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South Australia vs Western Australia

Name: South Australia vs Western Australia — 2021 Census comparison
Creator: Australian Bureau of Statistics
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

State / Territory comparison ≈ 1,400 km apart · South Australia profile · Western Australia profile

South Australia Western Australia

Western Australia and South Australia are both large regions with distinct profiles. Western Australia has a much higher share of people born overseas (32.2%) and higher typical incomes, with 23.2% of households earning $3,000 or more a week. In contrast, South Australia has an older population, with a typical resident aged 41 compared to 38 in Western Australia, and a higher share of people aged 65 and over (20.0%).

These two areas have tracked similarly in many ways since 2011, with gaps in overseas births and age remaining little changed. However, some differences are narrowing; the gap in Year 12 completion has shrunk, and fewer people are living alone in Western Australia compared to South Australia than in the past. Both regions share similar patterns in rental rates, the proportion of people in de facto relationships, and a similar typical age for First Nations residents.

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Where they differ most

Population: 878,510 larger in Western Australia Born overseas: 8.2 pts higher in Western Australia Household income: $360 higher in Western Australia Mortgage: $342 higher in Western Australia Median age: 3 yrs older in South Australia

Demographics & Identity

Population in South Australia in Western Australia +878,510 larger in Western Australia gap widening

1,781,516 2,660,026

Median age in South Australia in Western Australia +3 yrs older in South Australia gap steady

41 yrs 38 yrs

Age structure

25.9% Young adults (25–44) +2.3 pts ▸ 28.3%

25.4% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +0.5 pts 24.9%

20.0% Seniors (65+) ◂ +3.9 pts 16.1%

17.0% Children (0–14) +2.0 pts ▸ 19.0%

11.7% Youth (15–24) even 11.7%

Marital status

46.1% Married +1.2 pts ▸ 47.3%

35.4% Never married +0.7 pts ▸ 36.1%

9.5% Divorced ◂ +0.7 pts 8.8%

5.7% Widowed ◂ +1.3 pts 4.4%

3.2% Separated +0.1 pts ▸ 3.3%

Age & sex structure

South Australia Western Australia

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

Ancestry & Birthplace

Country of birth

71.5% Australia ◂ +9.5 pts 62.0%

5.3% England +2.1 pts ▸ 7.4%

0.8% New Zealand +2.1 pts ▸ 2.8%

2.5% India ◂ +0.2 pts 2.3%

0.5% South Africa +1.2 pts ▸ 1.7%

1.4% China ◂ +0.4 pts 1.1%

0.9% Philippines +0.5 pts ▸ 1.4%

1.0% Vietnam ◂ +0.3 pts 0.7%

0.9% Italy ◂ +0.3 pts 0.7%

0.4% Nepal ◂ +0.2 pts 0.2%

Ancestry

38.0% English ◂ +0.4 pts 37.6%

32.5% Australian ◂ +2.8 pts 29.7%

7.6% Irish +1.1 pts ▸ 8.8%

8.4% Scottish +0.4 pts ▸ 8.7%

7.6% German ◂ +4.6 pts 2.9%

5.8% Italian ◂ +0.7 pts 5.2%

3.3% Chinese +1.1 pts ▸ 4.4%

2.4% Indian +0.5 pts ▸ 2.9%

2.3% Greek ◂ +1.7 pts 0.6%

1.7% Dutch +0.3 pts ▸ 2.0%

1.2% Filipino +0.6 pts ▸ 1.8%

1.3% Vietnamese ◂ +0.4 pts 0.9%

Language

Language used at home

77.6% English only ◂ +2.3 pts 75.3%

1.8% Mandarin +0.1 pts ▸ 1.9%

1.3% Italian ◂ +0.4 pts 1.0%

1.2% Greek ◂ +1.1 pts 0.2%

1.2% Vietnamese ◂ +0.4 pts 0.9%

1.1% Punjabi ◂ +0.3 pts 0.8%

0.6% Cantonese +0.2 pts ▸ 0.7%

0.4% Tagalog +0.3 pts ▸ 0.7%

0.6% Arabic even 0.6%

0.6% Hindi ◂ +0.1 pts 0.4%

Religion

Religious affiliation

45.8% No religion ◂ +2.8 pts 42.9%

40.0% Christianity +1.1 pts ▸ 41.1%

6.4% Not stated +1.6 pts ▸ 8.0%

2.3% Islam +0.2 pts ▸ 2.5%

1.9% Buddhism +0.3 pts ▸ 2.2%

2.1% Hinduism ◂ +0.2 pts 2.0%

1.5% Other religions ◂ +0.3 pts 1.1%

0.1% Judaism +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

Education & Qualifications

Highest year of school

54.6% Year 12 +3.4 pts ▸ 58.0%

14.3% Year 10 +5.0 pts ▸ 19.2%

16.2% Year 11 ◂ +7.4 pts 8.8%

9.4% Year 9 or below ◂ +2.7 pts 6.7%

Highest qualification level

29.7% Certificate III / IV ◂ +1.7 pts 28.0%

25.8% Bachelor degree +0.1 pts ▸ 25.9%

14.6% Advanced diploma / diploma +0.1 pts ▸ 14.7%

8.8% Postgraduate degree ◂ +0.7 pts 8.0%

3.8% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +0.1 pts 3.7%

2.3% Certificate I / II +0.2 pts ▸ 2.6%

Field of qualification

17.9% Management & commerce ◂ +0.3 pts 17.6%

14.6% Engineering & related +2.5 pts ▸ 17.1%

13.2% Society & culture ◂ +2.4 pts 10.8%

12.2% Health ◂ +1.6 pts 10.6%

8.1% Education ◂ +0.1 pts 8.0%

5.2% Food, hospitality & personal services even 5.1%

4.8% Architecture & building +0.2 pts ▸ 5.0%

3.0% Natural & physical sciences +0.4 pts ▸ 3.4%

3.2% Creative arts even 3.2%

2.8% Information technology ◂ +0.3 pts 2.5%

2.4% Agriculture & environment ◂ +0.4 pts 2.0%

Income

Personal income in South Australia in Western Australia +$114 higher in Western Australia gap narrowing

$734 $848

Household income in South Australia in Western Australia +$360 higher in Western Australia gap narrowing

$1,455 $1,815

Family income in South Australia in Western Australia +$325 higher in Western Australia gap narrowing

$1,889 $2,214

Household income distribution

29.7% $650–$1,499 ◂ +6.0 pts 23.8%

28.8% $1,500–$2,999 +0.1 pts ▸ 28.8%

18.3% Under $650 ◂ +3.5 pts 14.8%

8.0% $4,000 or more +4.7 pts ▸ 12.6%

8.5% $3,000–$3,999 +2.1 pts ▸ 10.6%

Personal income distribution

42.9% Under $650 ◂ +4.7 pts 38.1%

32.7% $650–$1,499 ◂ +4.0 pts 28.7%

15.4% $1,500–$2,999 +4.2 pts ▸ 19.6%

3.2% $3,000 or more +2.7 pts ▸ 5.9%

Health & Disability

Long-term health conditions reported

10.1% Arthritis ◂ +2.5 pts 7.6%

9.8% Mental health ◂ +1.5 pts 8.3%

8.9% Asthma ◂ +1.6 pts 7.3%

8.8% Other condition ◂ +1.4 pts 7.4%

5.7% Diabetes ◂ +1.3 pts 4.4%

4.6% Heart disease ◂ +1.1 pts 3.6%

3.2% Cancer ◂ +0.5 pts 2.7%

2.0% Lung condition ◂ +0.4 pts 1.6%

1.1% Stroke ◂ +0.2 pts 0.8%

1.0% Dementia ◂ +0.3 pts 0.7%

Number of long-term health conditions

62.1% None +3.0 pts ▸ 65.1%

20.3% One condition ◂ +2.2 pts 18.2%

6.9% Two conditions ◂ +1.5 pts 5.3%

3.8% Three or more ◂ +1.2 pts 2.6%

Community Participation

First Nations

First Nations people in South Australia in Western Australia +46,131 larger in Western Australia

42,562 88,693

Median age in South Australia in Western Australia even

24 yrs 24 yrs

Median income in South Australia in Western Australia +$6 higher in South Australia

$487 $481

Household income in South Australia in Western Australia +$198 higher in Western Australia

$1,282 $1,480

Family & Households

Household size in South Australia in Western Australia +0.1 larger in Western Australia gap narrowing

2.4 2.5

Family composition

55.1% Couples with children +3.8 pts ▸ 58.9%

28.8% Couples without children ◂ +2.4 pts 26.5%

14.8% One-parent families ◂ +1.3 pts 13.5%

1.2% Other families ◂ +0.1 pts 1.1%

Household size

34.7% 2 people ◂ +1.1 pts 33.5%

28.5% 1 person ◂ +3.1 pts 25.4%

14.0% 4 people +1.9 pts ▸ 15.9%

15.0% 3 people +0.9 pts ▸ 15.9%

5.4% 5 people +1.0 pts ▸ 6.4%

2.4% 6 or more +0.5 pts ▸ 2.9%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in South Australia in Western Australia +$40 higher in Western Australia gap narrowing

$300 $340

Mortgage in South Australia in Western Australia +$342 higher in Western Australia gap narrowing

$1,500 $1,842

People / bedroom in South Australia in Western Australia even gap steady

0.80 0.80

How homes are owned or rented

35.6% Owned with a mortgage +4.3 pts ▸ 40.0%

32.8% Owned outright ◂ +3.7 pts 29.2%

27.6% Rented ◂ +0.2 pts 27.3%

2.6% Other tenure ◂ +0.5 pts 2.1%

1.4% Not stated even 1.4%

Types of homes

78.0% Separate house +1.7 pts ▸ 79.7%

14.6% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +1.6 pts 13.0%

6.8% Flat or apartment ◂ +0.3 pts 6.5%

0.4% Other dwelling +0.2 pts ▸ 0.6%

Bedrooms per home

51.5% 3 bedrooms ◂ +14.0 pts 37.5%

21.6% 4 bedrooms +16.8 pts ▸ 38.4%

18.0% 2 bedrooms ◂ +5.5 pts 12.6%

4.1% 5 or more +2.2 pts ▸ 6.3%

3.3% 1 bedroom +0.3 pts ▸ 3.7%

0.2% Studio / none even 0.3%

Weekly rent distribution

42.8% $200–$349 ◂ +7.9 pts 34.9%

29.0% $350–$549 +9.8 pts ▸ 38.8%

20.9% Under $200 ◂ +6.5 pts 14.4%

2.9% $550–$749 +2.8 pts ▸ 5.7%

0.8% $750 or more +1.5 pts ▸ 2.4%

Monthly mortgage distribution

39.5% $1,000–$1,799 ◂ +8.1 pts 31.4%

24.1% $1,800–$2,999 +10.2 pts ▸ 34.2%

22.7% Under $1,000 ◂ +8.8 pts 13.9%

8.9% $3,000 or more +6.0 pts ▸ 14.9%

Transport & Vehicles

PT stops in South Australia in Western Australia +5,755 more in Western Australia

8,830 14,585

Stops/1k in South Australia in Western Australia +0.53 more in Western Australia

4.96 5.48

Departures/1k in South Australia in Western Australia +306.0 more in Western Australia

1,317.0 1,623.0

PT routes in South Australia in Western Australia +132 more in South Australia

539 407

How people get to work

63.9% Car (driver) ◂ +1.8 pts 62.1%

9.6% Worked at home ◂ +2.1 pts 7.5%

4.3% Car (passenger) +0.3 pts ▸ 4.6%

3.1% Bus ◂ +0.3 pts 2.9%

2.5% Walked ◂ +0.3 pts 2.2%

0.6% Train +1.1 pts ▸ 1.8%

0.9% Bicycle ◂ +0.2 pts 0.7%

Motor vehicles per home

36.8% 2 vehicles +2.8 pts ▸ 39.6%

36.4% 1 vehicle ◂ +2.0 pts 34.5%

12.4% 3 vehicles +1.0 pts ▸ 13.4%

7.1% 4 or more +0.4 pts ▸ 7.6%

7.2% No vehicle ◂ +2.3 pts 5.0%

Migration & Movement

Jobs & Industry

Industries people work in

16.4% Health care & social assistance ◂ +2.8 pts 13.6%

9.7% Retail trade ◂ +0.9 pts 8.8%

8.3% Construction +0.5 pts ▸ 8.8%

8.8% Education & training even 8.8%

1.3% Mining +6.2 pts ▸ 7.5%

7.2% Manufacturing ◂ +1.9 pts 5.3%

6.2% Professional & technical +0.7 pts ▸ 6.9%

6.7% Public administration & safety ◂ +0.7 pts 5.9%

6.6% Accommodation & food ◂ +0.1 pts 6.5%

4.1% Transport & warehousing +0.4 pts ▸ 4.5%

3.9% Other services ◂ +0.1 pts 3.9%

3.8% Administrative & support ◂ +0.7 pts 3.1%

Occupations people work in

21.5% Professionals +0.5 pts ▸ 22.0%

13.2% Technicians & trades +2.1 pts ▸ 15.3%

13.0% Community & personal service ◂ +1.2 pts 11.8%

13.0% Managers ◂ +0.7 pts 12.3%

12.5% Clerical & administrative ◂ +0.4 pts 12.1%

10.5% Labourers ◂ +1.1 pts 9.4%

8.5% Sales workers ◂ +0.7 pts 7.8%

6.0% Machinery operators & drivers +1.6 pts ▸ 7.7%

Economy & Advantage

ERP in South Australia in Western Australia +1,141,717 higher in Western Australia

1,902,665 3,044,382

Growth in South Australia in Western Australia +5.2 pts higher in Western Australia

5.6% 10.7%

Environment & Climate

Rainfall in South Australia in Western Australia +42 higher in Western Australia

143 185

Max temp in South Australia in Western Australia +1.9 higher in Western Australia

29.4 31.3

Min temp in South Australia in Western Australia +1.8 higher in Western Australia

13.8 15.6

Walkability

Walk score in South Australia in Western Australia +0.1 higher in South Australia

5.5 5.4

Types ≤15 min in South Australia in Western Australia +0.1 more in South Australia

5.4 5.2

15-min city in South Australia in Western Australia +3.0 pts higher in South Australia

67.0% 64.0%

Walk to shops in South Australia in Western Australia +2.9 pts higher in South Australia

64.4% 61.5%

Walk to transit in South Australia in Western Australia +4.8 pts higher in Western Australia

76.1% 80.9%

Walk to school in South Australia in Western Australia +3.5 pts higher in Western Australia

68.4% 71.9%

Walk to a park in South Australia in Western Australia +4.0 pts higher in Western Australia

84.9% 88.9%

Walk to health in South Australia in Western Australia +4.0 pts higher in South Australia

52.4% 48.5%

Amenities/1k in South Australia in Western Australia +0.4 more in Western Australia

16.3 16.6

Intersections/km² in South Australia in Western Australia even

0 0

Mean slope in South Australia in Western Australia +1.1 pts higher in Western Australia

4.6% 5.7%

Compare South Australia with nearby areas

Northern Territory Queensland Victoria New South Wales Western Australia Australian Capital Territory Tasmania Other Territories

Compare Western Australia with nearby areas

Northern Territory South Australia Queensland Other Territories Victoria New South Wales Australian Capital Territory Tasmania

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). South Australia vs Western Australia [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/ste/4/south-australia/vs/5/western-australia