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Ballarat vs Bendigo

Name: Ballarat vs Bendigo — 2021 Census comparison
Creator: Australian Bureau of Statistics
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Region (SA4) comparison ≈ 100 km apart · Ballarat profile · Bendigo profile

Ballarat Bendigo

Ballarat and Bendigo are two similar regional centres in Victoria, though they differ in their environment and layout. Ballarat receives much more rain, with an average annual rainfall of 787mm compared to 513mm in Bendigo. Ballarat also has a higher share of homes within a 15-minute walk of groceries (53.0% versus 46.8%) and a higher rate of First Nations Year 12 completion, at 41.7% compared to 38.1% in Bendigo. Bendigo has more separate houses, with 92.3% of homes being detached compared to 88.6% in Ballarat.

The gap in housing types has widened since 2011, while the typical age of residents in Bendigo has also become slightly older than those in Ballarat. Aside from these shifts, the two areas are very alike. They share almost identical proportions of children under 15, people born overseas, and adults with a bachelor degree. They also have nearly the same percentage of people who report having no religion, both sitting just under 49%.

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Where they differ most

Limited English: 0.5 pts higher in Bendigo Unemployment: 0.5 pts higher in Ballarat Renting: 1.9 pts higher in Ballarat Separate houses: 3.7 pts higher in Bendigo Needs assistance: 0.5 pts higher in Ballarat

Demographics & Identity

Population in Ballarat in Bendigo +6,173 larger in Ballarat gap widening

173,937 40th pct 167,764 38th pct

Median age in Ballarat in Bendigo +1 yrs older in Bendigo gap widening

42 yrs 64th pct 43 yrs 71st pct

Age structure

26.1% Older adults (45–64) even 26.1%

23.7% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +0.2 pts 23.5%

21.0% Seniors (65+) +0.6 pts ▸ 21.6%

17.9% Children (0–14) +0.1 pts ▸ 17.9%

11.3% Youth (15–24) ◂ +0.4 pts 10.8%

Marital status

43.7% Married +1.3 pts ▸ 45.0%

36.5% Never married ◂ +1.2 pts 35.3%

10.1% Divorced +0.1 pts ▸ 10.3%

6.0% Widowed ◂ +0.1 pts 5.9%

3.7% Separated ◂ +0.1 pts 3.7%

Age & sex structure

Ballarat Bendigo

Bars show the share of each area's own population, so differently sized areas stay comparable.

Ancestry & Birthplace

Country of birth

82.8% Australia +0.5 pts ▸ 83.3%

2.7% England ◂ +0.3 pts 2.4%

1.1% India ◂ +0.3 pts 0.8%

1.0% New Zealand ◂ +0.1 pts 0.9%

0.5% Philippines even 0.5%

0.4% China ◂ +0.2 pts 0.3%

0.2% South Africa even 0.3%

0.2% Italy even 0.2%

0.2% Nepal ◂ +0.1 pts 0.1%

0.1% Vietnam even 0.1%

Ancestry

42.0% English +0.8 pts ▸ 42.8%

39.4% Australian +0.5 pts ▸ 39.9%

14.8% Irish ◂ +0.5 pts 14.3%

12.6% Scottish ◂ +0.2 pts 12.4%

4.4% German +0.1 pts ▸ 4.5%

2.8% Italian +0.3 pts ▸ 3.1%

2.7% Dutch ◂ +1.1 pts 1.6%

1.4% Chinese ◂ +0.2 pts 1.2%

1.3% Indian ◂ +0.3 pts 1.0%

0.7% Filipino even 0.7%

0.5% Greek ◂ +0.1 pts 0.5%

0.2% Vietnamese even 0.1%

Language

Language used at home

88.4% English only ◂ +0.5 pts 87.8%

0.6% Mandarin ◂ +0.2 pts 0.4%

0.5% Punjabi ◂ +0.2 pts 0.3%

0.2% Hindi ◂ +0.1 pts 0.1%

0.2% Italian even 0.2%

0.2% Tagalog even 0.2%

0.1% Greek even 0.2%

0.1% Arabic even 0.1%

0.1% Vietnamese even 0.1%

0.1% Cantonese even 0.1%

Religion

Religious affiliation

48.0% No religion +0.8 pts ▸ 48.8%

41.6% Christianity ◂ +1.1 pts 40.4%

7.5% Not stated +0.5 pts ▸ 8.0%

0.7% Buddhism +0.3 pts ▸ 1.1%

0.8% Hinduism ◂ +0.3 pts 0.6%

0.8% Other religions ◂ +0.2 pts 0.6%

0.5% Islam even 0.5%

0.1% Judaism even 0.1%

Education & Qualifications

Schools in Ballarat in Bendigo +13 more in Ballarat

95 38th pct 82 27th pct

Schools/1k kids in Ballarat in Bendigo +0.33 more in Ballarat

3.06 68th pct 2.73 62nd pct

Students in Ballarat in Bendigo +2,049 more in Ballarat

28,337 26th pct 26,288 23rd pct

Avg size in Ballarat in Bendigo +19 larger in Bendigo

301 31st pct 321 34th pct

ICSEA in Ballarat in Bendigo +6 higher in Ballarat

1,028 57th pct 1,022 54th pct

Highest year of school

49.2% Year 12 ◂ +0.1 pts 49.1%

17.2% Year 10 +0.2 pts ▸ 17.3%

14.2% Year 11 ◂ +0.4 pts 13.8%

12.1% Year 9 or below ◂ +0.1 pts 12.0%

Highest qualification level

31.4% Certificate III / IV ◂ +1.0 pts 30.4%

22.2% Bachelor degree +0.4 pts ▸ 22.6%

15.1% Advanced diploma / diploma even 15.0%

7.3% Postgraduate degree ◂ +0.2 pts 7.1%

5.0% Graduate diploma / certificate +0.4 pts ▸ 5.4%

2.1% Certificate I / II ◂ +0.1 pts 2.0%

Field of qualification

14.0% Management & commerce ◂ +1.1 pts 12.9%

12.3% Health +1.0 pts ▸ 13.3%

12.9% Society & culture +0.1 pts ▸ 12.9%

12.5% Engineering & related +0.1 pts ▸ 12.6%

10.1% Education +0.3 pts ▸ 10.4%

6.1% Architecture & building ◂ +0.1 pts 6.0%

5.2% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +0.3 pts 4.8%

4.0% Creative arts ◂ +0.1 pts 3.8%

3.1% Agriculture & environment +0.2 pts ▸ 3.3%

2.3% Information technology ◂ +0.4 pts 1.9%

2.1% Natural & physical sciences +0.1 pts ▸ 2.2%

Income

Personal income in Ballarat in Bendigo +$24 higher in Bendigo gap steady

$705 22nd pct $729 29th pct

Household income in Ballarat in Bendigo +$56 higher in Bendigo gap widening

$1,376 22nd pct $1,432 28th pct

Family income in Ballarat in Bendigo +$64 higher in Bendigo gap widening

$1,800 29th pct $1,864 37th pct

Household income distribution

30.9% $650–$1,499 ◂ +0.6 pts 30.3%

28.0% $1,500–$2,999 +1.0 pts ▸ 29.0%

19.7% Under $650 ◂ +1.2 pts 18.4%

7.8% $3,000–$3,999 +0.7 pts ▸ 8.5%

6.9% $4,000 or more +0.2 pts ▸ 7.1%

Personal income distribution

43.3% Under $650 ◂ +1.5 pts 41.8%

31.9% $650–$1,499 +0.1 pts ▸ 32.0%

14.2% $1,500–$2,999 +0.9 pts ▸ 15.1%

3.0% $3,000 or more ◂ +0.1 pts 2.9%

Health & Disability

Long-term health conditions reported

12.5% Mental health ◂ +0.4 pts 12.1%

11.3% Arthritis +0.5 pts ▸ 11.8%

10.8% Asthma ◂ +0.8 pts 10.1%

9.5% Other condition ◂ +0.3 pts 9.2%

5.3% Diabetes ◂ +0.5 pts 4.9%

5.0% Heart disease ◂ +0.2 pts 4.8%

3.6% Cancer +0.1 pts ▸ 3.7%

2.7% Lung condition ◂ +0.5 pts 2.2%

1.2% Stroke ◂ +0.1 pts 1.1%

0.8% Dementia even 0.8%

Number of long-term health conditions

56.4% None +0.3 pts ▸ 56.7%

22.6% One condition ◂ +0.3 pts 22.3%

8.1% Two conditions ◂ +0.3 pts 7.8%

4.4% Three or more ◂ +0.2 pts 4.2%

Community Participation

First Nations

First Nations people in Ballarat in Bendigo +243 larger in Bendigo

3,080 30th pct 3,323 32nd pct

Median age in Ballarat in Bendigo +1 yrs older in Bendigo

22 yrs 14th pct 23 yrs 29th pct

Median income in Ballarat in Bendigo +$44 higher in Bendigo

$539 28th pct $583 47th pct

Household income in Ballarat in Bendigo +$20 higher in Bendigo

$1,387 29th pct $1,407 33rd pct

Family & Households

Household size in Ballarat in Bendigo even gap narrowing

2.4 29th pct 2.4 29th pct

Family composition

52.8% Couples with children +0.7 pts ▸ 53.5%

30.2% Couples without children ◂ +0.1 pts 30.1%

16.0% One-parent families ◂ +0.6 pts 15.4%

1.0% Other families +0.1 pts ▸ 1.1%

Household size

35.6% 2 people +0.2 pts ▸ 35.8%

30.2% 1 person ◂ +1.2 pts 29.0%

13.6% 3 people +0.6 pts ▸ 14.1%

12.7% 4 people +0.4 pts ▸ 13.0%

5.6% 5 people ◂ +0.1 pts 5.5%

2.3% 6 or more +0.2 pts ▸ 2.5%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Ballarat in Bendigo +$10 higher in Bendigo gap steady

$290 28th pct $300 31st pct

Mortgage in Ballarat in Bendigo +$22 higher in Bendigo gap widening

$1,430 23rd pct $1,452 24th pct

People / bedroom in Ballarat in Bendigo even gap steady

0.70 0th pct 0.70 0th pct

How homes are owned or rented

37.1% Owned outright +1.1 pts ▸ 38.1%

34.3% Owned with a mortgage +1.1 pts ▸ 35.4%

25.4% Rented ◂ +1.9 pts 23.5%

1.7% Other tenure ◂ +0.2 pts 1.5%

1.6% Not stated ◂ +0.1 pts 1.4%

Types of homes

88.6% Separate house +3.7 pts ▸ 92.3%

8.8% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +2.5 pts 6.3%

1.9% Flat or apartment ◂ +1.2 pts 0.7%

0.5% Other dwelling even 0.5%

Bedrooms per home

47.6% 3 bedrooms ◂ +0.3 pts 47.3%

27.0% 4 bedrooms +0.6 pts ▸ 27.6%

16.1% 2 bedrooms +0.1 pts ▸ 16.2%

4.2% 5 or more +0.2 pts ▸ 4.5%

3.4% 1 bedroom ◂ +0.6 pts 2.8%

0.2% Studio / none even 0.3%

Weekly rent distribution

53.1% $200–$349 ◂ +1.9 pts 51.2%

24.7% $350–$549 +2.2 pts ▸ 26.9%

17.2% Under $200 ◂ +0.6 pts 16.6%

0.9% $550–$749 +0.6 pts ▸ 1.5%

0.5% $750 or more ◂ +0.2 pts 0.3%

Monthly mortgage distribution

41.9% $1,000–$1,799 +0.8 pts ▸ 42.7%

23.8% Under $1,000 ◂ +1.3 pts 22.5%

22.4% $1,800–$2,999 ◂ +0.2 pts 22.2%

6.5% $3,000 or more +0.6 pts ▸ 7.1%

Transport & Vehicles

PT stops in Ballarat in Bendigo +24 more in Bendigo

907 40th pct 931 42nd pct

Stops/1k in Ballarat in Bendigo +0.33 more in Bendigo

5.21 70th pct 5.55 77th pct

Departures/1k in Ballarat in Bendigo +86.9 more in Ballarat

737.9 47th pct 651.0 45th pct

PT routes in Ballarat in Bendigo +16 more in Bendigo

50 27th pct 66 40th pct

How people get to work

60.8% Car (driver) ◂ +0.9 pts 59.9%

16.3% Worked at home +0.8 pts ▸ 17.0%

4.5% Car (passenger) ◂ +0.2 pts 4.3%

2.6% Walked +0.1 pts ▸ 2.8%

0.5% Bicycle +0.1 pts ▸ 0.6%

0.4% Bus +0.1 pts ▸ 0.5%

0.3% Train even 0.3%

Motor vehicles per home

37.6% 2 vehicles +0.7 pts ▸ 38.4%

35.1% 1 vehicle ◂ +1.1 pts 34.0%

13.7% 3 vehicles +0.5 pts ▸ 14.2%

8.5% 4 or more +0.3 pts ▸ 8.8%

5.1% No vehicle ◂ +0.5 pts 4.6%

Migration & Movement

Jobs & Industry

Industries people work in

17.6% Health care & social assistance +0.1 pts ▸ 17.8%

9.9% Construction ◂ +0.7 pts 9.3%

9.8% Education & training ◂ +0.9 pts 9.0%

9.5% Retail trade ◂ +0.1 pts 9.4%

7.5% Manufacturing +0.8 pts ▸ 8.3%

7.0% Accommodation & food ◂ +0.7 pts 6.3%

6.4% Public administration & safety +0.1 pts ▸ 6.5%

5.2% Professional & technical ◂ +0.1 pts 5.1%

3.8% Agriculture, forestry & fishing even 3.8%

3.7% Transport & warehousing ◂ +0.4 pts 3.4%

3.5% Other services +0.1 pts ▸ 3.6%

1.7% Finance & insurance +1.4 pts ▸ 3.1%

Occupations people work in

20.7% Professionals +1.4 pts ▸ 22.1%

14.5% Technicians & trades ◂ +0.8 pts 13.6%

13.2% Community & personal service ◂ +0.5 pts 12.8%

12.9% Managers +0.2 pts ▸ 13.2%

11.8% Clerical & administrative ◂ +0.5 pts 11.3%

10.6% Labourers +0.6 pts ▸ 11.3%

8.8% Sales workers ◂ +0.4 pts 8.4%

5.8% Machinery operators & drivers even 5.7%

Economy & Advantage

ERP in Ballarat in Bendigo +10,516 higher in Ballarat

184,285 27th pct 173,769 25th pct

Growth in Ballarat in Bendigo +2.4 pts higher in Ballarat

6.3% 55th pct 3.9% 27th pct

Environment & Climate

Rainfall in Ballarat in Bendigo +274 higher in Ballarat

787 46th pct 513 18th pct

Max temp in Ballarat in Bendigo +4.1 higher in Bendigo

18.2 10th pct 22.3 30th pct

Min temp in Ballarat in Bendigo +1.2 higher in Bendigo

7.9 10th pct 9.1 18th pct

Walkability

Walk score in Ballarat in Bendigo +0.1 higher in Ballarat

4.7 44th pct 4.6 43rd pct

Types ≤15 min in Ballarat in Bendigo even

4.6 45th pct 4.6 43rd pct

15-min city in Ballarat in Bendigo +1.5 pts higher in Ballarat

53.5% 43rd pct 51.9% 40th pct

Walk to shops in Ballarat in Bendigo +6.2 pts higher in Ballarat

53.0% 43rd pct 46.8% 27th pct

Walk to transit in Ballarat in Bendigo +4.1 pts higher in Bendigo

65.5% 39th pct 69.6% 44th pct

Walk to school in Ballarat in Bendigo +1.7 pts higher in Bendigo

57.9% 39th pct 59.7% 42nd pct

Walk to a park in Ballarat in Bendigo +0.7 pts higher in Bendigo

80.2% 39th pct 80.9% 40th pct

Walk to health in Ballarat in Bendigo +1.4 pts higher in Ballarat

40.2% 45th pct 38.8% 41st pct

Amenities/1k in Ballarat in Bendigo +3.0 more in Bendigo

17.9 67th pct 20.9 84th pct

Intersections/km² in Ballarat in Bendigo +1 higher in Ballarat

4 36th pct 3 34th pct

Mean slope in Ballarat in Bendigo +0.2 pts higher in Ballarat

5.1% 38th pct 4.9% 34th pct

Compare Ballarat with nearby areas

Geelong Bendigo Melbourne - West Melbourne - North West Melbourne - Inner Melbourne - Inner South Melbourne - Inner East Melbourne - North East Mornington Peninsula Warrnambool and South West Melbourne - Outer East Melbourne - South East

Compare Bendigo with nearby areas

Ballarat Melbourne - North West Shepparton Melbourne - West Melbourne - North East Geelong Melbourne - Inner Melbourne - Inner East Melbourne - Inner South Melbourne - Outer East North West Mornington Peninsula

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Ballarat vs Bendigo [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/sa4/201/ballarat/vs/202/bendigo