# Swansea vs Ross — 2021 Census comparison

Urban Centre comparison · about 49 km apart

Swansea (L) and Ross (L) are two small Tasmanian areas with very different levels of accessibility. Swansea (L) is much more connected to essential services, with 65.8% of homes within a 15-minute walk of a school and 62.4% near health services, compared to no homes in Ross (L) with such access. Swansea (L) also has a far higher share of recent overseas arrivals at 12.1%, while Ross (L) has none. In contrast, Ross (L) is more walkable in other ways, with 86.2% of homes near groceries compared to 72.3% in Swansea (L).

The gap in recent overseas arrivals has widened since 2011, reflecting an increasing difference in how these two places grow. Despite this, they share many traits, including almost identical proportions of children under 15 and people living alone. Both areas are significantly older than the national figure, with people aged 65 and over making up 46.0% of Swansea (L) and 43.0% of Ross (L).

## Where they differ most

- Recent arrivals: 12.1 pts higher in Swansea
- Other language: 4.8 pts higher in Swansea
- Population: 420 larger in Swansea
- Full-time: 9.6 pts higher in Ross
- Renting: 9.5 pts higher in Swansea

## Demographics & Identity

| Statistic | Swansea | Ross | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Population | 711 | 291 | 420 larger in Swansea | gap widening |
| Median age | 63 yrs | 61 yrs | 2 yrs older in Swansea | gap narrowing |
| First Nations | 3.2% | 1.7% | 1.5 pts higher in Swansea | gap narrowing |
| Aged 65+ | 46.0% | 43.0% | 3.0 pts higher in Swansea | gap narrowing |
| Under 15 | 7.2% | 6.9% | 0.3 pts higher in Swansea | gap narrowing |
| De facto | 10.5% | 8.6% | 1.9 pts higher in Swansea | gap narrowing |

### Age structure

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Seniors (65+) | 46.0% | 43.0% | +3.0 |
| Older adults (45–64) | 29.0% | 35.1% | -6.1 |
| Young adults (25–44) | 14.3% | 10.0% | +4.4 |
| Children (0–14) | 7.2% | 6.9% | +0.3 |
| Youth (15–24) | 4.6% | 5.8% | -1.2 |

### Marital status

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Married | 53.0% | 52.0% | +1.0 |
| Never married | 18.8% | 20.0% | -1.2 |
| Divorced | 13.8% | 14.5% | -0.7 |
| Widowed | 12.5% | 6.5% | +5.9 |
| Separated | 2.4% | 4.4% | -1.9 |

### Age profile

Share of each region's population by age band and sex.

| Age band | Swansea male | Swansea female | Ross male | Ross female |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 0–4 | 1.5% | 1.9% | 1.7% | 1.3% |
| 5–9 | 1.5% | 1.2% | 1.0% | 1.7% |
| 10–14 | 0.7% | 1.1% | 2.7% | 0.0% |
| 15–19 | 0.7% | 1.9% | 1.7% | 0.0% |
| 20–24 | 1.2% | 1.4% | 1.7% | 3.0% |
| 25–29 | 1.9% | 1.6% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 30–34 | 1.0% | 0.5% | 1.7% | 2.3% |
| 35–39 | 2.7% | 2.3% | 1.3% | 1.7% |
| 40–44 | 1.6% | 1.4% | 2.3% | 0.0% |
| 45–49 | 1.6% | 0.8% | 1.0% | 4.7% |
| 50–54 | 3.8% | 3.1% | 4.3% | 4.3% |
| 55–59 | 3.4% | 4.0% | 4.7% | 6.0% |
| 60–64 | 6.5% | 6.3% | 3.3% | 5.3% |
| 65–69 | 5.4% | 7.4% | 5.6% | 7.3% |
| 70–74 | 5.6% | 4.6% | 8.3% | 7.3% |
| 75–79 | 4.5% | 3.7% | 4.3% | 3.7% |
| 80–84 | 2.3% | 2.5% | 3.0% | 2.0% |
| 85+ | 3.0% | 5.3% | 0.0% | 1.0% |

## Ancestry & Birthplace

| Statistic | Swansea | Ross | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Born overseas | 15.0% | 14.4% | 0.6 pts higher in Swansea | gap narrowing |

### Country of birth

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Australia | 77.4% | 76.6% | +0.7 |
| England | 4.8% | 8.9% | -4.2 |
| Philippines | 1.8% | 0.0% | +1.8 |
| Nepal | 1.3% | 0.0% | +1.3 |
| New Zealand | 0.7% | 1.0% | -0.3 |
| India | 1.0% | 0.0% | +1.0 |
| China | 0.7% | 0.0% | +0.7 |
| Italy | 0.7% | 0.0% | +0.7 |
| Vietnam | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| South Africa | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

### Ancestry

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| English | 49.1% | 53.6% | -4.5 |
| Australian | 37.3% | 38.5% | -1.2 |
| Scottish | 13.1% | 10.3% | +2.8 |
| Irish | 11.3% | 11.0% | +0.3 |
| German | 2.8% | 2.7% | +0.1 |
| Filipino | 2.1% | 0.0% | +2.1 |
| Italian | 1.7% | 1.4% | +0.3 |
| Chinese | 0.6% | 0.0% | +0.6 |
| Dutch | 0.4% | 0.0% | +0.4 |
| Indian | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Greek | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Vietnamese | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

## Language

| Statistic | Swansea | Ross | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Other language | 4.8% | 0.0% | 4.8 pts higher in Swansea | gap widening |
| Limited English | 0.0% | 0.0% |  |  |

### Language used at home

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| English only | 89.3% | 91.1% | -1.8 |
| Tagalog | 0.6% | 0.0% | +0.6 |
| Mandarin | 0.4% | 0.0% | +0.4 |
| Arabic | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Vietnamese | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Cantonese | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Punjabi | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Greek | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Italian | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Hindi | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

## Religion

| Statistic | Swansea | Ross | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| No religion | 34.5% | 40.5% | 6.1 pts higher in Ross | gap narrowing |

### Religious affiliation

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Christianity | 53.6% | 48.1% | +5.5 |
| No religion | 34.5% | 40.5% | -6.1 |
| Not stated | 9.4% | 10.3% | -0.9 |
| Hinduism | 2.0% | 0.0% | +2.0 |
| Buddhism | 0.4% | 1.4% | -1.0 |
| Other religions | 0.0% | 1.0% | -1.0 |
| Islam | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Judaism | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

## Education & Qualifications

| Statistic | Swansea | Ross | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Year 12 | 29.2% | 31.5% | 2.3 pts higher in Ross | gap narrowing |
| Bachelor+ | 13.4% | 9.1% | 4.3 pts higher in Swansea | gap narrowing |

### Highest year of school

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Year 10 | 37.4% | 34.4% | +2.9 |
| Year 12 | 29.2% | 31.5% | -2.3 |
| Year 9 or below | 19.1% | 16.7% | +2.5 |
| Year 11 | 6.8% | 8.1% | -1.3 |

### Highest qualification level

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Certificate III / IV | 34.3% | 31.9% | +2.4 |
| Bachelor degree | 14.3% | 21.0% | -6.7 |
| Advanced diploma / diploma | 18.6% | 11.8% | +6.8 |
| Postgraduate degree | 6.0% | 0.0% | +6.0 |
| Certificate I / II | 2.9% | 5.9% | -3.0 |
| Graduate diploma / certificate | 4.9% | 0.0% | +4.9 |

### Field of qualification

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Management & commerce | 16.3% | 11.8% | +4.5 |
| Engineering & related | 14.0% | 14.3% | -0.3 |
| Health | 11.4% | 8.4% | +3.0 |
| Architecture & building | 10.3% | 7.6% | +2.7 |
| Education | 8.9% | 10.1% | -1.2 |
| Society & culture | 8.9% | 4.2% | +4.7 |
| Food, hospitality & personal services | 8.0% | 2.5% | +5.5 |
| Agriculture & environment | 3.1% | 6.7% | -3.6 |
| Creative arts | 3.1% | 5.0% | -1.9 |
| Natural & physical sciences | 1.1% | 0.0% | +1.1 |
| Information technology | 1.1% | 0.0% | +1.1 |

## Income

| Statistic | Swansea | Ross | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Personal income | $556 | $470 | $86 higher in Swansea | gap narrowing |
| Household income | $913 | $805 | $108 higher in Swansea | gap narrowing |
| Family income | $1,307 | $955 | $352 higher in Swansea | gap widening |
| High earners | 1.5% | 2.5% | 1.0 pts higher in Ross | gap narrowing |
| High-income homes | 1.9% | 2.8% | 0.8 pts higher in Ross | gap narrowing |

### Household income distribution

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| $650–$1,499 | 39.8% | 37.9% | +1.9 |
| Under $650 | 29.6% | 33.1% | -3.5 |
| $1,500–$2,999 | 25.5% | 9.0% | +16.5 |
| $4,000 or more | 1.0% | 2.8% | -1.8 |
| $3,000–$3,999 | 1.0% | 0.0% | +1.0 |

### Personal income distribution

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Under $650 | 50.9% | 60.0% | -9.1 |
| $650–$1,499 | 32.1% | 25.5% | +6.6 |
| $1,500–$2,999 | 6.4% | 3.3% | +3.1 |
| $3,000 or more | 0.0% | 1.5% | -1.5 |

## Health & Disability

| Statistic | Swansea | Ross | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Health condition | 47.7% | 38.1% | 9.5 pts higher in Swansea |  |
| Mental health | 12.8% | 9.6% | 3.2 pts higher in Swansea |  |
| Needs assistance | 12.7% | 7.6% | 5.1 pts higher in Swansea | gap widening |

### Long-term health conditions reported

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Arthritis | 24.8% | 15.8% | +8.9 |
| Mental health | 12.8% | 9.6% | +3.2 |
| Other condition | 10.7% | 7.9% | +2.8 |
| Diabetes | 9.4% | 7.9% | +1.5 |
| Asthma | 8.0% | 7.2% | +0.8 |
| Cancer | 6.3% | 7.2% | -0.9 |
| Heart disease | 6.9% | 3.4% | +3.5 |
| Lung condition | 3.7% | 5.2% | -1.5 |
| Dementia | 4.4% | 0.0% | +4.4 |
| Stroke | 1.4% | 2.4% | -1.0 |

### Number of long-term health conditions

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| None | 45.0% | 50.9% | -5.9 |
| One condition | 26.3% | 23.7% | +2.6 |
| Two conditions | 12.5% | 8.2% | +4.3 |
| Three or more | 7.5% | 5.5% | +2.0 |

## Community Participation

| Statistic | Swansea | Ross | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Volunteering | 22.3% | 18.9% | 3.4 pts higher in Swansea | gap widening |
| Unpaid carers | 12.0% | 7.3% | 4.7 pts higher in Swansea | gap widening |
| Unpaid child care | 14.0% | 8.0% | 6.0 pts higher in Swansea | gap widening |
| Defence service | 6.5% | 6.7% | 0.1 pts higher in Ross |  |
| Housework 15h+ | 25.1% | 24.7% | 0.3 pts higher in Swansea | gap narrowing |

## Family & Households

| Statistic | Swansea | Ross | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Household size | 1.9 | 1.9 |  | gap narrowing |
| One-parent | 11.0% | 17.4% | 6.4 pts higher in Ross | gap widening |
| Living alone | 34.7% | 34.5% | 0.2 pts higher in Swansea | gap narrowing |

### Family composition

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Couples without children | 63.4% | 59.9% | +3.5 |
| Couples with children | 25.8% | 21.7% | +4.1 |
| One-parent families | 11.0% | 17.4% | -6.4 |
| Other families | 0.9% | 0.0% | +0.9 |

### Household size

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2 people | 52.2% | 50.3% | +1.9 |
| 1 person | 34.7% | 34.5% | +0.2 |
| 3 people | 6.4% | 8.3% | -1.9 |
| 4 people | 5.4% | 2.1% | +3.3 |
| 5 people | 2.9% | 2.1% | +0.8 |
| 6 or more | 1.0% | 0.0% | +1.0 |

## Housing & Dwellings

| Statistic | Swansea | Ross | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rent | $240 | $250 | $10 higher in Ross |  |
| Mortgage | $1,079 | $725 | $354 higher in Swansea | gap narrowing |
| People / bedroom | 0.70 | 0.70 |  | gap narrowing |
| Renting | 22.6% | 13.1% | 9.5 pts higher in Swansea | gap narrowing |
| Owned outright | 54.8% | 59.3% | 4.5 pts higher in Ross | gap narrowing |
| Separate houses | 93.6% | 92.4% | 1.2 pts higher in Swansea | gap narrowing |
| 3+ bedrooms | 62.7% | 64.1% | 1.4 pts higher in Ross | gap steady |

### How homes are owned or rented

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Owned outright | 54.8% | 59.3% | -4.5 |
| Rented | 22.6% | 13.1% | +9.5 |
| Owned with a mortgage | 17.2% | 17.9% | -0.7 |
| Other tenure | 3.8% | 2.8% | +1.1 |
| Not stated | 2.5% | 2.1% | +0.5 |

### Types of homes

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Separate house | 93.6% | 92.4% | +1.2 |
| Townhouse / semi-detached | 5.4% | 2.8% | +2.7 |
| Other dwelling | 2.2% | 0.0% | +2.2 |
| Flat or apartment | 0.0% | 2.1% | -2.1 |

### Bedrooms per home

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 3 bedrooms | 46.2% | 49.0% | -2.8 |
| 2 bedrooms | 28.7% | 23.4% | +5.2 |
| 4 bedrooms | 12.4% | 15.2% | -2.8 |
| 1 bedroom | 5.7% | 9.0% | -3.2 |
| 5 or more | 4.1% | 0.0% | +4.1 |
| Studio / none | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

### Weekly rent distribution

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| $200–$349 | 60.6% | 15.8% | +44.8 |
| Under $200 | 21.1% | 15.8% | +5.3 |
| $350–$549 | 0.0% | 21.1% | -21.1 |
| $550–$749 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| $750 or more | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

### Monthly mortgage distribution

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Under $1,000 | 35.2% | 69.2% | -34.0 |
| $1,000–$1,799 | 37.0% | 23.1% | +14.0 |
| $1,800–$2,999 | 9.3% | 0.0% | +9.3 |
| $3,000 or more | 9.3% | 0.0% | +9.3 |

## Transport & Vehicles

| Statistic | Swansea | Ross | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| No car | 4.2% | 4.3% | 0.1 pts higher in Ross | gap narrowing |
| Work from home | 8.8% | 7.7% | 1.1 pts higher in Swansea | gap narrowing |
| PT commute | 0.0% | 0.0% |  | gap narrowing |

### How people get to work

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Car (driver) | 53.6% | 60.6% | -6.9 |
| Walked | 12.6% | 10.6% | +2.1 |
| Car (passenger) | 5.4% | 9.6% | -4.3 |
| Worked at home | 8.8% | 7.7% | +1.1 |
| Train | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Bus | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Bicycle | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 |

### Motor vehicles per home

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2 vehicles | 45.0% | 34.5% | +10.4 |
| 1 vehicle | 39.1% | 36.7% | +2.4 |
| 4 or more | 6.8% | 12.9% | -6.1 |
| 3 vehicles | 6.8% | 6.5% | +0.4 |
| No vehicle | 4.2% | 4.3% | -0.1 |

## Migration & Movement

| Statistic | Swansea | Ross | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Recent movers | 37.7% | 38.0% | 0.3 pts higher in Ross | gap narrowing |
| Recent arrivals | 12.1% | 0.0% | 12.1 pts higher in Swansea | gap widening |

## Jobs & Industry

| Statistic | Swansea | Ross | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Unemployment | 4.7% | 9.1% | 4.3 pts higher in Ross | gap steady |
| Participation | 41.6% | 40.0% | 1.6 pts higher in Swansea | gap widening |
| Full-time | 41.4% | 51.0% | 9.6 pts higher in Ross | gap widening |

### Industries people work in

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Accommodation & food | 26.4% | 11.5% | +14.9 |
| Retail trade | 9.2% | 17.3% | -8.1 |
| Health care & social assistance | 15.7% | 3.8% | +11.9 |
| Agriculture, forestry & fishing | 7.3% | 15.4% | -8.1 |
| Construction | 8.4% | 9.6% | -1.2 |
| Manufacturing | 5.4% | 6.7% | -1.4 |
| Administrative & support | 3.1% | 6.7% | -3.7 |
| Public administration & safety | 4.2% | 5.8% | -1.6 |
| Transport & warehousing | 5.0% | 0.0% | +5.0 |
| Education & training | 4.6% | 2.9% | +1.7 |
| Wholesale trade | 2.7% | 0.0% | +2.7 |
| Electricity, gas & water | 1.1% | 0.0% | +1.1 |

### Occupations people work in

| Category | Swansea % | Ross % | Gap (pts) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Labourers | 22.6% | 21.2% | +1.5 |
| Managers | 18.8% | 16.3% | +2.4 |
| Sales workers | 7.7% | 17.3% | -9.6 |
| Technicians & trades | 13.4% | 16.3% | -2.9 |
| Community & personal service | 13.0% | 5.8% | +7.3 |
| Professionals | 4.6% | 10.6% | -6.0 |
| Machinery operators & drivers | 8.8% | 4.8% | +4.0 |
| Clerical & administrative | 7.3% | 3.8% | +3.4 |

## Walkability

| Statistic | Swansea | Ross | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Walk score | 5.8 | 5.0 | 0.8 higher in Swansea |  |
| Types ≤15 min | 6.0 | 5.2 | 0.8 more in Swansea |  |
| 15-min city | 72.7% | 84.0% | 11.4 pts higher in Ross |  |
| Walk to shops | 72.3% | 86.2% | 13.9 pts higher in Ross |  |
| Walk to transit | 66.4% | 62.0% | 4.5 pts higher in Swansea |  |
| Walk to school | 65.8% | 0.0% | 65.8 pts higher in Swansea |  |
| Walk to a park | 100.0% | 87.1% | 12.9 pts higher in Swansea |  |
| Walk to health | 62.4% | 0.0% | 62.4 pts higher in Swansea |  |
| Amenities/1k | 39.4 | 68.7 | 29.3 more in Ross |  |
| Intersections/km² | 48 | 34 | 14 higher in Swansea |  |
| Mean slope | 5.0% | 3.8% | 1.1 pts higher in Swansea |  |

Interactive comparison: https://censusatlas.au/compare/ucl/UCL621030/swansea/vs/UCL622021/ross