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Southern Highlands vs Blue Mountains - South

Statistical Area 2 (SA2) comparison ≈ 49 km apart · Southern Highlands profile · Blue Mountains - South profile

Southern Highlands Blue Mountains - South

Southern Highlands and Blue Mountains - South are both New South Wales areas, though they differ greatly in scale and activity. Southern Highlands has 7,250 people and a large business presence with 1,097 companies, while Blue Mountains - South is sparsely populated with only 8 residents. The Southern Highlands is more developed for daily life, with 30.5% of homes in a 15-minute walk of amenities and typical weekly incomes of $1,574, far higher than the $900 seen in Blue Mountains - South. Residents in Blue Mountains - South are also far older, with a typical age of 70 compared to 53 in Southern Highlands.

Since 2011, the two areas have tracked in opposite directions regarding age, as the age gap has flipped and widened to 17 years. Despite this, they share similar physical conditions, with nearly identical minimum temperatures and the same typical number of people per bedroom. Both are largely dependent on cars for travel, though Southern Highlands is mostly car-dependent while Blue Mountains - South is simply car-dependent.

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Where they differ most

Median age: 17 yrs older in Blue Mountains - South Population: 7,242 larger in Southern Highlands Rent: $250 higher in Southern Highlands Household size: 1.4 larger in Southern Highlands Household income: $674 higher in Southern Highlands

Demographics & Identity

Population in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +7,242 larger in Southern Highlands gap widening
7,250 36th pct 8 0th pct
Median age in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +17 yrs older in Blue Mountains - South gap widening
53 yrs 94th pct 70 yrs 100th pct
First Nations in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
1.7% 43rd pct —
Aged 65+ in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
30.8% 96th pct —
Under 15 in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
14.8% 20th pct —
De facto in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
12.1% 51st pct —

Age structure

30.8% Seniors (65+) ◂ +30.8 pts 0.0%
29.4% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +29.4 pts 0.0%
16.2% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +16.2 pts 0.0%
14.8% Children (0–14) ◂ +14.8 pts 0.0%
8.7% Youth (15–24) ◂ +8.7 pts 0.0%

Marital status

53.7% Married ◂ +53.7 pts 0.0%
10.7% Divorced +39.3 pts ▸ 50.0%
26.7% Never married ◂ +26.7 pts 0.0%
5.9% Widowed ◂ +5.9 pts 0.0%
3.0% Separated ◂ +3.0 pts 0.0%

Ancestry & Birthplace

Born overseas in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
17.7% 38th pct —

Country of birth

75.9% Australia ◂ +13.4 pts 62.5%
6.6% England ◂ +6.6 pts 0.0%
1.6% New Zealand ◂ +1.6 pts 0.0%
0.7% South Africa ◂ +0.7 pts 0.0%
0.4% Italy ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%
0.2% Philippines ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%
0.2% India ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%
0.1% China ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%
0.1% Nepal ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%
0.1% Vietnam ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

Ancestry

43.6% English ◂ +43.6 pts 0.0%
38.2% Australian ◂ +0.7 pts 37.5%
14.7% Scottish ◂ +14.7 pts 0.0%
14.1% Irish ◂ +14.1 pts 0.0%
4.0% German ◂ +4.0 pts 0.0%
3.4% Italian ◂ +3.4 pts 0.0%
1.8% Dutch ◂ +1.8 pts 0.0%
1.1% Greek ◂ +1.1 pts 0.0%
0.6% Chinese ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%
0.4% Filipino ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%
0.2% Indian ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%
0.0% Vietnamese even 0.0%

Language

Other language in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
4.9% 22nd pct —
Limited English in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
0.5% 23rd pct —

Language used at home

89.4% English only ◂ +39.4 pts 50.0%
0.4% Italian ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%
0.4% Greek ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%
0.3% Arabic ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%
0.3% Mandarin ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%
0.1% Cantonese ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%
0.1% Hindi ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%
0.1% Vietnamese ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%
0.1% Tagalog ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%
0.0% Punjabi even 0.0%

Religion

No religion in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
38.6% 38th pct —

Religious affiliation

38.6% No religion +23.9 pts ▸ 62.5%
52.2% Christianity ◂ +2.2 pts 50.0%
7.5% Not stated ◂ +7.5 pts 0.0%
0.8% Buddhism ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%
0.2% Islam ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%
0.2% Other religions ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%
0.2% Judaism ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%
0.1% Hinduism ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
56.5% 50th pct —
Bachelor+ in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
28.0% 65th pct —
Schools in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
4 57th pct —
Schools/1k kids in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
3.72 76th pct —
Schools ≤3 km in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +15 more in Blue Mountains - South
14 37th pct 29 68th pct
Students in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
292 10th pct —
Avg size in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
73 4th pct —
ICSEA in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
1,029 56th pct —

Highest year of school

56.5% Year 12 ◂ +56.5 pts 0.0%
6.9% Year 9 or below +43.1 pts ▸ 50.0%
24.2% Year 10 ◂ +24.2 pts 0.0%
5.2% Year 11 ◂ +5.2 pts 0.0%

Highest qualification level

25.9% Certificate III / IV +74.1 pts ▸ 100.0%
25.7% Bachelor degree ◂ +25.7 pts 0.0%
15.2% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +15.2 pts 0.0%
9.6% Postgraduate degree ◂ +9.6 pts 0.0%
4.2% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +4.2 pts 0.0%
1.7% Certificate I / II ◂ +1.7 pts 0.0%

Field of qualification

17.2% Management & commerce ◂ +17.2 pts 0.0%
13.1% Society & culture ◂ +13.1 pts 0.0%
12.4% Engineering & related ◂ +12.4 pts 0.0%
10.6% Health ◂ +10.6 pts 0.0%
8.8% Education ◂ +8.8 pts 0.0%
7.4% Architecture & building ◂ +7.4 pts 0.0%
5.0% Creative arts ◂ +5.0 pts 0.0%
4.0% Agriculture & environment ◂ +4.0 pts 0.0%
3.9% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +3.9 pts 0.0%
2.9% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +2.9 pts 0.0%
1.6% Information technology ◂ +1.6 pts 0.0%

Income

Personal income in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +$143 higher in Blue Mountains - South gap narrowing
$757 40th pct $900 67th pct
Household income in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +$674 higher in Southern Highlands
$1,574 40th pct $900 0th pct
Family income in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
$1,947 41st pct —
High earners in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
12.7% 60th pct —
High-income homes in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
22.3% 55th pct —

Household income distribution

28.4% $650–$1,499 ◂ +28.4 pts 0.0%
26.0% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +26.0 pts 0.0%
16.8% Under $650 ◂ +16.8 pts 0.0%
13.5% $4,000 or more ◂ +13.5 pts 0.0%
8.8% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +8.8 pts 0.0%

Personal income distribution

40.4% Under $650 ◂ +40.4 pts 0.0%
30.1% $650–$1,499 ◂ +30.1 pts 0.0%
15.5% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +15.5 pts 0.0%
6.4% $3,000 or more ◂ +6.4 pts 0.0%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
32.4% 75th pct —
Mental health in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
7.7% 36th pct —
Needs assistance in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
4.7% 37th pct —

Long-term health conditions reported

12.1% Arthritis ◂ +12.1 pts 0.0%
7.9% Asthma ◂ +7.9 pts 0.0%
7.7% Mental health ◂ +7.7 pts 0.0%
7.5% Other condition ◂ +7.5 pts 0.0%
4.8% Diabetes ◂ +4.8 pts 0.0%
4.8% Heart disease ◂ +4.8 pts 0.0%
4.4% Cancer ◂ +4.4 pts 0.0%
1.9% Lung condition ◂ +1.9 pts 0.0%
0.9% Stroke ◂ +0.9 pts 0.0%
0.8% Dementia ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%

Number of long-term health conditions

59.5% None ◂ +59.5 pts 0.0%
22.4% One condition ◂ +22.4 pts 0.0%
7.1% Two conditions ◂ +7.1 pts 0.0%
2.9% Three or more ◂ +2.9 pts 0.0%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
21.6% 87th pct —
Unpaid carers in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
12.8% 60th pct —
Unpaid child care in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
22.1% 23rd pct —
Defence service in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
3.1% 58th pct —
Housework 15h+ in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
30.9% 100th pct —

First Nations

First Nations people in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +122 larger in Southern Highlands
122 38th pct 0 0th pct
Median age in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +23 yrs older in Blue Mountains - South
26 yrs 64th pct 49 yrs 100th pct
Year 12 in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
36.8% 33rd pct —
Unemployment in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
5.0% 25th pct —
Median income in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +$367 higher in Southern Highlands
$717 64th pct $350 0th pct
Household income in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +$1,962 higher in Southern Highlands
$2,312 83rd pct $350 0th pct
Indigenous language in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
4.9% 47th pct —

Family & Households

Household size in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +1.4 larger in Southern Highlands gap steady
2.4 36th pct 1.0 0th pct
One-parent in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
10.2% 22nd pct —
Living alone in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
25.0% 49th pct —

Household size

25.0% 1 person +75.0 pts ▸ 100.0%
42.9% 2 people ◂ +42.9 pts 0.0%
12.5% 4 people ◂ +12.5 pts 0.0%
11.4% 3 people ◂ +11.4 pts 0.0%
5.4% 5 people ◂ +5.4 pts 0.0%
3.0% 6 or more ◂ +3.0 pts 0.0%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +$250 higher in Southern Highlands
$400 62nd pct $150 0th pct
Mortgage in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
$2,108 70th pct —
People / bedroom in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South even
0.70 0th pct 0.70 0th pct
Renting in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
12.6% 9th pct —
Owned outright in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
52.4% 99th pct —
Separate houses in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
98.0% 96th pct —
3+ bedrooms in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
83.4% 63rd pct —

How homes are owned or rented

52.4% Owned outright +122.6 pts ▸ 175.0%
31.3% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +31.3 pts 0.0%
12.6% Rented ◂ +12.6 pts 0.0%
2.7% Other tenure ◂ +2.7 pts 0.0%
1.3% Not stated ◂ +1.3 pts 0.0%

Types of homes

98.0% Separate house +27.0 pts ▸ 125.0%
0.8% Flat or apartment ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%
0.7% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +0.7 pts 0.0%
0.5% Other dwelling ◂ +0.5 pts 0.0%

Bedrooms per home

11.0% 2 bedrooms +114.0 pts ▸ 125.0%
3.5% 1 bedroom +96.5 pts ▸ 100.0%
36.0% 4 bedrooms ◂ +36.0 pts 0.0%
34.6% 3 bedrooms ◂ +34.6 pts 0.0%
12.8% 5 or more ◂ +12.8 pts 0.0%
0.6% Studio / none ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
1.8% 13th pct —
Work from home in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
26.7% 77th pct —
PT commute in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
0.3% 13th pct —
PT stops in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +41 more in Southern Highlands
43 52nd pct 2 5th pct
Stops/1k in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +244.07 more in Blue Mountains - South
5.93 72nd pct 250.00 100th pct
Departures/1k in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +34,611.8 more in Blue Mountains - South
138.2 22nd pct 34,750.0 100th pct
PT routes in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +11 more in Southern Highlands
12 71st pct 1 7th pct
Drive to city in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
161 100th pct —
Reach 30 min in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
— 8 0th pct
Reach 45 min in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
— 8 0th pct

Motor vehicles per home

31.7% 1 vehicle +68.3 pts ▸ 100.0%
37.6% 2 vehicles ◂ +37.6 pts 0.0%
16.5% 3 vehicles ◂ +16.5 pts 0.0%
12.4% 4 or more ◂ +12.4 pts 0.0%
1.8% No vehicle ◂ +1.8 pts 0.0%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
37.1% 47th pct —
Recent arrivals in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
5.1% 16th pct —

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
2.4% 2nd pct —
Participation in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
54.8% 24th pct —
Full-time in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
52.8% 13th pct —

Economy & Advantage

IRSAD decile in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
7 64th pct —
IRSD decile in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
8 71st pct —
IER decile in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
9 86th pct —
IEO decile in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
7 64th pct —
IRSAD score in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
1,040 67th pct —
ERP in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +7,446 higher in Southern Highlands
7,453 34th pct 7 0th pct
Growth in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South
3.5% 40th pct —
Businesses in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +1,094 higher in Southern Highlands
1,097 60th pct 3 0th pct

Environment & Climate

Rainfall in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +253 higher in Blue Mountains - South
821 46th pct 1,074 66th pct
Max temp in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +1.8 higher in Blue Mountains - South
20.5 22nd pct 22.3 38th pct
Min temp in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +0.6 higher in Blue Mountains - South
8.1 9th pct 8.6 13th pct

Walkability

Walk score in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +2.2 higher in Southern Highlands
2.6 16th pct 0.4 0th pct
Types ≤15 min in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +2.5 more in Southern Highlands
2.8 18th pct 0.4 0th pct
15-min city in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +30.5 pts higher in Southern Highlands
30.5% 21st pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to shops in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +25.6 pts higher in Southern Highlands
25.6% 17th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to transit in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +35.9 pts higher in Southern Highlands
41.3% 22nd pct 5.4% 4th pct
Walk to school in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +26.5 pts higher in Southern Highlands
26.5% 14th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to a park in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +23.4 pts higher in Southern Highlands
48.7% 13th pct 25.2% 5th pct
Walk to health in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +23.2 pts higher in Southern Highlands
23.2% 27th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Amenities/1k in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +2,356.9 more in Blue Mountains - South
18.1 68th pct 2,375.0 100th pct
Intersections/km² in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +1 higher in Southern Highlands
1 12th pct 0 3rd pct
Mean slope in Southern Highlandsin Blue Mountains - South +2.1 pts higher in Blue Mountains - South
8.3% 84th pct 10.4% 91st pct

Compare Southern Highlands with nearby areas

Moss Vale - Berrima Bowral Mittagong Hill Top - Colo Vale Robertson - Fitzroy Falls Bargo Berry - Kangaroo Valley Picton - Tahmoor - Buxton

Compare Blue Mountains - South with nearby areas

Blackheath - Megalong Valley The Oaks - Oakdale Katoomba - Leura Wentworth Falls Picton - Tahmoor - Buxton Lawson - Hazelbrook - Linden Warragamba - Silverdale Southern Highlands

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Southern Highlands vs Blue Mountains - South [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/sa2/114021289/southern-highlands/vs/124021456/blue-mountains-south