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Major Cities of Australia vs Inner Regional Australia

Name: Major Cities of Australia vs Inner Regional Australia — 2021 Census comparison
Creator: Australian Bureau of Statistics
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Remoteness Area comparison ≈ 33 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 nearby but very different. Major Cities of Australia is a large, very walkable area where 28.8% of people were born overseas and 24.6% use a language other than English at home. In contrast, Inner Regional Australia is sparsely populated and car-dependent, with only 8.7% born overseas and 2.6% using another language at home. Education levels are also far higher in Major Cities of Australia, where 43% of adults have a bachelor degree or higher, compared to 27.8% in Inner Regional Australia.

Both areas sit close to the national figure for the share of people living alone, though the gap between them has widened since 2011. While they share similar typical personal and family incomes, other trends are pulling them apart. The gap in university qualifications and the share of people born overseas have both grown over time. Inner Regional Australia has also seen a rise in typical household incomes, which are now well higher than those in Major Cities of Australia.

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Where they differ most

Separate houses: 34.3 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia Population: 452,508 larger in Major Cities of Australia Other language: 22.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia PT commute: 4.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Born overseas: 20.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia

Demographics & Identity

Population in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +452,508 larger in Major Cities of Australia gap widening

453,198 77th pct 690 17th pct

Median age in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +1 yrs older in Inner Regional Australia gap widening

35 yrs 7th pct 36 yrs 14th pct

Age structure

32.4% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +3.8 pts 28.6%

22.3% Older adults (45–64) +4.5 pts ▸ 26.8%

18.3% Children (0–14) +4.5 pts ▸ 22.8%

13.7% Seniors (65+) ◂ +4.1 pts 9.6%

13.3% Youth (15–24) ◂ +1.7 pts 11.6%

Marital status

46.8% Married +8.2 pts ▸ 54.9%

39.2% Never married ◂ +6.5 pts 32.8%

7.7% Divorced ◂ +0.7 pts 7.0%

3.7% Widowed ◂ +1.6 pts 2.1%

2.5% Separated +0.9 pts ▸ 3.4%

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

Country of birth

67.5% Australia +15.7 pts ▸ 83.2%

3.8% India ◂ +3.8 pts 0.0%

2.9% England ◂ +0.2 pts 2.8%

2.7% China ◂ +2.7 pts 0.0%

1.3% Nepal ◂ +1.3 pts 0.0%

1.1% New Zealand ◂ +0.4 pts 0.7%

1.1% Philippines ◂ +1.1 pts 0.0%

0.9% Vietnam ◂ +0.9 pts 0.0%

0.5% South Africa +0.2 pts ▸ 0.7%

0.4% Italy ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%

Ancestry

31.5% Australian +14.7 pts ▸ 46.2%

32.0% English +6.7 pts ▸ 38.7%

10.0% Scottish +4.2 pts ▸ 14.2%

11.6% Irish +2.3 pts ▸ 13.9%

5.7% Chinese ◂ +4.6 pts 1.2%

4.5% Indian ◂ +4.1 pts 0.4%

4.2% German +0.1 pts ▸ 4.3%

1.7% Dutch +1.9 pts ▸ 3.6%

3.4% Italian ◂ +2.2 pts 1.2%

1.6% Filipino ◂ +1.6 pts 0.0%

1.3% Vietnamese ◂ +1.3 pts 0.0%

1.2% Greek ◂ +0.8 pts 0.4%

Language

Language used at home

71.2% English only +18.3 pts ▸ 89.6%

3.2% Mandarin ◂ +2.6 pts 0.6%

1.1% Vietnamese ◂ +1.1 pts 0.0%

1.1% Punjabi ◂ +1.1 pts 0.0%

1.1% Hindi ◂ +1.1 pts 0.0%

0.9% Cantonese ◂ +0.9 pts 0.0%

0.9% Arabic ◂ +0.9 pts 0.0%

0.6% Italian ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%

0.6% Greek ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%

0.5% Tagalog ◂ +0.5 pts 0.0%

Religion

Religious affiliation

44.2% No religion +4.1 pts ▸ 48.3%

38.1% Christianity +2.9 pts ▸ 41.0%

5.6% Not stated +2.0 pts ▸ 7.7%

4.5% Hinduism ◂ +4.5 pts 0.0%

3.2% Islam ◂ +3.2 pts 0.0%

2.8% Buddhism ◂ +2.1 pts 0.7%

1.3% Other religions ◂ +0.3 pts 1.0%

0.2% Judaism ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Highest year of school

77.1% Year 12 ◂ +10.9 pts 66.2%

10.5% Year 10 +7.3 pts ▸ 17.8%

4.2% Year 9 or below ◂ +1.3 pts 3.0%

3.5% Year 11 even 3.6%

Highest qualification level

33.9% Bachelor degree ◂ +8.8 pts 25.1%

15.0% Certificate III / IV +12.2 pts ▸ 27.2%

19.9% Postgraduate degree ◂ +12.6 pts 7.4%

13.0% Advanced diploma / diploma +4.5 pts ▸ 17.5%

6.3% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +1.5 pts 4.8%

1.3% Certificate I / II +0.7 pts ▸ 2.0%

Field of qualification

20.1% Society & culture ◂ +4.8 pts 15.2%

20.1% Management & commerce ◂ +2.5 pts 17.5%

3.9% Architecture & building +6.3 pts ▸ 10.2%

8.7% Health ◂ +0.3 pts 8.4%

8.4% Engineering & related ◂ +0.5 pts 7.9%

7.6% Information technology ◂ +5.3 pts 2.3%

6.9% Education ◂ +2.1 pts 4.8%

3.3% Food, hospitality & personal services +3.0 pts ▸ 6.3%

5.6% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +2.6 pts 3.0%

4.2% Creative arts ◂ +0.7 pts 3.6%

1.6% Agriculture & environment +1.9 pts ▸ 3.6%

Income

Personal income in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +$95 higher in Inner Regional Australia gap widening

$1,204 86th pct $1,299 87th pct

Household income in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +$594 higher in Inner Regional Australia gap widening

$2,372 89th pct $2,966 96th pct

Family income in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +$140 higher in Inner Regional Australia gap widening

$2,872 99th pct $3,012 100th pct

Household income distribution

32.6% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +6.2 pts 26.4%

21.9% $4,000 or more +8.5 pts ▸ 30.3%

17.5% $650–$1,499 ◂ +8.5 pts 9.0%

14.5% $3,000–$3,999 even 14.4%

8.6% Under $650 ◂ +5.1 pts 3.5%

Personal income distribution

29.7% $1,500–$2,999 +1.7 pts ▸ 31.4%

29.7% $650–$1,499 +1.2 pts ▸ 30.9%

27.9% Under $650 ◂ +5.7 pts 22.2%

7.8% $3,000 or more ◂ +0.6 pts 7.2%

Health & Disability

Long-term health conditions reported

10.0% Mental health ◂ +0.9 pts 9.1%

9.7% Other condition ◂ +3.0 pts 6.7%

9.0% Asthma +0.6 pts ▸ 9.6%

7.7% Arthritis ◂ +0.2 pts 7.5%

3.9% Diabetes ◂ +0.8 pts 3.0%

3.1% Heart disease ◂ +0.3 pts 2.8%

2.7% Cancer ◂ +0.5 pts 2.2%

1.3% Lung condition +0.1 pts ▸ 1.4%

0.7% Stroke even 0.7%

0.6% Dementia ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%

Number of long-term health conditions

66.0% None ◂ +1.9 pts 64.1%

19.8% One condition ◂ +1.7 pts 18.1%

5.8% Two conditions even 5.8%

2.5% Three or more ◂ +0.7 pts 1.7%

Community Participation

First Nations

First Nations people in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +8,866 larger in Major Cities of Australia

8,887 60th pct 21 16th pct

Median age in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +5 yrs older in Major Cities of Australia

24 yrs 29th pct 19 yrs 0th pct

Median income in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +$122 higher in Inner Regional Australia

$1,003 89th pct $1,125 90th pct

Household income in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +$85 higher in Inner Regional Australia

$2,289 92nd pct $2,374 93rd pct

Family & Households

Household size in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +0.6 larger in Inner Regional Australia gap widening

2.5 67th pct 3.1 96th pct

Family composition

59.8% Couples with children ◂ +1.0 pts 58.8%

27.2% Couples without children ◂ +0.5 pts 26.8%

11.9% One-parent families +0.8 pts ▸ 12.7%

1.1% Other families ◂ +0.2 pts 0.9%

Household size

32.7% 2 people +0.6 pts ▸ 33.3%

25.8% 1 person ◂ +12.3 pts 13.4%

16.4% 4 people +5.9 pts ▸ 22.4%

16.5% 3 people ◂ +1.6 pts 14.9%

6.0% 5 people +3.9 pts ▸ 10.0%

2.5% 6 or more +4.4 pts ▸ 7.0%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +$65 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing

$450 100th pct $385 86th pct

Mortgage in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +$204 higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing

$2,080 92nd pct $2,284 100th pct

People / bedroom in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +0.10 higher in Inner Regional Australia gap steady

0.80 43rd pct 0.90 71st pct

How homes are owned or rented

40.2% Owned with a mortgage +9.5 pts ▸ 49.8%

30.7% Rented ◂ +8.8 pts 21.9%

26.6% Owned outright ◂ +7.7 pts 18.9%

1.6% Other tenure +3.9 pts ▸ 5.5%

0.9% Not stated +2.1 pts ▸ 3.0%

Types of homes

63.2% Separate house +34.3 pts ▸ 97.5%

19.4% Flat or apartment ◂ +19.4 pts 0.0%

17.2% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +17.2 pts 0.0%

0.1% Other dwelling ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

Bedrooms per home

37.1% 3 bedrooms ◂ +2.8 pts 34.3%

28.8% 4 bedrooms +6.6 pts ▸ 35.3%

17.5% 2 bedrooms ◂ +6.6 pts 10.9%

7.1% 5 or more +5.9 pts ▸ 12.9%

8.4% 1 bedroom ◂ +5.9 pts 2.5%

0.2% Studio / none ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%

Weekly rent distribution

45.8% $350–$549 +6.5 pts ▸ 52.3%

12.4% $200–$349 +21.7 pts ▸ 34.1%

12.5% Under $200 +17.1 pts ▸ 29.5%

21.2% $550–$749 ◂ +21.2 pts 0.0%

5.0% $750 or more ◂ +5.0 pts 0.0%

Monthly mortgage distribution

38.5% $1,800–$2,999 +4.5 pts ▸ 43.0%

20.9% $3,000 or more +5.1 pts ▸ 26.0%

25.6% $1,000–$1,799 ◂ +0.6 pts 25.0%

11.0% Under $1,000 ◂ +8.0 pts 3.0%

Transport & Vehicles

How people get to work

59.0% Car (driver) +3.4 pts ▸ 62.4%

10.9% Worked at home +5.3 pts ▸ 16.2%

5.0% Car (passenger) ◂ +2.2 pts 2.8%

4.0% Walked +0.6 pts ▸ 4.6%

3.6% Bus ◂ +3.6 pts 0.0%

2.1% Bicycle ◂ +2.1 pts 0.0%

0.0% Train even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

38.7% 2 vehicles +3.1 pts ▸ 41.8%

39.2% 1 vehicle ◂ +21.8 pts 17.4%

10.9% 3 vehicles +9.5 pts ▸ 20.4%

5.5% 4 or more +13.4 pts ▸ 18.9%

5.6% No vehicle ◂ +5.6 pts 0.0%

Migration & Movement

Jobs & Industry

Industries people work in

29.8% Public administration & safety ◂ +11.3 pts 18.5%

6.6% Construction +7.3 pts ▸ 14.0%

9.4% Education & training +2.5 pts ▸ 11.9%

11.5% Health care & social assistance ◂ +3.1 pts 8.4%

10.9% Professional & technical ◂ +1.8 pts 9.1%

0.2% Agriculture, forestry & fishing +8.4 pts ▸ 8.6%

6.5% Retail trade ◂ +3.7 pts 2.8%

6.3% Accommodation & food ◂ +2.8 pts 3.6%

1.8% Arts & recreation +2.2 pts ▸ 4.1%

2.9% Other services +1.0 pts ▸ 3.8%

1.7% Manufacturing +1.4 pts ▸ 3.0%

2.6% Administrative & support ◂ +0.6 pts 2.0%

Occupations people work in

31.5% Professionals ◂ +8.1 pts 23.4%

17.9% Managers +5.5 pts ▸ 23.4%

9.6% Technicians & trades +6.7 pts ▸ 16.2%

14.5% Clerical & administrative ◂ +2.9 pts 11.7%

10.9% Community & personal service ◂ +2.0 pts 8.9%

5.0% Labourers +4.2 pts ▸ 9.1%

6.1% Sales workers ◂ +2.8 pts 3.3%

2.4% Machinery operators & drivers +0.4 pts ▸ 2.8%

Walkability

Walk score in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +6.2 higher in Major Cities of Australia

7.0 98th pct 0.7 4th pct

Types ≤15 min in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +5.8 more in Major Cities of Australia

6.5 98th pct 0.7 4th pct

15-min city in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +82.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia

82.1% 99th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Walk to shops in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +80.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia

80.1% 99th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Walk to transit in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +97.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia

97.7% 100th pct 0.2% 15th pct

Walk to school in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +85.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia

85.5% 98th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Walk to a park in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +57.3 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia

99.5% 100th pct 42.2% 12th pct

Walk to health in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +64.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia

64.4% 95th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Amenities/1k in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +94.0 more in Inner Regional Australia

19.1 43rd pct 113.0 100th pct

Intersections/km² in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +169 higher in Major Cities of Australia

171 100th pct 2 59th pct

Mean slope in Major Cities of Australia in Inner Regional Australia +1.7 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia

5.5% 61st pct 7.2% 87th pct

Compare Major Cities of Australia with nearby areas

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

Compare Inner Regional Australia with nearby areas

Major Cities of Australia Inner Regional Australia Inner Regional Australia Major Cities of Australia Remote Australia Outer Regional Australia Major Cities of Australia Inner Regional Australia Very Remote Australia Very Remote Australia Outer Regional 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/RA80/major-cities-of-australia/vs/RA81/inner-regional-australia