# 4,999 or less vs 20,000 to 49,999 — 2021 Census comparison

Section of State Range comparison · about 612 km apart

These two far-apart areas differ most in how people live and get around. Residents in 4,999 or less are more likely to own their homes outright (41.1%) and live in separate houses (92.6%), whereas renting is far more common in 20,000 to 49,999, where 30.7% of households rent. Infrastructure also varies; 81.3% of homes in 20,000 to 49,999 are within a 10-minute walk of public transport, compared to 56.6% in 4,999 or less. This gap is mirrored in street connectivity, which is far higher in 20,000 to 49,999.

Since 2011, the gaps between these two places have often grown wider. The difference in home ownership and the age of residents have both increased, with people now noticeably older in 4,999 or less. Despite these shifts, they remain very similar in other ways. Both areas have almost identical typical weekly household incomes, around $1,300, and nearly the same share of children under 15. They also share similar rates of long-term health conditions, both sitting at about 34%.

## Where they differ most

- Separate houses: 15.3 pts higher in 4,999 or less
- Population: 126,956 larger in 4,999 or less
- Owned outright: 13.1 pts higher in 4,999 or less
- No car: 3.4 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999
- Work from home: 8.5 pts higher in 4,999 or less

## Demographics & Identity

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Population | 224,681 | 97,725 | 126,956 larger in 4,999 or less | gap steady |
| Median age | 45 yrs | 40 yrs | 5 yrs older in 4,999 or less | gap widening |
| First Nations | 1.9% | 3.0% | 1.1 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap steady |
| Aged 65+ | 24.7% | 19.4% | 5.3 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap widening |
| Under 15 | 17.8% | 18.5% | 0.8 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap steady |
| De facto | 13.3% | 12.7% | 0.6 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap steady |

### Age structure

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Older adults (45–64) | 26.0% | 25.4% | +0.5 |
| Seniors (65+) | 24.7% | 19.4% | +5.3 |
| Young adults (25–44) | 22.1% | 24.6% | -2.6 |
| Children (0–14) | 17.8% | 18.5% | -0.8 |
| Youth (15–24) | 9.4% | 12.0% | -2.6 |

### Marital status

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Married | 46.3% | 43.7% | +2.6 |
| Never married | 32.2% | 36.0% | -3.8 |
| Divorced | 10.5% | 10.2% | +0.4 |
| Widowed | 7.2% | 6.3% | +0.9 |
| Separated | 3.7% | 3.8% | -0.1 |

### Age profile

Share of each region's population by age band and sex.

| Age band | 4,999 or less male | 4,999 or less female | 20,000 to 49,999 male | 20,000 to 49,999 female |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 0–4 | 2.9% | 2.7% | 3.0% | 2.8% |
| 5–9 | 3.2% | 2.9% | 3.2% | 3.0% |
| 10–14 | 3.2% | 3.0% | 3.4% | 3.2% |
| 15–19 | 2.7% | 2.5% | 3.1% | 3.0% |
| 20–24 | 2.2% | 2.0% | 3.0% | 2.9% |
| 25–29 | 2.6% | 2.6% | 3.2% | 3.3% |
| 30–34 | 2.8% | 2.9% | 3.1% | 3.2% |
| 35–39 | 2.7% | 3.0% | 3.0% | 3.2% |
| 40–44 | 2.6% | 2.8% | 2.7% | 2.9% |
| 45–49 | 2.8% | 3.1% | 2.9% | 3.3% |
| 50–54 | 3.0% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 3.4% |
| 55–59 | 3.2% | 3.5% | 3.2% | 3.3% |
| 60–64 | 3.4% | 3.7% | 2.9% | 3.2% |
| 65–69 | 3.4% | 3.6% | 2.6% | 2.8% |
| 70–74 | 3.2% | 3.4% | 2.3% | 2.6% |
| 75–79 | 2.2% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 2.1% |
| 80–84 | 1.5% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 1.6% |
| 85+ | 1.2% | 2.0% | 1.0% | 1.6% |

## Ancestry & Birthplace

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Born overseas | 11.5% | 15.4% | 3.9 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap narrowing |

### Country of birth

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Australia | 81.5% | 79.8% | +1.7 |
| England | 3.4% | 6.0% | -2.6 |
| New Zealand | 1.2% | 0.8% | +0.4 |
| Philippines | 0.5% | 0.8% | -0.3 |
| South Africa | 0.3% | 0.6% | -0.4 |
| India | 0.5% | 0.6% | -0.1 |
| Italy | 0.4% | 0.3% | +0.1 |
| China | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.0 |
| Vietnam | 0.2% | 0.1% | +0.1 |
| Nepal | 0.1% | 0.0% | +0.0 |

### Ancestry

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| English | 42.2% | 45.1% | -2.9 |
| Australian | 41.0% | 40.0% | +1.0 |
| Irish | 12.8% | 8.6% | +4.2 |
| Scottish | 11.6% | 10.1% | +1.5 |
| German | 4.4% | 9.1% | -4.6 |
| Italian | 3.7% | 3.2% | +0.5 |
| Dutch | 2.5% | 2.3% | +0.2 |
| Filipino | 0.6% | 1.1% | -0.5 |
| Greek | 0.6% | 0.8% | -0.2 |
| Chinese | 0.7% | 0.7% | +0.0 |
| Indian | 0.6% | 0.7% | -0.1 |
| Vietnamese | 0.2% | 0.1% | +0.1 |

## Language

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Other language | 4.9% | 5.9% | 0.9 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap steady |
| Limited English | 0.8% | 0.7% | 0.0 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap steady |

### Language used at home

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| English only | 88.7% | 89.4% | -0.7 |
| Italian | 0.5% | 0.5% | +0.1 |
| Punjabi | 0.3% | 0.2% | +0.1 |
| Mandarin | 0.3% | 0.3% | +0.0 |
| Tagalog | 0.1% | 0.3% | -0.1 |
| Greek | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.0 |
| Vietnamese | 0.2% | 0.1% | +0.1 |
| Arabic | 0.1% | 0.1% | -0.1 |
| Hindi | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0 |
| Cantonese | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0 |

## Religion

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| No religion | 48.1% | 53.0% | 5.0 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |

### Religious affiliation

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| No religion | 48.1% | 53.0% | -5.0 |
| Christianity | 41.6% | 38.1% | +3.4 |
| Not stated | 8.1% | 6.7% | +1.4 |
| Buddhism | 0.8% | 0.6% | +0.2 |
| Other religions | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.0 |
| Hinduism | 0.4% | 0.4% | -0.1 |
| Islam | 0.4% | 0.4% | +0.0 |
| Judaism | 0.1% | 0.0% | +0.0 |

## Education & Qualifications

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Year 12 | 43.6% | 45.8% | 2.2 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap steady |
| Bachelor+ | 16.1% | 14.2% | 2.0 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap steady |

### Highest year of school

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Year 12 | 43.6% | 45.8% | -2.2 |
| Year 11 | 15.6% | 20.7% | -5.2 |
| Year 10 | 18.8% | 17.3% | +1.5 |
| Year 9 or below | 13.7% | 10.0% | +3.7 |

### Highest qualification level

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Certificate III / IV | 35.2% | 39.8% | -4.6 |
| Bachelor degree | 18.1% | 18.2% | -0.1 |
| Advanced diploma / diploma | 15.7% | 14.6% | +1.1 |
| Postgraduate degree | 5.0% | 4.1% | +0.9 |
| Graduate diploma / certificate | 4.2% | 3.2% | +1.0 |
| Certificate I / II | 2.1% | 3.3% | -1.2 |

### Field of qualification

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Engineering & related | 14.6% | 17.2% | -2.6 |
| Management & commerce | 12.6% | 16.0% | -3.4 |
| Society & culture | 11.7% | 13.5% | -1.8 |
| Health | 10.8% | 11.3% | -0.5 |
| Education | 9.9% | 8.8% | +1.1 |
| Architecture & building | 7.1% | 4.7% | +2.3 |
| Food, hospitality & personal services | 5.9% | 6.0% | -0.1 |
| Agriculture & environment | 3.6% | 2.5% | +1.1 |
| Creative arts | 2.9% | 2.3% | +0.6 |
| Natural & physical sciences | 2.0% | 1.8% | +0.2 |
| Information technology | 1.3% | 1.7% | -0.4 |

## Income

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Personal income | $685 | $722 | $37 higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |
| Household income | $1,311 | $1,360 | $49 higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |
| Family income | $1,755 | $1,828 | $73 higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |
| High earners | 7.6% | 7.9% | 0.2 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap steady |
| High-income homes | 13.3% | 13.2% | 0.1 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap steady |

### Household income distribution

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| $650–$1,499 | 31.2% | 30.4% | +0.8 |
| $1,500–$2,999 | 27.1% | 29.0% | -1.8 |
| Under $650 | 20.9% | 20.2% | +0.7 |
| $3,000–$3,999 | 7.3% | 7.8% | -0.6 |
| $4,000 or more | 6.1% | 5.4% | +0.7 |

### Personal income distribution

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Under $650 | 43.9% | 43.2% | +0.7 |
| $650–$1,499 | 31.6% | 33.0% | -1.4 |
| $1,500–$2,999 | 13.4% | 15.6% | -2.2 |
| $3,000 or more | 2.6% | 2.1% | +0.6 |

## Health & Disability

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Health condition | 34.5% | 34.4% | 0.1 pts higher in 4,999 or less |  |
| Mental health | 10.7% | 11.5% | 0.8 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 |  |
| Needs assistance | 7.3% | 7.3% |  | gap steady |

### Long-term health conditions reported

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Arthritis | 12.1% | 11.0% | +1.1 |
| Mental health | 10.7% | 11.5% | -0.8 |
| Asthma | 10.0% | 10.8% | -0.9 |
| Other condition | 8.7% | 9.4% | -0.7 |
| Diabetes | 5.6% | 6.5% | -0.9 |
| Heart disease | 5.6% | 5.0% | +0.6 |
| Cancer | 3.9% | 3.3% | +0.6 |
| Lung condition | 2.7% | 2.5% | +0.2 |
| Stroke | 1.4% | 1.2% | +0.2 |
| Dementia | 1.0% | 1.0% | 0.0 |

### Number of long-term health conditions

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| None | 56.6% | 58.2% | -1.6 |
| One condition | 22.0% | 22.1% | -0.1 |
| Two conditions | 7.9% | 7.8% | +0.1 |
| Three or more | 4.6% | 4.6% | +0.0 |

## Community Participation

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Volunteering | 18.6% | 16.5% | 2.1 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap steady |
| Unpaid carers | 14.0% | 13.3% | 0.8 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap steady |
| Unpaid child care | 25.6% | 27.6% | 2.0 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |
| Defence service | 3.3% | 3.9% | 0.5 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 |  |
| Housework 15h+ | 24.4% | 22.0% | 2.4 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap widening |

## Family & Households

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Household size | 2.3 | 2.3 |  | gap narrowing |
| One-parent | 14.5% | 18.0% | 3.5 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |
| Living alone | 30.7% | 30.6% | 0.1 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap steady |

### Family composition

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Couples with children | 52.4% | 52.3% | +0.1 |
| Couples without children | 32.1% | 28.8% | +3.3 |
| One-parent families | 14.5% | 18.0% | -3.5 |
| Other families | 1.0% | 1.0% | +0.0 |

### Household size

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2 people | 36.5% | 34.6% | +1.8 |
| 1 person | 30.7% | 30.6% | +0.1 |
| 3 people | 12.6% | 14.5% | -1.8 |
| 4 people | 12.4% | 12.9% | -0.6 |
| 5 people | 5.5% | 5.1% | +0.4 |
| 6 or more | 2.3% | 2.2% | +0.1 |

## Housing & Dwellings

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rent | $270 | $250 | $20 higher in 4,999 or less | gap steady |
| Mortgage | $1,460 | $1,300 | $160 higher in 4,999 or less | gap widening |
| People / bedroom | 0.70 | 0.70 |  | gap steady |
| Renting | 19.3% | 30.7% | 11.4 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |
| Owned outright | 41.1% | 28.1% | 13.1 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap widening |
| Separate houses | 92.6% | 77.3% | 15.3 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap widening |
| 3+ bedrooms | 80.1% | 81.6% | 1.5 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap steady |

### How homes are owned or rented

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Owned outright | 41.1% | 28.1% | +13.1 |
| Owned with a mortgage | 36.1% | 37.3% | -1.2 |
| Rented | 19.3% | 30.7% | -11.4 |
| Other tenure | 1.4% | 2.4% | -1.0 |
| Not stated | 2.1% | 1.5% | +0.6 |

### Types of homes

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Separate house | 92.6% | 77.3% | +15.3 |
| Townhouse / semi-detached | 4.8% | 18.5% | -13.6 |
| Flat or apartment | 1.5% | 3.8% | -2.4 |
| Other dwelling | 0.9% | 0.2% | +0.7 |

### Bedrooms per home

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 3 bedrooms | 49.9% | 53.1% | -3.2 |
| 4 bedrooms | 26.0% | 24.6% | +1.4 |
| 2 bedrooms | 14.8% | 14.5% | +0.4 |
| 5 or more | 4.3% | 3.9% | +0.3 |
| 1 bedroom | 2.9% | 2.3% | +0.7 |
| Studio / none | 0.3% | 0.2% | +0.0 |

### Weekly rent distribution

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| $200–$349 | 47.2% | 44.4% | +2.8 |
| Under $200 | 23.5% | 33.9% | -10.4 |
| $350–$549 | 23.0% | 17.7% | +5.3 |
| $550–$749 | 1.5% | 0.5% | +1.0 |
| $750 or more | 0.6% | 0.1% | +0.5 |

### Monthly mortgage distribution

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| $1,000–$1,799 | 37.0% | 44.7% | -7.7 |
| Under $1,000 | 25.4% | 27.3% | -1.9 |
| $1,800–$2,999 | 24.3% | 19.8% | +4.5 |
| $3,000 or more | 7.2% | 4.0% | +3.2 |

## Transport & Vehicles

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| No car | 4.3% | 7.8% | 3.4 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap steady |
| Work from home | 14.3% | 5.8% | 8.5 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap widening |
| PT commute | 0.6% | 1.7% | 1.1 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |

### How people get to work

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Car (driver) | 62.1% | 70.1% | -8.1 |
| Worked at home | 14.3% | 5.8% | +8.5 |
| Car (passenger) | 3.9% | 4.7% | -0.8 |
| Walked | 3.6% | 2.0% | +1.6 |
| Bus | 0.3% | 1.6% | -1.3 |
| Bicycle | 0.5% | 0.4% | +0.1 |
| Train | 0.3% | 0.0% | +0.3 |

### Motor vehicles per home

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2 vehicles | 39.3% | 36.1% | +3.2 |
| 1 vehicle | 34.7% | 36.6% | -1.9 |
| 3 vehicles | 14.0% | 12.5% | +1.4 |
| No vehicle | 4.3% | 7.8% | -3.4 |
| 4 or more | 7.7% | 7.1% | +0.6 |

## Migration & Movement

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Recent movers | 36.8% | 39.2% | 2.5 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap steady |
| Recent arrivals | 8.4% | 7.9% | 0.5 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap steady |

## Jobs & Industry

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Unemployment | 3.9% | 5.2% | 1.3 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap steady |
| Participation | 54.5% | 60.1% | 5.6 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |
| Full-time | 55.3% | 58.6% | 3.3 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |

### Industries people work in

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Health care & social assistance | 14.6% | 15.9% | -1.3 |
| Construction | 12.0% | 8.9% | +3.2 |
| Retail trade | 9.5% | 11.2% | -1.8 |
| Manufacturing | 7.8% | 9.8% | -2.0 |
| Education & training | 8.6% | 9.3% | -0.6 |
| Accommodation & food | 6.7% | 6.7% | +0.0 |
| Public administration & safety | 6.2% | 6.6% | -0.3 |
| Agriculture, forestry & fishing | 4.6% | 2.8% | +1.9 |
| Transport & warehousing | 4.5% | 3.9% | +0.7 |
| Professional & technical | 4.4% | 3.8% | +0.5 |
| Other services | 4.0% | 4.0% | +0.0 |
| Administrative & support | 3.0% | 3.6% | -0.6 |

### Occupations people work in

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Professionals | 16.8% | 16.6% | +0.2 |
| Technicians & trades | 16.7% | 15.3% | +1.3 |
| Community & personal service | 12.9% | 14.0% | -1.0 |
| Managers | 12.6% | 10.7% | +1.9 |
| Labourers | 12.3% | 11.3% | +1.0 |
| Clerical & administrative | 11.1% | 11.6% | -0.5 |
| Sales workers | 8.4% | 10.0% | -1.6 |
| Machinery operators & drivers | 7.3% | 8.8% | -1.6 |

## Walkability

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Walk score | 5.1 | 5.5 | 0.4 higher in 20,000 to 49,999 |  |
| Types ≤15 min | 5.4 | 5.5 | 0.1 more in 20,000 to 49,999 |  |
| 15-min city | 65.6% | 65.2% | 0.4 pts higher in 4,999 or less |  |
| Walk to shops | 68.2% | 67.9% | 0.3 pts higher in 4,999 or less |  |
| Walk to transit | 56.6% | 81.3% | 24.7 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 |  |
| Walk to school | 68.0% | 68.2% | 0.2 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 |  |
| Walk to a park | 89.8% | 92.0% | 2.2 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 |  |
| Walk to health | 52.4% | 54.9% | 2.5 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 |  |
| Amenities/1k | 18.0 | 14.0 | 4.0 more in 4,999 or less |  |
| Intersections/km² | 47 | 86 | 39 higher in 20,000 to 49,999 |  |
| Mean slope | 5.1% | 4.9% | 0.2 pts higher in 4,999 or less |  |

Interactive comparison: https://censusatlas.au/compare/sosr/SOSR215/4-999-or-less/vs/SOSR412/20-000-to-49-999