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500 or more vs 250,000 to 999,999

Section of State Range comparison ≈ 547 km apart · 500 or more profile · 250,000 to 999,999 profile

500 or more 250,000 to 999,999

These two areas are very different in their layout and makeup. 250,000 to 999,999 is a high-density environment where 69.5% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries and 85.5% are near public transport. It is more mobile and diverse, with 49.6% of people moving in the last five years and 27.1% born overseas. In contrast, 500 or more is dominated by separate houses (93.2%) and a more settled population; 43.2% of homes are owned outright, compared to 30.0% in 250,000 to 999,999.

The gap in the number of people born overseas has narrowed slightly since 2011. Despite this, the two areas share some similarities, such as having an identical average of 2.5 people per home and very similar rates of people working from home. The two places also have a similar share of children under 15, and both have unemployment rates that sit near the national figure.

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Where they differ most

Population: 792,952 larger in 250,000 to 999,999 Separate houses: 33.4 pts higher in 500 or more Born overseas: 17.3 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999 Year 12: 17.6 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999 Renting: 15.6 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999

Demographics & Identity

Population in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +792,952 larger in 250,000 to 999,999 gap widening
98,845 58th pct 891,797 87th pct
Median age in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +6 yrs older in 500 or more gap widening
46 yrs 76th pct 40 yrs 43rd pct
First Nations in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +5.1 pts higher in 500 or more gap steady
7.2% 58th pct 2.1% 19th pct
Aged 65+ in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +3.9 pts higher in 500 or more gap widening
23.3% 78th pct 19.4% 52nd pct
Under 15 in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +1.0 pts higher in 500 or more gap narrowing
18.3% 60th pct 17.3% 45th pct
De facto in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +0.5 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999 gap narrowing
12.7% 45th pct 13.2% 62nd pct

Age structure

28.1% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +2.7 pts 25.4%
20.3% Young adults (25–44) +5.9 pts ▸ 26.1%
23.3% Seniors (65+) ◂ +3.9 pts 19.4%
18.3% Children (0–14) ◂ +1.0 pts 17.3%
10.0% Youth (15–24) +1.7 pts ▸ 11.7%

Marital status

49.0% Married ◂ +3.8 pts 45.2%
31.2% Never married +4.1 pts ▸ 35.3%
10.3% Divorced +0.6 pts ▸ 10.9%
5.8% Widowed ◂ +0.8 pts 5.1%
3.6% Separated ◂ +0.1 pts 3.5%

Age & sex structure

500 or more 250,000 to 999,999

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

Ancestry & Birthplace

Born overseas in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +17.3 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999 gap narrowing
9.8% 13th pct 27.1% 86th pct

Country of birth

83.3% Australia ◂ +15.9 pts 67.4%
1.1% New Zealand +5.2 pts ▸ 6.3%
3.1% England +2.2 pts ▸ 5.3%
0.3% South Africa +1.0 pts ▸ 1.4%
0.1% China +0.9 pts ▸ 1.1%
0.3% India +0.7 pts ▸ 1.0%
0.3% Philippines +0.4 pts ▸ 0.8%
0.2% Italy +0.1 pts ▸ 0.3%
0.0% Nepal +0.2 pts ▸ 0.2%
0.1% Vietnam +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

Ancestry

42.7% English ◂ +1.0 pts 41.7%
42.3% Australian ◂ +10.6 pts 31.7%
12.0% Irish ◂ +0.9 pts 11.1%
11.1% Scottish ◂ +0.3 pts 10.7%
4.3% German +0.9 pts ▸ 5.2%
2.4% Italian +0.6 pts ▸ 3.0%
0.6% Chinese +2.0 pts ▸ 2.7%
1.4% Dutch +0.3 pts ▸ 1.7%
0.4% Indian +0.9 pts ▸ 1.3%
0.5% Filipino +0.6 pts ▸ 1.1%
0.5% Greek +0.2 pts ▸ 0.7%
0.1% Vietnamese +0.2 pts ▸ 0.3%

Language

Other language in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +8.3 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999 gap widening
3.3% 6th pct 11.7% 67th pct
Limited English in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +1.0 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999 gap steady
0.3% 10th pct 1.3% 64th pct

Language used at home

90.4% English only ◂ +7.7 pts 82.6%
0.1% Mandarin +1.3 pts ▸ 1.4%
0.2% Punjabi +0.3 pts ▸ 0.4%
0.1% Cantonese +0.4 pts ▸ 0.4%
0.2% Italian +0.1 pts ▸ 0.4%
0.1% Tagalog +0.2 pts ▸ 0.3%
0.0% Hindi +0.2 pts ▸ 0.2%
0.1% Arabic +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%
0.1% Vietnamese +0.2 pts ▸ 0.2%
0.1% Greek +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

Religion

No religion in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +5.1 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999 gap widening
39.4% 35th pct 44.4% 59th pct

Religious affiliation

51.0% Christianity ◂ +6.9 pts 44.1%
39.4% No religion +5.1 pts ▸ 44.4%
8.0% Not stated ◂ +0.5 pts 7.5%
0.6% Buddhism +0.7 pts ▸ 1.3%
0.2% Hinduism +0.8 pts ▸ 1.0%
0.2% Islam +0.6 pts ▸ 0.8%
0.5% Other religions +0.2 pts ▸ 0.7%
0.1% Judaism +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +17.6 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999 gap steady
41.4% 42nd pct 59.0% 90th pct
Bachelor+ in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +5.8 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999 gap widening
16.3% 66th pct 22.1% 85th pct

Highest year of school

41.4% Year 12 +17.6 pts ▸ 59.0%
31.6% Year 10 ◂ +11.4 pts 20.2%
12.2% Year 9 or below ◂ +5.8 pts 6.4%
7.0% Year 11 +0.3 pts ▸ 7.4%

Highest qualification level

36.6% Certificate III / IV ◂ +7.2 pts 29.4%
18.3% Bachelor degree +5.6 pts ▸ 23.9%
14.5% Advanced diploma / diploma +2.9 pts ▸ 17.4%
5.1% Postgraduate degree +1.9 pts ▸ 7.0%
3.2% Graduate diploma / certificate +0.1 pts ▸ 3.3%
2.4% Certificate I / II ◂ +0.6 pts 1.9%

Field of qualification

14.9% Management & commerce +4.8 pts ▸ 19.7%
15.6% Engineering & related ◂ +3.6 pts 12.1%
10.6% Health +1.2 pts ▸ 11.7%
11.0% Society & culture +0.5 pts ▸ 11.5%
9.7% Education ◂ +1.8 pts 7.9%
7.3% Architecture & building ◂ +0.2 pts 7.1%
5.3% Food, hospitality & personal services +1.5 pts ▸ 6.8%
3.0% Creative arts +0.8 pts ▸ 3.7%
3.2% Agriculture & environment ◂ +1.8 pts 1.4%
2.0% Natural & physical sciences even 2.0%
1.2% Information technology +0.7 pts ▸ 1.9%

Income

Personal income in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +$88 higher in 250,000 to 999,999 gap steady
$694 44th pct $782 71st pct
Household income in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +$232 higher in 250,000 to 999,999 gap widening
$1,424 48th pct $1,656 71st pct
Family income in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +$225 higher in 250,000 to 999,999 gap widening
$1,762 48th pct $1,987 72nd pct
High earners in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +1.5 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999 gap steady
8.7% 55th pct 10.2% 68th pct
High-income homes in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +3.3 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999 gap widening
16.1% 54th pct 19.4% 74th pct

Household income distribution

27.5% $1,500–$2,999 +3.0 pts ▸ 30.6%
30.5% $650–$1,499 ◂ +2.8 pts 27.7%
17.9% Under $650 ◂ +2.8 pts 15.1%
7.6% $4,000 or more +2.3 pts ▸ 9.9%
8.5% $3,000–$3,999 +1.0 pts ▸ 9.5%

Personal income distribution

43.6% Under $650 ◂ +4.3 pts 39.3%
31.0% $650–$1,499 +2.5 pts ▸ 33.4%
14.5% $1,500–$2,999 +1.5 pts ▸ 16.0%
2.9% $3,000 or more +1.1 pts ▸ 4.0%

Health & Disability

Health condition in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +5.5 pts higher in 500 or more
33.2% 68th pct 27.8% 38th pct
Mental health in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +1.4 pts higher in 500 or more
9.9% 53rd pct 8.5% 35th pct
Needs assistance in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +0.5 pts higher in 500 or more gap steady
6.1% 52nd pct 5.6% 45th pct

Long-term health conditions reported

12.0% Arthritis ◂ +3.1 pts 9.0%
9.9% Mental health ◂ +1.4 pts 8.5%
9.6% Asthma ◂ +1.9 pts 7.7%
8.0% Other condition ◂ +0.1 pts 8.0%
5.3% Diabetes ◂ +1.7 pts 3.6%
4.9% Heart disease ◂ +0.8 pts 4.1%
3.8% Cancer ◂ +0.4 pts 3.4%
2.6% Lung condition ◂ +0.7 pts 2.0%
1.1% Stroke ◂ +0.1 pts 1.0%
0.7% Dementia +0.2 pts ▸ 0.9%

Number of long-term health conditions

57.6% None +6.1 pts ▸ 63.7%
21.5% One condition ◂ +2.6 pts 19.0%
7.5% Two conditions ◂ +1.7 pts 5.8%
4.2% Three or more ◂ +1.2 pts 3.0%

Community Participation

Volunteering in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +4.4 pts higher in 500 or more gap narrowing
17.1% 61st pct 12.6% 24th pct
Unpaid carers in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +2.7 pts higher in 500 or more gap steady
13.4% 78th pct 10.7% 29th pct
Unpaid child care in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +0.3 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999 gap narrowing
25.5% 56th pct 25.8% 61st pct
Defence service in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +0.6 pts higher in 500 or more
3.6% 57th pct 3.1% 28th pct
Housework 15h+ in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +5.8 pts higher in 500 or more gap narrowing
25.8% 91st pct 20.0% 35th pct

Family & Households

Household size in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 even gap narrowing
2.5 57th pct 2.5 57th pct
One-parent in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +0.8 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999 gap steady
14.1% 30th pct 14.9% 39th pct
Living alone in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +0.9 pts higher in 500 or more gap steady
24.9% 27th pct 24.0% 23rd pct

Family composition

52.8% Couples with children +1.2 pts ▸ 54.0%
32.3% Couples without children ◂ +2.2 pts 30.1%
14.1% One-parent families +0.8 pts ▸ 14.9%
0.8% Other families +0.2 pts ▸ 1.0%

Household size

38.5% 2 people ◂ +1.7 pts 36.8%
24.9% 1 person ◂ +0.9 pts 24.0%
13.6% 3 people +2.4 pts ▸ 16.0%
13.3% 4 people +1.7 pts ▸ 15.0%
6.5% 5 people ◂ +0.9 pts 5.6%
3.2% 6 or more ◂ +0.6 pts 2.6%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +$130 higher in 250,000 to 999,999 gap narrowing
$320 73rd pct $450 100th pct
Mortgage in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +$260 higher in 250,000 to 999,999 gap narrowing
$1,690 72nd pct $1,950 86th pct
People / bedroom in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 even gap steady
0.80 43rd pct 0.80 43rd pct
Renting in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +15.6 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999 gap narrowing
17.0% 14th pct 32.6% 72nd pct
Owned outright in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +13.2 pts higher in 500 or more gap narrowing
43.2% 84th pct 30.0% 31st pct
Separate houses in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +33.4 pts higher in 500 or more gap steady
93.2% 74th pct 59.8% 4th pct
3+ bedrooms in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +8.9 pts higher in 500 or more gap steady
81.2% 80th pct 72.4% 26th pct

How homes are owned or rented

43.2% Owned outright ◂ +13.2 pts 30.0%
36.1% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +2.2 pts 33.9%
17.0% Rented +15.6 pts ▸ 32.6%
1.7% Other tenure +0.2 pts ▸ 1.9%
1.9% Not stated ◂ +0.4 pts 1.5%

Types of homes

93.2% Separate house ◂ +33.4 pts 59.8%
1.6% Flat or apartment +18.4 pts ▸ 20.0%
3.0% Townhouse / semi-detached +16.3 pts ▸ 19.4%
1.8% Other dwelling ◂ +1.2 pts 0.6%

Bedrooms per home

40.8% 3 bedrooms ◂ +5.8 pts 35.0%
31.6% 4 bedrooms ◂ +1.3 pts 30.3%
13.8% 2 bedrooms +7.2 pts ▸ 20.9%
8.8% 5 or more ◂ +1.8 pts 7.0%
2.9% 1 bedroom +2.0 pts ▸ 4.9%
0.4% Studio / none even 0.4%

Weekly rent distribution

33.6% $350–$549 +21.9 pts ▸ 55.5%
34.5% $200–$349 ◂ +21.8 pts 12.7%
18.9% Under $200 ◂ +13.1 pts 5.7%
6.9% $550–$749 +10.9 pts ▸ 17.7%
1.8% $750 or more +3.5 pts ▸ 5.3%

Monthly mortgage distribution

28.9% $1,800–$2,999 +8.6 pts ▸ 37.4%
31.8% $1,000–$1,799 ◂ +4.5 pts 27.3%
21.0% Under $1,000 ◂ +7.9 pts 13.1%
12.5% $3,000 or more +3.1 pts ▸ 15.5%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +1.6 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999 gap steady
3.1% 15th pct 4.7% 34th pct
Work from home in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +0.4 pts higher in 500 or more gap steady
14.6% 80th pct 14.2% 78th pct
PT commute in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +1.1 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999 gap steady
0.4% 12th pct 1.5% 58th pct

How people get to work

61.8% Car (driver) +0.7 pts ▸ 62.5%
14.6% Worked at home ◂ +0.4 pts 14.2%
3.8% Car (passenger) +0.2 pts ▸ 3.9%
2.9% Walked ◂ +0.9 pts 2.0%
0.3% Bicycle +0.4 pts ▸ 0.8%
0.3% Bus +0.5 pts ▸ 0.7%
0.1% Train +0.3 pts ▸ 0.4%

Motor vehicles per home

40.4% 2 vehicles ◂ +1.1 pts 39.3%
31.7% 1 vehicle +5.2 pts ▸ 36.9%
15.0% 3 vehicles ◂ +2.6 pts 12.5%
9.7% 4 or more ◂ +3.1 pts 6.6%
3.1% No vehicle +1.6 pts ▸ 4.7%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +14.0 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999 gap narrowing
35.6% 35th pct 49.6% 88th pct
Recent arrivals in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +6.7 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999 gap narrowing
6.1% 13th pct 12.8% 56th pct

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +0.8 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999 gap steady
4.3% 27th pct 5.1% 50th pct
Participation in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +6.5 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999 gap steady
54.7% 45th pct 61.3% 77th pct
Full-time in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +1.2 pts higher in 500 or more gap steady
54.9% 29th pct 53.7% 16th pct

Industries people work in

14.9% Health care & social assistance +1.0 pts ▸ 15.9%
11.3% Construction +0.1 pts ▸ 11.4%
9.4% Retail trade +0.9 pts ▸ 10.3%
9.9% Education & training ◂ +1.5 pts 8.4%
7.5% Accommodation & food +1.6 pts ▸ 9.1%
7.0% Public administration & safety ◂ +3.0 pts 4.0%
4.6% Professional & technical +2.1 pts ▸ 6.6%
5.5% Manufacturing ◂ +0.6 pts 4.8%
4.3% Transport & warehousing ◂ +0.9 pts 3.4%
4.2% Other services ◂ +0.1 pts 4.0%
3.4% Administrative & support +0.5 pts ▸ 3.8%
3.6% Agriculture, forestry & fishing ◂ +3.1 pts 0.5%

Occupations people work in

17.8% Professionals +3.1 pts ▸ 20.9%
16.4% Technicians & trades ◂ +2.2 pts 14.2%
13.2% Community & personal service even 13.2%
12.1% Managers +0.8 pts ▸ 12.9%
11.6% Clerical & administrative +0.9 pts ▸ 12.4%
11.1% Labourers ◂ +1.9 pts 9.2%
8.2% Sales workers +2.2 pts ▸ 10.4%
7.6% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +2.7 pts 4.9%

Walkability

Walk score in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +2.0 higher in 250,000 to 999,999
3.9 37th pct 5.9 85th pct
Types ≤15 min in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +1.2 more in 250,000 to 999,999
4.2 36th pct 5.4 77th pct
15-min city in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +16.8 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999
50.1% 40th pct 67.0% 81st pct
Walk to shops in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +24.4 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999
45.1% 28th pct 69.5% 84th pct
Walk to transit in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +23.4 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999
62.1% 53rd pct 85.5% 73rd pct
Walk to school in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +6.2 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999
48.9% 28th pct 55.1% 37th pct
Walk to a park in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +17.9 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999
77.6% 28th pct 95.5% 79th pct
Walk to health in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +30.5 pts higher in 250,000 to 999,999
24.7% 26th pct 55.1% 85th pct
Amenities/1k in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +7.2 more in 500 or more
20.3 66th pct 13.1 17th pct
Intersections/km² in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +77 higher in 250,000 to 999,999
21 28th pct 98 85th pct
Mean slope in 500 or morein 250,000 to 999,999 +0.1 pts higher in 500 or more
6.4% 76th pct 6.2% 74th pct

Compare 500 or more with nearby areas

499 or less 50,000 to 99,999 250,000 to 999,999 1 million or more 10,000 to 19,999 20,000 to 49,999 5,000 to 9,999 499 or less 250,000 to 999,999 Remainder of State/Territory 4,999 or less 250,000 to 999,999

Compare 250,000 to 999,999 with nearby areas

1 million or more 10,000 to 19,999 10,000 to 19,999 5,000 to 9,999 5,000 to 9,999 20,000 to 49,999 500 or more 50,000 to 99,999 499 or less 50,000 to 99,999 500 or more 250,000 to 999,999

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). 500 or more vs 250,000 to 999,999 [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/sosr/SOSR121/500-or-more/vs/SOSR302/250-000-to-999-999