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Toowoomba vs Blue Mountain Heights

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

Urban Centre comparison ≈ 6.8 km apart · Toowoomba profile · Blue Mountain Heights profile

Toowoomba Blue Mountain Heights

Toowoomba and Blue Mountain Heights (L) are neighbouring areas with very different profiles. Blue Mountain Heights (L) is far wealthier, with a typical weekly household income of $2,392 compared to $1,404 in Toowoomba. It is also a more educated area, where 36.8% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher, compared to 21.4% in Toowoomba. While Toowoomba is more transient and diverse, with 28.4% of residents being recent overseas arrivals, Blue Mountain Heights (L) is more stable and older, with a typical resident aged 47 compared to 38 in Toowoomba.

Both areas have a similar share of children under 15 years old, sitting around 19%. This commonality exists alongside a widening gap in housing and lifestyles. Blue Mountain Heights (L) has become much more skewed toward large, outright-owned detached houses, while Toowoomba has a much higher share of renters and people living alone. Toowoomba is also far more walkable, with many more homes within a 15-minute walk of schools, health services, and groceries.

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Where they differ most

Renting: 31.4 pts higher in Toowoomba Recent arrivals: 26.1 pts higher in Toowoomba Population: 107,410 larger in Toowoomba Separate houses: 24.0 pts higher in Blue Mountain Heights 3+ bedrooms: 23.3 pts higher in Blue Mountain Heights

Demographics & Identity

Population in Toowoomba in Blue Mountain Heights +107,410 larger in Toowoomba gap narrowing

108,398 86th pct 988 56th pct

Median age in Toowoomba in Blue Mountain Heights +9 yrs older in Blue Mountain Heights gap widening

38 yrs 25th pct 47 yrs 57th pct

Age structure

22.3% Older adults (45–64) +8.6 pts ▸ 31.0%

25.7% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +6.5 pts 19.1%

19.8% Seniors (65+) +2.8 pts ▸ 22.6%

18.8% Children (0–14) +0.3 pts ▸ 19.1%

13.4% Youth (15–24) ◂ +4.2 pts 9.2%

Marital status

43.9% Married +27.7 pts ▸ 71.6%

36.2% Never married ◂ +17.5 pts 18.7%

9.8% Divorced ◂ +5.6 pts 4.2%

6.4% Widowed ◂ +2.8 pts 3.6%

3.8% Separated ◂ +2.0 pts 1.7%

Age & sex structure

Toowoomba Blue Mountain Heights

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

Ancestry & Birthplace

Country of birth

78.1% Australia +5.4 pts ▸ 83.5%

1.8% England +1.1 pts ▸ 2.9%

1.4% New Zealand +0.5 pts ▸ 1.9%

0.6% South Africa +1.3 pts ▸ 1.9%

1.7% India ◂ +1.7 pts 0.0%

1.1% Philippines ◂ +0.7 pts 0.4%

0.7% Nepal ◂ +0.7 pts 0.0%

0.5% China ◂ +0.5 pts 0.0%

0.1% Vietnam ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

0.1% Italy ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

Ancestry

36.0% Australian +5.9 pts ▸ 41.9%

37.9% English +1.5 pts ▸ 39.5%

10.8% Scottish +6.0 pts ▸ 16.8%

12.9% Irish +1.6 pts ▸ 14.5%

10.0% German +2.0 pts ▸ 12.0%

1.6% Italian +0.7 pts ▸ 2.3%

1.7% Indian ◂ +0.7 pts 1.0%

1.7% Chinese ◂ +1.3 pts 0.4%

1.3% Dutch +0.3 pts ▸ 1.6%

1.4% Filipino ◂ +1.4 pts 0.0%

0.3% Greek ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%

0.2% Vietnamese ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%

Language

Language used at home

82.5% English only +8.9 pts ▸ 91.4%

1.0% Mandarin ◂ +1.0 pts 0.0%

0.8% Arabic +0.1 pts ▸ 0.9%

0.6% Punjabi ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%

0.4% Tagalog ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%

0.0% Greek +0.4 pts ▸ 0.4%

0.3% Hindi ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%

0.2% Cantonese ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%

0.2% Vietnamese ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%

0.1% Italian ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

Religion

Religious affiliation

53.4% Christianity +13.2 pts ▸ 66.6%

32.7% No religion ◂ +6.4 pts 26.3%

6.6% Not stated ◂ +0.4 pts 6.2%

2.9% Other religions ◂ +2.9 pts 0.0%

1.9% Hinduism ◂ +1.5 pts 0.4%

1.3% Islam ◂ +0.7 pts 0.6%

1.2% Buddhism ◂ +0.6 pts 0.6%

0.0% Judaism even 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Highest year of school

53.9% Year 12 +10.9 pts ▸ 64.8%

22.9% Year 10 ◂ +4.9 pts 17.9%

11.4% Year 9 or below ◂ +6.0 pts 5.4%

5.7% Year 11 +1.6 pts ▸ 7.2%

Highest qualification level

24.0% Bachelor degree +8.7 pts ▸ 32.7%

31.4% Certificate III / IV ◂ +10.0 pts 21.5%

14.3% Advanced diploma / diploma +3.4 pts ▸ 17.6%

7.9% Postgraduate degree +2.6 pts ▸ 10.6%

3.9% Graduate diploma / certificate +3.9 pts ▸ 7.8%

2.9% Certificate I / II ◂ +2.2 pts 0.7%

Field of qualification

16.7% Management & commerce +1.5 pts ▸ 18.2%

9.9% Education +6.5 pts ▸ 16.4%

13.9% Health +0.2 pts ▸ 14.0%

13.1% Engineering & related ◂ +2.2 pts 10.9%

12.7% Society & culture ◂ +0.5 pts 12.3%

6.0% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +1.5 pts 4.5%

2.7% Agriculture & environment +2.3 pts ▸ 5.0%

4.9% Architecture & building ◂ +0.7 pts 4.2%

2.6% Creative arts even 2.6%

2.0% Natural & physical sciences +0.4 pts ▸ 2.4%

2.2% Information technology ◂ +0.3 pts 1.9%

Income

Personal income in Toowoomba in Blue Mountain Heights +$231 higher in Blue Mountain Heights gap widening

$740 66th pct $971 89th pct

Household income in Toowoomba in Blue Mountain Heights +$988 higher in Blue Mountain Heights gap widening

$1,404 60th pct $2,392 93rd pct

Family income in Toowoomba in Blue Mountain Heights +$700 higher in Blue Mountain Heights gap widening

$1,808 65th pct $2,508 91st pct

Household income distribution

31.4% $650–$1,499 ◂ +12.7 pts 18.7%

29.7% $1,500–$2,999 +0.8 pts ▸ 30.4%

6.6% $4,000 or more +16.3 pts ▸ 22.9%

18.5% Under $650 ◂ +11.6 pts 6.9%

7.3% $3,000–$3,999 +4.1 pts ▸ 11.4%

Personal income distribution

42.0% Under $650 ◂ +8.8 pts 33.2%

34.1% $650–$1,499 ◂ +4.9 pts 29.2%

15.0% $1,500–$2,999 +9.5 pts ▸ 24.6%

2.7% $3,000 or more +4.6 pts ▸ 7.4%

Health & Disability

Long-term health conditions reported

11.8% Mental health ◂ +3.7 pts 8.1%

10.9% Arthritis ◂ +2.9 pts 8.0%

9.2% Other condition +1.6 pts ▸ 10.8%

10.0% Asthma ◂ +1.3 pts 8.7%

5.0% Heart disease +0.8 pts ▸ 5.8%

5.5% Diabetes ◂ +1.9 pts 3.5%

3.4% Cancer +1.4 pts ▸ 4.9%

2.1% Lung condition ◂ +0.1 pts 2.0%

1.2% Stroke ◂ +0.4 pts 0.8%

1.0% Dementia ◂ +1.0 pts 0.0%

Number of long-term health conditions

59.2% None +4.8 pts ▸ 64.0%

21.2% One condition ◂ +0.8 pts 20.3%

7.6% Two conditions ◂ +0.3 pts 7.3%

4.5% Three or more ◂ +2.3 pts 2.1%

Community Participation

Family & Households

Household size in Toowoomba in Blue Mountain Heights +0.4 larger in Blue Mountain Heights gap steady

2.4 57th pct 2.8 81st pct

Family composition

50.8% Couples with children +3.4 pts ▸ 54.1%

29.4% Couples without children +7.6 pts ▸ 37.0%

18.4% One-parent families ◂ +10.2 pts 8.1%

1.4% Other families ◂ +1.4 pts 0.0%

Household size

35.2% 2 people +13.6 pts ▸ 48.8%

31.4% 1 person ◂ +21.8 pts 9.6%

13.7% 3 people +1.4 pts ▸ 15.1%

11.4% 4 people +3.4 pts ▸ 14.8%

5.2% 5 people +2.0 pts ▸ 7.2%

3.1% 6 or more +1.7 pts ▸ 4.8%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Toowoomba in Blue Mountain Heights +$96 higher in Blue Mountain Heights gap narrowing

$304 60th pct $400 87th pct

Mortgage in Toowoomba in Blue Mountain Heights +$543 higher in Blue Mountain Heights gap widening

$1,457 58th pct $2,000 88th pct

People / bedroom in Toowoomba in Blue Mountain Heights even gap steady

0.70 14th pct 0.70 14th pct

How homes are owned or rented

30.0% Owned outright +17.3 pts ▸ 47.3%

28.4% Owned with a mortgage +16.2 pts ▸ 44.6%

38.4% Rented ◂ +31.4 pts 6.9%

1.8% Other tenure ◂ +1.8 pts 0.0%

1.4% Not stated ◂ +0.5 pts 0.9%

Types of homes

75.7% Separate house +24.0 pts ▸ 99.7%

18.4% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +18.4 pts 0.0%

5.5% Flat or apartment ◂ +5.5 pts 0.0%

0.2% Other dwelling ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%

Bedrooms per home

26.8% 4 bedrooms +26.8 pts ▸ 53.6%

43.6% 3 bedrooms ◂ +21.9 pts 21.7%

5.4% 5 or more +18.4 pts ▸ 23.8%

19.6% 2 bedrooms ◂ +18.4 pts 1.2%

3.0% 1 bedroom ◂ +3.0 pts 0.0%

0.2% Studio / none ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%

Weekly rent distribution

57.8% $200–$349 ◂ +57.8 pts 0.0%

27.3% $350–$549 +20.6 pts ▸ 47.8%

10.8% Under $200 ◂ +10.8 pts 0.0%

1.2% $550–$749 ◂ +1.2 pts 0.0%

0.3% $750 or more ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%

Monthly mortgage distribution

47.0% $1,000–$1,799 ◂ +32.2 pts 14.9%

22.1% $1,800–$2,999 +23.2 pts ▸ 45.3%

19.5% Under $1,000 ◂ +3.9 pts 15.5%

6.4% $3,000 or more +5.1 pts ▸ 11.5%

Transport & Vehicles

How people get to work

70.0% Car (driver) ◂ +3.6 pts 66.5%

6.6% Worked at home +6.4 pts ▸ 13.0%

6.3% Car (passenger) ◂ +1.7 pts 4.7%

2.6% Walked ◂ +2.6 pts 0.0%

0.7% Bicycle +0.4 pts ▸ 1.0%

0.3% Bus ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%

0.0% Train even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

35.9% 2 vehicles +12.7 pts ▸ 48.6%

41.2% 1 vehicle ◂ +26.6 pts 14.6%

10.4% 3 vehicles +14.2 pts ▸ 24.6%

5.2% 4 or more +7.9 pts ▸ 13.1%

7.3% No vehicle ◂ +7.3 pts 0.0%

Migration & Movement

Jobs & Industry

Industries people work in

21.3% Health care & social assistance ◂ +4.0 pts 17.3%

11.4% Education & training +6.5 pts ▸ 17.9%

4.9% Professional & technical +5.7 pts ▸ 10.6%

9.8% Retail trade ◂ +4.3 pts 5.5%

7.7% Construction ◂ +0.6 pts 7.1%

5.5% Public administration & safety +1.4 pts ▸ 6.9%

6.8% Accommodation & food ◂ +2.8 pts 4.1%

6.5% Manufacturing ◂ +3.8 pts 2.6%

2.6% Finance & insurance +2.9 pts ▸ 5.5%

4.2% Other services +0.4 pts ▸ 4.7%

2.4% Agriculture, forestry & fishing +1.7 pts ▸ 4.1%

3.6% Transport & warehousing ◂ +0.3 pts 3.3%

Occupations people work in

22.1% Professionals +12.2 pts ▸ 34.3%

9.6% Managers +7.4 pts ▸ 17.1%

12.3% Clerical & administrative +2.7 pts ▸ 15.0%

14.8% Community & personal service ◂ +1.6 pts 13.2%

13.6% Technicians & trades ◂ +4.3 pts 9.3%

11.3% Labourers ◂ +8.5 pts 2.8%

8.9% Sales workers ◂ +3.9 pts 5.1%

5.7% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +3.2 pts 2.4%

Walkability

Walk score in Toowoomba in Blue Mountain Heights +4.7 higher in Toowoomba

5.9 83rd pct 1.2 12th pct

Types ≤15 min in Toowoomba in Blue Mountain Heights +4.7 more in Toowoomba

5.8 71st pct 1.1 10th pct

15-min city in Toowoomba in Blue Mountain Heights +73.4 pts higher in Toowoomba

73.4% 63rd pct 0.0% 0th pct

Walk to shops in Toowoomba in Blue Mountain Heights +71.9 pts higher in Toowoomba

71.9% 61st pct 0.0% 0th pct

Walk to transit in Toowoomba in Blue Mountain Heights +50.9 pts higher in Toowoomba

79.8% 71st pct 28.9% 40th pct

Walk to school in Toowoomba in Blue Mountain Heights +77.4 pts higher in Toowoomba

78.3% 60th pct 0.9% 15th pct

Walk to a park in Toowoomba in Blue Mountain Heights +40.0 pts higher in Toowoomba

96.3% 64th pct 56.3% 19th pct

Walk to health in Toowoomba in Blue Mountain Heights +49.8 pts higher in Toowoomba

49.8% 62nd pct 0.0% 0th pct

Amenities/1k in Toowoomba in Blue Mountain Heights +8.4 more in Toowoomba

14.4 38th pct 6.1 13th pct

Intersections/km² in Toowoomba in Blue Mountain Heights +101 higher in Toowoomba

111 93rd pct 9 14th pct

Mean slope in Toowoomba in Blue Mountain Heights +8.0 pts higher in Blue Mountain Heights

6.3% 71st pct 14.3% 100th pct

Compare Toowoomba with nearby areas

Prince Henry Heights Blue Mountain Heights Westbrook Gowrie Junction Withcott Highfields Gowrie Mountain Wyreema

Compare Blue Mountain Heights with nearby areas

Highfields Toowoomba Gowrie Junction Prince Henry Heights Meringandan Withcott Murphys Creek Meringandan West

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Toowoomba vs Blue Mountain Heights [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/ucl/UCL303002/toowoomba/vs/UCL321017/blue-mountain-heights