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Major Cities of Australia vs Remote Australia

Remoteness Area comparison ≈ 2,654 km apart · Major Cities of Australia profile · Remote Australia profile

Major Cities of Australia Remote Australia

Major Cities of Australia and Remote Australia are far apart in both location and character. Remote Australia has a much larger First Nations population, at 31.4% compared to 2.0% in Major Cities of Australia, and it is far more likely that residents there speak a First Nations language (54.0% versus 8.3%). Major Cities of Australia is very walkable and has a far higher share of people born overseas (36.2% compared to 19.3%), while Remote Australia is mostly car-dependent and has a much higher rate of renters at 46.7%.

This gap in renters has widened since 2011, but other similarities remain. Both areas have almost identical typical weekly household incomes, sitting around $1,900, and similar unemployment rates. They also share a similar proportion of volunteers and a nearly identical number of people per home. While Major Cities of Australia has far more people aged 65 and over, both areas have a similar share of people who speak little or no English.

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Where they differ most

First Nations: 29.5 pts higher in Remote Australia Population: 2,040,619 larger in Major Cities of Australia 3+ bedrooms: 18.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Renting: 19.9 pts higher in Remote Australia De facto: 5.9 pts higher in Remote Australia

Demographics & Identity

Population in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +2,040,619 larger in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
2,087,667 89th pct 47,048 56th pct
Median age in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +3 yrs older in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
37 yrs 25th pct 34 yrs 0th pct
First Nations in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +29.5 pts higher in Remote Australia gap widening
2.0% 16th pct 31.4% 87th pct
Aged 65+ in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +6.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
15.8% 47th pct 9.5% 16th pct
Under 15 in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +1.9 pts higher in Remote Australia gap narrowing
19.0% 75th pct 20.9% 90th pct
De facto in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +5.9 pts higher in Remote Australia gap steady
11.5% 21st pct 17.4% 89th pct

Age structure

28.9% Young adults (25–44) +4.4 pts ▸ 33.3%
24.2% Older adults (45–64) +0.3 pts ▸ 24.6%
19.0% Children (0–14) +1.9 pts ▸ 20.9%
15.8% Seniors (65+) ◂ +6.2 pts 9.5%
12.1% Youth (15–24) ◂ +0.3 pts 11.7%

Marital status

47.6% Married ◂ +9.2 pts 38.4%
36.1% Never married +11.2 pts ▸ 47.3%
8.7% Divorced ◂ +1.4 pts 7.3%
4.4% Widowed ◂ +1.2 pts 3.2%
3.2% Separated +0.5 pts ▸ 3.7%

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 +16.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
36.2% 100th pct 19.3% 72nd pct

Country of birth

59.3% Australia +12.3 pts ▸ 71.6%
8.0% England ◂ +6.1 pts 1.9%
2.8% New Zealand ◂ +0.4 pts 2.4%
2.8% India ◂ +0.4 pts 2.3%
1.5% Philippines +0.4 pts ▸ 1.9%
1.8% South Africa ◂ +1.4 pts 0.5%
1.3% China ◂ +0.8 pts 0.5%
0.8% Vietnam ◂ +0.4 pts 0.4%
0.2% Nepal +0.6 pts ▸ 0.8%
0.8% Italy ◂ +0.6 pts 0.2%

Ancestry

37.0% English ◂ +13.9 pts 23.1%
27.9% Australian ◂ +4.2 pts 23.7%
8.8% Irish ◂ +1.1 pts 7.8%
8.7% Scottish ◂ +2.3 pts 6.4%
5.5% Italian ◂ +3.7 pts 1.8%
5.4% Chinese ◂ +3.8 pts 1.6%
2.8% German +1.3 pts ▸ 4.1%
3.5% Indian ◂ +1.2 pts 2.3%
1.8% Filipino +0.5 pts ▸ 2.4%
2.0% Dutch ◂ +0.8 pts 1.2%
1.1% Vietnamese ◂ +0.6 pts 0.5%
0.7% Greek ◂ +0.4 pts 0.3%

Language

Other language in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +8.1 pts higher in Remote Australia gap widening
21.1% 82nd pct 29.2% 90th pct
Limited English in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +0.5 pts higher in Remote Australia gap steady
2.7% 80th pct 3.2% 86th pct

Language used at home

73.9% English only ◂ +14.3 pts 59.6%
2.4% Mandarin ◂ +1.6 pts 0.7%
1.1% Italian ◂ +0.9 pts 0.2%
1.0% Vietnamese ◂ +0.6 pts 0.5%
1.0% Punjabi even 1.0%
0.9% Cantonese ◂ +0.7 pts 0.2%
0.7% Tagalog +0.2 pts ▸ 0.9%
0.7% Arabic ◂ +0.5 pts 0.3%
0.5% Hindi ◂ +0.1 pts 0.4%
0.2% Greek ◂ +0.1 pts 0.1%

Religion

No religion in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +1.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
42.2% 56th pct 40.6% 50th pct

Religious affiliation

42.2% No religion ◂ +1.6 pts 40.6%
41.9% Christianity ◂ +1.6 pts 40.2%
6.5% Not stated +6.7 pts ▸ 13.2%
3.0% Islam ◂ +2.2 pts 0.8%
2.5% Buddhism ◂ +1.3 pts 1.2%
2.4% Hinduism ◂ +0.5 pts 1.8%
1.3% Other religions +0.7 pts ▸ 2.0%
0.3% Judaism ◂ +0.2 pts 0.1%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +15.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
62.1% 91st pct 46.6% 72nd pct
Bachelor+ in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +6.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
26.7% 87th pct 20.3% 78th pct

Highest year of school

62.1% Year 12 ◂ +15.5 pts 46.6%
17.5% Year 10 +0.8 pts ▸ 18.4%
6.3% Year 9 or below +5.6 pts ▸ 11.9%
8.1% Year 11 +3.2 pts ▸ 11.3%

Highest qualification level

28.2% Bachelor degree ◂ +6.5 pts 21.8%
26.2% Certificate III / IV +0.2 pts ▸ 26.4%
15.2% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +3.1 pts 12.1%
9.2% Postgraduate degree ◂ +0.6 pts 8.6%
3.9% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +0.1 pts 3.8%
2.4% Certificate I / II even 2.4%

Field of qualification

18.9% Management & commerce ◂ +5.5 pts 13.5%
16.8% Engineering & related ◂ +5.0 pts 11.8%
11.4% Society & culture +1.3 pts ▸ 12.7%
11.0% Health +1.6 pts ▸ 12.5%
7.9% Education even 7.9%
5.1% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +0.3 pts 4.8%
4.9% Architecture & building ◂ +0.7 pts 4.2%
3.8% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +2.0 pts 1.8%
3.5% Creative arts ◂ +1.1 pts 2.4%
1.5% Agriculture & environment +1.4 pts ▸ 2.8%
2.8% Information technology ◂ +1.3 pts 1.5%

Income

Personal income in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +$91 higher in Remote Australia gap steady
$860 72nd pct $951 75th pct
Household income in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +$49 higher in Remote Australia gap narrowing
$1,865 74th pct $1,914 76th pct
Family income in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +$106 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$2,260 83rd pct $2,154 79th pct
High earners in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +3.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
15.2% 81st pct 12.1% 72nd pct
High-income homes in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +0.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
24.3% 83rd pct 23.6% 81st pct

Household income distribution

29.1% $1,500–$2,999 +0.5 pts ▸ 29.7%
23.3% $650–$1,499 ◂ +1.5 pts 21.9%
14.3% Under $650 ◂ +0.7 pts 13.6%
13.5% $4,000 or more ◂ +1.8 pts 11.7%
10.8% $3,000–$3,999 +1.1 pts ▸ 11.9%

Personal income distribution

38.4% Under $650 ◂ +4.5 pts 33.9%
29.1% $650–$1,499 ◂ +1.1 pts 28.0%
20.0% $1,500–$2,999 +1.3 pts ▸ 21.3%
6.2% $3,000 or more ◂ +2.5 pts 3.7%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +5.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
26.0% 43rd pct 20.4% 21st pct
Mental health in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +3.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
8.4% 44th pct 5.1% 21st pct
Needs assistance in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +0.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
4.6% 40th pct 3.7% 25th pct

Long-term health conditions reported

8.4% Mental health ◂ +3.2 pts 5.1%
7.6% Other condition ◂ +1.6 pts 6.0%
7.4% Arthritis ◂ +3.0 pts 4.4%
7.3% Asthma ◂ +1.3 pts 6.0%
4.3% Diabetes +0.5 pts ▸ 4.9%
3.5% Heart disease ◂ +0.2 pts 3.3%
2.7% Cancer ◂ +1.1 pts 1.6%
1.5% Lung condition ◂ +0.3 pts 1.2%
0.8% Stroke ◂ +0.1 pts 0.7%
0.7% Dementia ◂ +0.2 pts 0.5%

Number of long-term health conditions

66.5% None ◂ +0.3 pts 66.2%
18.2% One condition ◂ +3.5 pts 14.8%
5.3% Two conditions ◂ +1.5 pts 3.8%
2.5% Three or more ◂ +0.6 pts 1.9%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +0.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
15.1% 44th pct 14.8% 42nd pct
Unpaid carers in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +2.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
10.9% 45th pct 8.8% 27th pct
Unpaid child care in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +2.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
29.2% 89th pct 27.2% 84th pct
Defence service in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +1.2 pts higher in Remote Australia
2.8% 36th pct 4.0% 82nd pct
Housework 15h+ in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +3.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
19.7% 52nd pct 15.9% 28th pct

First Nations

First Nations people in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +26,012 larger in Major Cities of Australia
40,806 87th pct 14,794 72nd pct
Median age in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +4 yrs older in Remote Australia
23 yrs 14th pct 27 yrs 57th pct
Year 12 in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +18.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
40.6% 85th pct 22.6% 28th pct
Unemployment in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +2.8 pts higher in Remote Australia
15.1% 55th pct 17.9% 66th pct
Median income in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +$272 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$600 75th pct $328 6th pct
Household income in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +$514 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$1,653 78th pct $1,139 23rd pct
Indigenous language in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +45.7 pts higher in Remote Australia
8.3% 59th pct 54.0% 95th pct

Family & Households

Household size in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +0.1 larger in Remote Australia gap steady
2.6 77th pct 2.7 86th pct
One-parent in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +5.5 pts higher in Remote Australia gap widening
13.4% 27th pct 18.9% 85th pct
Living alone in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +1.4 pts higher in Remote Australia gap steady
25.0% 23rd pct 26.4% 33rd pct

Family composition

60.0% Couples with children ◂ +4.8 pts 55.2%
25.5% Couples without children ◂ +1.4 pts 24.1%
13.4% One-parent families +5.5 pts ▸ 18.9%
1.2% Other families +0.6 pts ▸ 1.8%

Household size

32.9% 2 people ◂ +2.6 pts 30.2%
25.0% 1 person +1.4 pts ▸ 26.4%
16.5% 4 people ◂ +3.1 pts 13.4%
16.4% 3 people ◂ +0.4 pts 16.0%
6.4% 5 people +0.6 pts ▸ 7.0%
2.8% 6 or more +4.2 pts ▸ 7.0%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +$50 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
$350 79th pct $300 67th pct
Mortgage in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +$174 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$1,907 86th pct $1,733 73rd pct
People / bedroom in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +0.20 higher in Remote Australia gap widening
0.80 43rd pct 1.00 93rd pct
Renting in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +19.9 pts higher in Remote Australia gap widening
26.8% 43rd pct 46.7% 87th pct
Owned outright in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +11.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
28.4% 30th pct 16.7% 12th pct
Separate houses in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +7.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
77.5% 24th pct 69.9% 14th pct
3+ bedrooms in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +18.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
82.4% 95th pct 64.2% 2nd pct

How homes are owned or rented

26.8% Rented +19.9 pts ▸ 46.7%
41.8% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +12.8 pts 29.0%
28.4% Owned outright ◂ +11.8 pts 16.7%
1.7% Other tenure +3.0 pts ▸ 4.7%
1.2% Not stated +1.6 pts ▸ 2.8%

Types of homes

77.5% Separate house ◂ +7.7 pts 69.9%
14.3% Townhouse / semi-detached +7.1 pts ▸ 21.4%
7.7% Flat or apartment ◂ +4.1 pts 3.6%
0.3% Other dwelling +2.6 pts ▸ 2.9%

Bedrooms per home

36.8% 3 bedrooms +5.9 pts ▸ 42.7%
39.1% 4 bedrooms ◂ +21.7 pts 17.4%
12.7% 2 bedrooms +8.9 pts ▸ 21.5%
3.6% 1 bedroom +6.0 pts ▸ 9.6%
6.4% 5 or more ◂ +2.4 pts 4.0%
0.2% Studio / none +1.8 pts ▸ 2.0%

Weekly rent distribution

43.3% $350–$549 ◂ +14.9 pts 28.5%
34.2% $200–$349 ◂ +13.4 pts 20.9%
10.4% Under $200 +21.9 pts ▸ 32.4%
6.4% $550–$749 +1.6 pts ▸ 8.0%
2.5% $750 or more ◂ +0.3 pts 2.2%

Monthly mortgage distribution

30.5% $1,000–$1,799 +6.2 pts ▸ 36.7%
35.5% $1,800–$2,999 ◂ +1.9 pts 33.6%
15.9% $3,000 or more ◂ +5.1 pts 10.8%
12.7% Under $1,000 +1.3 pts ▸ 14.0%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +8.0 pts higher in Remote Australia gap widening
5.0% 43rd pct 13.0% 88th pct
Work from home in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +3.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
7.6% 28th pct 3.8% 9th pct
PT commute in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +3.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
5.2% 87th pct 1.3% 42nd pct

How people get to work

62.1% Car (driver) +0.5 pts ▸ 62.5%
1.6% Walked +6.9 pts ▸ 8.5%
7.6% Worked at home ◂ +3.8 pts 3.8%
4.4% Car (passenger) +3.1 pts ▸ 7.5%
0.7% Bicycle +2.7 pts ▸ 3.4%
3.0% Bus ◂ +1.8 pts 1.3%
2.2% Train ◂ +2.2 pts 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

39.9% 2 vehicles ◂ +7.4 pts 32.5%
35.2% 1 vehicle +0.8 pts ▸ 36.0%
5.0% No vehicle +8.0 pts ▸ 13.0%
12.9% 3 vehicles ◂ +0.9 pts 12.0%
7.0% 4 or more ◂ +0.5 pts 6.5%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +1.4 pts higher in Remote Australia gap narrowing
39.4% 62nd pct 40.8% 71st pct
Recent arrivals in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +13.8 pts higher in Remote Australia gap widening
10.6% 16th pct 24.4% 79th pct

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +0.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
5.3% 54th pct 4.7% 38th pct
Participation in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +5.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
65.3% 88th pct 59.9% 72nd pct
Full-time in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +10.8 pts higher in Remote Australia gap widening
60.0% 57th pct 70.8% 87th pct

Industries people work in

14.2% Health care & social assistance +5.5 pts ▸ 19.7%
6.0% Public administration & safety +12.2 pts ▸ 18.1%
8.8% Education & training +1.3 pts ▸ 10.1%
8.9% Retail trade ◂ +2.0 pts 6.9%
8.8% Construction ◂ +1.6 pts 7.3%
7.8% Professional & technical ◂ +3.5 pts 4.3%
6.6% Mining ◂ +5.3 pts 1.3%
6.5% Accommodation & food ◂ +0.3 pts 6.2%
5.3% Manufacturing ◂ +3.5 pts 1.8%
4.5% Transport & warehousing ◂ +1.2 pts 3.3%
3.9% Other services +0.6 pts ▸ 4.5%
3.1% Administrative & support ◂ +0.5 pts 2.7%

Occupations people work in

23.8% Professionals ◂ +0.6 pts 23.2%
12.0% Community & personal service +5.4 pts ▸ 17.4%
14.6% Technicians & trades ◂ +1.3 pts 13.3%
11.8% Managers +1.1 pts ▸ 13.0%
12.5% Clerical & administrative ◂ +0.4 pts 12.1%
8.7% Labourers ◂ +0.4 pts 8.3%
8.0% Sales workers ◂ +2.3 pts 5.7%
6.9% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +2.6 pts 4.3%

Walkability

Walk score in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +2.3 higher in Major Cities of Australia
6.1 86th pct 3.8 72nd pct
Types ≤15 min in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +1.9 more in Major Cities of Australia
5.8 87th pct 3.9 68th pct
15-min city in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +27.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
72.7% 87th pct 45.2% 63rd pct
Walk to shops in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +21.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
69.0% 85th pct 47.9% 64th pct
Walk to transit in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +45.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
94.1% 96th pct 48.7% 70th pct
Walk to school in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +14.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
80.0% 93rd pct 65.9% 80th pct
Walk to a park in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +19.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
96.1% 91st pct 76.8% 74th pct
Walk to health in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +22.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
54.8% 83rd pct 32.4% 44th pct
Amenities/1k in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +0.9 more in Major Cities of Australia
15.4 27th pct 14.6 18th pct
Intersections/km² in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +104 higher in Major Cities of Australia
104 91st pct 0 21st pct
Mean slope in Major Cities of Australiain Remote Australia +2.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
6.1% 73rd pct 3.1% 13th 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 Remote Australia with nearby areas

Outer Regional Australia Very Remote Australia Very Remote Australia Very Remote Australia Very Remote Australia Remote Australia Outer Regional Australia Remote Australia Very Remote Australia Remote Australia Inner Regional Australia Major Cities of 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/RA50/major-cities-of-australia/vs/RA73/remote-australia