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Colac vs Portland

Urban Area comparison ≈ 175 km apart · Colac profile · Portland profile

Colac Portland

Colac and Portland are two Victorian towns with similar population sizes, though they offer different layouts and demographics. Colac is more walkable (somewhat walkable) and has much better access to essentials, with 71.5% of homes in a 15-minute-city walkshed compared to 34.5% in Portland. Colac also has a far higher share of recent overseas arrivals at 30.7%, while Portland's share is 10.1%. Portland has a noticeably older population, with a typical resident aged 47 compared to 42 in Colac.

Both towns have similar levels of higher education, with 11.4% of adults in each area holding a bachelor degree or higher, a figure that sits near the national level. They also share very similar typical weekly rents and home sizes. While they have much in common, some gaps are changing; the difference in recent overseas arrivals has widened since 2011, while the gap in Year 12 completion has narrowed.

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Where they differ most

Limited English: 1.9 pts higher in Colac Recent arrivals: 20.6 pts higher in Colac Unemployment: 2.0 pts higher in Portland Other language: 3.9 pts higher in Colac No car: 2.0 pts higher in Colac

Demographics & Identity

Population in Colacin Portland +1,526 larger in Colac gap narrowing
12,756 12th pct 11,230 11th pct
Median age in Colacin Portland +5 yrs older in Portland gap widening
42 yrs 57th pct 47 yrs 86th pct
First Nations in Colacin Portland +1.4 pts higher in Portland gap steady
1.5% 6th pct 3.0% 23rd pct
Aged 65+ in Colacin Portland +0.7 pts higher in Portland gap narrowing
24.1% 75th pct 24.8% 78th pct
Under 15 in Colacin Portland +1.4 pts higher in Colac gap widening
17.0% 27th pct 15.7% 12th pct
De facto in Colacin Portland +1.3 pts higher in Portland gap steady
12.3% 39th pct 13.6% 74th pct

Age structure

23.9% Older adults (45–64) +4.8 pts ▸ 28.7%
24.1% Seniors (65+) +0.7 pts ▸ 24.8%
24.1% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +3.7 pts 20.4%
17.0% Children (0–14) ◂ +1.4 pts 15.7%
10.8% Youth (15–24) ◂ +0.4 pts 10.4%

Marital status

42.3% Married +1.7 pts ▸ 44.0%
36.7% Never married ◂ +2.7 pts 34.0%
9.7% Divorced +1.3 pts ▸ 11.0%
7.9% Widowed ◂ +0.8 pts 7.1%
3.5% Separated +0.4 pts ▸ 3.8%

Age & sex structure

Colac Portland

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

Ancestry & Birthplace

Born overseas in Colacin Portland +0.6 pts higher in Colac gap steady
9.9% 21st pct 9.4% 15th pct

Country of birth

84.7% Australia ◂ +0.8 pts 83.9%
1.3% England +1.1 pts ▸ 2.4%
0.9% New Zealand +0.4 pts ▸ 1.3%
1.3% China ◂ +1.2 pts 0.1%
0.6% Philippines +0.1 pts ▸ 0.7%
0.5% India ◂ +0.1 pts 0.3%
0.0% South Africa +0.3 pts ▸ 0.3%
0.3% Italy ◂ +0.1 pts 0.1%
0.1% Nepal +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%
0.1% Vietnam even 0.1%

Ancestry

40.4% English +2.7 pts ▸ 43.1%
41.7% Australian +0.4 pts ▸ 42.0%
14.7% Irish ◂ +4.2 pts 10.5%
12.3% Scottish even 12.2%
3.3% German +2.3 pts ▸ 5.6%
2.9% Italian ◂ +1.4 pts 1.5%
2.2% Chinese ◂ +1.6 pts 0.6%
1.6% Dutch +0.5 pts ▸ 2.2%
0.7% Filipino +0.1 pts ▸ 0.8%
0.5% Indian even 0.5%
0.4% Greek even 0.3%
0.1% Vietnamese +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

Language

Other language in Colacin Portland +3.9 pts higher in Colac gap steady
7.3% 58th pct 3.4% 9th pct
Limited English in Colacin Portland +1.9 pts higher in Colac gap widening
2.1% 86th pct 0.2% 0th pct

Language used at home

87.8% English only +2.4 pts ▸ 90.2%
2.2% Mandarin ◂ +2.1 pts 0.2%
0.3% Italian ◂ +0.2 pts 0.1%
0.3% Arabic ◂ +0.2 pts 0.1%
0.2% Tagalog even 0.2%
0.2% Punjabi ◂ +0.1 pts 0.1%
0.1% Vietnamese even 0.1%
0.0% Greek +0.1 pts ▸ 0.1%
0.1% Hindi even 0.1%
0.1% Cantonese ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

Religion

No religion in Colacin Portland +4.4 pts higher in Portland gap widening
44.7% 62nd pct 49.0% 86th pct

Religious affiliation

44.7% No religion +4.4 pts ▸ 49.0%
46.6% Christianity ◂ +5.5 pts 41.1%
6.8% Not stated +1.5 pts ▸ 8.3%
0.7% Buddhism ◂ +0.1 pts 0.6%
0.6% Islam ◂ +0.4 pts 0.1%
0.4% Hinduism +0.1 pts ▸ 0.5%
0.3% Other religions even 0.3%
0.0% Judaism even 0.1%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Colacin Portland +3.3 pts higher in Colac gap narrowing
39.8% 27th pct 36.5% 15th pct
Bachelor+ in Colacin Portland even gap narrowing
11.4% 16th pct 11.4% 16th pct

Highest year of school

39.8% Year 12 ◂ +3.3 pts 36.5%
19.3% Year 10 +2.1 pts ▸ 21.4%
16.6% Year 11 +1.9 pts ▸ 18.4%
17.7% Year 9 or below ◂ +1.7 pts 16.0%

Highest qualification level

41.2% Certificate III / IV ◂ +0.8 pts 40.5%
16.3% Bachelor degree ◂ +1.2 pts 15.1%
15.1% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +0.4 pts 14.7%
2.8% Graduate diploma / certificate +0.7 pts ▸ 3.4%
3.3% Postgraduate degree ◂ +0.5 pts 2.8%
2.2% Certificate I / II ◂ +0.1 pts 2.2%

Field of qualification

13.5% Engineering & related +3.0 pts ▸ 16.6%
13.3% Society & culture ◂ +1.0 pts 12.4%
12.7% Management & commerce ◂ +1.3 pts 11.4%
10.8% Health +1.7 pts ▸ 12.5%
9.9% Education ◂ +0.6 pts 9.3%
7.9% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +1.8 pts 6.1%
6.5% Architecture & building even 6.5%
3.4% Agriculture & environment ◂ +0.3 pts 3.0%
2.1% Creative arts ◂ +0.4 pts 1.7%
1.5% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +0.5 pts 1.0%
1.1% Information technology ◂ +0.2 pts 0.9%

Income

Personal income in Colacin Portland +$70 higher in Colac gap narrowing
$701 40th pct $631 18th pct
Household income in Colacin Portland +$50 higher in Colac gap narrowing
$1,250 27th pct $1,200 20th pct
Family income in Colacin Portland +$150 higher in Colac gap narrowing
$1,701 35th pct $1,551 21st pct
High earners in Colacin Portland +2.3 pts higher in Portland gap widening
4.8% 9th pct 7.2% 32nd pct
High-income homes in Colacin Portland even gap narrowing
10.5% 19th pct 10.5% 19th pct

Household income distribution

32.4% $650–$1,499 +0.4 pts ▸ 32.8%
28.0% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +1.9 pts 26.0%
22.5% Under $650 +0.1 pts ▸ 22.6%
6.0% $3,000–$3,999 +0.2 pts ▸ 6.3%
4.5% $4,000 or more ◂ +0.2 pts 4.2%

Personal income distribution

43.9% Under $650 +3.3 pts ▸ 47.2%
37.6% $650–$1,499 ◂ +7.4 pts 30.2%
10.5% $1,500–$2,999 +2.6 pts ▸ 13.1%
1.4% $3,000 or more +0.2 pts ▸ 1.6%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Colacin Portland +2.8 pts higher in Portland
33.5% 58th pct 36.4% 80th pct
Mental health in Colacin Portland +1.5 pts higher in Portland
10.0% 39th pct 11.5% 68th pct
Needs assistance in Colacin Portland +0.4 pts higher in Colac gap narrowing
8.8% 86th pct 8.3% 79th pct

Long-term health conditions reported

11.6% Arthritis +3.0 pts ▸ 14.6%
10.0% Mental health +1.5 pts ▸ 11.5%
9.1% Asthma +0.5 pts ▸ 9.5%
7.9% Other condition +1.3 pts ▸ 9.3%
5.9% Diabetes +0.7 pts ▸ 6.5%
5.0% Heart disease +0.2 pts ▸ 5.3%
3.4% Cancer +0.6 pts ▸ 4.0%
2.4% Lung condition +0.5 pts ▸ 2.9%
1.4% Stroke even 1.4%
1.1% Dementia ◂ +0.1 pts 1.0%

Number of long-term health conditions

58.2% None ◂ +3.7 pts 54.5%
22.0% One condition +0.5 pts ▸ 22.6%
7.4% Two conditions +1.1 pts ▸ 8.5%
4.1% Three or more +1.2 pts ▸ 5.3%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Colacin Portland +2.3 pts higher in Portland gap steady
15.1% 46th pct 17.4% 77th pct
Unpaid carers in Colacin Portland +0.5 pts higher in Colac gap steady
14.1% 83rd pct 13.6% 72nd pct
Unpaid child care in Colacin Portland +2.4 pts higher in Colac gap steady
24.9% 38th pct 22.5% 14th pct
Defence service in Colacin Portland +0.6 pts higher in Portland
2.4% 13th pct 3.0% 43rd pct
Housework 15h+ in Colacin Portland +1.9 pts higher in Portland gap steady
21.7% 50th pct 23.5% 79th pct

Family & Households

Household size in Colacin Portland +0.1 larger in Colac gap narrowing
2.3 14th pct 2.2 6th pct
One-parent in Colacin Portland +1.2 pts higher in Portland gap narrowing
16.0% 43rd pct 17.2% 57th pct
Living alone in Colacin Portland +2.1 pts higher in Colac gap narrowing
34.3% 91st pct 32.2% 82nd pct

Family composition

52.1% Couples with children ◂ +5.7 pts 46.4%
30.3% Couples without children +5.2 pts ▸ 35.5%
16.0% One-parent families +1.2 pts ▸ 17.2%
1.4% Other families ◂ +0.6 pts 0.9%

Household size

33.2% 2 people +4.5 pts ▸ 37.8%
34.3% 1 person ◂ +2.1 pts 32.2%
12.7% 3 people +0.9 pts ▸ 13.6%
11.4% 4 people ◂ +0.4 pts 11.0%
5.8% 5 people ◂ +2.2 pts 3.6%
2.6% 6 or more ◂ +0.8 pts 1.8%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Colacin Portland +$10 higher in Colac gap narrowing
$260 22nd pct $250 15th pct
Mortgage in Colacin Portland +$195 higher in Colac gap narrowing
$1,300 29th pct $1,105 2nd pct
People / bedroom in Colacin Portland even gap steady
0.70 0th pct 0.70 0th pct
Renting in Colacin Portland +1.0 pts higher in Colac gap narrowing
25.8% 24th pct 24.8% 20th pct
Owned outright in Colacin Portland +1.5 pts higher in Portland gap narrowing
39.8% 80th pct 41.2% 85th pct
Separate houses in Colacin Portland +1.2 pts higher in Portland gap narrowing
88.1% 78th pct 89.3% 85th pct
3+ bedrooms in Colacin Portland +0.9 pts higher in Colac gap narrowing
79.6% 68th pct 78.7% 58th pct

How homes are owned or rented

39.8% Owned outright +1.5 pts ▸ 41.2%
31.0% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +0.1 pts 30.9%
25.8% Rented ◂ +1.0 pts 24.8%
2.1% Not stated ◂ +0.4 pts 1.8%
1.3% Other tenure even 1.3%

Types of homes

88.1% Separate house +1.2 pts ▸ 89.3%
10.7% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +2.0 pts 8.7%
0.0% Flat or apartment +1.2 pts ▸ 1.2%
1.1% Other dwelling ◂ +0.4 pts 0.7%

Bedrooms per home

52.8% 3 bedrooms +1.1 pts ▸ 53.9%
23.5% 4 bedrooms ◂ +2.0 pts 21.5%
14.4% 2 bedrooms +1.8 pts ▸ 16.3%
3.8% 1 bedroom ◂ +0.8 pts 3.0%
3.2% 5 or more ◂ +0.1 pts 3.2%
0.4% Studio / none ◂ +0.1 pts 0.3%

Weekly rent distribution

55.0% $200–$349 ◂ +3.6 pts 51.4%
21.2% Under $200 +6.9 pts ▸ 28.2%
17.5% $350–$549 ◂ +1.9 pts 15.5%
0.4% $550–$749 ◂ +0.1 pts 0.3%
0.0% $750 or more even 0.0%

Monthly mortgage distribution

49.4% $1,000–$1,799 ◂ +8.6 pts 40.8%
25.0% Under $1,000 +13.0 pts ▸ 38.0%
16.3% $1,800–$2,999 ◂ +4.1 pts 12.2%
3.9% $3,000 or more ◂ +0.5 pts 3.4%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Colacin Portland +2.0 pts higher in Colac gap narrowing
7.8% 86th pct 5.7% 43rd pct
Work from home in Colacin Portland +0.1 pts higher in Colac gap narrowing
6.2% 33rd pct 6.1% 32nd pct
PT commute in Colacin Portland +0.1 pts higher in Colac gap steady
0.2% 7th pct 0.1% 0th pct

How people get to work

67.8% Car (driver) +2.0 pts ▸ 69.8%
6.4% Car (passenger) ◂ +1.3 pts 5.2%
6.2% Worked at home ◂ +0.1 pts 6.1%
4.5% Walked ◂ +1.4 pts 3.2%
0.7% Bicycle ◂ +0.2 pts 0.5%
0.1% Bus ◂ +0.1 pts 0.1%
0.1% Train ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

35.8% 2 vehicles +2.2 pts ▸ 38.0%
37.5% 1 vehicle ◂ +1.1 pts 36.4%
12.2% 3 vehicles +1.3 pts ▸ 13.5%
7.8% No vehicle ◂ +2.0 pts 5.7%
6.7% 4 or more ◂ +0.2 pts 6.4%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Colacin Portland +1.8 pts higher in Portland gap narrowing
35.6% 20th pct 37.4% 29th pct
Recent arrivals in Colacin Portland +20.6 pts higher in Colac gap widening
30.7% 99th pct 10.1% 32nd pct

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Colacin Portland +2.0 pts higher in Portland gap narrowing
3.0% 3rd pct 5.0% 55th pct
Participation in Colacin Portland +4.7 pts higher in Colac gap narrowing
57.7% 49th pct 53.0% 24th pct
Full-time in Colacin Portland +3.2 pts higher in Colac gap widening
57.0% 46th pct 53.8% 19th pct

Industries people work in

19.8% Manufacturing ◂ +5.2 pts 14.7%
14.4% Health care & social assistance +1.6 pts ▸ 16.0%
10.2% Retail trade ◂ +1.8 pts 8.4%
6.8% Education & training +1.7 pts ▸ 8.5%
8.2% Construction ◂ +1.0 pts 7.1%
6.5% Accommodation & food +1.2 pts ▸ 7.7%
3.4% Transport & warehousing +3.2 pts ▸ 6.5%
4.0% Public administration & safety +1.8 pts ▸ 5.9%
5.5% Agriculture, forestry & fishing ◂ +0.8 pts 4.7%
3.8% Other services +0.1 pts ▸ 3.9%
3.7% Administrative & support ◂ +0.9 pts 2.7%
2.8% Professional & technical ◂ +0.5 pts 2.3%

Occupations people work in

22.8% Labourers ◂ +8.9 pts 13.9%
11.4% Professionals +4.0 pts ▸ 15.4%
14.3% Technicians & trades +0.4 pts ▸ 14.7%
13.5% Community & personal service +1.0 pts ▸ 14.4%
8.3% Machinery operators & drivers +3.6 pts ▸ 11.9%
9.7% Managers ◂ +0.3 pts 9.4%
8.8% Clerical & administrative +0.5 pts ▸ 9.2%
9.1% Sales workers ◂ +0.7 pts 8.4%

Walkability

Walk score in Colacin Portland +1.5 higher in Colac
5.8 80th pct 4.3 30th pct
Types ≤15 min in Colacin Portland +1.9 more in Colac
5.8 86th pct 3.9 22nd pct
15-min city in Colacin Portland +37.0 pts higher in Colac
71.5% 86th pct 34.5% 11th pct
Walk to shops in Colacin Portland +27.5 pts higher in Colac
74.8% 90th pct 47.2% 30th pct
Walk to transit in Colacin Portland +5.7 pts higher in Colac
86.4% 64th pct 80.7% 42nd pct
Walk to school in Colacin Portland +20.9 pts higher in Colac
82.0% 91st pct 61.0% 41st pct
Walk to a park in Colacin Portland +36.3 pts higher in Colac
91.3% 59th pct 55.0% 3rd pct
Walk to health in Colacin Portland +20.7 pts higher in Colac
51.8% 80th pct 31.1% 23rd pct
Amenities/1k in Colacin Portland +2.9 more in Colac
15.7 55th pct 12.8 28th pct
Intersections/km² in Colacin Portland +6 higher in Colac
18 46th pct 12 31st pct
Mean slope in Colacin Portland +0.5 pts higher in Portland
3.4% 18th pct 3.9% 26th pct

Compare Colac with nearby areas

Ballarat Geelong Warrnambool Bacchus Marsh Gisborne Castlemaine Bendigo Melbourne Not in any Significant Urban Area Portland Horsham Warragul - Drouin

Compare Portland with nearby areas

Mount Gambier Warrnambool Horsham Colac Ballarat Not in any Significant Urban Area Geelong Castlemaine Bacchus Marsh Gisborne Bendigo Swan Hill

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Colac vs Portland [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/sua/2006/colac/vs/2014/portland