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Rural Balance vs Major Urban

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

Section of State comparison ≈ 786 km apart · Rural Balance profile · Major Urban profile

Rural Balance Major Urban

Major Urban and Rural Balance are very different environments. Major Urban is a diverse hub where 28.9% of people were born overseas and 23.1% use a language other than English at home. It is very walkable, with 97.3% of homes within a 10-minute walk of public transport. In contrast, Rural Balance is car-dependent and much more traditional, with only 10.1% born overseas and 4.7% using another language at home. Housing also differs wildly; 97.1% of homes in Rural Balance are separate houses, while Major Urban has more variety and a far higher share of renters at 29.7%.

Typical weekly personal incomes are almost identical in both areas, sitting around $750. However, other gaps are widening. Major Urban has seen a rise in people with Year 12 qualifications compared to Rural Balance, and residents in Rural Balance have become noticeably older. While Major Urban remains a center for new arrivals, Rural Balance has a higher share of people working from home and those who own their houses outright.

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Where they differ most

Population: 670,742 larger in Major Urban Separate houses: 24.0 pts higher in Rural Balance PT commute: 5.0 pts higher in Major Urban Born overseas: 18.7 pts higher in Major Urban Other language: 18.5 pts higher in Major Urban

Demographics & Identity

Population in Rural Balance in Major Urban +670,742 larger in Major Urban gap widening

574,269 80th pct 1,245,011 87th pct

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

46 yrs 79th pct 39 yrs 29th pct

Age structure

31.1% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +6.7 pts 24.4%

19.6% Young adults (25–44) +8.2 pts ▸ 27.8%

20.8% Seniors (65+) ◂ +2.3 pts 18.6%

17.6% Children (0–14) ◂ +0.7 pts 17.0%

10.9% Youth (15–24) +1.4 pts ▸ 12.3%

Marital status

53.7% Married ◂ +8.6 pts 45.1%

30.3% Never married +6.6 pts ▸ 36.9%

8.7% Divorced +0.6 pts ▸ 9.4%

4.2% Widowed +1.3 pts ▸ 5.5%

3.0% Separated +0.1 pts ▸ 3.1%

Age & sex structure

Rural Balance Major Urban

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

Ancestry & Birthplace

Country of birth

81.4% Australia ◂ +13.9 pts 67.5%

2.7% England +2.7 pts ▸ 5.4%

0.2% India +3.2 pts ▸ 3.4%

0.3% China +1.7 pts ▸ 2.0%

0.1% Vietnam +1.2 pts ▸ 1.3%

0.4% Italy +0.8 pts ▸ 1.2%

1.1% New Zealand ◂ +0.4 pts 0.7%

0.2% Philippines +0.7 pts ▸ 1.0%

0.0% Nepal +0.6 pts ▸ 0.6%

0.4% South Africa +0.1 pts ▸ 0.5%

Ancestry

41.0% Australian ◂ +11.8 pts 29.2%

40.2% English ◂ +4.6 pts 35.7%

11.9% Irish ◂ +4.4 pts 7.5%

10.9% Scottish ◂ +3.0 pts 7.9%

3.3% Italian +3.8 pts ▸ 7.1%

4.3% German +2.0 pts ▸ 6.3%

0.8% Chinese +3.6 pts ▸ 4.5%

0.4% Indian +2.9 pts ▸ 3.3%

0.5% Greek +2.4 pts ▸ 2.9%

0.1% Vietnamese +1.6 pts ▸ 1.7%

1.4% Dutch +0.2 pts ▸ 1.6%

0.4% Filipino +1.0 pts ▸ 1.4%

Language

Language used at home

87.0% English only ◂ +14.0 pts 73.0%

0.3% Mandarin +2.2 pts ▸ 2.5%

0.5% Italian +1.2 pts ▸ 1.7%

0.1% Vietnamese +1.6 pts ▸ 1.7%

0.2% Greek +1.5 pts ▸ 1.6%

0.2% Punjabi +1.3 pts ▸ 1.5%

0.5% Arabic +0.4 pts ▸ 0.9%

0.2% Cantonese +0.6 pts ▸ 0.8%

0.1% Hindi +0.7 pts ▸ 0.8%

0.1% Tagalog +0.4 pts ▸ 0.4%

Religion

Religious affiliation

54.3% Christianity ◂ +14.2 pts 40.0%

33.8% No religion +10.4 pts ▸ 44.2%

10.0% Not stated ◂ +4.6 pts 5.5%

0.5% Islam +2.6 pts ▸ 3.1%

0.2% Hinduism +2.7 pts ▸ 2.9%

0.6% Buddhism +1.8 pts ▸ 2.4%

0.5% Other religions +1.3 pts ▸ 1.8%

0.1% Judaism even 0.1%

Education & Qualifications

Highest year of school

44.2% Year 12 +15.4 pts ▸ 59.6%

29.4% Year 10 ◂ +16.9 pts 12.5%

6.2% Year 11 +8.2 pts ▸ 14.4%

10.4% Year 9 or below ◂ +1.8 pts 8.7%

Highest qualification level

33.6% Certificate III / IV ◂ +6.9 pts 26.7%

19.5% Bachelor degree +9.3 pts ▸ 28.8%

14.2% Advanced diploma / diploma +0.5 pts ▸ 14.7%

5.2% Postgraduate degree +5.3 pts ▸ 10.6%

2.9% Graduate diploma / certificate +1.1 pts ▸ 4.0%

2.3% Certificate I / II ◂ +0.1 pts 2.1%

Field of qualification

14.6% Management & commerce +5.0 pts ▸ 19.5%

15.5% Engineering & related ◂ +1.6 pts 13.9%

9.4% Society & culture +4.3 pts ▸ 13.7%

9.8% Health +2.8 pts ▸ 12.6%

8.4% Education ◂ +0.5 pts 7.9%

6.8% Architecture & building ◂ +2.1 pts 4.7%

6.3% Agriculture & environment ◂ +4.9 pts 1.5%

4.3% Food, hospitality & personal services +0.8 pts ▸ 5.0%

2.8% Creative arts +0.8 pts ▸ 3.6%

2.3% Natural & physical sciences +1.1 pts ▸ 3.4%

1.2% Information technology +2.2 pts ▸ 3.4%

Income

Personal income in Rural Balance in Major Urban +$4 higher in Major Urban gap narrowing

$753 55th pct $757 56th pct

Household income in Rural Balance in Major Urban +$177 higher in Rural Balance gap widening

$1,704 58th pct $1,527 44th pct

Family income in Rural Balance in Major Urban +$24 higher in Rural Balance gap narrowing

$1,996 59th pct $1,972 57th pct

Household income distribution

27.5% $1,500–$2,999 +2.2 pts ▸ 29.7%

26.4% $650–$1,499 +2.4 pts ▸ 28.8%

15.1% Under $650 +2.4 pts ▸ 17.5%

12.5% $4,000 or more ◂ +3.6 pts 8.9%

9.7% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +0.6 pts 9.1%

Personal income distribution

39.8% Under $650 +2.4 pts ▸ 42.2%

30.1% $650–$1,499 +3.0 pts ▸ 33.1%

15.5% $1,500–$2,999 +0.8 pts ▸ 16.3%

4.4% $3,000 or more ◂ +0.9 pts 3.4%

Health & Disability

Long-term health conditions reported

10.1% Arthritis ◂ +0.7 pts 9.4%

7.7% Mental health +2.1 pts ▸ 9.8%

7.1% Other condition +1.8 pts ▸ 8.9%

8.1% Asthma +0.6 pts ▸ 8.6%

4.2% Diabetes +1.2 pts ▸ 5.5%

4.3% Heart disease +0.1 pts ▸ 4.4%

3.4% Cancer ◂ +0.4 pts 3.1%

2.0% Lung condition ◂ +0.2 pts 1.8%

0.9% Stroke +0.1 pts ▸ 1.0%

0.5% Dementia +0.5 pts ▸ 1.0%

Number of long-term health conditions

60.4% None +3.5 pts ▸ 63.8%

19.4% One condition +0.5 pts ▸ 19.9%

6.1% Two conditions +0.5 pts ▸ 6.6%

3.0% Three or more +0.5 pts ▸ 3.6%

Community Participation

Family & Households

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

2.7 86th pct 2.4 29th pct

Family composition

57.7% Couples with children ◂ +1.2 pts 56.5%

32.1% Couples without children ◂ +5.3 pts 26.8%

9.6% One-parent families +5.8 pts ▸ 15.4%

0.6% Other families +0.7 pts ▸ 1.3%

Household size

38.7% 2 people ◂ +5.5 pts 33.3%

20.0% 1 person +8.4 pts ▸ 28.4%

14.0% 3 people +1.9 pts ▸ 15.9%

14.2% 4 people +0.5 pts ▸ 14.7%

8.0% 5 people ◂ +2.7 pts 5.3%

5.0% 6 or more ◂ +2.6 pts 2.4%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Rural Balance in Major Urban +$20 higher in Major Urban gap narrowing

$300 58th pct $320 69th pct

Mortgage in Rural Balance in Major Urban +$348 higher in Rural Balance gap widening

$1,900 76th pct $1,552 48th pct

People / bedroom in Rural Balance in Major Urban even gap steady

0.80 29th pct 0.80 29th pct

How homes are owned or rented

47.0% Owned outright ◂ +16.5 pts 30.5%

33.8% Owned with a mortgage +2.4 pts ▸ 36.2%

12.9% Rented +16.7 pts ▸ 29.7%

4.4% Other tenure ◂ +2.0 pts 2.4%

1.8% Not stated ◂ +0.6 pts 1.2%

Types of homes

97.1% Separate house ◂ +24.0 pts 73.1%

0.6% Townhouse / semi-detached +16.9 pts ▸ 17.5%

0.4% Flat or apartment +8.6 pts ▸ 9.0%

1.2% Other dwelling ◂ +1.0 pts 0.2%

Bedrooms per home

33.0% 3 bedrooms +19.0 pts ▸ 52.0%

34.6% 4 bedrooms ◂ +14.7 pts 19.9%

10.9% 2 bedrooms +8.6 pts ▸ 19.6%

14.8% 5 or more ◂ +11.0 pts 3.8%

4.0% 1 bedroom ◂ +0.5 pts 3.5%

0.9% Studio / none ◂ +0.7 pts 0.2%

Weekly rent distribution

32.0% $200–$349 +9.3 pts ▸ 41.3%

27.0% $350–$549 +7.2 pts ▸ 34.2%

18.5% Under $200 ◂ +1.7 pts 16.8%

8.0% $550–$749 ◂ +4.4 pts 3.6%

4.1% $750 or more ◂ +3.1 pts 1.0%

Monthly mortgage distribution

24.9% $1,000–$1,799 +14.6 pts ▸ 39.5%

27.3% $1,800–$2,999 ◂ +1.2 pts 26.1%

21.1% $3,000 or more ◂ +11.0 pts 10.0%

19.5% Under $1,000 even 19.5%

Transport & Vehicles

How people get to work

55.3% Car (driver) +7.8 pts ▸ 63.0%

22.1% Worked at home ◂ +12.6 pts 9.5%

3.2% Car (passenger) +1.2 pts ▸ 4.3%

0.2% Bus +3.8 pts ▸ 4.0%

3.4% Walked ◂ +1.5 pts 1.9%

0.1% Bicycle +0.9 pts ▸ 1.1%

0.1% Train +0.8 pts ▸ 0.9%

Motor vehicles per home

39.1% 2 vehicles ◂ +2.5 pts 36.6%

20.5% 1 vehicle +17.6 pts ▸ 38.2%

20.9% 3 vehicles ◂ +9.6 pts 11.3%

18.1% 4 or more ◂ +12.3 pts 5.8%

1.4% No vehicle +6.7 pts ▸ 8.1%

Migration & Movement

Jobs & Industry

Industries people work in

11.1% Health care & social assistance +6.3 pts ▸ 17.4%

17.1% Agriculture, forestry & fishing ◂ +16.2 pts 0.9%

10.8% Construction ◂ +2.6 pts 8.2%

7.1% Retail trade +2.6 pts ▸ 9.7%

8.5% Education & training +0.5 pts ▸ 9.0%

4.9% Professional & technical +2.3 pts ▸ 7.2%

6.0% Public administration & safety +1.1 pts ▸ 7.1%

4.8% Accommodation & food +1.9 pts ▸ 6.7%

5.0% Manufacturing +1.7 pts ▸ 6.6%

3.7% Transport & warehousing +0.5 pts ▸ 4.2%

3.7% Other services +0.3 pts ▸ 4.0%

2.5% Administrative & support +1.4 pts ▸ 3.9%

Occupations people work in

16.1% Professionals +7.8 pts ▸ 23.9%

23.1% Managers ◂ +11.3 pts 11.8%

14.0% Technicians & trades ◂ +1.4 pts 12.7%

9.3% Community & personal service +4.0 pts ▸ 13.3%

11.4% Clerical & administrative +1.8 pts ▸ 13.2%

10.5% Labourers ◂ +1.1 pts 9.3%

6.5% Sales workers +2.0 pts ▸ 8.5%

7.0% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +1.5 pts 5.5%

Walkability

Walk score in Rural Balance in Major Urban +6.3 higher in Major Urban

0.7 14th pct 7.0 96th pct

Types ≤15 min in Rural Balance in Major Urban +6.0 more in Major Urban

0.7 14th pct 6.7 99th pct

15-min city in Rural Balance in Major Urban +81.9 pts higher in Major Urban

4.3% 24th pct 86.2% 100th pct

Walk to shops in Rural Balance in Major Urban +77.7 pts higher in Major Urban

4.2% 18th pct 81.8% 92nd pct

Walk to transit in Rural Balance in Major Urban +85.9 pts higher in Major Urban

11.4% 31st pct 97.3% 98th pct

Walk to school in Rural Balance in Major Urban +79.2 pts higher in Major Urban

7.7% 22nd pct 87.0% 96th pct

Walk to a park in Rural Balance in Major Urban +82.3 pts higher in Major Urban

16.8% 14th pct 99.2% 96th pct

Walk to health in Rural Balance in Major Urban +66.5 pts higher in Major Urban

1.2% 17th pct 67.7% 97th pct

Amenities/1k in Rural Balance in Major Urban +2.9 more in Rural Balance

17.4 42nd pct 14.5 24th pct

Intersections/km² in Rural Balance in Major Urban +180 higher in Major Urban

0 7th pct 181 93rd pct

Mean slope in Rural Balance in Major Urban +3.5 pts higher in Rural Balance

8.0% 86th pct 4.5% 27th pct

Compare Rural Balance with nearby areas

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

Compare Major Urban with nearby areas

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

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Rural Balance vs Major Urban [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/sos/SOS13/rural-balance/vs/SOS40/major-urban