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Birchip vs Watchem

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

Suburb / Locality comparison ≈ 18 km apart · Birchip profile · Watchem profile

Birchip Watchem

Birchip and Watchem are two nearby Victorian towns with very different layouts and demographics. Birchip is the larger of the two and is very walkable, with most homes within a 15-minute walk of groceries, health services, and schools. Watchem is mostly car-dependent, though it has a much higher share of people working from home (40.0% compared to 11.6% in Birchip). Birchip also has higher education levels, with 16.3% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher compared to just 3.5% in Watchem.

Both areas have an almost identical share of people who speak little or no English (around 0.7% or less). They also share a similar housing profile, with about 2.1 to 2.2 people per home. While Birchip has a larger workforce, with 55.6% of adults working or looking for work, Watchem is noticeably older, with a typical resident aged 56 compared to 49 in Birchip. This is consistent with Watchem having a higher share of people aged 65 and over.

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Where they differ most

Work from home: 28.4 pts higher in Watchem Participation: 26.4 pts higher in Birchip Population: 570 larger in Birchip Limited English: 0.7 pts higher in Birchip Year 12: 18.1 pts higher in Birchip

Demographics & Identity

Population in Birchip in Watchem +570 larger in Birchip gap widening

694 70th pct 124 45th pct

Median age in Birchip in Watchem +7 yrs older in Watchem gap widening

49 yrs 67th pct 56 yrs 87th pct

Age structure

26.2% Older adults (45–64) +12.5 pts ▸ 38.7%

30.1% Seniors (65+) +6.2 pts ▸ 36.3%

19.5% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +13.8 pts 5.6%

17.6% Children (0–14) ◂ +9.5 pts 8.1%

7.3% Youth (15–24) +3.1 pts ▸ 10.5%

Marital status

47.0% Married ◂ +1.9 pts 45.1%

31.6% Never married ◂ +7.7 pts 23.9%

9.8% Divorced +3.5 pts ▸ 13.3%

8.6% Widowed ◂ +5.0 pts 3.5%

3.3% Separated +4.6 pts ▸ 8.0%

Age & sex structure

Birchip Watchem

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

Ancestry & Birthplace

Country of birth

83.7% Australia ◂ +14.4 pts 69.4%

0.4% England +3.6 pts ▸ 4.0%

2.0% India ◂ +2.0 pts 0.0%

1.2% New Zealand ◂ +1.2 pts 0.0%

1.0% Philippines ◂ +1.0 pts 0.0%

0.0% China even 0.0%

0.0% Vietnam even 0.0%

0.0% Nepal even 0.0%

0.0% Italy even 0.0%

0.0% South Africa even 0.0%

Ancestry

42.8% Australian +2.4 pts ▸ 45.2%

36.5% English ◂ +1.8 pts 34.7%

18.2% Irish +0.4 pts ▸ 18.5%

12.4% Scottish ◂ +10.0 pts 2.4%

2.7% German ◂ +2.7 pts 0.0%

0.6% Chinese +1.8 pts ▸ 2.4%

1.0% Indian ◂ +1.0 pts 0.0%

1.0% Dutch ◂ +1.0 pts 0.0%

0.6% Filipino ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%

0.4% Italian ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%

0.0% Greek even 0.0%

0.0% Vietnamese even 0.0%

Language

Language used at home

87.0% English only ◂ +12.0 pts 75.0%

0.0% Mandarin even 0.0%

0.0% Arabic even 0.0%

0.0% Vietnamese even 0.0%

0.0% Cantonese even 0.0%

0.0% Punjabi even 0.0%

0.0% Greek even 0.0%

0.0% Italian even 0.0%

0.0% Hindi even 0.0%

0.0% Tagalog even 0.0%

Religion

Religious affiliation

56.6% Christianity ◂ +15.5 pts 41.1%

33.6% No religion +0.3 pts ▸ 33.9%

8.5% Not stated +11.7 pts ▸ 20.2%

0.7% Hinduism ◂ +0.7 pts 0.0%

0.7% Buddhism ◂ +0.7 pts 0.0%

0.4% Islam ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%

0.0% Judaism even 0.0%

0.0% Other religions even 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Schools/1k kids in Birchip in Watchem

8.20 72nd pct —

Schools ≤3 km in Birchip in Watchem +1 more in Birchip

1 43rd pct 0 0th pct

Avg size in Birchip in Watchem

162 33rd pct —

ICSEA in Birchip in Watchem

989 49th pct —

Highest year of school

39.8% Year 12 ◂ +18.1 pts 21.7%

18.1% Year 9 or below +7.4 pts ▸ 25.5%

16.3% Year 10 ◂ +2.1 pts 14.2%

15.6% Year 11 ◂ +1.4 pts 14.2%

Highest qualification level

33.1% Certificate III / IV ◂ +21.4 pts 11.8%

22.5% Bachelor degree ◂ +14.7 pts 7.8%

15.9% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +4.2 pts 11.8%

4.4% Postgraduate degree ◂ +4.4 pts 0.0%

2.2% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +2.2 pts 0.0%

1.3% Certificate I / II ◂ +1.3 pts 0.0%

Field of qualification

16.6% Health ◂ +8.7 pts 7.8%

15.9% Engineering & related ◂ +6.1 pts 9.8%

7.2% Society & culture +8.5 pts ▸ 15.7%

10.3% Education ◂ +10.3 pts 0.0%

8.1% Agriculture & environment ◂ +0.3 pts 7.8%

7.5% Management & commerce ◂ +1.6 pts 5.9%

6.3% Architecture & building ◂ +6.3 pts 0.0%

5.9% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +5.9 pts 0.0%

1.6% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +1.6 pts 0.0%

0.9% Information technology ◂ +0.9 pts 0.0%

0.9% Creative arts ◂ +0.9 pts 0.0%

Income

Personal income in Birchip in Watchem +$275 higher in Birchip gap widening

$740 48th pct $465 9th pct

Household income in Birchip in Watchem +$140 higher in Birchip gap widening

$1,171 23rd pct $1,031 15th pct

Family income in Birchip in Watchem +$381 higher in Birchip gap widening

$1,612 33rd pct $1,231 13th pct

Household income distribution

32.3% $650–$1,499 +9.7 pts ▸ 42.0%

22.2% Under $650 +9.8 pts ▸ 32.0%

24.7% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +16.7 pts 8.0%

4.5% $4,000 or more ◂ +4.5 pts 0.0%

3.5% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +3.5 pts 0.0%

Personal income distribution

39.7% Under $650 +14.3 pts ▸ 54.0%

34.3% $650–$1,499 ◂ +19.2 pts 15.0%

12.9% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +6.7 pts 6.2%

1.4% $3,000 or more ◂ +1.4 pts 0.0%

Health & Disability

Long-term health conditions reported

13.1% Arthritis +8.7 pts ▸ 21.8%

9.2% Asthma +5.3 pts ▸ 14.5%

8.1% Mental health +5.6 pts ▸ 13.7%

5.6% Heart disease +4.1 pts ▸ 9.7%

5.9% Diabetes +2.2 pts ▸ 8.1%

7.6% Other condition ◂ +1.2 pts 6.5%

4.8% Cancer +0.9 pts ▸ 5.6%

1.6% Lung condition +1.6 pts ▸ 3.2%

0.9% Stroke +1.6 pts ▸ 2.4%

1.4% Dementia ◂ +1.4 pts 0.0%

Number of long-term health conditions

58.5% None ◂ +27.9 pts 30.6%

20.6% One condition ◂ +0.4 pts 20.2%

6.2% Two conditions +5.9 pts ▸ 12.1%

4.6% Three or more +1.8 pts ▸ 6.5%

Community Participation

First Nations

First Nations people in Birchip in Watchem +8 larger in Birchip

8 57th pct 0 0th pct

Median age in Birchip in Watchem +10 yrs older in Watchem

44 yrs 82nd pct 54 yrs 90th pct

Median income in Birchip in Watchem +$91 higher in Watchem

$433 22nd pct $524 36th pct

Household income in Birchip in Watchem +$1,125 higher in Watchem

$1,125 23rd pct $2,250 71st pct

Family & Households

Household size in Birchip in Watchem +0.1 larger in Birchip gap narrowing

2.2 24th pct 2.1 19th pct

Family composition

54.2% Couples with children ◂ +15.0 pts 39.2%

33.6% Couples without children +2.9 pts ▸ 36.5%

12.2% One-parent families ◂ +0.1 pts 12.2%

1.2% Other families +4.2 pts ▸ 5.4%

Household size

37.8% 1 person ◂ +1.8 pts 36.0%

36.1% 2 people ◂ +6.1 pts 30.0%

11.8% 3 people +12.2 pts ▸ 24.0%

6.3% 4 people +3.8 pts ▸ 10.0%

4.9% 5 people ◂ +4.9 pts 0.0%

4.2% 6 or more ◂ +4.2 pts 0.0%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Birchip in Watchem +$20 higher in Watchem gap narrowing

$155 14th pct $175 19th pct

Mortgage in Birchip in Watchem +$281 higher in Birchip gap narrowing

$758 8th pct $477 1st pct

People / bedroom in Birchip in Watchem even gap steady

0.70 14th pct 0.70 14th pct

How homes are owned or rented

49.3% Owned outright +2.7 pts ▸ 52.0%

26.7% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +4.7 pts 22.0%

19.4% Rented ◂ +7.4 pts 12.0%

3.8% Not stated ◂ +3.8 pts 0.0%

2.1% Other tenure ◂ +2.1 pts 0.0%

Types of homes

94.1% Separate house ◂ +8.1 pts 86.0%

5.6% Flat or apartment ◂ +5.6 pts 0.0%

1.4% Other dwelling ◂ +1.4 pts 0.0%

0.0% Townhouse / semi-detached even 0.0%

Bedrooms per home

50.3% 3 bedrooms ◂ +4.3 pts 46.0%

24.7% 4 bedrooms +7.3 pts ▸ 32.0%

18.1% 2 bedrooms ◂ +4.1 pts 14.0%

5.2% 1 bedroom ◂ +5.2 pts 0.0%

1.7% 5 or more ◂ +1.7 pts 0.0%

0.0% Studio / none even 0.0%

Weekly rent distribution

64.3% Under $200 ◂ +64.3 pts 0.0%

17.9% $200–$349 ◂ +17.9 pts 0.0%

0.0% $350–$549 even 0.0%

0.0% $550–$749 even 0.0%

0.0% $750 or more even 0.0%

Monthly mortgage distribution

68.8% Under $1,000 ◂ +14.3 pts 54.5%

15.6% $1,000–$1,799 ◂ +15.6 pts 0.0%

0.0% $1,800–$2,999 even 0.0%

0.0% $3,000 or more even 0.0%

Transport & Vehicles

PT stops in Birchip in Watchem even

2 71st pct 2 71st pct

Stops/1k in Birchip in Watchem +13.25 more in Watchem

2.88 69th pct 16.13 90th pct

Departures/1k in Birchip in Watchem +69.4 more in Watchem

27.4 60th pct 96.8 68th pct

PT routes in Birchip in Watchem +2 more in Birchip

3 79th pct 1 71st pct

Stop walk in Birchip in Watchem +10 longer in Birchip

28 65th pct 18 57th pct

How people get to work

61.3% Car (driver) ◂ +11.3 pts 50.0%

11.6% Worked at home +28.4 pts ▸ 40.0%

13.2% Walked +0.1 pts ▸ 13.3%

4.2% Car (passenger) ◂ +4.2 pts 0.0%

1.3% Bicycle ◂ +1.3 pts 0.0%

0.0% Train even 0.0%

0.0% Bus even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

38.4% 2 vehicles ◂ +7.1 pts 31.3%

33.5% 1 vehicle ◂ +2.2 pts 31.3%

13.4% 3 vehicles +13.7 pts ▸ 27.1%

10.9% 4 or more ◂ +2.6 pts 8.3%

6.7% No vehicle ◂ +0.4 pts 6.3%

Migration & Movement

Jobs & Industry

Industries people work in

26.8% Agriculture, forestry & fishing +23.2 pts ▸ 50.0%

8.4% Construction +11.6 pts ▸ 20.0%

7.1% Retail trade +9.6 pts ▸ 16.7%

13.9% Health care & social assistance ◂ +3.9 pts 10.0%

10.6% Education & training ◂ +10.6 pts 0.0%

6.8% Professional & technical ◂ +6.8 pts 0.0%

6.8% Public administration & safety ◂ +6.8 pts 0.0%

5.8% Transport & warehousing ◂ +5.8 pts 0.0%

5.2% Other services ◂ +5.2 pts 0.0%

2.3% Manufacturing ◂ +2.3 pts 0.0%

1.9% Accommodation & food ◂ +1.9 pts 0.0%

1.6% Finance & insurance ◂ +1.6 pts 0.0%

Occupations people work in

25.8% Managers +30.9 pts ▸ 56.7%

19.4% Professionals ◂ +19.4 pts 0.0%

11.6% Technicians & trades +5.1 pts ▸ 16.7%

5.5% Sales workers +7.8 pts ▸ 13.3%

8.7% Labourers +1.3 pts ▸ 10.0%

9.7% Community & personal service ◂ +9.7 pts 0.0%

8.4% Clerical & administrative ◂ +8.4 pts 0.0%

7.4% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +7.4 pts 0.0%

Walkability

Walk score in Birchip in Watchem +3.3 higher in Birchip

6.7 91st pct 3.5 75th pct

Types ≤15 min in Birchip in Watchem +3.7 more in Birchip

7.6 98th pct 3.9 77th pct

15-min city in Birchip in Watchem +19.3 pts higher in Birchip

97.2% 98th pct 77.9% 88th pct

Walk to shops in Birchip in Watchem +96.8 pts higher in Birchip

96.8% 98th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Walk to transit in Birchip in Watchem +14.9 pts higher in Birchip

83.4% 82nd pct 68.5% 78th pct

Walk to school in Birchip in Watchem +82.1 pts higher in Birchip

82.1% 86th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Walk to a park in Birchip in Watchem +18.8 pts higher in Birchip

97.9% 85th pct 79.2% 74th pct

Walk to health in Birchip in Watchem +94.8 pts higher in Birchip

94.8% 98th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Amenities/1k in Birchip in Watchem +43.2 more in Watchem

37.5 76th pct 80.6 87th pct

Intersections/km² in Birchip in Watchem +1 higher in Birchip

2 59th pct 1 53rd pct

Mean slope in Birchip in Watchem +0.2 pts higher in Watchem

2.0% 0th pct 2.2% 0th pct

Compare Birchip with nearby areas

Morton Plains Whirily Birchip West Karyrie Narraport Watchem Thalia Jil Jil

Compare Watchem with nearby areas

Massey Morton Plains Warmur Birchip West Litchfield Birchip Corack Carron

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Birchip vs Watchem [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/sal/SAL20244/birchip/vs/SAL22714/watchem