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Major Urban vs Rural Balance

Name: Major Urban vs Rural Balance — 2021 Census comparison
Creator: Australian Bureau of Statistics
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Section of State comparison ≈ 261 km apart · Major Urban profile · Rural Balance profile

Major Urban Rural Balance

Major Urban and Rural Balance are very different environments. Major Urban is a massive city center where 36.6% of people were born overseas and 35.0% use a language other than English at home. It is very walkable, with 80.2% of homes within a 15-minute walk of groceries and 84.7% of homes in a 15-minute-city walkshed. In contrast, Rural Balance is a sparsely populated area where 91.3% of homes are separate houses and 14.8% of residents have served in the Defence Force. Most homes there are car-dependent, and only 1.5% of households are within a 15-minute walk of groceries.

These two places share a similar proportion of people with long-term health conditions, both around 24%. However, other gaps have widened over time. Since 2011, the difference in the number of people born overseas has grown, and Major Urban has seen a much larger increase in the share of people working from home. The age gap has also increased, with the typical resident in Major Urban now 7 years older than the typical resident in Rural Balance.

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Where they differ most

Other language: 28.3 pts higher in Major Urban Separate houses: 34.6 pts higher in Rural Balance Population: 5,753,222 larger in Major Urban De facto: 5.6 pts higher in Rural Balance Limited English: 6.0 pts higher in Major Urban

Demographics & Identity

Population in Major Urban in Rural Balance +5,753,222 larger in Major Urban gap widening

5,753,827 100th pct 605 20th pct

Median age in Major Urban in Rural Balance +7 yrs older in Major Urban gap widening

37 yrs 14th pct 30 yrs 0th pct

Age structure

30.1% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +1.3 pts 28.8%

23.8% Older adults (45–64) even 23.8%

12.2% Youth (15–24) +8.6 pts ▸ 20.8%

18.3% Children (0–14) ◂ +3.9 pts 14.4%

15.6% Seniors (65+) ◂ +3.1 pts 12.6%

Marital status

36.6% Never married +11.6 pts ▸ 48.2%

47.7% Married ◂ +9.0 pts 38.7%

8.0% Divorced ◂ +1.9 pts 6.2%

4.7% Widowed ◂ +3.9 pts 0.8%

3.0% Separated +0.9 pts ▸ 3.9%

Age & sex structure

Major Urban Rural Balance

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

Ancestry & Birthplace

Country of birth

58.8% Australia +13.7 pts ▸ 72.6%

4.2% China ◂ +4.2 pts 0.0%

2.9% England +0.9 pts ▸ 3.8%

3.4% India ◂ +3.4 pts 0.0%

1.7% Vietnam ◂ +1.7 pts 0.0%

1.7% Philippines ◂ +1.7 pts 0.0%

1.6% New Zealand ◂ +0.6 pts 1.0%

1.1% Nepal ◂ +1.1 pts 0.0%

0.7% South Africa +0.1 pts ▸ 0.8%

0.7% Italy ◂ +0.7 pts 0.0%

Ancestry

23.7% Australian +17.1 pts ▸ 40.8%

25.3% English +7.1 pts ▸ 32.4%

6.5% Scottish +7.0 pts ▸ 13.6%

8.0% Irish +4.1 pts ▸ 12.1%

9.7% Chinese ◂ +8.6 pts 1.2%

2.5% German +1.8 pts ▸ 4.3%

4.2% Indian ◂ +3.6 pts 0.7%

4.2% Italian ◂ +2.7 pts 1.5%

1.0% Dutch +3.2 pts ▸ 4.1%

2.4% Filipino ◂ +2.4 pts 0.0%

2.3% Greek ◂ +1.6 pts 0.7%

2.1% Vietnamese ◂ +1.6 pts 0.5%

Language

Language used at home

59.7% English only +19.8 pts ▸ 79.5%

4.6% Mandarin ◂ +4.6 pts 0.0%

3.8% Arabic ◂ +3.8 pts 0.0%

2.5% Cantonese ◂ +2.5 pts 0.0%

2.0% Vietnamese ◂ +1.5 pts 0.5%

1.3% Hindi ◂ +1.3 pts 0.0%

1.3% Greek ◂ +1.3 pts 0.0%

1.0% Italian ◂ +0.5 pts 0.5%

0.8% Tagalog ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%

0.8% Punjabi ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%

Religion

Religious affiliation

45.8% Christianity ◂ +4.5 pts 41.3%

31.9% No religion +9.3 pts ▸ 41.2%

6.5% Not stated +9.7 pts ▸ 16.2%

5.9% Islam ◂ +4.6 pts 1.3%

4.5% Hinduism ◂ +4.5 pts 0.0%

3.6% Buddhism ◂ +2.7 pts 0.8%

1.2% Other religions ◂ +0.7 pts 0.5%

0.7% Judaism ◂ +0.7 pts 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Highest year of school

65.5% Year 12 ◂ +1.2 pts 64.3%

15.7% Year 10 ◂ +2.8 pts 13.0%

8.5% Year 9 or below ◂ +3.3 pts 5.2%

4.1% Year 11 ◂ +1.9 pts 2.2%

Highest qualification level

32.5% Bachelor degree ◂ +8.0 pts 24.5%

19.1% Certificate III / IV +7.5 pts ▸ 26.7%

14.7% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +2.7 pts 12.0%

13.8% Postgraduate degree ◂ +10.6 pts 3.2%

3.3% Graduate diploma / certificate +2.3 pts ▸ 5.6%

1.5% Certificate I / II +1.5 pts ▸ 2.9%

Field of qualification

24.1% Management & commerce ◂ +12.6 pts 11.5%

12.2% Society & culture +3.3 pts ▸ 15.5%

12.3% Engineering & related ◂ +4.3 pts 8.0%

4.9% Architecture & building +4.4 pts ▸ 9.3%

9.1% Health ◂ +0.8 pts 8.3%

6.9% Education ◂ +1.8 pts 5.1%

3.3% Natural & physical sciences +2.0 pts ▸ 5.3%

5.0% Information technology ◂ +4.2 pts 0.8%

4.7% Creative arts ◂ +1.2 pts 3.5%

4.1% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +1.4 pts 2.7%

1.1% Agriculture & environment +2.9 pts ▸ 4.0%

Income

Personal income in Major Urban in Rural Balance +$260 higher in Rural Balance gap widening

$869 72nd pct $1,129 81st pct

Household income in Major Urban in Rural Balance +$535 higher in Rural Balance gap widening

$2,027 79th pct $2,562 90th pct

Family income in Major Urban in Rural Balance +$354 higher in Rural Balance gap narrowing

$2,343 81st pct $2,697 91st pct

Household income distribution

29.1% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +0.9 pts 28.3%

17.5% $4,000 or more +6.4 pts ▸ 23.9%

22.3% $650–$1,499 ◂ +6.3 pts 15.9%

11.5% $3,000–$3,999 +3.0 pts ▸ 14.5%

13.8% Under $650 ◂ +5.8 pts 8.0%

Personal income distribution

29.6% $650–$1,499 +8.7 pts ▸ 38.3%

37.7% Under $650 ◂ +18.8 pts 18.9%

19.5% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +2.7 pts 16.8%

6.7% $3,000 or more ◂ +1.0 pts 5.8%

Health & Disability

Long-term health conditions reported

7.0% Asthma +1.7 pts ▸ 8.8%

7.1% Mental health +0.8 pts ▸ 7.9%

7.6% Other condition ◂ +1.6 pts 6.0%

7.1% Arthritis ◂ +0.2 pts 6.9%

4.6% Diabetes ◂ +2.1 pts 2.5%

3.5% Heart disease ◂ +1.0 pts 2.5%

2.5% Cancer ◂ +0.7 pts 1.8%

1.3% Lung condition +0.7 pts ▸ 2.0%

0.8% Stroke ◂ +0.1 pts 0.7%

0.7% Dementia ◂ +0.7 pts 0.0%

Number of long-term health conditions

68.1% None ◂ +8.0 pts 60.2%

17.2% One condition ◂ +0.5 pts 16.7%

4.9% Two conditions +1.4 pts ▸ 6.3%

2.4% Three or more ◂ +0.5 pts 2.0%

Community Participation

Family & Households

Household size in Major Urban in Rural Balance +0.3 larger in Rural Balance gap widening

2.7 86th pct 3.0 95th pct

Family composition

61.6% Couples with children ◂ +7.1 pts 54.5%

23.7% Couples without children +5.4 pts ▸ 29.1%

13.4% One-parent families +0.7 pts ▸ 14.1%

1.2% Other families +1.3 pts ▸ 2.5%

Household size

31.1% 2 people +2.9 pts ▸ 34.1%

23.8% 1 person ◂ +5.0 pts 18.8%

17.1% 3 people ◂ +1.1 pts 15.9%

17.0% 4 people ◂ +1.1 pts 15.9%

3.9% 6 or more +4.1 pts ▸ 8.0%

7.1% 5 people ◂ +3.4 pts 3.6%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Major Urban in Rural Balance +$75 higher in Major Urban gap narrowing

$455 100th pct $380 86th pct

Mortgage in Major Urban in Rural Balance +$583 higher in Major Urban gap widening

$2,383 99th pct $1,800 69th pct

People / bedroom in Major Urban in Rural Balance +0.10 higher in Rural Balance gap steady

0.90 79th pct 1.00 87th pct

How homes are owned or rented

35.7% Rented +5.6 pts ▸ 41.3%

33.0% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +9.8 pts 23.2%

28.2% Owned outright ◂ +2.2 pts 26.1%

1.7% Other tenure +10.7 pts ▸ 12.3%

1.3% Not stated +0.9 pts ▸ 2.2%

Types of homes

56.7% Separate house +34.6 pts ▸ 91.3%

29.2% Flat or apartment ◂ +29.2 pts 0.0%

13.4% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +13.4 pts 0.0%

0.5% Other dwelling ◂ +0.5 pts 0.0%

Bedrooms per home

32.3% 3 bedrooms ◂ +3.3 pts 29.0%

25.6% 2 bedrooms ◂ +5.3 pts 20.3%

23.8% 4 bedrooms +0.9 pts ▸ 24.6%

8.4% 5 or more +5.4 pts ▸ 13.8%

7.9% 1 bedroom +0.1 pts ▸ 8.0%

0.8% Studio / none ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%

Weekly rent distribution

43.3% $350–$549 +2.3 pts ▸ 45.6%

13.5% $200–$349 +16.3 pts ▸ 29.8%

21.1% $550–$749 ◂ +14.1 pts 7.0%

8.9% Under $200 +8.6 pts ▸ 17.5%

10.0% $750 or more ◂ +3.0 pts 7.0%

Monthly mortgage distribution

33.3% $1,800–$2,999 ◂ +23.9 pts 9.4%

31.6% $3,000 or more ◂ +9.7 pts 21.9%

17.6% $1,000–$1,799 +4.3 pts ▸ 21.9%

11.2% Under $1,000 ◂ +11.2 pts 0.0%

Transport & Vehicles

How people get to work

36.3% Car (driver) +8.6 pts ▸ 44.9%

37.0% Worked at home ◂ +19.4 pts 17.6%

2.3% Walked +10.0 pts ▸ 12.2%

2.7% Car (passenger) ◂ +0.2 pts 2.6%

2.3% Train ◂ +2.3 pts 0.0%

1.2% Bus ◂ +1.2 pts 0.0%

0.4% Bicycle ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

40.0% 1 vehicle ◂ +20.6 pts 19.4%

33.3% 2 vehicles +2.5 pts ▸ 35.8%

5.5% 4 or more +22.8 pts ▸ 28.4%

10.1% 3 vehicles +10.8 pts ▸ 20.9%

11.0% No vehicle ◂ +11.0 pts 0.0%

Migration & Movement

Jobs & Industry

Industries people work in

5.7% Public administration & safety +22.4 pts ▸ 28.1%

14.1% Health care & social assistance ◂ +9.0 pts 5.1%

0.3% Agriculture, forestry & fishing +13.6 pts ▸ 13.9%

8.1% Construction +3.8 pts ▸ 11.9%

10.5% Professional & technical ◂ +3.7 pts 6.8%

8.9% Retail trade ◂ +5.4 pts 3.4%

8.6% Education & training ◂ +1.5 pts 7.1%

6.6% Finance & insurance ◂ +5.5 pts 1.1%

1.5% Arts & recreation +4.5 pts ▸ 6.0%

5.7% Accommodation & food ◂ +2.1 pts 3.7%

5.4% Manufacturing ◂ +3.4 pts 2.0%

4.9% Transport & warehousing ◂ +4.1 pts 0.9%

Occupations people work in

14.7% Managers +22.8 pts ▸ 37.5%

29.0% Professionals ◂ +12.5 pts 16.5%

10.7% Technicians & trades +3.2 pts ▸ 13.9%

13.6% Clerical & administrative ◂ +3.1 pts 10.5%

9.8% Community & personal service ◂ +1.5 pts 8.2%

6.9% Labourers +1.6 pts ▸ 8.5%

7.9% Sales workers ◂ +5.3 pts 2.6%

5.6% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +5.6 pts 0.0%

Walkability

Walk score in Major Urban in Rural Balance +5.9 higher in Major Urban

7.3 100th pct 1.4 29th pct

Types ≤15 min in Major Urban in Rural Balance +5.6 more in Major Urban

6.7 100th pct 1.1 29th pct

15-min city in Major Urban in Rural Balance +82.9 pts higher in Major Urban

84.7% 99th pct 1.8% 9th pct

Walk to shops in Major Urban in Rural Balance +78.8 pts higher in Major Urban

80.2% 89th pct 1.5% 6th pct

Walk to transit in Major Urban in Rural Balance +89.5 pts higher in Major Urban

97.3% 99th pct 7.9% 29th pct

Walk to school in Major Urban in Rural Balance +79.3 pts higher in Major Urban

89.0% 100th pct 9.7% 29th pct

Walk to a park in Major Urban in Rural Balance +36.6 pts higher in Major Urban

98.1% 89th pct 61.5% 36th pct

Walk to health in Major Urban in Rural Balance +67.6 pts higher in Major Urban

68.4% 97th pct 0.8% 11th pct

Amenities/1k in Major Urban in Rural Balance +307.5 more in Rural Balance

13.1 9th pct 320.7 100th pct

Intersections/km² in Major Urban in Rural Balance +135 higher in Major Urban

139 88th pct 4 23rd pct

Mean slope in Major Urban in Rural Balance +0.9 pts higher in Major Urban

7.0% 76th pct 6.1% 63rd pct

Compare Major Urban with nearby areas

Other Urban Bounded Locality Bounded Locality Major Urban Rural Balance Rural Balance Bounded Locality Other Urban Major Urban Major Urban Rural Balance Other Urban

Compare Rural Balance with nearby areas

Major Urban Bounded Locality Bounded Locality Major Urban Other Urban Rural Balance Other Urban Bounded Locality Major Urban Rural Balance Other Urban Rural Balance

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Major Urban vs Rural Balance [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/sos/SOS10/major-urban/vs/SOS83/rural-balance