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Mount Isa vs Townsville

Name: Mount Isa vs Townsville — 2021 Census comparison
Creator: Australian Bureau of Statistics
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Urban Area comparison ≈ 770 km apart · Mount Isa profile · Townsville profile

Mount Isa Townsville

Townsville and Mount Isa are both regional Queensland centres, but they offer very different lifestyles. Townsville is more walkable (somewhat walkable) compared to Mount Isa (mostly car-dependent), with far more homes within a 15-minute walk of groceries, health services, and public transport. Mount Isa has a much stronger link to the mining industry and significantly higher pay, with typical weekly household incomes reaching $2,236, compared to $1,717 in Townsville. Mount Isa also has a far higher Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population at 21.4%, while Townsville sits at 8.8%.

Both areas share a very similar outlook in some ways, with almost the same proportion of people who speak little or no English and a nearly identical share of those with no religion. Since 2011, the gaps between them have often grown wider. The difference in typical household income has increased, and the gap in the share of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents has widened from 1.9 to 12.6 percentage points.

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Where they differ most

Population: 160,694 larger in Townsville PT commute: 0.7 pts higher in Townsville First Nations: 12.6 pts higher in Mount Isa No car: 2.1 pts higher in Mount Isa 3+ bedrooms: 7.3 pts higher in Townsville

Demographics & Identity

Population in Mount Isa in Townsville +160,694 larger in Townsville gap widening

18,317 29th pct 179,011 79th pct

Median age in Mount Isa in Townsville +4 yrs older in Townsville gap narrowing

31 yrs 0th pct 35 yrs 11th pct

Age structure

32.3% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +4.3 pts 28.0%

22.4% Older adults (45–64) +1.6 pts ▸ 24.0%

23.6% Children (0–14) ◂ +4.3 pts 19.4%

13.6% Youth (15–24) +1.3 pts ▸ 14.9%

8.1% Seniors (65+) +5.6 pts ▸ 13.7%

Marital status

48.6% Never married ◂ +6.1 pts 42.5%

37.1% Married +3.0 pts ▸ 40.1%

7.5% Divorced +1.9 pts ▸ 9.3%

3.4% Widowed +0.8 pts ▸ 4.2%

3.4% Separated +0.4 pts ▸ 3.9%

Age & sex structure

Mount Isa Townsville

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

Ancestry & Birthplace

Country of birth

74.1% Australia +4.7 pts ▸ 78.8%

4.3% New Zealand ◂ +2.1 pts 2.1%

2.7% Philippines ◂ +1.6 pts 1.1%

1.2% England +1.2 pts ▸ 2.4%

1.1% South Africa ◂ +0.5 pts 0.6%

0.8% India +0.1 pts ▸ 1.0%

0.2% China +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

0.2% Italy +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

0.1% Vietnam +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

0.1% Nepal even 0.1%

Ancestry

28.5% English +8.8 pts ▸ 37.2%

33.4% Australian +3.5 pts ▸ 36.9%

8.9% Irish +2.4 pts ▸ 11.3%

7.2% Scottish +3.2 pts ▸ 10.4%

4.4% German +0.9 pts ▸ 5.3%

2.6% Italian +2.3 pts ▸ 4.9%

3.9% Filipino ◂ +2.3 pts 1.6%

1.4% Chinese even 1.4%

1.1% Dutch +0.2 pts ▸ 1.3%

0.9% Indian +0.3 pts ▸ 1.3%

0.3% Greek +0.4 pts ▸ 0.7%

0.2% Vietnamese +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

Language

Language used at home

80.4% English only +3.2 pts ▸ 83.7%

1.0% Tagalog ◂ +0.5 pts 0.5%

0.2% Italian +0.2 pts ▸ 0.4%

0.3% Mandarin even 0.3%

0.3% Punjabi even 0.2%

0.1% Vietnamese +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

0.1% Greek +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

0.2% Hindi even 0.2%

0.1% Cantonese +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

0.1% Arabic +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

Religion

Religious affiliation

45.7% Christianity +1.9 pts ▸ 47.6%

40.9% No religion ◂ +0.7 pts 40.2%

11.1% Not stated ◂ +1.7 pts 9.4%

0.6% Buddhism +0.2 pts ▸ 0.8%

0.6% Hinduism +0.1 pts ▸ 0.8%

0.6% Other religions +0.1 pts ▸ 0.6%

0.4% Islam +0.1 pts ▸ 0.6%

0.0% Judaism even 0.1%

Education & Qualifications

Highest year of school

49.7% Year 12 +5.2 pts ▸ 54.9%

21.4% Year 10 +0.1 pts ▸ 21.5%

9.5% Year 9 or below ◂ +1.6 pts 7.9%

7.5% Year 11 ◂ +0.4 pts 7.1%

Highest qualification level

39.1% Certificate III / IV ◂ +4.6 pts 34.5%

17.5% Bachelor degree +4.0 pts ▸ 21.5%

9.9% Advanced diploma / diploma +3.8 pts ▸ 13.7%

4.4% Postgraduate degree +1.5 pts ▸ 5.9%

2.6% Graduate diploma / certificate +0.7 pts ▸ 3.3%

2.6% Certificate I / II even 2.6%

Field of qualification

24.7% Engineering & related ◂ +8.9 pts 15.8%

11.7% Management & commerce +3.2 pts ▸ 15.0%

9.8% Health +2.7 pts ▸ 12.6%

8.8% Society & culture +3.8 pts ▸ 12.6%

7.8% Education +0.1 pts ▸ 7.9%

4.6% Food, hospitality & personal services +1.0 pts ▸ 5.6%

4.0% Architecture & building +1.2 pts ▸ 5.2%

1.6% Natural & physical sciences +1.3 pts ▸ 2.9%

1.0% Creative arts +1.0 pts ▸ 2.0%

1.1% Information technology +0.5 pts ▸ 1.6%

1.2% Agriculture & environment +0.3 pts ▸ 1.5%

Income

Personal income in Mount Isa in Townsville +$286 higher in Mount Isa gap widening

$1,158 98th pct $872 86th pct

Household income in Mount Isa in Townsville +$519 higher in Mount Isa gap widening

$2,236 92nd pct $1,717 77th pct

Family income in Mount Isa in Townsville +$557 higher in Mount Isa gap widening

$2,652 93rd pct $2,095 77th pct

Household income distribution

31.8% $1,500–$2,999 +0.4 pts ▸ 32.2%

17.2% $650–$1,499 +9.0 pts ▸ 26.2%

15.0% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +4.8 pts 10.2%

14.8% $4,000 or more ◂ +6.3 pts 8.6%

11.1% Under $650 +2.9 pts ▸ 14.0%

Personal income distribution

28.2% Under $650 +6.9 pts ▸ 35.1%

25.9% $650–$1,499 +7.4 pts ▸ 33.3%

29.3% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +10.2 pts 19.1%

5.3% $3,000 or more ◂ +2.3 pts 3.0%

Health & Disability

Long-term health conditions reported

5.5% Mental health +4.9 pts ▸ 10.4%

4.4% Arthritis +4.2 pts ▸ 8.6%

5.3% Other condition +3.0 pts ▸ 8.3%

7.0% Asthma +1.1 pts ▸ 8.2%

4.7% Diabetes ◂ +0.1 pts 4.6%

3.0% Heart disease +0.9 pts ▸ 3.9%

1.5% Cancer +1.4 pts ▸ 2.9%

1.2% Lung condition +0.8 pts ▸ 2.0%

0.5% Stroke +0.3 pts ▸ 0.9%

0.4% Dementia +0.3 pts ▸ 0.7%

Number of long-term health conditions

66.5% None ◂ +5.8 pts 60.7%

14.8% One condition +4.3 pts ▸ 19.1%

4.0% Two conditions +2.1 pts ▸ 6.1%

1.8% Three or more +1.5 pts ▸ 3.3%

Community Participation

Family & Households

Household size in Mount Isa in Townsville +0.1 larger in Mount Isa gap steady

2.6 86th pct 2.5 71st pct

Family composition

57.5% Couples with children ◂ +3.7 pts 53.8%

22.2% Couples without children +4.7 pts ▸ 27.0%

18.9% One-parent families ◂ +1.1 pts 17.9%

1.4% Other families even 1.3%

Household size

30.8% 2 people +3.8 pts ▸ 34.6%

28.1% 1 person ◂ +1.9 pts 26.2%

14.7% 3 people +1.5 pts ▸ 16.2%

14.3% 4 people ◂ +0.3 pts 13.9%

7.2% 5 people ◂ +1.3 pts 5.9%

4.9% 6 or more ◂ +1.7 pts 3.2%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Mount Isa in Townsville +$35 higher in Townsville gap widening

$275 31st pct $310 57th pct

Mortgage in Mount Isa in Townsville +$29 higher in Mount Isa gap narrowing

$1,546 52nd pct $1,517 46th pct

People / bedroom in Mount Isa in Townsville +0.10 higher in Mount Isa gap steady

0.90 100th pct 0.80 57th pct

How homes are owned or rented

45.6% Rented ◂ +7.2 pts 38.3%

30.0% Owned with a mortgage +5.3 pts ▸ 35.3%

16.2% Owned outright +7.3 pts ▸ 23.5%

4.4% Not stated ◂ +3.0 pts 1.4%

3.7% Other tenure ◂ +2.2 pts 1.5%

Types of homes

75.1% Separate house +5.0 pts ▸ 80.1%

15.9% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +4.2 pts 11.6%

4.2% Flat or apartment +3.3 pts ▸ 7.5%

4.1% Other dwelling ◂ +3.6 pts 0.6%

Bedrooms per home

47.8% 3 bedrooms ◂ +8.5 pts 39.2%

19.4% 4 bedrooms +13.9 pts ▸ 33.3%

16.8% 2 bedrooms ◂ +0.7 pts 16.2%

6.9% 1 bedroom ◂ +3.5 pts 3.4%

4.2% 5 or more +1.9 pts ▸ 6.1%

0.4% Studio / none even 0.4%

Weekly rent distribution

31.3% $200–$349 +18.1 pts ▸ 49.4%

29.4% $350–$549 +3.8 pts ▸ 33.2%

28.8% Under $200 ◂ +16.9 pts 11.9%

4.9% $550–$749 ◂ +3.0 pts 2.0%

0.5% $750 or more ◂ +0.1 pts 0.4%

Monthly mortgage distribution

41.1% $1,000–$1,799 +3.3 pts ▸ 44.4%

27.4% $1,800–$2,999 ◂ +1.8 pts 25.6%

17.0% Under $1,000 +0.6 pts ▸ 17.6%

6.8% $3,000 or more +0.4 pts ▸ 7.2%

Transport & Vehicles

How people get to work

70.5% Car (driver) +0.6 pts ▸ 71.1%

7.7% Car (passenger) ◂ +2.2 pts 5.5%

2.0% Worked at home +2.9 pts ▸ 4.8%

4.2% Walked ◂ +2.1 pts 2.1%

0.8% Bicycle +0.2 pts ▸ 1.0%

0.2% Bus +0.6 pts ▸ 0.9%

0.0% Train even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

39.1% 2 vehicles +0.7 pts ▸ 39.9%

34.1% 1 vehicle +1.2 pts ▸ 35.4%

12.6% 3 vehicles +0.4 pts ▸ 13.0%

7.6% No vehicle ◂ +2.1 pts 5.5%

6.5% 4 or more ◂ +0.3 pts 6.2%

Migration & Movement

Jobs & Industry

Industries people work in

30.5% Mining ◂ +27.8 pts 2.7%

12.6% Health care & social assistance +5.1 pts ▸ 17.8%

6.8% Public administration & safety +6.1 pts ▸ 12.9%

8.4% Education & training +1.0 pts ▸ 9.5%

7.5% Retail trade +1.8 pts ▸ 9.3%

4.2% Construction +4.2 pts ▸ 8.4%

6.0% Accommodation & food +1.5 pts ▸ 7.5%

1.6% Professional & technical +2.9 pts ▸ 4.5%

2.9% Manufacturing +1.5 pts ▸ 4.4%

3.3% Transport & warehousing +0.9 pts ▸ 4.2%

4.0% Other services ◂ +0.1 pts 3.9%

2.7% Administrative & support ◂ +0.1 pts 2.6%

Occupations people work in

21.0% Technicians & trades ◂ +6.6 pts 14.4%

17.3% Professionals +2.7 pts ▸ 20.0%

10.2% Community & personal service +6.2 pts ▸ 16.5%

15.3% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +8.0 pts 7.3%

11.0% Clerical & administrative +1.3 pts ▸ 12.3%

7.6% Managers +2.4 pts ▸ 9.9%

8.9% Labourers +0.4 pts ▸ 9.3%

6.5% Sales workers +2.2 pts ▸ 8.7%

Walkability

Walk score in Mount Isa in Townsville +2.4 higher in Townsville

2.7 6th pct 5.1 53rd pct

Types ≤15 min in Mount Isa in Townsville +1.9 more in Townsville

3.0 7th pct 4.9 56th pct

15-min city in Mount Isa in Townsville +35.0 pts higher in Townsville

23.7% 0th pct 58.8% 61st pct

Walk to shops in Mount Isa in Townsville +27.5 pts higher in Townsville

26.5% 0th pct 54.0% 49th pct

Walk to transit in Mount Isa in Townsville +82.5 pts higher in Townsville

0.0% 0th pct 82.5% 48th pct

Walk to school in Mount Isa in Townsville +20.9 pts higher in Mount Isa

82.4% 92nd pct 61.4% 42nd pct

Walk to a park in Mount Isa in Townsville +1.7 pts higher in Mount Isa

92.9% 71st pct 91.2% 58th pct

Walk to health in Mount Isa in Townsville +22.3 pts higher in Townsville

22.4% 11th pct 44.7% 63rd pct

Amenities/1k in Mount Isa in Townsville +4.1 more in Townsville

5.6 0th pct 9.7 10th pct

Intersections/km² in Mount Isa in Townsville +2 higher in Townsville

27 64th pct 29 67th pct

Mean slope in Mount Isa in Townsville +0.1 pts higher in Townsville

3.8% 24th pct 3.9% 26th pct

Compare Mount Isa with nearby areas

Not in any Significant Urban Area Alice Springs Not in any Significant Urban Area Cairns Townsville Emerald Airlie Beach - Cannonvale Not in any Significant Urban Area Mackay Rockhampton Broken Hill Yeppoon

Compare Townsville with nearby areas

Airlie Beach - Cannonvale Cairns Mackay Emerald Not in any Significant Urban Area Rockhampton Yeppoon Gladstone Mount Isa Bundaberg Hervey Bay Maryborough

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Mount Isa vs Townsville [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/sua/3013/mount-isa/vs/3017/townsville