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Hervey Bay vs Toowoomba

Name: Hervey Bay vs Toowoomba — 2021 Census comparison
Creator: Australian Bureau of Statistics
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Urban Area comparison ≈ 270 km apart · Hervey Bay profile · Toowoomba profile

Hervey Bay Toowoomba

Toowoomba and Hervey Bay are two distinct Queensland hubs with very different demographics. Toowoomba is a younger and more international area, where 25.2% of people arrived from overseas recently and the typical resident is 37. Hervey Bay is far older, with a typical age of 51 and a much higher proportion of seniors (31.9%). Toowoomba is more walkable (somewhat walkable) and has a more qualified workforce, with 54.3% of residents completing Year 12 and 20.9% holding a bachelor degree or higher. In contrast, Hervey Bay is mostly car-dependent, and 43.3% of its homes are owned outright, compared to 30.8% in Toowoomba.

Both areas have a similar proportion of people living alone, at around 28%. Since 2011, the gaps between them have often widened. The difference in typical age has grown from 5 to 14 years, and the gap in the share of adults working or looking for work has increased to 17.4%. While Toowoomba has seen a rise in the share of people with university degrees, Hervey Bay's typical weekly personal income of $552 remains well below the national figure.

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Where they differ most

Population: 84,441 larger in Toowoomba Median age: 14 yrs older in Hervey Bay Recent arrivals: 18.0 pts higher in Toowoomba Unpaid child care: 7.2 pts higher in Toowoomba Participation: 17.4 pts higher in Toowoomba

Demographics & Identity

Population in Hervey Bay in Toowoomba +84,441 larger in Toowoomba gap narrowing

57,722 65th pct 142,163 76th pct

Median age in Hervey Bay in Toowoomba +14 yrs older in Hervey Bay gap widening

51 yrs 91st pct 37 yrs 21st pct

Age structure

31.9% Seniors (65+) ◂ +13.3 pts 18.7%

25.7% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +2.7 pts 23.1%

18.0% Young adults (25–44) +7.4 pts ▸ 25.4%

15.4% Children (0–14) +4.4 pts ▸ 19.8%

8.9% Youth (15–24) +4.2 pts ▸ 13.1%

Marital status

47.8% Married ◂ +0.4 pts 47.4%

27.1% Never married +7.2 pts ▸ 34.4%

12.5% Divorced ◂ +3.5 pts 9.0%

8.2% Widowed ◂ +2.6 pts 5.7%

4.3% Separated ◂ +0.8 pts 3.5%

Age & sex structure

Hervey Bay Toowoomba

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

Ancestry & Birthplace

Country of birth

75.5% Australia +4.8 pts ▸ 80.3%

5.7% England ◂ +3.9 pts 1.9%

3.5% New Zealand ◂ +2.1 pts 1.4%

0.5% India +0.9 pts ▸ 1.4%

0.8% Philippines +0.1 pts ▸ 0.9%

0.7% South Africa even 0.7%

0.1% Nepal +0.4 pts ▸ 0.5%

0.2% China +0.3 pts ▸ 0.4%

0.2% Italy ◂ +0.1 pts 0.1%

0.1% Vietnam even 0.1%

Ancestry

45.3% English ◂ +6.4 pts 38.9%

37.0% Australian +0.7 pts ▸ 37.7%

10.5% Irish +2.4 pts ▸ 12.9%

11.1% Scottish +0.1 pts ▸ 11.1%

7.1% German +3.5 pts ▸ 10.5%

2.0% Italian ◂ +0.3 pts 1.7%

1.6% Dutch ◂ +0.2 pts 1.4%

0.9% Chinese +0.5 pts ▸ 1.5%

0.7% Indian +0.7 pts ▸ 1.4%

1.1% Filipino +0.1 pts ▸ 1.2%

0.3% Greek ◂ +0.1 pts 0.2%

0.1% Vietnamese +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

Language

Language used at home

89.1% English only ◂ +4.2 pts 85.0%

0.3% Mandarin +0.5 pts ▸ 0.8%

0.1% Arabic +0.5 pts ▸ 0.6%

0.1% Punjabi +0.3 pts ▸ 0.5%

0.2% Tagalog +0.2 pts ▸ 0.4%

0.1% Hindi +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

0.1% Cantonese +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

0.1% Italian even 0.1%

0.1% Vietnamese +0.1 pts ▸ 0.1%

0.1% Greek even 0.0%

Religion

Religious affiliation

48.4% Christianity +6.6 pts ▸ 55.0%

41.3% No religion ◂ +8.5 pts 32.8%

8.0% Not stated ◂ +1.6 pts 6.4%

0.5% Other religions +1.8 pts ▸ 2.3%

0.5% Hinduism +1.0 pts ▸ 1.5%

0.4% Islam +0.6 pts ▸ 1.0%

0.9% Buddhism +0.1 pts ▸ 1.0%

0.1% Judaism even 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Highest year of school

40.7% Year 12 +13.5 pts ▸ 54.3%

29.9% Year 10 ◂ +6.4 pts 23.5%

13.4% Year 9 or below ◂ +3.0 pts 10.4%

8.2% Year 11 ◂ +2.3 pts 5.9%

Highest qualification level

38.0% Certificate III / IV ◂ +5.0 pts 33.0%

16.2% Bachelor degree +7.2 pts ▸ 23.4%

15.2% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +0.4 pts 14.8%

3.9% Postgraduate degree +3.4 pts ▸ 7.2%

2.8% Graduate diploma / certificate +1.1 pts ▸ 3.9%

2.7% Certificate I / II +0.1 pts ▸ 2.8%

Field of qualification

14.4% Management & commerce +2.4 pts ▸ 16.8%

15.0% Engineering & related ◂ +0.8 pts 14.2%

12.5% Health +0.9 pts ▸ 13.4%

12.5% Society & culture ◂ +0.2 pts 12.3%

8.8% Education +1.3 pts ▸ 10.2%

6.8% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +1.0 pts 5.8%

6.1% Architecture & building ◂ +0.9 pts 5.2%

1.7% Agriculture & environment +1.2 pts ▸ 2.9%

1.9% Creative arts +0.6 pts ▸ 2.4%

1.3% Information technology +0.7 pts ▸ 1.9%

1.3% Natural & physical sciences +0.6 pts ▸ 1.9%

Income

Personal income in Hervey Bay in Toowoomba +$214 higher in Toowoomba gap widening

$552 2nd pct $766 62nd pct

Household income in Hervey Bay in Toowoomba +$421 higher in Toowoomba gap widening

$1,083 5th pct $1,504 58th pct

Family income in Hervey Bay in Toowoomba +$598 higher in Toowoomba gap widening

$1,312 2nd pct $1,910 58th pct

Household income distribution

37.4% $650–$1,499 ◂ +7.7 pts 29.8%

22.4% $1,500–$2,999 +8.3 pts ▸ 30.7%

22.9% Under $650 ◂ +6.3 pts 16.6%

5.1% $3,000–$3,999 +3.4 pts ▸ 8.5%

4.0% $4,000 or more +3.3 pts ▸ 7.4%

Personal income distribution

52.5% Under $650 ◂ +11.7 pts 40.8%

27.6% $650–$1,499 +6.4 pts ▸ 33.9%

9.9% $1,500–$2,999 +6.5 pts ▸ 16.4%

1.7% $3,000 or more +1.1 pts ▸ 2.8%

Health & Disability

Long-term health conditions reported

16.2% Arthritis ◂ +5.8 pts 10.4%

12.3% Mental health ◂ +1.1 pts 11.2%

10.7% Other condition ◂ +1.7 pts 9.0%

9.8% Asthma +0.1 pts ▸ 9.9%

7.5% Heart disease ◂ +2.8 pts 4.7%

6.8% Diabetes ◂ +1.7 pts 5.1%

5.1% Cancer ◂ +1.8 pts 3.3%

5.0% Lung condition ◂ +3.0 pts 2.0%

1.9% Stroke ◂ +0.8 pts 1.1%

1.3% Dementia ◂ +0.5 pts 0.9%

Number of long-term health conditions

51.6% None +8.7 pts ▸ 60.3%

23.0% One condition ◂ +2.0 pts 21.0%

9.9% Two conditions ◂ +2.7 pts 7.2%

7.0% Three or more ◂ +2.9 pts 4.0%

Community Participation

Family & Households

Household size in Hervey Bay in Toowoomba +0.2 larger in Toowoomba gap narrowing

2.3 14th pct 2.5 71st pct

Family composition

41.3% Couples with children +12.8 pts ▸ 54.1%

39.5% Couples without children ◂ +10.7 pts 28.8%

18.1% One-parent families ◂ +2.2 pts 16.0%

1.1% Other families +0.1 pts ▸ 1.2%

Household size

42.9% 2 people ◂ +7.4 pts 35.5%

27.6% 1 person +0.2 pts ▸ 27.8%

12.6% 3 people +1.5 pts ▸ 14.2%

9.7% 4 people +3.2 pts ▸ 12.9%

4.5% 5 people +1.6 pts ▸ 6.0%

2.6% 6 or more +0.9 pts ▸ 3.5%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Hervey Bay in Toowoomba +$25 higher in Hervey Bay gap narrowing

$335 66th pct $310 57th pct

Mortgage in Hervey Bay in Toowoomba +$109 higher in Toowoomba gap narrowing

$1,408 36th pct $1,517 46th pct

People / bedroom in Hervey Bay in Toowoomba even gap steady

0.70 0th pct 0.70 0th pct

How homes are owned or rented

43.3% Owned outright ◂ +12.5 pts 30.8%

27.7% Rented +6.1 pts ▸ 33.8%

24.6% Owned with a mortgage +7.9 pts ▸ 32.5%

2.5% Other tenure ◂ +0.9 pts 1.7%

1.9% Not stated ◂ +0.6 pts 1.2%

Types of homes

82.2% Separate house ◂ +2.1 pts 80.1%

12.5% Townhouse / semi-detached +2.6 pts ▸ 15.1%

3.0% Flat or apartment +1.4 pts ▸ 4.4%

1.8% Other dwelling ◂ +1.6 pts 0.2%

Bedrooms per home

39.0% 3 bedrooms +1.0 pts ▸ 40.0%

34.3% 4 bedrooms ◂ +1.7 pts 32.6%

16.2% 2 bedrooms even 16.2%

5.1% 5 or more +2.0 pts ▸ 7.1%

3.1% 1 bedroom ◂ +0.5 pts 2.6%

0.6% Studio / none ◂ +0.4 pts 0.2%

Weekly rent distribution

43.1% $200–$349 +12.6 pts ▸ 55.7%

42.1% $350–$549 ◂ +12.5 pts 29.5%

9.7% Under $200 +0.6 pts ▸ 10.3%

1.7% $550–$749 ◂ +0.2 pts 1.5%

0.3% $750 or more even 0.3%

Monthly mortgage distribution

46.1% $1,000–$1,799 ◂ +1.7 pts 44.4%

20.7% $1,800–$2,999 +5.5 pts ▸ 26.2%

22.0% Under $1,000 ◂ +4.5 pts 17.5%

5.0% $3,000 or more +2.1 pts ▸ 7.1%

Transport & Vehicles

How people get to work

69.0% Car (driver) +1.3 pts ▸ 70.3%

6.9% Worked at home +0.3 pts ▸ 7.2%

5.8% Car (passenger) even 5.8%

2.2% Walked +0.2 pts ▸ 2.4%

0.9% Bicycle ◂ +0.3 pts 0.6%

0.3% Bus even 0.3%

0.0% Train even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

43.3% 1 vehicle ◂ +6.4 pts 36.9%

34.5% 2 vehicles +3.4 pts ▸ 37.9%

10.7% 3 vehicles +1.8 pts ▸ 12.5%

5.3% 4 or more +1.5 pts ▸ 6.8%

6.3% No vehicle ◂ +0.3 pts 5.9%

Migration & Movement

Jobs & Industry

Industries people work in

24.0% Health care & social assistance ◂ +4.2 pts 19.8%

11.6% Retail trade ◂ +2.1 pts 9.5%

9.1% Education & training +2.2 pts ▸ 11.3%

9.4% Accommodation & food ◂ +3.1 pts 6.4%

9.1% Construction ◂ +0.7 pts 8.4%

3.6% Manufacturing +2.9 pts ▸ 6.5%

5.7% Public administration & safety +0.4 pts ▸ 6.1%

3.5% Professional & technical +1.4 pts ▸ 4.9%

4.3% Other services even 4.3%

3.1% Transport & warehousing +0.7 pts ▸ 3.7%

3.2% Administrative & support ◂ +0.8 pts 2.4%

0.9% Agriculture, forestry & fishing +1.8 pts ▸ 2.7%

Occupations people work in

19.0% Professionals +2.4 pts ▸ 21.5%

18.0% Community & personal service ◂ +4.0 pts 14.1%

13.7% Technicians & trades +0.7 pts ▸ 14.4%

10.8% Clerical & administrative +2.0 pts ▸ 12.8%

11.1% Labourers ◂ +0.5 pts 10.6%

10.7% Sales workers ◂ +1.8 pts 8.9%

9.3% Managers +1.0 pts ▸ 10.3%

5.4% Machinery operators & drivers +0.4 pts ▸ 5.8%

Walkability

Walk score in Hervey Bay in Toowoomba +2.2 higher in Toowoomba

3.0 10th pct 5.2 56th pct

Types ≤15 min in Hervey Bay in Toowoomba +1.8 more in Toowoomba

3.3 11th pct 5.1 63rd pct

15-min city in Hervey Bay in Toowoomba +30.1 pts higher in Toowoomba

32.4% 9th pct 62.5% 68th pct

Walk to shops in Hervey Bay in Toowoomba +7.4 pts higher in Toowoomba

54.0% 49th pct 61.4% 71st pct

Walk to transit in Hervey Bay in Toowoomba +69.2 pts higher in Toowoomba

0.0% 0th pct 69.2% 28th pct

Walk to school in Hervey Bay in Toowoomba +18.5 pts higher in Toowoomba

50.9% 24th pct 69.3% 65th pct

Walk to a park in Hervey Bay in Toowoomba +4.4 pts higher in Toowoomba

86.1% 39th pct 90.5% 55th pct

Walk to health in Hervey Bay in Toowoomba +24.6 pts higher in Toowoomba

18.3% 9th pct 42.9% 60th pct

Amenities/1k in Hervey Bay in Toowoomba +9.0 more in Toowoomba

4.9 0th pct 13.9 43rd pct

Intersections/km² in Hervey Bay in Toowoomba +32 higher in Hervey Bay

56 89th pct 24 61st pct

Mean slope in Hervey Bay in Toowoomba +2.2 pts higher in Toowoomba

4.3% 33rd pct 6.5% 73rd pct

Compare Hervey Bay with nearby areas

Maryborough Bundaberg Gympie Sunshine Coast Kingaroy Gladstone Brisbane Toowoomba Gold Coast - Tweed Heads Yeppoon Warwick Rockhampton

Compare Toowoomba with nearby areas

Warwick Kingaroy Brisbane Gympie Sunshine Coast Gold Coast - Tweed Heads Lismore Ballina Byron Bay Maryborough Grafton Hervey Bay

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Hervey Bay vs Toowoomba [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/sua/3009/hervey-bay/vs/3016/toowoomba