# 499 or less vs 4,999 or less — 2021 Census comparison

Section of State Range comparison · about 1,152 km apart

These two areas differ sharply in their demographics and housing. 4,999 or less is far younger, with a typical resident aged 29, while 499 or less is much older at 41. This age gap is reflected in the homes; 4,999 or less has far more large households (3.9 people per home) and a very high rental rate of 71.8%. In contrast, 499 or less has far more people living alone (32.9%) and a much higher share of homes owned outright at 34.1%. Diversity also varies, with 65.2% of people in 4,999 or less using a language other than English at home, compared to 16.8% in 499 or less.

Everyday life shares some common ground, as both areas have similar rates of adults with a bachelor degree (around 9%) and almost identical walkability scores, which describe both as car-dependent. However, they have drifted apart in other ways since 2011. The gap in typical weekly income has widened, with 499 or less now far higher by $226. Similarly, the difference in the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents has grown, with 4,999 or less remaining far higher at 69.0%.

## Where they differ most

- First Nations: 43.3 pts higher in 4,999 or less
- Other language: 48.3 pts higher in 4,999 or less
- Renting: 37.5 pts higher in 4,999 or less
- Owned outright: 29.4 pts higher in 499 or less
- No car: 28.4 pts higher in 4,999 or less

## Demographics & Identity

| Statistic | 499 or less | 4,999 or less | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Population | 21,588 | 17,625 | 3,963 larger in 499 or less | gap steady |
| Median age | 41 yrs | 29 yrs | 12 yrs older in 499 or less | gap widening |
| First Nations | 25.8% | 69.0% | 43.3 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap widening |
| Aged 65+ | 20.2% | 4.5% | 15.8 pts higher in 499 or less | gap widening |
| Under 15 | 19.4% | 25.0% | 5.7 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap narrowing |
| De facto | 15.4% | 12.3% | 3.2 pts higher in 499 or less | gap steady |

### Age structure

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Young adults (25–44) | 23.1% | 33.5% | -10.4 |
| Older adults (45–64) | 26.3% | 20.2% | +6.1 |
| Children (0–14) | 19.4% | 25.0% | -5.7 |
| Seniors (65+) | 20.2% | 4.5% | +15.8 |
| Youth (15–24) | 11.0% | 16.7% | -5.7 |

### Marital status

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Never married | 38.3% | 46.7% | -8.4 |
| Married | 42.5% | 41.2% | +1.3 |
| Divorced | 9.7% | 4.4% | +5.3 |
| Widowed | 5.4% | 4.1% | +1.3 |
| Separated | 4.2% | 3.5% | +0.7 |

### Age profile

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

| Age band | 499 or less male | 499 or less female | 4,999 or less male | 4,999 or less female |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 0–4 | 3.2% | 2.9% | 4.0% | 3.7% |
| 5–9 | 3.5% | 3.4% | 4.6% | 4.1% |
| 10–14 | 3.1% | 3.3% | 4.4% | 4.2% |
| 15–19 | 2.9% | 2.7% | 4.7% | 4.1% |
| 20–24 | 2.6% | 2.8% | 3.9% | 4.0% |
| 25–29 | 2.9% | 2.9% | 4.4% | 4.8% |
| 30–34 | 3.0% | 3.1% | 4.1% | 4.7% |
| 35–39 | 3.0% | 3.0% | 3.9% | 4.5% |
| 40–44 | 2.6% | 2.7% | 3.7% | 3.5% |
| 45–49 | 3.0% | 2.8% | 2.9% | 3.0% |
| 50–54 | 3.2% | 3.1% | 2.9% | 3.1% |
| 55–59 | 3.3% | 3.5% | 2.4% | 2.3% |
| 60–64 | 3.9% | 3.5% | 1.8% | 1.9% |
| 65–69 | 3.5% | 3.1% | 1.2% | 1.2% |
| 70–74 | 3.2% | 2.6% | 0.7% | 0.4% |
| 75–79 | 2.0% | 1.7% | 0.3% | 0.2% |
| 80–84 | 1.2% | 1.3% | 0.1% | 0.2% |
| 85+ | 0.8% | 0.9% | 0.1% | 0.1% |

## Ancestry & Birthplace

| Statistic | 499 or less | 4,999 or less | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Born overseas | 13.0% | 6.7% | 6.3 pts higher in 499 or less | gap narrowing |

### Country of birth

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Australia | 76.5% | 85.7% | -9.2 |
| England | 5.1% | 0.7% | +4.3 |
| New Zealand | 2.3% | 1.1% | +1.2 |
| Philippines | 0.5% | 0.7% | -0.2 |
| India | 0.3% | 0.5% | -0.2 |
| South Africa | 0.5% | 0.2% | +0.3 |
| China | 0.1% | 0.2% | -0.2 |
| Nepal | 0.1% | 0.2% | -0.1 |
| Italy | 0.1% | 0.0% | +0.1 |
| Vietnam | 0.1% | 0.1% | +0.0 |

### Ancestry

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| English | 34.2% | 10.0% | +24.2 |
| Australian | 29.7% | 10.2% | +19.5 |
| Scottish | 7.3% | 2.8% | +4.4 |
| Irish | 7.3% | 3.3% | +4.0 |
| German | 2.6% | 1.4% | +1.2 |
| Italian | 2.2% | 0.5% | +1.7 |
| Dutch | 1.3% | 0.3% | +1.0 |
| Filipino | 0.7% | 1.0% | -0.3 |
| Chinese | 0.4% | 0.7% | -0.3 |
| Indian | 0.5% | 0.6% | -0.1 |
| Greek | 0.2% | 0.3% | -0.1 |
| Vietnamese | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0 |

## Language

| Statistic | 499 or less | 4,999 or less | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Other language | 16.8% | 65.2% | 48.3 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap widening |
| Limited English | 1.6% | 10.8% | 9.2 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap widening |

### Language used at home

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| English only | 72.6% | 26.2% | +46.4 |
| Mandarin | 0.2% | 0.3% | -0.1 |
| Tagalog | 0.2% | 0.2% | +0.0 |
| Italian | 0.1% | 0.0% | +0.1 |
| Punjabi | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0 |
| Arabic | 0.0% | 0.1% | -0.1 |
| Greek | 0.0% | 0.1% | -0.1 |
| Vietnamese | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0 |
| Hindi | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.0 |
| Cantonese | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

## Religion

| Statistic | 499 or less | 4,999 or less | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| No religion | 39.1% | 26.6% | 12.6 pts higher in 499 or less | gap widening |

### Religious affiliation

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Christianity | 42.8% | 49.6% | -6.9 |
| No religion | 39.1% | 26.6% | +12.6 |
| Not stated | 16.0% | 13.1% | +2.9 |
| Other religions | 1.3% | 9.4% | -8.2 |
| Buddhism | 0.5% | 0.5% | +0.0 |
| Hinduism | 0.2% | 0.5% | -0.3 |
| Islam | 0.2% | 0.3% | -0.1 |
| Judaism | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

## Education & Qualifications

| Statistic | 499 or less | 4,999 or less | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Year 12 | 34.9% | 34.3% | 0.6 pts higher in 499 or less | gap steady |
| Bachelor+ | 9.1% | 9.8% | 0.7 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap narrowing |

### Highest year of school

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Year 12 | 34.9% | 34.3% | +0.6 |
| Year 10 | 29.0% | 22.0% | +6.9 |
| Year 9 or below | 12.1% | 16.9% | -4.8 |
| Year 11 | 11.9% | 15.6% | -3.7 |

### Highest qualification level

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Certificate III / IV | 33.7% | 24.6% | +9.1 |
| Bachelor degree | 13.5% | 15.4% | -1.9 |
| Advanced diploma / diploma | 11.4% | 8.8% | +2.6 |
| Postgraduate degree | 2.7% | 5.6% | -2.9 |
| Certificate I / II | 3.7% | 4.3% | -0.6 |
| Graduate diploma / certificate | 2.2% | 3.4% | -1.2 |

### Field of qualification

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Engineering & related | 16.4% | 9.9% | +6.5 |
| Society & culture | 7.7% | 10.8% | -3.1 |
| Management & commerce | 10.0% | 9.5% | +0.4 |
| Health | 8.5% | 9.9% | -1.4 |
| Education | 9.0% | 9.8% | -0.8 |
| Agriculture & environment | 4.9% | 2.7% | +2.2 |
| Architecture & building | 4.7% | 4.9% | -0.2 |
| Food, hospitality & personal services | 4.4% | 3.2% | +1.2 |
| Natural & physical sciences | 1.8% | 0.8% | +1.0 |
| Creative arts | 1.7% | 1.6% | +0.1 |
| Information technology | 0.8% | 0.6% | +0.2 |

## Income

| Statistic | 499 or less | 4,999 or less | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Personal income | $547 | $321 | $226 higher in 499 or less | gap widening |
| Household income | $1,162 | $1,665 | $503 higher in 4,999 or less | gap narrowing |
| Family income | $1,314 | $898 | $416 higher in 499 or less | gap widening |
| High earners | 8.2% | 7.5% | 0.7 pts higher in 499 or less | gap steady |
| High-income homes | 10.6% | 17.4% | 6.8 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap narrowing |

### Household income distribution

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| $650–$1,499 | 31.6% | 23.8% | +7.8 |
| $1,500–$2,999 | 23.3% | 30.0% | -6.8 |
| Under $650 | 23.2% | 15.4% | +7.8 |
| $3,000–$3,999 | 5.8% | 9.4% | -3.6 |
| $4,000 or more | 4.8% | 8.0% | -3.2 |

### Personal income distribution

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Under $650 | 48.1% | 60.4% | -12.3 |
| $650–$1,499 | 23.6% | 13.1% | +10.5 |
| $1,500–$2,999 | 12.4% | 11.7% | +0.7 |
| $3,000 or more | 2.7% | 2.0% | +0.7 |

## Health & Disability

| Statistic | 499 or less | 4,999 or less | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Health condition | 27.8% | 17.8% | 10.1 pts higher in 499 or less |  |
| Mental health | 7.4% | 3.4% | 4.0 pts higher in 499 or less |  |
| Needs assistance | 5.1% | 3.5% | 1.6 pts higher in 499 or less | gap steady |

### Long-term health conditions reported

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Arthritis | 9.3% | 1.5% | +7.7 |
| Mental health | 7.4% | 3.4% | +4.0 |
| Asthma | 7.1% | 4.4% | +2.7 |
| Other condition | 6.9% | 5.6% | +1.3 |
| Diabetes | 6.8% | 4.1% | +2.7 |
| Heart disease | 4.9% | 5.4% | -0.5 |
| Cancer | 3.0% | 0.7% | +2.3 |
| Lung condition | 2.4% | 1.0% | +1.4 |
| Stroke | 1.1% | 0.5% | +0.6 |
| Dementia | 0.6% | 0.3% | +0.3 |

### Number of long-term health conditions

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| None | 58.4% | 70.9% | -12.4 |
| One condition | 17.8% | 14.0% | +3.8 |
| Two conditions | 6.3% | 2.7% | +3.6 |
| Three or more | 3.7% | 1.1% | +2.7 |

## Community Participation

| Statistic | 499 or less | 4,999 or less | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Volunteering | 20.2% | 9.4% | 10.8 pts higher in 499 or less | gap widening |
| Unpaid carers | 13.0% | 12.6% | 0.3 pts higher in 499 or less | gap narrowing |
| Unpaid child care | 26.9% | 47.1% | 20.2 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap narrowing |
| Defence service | 3.2% | 1.8% | 1.4 pts higher in 499 or less |  |
| Housework 15h+ | 22.9% | 16.4% | 6.5 pts higher in 499 or less | gap steady |

## Family & Households

| Statistic | 499 or less | 4,999 or less | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Household size | 2.4 | 3.9 | 1.5 larger in 4,999 or less | gap widening |
| One-parent | 19.2% | 23.9% | 4.7 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap widening |
| Living alone | 32.9% | 20.1% | 12.8 pts higher in 499 or less | gap widening |

### Family composition

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Couples with children | 48.5% | 60.7% | -12.3 |
| Couples without children | 30.5% | 13.1% | +17.4 |
| One-parent families | 19.2% | 23.9% | -4.7 |
| Other families | 1.9% | 2.3% | -0.4 |

### Household size

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2 people | 35.2% | 19.8% | +15.4 |
| 1 person | 32.9% | 20.1% | +12.8 |
| 6 or more | 5.5% | 26.7% | -21.2 |
| 4 people | 10.0% | 12.5% | -2.4 |
| 3 people | 10.3% | 11.8% | -1.5 |
| 5 people | 6.1% | 9.2% | -3.1 |

## Housing & Dwellings

| Statistic | 499 or less | 4,999 or less | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rent | $140 | $100 | $40 higher in 499 or less | gap narrowing |
| Mortgage | $1,199 | $1,100 | $99 higher in 499 or less | gap narrowing |
| People / bedroom | 0.80 | 1.40 | 0.60 higher in 4,999 or less | gap steady |
| Renting | 34.3% | 71.8% | 37.5 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap narrowing |
| Owned outright | 34.1% | 4.7% | 29.4 pts higher in 499 or less | gap widening |
| Separate houses | 92.7% | 84.7% | 7.9 pts higher in 499 or less | gap narrowing |
| 3+ bedrooms | 75.5% | 66.4% | 9.1 pts higher in 499 or less | gap narrowing |

### How homes are owned or rented

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rented | 34.3% | 71.8% | -37.5 |
| Owned outright | 34.1% | 4.7% | +29.4 |
| Owned with a mortgage | 23.0% | 3.7% | +19.3 |
| Other tenure | 5.7% | 17.1% | -11.3 |
| Not stated | 2.8% | 2.6% | +0.3 |

### Types of homes

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Separate house | 92.7% | 84.7% | +7.9 |
| Townhouse / semi-detached | 3.1% | 9.3% | -6.2 |
| Flat or apartment | 0.7% | 3.8% | -3.1 |
| Other dwelling | 2.3% | 1.0% | +1.3 |

### Bedrooms per home

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 3 bedrooms | 46.9% | 49.7% | -2.9 |
| 4 bedrooms | 24.5% | 14.3% | +10.3 |
| 2 bedrooms | 16.5% | 23.2% | -6.7 |
| 1 bedroom | 4.6% | 7.4% | -2.8 |
| 5 or more | 4.1% | 2.4% | +1.7 |
| Studio / none | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.0 |

### Weekly rent distribution

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Under $200 | 61.7% | 67.6% | -5.9 |
| $200–$349 | 25.2% | 13.1% | +12.2 |
| $350–$549 | 3.7% | 4.8% | -1.1 |
| $550–$749 | 0.4% | 0.9% | -0.6 |
| $750 or more | 0.4% | 0.6% | -0.2 |

### Monthly mortgage distribution

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| $1,000–$1,799 | 32.1% | 45.2% | -13.1 |
| Under $1,000 | 37.2% | 37.8% | -0.6 |
| $1,800–$2,999 | 17.4% | 19.3% | -1.8 |
| $3,000 or more | 6.3% | 3.7% | +2.6 |

## Transport & Vehicles

| Statistic | 499 or less | 4,999 or less | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| No car | 11.3% | 39.8% | 28.4 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap widening |
| Work from home | 4.8% | 1.9% | 2.9 pts higher in 499 or less | gap steady |
| PT commute | 2.2% | 1.6% | 0.6 pts higher in 499 or less | gap narrowing |

### How people get to work

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Car (driver) | 55.4% | 45.2% | +10.2 |
| Walked | 13.7% | 25.4% | -11.7 |
| Car (passenger) | 5.4% | 11.1% | -5.7 |
| Worked at home | 4.8% | 1.9% | +2.9 |
| Bus | 2.0% | 1.6% | +0.5 |
| Bicycle | 1.3% | 2.0% | -0.7 |
| Train | 0.1% | 0.0% | +0.1 |

### Motor vehicles per home

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| No vehicle | 11.3% | 39.8% | -28.4 |
| 1 vehicle | 35.3% | 32.9% | +2.5 |
| 2 vehicles | 33.6% | 20.3% | +13.4 |
| 3 vehicles | 12.7% | 4.8% | +7.9 |
| 4 or more | 7.0% | 2.3% | +4.8 |

## Migration & Movement

| Statistic | 499 or less | 4,999 or less | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Recent movers | 30.4% | 23.3% | 7.1 pts higher in 499 or less | gap steady |
| Recent arrivals | 7.7% | 20.2% | 12.4 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap widening |

## Jobs & Industry

| Statistic | 499 or less | 4,999 or less | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Unemployment | 7.7% | 16.5% | 8.8 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap widening |
| Participation | 48.1% | 41.9% | 6.1 pts higher in 499 or less | gap widening |
| Full-time | 60.0% | 67.7% | 7.7 pts higher in 4,999 or less | gap steady |

### Industries people work in

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Health care & social assistance | 9.5% | 21.0% | -11.5 |
| Education & training | 11.6% | 16.5% | -4.9 |
| Public administration & safety | 9.8% | 15.5% | -5.7 |
| Agriculture, forestry & fishing | 10.4% | 0.8% | +9.7 |
| Retail trade | 6.7% | 8.0% | -1.2 |
| Mining | 7.9% | 6.9% | +1.0 |
| Accommodation & food | 7.6% | 3.9% | +3.7 |
| Construction | 6.6% | 5.7% | +0.9 |
| Transport & warehousing | 5.4% | 2.8% | +2.6 |
| Manufacturing | 4.0% | 1.6% | +2.5 |
| Other services | 3.6% | 4.0% | -0.4 |
| Administrative & support | 3.2% | 2.0% | +1.1 |

### Occupations people work in

| Category | 499 or less % | 4,999 or less % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Professionals | 13.0% | 25.2% | -12.1 |
| Community & personal service | 13.1% | 18.9% | -5.8 |
| Technicians & trades | 15.7% | 12.0% | +3.7 |
| Managers | 14.2% | 11.1% | +3.2 |
| Labourers | 13.7% | 8.0% | +5.7 |
| Machinery operators & drivers | 12.1% | 5.0% | +7.2 |
| Clerical & administrative | 9.9% | 11.2% | -1.4 |
| Sales workers | 5.7% | 4.9% | +0.8 |

## Walkability

| Statistic | 499 or less | 4,999 or less | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Walk score | 4.1 | 4.0 | 0.1 higher in 499 or less |  |
| Types ≤15 min | 4.7 | 4.7 |  |  |
| 15-min city | 59.4% | 61.3% | 1.9 pts higher in 4,999 or less |  |
| Walk to shops | 53.3% | 66.5% | 13.2 pts higher in 4,999 or less |  |
| Walk to transit | 41.0% | 0.0% | 41.0 pts higher in 499 or less |  |
| Walk to school | 69.8% | 71.4% | 1.5 pts higher in 4,999 or less |  |
| Walk to a park | 77.9% | 90.4% | 12.5 pts higher in 4,999 or less |  |
| Walk to health | 38.7% | 78.2% | 39.5 pts higher in 4,999 or less |  |
| Amenities/1k | 35.7 | 6.9 | 28.8 more in 499 or less |  |
| Intersections/km² | 15 | 12 | 3 higher in 499 or less |  |
| Mean slope | 4.4% | 3.6% | 0.8 pts higher in 499 or less |  |

Interactive comparison: https://censusatlas.au/compare/sosr/SOSR522/499-or-less/vs/SOSR715/4-999-or-less