200–$349 ◂ +16.2 pts 18.0%
6.4% $550–$749 ◂ +3.9 pts 2.4%
2.5% $750 or more ◂ +1.7 pts 0.8%

Monthly mortgage distribution

35.5% $1,800–$2,999 ◂ +11.8 pts 23.7%
30.5% $1,000–$1,799 ◂ +2.5 pts 28.0%
12.7% Under $1,000 +15.7 pts ▸ 28.3%
15.9% $3,000 or more ◂ +2.5 pts 13.4%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +10.7 pts higher in Very Remote Australia gap steady
5.0% 43rd pct 15.7% 91st pct
Work from home in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +2.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
7.6% 28th pct 5.0% 13th pct
PT commute in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +4.4 pts higher in Very Remote Australia gap narrowing
5.2% 87th pct 9.6% 99th pct

How people get to work

62.1% Car (driver) ◂ +18.8 pts 43.2%
1.6% Walked +11.9 pts ▸ 13.5%
3.0% Bus +6.4 pts ▸ 9.5%
7.6% Worked at home ◂ +2.5 pts 5.0%
4.4% Car (passenger) +2.3 pts ▸ 6.7%
2.2% Train ◂ +2.1 pts 0.1%
0.7% Bicycle +0.8 pts ▸ 1.4%

Motor vehicles per home

39.9% 2 vehicles ◂ +9.9 pts 30.0%
35.2% 1 vehicle +1.0 pts ▸ 36.2%
5.0% No vehicle +10.7 pts ▸ 15.7%
12.9% 3 vehicles ◂ +2.1 pts 10.8%
7.0% 4 or more +0.3 pts ▸ 7.2%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +1.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
39.4% 62nd pct 38.4% 56th pct
Recent arrivals in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +8.0 pts higher in Very Remote Australia gap widening
10.6% 16th pct 18.5% 67th pct

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +0.3 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
5.3% 54th pct 5.0% 43rd pct
Participation in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +10.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
65.3% 88th pct 54.6% 43rd pct
Full-time in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +11.2 pts higher in Very Remote Australia gap narrowing
60.0% 57th pct 71.2% 88th pct

Industries people work in

6.6% Mining +19.2 pts ▸ 25.8%
14.2% Health care & social assistance ◂ +5.9 pts 8.2%
8.8% Education & training +0.2 pts ▸ 9.1%
8.9% Retail trade ◂ +3.6 pts 5.3%
8.8% Construction ◂ +2.0 pts 6.9%
0.7% Agriculture, forestry & fishing +7.3 pts ▸ 7.9%
7.8% Professional & technical ◂ +5.8 pts 2.0%
6.0% Public administration & safety +1.3 pts ▸ 7.2%
6.5% Accommodation & food +0.4 pts ▸ 6.9%
5.3% Manufacturing ◂ +3.9 pts 1.3%
4.5% Transport & warehousing ◂ +0.6 pts 4.0%
3.9% Other services ◂ +1.2 pts 2.7%

Occupations people work in

23.8% Professionals ◂ +10.0 pts 13.8%
14.6% Technicians & trades +3.9 pts ▸ 18.5%
6.9% Machinery operators & drivers +9.4 pts ▸ 16.3%
11.8% Managers +1.0 pts ▸ 12.9%
12.5% Clerical & administrative ◂ +3.6 pts 8.8%
8.7% Labourers +3.5 pts ▸ 12.2%
12.0% Community & personal service ◂ +1.3 pts 10.8%
8.0% Sales workers ◂ +3.8 pts 4.2%

Walkability

Walk score in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +2.8 higher in Major Cities of Australia
6.1 86th pct 3.3 43rd pct
Types ≤15 min in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +2.0 more in Major Cities of Australia
5.8 87th pct 3.9 66th pct
15-min city in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +24.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
72.7% 87th pct 48.3% 71st pct
Walk to shops in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +17.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
69.0% 85th pct 51.1% 71st pct
Walk to transit in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +81.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
94.1% 96th pct 12.2% 26th pct
Walk to school in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +23.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
80.0% 93rd pct 56.1% 72nd pct
Walk to a park in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +25.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
96.1% 91st pct 70.3% 64th pct
Walk to health in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +10.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
54.8% 83rd pct 44.4% 72nd pct
Amenities/1k in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +29.1 more in Very Remote Australia
15.4 27th pct 44.5 78th pct
Intersections/km² in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +104 higher in Major Cities of Australia
104 91st pct 0 0th pct
Mean slope in Major Cities of Australiain Very Remote Australia +2.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
6.1% 73rd pct 3.2% 14th pct

Compare Major Cities of Australia with nearby areas

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

Compare Very Remote Australia with nearby areas

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

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Major Cities of Australia vs Very Remote Australia [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/ra/RA50/major-cities-of-australia/vs/RA54/very-remote-australia