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Major Cities of Australia vs Inner Regional Australia

Remoteness Area comparison ≈ 144 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 very different in scale and makeup. Major Cities of Australia is a large hub where 28.8% of people were born overseas and 43% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher. In contrast, Inner Regional Australia is sparsely populated and has a much stronger First Nations presence, with 60% of residents identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. Financial gaps are also wide; the typical weekly personal income is $1,204 in Major Cities of Australia, which is far higher than the $585 seen in Inner Regional Australia.

Both areas share similar rates of mental health conditions, sitting around 10%. However, many other gaps have widened since 2011, particularly regarding education and income. For example, the difference in Year 12 completion has grown to 37 points. While Major Cities of Australia is very walkable, Inner Regional Australia is car-dependent, and the gap in typical weekly rent has increased to $360.

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Where they differ most

First Nations: 58.0 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia Year 12: 37.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Bachelor+: 28.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia Rent: $360 higher in Major Cities of Australia Renting: 34.5 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia

Demographics & Identity

Population in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +452,888 larger in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
453,198 77th pct 310 15th pct
Median age in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +3 yrs older in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
35 yrs 7th pct 38 yrs 32nd pct
First Nations in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +58.0 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap steady
2.0% 16th pct 60.0% 100th pct
Aged 65+ in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +2.7 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
13.7% 36th pct 16.5% 51st pct
Under 15 in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
18.3% 61st pct 17.1% 45th pct
De facto in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +4.3 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
12.5% 37th pct 8.2% 0th pct

Age structure

32.4% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +10.8 pts 21.6%
22.3% Older adults (45–64) +3.1 pts ▸ 25.5%
18.3% Children (0–14) ◂ +1.2 pts 17.1%
13.7% Seniors (65+) +2.7 pts ▸ 16.5%
13.3% Youth (15–24) +0.5 pts ▸ 13.9%

Marital status

39.2% Never married +14.4 pts ▸ 53.7%
46.8% Married ◂ +13.8 pts 32.9%
7.7% Divorced ◂ +4.5 pts 3.3%
3.7% Widowed +1.6 pts ▸ 5.3%
2.5% Separated ◂ +0.1 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 +24.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
28.8% 87th pct 4.8% 0th pct

Country of birth

67.5% Australia ◂ +2.0 pts 65.5%
3.8% India ◂ +3.8 pts 0.0%
2.9% England ◂ +1.6 pts 1.3%
2.7% China ◂ +2.7 pts 0.0%
1.3% Nepal ◂ +1.3 pts 0.0%
1.1% New Zealand ◂ +1.1 pts 0.0%
1.1% Philippines ◂ +1.1 pts 0.0%
0.9% Vietnam ◂ +0.9 pts 0.0%
0.5% South Africa ◂ +0.5 pts 0.0%
0.4% Italy ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%

Ancestry

32.0% English ◂ +20.7 pts 11.3%
31.5% Australian ◂ +12.5 pts 19.0%
11.6% Irish ◂ +9.3 pts 2.3%
10.0% Scottish ◂ +8.4 pts 1.6%
5.7% Chinese ◂ +5.7 pts 0.0%
4.5% Indian ◂ +2.9 pts 1.6%
4.2% German ◂ +1.9 pts 2.3%
3.4% Italian ◂ +2.4 pts 1.0%
1.7% Dutch ◂ +1.7 pts 0.0%
1.6% Filipino ◂ +1.6 pts 0.0%
1.3% Vietnamese ◂ +1.3 pts 0.0%
1.2% Greek ◂ +1.2 pts 0.0%

Language

Other language in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +20.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
24.6% 86th pct 4.2% 15th pct
Limited English in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +2.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap steady
2.5% 78th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Language used at home

71.2% English only ◂ +6.7 pts 64.5%
3.2% Mandarin ◂ +3.2 pts 0.0%
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

No religion in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +15.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
44.2% 66th pct 29.0% 14th pct

Religious affiliation

44.2% No religion ◂ +15.1 pts 29.0%
38.1% Christianity ◂ +6.2 pts 31.9%
5.6% Not stated +26.9 pts ▸ 32.6%
4.5% Hinduism ◂ +4.5 pts 0.0%
1.3% Other religions +2.5 pts ▸ 3.9%
3.2% Islam ◂ +3.2 pts 0.0%
2.8% Buddhism ◂ +2.8 pts 0.0%
0.2% Judaism ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +37.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
77.1% 100th pct 39.8% 51st pct
Bachelor+ in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +28.8 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
43.0% 100th pct 14.2% 60th pct

Highest year of school

77.1% Year 12 ◂ +37.2 pts 39.8%
4.2% Year 9 or below +11.9 pts ▸ 16.1%
10.5% Year 10 +0.5 pts ▸ 11.0%
3.5% Year 11 +0.7 pts ▸ 4.2%

Highest qualification level

33.9% Bachelor degree ◂ +20.6 pts 13.4%
19.9% Postgraduate degree ◂ +16.2 pts 3.7%
15.0% Certificate III / IV +1.6 pts ▸ 16.6%
13.0% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +7.1 pts 5.9%
6.3% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +4.7 pts 1.6%
1.3% Certificate I / II +1.4 pts ▸ 2.7%

Field of qualification

20.1% Society & culture ◂ +8.8 pts 11.2%
20.1% Management & commerce ◂ +12.6 pts 7.5%
8.7% Health ◂ +1.7 pts 7.0%
8.4% Engineering & related ◂ +4.7 pts 3.7%
7.6% Information technology ◂ +7.6 pts 0.0%
6.9% Education ◂ +2.1 pts 4.8%
1.6% Agriculture & environment +4.3 pts ▸ 5.9%
5.6% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +4.0 pts 1.6%
4.2% Creative arts ◂ +1.6 pts 2.7%
3.9% Architecture & building ◂ +0.7 pts 3.2%
3.3% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +3.3 pts 0.0%

Income

Personal income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$619 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$1,204 86th pct $585 23rd pct
Household income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$547 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
$2,372 89th pct $1,825 72nd pct
Family income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$1,185 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
$2,872 99th pct $1,687 35th pct
High earners in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +14.0 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
22.1% 92nd pct 8.1% 42nd pct
High-income homes in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +19.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
36.4% 97th pct 16.9% 59th pct

Household income distribution

32.6% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +14.6 pts 18.0%
21.9% $4,000 or more ◂ +17.4 pts 4.5%
17.5% $650–$1,499 ◂ +2.9 pts 14.6%
8.6% Under $650 +6.0 pts ▸ 14.6%
14.5% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +2.1 pts 12.4%

Personal income distribution

27.9% Under $650 +7.1 pts ▸ 35.0%
29.7% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +19.6 pts 10.2%
29.7% $650–$1,499 ◂ +15.4 pts 14.2%
7.8% $3,000 or more ◂ +5.4 pts 2.4%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +6.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
28.1% 57th pct 21.6% 26th pct
Mental health in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
10.0% 67th pct 9.4% 59th pct
Needs assistance in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.6 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap steady
4.6% 39th pct 6.1% 73rd pct

Long-term health conditions reported

3.9% Diabetes +6.5 pts ▸ 10.3%
10.0% Mental health ◂ +0.7 pts 9.4%
9.7% Other condition ◂ +2.0 pts 7.7%
9.0% Asthma ◂ +1.6 pts 7.4%
7.7% Arthritis ◂ +1.3 pts 6.5%
3.1% Heart disease +2.4 pts ▸ 5.5%
2.7% Cancer ◂ +0.4 pts 2.3%
0.6% Dementia +2.0 pts ▸ 2.6%
1.3% Lung condition +0.9 pts ▸ 2.3%
0.7% Stroke +0.3 pts ▸ 1.0%

Number of long-term health conditions

66.0% None ◂ +22.1 pts 43.9%
19.8% One condition ◂ +6.9 pts 12.9%
2.5% Three or more +3.7 pts ▸ 6.1%
5.8% Two conditions ◂ +2.6 pts 3.2%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +7.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
18.4% 69th pct 11.0% 26th pct
Unpaid carers in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
12.0% 65th pct 10.6% 41st pct
Unpaid child care in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +10.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
28.3% 87th pct 17.9% 27th pct
Defence service in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +7.4 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia
6.0% 94th pct 13.4% 100th pct
Housework 15h+ in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +2.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
19.3% 46th pct 16.7% 32nd pct

First Nations

First Nations people in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +8,701 larger in Major Cities of Australia
8,887 60th pct 186 29th pct
Median age in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +18 yrs older in Inner Regional Australia
24 yrs 29th pct 42 yrs 88th pct
Year 12 in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +37.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
58.9% 100th pct 21.4% 24th pct
Unemployment in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.7 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia
7.2% 0th pct 7.9% 1st pct
Median income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$569 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$1,003 89th pct $434 28th pct
Household income in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$1,269 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$2,289 92nd pct $1,020 8th pct
Indigenous language in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.5 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
7.5% 55th pct 7.0% 52nd pct

Family & Households

Household size in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +0.5 larger in Inner Regional Australia gap widening
2.5 67th pct 3.0 93rd pct
One-parent in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +24.9 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
11.9% 14th pct 36.8% 100th pct
Living alone in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +3.3 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
25.8% 28th pct 22.5% 10th pct

Family composition

59.8% Couples with children ◂ +25.6 pts 34.2%
11.9% One-parent families +24.9 pts ▸ 36.8%
27.2% Couples without children ◂ +8.4 pts 18.8%
1.1% Other families +9.6 pts ▸ 10.7%

Household size

32.7% 2 people ◂ +2.4 pts 30.3%
25.8% 1 person ◂ +3.3 pts 22.5%
16.4% 4 people +0.4 pts ▸ 16.9%
16.5% 3 people ◂ +8.7 pts 7.9%
2.5% 6 or more +13.2 pts ▸ 15.7%
6.0% 5 people ◂ +1.5 pts 4.5%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$360 higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
$450 100th pct $90 0th pct
Mortgage in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +$231 higher in Major Cities of Australia
$2,080 92nd 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 +34.5 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
30.7% 57th pct 65.2% 99th pct
Owned outright in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +26.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
26.6% 26th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Separate houses in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +34.6 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap widening
63.2% 3rd pct 97.8% 100th pct
3+ bedrooms in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.2 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
73.0% 40th pct 74.2% 46th pct

How homes are owned or rented

30.7% Rented +34.5 pts ▸ 65.2%
40.2% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +40.2 pts 0.0%
26.6% Owned outright ◂ +26.6 pts 0.0%
0.9% Not stated +17.1 pts ▸ 18.0%
1.6% Other tenure +7.4 pts ▸ 9.0%

Types of homes

63.2% Separate house +34.6 pts ▸ 97.8%
19.4% Flat or apartment ◂ +19.4 pts 0.0%
17.2% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +17.2 pts 0.0%
0.1% Other dwelling +3.3 pts ▸ 3.4%

Bedrooms per home

28.8% 4 bedrooms +13.9 pts ▸ 42.7%
37.1% 3 bedrooms ◂ +11.3 pts 25.8%
17.5% 2 bedrooms ◂ +17.5 pts 0.0%
8.4% 1 bedroom ◂ +8.4 pts 0.0%
7.1% 5 or more ◂ +1.5 pts 5.6%
0.2% Studio / none ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%

Weekly rent distribution

12.5% Under $200 +34.1 pts ▸ 46.6%
45.8% $350–$549 ◂ +37.2 pts 8.6%
21.2% $550–$749 ◂ +21.2 pts 0.0%
12.4% $200–$349 +4.8 pts ▸ 17.2%
5.0% $750 or more ◂ +5.0 pts 0.0%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +4.3 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
5.6% 51st pct 9.9% 81st pct
Work from home in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +5.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
10.9% 58th pct 5.4% 15th pct
PT commute in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +4.6 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
4.6% 83rd pct 0.0% 0th pct

How people get to work

59.0% Car (driver) ◂ +17.1 pts 41.9%
4.0% Walked +26.1 pts ▸ 30.1%
10.9% Worked at home ◂ +5.6 pts 5.4%
5.0% Car (passenger) +2.5 pts ▸ 7.5%
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 +6.4 pts ▸ 45.1%
39.2% 1 vehicle ◂ +9.7 pts 29.6%
10.9% 3 vehicles ◂ +1.1 pts 9.9%
5.6% No vehicle +4.3 pts ▸ 9.9%
5.5% 4 or more +0.1 pts ▸ 5.6%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +17.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
46.1% 83rd pct 28.4% 15th pct
Recent arrivals in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia
16.7% 58th pct —

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +3.0 pts higher in Inner Regional Australia gap narrowing
3.8% 16th pct 6.9% 72nd pct
Participation in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +28.1 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap widening
69.6% 99th pct 41.5% 20th pct
Full-time in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +2.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia gap narrowing
65.8% 76th pct 63.4% 68th pct

Industries people work in

29.8% Public administration & safety +13.2 pts ▸ 43.0%
11.5% Health care & social assistance +0.4 pts ▸ 11.8%
10.9% Professional & technical ◂ +6.6 pts 4.3%
6.6% Construction +3.0 pts ▸ 9.7%
9.4% Education & training ◂ +2.9 pts 6.5%
6.5% Retail trade ◂ +3.2 pts 3.2%
6.3% Accommodation & food ◂ +1.0 pts 5.4%
1.8% Arts & recreation +1.4 pts ▸ 3.2%
2.9% Other services ◂ +2.9 pts 0.0%
2.6% Administrative & support ◂ +2.6 pts 0.0%
2.1% Transport & warehousing ◂ +2.1 pts 0.0%
1.7% Manufacturing ◂ +1.7 pts 0.0%

Occupations people work in

31.5% Professionals ◂ +8.9 pts 22.6%
17.9% Managers +12.3 pts ▸ 30.1%
14.5% Clerical & administrative ◂ +5.9 pts 8.6%
10.9% Community & personal service ◂ +0.2 pts 10.8%
5.0% Labourers +5.8 pts ▸ 10.8%
9.6% Technicians & trades ◂ +2.1 pts 7.5%
6.1% Sales workers ◂ +6.1 pts 0.0%
2.4% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +2.4 pts 0.0%

Walkability

Walk score in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +6.0 higher in Major Cities of Australia
7.0 98th pct 0.9 5th pct
Types ≤15 min in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +5.6 more in Major Cities of Australia
6.5 98th pct 0.9 5th pct
15-min city in Major Cities of Australiain 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 Australiain Inner Regional Australia +56.9 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
80.1% 99th pct 23.2% 10th pct
Walk to transit in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +97.7 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
97.7% 100th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to school in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +62.2 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
85.5% 98th pct 23.2% 14th pct
Walk to a park in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +51.3 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
99.5% 100th pct 48.2% 14th pct
Walk to health in Major Cities of Australiain 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 Australiain Inner Regional Australia +58.4 more in Inner Regional Australia
19.1 43rd pct 77.4 91st pct
Intersections/km² in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +167 higher in Major Cities of Australia
171 100th pct 4 72nd pct
Mean slope in Major Cities of Australiain Inner Regional Australia +1.4 pts higher in Major Cities of Australia
5.5% 61st pct 4.1% 32nd 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

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/RA80/major-cities-of-australia/vs/RA91/inner-regional-australia