# Sofala vs Wattle Flat — 2021 Census comparison

Suburb / Locality comparison · about 8.0 km apart

Wattle Flat (NSW) and Sofala are neighbouring rural areas with distinct profiles. Sofala is an older community where the typical resident is 60 and 36.9% of people are aged 65 or over. In contrast, Wattle Flat (NSW) is younger, with a typical age of 51 and a larger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population of 10.0%. Financial gaps are also wide; the typical weekly household income in Wattle Flat (NSW) is far higher at $1,071, compared to $668 in Sofala. Wattle Flat (NSW) also has more large homes, with 66.4% having three or more bedrooms, while Sofala has 41.2%.

Everyday life in both places is very similar, as both are car-dependent and have no public transport stops. They share a similar proportion of people in de facto relationships and nearly identical monthly mortgage payments of $1,300. While Sofala has a much higher rate of volunteers at 29.2%, both areas sit far below the national figure for Year 12 completion. This shared struggle with education levels persists despite the gap in household incomes.

## Where they differ most

- Population: 159 larger in Wattle Flat
- 3+ bedrooms: 25.2 pts higher in Wattle Flat
- No car: 6.0 pts higher in Sofala
- Participation: 15.9 pts higher in Wattle Flat
- Household income: $403 higher in Wattle Flat

## Demographics & Identity

| Statistic | Sofala | Wattle Flat | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Population | 111 | 270 | 159 larger in Wattle Flat | gap widening |
| Median age | 60 yrs | 51 yrs | 9 yrs older in Sofala | gap widening |
| First Nations | 2.7% | 10.0% | 7.3 pts higher in Wattle Flat | gap widening |
| Aged 65+ | 36.9% | 24.1% | 12.9 pts higher in Sofala | gap widening |
| Under 15 | 14.4% | 17.0% | 2.6 pts higher in Wattle Flat | gap narrowing |
| De facto | 16.4% | 16.8% | 0.4 pts higher in Wattle Flat | gap steady |

### Age structure

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Seniors (65+) | 36.9% | 24.1% | +12.9 |
| Older adults (45–64) | 32.4% | 35.6% | -3.1 |
| Young adults (25–44) | 5.4% | 19.6% | -14.2 |
| Children (0–14) | 14.4% | 17.0% | -2.6 |
| Youth (15–24) | 0.0% | 9.3% | -9.3 |

### Marital status

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Married | 34.8% | 42.6% | -7.8 |
| Never married | 24.7% | 31.7% | -7.0 |
| Divorced | 23.6% | 15.7% | +7.9 |
| Separated | 0.0% | 8.7% | -8.7 |
| Widowed | 7.9% | 3.0% | +4.8 |

### Age profile

Share of each region's population by age band and sex.

| Age band | Sofala male | Sofala female | Wattle Flat male | Wattle Flat female |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 0–4 | 2.7% | 5.3% | 2.6% | 2.6% |
| 5–9 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2.2% | 3.7% |
| 10–14 | 5.3% | 2.7% | 3.7% | 3.3% |
| 15–19 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1.9% | 1.1% |
| 20–24 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 3.3% | 2.6% |
| 25–29 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1.1% | 1.9% |
| 30–34 | 0.0% | 3.5% | 4.1% | 3.3% |
| 35–39 | 2.7% | 0.0% | 1.1% | 2.2% |
| 40–44 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2.2% | 3.7% |
| 45–49 | 3.5% | 3.5% | 3.7% | 1.1% |
| 50–54 | 5.3% | 2.7% | 3.3% | 5.2% |
| 55–59 | 2.7% | 6.2% | 7.4% | 4.8% |
| 60–64 | 5.3% | 4.4% | 4.1% | 2.2% |
| 65–69 | 8.8% | 11.5% | 7.0% | 2.6% |
| 70–74 | 5.3% | 2.7% | 4.4% | 2.2% |
| 75–79 | 4.4% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 2.2% |
| 80–84 | 5.3% | 3.5% | 0.0% | 1.5% |
| 85+ | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |

## Ancestry & Birthplace

| Statistic | Sofala | Wattle Flat | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Born overseas | 7.2% | 11.1% | 3.9 pts higher in Wattle Flat | gap widening |

### Country of birth

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Australia | 68.5% | 76.7% | -8.2 |
| England | 7.2% | 5.9% | +1.3 |
| New Zealand | 0.0% | 1.9% | -1.9 |
| India | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| China | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Philippines | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Vietnam | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Nepal | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Italy | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| South Africa | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

### Ancestry

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Australian | 30.6% | 45.9% | -15.3 |
| English | 36.9% | 40.4% | -3.4 |
| Irish | 13.5% | 10.7% | +2.8 |
| Scottish | 10.8% | 7.4% | +3.4 |
| German | 6.3% | 4.1% | +2.2 |
| Dutch | 3.6% | 4.4% | -0.8 |
| Italian | 2.7% | 1.9% | +0.9 |
| Greek | 0.0% | 2.2% | -2.2 |
| Chinese | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Indian | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Filipino | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Vietnamese | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

## Language

| Statistic | Sofala | Wattle Flat | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Other language | 4.5% | 0.0% | 4.5 pts higher in Sofala | gap widening |
| Limited English | 0.0% | 0.0% |  | gap steady |

### Language used at home

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| English only | 76.6% | 89.6% | -13.1 |
| Mandarin | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Arabic | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Vietnamese | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Cantonese | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Punjabi | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Greek | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Italian | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Hindi | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Tagalog | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

## Religion

| Statistic | Sofala | Wattle Flat | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| No religion | 38.7% | 30.7% | 8.0 pts higher in Sofala | gap widening |

### Religious affiliation

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Christianity | 38.7% | 52.2% | -13.5 |
| No religion | 38.7% | 30.7% | +8.0 |
| Not stated | 23.4% | 14.8% | +8.6 |
| Other religions | 0.0% | 1.9% | -1.9 |
| Buddhism | 0.0% | 1.5% | -1.5 |
| Islam | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Hinduism | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Judaism | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

## Education & Qualifications

| Statistic | Sofala | Wattle Flat | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Year 12 | 38.6% | 25.6% | 13.1 pts higher in Sofala | gap widening |
| Bachelor+ | 11.2% | 7.8% | 3.4 pts higher in Sofala | gap widening |
| Schools/1k kids | — | 21.74 |  |  |
| Schools ≤3 km | 1 | 2 | 1 more in Wattle Flat |  |
| Avg size | 8 | 9 | 1 larger in Wattle Flat |  |
| ICSEA | 946 | 939 | 7 higher in Sofala |  |

### Highest year of school

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Year 12 | 38.6% | 25.6% | +13.1 |
| Year 10 | 26.1% | 33.9% | -7.8 |
| Year 9 or below | 11.4% | 15.9% | -4.5 |
| Year 11 | 8.0% | 6.6% | +1.3 |

### Highest qualification level

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Certificate III / IV | 38.6% | 42.0% | -3.4 |
| Advanced diploma / diploma | 14.0% | 12.7% | +1.4 |
| Bachelor degree | 10.5% | 10.0% | +0.5 |
| Postgraduate degree | 7.0% | 0.0% | +7.0 |
| Certificate I / II | 0.0% | 3.3% | -3.3 |
| Graduate diploma / certificate | 0.0% | 2.0% | -2.0 |

### Field of qualification

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Engineering & related | 28.1% | 18.0% | +10.1 |
| Management & commerce | 5.3% | 14.0% | -8.7 |
| Architecture & building | 0.0% | 11.3% | -11.3 |
| Food, hospitality & personal services | 10.5% | 2.7% | +7.9 |
| Health | 5.3% | 9.3% | -4.1 |
| Society & culture | 0.0% | 8.0% | -8.0 |
| Education | 5.3% | 6.7% | -1.4 |
| Agriculture & environment | 5.3% | 5.3% | -0.1 |
| Creative arts | 5.3% | 4.0% | +1.3 |
| Information technology | 0.0% | 3.3% | -3.3 |
| Natural & physical sciences | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

## Income

| Statistic | Sofala | Wattle Flat | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Personal income | $455 | $602 | $147 higher in Wattle Flat | gap widening |
| Household income | $668 | $1,071 | $403 higher in Wattle Flat | gap widening |
| Family income | $1,107 | $1,571 | $464 higher in Wattle Flat | gap widening |
| High earners | 0.0% | 4.3% | 4.3 pts higher in Wattle Flat | gap widening |
| High-income homes | 11.8% | 4.5% | 7.2 pts higher in Sofala | gap widening |

### Household income distribution

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Under $650 | 47.1% | 21.8% | +25.2 |
| $650–$1,499 | 31.4% | 34.5% | -3.2 |
| $1,500–$2,999 | 7.8% | 33.6% | -25.8 |
| $4,000 or more | 11.8% | 4.5% | +7.2 |
| $3,000–$3,999 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

### Personal income distribution

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Under $650 | 57.3% | 48.3% | +9.0 |
| $650–$1,499 | 10.1% | 31.7% | -21.6 |
| $1,500–$2,999 | 6.7% | 10.9% | -4.1 |
| $3,000 or more | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

## Health & Disability

| Statistic | Sofala | Wattle Flat | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Health condition | 37.8% | 35.9% | 1.9 pts higher in Sofala |  |
| Mental health | 9.0% | 11.1% | 2.1 pts higher in Wattle Flat |  |
| Needs assistance | 9.0% | 4.4% | 4.6 pts higher in Sofala | gap widening |

### Long-term health conditions reported

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Arthritis | 21.6% | 16.3% | +5.3 |
| Asthma | 8.1% | 11.9% | -3.7 |
| Mental health | 9.0% | 11.1% | -2.1 |
| Cancer | 9.9% | 4.4% | +5.5 |
| Other condition | 2.7% | 9.3% | -6.6 |
| Diabetes | 9.0% | 5.9% | +3.1 |
| Lung condition | 5.4% | 4.8% | +0.6 |
| Dementia | 2.7% | 0.0% | +2.7 |
| Heart disease | 2.7% | 2.2% | +0.5 |
| Stroke | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

### Number of long-term health conditions

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| None | 42.3% | 53.0% | -10.6 |
| One condition | 24.3% | 23.7% | +0.6 |
| Two conditions | 9.9% | 7.0% | +2.9 |
| Three or more | 5.4% | 5.6% | -0.2 |

## Community Participation

| Statistic | Sofala | Wattle Flat | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Volunteering | 29.2% | 15.7% | 13.6 pts higher in Sofala | gap widening |
| Unpaid carers | 9.0% | 12.6% | 3.6 pts higher in Wattle Flat | gap narrowing |
| Unpaid child care | 14.6% | 21.7% | 7.1 pts higher in Wattle Flat | gap widening |
| Defence service | 6.6% | 4.7% | 1.9 pts higher in Sofala |  |
| Housework 15h+ | 23.6% | 23.5% | 0.1 pts higher in Sofala | gap steady |

## First Nations

| Statistic | Sofala | Wattle Flat | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| First Nations people | 3 | 27 | 24 larger in Wattle Flat |  |
| Median age | 4 yrs | 27 yrs | 23 yrs older in Wattle Flat |  |
| Year 12 | — | 35.0% |  |  |
| Median income | — | $575 |  |  |
| Household income | $1,024 | $2,583 | $1,559 higher in Wattle Flat |  |
| Indigenous language | — | 0.0% |  |  |

## Family & Households

| Statistic | Sofala | Wattle Flat | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Household size | 1.8 | 2.2 | 0.4 larger in Wattle Flat | gap widening |
| One-parent | 20.6% | 12.1% | 8.5 pts higher in Sofala | gap widening |
| Living alone | 47.1% | 32.7% | 14.3 pts higher in Sofala | gap widening |

### Family composition

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Couples with children | 20.6% | 45.6% | -25.0 |
| Couples without children | 42.9% | 44.5% | -1.6 |
| One-parent families | 20.6% | 12.1% | +8.5 |
| Other families | 0.0% | 2.2% | -2.2 |

### Household size

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 person | 47.1% | 32.7% | +14.3 |
| 2 people | 31.4% | 43.6% | -12.3 |
| 5 people | 7.8% | 3.6% | +4.2 |
| 4 people | 0.0% | 6.4% | -6.4 |
| 3 people | 0.0% | 5.5% | -5.5 |
| 6 or more | 0.0% | 2.7% | -2.7 |

## Housing & Dwellings

| Statistic | Sofala | Wattle Flat | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rent | $194 | $215 | $21 higher in Wattle Flat | gap narrowing |
| Mortgage | $1,300 | $1,300 |  | gap narrowing |
| People / bedroom | 0.70 | 0.80 | 0.10 higher in Wattle Flat | gap widening |
| Renting | 7.8% | 9.1% | 1.2 pts higher in Wattle Flat | gap narrowing |
| Owned outright | 62.7% | 50.0% | 12.7 pts higher in Sofala | gap widening |
| Separate houses | 88.2% | 98.2% | 9.9 pts higher in Wattle Flat | gap widening |
| 3+ bedrooms | 41.2% | 66.4% | 25.2 pts higher in Wattle Flat | gap narrowing |

### How homes are owned or rented

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Owned outright | 62.7% | 50.0% | +12.7 |
| Owned with a mortgage | 11.8% | 30.9% | -19.1 |
| Rented | 7.8% | 9.1% | -1.2 |
| Other tenure | 0.0% | 7.3% | -7.3 |
| Not stated | 0.0% | 2.7% | -2.7 |

### Types of homes

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Separate house | 88.2% | 98.2% | -9.9 |
| Townhouse / semi-detached | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Flat or apartment | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Other dwelling | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

### Bedrooms per home

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 3 bedrooms | 21.6% | 41.8% | -20.2 |
| 2 bedrooms | 41.2% | 22.7% | +18.4 |
| 4 bedrooms | 19.6% | 14.5% | +5.1 |
| 5 or more | 0.0% | 10.0% | -10.0 |
| 1 bedroom | 9.8% | 6.4% | +3.4 |
| Studio / none | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

### Weekly rent distribution

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Under $200 | 0.0% | 80.0% | -80.0 |
| $200–$349 | 0.0% | 40.0% | -40.0 |
| $350–$549 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| $550–$749 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| $750 or more | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

### Monthly mortgage distribution

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| $1,000–$1,799 | 116.7% | 41.2% | +75.5 |
| Under $1,000 | 0.0% | 52.9% | -52.9 |
| $1,800–$2,999 | 0.0% | 17.6% | -17.6 |
| $3,000 or more | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

## Transport & Vehicles

| Statistic | Sofala | Wattle Flat | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| No car | 6.0% | 0.0% | 6.0 pts higher in Sofala | gap narrowing |
| Work from home | — | 13.3% |  |  |
| PT commute | — | 0.0% |  |  |
| PT stops | 0 | 0 |  |  |
| Stops/1k | 0.00 | 0.00 |  |  |
| Departures/1k | 0.0 | 0.0 |  |  |
| PT routes | 0 | 0 |  |  |

### How people get to work

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Car (driver) | 38.9% | 66.4% | -27.5 |
| Worked at home | 22.2% | 13.3% | +8.9 |
| Car (passenger) | 0.0% | 6.2% | -6.2 |
| Train | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Bus | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Bicycle | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Walked | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

### Motor vehicles per home

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2 vehicles | 46.0% | 48.1% | -2.1 |
| 1 vehicle | 26.0% | 25.9% | +0.1 |
| 3 vehicles | 8.0% | 12.0% | -4.0 |
| 4 or more | 6.0% | 9.3% | -3.3 |
| No vehicle | 6.0% | 0.0% | +6.0 |

## Migration & Movement

| Statistic | Sofala | Wattle Flat | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Recent movers | 24.5% | 32.6% | 8.1 pts higher in Wattle Flat | gap widening |
| Recent arrivals | — | 0.0% |  |  |

## Jobs & Industry

| Statistic | Sofala | Wattle Flat | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Unemployment | 13.3% | 4.4% | 8.9 pts higher in Sofala | gap widening |
| Participation | 33.7% | 49.6% | 15.9 pts higher in Wattle Flat | gap widening |
| Full-time | — | 54.9% |  |  |

### Industries people work in

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agriculture, forestry & fishing | 22.2% | 4.4% | +17.8 |
| Accommodation & food | 22.2% | 0.0% | +22.2 |
| Professional & technical | 22.2% | 4.4% | +17.8 |
| Education & training | 22.2% | 6.2% | +16.0 |
| Public administration & safety | 16.7% | 8.8% | +7.8 |
| Health care & social assistance | 0.0% | 13.3% | -13.3 |
| Construction | 0.0% | 12.4% | -12.4 |
| Retail trade | 0.0% | 10.6% | -10.6 |
| Manufacturing | 0.0% | 8.8% | -8.8 |
| Transport & warehousing | 0.0% | 5.3% | -5.3 |
| Administrative & support | 0.0% | 4.4% | -4.4 |
| Media & telecommunications | 0.0% | 2.7% | -2.7 |

### Occupations people work in

| Category | Sofala % | Wattle Flat % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Managers | 55.6% | 15.9% | +39.6 |
| Professionals | 27.8% | 15.0% | +12.7 |
| Community & personal service | 0.0% | 15.9% | -15.9 |
| Technicians & trades | 0.0% | 15.0% | -15.0 |
| Clerical & administrative | 0.0% | 12.4% | -12.4 |
| Labourers | 0.0% | 11.5% | -11.5 |
| Machinery operators & drivers | 0.0% | 8.0% | -8.0 |
| Sales workers | 0.0% | 6.2% | -6.2 |

## Walkability

| Statistic | Sofala | Wattle Flat | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Walk score | 1.6 | 1.3 | 0.2 higher in Sofala |  |
| Types ≤15 min | 1.9 | 2.0 | 0.1 more in Wattle Flat |  |
| 15-min city | 33.0% | 28.2% | 4.8 pts higher in Sofala |  |
| Walk to shops | 0.0% | 0.0% |  |  |
| Walk to transit | 0.0% | 0.0% |  |  |
| Walk to school | 33.5% | 39.3% | 5.8 pts higher in Wattle Flat |  |
| Walk to a park | 42.9% | 43.2% | 0.3 pts higher in Wattle Flat |  |
| Walk to health | 0.0% | 0.0% |  |  |
| Amenities/1k | 117.1 | 33.3 | 83.8 more in Sofala |  |
| Intersections/km² | 1 | 1 |  |  |
| Mean slope | 12.5% | 7.2% | 5.3 pts higher in Sofala |  |

Interactive comparison: https://censusatlas.au/compare/sal/SAL13585/sofala/vs/SAL14209/wattle-flat