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Central Coast vs Sydney

Name: Central Coast vs Sydney — 2021 Census comparison
Creator: Australian Bureau of Statistics
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Urban Area comparison ≈ 56 km apart · Central Coast profile · Sydney profile

Central Coast Sydney

Sydney and Central Coast are both major New South Wales hubs, but they differ sharply in their makeup and layout. Sydney is far more diverse and highly qualified, with 40.6% of people born overseas and 34.6% holding a bachelor degree or higher. It is also very walkable, with 82.9% of homes within 15 minutes of groceries. In contrast, Central Coast has a higher share of separate houses (78.2%) and an older population, with a typical resident aged 43 compared to 37 in Sydney. Central Coast also has a higher rate of long-term health conditions at 34.0%.

Many of these differences have grown since 2011, as the gap in overseas births has widened to 24.4 percentage points. Despite this, the two areas remain similar in their share of children under 15 and their unemployment rates. They also have almost the same percentage of volunteers. While Sydney has a higher typical weekly household income of $2,119 compared to $1,499 on Central Coast, both areas have seen a significant number of people shift toward working from home over the last decade.

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Where they differ most

Population: 4,486,867 larger in Sydney Other language: 32.8 pts higher in Sydney Separate houses: 24.6 pts higher in Central Coast Born overseas: 24.4 pts higher in Sydney Year 12: 21.4 pts higher in Sydney

Demographics & Identity

Population in Central Coast in Sydney +4,486,867 larger in Sydney gap widening

343,180 86th pct 4,830,047 100th pct

Median age in Central Coast in Sydney +6 yrs older in Central Coast gap widening

43 yrs 64th pct 37 yrs 21st pct

Age structure

23.0% Young adults (25–44) +8.0 pts ▸ 31.0%

25.6% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +2.0 pts 23.7%

22.2% Seniors (65+) ◂ +7.6 pts 14.7%

18.0% Children (0–14) +0.4 pts ▸ 18.4%

11.2% Youth (15–24) +1.1 pts ▸ 12.3%

Marital status

44.5% Married +4.1 pts ▸ 48.6%

33.7% Never married +3.0 pts ▸ 36.7%

11.2% Divorced ◂ +3.7 pts 7.5%

6.6% Widowed ◂ +2.3 pts 4.3%

4.0% Separated ◂ +1.1 pts 2.9%

Age & sex structure

Central Coast Sydney

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

Ancestry & Birthplace

Country of birth

78.9% Australia ◂ +24.0 pts 54.9%

0.6% China +4.3 pts ▸ 4.9%

4.6% England ◂ +1.8 pts 2.8%

0.7% India +3.2 pts ▸ 3.8%

0.1% Vietnam +1.8 pts ▸ 1.9%

0.7% Philippines +1.1 pts ▸ 1.8%

1.7% New Zealand ◂ +0.1 pts 1.6%

0.2% Nepal +1.1 pts ▸ 1.2%

0.3% Italy +0.5 pts ▸ 0.8%

0.6% South Africa +0.2 pts ▸ 0.8%

Ancestry

42.6% English ◂ +20.4 pts 22.3%

39.8% Australian ◂ +19.0 pts 20.8%

12.0% Irish ◂ +4.7 pts 7.3%

1.5% Chinese +9.8 pts ▸ 11.3%

10.5% Scottish ◂ +4.8 pts 5.7%

1.0% Indian +3.9 pts ▸ 4.8%

2.8% Italian +1.6 pts ▸ 4.4%

3.3% German ◂ +1.0 pts 2.3%

1.1% Filipino +1.6 pts ▸ 2.6%

0.8% Greek +1.7 pts ▸ 2.5%

0.2% Vietnamese +2.3 pts ▸ 2.4%

1.5% Dutch ◂ +0.6 pts 0.9%

Language

Language used at home

87.7% English only ◂ +33.0 pts 54.7%

0.6% Mandarin +4.8 pts ▸ 5.3%

0.2% Arabic +4.3 pts ▸ 4.5%

0.3% Cantonese +2.7 pts ▸ 3.0%

0.1% Vietnamese +2.2 pts ▸ 2.3%

0.2% Hindi +1.4 pts ▸ 1.6%

0.2% Greek +1.3 pts ▸ 1.5%

0.3% Italian +0.8 pts ▸ 1.1%

0.3% Tagalog +0.7 pts ▸ 0.9%

0.2% Punjabi +0.7 pts ▸ 0.9%

Religion

Religious affiliation

50.8% Christianity ◂ +5.6 pts 45.3%

40.0% No religion ◂ +10.0 pts 30.0%

0.4% Islam +6.4 pts ▸ 6.8%

6.5% Not stated even 6.5%

0.6% Hinduism +4.6 pts ▸ 5.2%

1.0% Buddhism +3.1 pts ▸ 4.1%

0.5% Other religions +0.9 pts ▸ 1.4%

0.1% Judaism +0.6 pts ▸ 0.8%

Education & Qualifications

Highest year of school

47.2% Year 12 +21.4 pts ▸ 68.5%

29.2% Year 10 ◂ +15.6 pts 13.6%

10.7% Year 9 or below ◂ +2.7 pts 8.0%

6.4% Year 11 ◂ +2.7 pts 3.7%

Highest qualification level

34.2% Certificate III / IV ◂ +17.5 pts 16.7%

20.5% Bachelor degree +13.7 pts ▸ 34.2%

15.9% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +1.3 pts 14.6%

5.8% Postgraduate degree +9.2 pts ▸ 14.9%

2.9% Graduate diploma / certificate +0.4 pts ▸ 3.3%

2.3% Certificate I / II ◂ +1.0 pts 1.3%

Field of qualification

18.7% Management & commerce +6.4 pts ▸ 25.1%

13.2% Engineering & related ◂ +1.4 pts 11.7%

11.9% Society & culture +0.3 pts ▸ 12.2%

11.0% Health ◂ +2.4 pts 8.6%

8.5% Education ◂ +1.9 pts 6.5%

7.4% Architecture & building ◂ +2.7 pts 4.7%

5.6% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +1.8 pts 3.8%

2.1% Information technology +3.3 pts ▸ 5.5%

3.6% Creative arts +1.2 pts ▸ 4.9%

1.9% Natural & physical sciences +1.6 pts ▸ 3.5%

1.9% Agriculture & environment ◂ +0.9 pts 1.0%

Income

Personal income in Central Coast in Sydney +$170 higher in Sydney gap widening

$726 48th pct $896 87th pct

Household income in Central Coast in Sydney +$620 higher in Sydney gap widening

$1,499 57th pct $2,119 90th pct

Family income in Central Coast in Sydney +$461 higher in Sydney gap widening

$1,948 62nd pct $2,409 89th pct

Household income distribution

28.3% $1,500–$2,999 +0.9 pts ▸ 29.2%

28.4% $650–$1,499 ◂ +7.3 pts 21.1%

9.2% $4,000 or more +10.1 pts ▸ 19.3%

18.4% Under $650 ◂ +5.6 pts 12.9%

9.3% $3,000–$3,999 +2.5 pts ▸ 11.9%

Personal income distribution

42.5% Under $650 ◂ +5.6 pts 36.9%

31.7% $650–$1,499 ◂ +2.4 pts 29.2%

15.5% $1,500–$2,999 +4.4 pts ▸ 20.0%

3.4% $3,000 or more +3.9 pts ▸ 7.3%

Health & Disability

Long-term health conditions reported

11.5% Arthritis ◂ +5.2 pts 6.3%

11.0% Mental health ◂ +4.7 pts 6.3%

9.6% Asthma ◂ +3.1 pts 6.5%

9.0% Other condition ◂ +1.7 pts 7.3%

5.5% Diabetes ◂ +1.0 pts 4.5%

5.0% Heart disease ◂ +1.8 pts 3.2%

3.7% Cancer ◂ +1.4 pts 2.3%

2.7% Lung condition ◂ +1.6 pts 1.1%

1.3% Stroke ◂ +0.6 pts 0.7%

1.1% Dementia ◂ +0.4 pts 0.7%

Number of long-term health conditions

58.1% None +11.8 pts ▸ 69.9%

21.9% One condition ◂ +5.6 pts 16.3%

7.7% Two conditions ◂ +3.3 pts 4.4%

4.4% Three or more ◂ +2.3 pts 2.1%

Community Participation

Family & Households

Household size in Central Coast in Sydney +0.2 larger in Sydney gap widening

2.5 71st pct 2.7 93rd pct

Family composition

53.9% Couples with children +9.2 pts ▸ 63.1%

27.7% Couples without children ◂ +4.8 pts 22.9%

17.5% One-parent families ◂ +4.7 pts 12.8%

0.9% Other families +0.3 pts ▸ 1.2%

Household size

34.3% 2 people ◂ +3.9 pts 30.4%

27.4% 1 person ◂ +4.4 pts 22.9%

14.5% 4 people +3.1 pts ▸ 17.5%

14.9% 3 people +2.5 pts ▸ 17.4%

6.1% 5 people +1.3 pts ▸ 7.4%

2.9% 6 or more +1.4 pts ▸ 4.3%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Central Coast in Sydney +$75 higher in Sydney gap widening

$400 90th pct $475 100th pct

Mortgage in Central Coast in Sydney +$500 higher in Sydney gap widening

$2,000 88th pct $2,500 100th pct

People / bedroom in Central Coast in Sydney +0.10 higher in Sydney gap steady

0.80 57th pct 0.90 100th pct

How homes are owned or rented

27.6% Rented +9.2 pts ▸ 36.8%

34.5% Owned outright ◂ +7.3 pts 27.2%

33.9% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +0.8 pts 33.1%

2.5% Other tenure ◂ +0.9 pts 1.6%

1.5% Not stated ◂ +0.2 pts 1.3%

Types of homes

78.2% Separate house ◂ +24.6 pts 53.6%

8.8% Flat or apartment +24.0 pts ▸ 32.8%

12.0% Townhouse / semi-detached +0.9 pts ▸ 13.0%

0.7% Other dwelling ◂ +0.3 pts 0.4%

Bedrooms per home

38.8% 3 bedrooms ◂ +8.5 pts 30.3%

28.1% 4 bedrooms ◂ +4.5 pts 23.6%

19.3% 2 bedrooms +7.1 pts ▸ 26.4%

8.4% 5 or more +0.6 pts ▸ 9.0%

3.6% 1 bedroom +4.9 pts ▸ 8.5%

0.4% Studio / none +0.5 pts ▸ 0.9%

Weekly rent distribution

53.7% $350–$549 ◂ +11.3 pts 42.4%

10.2% $550–$749 +12.7 pts ▸ 22.9%

20.9% $200–$349 ◂ +8.8 pts 12.1%

2.3% $750 or more +9.1 pts ▸ 11.4%

9.8% Under $200 ◂ +1.8 pts 8.0%

Monthly mortgage distribution

37.9% $1,800–$2,999 ◂ +6.0 pts 31.9%

16.2% $3,000 or more +19.0 pts ▸ 35.2%

26.2% $1,000–$1,799 ◂ +10.6 pts 15.6%

13.8% Under $1,000 ◂ +3.2 pts 10.6%

Transport & Vehicles

How people get to work

49.3% Car (driver) ◂ +16.3 pts 33.0%

25.4% Worked at home +14.5 pts ▸ 39.9%

3.3% Car (passenger) ◂ +0.7 pts 2.6%

0.8% Train +1.9 pts ▸ 2.6%

1.3% Walked +1.1 pts ▸ 2.4%

0.6% Bus +0.7 pts ▸ 1.2%

0.2% Bicycle +0.2 pts ▸ 0.4%

Motor vehicles per home

38.2% 1 vehicle +2.2 pts ▸ 40.4%

36.4% 2 vehicles ◂ +4.0 pts 32.4%

11.9% 3 vehicles ◂ +2.0 pts 9.9%

6.5% No vehicle +5.2 pts ▸ 11.7%

6.9% 4 or more ◂ +1.3 pts 5.6%

Migration & Movement

Jobs & Industry

Industries people work in

17.8% Health care & social assistance ◂ +4.7 pts 13.1%

11.5% Construction ◂ +3.7 pts 7.8%

6.0% Professional & technical +5.4 pts ▸ 11.3%

10.2% Retail trade ◂ +1.5 pts 8.7%

8.2% Education & training +0.3 pts ▸ 8.5%

3.3% Finance & insurance +4.0 pts ▸ 7.3%

7.0% Accommodation & food ◂ +1.6 pts 5.4%

6.1% Public administration & safety ◂ +0.7 pts 5.4%

5.9% Manufacturing ◂ +0.6 pts 5.3%

3.7% Transport & warehousing +1.4 pts ▸ 5.1%

3.8% Other services ◂ +0.7 pts 3.1%

2.2% Wholesale trade +1.1 pts ▸ 3.3%

Occupations people work in

20.4% Professionals +9.6 pts ▸ 30.0%

12.2% Managers +3.1 pts ▸ 15.4%

14.6% Technicians & trades ◂ +4.5 pts 10.1%

13.1% Clerical & administrative +0.7 pts ▸ 13.8%

13.0% Community & personal service ◂ +4.0 pts 9.0%

9.7% Labourers ◂ +3.2 pts 6.5%

9.2% Sales workers ◂ +1.5 pts 7.7%

6.0% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +0.4 pts 5.5%

Walkability

Walk score in Central Coast in Sydney +2.1 higher in Sydney

5.4 66th pct 7.4 100th pct

Types ≤15 min in Central Coast in Sydney +1.8 more in Sydney

5.1 62nd pct 6.8 100th pct

15-min city in Central Coast in Sydney +29.5 pts higher in Sydney

57.2% 58th pct 86.7% 100th pct

Walk to shops in Central Coast in Sydney +32.2 pts higher in Sydney

50.8% 40th pct 82.9% 100th pct

Walk to transit in Central Coast in Sydney +3.2 pts higher in Sydney

93.4% 89th pct 96.6% 100th pct

Walk to school in Central Coast in Sydney +29.0 pts higher in Sydney

61.6% 43rd pct 90.7% 100th pct

Walk to a park in Central Coast in Sydney +4.5 pts higher in Sydney

92.9% 71st pct 97.4% 95th pct

Walk to health in Central Coast in Sydney +32.9 pts higher in Sydney

38.9% 43rd pct 71.8% 99th pct

Amenities/1k in Central Coast in Sydney +3.7 more in Central Coast

16.9 62nd pct 13.2 32nd pct

Intersections/km² in Central Coast in Sydney +64 higher in Sydney

21 56th pct 86 100th pct

Mean slope in Central Coast in Sydney +0.7 pts higher in Central Coast

7.8% 89th pct 7.1% 86th pct

Compare Central Coast with nearby areas

Morisset - Cooranbong Sydney Newcastle - Maitland Singleton Medowie Nelson Bay Muswellbrook Lithgow Wollongong Bowral - Mittagong Bathurst Nowra - Bomaderry

Compare Sydney with nearby areas

Central Coast Wollongong Lithgow Bowral - Mittagong Morisset - Cooranbong Nowra - Bomaderry Singleton Newcastle - Maitland Bathurst Muswellbrook St Georges Basin - Sanctuary Point Medowie

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Central Coast vs Sydney [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/sua/1010/central-coast/vs/1031/sydney