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

Section of State Range comparison · about 1,286 km apart

These two far-apart areas differ most in their residents' backgrounds and incomes. 20,000 to 49,999 has a much more diverse population, with 25.2% of people using another language at home and 21.2% identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. It is also more affluent; the typical weekly household income is $2,140, which is $621 more than the $1,519 typical in 4,999 or less. In contrast, 4,999 or less is more likely to have separate houses (89.0%) and a higher share of homes owned outright (29.7%).

Many of the gaps between these places have widened since 2011, particularly in education and language diversity. Despite these shifts, the two areas are very similar in the proportion of children under 15, which sits around 20% to 21%. They also share a similar unemployment rate, and both have about the same number of amenity types within a 15-minute walk.

## Where they differ most

- Separate houses: 25.5 pts higher in 4,999 or less
- Population: 67,668 larger in 4,999 or less
- Bachelor+: 15.6 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999
- Other language: 17.0 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999
- Rent: $149 higher in 20,000 to 49,999

## Demographics & Identity

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Population | 92,523 | 24,855 | 67,668 larger in 4,999 or less | gap widening |
| Median age | 39 yrs | 34 yrs | 5 yrs older in 4,999 or less | gap widening |
| First Nations | 8.9% | 21.2% | 12.3 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |
| Aged 65+ | 18.1% | 9.4% | 8.7 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap widening |
| Under 15 | 20.3% | 21.0% | 0.7 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap steady |
| De facto | 16.1% | 16.7% | 0.6 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap narrowing |

### Age structure

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Young adults (25–44) | 25.7% | 34.9% | -9.2 |
| Older adults (45–64) | 25.6% | 24.1% | +1.5 |
| Children (0–14) | 20.3% | 21.0% | -0.7 |
| Seniors (65+) | 18.1% | 9.4% | +8.7 |
| Youth (15–24) | 10.3% | 10.7% | -0.4 |

### Marital status

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Never married | 36.9% | 46.9% | -10.1 |
| Married | 44.2% | 38.9% | +5.4 |
| Divorced | 9.7% | 7.6% | +2.1 |
| Widowed | 5.3% | 3.0% | +2.3 |
| Separated | 3.9% | 3.6% | +0.3 |

### 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 | 3.4% | 3.1% | 3.8% | 3.4% |
| 5–9 | 3.7% | 3.4% | 3.7% | 3.3% |
| 10–14 | 3.5% | 3.2% | 3.3% | 3.3% |
| 15–19 | 2.9% | 2.6% | 3.0% | 2.8% |
| 20–24 | 2.5% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 2.6% |
| 25–29 | 2.9% | 3.2% | 4.1% | 4.8% |
| 30–34 | 3.3% | 3.5% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 35–39 | 3.3% | 3.4% | 4.3% | 4.5% |
| 40–44 | 3.0% | 3.1% | 3.4% | 3.5% |
| 45–49 | 3.2% | 3.1% | 3.0% | 3.2% |
| 50–54 | 3.3% | 3.2% | 2.9% | 3.6% |
| 55–59 | 3.2% | 3.2% | 2.9% | 3.2% |
| 60–64 | 3.2% | 3.2% | 2.7% | 2.7% |
| 65–69 | 2.8% | 2.8% | 1.9% | 2.0% |
| 70–74 | 2.5% | 2.5% | 1.2% | 1.2% |
| 75–79 | 1.7% | 1.6% | 0.5% | 0.8% |
| 80–84 | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| 85+ | 0.8% | 1.2% | 0.2% | 0.5% |

## Ancestry & Birthplace

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Born overseas | 18.0% | 26.9% | 8.9 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |

### Country of birth

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Australia | 70.8% | 66.7% | +4.1 |
| England | 5.3% | 2.4% | +2.9 |
| India | 0.4% | 3.9% | -3.5 |
| New Zealand | 3.1% | 3.3% | -0.2 |
| Philippines | 1.3% | 2.3% | -1.0 |
| Nepal | 0.0% | 0.9% | -0.8 |
| South Africa | 0.8% | 0.7% | +0.1 |
| China | 0.2% | 0.7% | -0.5 |
| Vietnam | 0.2% | 0.4% | -0.2 |
| Italy | 0.3% | 0.3% | +0.1 |

### Ancestry

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| English | 39.5% | 26.5% | +13.0 |
| Australian | 36.6% | 25.5% | +11.1 |
| Irish | 8.2% | 9.1% | -0.9 |
| Scottish | 8.9% | 7.5% | +1.4 |
| German | 3.2% | 5.1% | -1.9 |
| Indian | 0.6% | 3.8% | -3.2 |
| Italian | 3.7% | 2.4% | +1.4 |
| Filipino | 1.6% | 2.9% | -1.3 |
| Chinese | 0.8% | 2.2% | -1.3 |
| Dutch | 2.0% | 1.5% | +0.5 |
| Vietnamese | 0.2% | 0.4% | -0.2 |
| Greek | 0.3% | 0.4% | -0.1 |

## Language

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Other language | 8.2% | 25.2% | 17.0 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |
| Limited English | 1.1% | 2.3% | 1.2 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap steady |

### Language used at home

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| English only | 80.7% | 67.6% | +13.1 |
| Punjabi | 0.1% | 1.7% | -1.6 |
| Tagalog | 0.5% | 1.1% | -0.6 |
| Mandarin | 0.4% | 1.1% | -0.6 |
| Hindi | 0.1% | 0.7% | -0.7 |
| Italian | 0.5% | 0.3% | +0.2 |
| Arabic | 0.1% | 0.4% | -0.3 |
| Vietnamese | 0.2% | 0.4% | -0.2 |
| Cantonese | 0.1% | 0.3% | -0.2 |
| Greek | 0.0% | 0.1% | -0.1 |

## Religion

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| No religion | 47.4% | 42.8% | 4.6 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap widening |

### Religious affiliation

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| No religion | 47.4% | 42.8% | +4.6 |
| Christianity | 37.1% | 41.1% | -4.0 |
| Not stated | 12.8% | 8.8% | +4.0 |
| Hinduism | 0.3% | 2.5% | -2.2 |
| Other religions | 0.6% | 2.0% | -1.5 |
| Buddhism | 0.9% | 1.5% | -0.6 |
| Islam | 0.9% | 1.1% | -0.2 |
| Judaism | 0.0% | 0.1% | -0.1 |

## Education & Qualifications

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Year 12 | 40.6% | 55.9% | 15.3 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |
| Bachelor+ | 11.9% | 27.5% | 15.6 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |

### Highest year of school

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Year 12 | 40.6% | 55.9% | -15.3 |
| Year 10 | 25.8% | 14.6% | +11.2 |
| Year 11 | 11.5% | 10.7% | +0.8 |
| Year 9 or below | 9.4% | 10.2% | -0.8 |

### Highest qualification level

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Certificate III / IV | 36.3% | 25.5% | +10.8 |
| Bachelor degree | 15.0% | 26.4% | -11.4 |
| Advanced diploma / diploma | 12.3% | 13.0% | -0.7 |
| Postgraduate degree | 2.8% | 11.2% | -8.4 |
| Graduate diploma / certificate | 2.5% | 4.6% | -2.1 |
| Certificate I / II | 3.6% | 1.8% | +1.8 |

### Field of qualification

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Engineering & related | 18.1% | 10.9% | +7.2 |
| Health | 8.6% | 15.8% | -7.1 |
| Management & commerce | 11.6% | 15.1% | -3.5 |
| Society & culture | 8.7% | 15.0% | -6.3 |
| Education | 8.7% | 8.2% | +0.5 |
| Food, hospitality & personal services | 5.5% | 5.3% | +0.2 |
| Architecture & building | 5.2% | 4.1% | +1.1 |
| Agriculture & environment | 3.6% | 1.8% | +1.7 |
| Creative arts | 2.1% | 3.1% | -1.1 |
| Natural & physical sciences | 1.9% | 2.0% | -0.2 |
| Information technology | 0.9% | 1.9% | -1.0 |

## Income

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Personal income | $774 | $1,130 | $356 higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |
| Household income | $1,519 | $2,140 | $621 higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |
| Family income | $1,958 | $2,476 | $518 higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap narrowing |
| High earners | 12.4% | 15.2% | 2.8 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |
| High-income homes | 17.4% | 27.6% | 10.2 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |

### Household income distribution

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| $1,500–$2,999 | 27.3% | 32.4% | -5.1 |
| $650–$1,499 | 26.0% | 20.2% | +5.8 |
| Under $650 | 17.9% | 10.2% | +7.7 |
| $4,000 or more | 8.2% | 14.3% | -6.0 |
| $3,000–$3,999 | 9.2% | 13.3% | -4.2 |

### Personal income distribution

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Under $650 | 38.4% | 27.8% | +10.7 |
| $650–$1,499 | 27.1% | 33.0% | -5.9 |
| $1,500–$2,999 | 17.8% | 26.3% | -8.5 |
| $3,000 or more | 4.3% | 4.8% | -0.5 |

## Health & Disability

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Health condition | 27.1% | 21.9% | 5.2 pts higher in 4,999 or less |  |
| Mental health | 8.2% | 6.1% | 2.2 pts higher in 4,999 or less |  |
| Needs assistance | 5.0% | 3.9% | 1.1 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap steady |

### Long-term health conditions reported

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Arthritis | 8.8% | 4.9% | +4.0 |
| Mental health | 8.2% | 6.1% | +2.2 |
| Asthma | 7.5% | 6.8% | +0.7 |
| Other condition | 6.7% | 6.7% | +0.1 |
| Diabetes | 5.0% | 5.1% | -0.1 |
| Heart disease | 3.9% | 2.9% | +1.0 |
| Cancer | 2.8% | 1.7% | +1.1 |
| Lung condition | 1.9% | 1.1% | +0.8 |
| Stroke | 0.9% | 0.7% | +0.2 |
| Dementia | 0.7% | 0.6% | +0.1 |

### Number of long-term health conditions

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| None | 59.5% | 69.0% | -9.6 |
| One condition | 18.0% | 15.9% | +2.1 |
| Two conditions | 6.0% | 4.0% | +2.1 |
| Three or more | 3.1% | 2.1% | +1.0 |

## Community Participation

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Volunteering | 19.5% | 17.0% | 2.5 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap widening |
| Unpaid carers | 10.1% | 8.6% | 1.6 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap steady |
| Unpaid child care | 26.0% | 27.3% | 1.3 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap steady |
| Defence service | 3.4% | 2.6% | 0.8 pts higher in 4,999 or less |  |
| Housework 15h+ | 22.0% | 16.0% | 6.0 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap narrowing |

## Family & Households

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Household size | 2.4 | 2.6 | 0.2 larger in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |
| One-parent | 14.9% | 17.8% | 2.9 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |
| Living alone | 29.2% | 27.0% | 2.2 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap widening |

### Family composition

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Couples with children | 53.8% | 56.5% | -2.7 |
| Couples without children | 30.4% | 24.2% | +6.2 |
| One-parent families | 14.9% | 17.8% | -2.9 |
| Other families | 1.0% | 1.6% | -0.6 |

### Household size

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2 people | 35.4% | 29.5% | +5.9 |
| 1 person | 29.2% | 27.0% | +2.2 |
| 3 people | 13.3% | 17.6% | -4.3 |
| 4 people | 13.0% | 14.6% | -1.7 |
| 5 people | 6.0% | 6.6% | -0.5 |
| 6 or more | 3.1% | 4.5% | -1.4 |

## Housing & Dwellings

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rent | $231 | $380 | $149 higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap steady |
| Mortgage | $1,500 | $1,785 | $285 higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap narrowing |
| People / bedroom | 0.80 | 0.90 | 0.10 higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap steady |
| Renting | 35.4% | 43.9% | 8.5 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |
| Owned outright | 29.7% | 15.1% | 14.6 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap widening |
| Separate houses | 89.0% | 63.5% | 25.5 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap widening |
| 3+ bedrooms | 80.3% | 65.8% | 14.5 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap steady |

### How homes are owned or rented

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rented | 35.4% | 43.9% | -8.5 |
| Owned with a mortgage | 29.8% | 36.2% | -6.4 |
| Owned outright | 29.7% | 15.1% | +14.6 |
| Other tenure | 2.9% | 2.7% | +0.2 |
| Not stated | 2.1% | 2.2% | -0.1 |

### Types of homes

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Separate house | 89.0% | 63.5% | +25.5 |
| Townhouse / semi-detached | 7.4% | 29.1% | -21.8 |
| Flat or apartment | 1.2% | 4.4% | -3.2 |
| Other dwelling | 1.9% | 1.4% | +0.5 |

### Bedrooms per home

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 3 bedrooms | 44.3% | 42.9% | +1.4 |
| 4 bedrooms | 31.7% | 18.9% | +12.8 |
| 2 bedrooms | 13.5% | 22.4% | -8.9 |
| 1 bedroom | 3.7% | 8.2% | -4.5 |
| 5 or more | 4.3% | 4.0% | +0.3 |
| Studio / none | 0.5% | 1.4% | -1.0 |

### Weekly rent distribution

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| $200–$349 | 38.1% | 20.7% | +17.4 |
| $350–$549 | 16.4% | 37.9% | -21.5 |
| Under $200 | 37.5% | 18.9% | +18.6 |
| $550–$749 | 2.2% | 12.2% | -10.1 |
| $750 or more | 0.9% | 3.2% | -2.3 |

### Monthly mortgage distribution

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| $1,000–$1,799 | 38.4% | 35.6% | +2.7 |
| $1,800–$2,999 | 26.0% | 36.8% | -10.8 |
| Under $1,000 | 23.1% | 12.4% | +10.7 |
| $3,000 or more | 7.3% | 10.7% | -3.4 |

## Transport & Vehicles

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| No car | 5.2% | 9.0% | 3.8 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |
| Work from home | 4.4% | 3.0% | 1.4 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap steady |
| PT commute | 3.0% | 1.6% | 1.4 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap steady |

### How people get to work

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Car (driver) | 62.9% | 65.7% | -2.8 |
| Car (passenger) | 5.7% | 7.8% | -2.0 |
| Walked | 4.7% | 4.9% | -0.1 |
| Worked at home | 4.4% | 3.0% | +1.4 |
| Bicycle | 1.0% | 4.1% | -3.1 |
| Bus | 2.9% | 1.5% | +1.4 |
| Train | 0.1% | 0.0% | +0.1 |

### Motor vehicles per home

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2 vehicles | 38.1% | 34.8% | +3.2 |
| 1 vehicle | 35.4% | 37.5% | -2.1 |
| 3 vehicles | 13.8% | 12.7% | +1.1 |
| No vehicle | 5.2% | 9.0% | -3.8 |
| 4 or more | 7.5% | 6.0% | +1.5 |

## Migration & Movement

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Recent movers | 39.9% | 49.0% | 9.1 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |
| Recent arrivals | 11.3% | 25.8% | 14.5 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap steady |

## Jobs & Industry

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Unemployment | 4.6% | 3.6% | 1.0 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap narrowing |
| Participation | 57.6% | 69.5% | 11.8 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap widening |
| Full-time | 61.2% | 71.6% | 10.4 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 | gap steady |

### Industries people work in

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Health care & social assistance | 11.5% | 22.9% | -11.4 |
| Public administration & safety | 7.0% | 17.5% | -10.6 |
| Mining | 13.2% | 0.5% | +12.7 |
| Education & training | 9.0% | 9.5% | -0.5 |
| Retail trade | 8.7% | 7.5% | +1.2 |
| Construction | 8.2% | 7.0% | +1.2 |
| Accommodation & food | 6.2% | 5.9% | +0.3 |
| Manufacturing | 5.7% | 1.8% | +3.9 |
| Professional & technical | 2.7% | 5.1% | -2.4 |
| Agriculture, forestry & fishing | 5.0% | 0.4% | +4.6 |
| Other services | 3.8% | 4.5% | -0.7 |
| Transport & warehousing | 4.5% | 3.4% | +1.1 |

### Occupations people work in

| Category | 4,999 or less % | 20,000 to 49,999 % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Professionals | 13.5% | 25.6% | -12.1 |
| Technicians & trades | 18.9% | 12.4% | +6.5 |
| Community & personal service | 11.9% | 17.9% | -5.9 |
| Labourers | 13.8% | 7.0% | +6.7 |
| Clerical & administrative | 10.4% | 12.5% | -2.1 |
| Machinery operators & drivers | 12.1% | 3.6% | +8.6 |
| Managers | 10.0% | 12.1% | -2.1 |
| Sales workers | 7.1% | 6.2% | +0.9 |

## Walkability

| Statistic | 4,999 or less | 20,000 to 49,999 | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Walk score | 4.2 | 5.0 | 0.8 higher in 20,000 to 49,999 |  |
| Types ≤15 min | 4.6 | 4.9 | 0.3 more in 20,000 to 49,999 |  |
| 15-min city | 54.2% | 58.3% | 4.1 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 |  |
| Walk to shops | 52.5% | 59.0% | 6.5 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 |  |
| Walk to transit | 32.7% | 89.2% | 56.5 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 |  |
| Walk to school | 58.3% | 79.1% | 20.8 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 |  |
| Walk to a park | 88.5% | 93.4% | 4.9 pts higher in 20,000 to 49,999 |  |
| Walk to health | 48.1% | 35.9% | 12.2 pts higher in 4,999 or less |  |
| Amenities/1k | 17.2 | 13.4 | 3.8 more in 4,999 or less |  |
| Intersections/km² | 38 | 27 | 11 higher in 4,999 or less |  |
| Mean slope | 4.3% | 2.9% | 1.4 pts higher in 4,999 or less |  |

Interactive comparison: https://censusatlas.au/compare/sosr/SOSR515/4-999-or-less/vs/SOSR712/20-000-to-49-999