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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 ≈ 1,936 km apart · Rural Balance profile · Major Urban profile

Rural Balance Major Urban

Major Urban and Rural Balance are two very different environments. Major Urban is a very walkable area where 36.4% of people were born overseas and 21.4% use another language at home. In contrast, Rural Balance is car-dependent and far more traditional, with only 11.2% born overseas and 4.7% using another language. The two areas also differ in age and education; residents are far older in Rural Balance, where the typical age is 47 compared to 37 in Major Urban. Adults in Major Urban are also far more likely to have finished Year 12 (62.4%) or hold a bachelor degree or higher (27.0%).

Despite these gaps, some parts of everyday life are similar, such as the typical number of people per home and bedroom. The distance between the two places is becoming more apparent in other ways. The gap in typical ages has widened, and far more people in Rural Balance now own their homes outright compared to Major Urban. Meanwhile, the difference in rent has narrowed since 2016, with the typical weekly rent in Major Urban now $150 higher than in Rural Balance.

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Where they differ most

Population: 1,898,360 larger in Major Urban Born overseas: 25.2 pts higher in Major Urban Separate houses: 20.1 pts higher in Rural Balance Rent: $150 higher in Major Urban Owned outright: 18.1 pts higher in Rural Balance

Demographics & Identity

Population in Rural Balance in Major Urban +1,898,360 larger in Major Urban gap widening

145,402 63rd pct 2,043,762 89th pct

Median age in Rural Balance in Major Urban +10 yrs older in Rural Balance gap widening

47 yrs 86th pct 37 yrs 14th pct

Age structure

32.0% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +7.9 pts 24.1%

19.9% Young adults (25–44) +9.2 pts ▸ 29.1%

20.5% Seniors (65+) ◂ +4.8 pts 15.7%

17.2% Children (0–14) +1.8 pts ▸ 19.0%

10.4% Youth (15–24) +1.7 pts ▸ 12.1%

Marital status

54.8% Married ◂ +7.3 pts 47.5%

29.7% Never married +6.5 pts ▸ 36.2%

8.7% Divorced even 8.7%

3.9% Widowed +0.5 pts ▸ 4.4%

2.9% Separated +0.3 pts ▸ 3.2%

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

81.2% Australia ◂ +22.1 pts 59.1%

4.6% England +3.4 pts ▸ 7.9%

0.3% India +2.6 pts ▸ 2.8%

0.8% New Zealand +2.0 pts ▸ 2.8%

0.3% South Africa +1.6 pts ▸ 1.8%

0.3% Philippines +1.2 pts ▸ 1.5%

0.1% China +1.2 pts ▸ 1.3%

0.3% Vietnam +0.5 pts ▸ 0.8%

0.4% Italy +0.4 pts ▸ 0.8%

0.0% Nepal +0.2 pts ▸ 0.2%

Ancestry

41.7% English ◂ +4.9 pts 36.8%

40.9% Australian ◂ +13.1 pts 27.8%

11.6% German ◂ +8.8 pts 2.8%

9.3% Scottish ◂ +0.6 pts 8.7%

7.6% Irish +1.2 pts ▸ 8.8%

3.0% Italian +2.6 pts ▸ 5.5%

0.4% Chinese +5.1 pts ▸ 5.5%

0.3% Indian +3.3 pts ▸ 3.6%

1.8% Dutch +0.2 pts ▸ 2.0%

0.4% Filipino +1.4 pts ▸ 1.9%

0.4% Vietnamese +0.7 pts ▸ 1.1%

1.0% Greek ◂ +0.3 pts 0.7%

Language

Language used at home

88.0% English only ◂ +14.4 pts 73.6%

0.1% Mandarin +2.3 pts ▸ 2.4%

0.5% Italian +0.6 pts ▸ 1.1%

0.4% Vietnamese +0.6 pts ▸ 1.1%

0.2% Punjabi +0.8 pts ▸ 1.0%

0.0% Cantonese +0.9 pts ▸ 0.9%

0.0% Arabic +0.7 pts ▸ 0.8%

0.1% Tagalog +0.6 pts ▸ 0.7%

0.6% Greek ◂ +0.4 pts 0.2%

0.0% Hindi +0.5 pts ▸ 0.6%

Religion

Religious affiliation

46.8% No religion ◂ +4.8 pts 42.1%

41.3% Christianity +0.5 pts ▸ 41.8%

10.0% Not stated ◂ +3.5 pts 6.5%

0.2% Islam +2.8 pts ▸ 3.1%

0.8% Buddhism +1.8 pts ▸ 2.6%

0.1% Hinduism +2.3 pts ▸ 2.4%

0.6% Other religions +0.7 pts ▸ 1.3%

0.0% Judaism +0.2 pts ▸ 0.3%

Education & Qualifications

Highest year of school

44.6% Year 12 +17.7 pts ▸ 62.4%

20.1% Year 11 ◂ +12.0 pts 8.1%

17.6% Year 10 ◂ +0.3 pts 17.4%

9.4% Year 9 or below ◂ +3.1 pts 6.2%

Highest qualification level

36.3% Certificate III / IV ◂ +10.3 pts 25.9%

18.8% Bachelor degree +9.7 pts ▸ 28.4%

14.5% Advanced diploma / diploma +0.7 pts ▸ 15.2%

4.2% Postgraduate degree +5.2 pts ▸ 9.3%

3.0% Graduate diploma / certificate +0.9 pts ▸ 3.9%

2.6% Certificate I / II ◂ +0.3 pts 2.3%

Field of qualification

12.8% Management & commerce +6.3 pts ▸ 19.0%

16.7% Engineering & related +0.1 pts ▸ 16.7%

9.9% Society & culture +1.5 pts ▸ 11.4%

11.0% Health even 11.0%

8.4% Education ◂ +0.5 pts 7.9%

8.3% Agriculture & environment ◂ +6.8 pts 1.5%

4.6% Food, hospitality & personal services +0.5 pts ▸ 5.1%

5.0% Architecture & building ◂ +0.1 pts 4.9%

2.5% Natural & physical sciences +1.3 pts ▸ 3.8%

2.0% Creative arts +1.5 pts ▸ 3.5%

0.9% Information technology +1.9 pts ▸ 2.9%

Income

Personal income in Rural Balance in Major Urban +$128 higher in Major Urban gap narrowing

$734 50th pct $862 72nd pct

Household income in Rural Balance in Major Urban +$372 higher in Major Urban gap steady

$1,491 41st pct $1,863 71st pct

Family income in Rural Balance in Major Urban +$421 higher in Major Urban gap narrowing

$1,841 46th pct $2,262 77th pct

Household income distribution

29.6% $650–$1,499 ◂ +6.3 pts 23.4%

28.2% $1,500–$2,999 +1.0 pts ▸ 29.2%

15.8% Under $650 ◂ +1.5 pts 14.3%

8.3% $4,000 or more +5.1 pts ▸ 13.5%

8.4% $3,000–$3,999 +2.4 pts ▸ 10.8%

Personal income distribution

41.0% Under $650 ◂ +2.7 pts 38.3%

31.8% $650–$1,499 ◂ +2.7 pts 29.2%

14.4% $1,500–$2,999 +5.7 pts ▸ 20.1%

3.5% $3,000 or more +2.7 pts ▸ 6.2%

Health & Disability

Long-term health conditions reported

10.0% Arthritis ◂ +2.6 pts 7.4%

8.5% Asthma ◂ +1.2 pts 7.3%

7.6% Mental health +0.8 pts ▸ 8.4%

7.1% Other condition +0.5 pts ▸ 7.6%

5.0% Diabetes ◂ +0.7 pts 4.3%

4.2% Heart disease ◂ +0.7 pts 3.5%

3.2% Cancer ◂ +0.5 pts 2.7%

1.9% Lung condition ◂ +0.4 pts 1.5%

0.9% Stroke ◂ +0.1 pts 0.8%

0.3% Dementia +0.3 pts ▸ 0.7%

Number of long-term health conditions

61.4% None +5.2 pts ▸ 66.6%

19.8% One condition ◂ +1.6 pts 18.2%

6.2% Two conditions ◂ +0.9 pts 5.3%

2.9% Three or more ◂ +0.5 pts 2.5%

Community Participation

Family & Households

Household size in Rural Balance in Major Urban +0.1 larger in Major Urban gap widening

2.5 57th pct 2.6 71st pct

Family composition

57.2% Couples with children +2.8 pts ▸ 60.0%

33.9% Couples without children ◂ +8.5 pts 25.4%

8.2% One-parent families +5.2 pts ▸ 13.4%

0.7% Other families +0.5 pts ▸ 1.2%

Household size

40.1% 2 people ◂ +7.3 pts 32.8%

22.3% 1 person +2.9 pts ▸ 25.2%

13.9% 4 people +2.5 pts ▸ 16.5%

13.2% 3 people +3.2 pts ▸ 16.4%

7.1% 5 people ◂ +0.8 pts 6.3%

3.3% 6 or more ◂ +0.5 pts 2.8%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Rural Balance in Major Urban +$150 higher in Major Urban gap narrowing

$200 14th pct $350 78th pct

Mortgage in Rural Balance in Major Urban +$500 higher in Major Urban gap narrowing

$1,400 29th pct $1,900 76th 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

46.4% Owned outright ◂ +18.1 pts 28.3%

35.2% Owned with a mortgage +6.6 pts ▸ 41.7%

12.2% Rented +14.9 pts ▸ 27.0%

4.6% Other tenure ◂ +2.9 pts 1.7%

1.7% Not stated ◂ +0.5 pts 1.2%

Types of homes

97.3% Separate house ◂ +20.1 pts 77.2%

0.7% Townhouse / semi-detached +13.8 pts ▸ 14.6%

0.2% Flat or apartment +7.7 pts ▸ 7.9%

1.3% Other dwelling ◂ +1.0 pts 0.3%

Bedrooms per home

44.6% 3 bedrooms ◂ +7.6 pts 37.0%

30.6% 4 bedrooms +8.4 pts ▸ 38.9%

11.9% 2 bedrooms +0.9 pts ▸ 12.8%

7.6% 5 or more ◂ +1.4 pts 6.3%

3.3% 1 bedroom +0.4 pts ▸ 3.6%

0.6% Studio / none ◂ +0.4 pts 0.2%

Weekly rent distribution

11.9% $350–$549 +31.5 pts ▸ 43.4%

37.8% Under $200 ◂ +27.3 pts 10.4%

37.3% $200–$349 ◂ +3.1 pts 34.2%

1.6% $550–$749 +4.8 pts ▸ 6.4%

0.6% $750 or more +2.0 pts ▸ 2.5%

Monthly mortgage distribution

22.4% $1,800–$2,999 +13.1 pts ▸ 35.5%

33.2% $1,000–$1,799 ◂ +2.6 pts 30.6%

28.8% Under $1,000 ◂ +16.1 pts 12.7%

10.1% $3,000 or more +5.6 pts ▸ 15.8%

Transport & Vehicles

How people get to work

60.2% Car (driver) +1.9 pts ▸ 62.1%

16.8% Worked at home ◂ +9.3 pts 7.5%

4.8% Walked ◂ +3.3 pts 1.5%

3.3% Car (passenger) +1.1 pts ▸ 4.4%

0.6% Bus +2.4 pts ▸ 3.1%

0.1% Train +2.2 pts ▸ 2.2%

0.1% Bicycle +0.5 pts ▸ 0.7%

Motor vehicles per home

38.3% 2 vehicles +1.6 pts ▸ 39.9%

20.2% 1 vehicle +15.3 pts ▸ 35.5%

21.2% 3 vehicles ◂ +8.4 pts 12.8%

18.7% 4 or more ◂ +12.0 pts 6.7%

1.6% No vehicle +3.5 pts ▸ 5.1%

Migration & Movement

Jobs & Industry

Industries people work in

24.0% Agriculture, forestry & fishing ◂ +23.4 pts 0.6%

10.6% Health care & social assistance +3.6 pts ▸ 14.2%

6.9% Retail trade +2.0 pts ▸ 8.9%

7.4% Education & training +1.4 pts ▸ 8.8%

8.1% Construction +0.7 pts ▸ 8.8%

3.7% Professional & technical +4.2 pts ▸ 7.9%

7.5% Manufacturing ◂ +2.3 pts 5.2%

1.8% Mining +4.7 pts ▸ 6.5%

4.8% Accommodation & food +1.7 pts ▸ 6.5%

4.5% Public administration & safety +1.5 pts ▸ 6.0%

3.8% Transport & warehousing +0.7 pts ▸ 4.5%

3.5% Other services +0.4 pts ▸ 3.9%

Occupations people work in

25.9% Managers ◂ +14.1 pts 11.8%

14.0% Professionals +10.0 pts ▸ 24.0%

13.0% Technicians & trades +1.5 pts ▸ 14.5%

12.9% Labourers ◂ +4.3 pts 8.6%

10.0% Clerical & administrative +2.4 pts ▸ 12.5%

9.4% Community & personal service +2.6 pts ▸ 12.0%

6.3% Sales workers +1.7 pts ▸ 8.0%

6.4% Machinery operators & drivers +0.4 pts ▸ 6.9%

Walkability

Walk score in Rural Balance in Major Urban +5.5 higher in Major Urban

0.7 15th pct 6.2 85th pct

Types ≤15 min in Rural Balance in Major Urban +5.2 more in Major Urban

0.7 15th pct 5.9 86th pct

15-min city in Rural Balance in Major Urban +71.2 pts higher in Major Urban

2.9% 14th pct 74.1% 86th pct

Walk to shops in Rural Balance in Major Urban +66.0 pts higher in Major Urban

4.3% 20th pct 70.3% 78th pct

Walk to transit in Rural Balance in Major Urban +84.9 pts higher in Major Urban

10.3% 30th pct 95.3% 88th pct

Walk to school in Rural Balance in Major Urban +76.0 pts higher in Major Urban

5.3% 14th pct 81.3% 86th pct

Walk to a park in Rural Balance in Major Urban +74.3 pts higher in Major Urban

22.8% 17th pct 97.2% 84th pct

Walk to health in Rural Balance in Major Urban +54.8 pts higher in Major Urban

1.0% 13th pct 55.8% 82nd pct

Amenities/1k in Rural Balance in Major Urban +17.2 more in Rural Balance

32.4 84th pct 15.2 30th pct

Intersections/km² in Rural Balance in Major Urban +166 higher in Major Urban

0 2nd pct 166 91st pct

Mean slope in Rural Balance in Major Urban +1.0 pts higher in Major Urban

5.1% 40th pct 6.1% 63rd pct

Compare Rural Balance with nearby areas

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

Compare Major Urban with nearby areas

Bounded Locality Other Urban Rural Balance Other Urban Rural Balance Bounded Locality Bounded Locality Rural Balance Major Urban Other Urban Rural Balance Other 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/SOS43/rural-balance/vs/SOS50/major-urban