# Sofala vs Wiagdon — 2021 Census comparison

Suburb / Locality comparison · about 16 km apart

Sofala and Wiagdon are two sparsely populated areas in New South Wales. Residents are far older in Sofala, where the typical age is 60 and 36.9% of people are aged 65 or over. In contrast, the typical resident in Wiagdon is 44. Wiagdon has a much more qualified workforce, with 32.4% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher compared to 11.2% in Sofala. This is reflected in typical weekly household incomes, which are far higher in Wiagdon at $1,624, while Sofala's typical income is $668.

Both areas are similar in that no one speaks a language other than English at home. They also share a lack of nearby public transport, with no stops or departures in either place. While Sofala is more walkable with some nearby parks and schools, both areas sit near the national figure for the share of people in de facto relationships. Since 2011, the gap in the number of people who have moved recently has remained, with Sofala seeing more new arrivals than Wiagdon.

## Where they differ most

- Median age: 16 yrs older in Sofala
- Aged 65+: 25.5 pts higher in Sofala
- Household income: $956 higher in Wiagdon
- One-parent: 20.6 pts higher in Sofala
- Bachelor+: 21.1 pts higher in Wiagdon

## Demographics & Identity

| Statistic | Sofala | Wiagdon | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Population | 111 | 35 | 76 larger in Sofala | gap narrowing |
| Median age | 60 yrs | 44 yrs | 16 yrs older in Sofala | gap widening |
| First Nations | 2.7% | 0.0% | 2.7 pts higher in Sofala | gap narrowing |
| Aged 65+ | 36.9% | 11.4% | 25.5 pts higher in Sofala | gap widening |
| Under 15 | 14.4% | 8.6% | 5.8 pts higher in Sofala | gap narrowing |
| De facto | 16.4% | 21.7% | 5.3 pts higher in Wiagdon |  |

### Age structure

| Category | Sofala % | Wiagdon % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Seniors (65+) | 36.9% | 11.4% | +25.5 |
| Older adults (45–64) | 32.4% | 8.6% | +23.9 |
| Youth (15–24) | 0.0% | 22.9% | -22.9 |
| Young adults (25–44) | 5.4% | 17.1% | -11.7 |
| Children (0–14) | 14.4% | 8.6% | +5.8 |

### Marital status

| Category | Sofala % | Wiagdon % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Married | 34.8% | 47.1% | -12.2 |
| Never married | 24.7% | 44.1% | -19.4 |
| Divorced | 23.6% | 0.0% | +23.6 |
| Widowed | 7.9% | 0.0% | +7.9 |
| Separated | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

### Age profile

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

| Age band | Sofala male | Sofala female | Wiagdon male | Wiagdon female |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 0–4 | 2.7% | 5.3% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 5–9 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 10–14 | 5.3% | 2.7% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 15–19 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 25.0% |
| 20–24 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 25–29 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 30–34 | 0.0% | 3.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 35–39 | 2.7% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 40–44 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 16.7% | 0.0% |
| 45–49 | 3.5% | 3.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 50–54 | 5.3% | 2.7% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 55–59 | 2.7% | 6.2% | 16.7% | 0.0% |
| 60–64 | 5.3% | 4.4% | 12.5% | 0.0% |
| 65–69 | 8.8% | 11.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 70–74 | 5.3% | 2.7% | 0.0% | 16.7% |
| 75–79 | 4.4% | 2.7% | 12.5% | 0.0% |
| 80–84 | 5.3% | 3.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 85+ | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |

## Ancestry & Birthplace

| Statistic | Sofala | Wiagdon | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Born overseas | 7.2% | 0.0% | 7.2 pts higher in Sofala | gap widening |

### Country of birth

| Category | Sofala % | Wiagdon % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Australia | 68.5% | 85.7% | -17.2 |
| England | 7.2% | 0.0% | +7.2 |
| India | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| China | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| New Zealand | 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 % | Wiagdon % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| English | 36.9% | 54.3% | -17.3 |
| Australian | 30.6% | 42.9% | -12.2 |
| Irish | 13.5% | 40.0% | -26.5 |
| Scottish | 10.8% | 25.7% | -14.9 |
| German | 6.3% | 0.0% | +6.3 |
| Dutch | 3.6% | 0.0% | +3.6 |
| Italian | 2.7% | 0.0% | +2.7 |
| Chinese | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Indian | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Greek | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Filipino | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Vietnamese | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

## Language

| Statistic | Sofala | Wiagdon | 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 % | Wiagdon % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| English only | 76.6% | 94.3% | -17.7 |
| 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 | Wiagdon | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| No religion | 38.7% | 31.4% | 7.3 pts higher in Sofala | gap widening |

### Religious affiliation

| Category | Sofala % | Wiagdon % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Christianity | 38.7% | 77.1% | -38.4 |
| No religion | 38.7% | 31.4% | +7.3 |
| Not stated | 23.4% | 0.0% | +23.4 |
| Islam | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Hinduism | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Buddhism | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Judaism | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Other religions | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

## Education & Qualifications

| Statistic | Sofala | Wiagdon | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Year 12 | 38.6% | 43.5% | 4.8 pts higher in Wiagdon | gap narrowing |
| Bachelor+ | 11.2% | 32.4% | 21.1 pts higher in Wiagdon | gap widening |
| Schools ≤3 km | 1 | 0 | 1 more in Sofala |  |
| Avg size | 8 | — |  |  |
| ICSEA | 946 | — |  |  |

### Highest year of school

| Category | Sofala % | Wiagdon % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Year 10 | 26.1% | 47.8% | -21.7 |
| Year 12 | 38.6% | 43.5% | -4.8 |
| Year 9 or below | 11.4% | 0.0% | +11.4 |
| Year 11 | 8.0% | 0.0% | +8.0 |

### Highest qualification level

| Category | Sofala % | Wiagdon % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Certificate III / IV | 38.6% | 40.0% | -1.4 |
| Postgraduate degree | 7.0% | 26.7% | -19.6 |
| Graduate diploma / certificate | 0.0% | 26.7% | -26.7 |
| Bachelor degree | 10.5% | 20.0% | -9.5 |
| Advanced diploma / diploma | 14.0% | 20.0% | -6.0 |
| Certificate I / II | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

### Field of qualification

| Category | Sofala % | Wiagdon % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Society & culture | 0.0% | 40.0% | -40.0 |
| Engineering & related | 28.1% | 33.3% | -5.3 |
| Agriculture & environment | 5.3% | 26.7% | -21.4 |
| Food, hospitality & personal services | 10.5% | 0.0% | +10.5 |
| Health | 5.3% | 0.0% | +5.3 |
| Education | 5.3% | 0.0% | +5.3 |
| Management & commerce | 5.3% | 0.0% | +5.3 |
| Creative arts | 5.3% | 0.0% | +5.3 |
| Natural & physical sciences | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Information technology | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Architecture & building | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

## Income

| Statistic | Sofala | Wiagdon | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Personal income | $455 | $362 | $93 higher in Sofala | gap narrowing |
| Household income | $668 | $1,624 | $956 higher in Wiagdon | gap widening |
| Family income | $1,107 | $1,875 | $768 higher in Wiagdon | gap widening |
| High earners | 0.0% | 11.8% | 11.8 pts higher in Wiagdon | gap widening |
| High-income homes | 11.8% | — |  |  |

### Household income distribution

| Category | Sofala % | Wiagdon % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Under $650 | 47.1% | 0.0% | +47.1 |
| $650–$1,499 | 31.4% | 0.0% | +31.4 |
| $4,000 or more | 11.8% | 0.0% | +11.8 |
| $1,500–$2,999 | 7.8% | 0.0% | +7.8 |
| $3,000–$3,999 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

### Personal income distribution

| Category | Sofala % | Wiagdon % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Under $650 | 57.3% | 41.2% | +16.1 |
| $650–$1,499 | 10.1% | 11.8% | -1.7 |
| $1,500–$2,999 | 6.7% | 11.8% | -5.0 |
| $3,000 or more | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

## Health & Disability

| Statistic | Sofala | Wiagdon | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Health condition | 37.8% | 20.0% | 17.8 pts higher in Sofala |  |
| Mental health | 9.0% | 0.0% | 9.0 pts higher in Sofala |  |
| Needs assistance | 9.0% | 11.4% | 2.4 pts higher in Wiagdon | gap steady |

### Long-term health conditions reported

| Category | Sofala % | Wiagdon % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Arthritis | 21.6% | 17.1% | +4.5 |
| Asthma | 8.1% | 11.4% | -3.3 |
| Cancer | 9.9% | 11.4% | -1.5 |
| Diabetes | 9.0% | 0.0% | +9.0 |
| Mental health | 9.0% | 0.0% | +9.0 |
| Stroke | 0.0% | 8.6% | -8.6 |
| Lung condition | 5.4% | 0.0% | +5.4 |
| Dementia | 2.7% | 0.0% | +2.7 |
| Heart disease | 2.7% | 0.0% | +2.7 |
| Other condition | 2.7% | 0.0% | +2.7 |

### Number of long-term health conditions

| Category | Sofala % | Wiagdon % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| None | 42.3% | 68.6% | -26.2 |
| One condition | 24.3% | 31.4% | -7.1 |
| Two conditions | 9.9% | 11.4% | -1.5 |
| Three or more | 5.4% | 0.0% | +5.4 |

## Community Participation

| Statistic | Sofala | Wiagdon | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Volunteering | 29.2% | 26.5% | 2.7 pts higher in Sofala | gap narrowing |
| Unpaid carers | 9.0% | 14.7% | 5.7 pts higher in Wiagdon | gap widening |
| Unpaid child care | 14.6% | 32.4% | 17.7 pts higher in Wiagdon | gap widening |
| Defence service | 6.6% | 0.0% | 6.6 pts higher in Sofala |  |
| Housework 15h+ | 23.6% | 8.8% | 14.8 pts higher in Sofala | gap widening |

## First Nations

| Statistic | Sofala | Wiagdon | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| First Nations people | 3 | 0 | 3 larger in Sofala |  |
| Median age | 4 yrs | 59 yrs | 55 yrs older in Wiagdon |  |
| Median income | — | $350 |  |  |
| Household income | $1,024 | $350 | $674 higher in Sofala |  |

## Family & Households

| Statistic | Sofala | Wiagdon | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Household size | 1.8 | 3.2 | 1.4 larger in Wiagdon | gap widening |
| One-parent | 20.6% | 0.0% | 20.6 pts higher in Sofala | gap widening |
| Living alone | 47.1% | — |  |  |

### Family composition

| Category | Sofala % | Wiagdon % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Couples with children | 20.6% | 90.0% | -69.4 |
| Couples without children | 42.9% | 13.3% | +29.5 |
| One-parent families | 20.6% | 0.0% | +20.6 |
| Other families | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

### Household size

| Category | Sofala % | Wiagdon % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 3 people | 0.0% | 57.1% | -57.1 |
| 1 person | 47.1% | 42.9% | +4.2 |
| 5 people | 7.8% | 42.9% | -35.0 |
| 2 people | 31.4% | 0.0% | +31.4 |
| 4 people | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| 6 or more | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

## Housing & Dwellings

| Statistic | Sofala | Wiagdon | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rent | $194 | — |  |  |
| Mortgage | $1,300 | $1,538 | $238 higher in Wiagdon | gap narrowing |
| People / bedroom | 0.70 | 0.70 |  | gap steady |
| Renting | 7.8% | — |  |  |
| Owned outright | 62.7% | — |  |  |
| Separate houses | 88.2% | — |  |  |
| 3+ bedrooms | 41.2% | — |  |  |

### How homes are owned or rented

| Category | Sofala % | Wiagdon % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Owned with a mortgage | 11.8% | 71.4% | -59.7 |
| Owned outright | 62.7% | 57.1% | +5.6 |
| Rented | 7.8% | 0.0% | +7.8 |
| Other tenure | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Not stated | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

### Types of homes

| Category | Sofala % | Wiagdon % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Separate house | 88.2% | 100.0% | -11.8 |
| 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 % | Wiagdon % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 3 bedrooms | 21.6% | 85.7% | -64.1 |
| 4 bedrooms | 19.6% | 42.9% | -23.2 |
| 5 or more | 0.0% | 42.9% | -42.9 |
| 2 bedrooms | 41.2% | 0.0% | +41.2 |
| 1 bedroom | 9.8% | 0.0% | +9.8 |
| Studio / none | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

### Monthly mortgage distribution

| Category | Sofala % | Wiagdon % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| $1,000–$1,799 | 116.7% | 120.0% | -3.3 |
| Under $1,000 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| $1,800–$2,999 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| $3,000 or more | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

## Transport & Vehicles

| Statistic | Sofala | Wiagdon | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| No car | 6.0% | — |  |  |
| 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 % | Wiagdon % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Car (driver) | 38.9% | 50.0% | -11.1 |
| Worked at home | 22.2% | 31.3% | -9.0 |
| Car (passenger) | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| 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 % | Wiagdon % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2 vehicles | 46.0% | 71.4% | -25.4 |
| 3 vehicles | 8.0% | 71.4% | -63.4 |
| 4 or more | 6.0% | 57.1% | -51.1 |
| 1 vehicle | 26.0% | 0.0% | +26.0 |
| No vehicle | 6.0% | 0.0% | +6.0 |

## Migration & Movement

| Statistic | Sofala | Wiagdon | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Recent movers | 24.5% | 9.1% | 15.4 pts higher in Sofala | gap narrowing |

## Jobs & Industry

| Statistic | Sofala | Wiagdon | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Unemployment | 13.3% | — |  |  |
| Participation | 33.7% | 52.9% | 19.2 pts higher in Wiagdon | gap narrowing |

### Industries people work in

| Category | Sofala % | Wiagdon % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agriculture, forestry & fishing | 22.2% | 43.8% | -21.5 |
| Accommodation & food | 22.2% | 25.0% | -2.8 |
| Health care & social assistance | 0.0% | 25.0% | -25.0 |
| Professional & technical | 22.2% | 0.0% | +22.2 |
| Education & training | 22.2% | 0.0% | +22.2 |
| Public administration & safety | 16.7% | 0.0% | +16.7 |
| Mining | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Manufacturing | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Electricity, gas & water | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Construction | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Wholesale trade | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Retail trade | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

### Occupations people work in

| Category | Sofala % | Wiagdon % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Managers | 55.6% | 31.3% | +24.3 |
| Professionals | 27.8% | 31.3% | -3.5 |
| Community & personal service | 0.0% | 25.0% | -25.0 |
| Technicians & trades | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Clerical & administrative | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Sales workers | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Machinery operators & drivers | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Labourers | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

## Walkability

| Statistic | Sofala | Wiagdon | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Walk score | 1.6 | 0.0 | 1.6 higher in Sofala |  |
| Types ≤15 min | 1.9 | 0.0 | 1.9 more in Sofala |  |
| 15-min city | 33.0% | 0.0% | 33.0 pts higher in Sofala |  |
| Walk to shops | 0.0% | 0.0% |  |  |
| Walk to transit | 0.0% | 0.0% |  |  |
| Walk to school | 33.5% | 0.0% | 33.5 pts higher in Sofala |  |
| Walk to a park | 42.9% | 0.0% | 42.9 pts higher in Sofala |  |
| Walk to health | 0.0% | 0.0% |  |  |
| Amenities/1k | 117.1 | 0.0 | 117.1 more in Sofala |  |
| Intersections/km² | 1 | 0 | 1 higher in Sofala |  |
| Mean slope | 12.5% | 8.8% | 3.7 pts higher in Sofala |  |

Interactive comparison: https://censusatlas.au/compare/sal/SAL13585/sofala/vs/SAL14299/wiagdon