Remoteness Area · Area profile
Major Cities of Australia
1,534 km²
A growing population of over 1.3 million people defines the Major Cities of Australia, which has expanded by 16% since 2011. This area is a diverse urban hub where many residents were born overseas and a high proportion of adults hold university degrees. It is a place of shifting social trends, seen in the rapid rise of people identifying with no religion and a workforce that is increasingly well-qualified. The community is generally more affluent and educated than the national average, though it faces higher rates of long-term health conditions.
Explore Major Cities of Australia by topic
The typical resident is 39 years old, slightly older than the national figure. While the number of children is around the middle for its level, the proportion of seniors has risen to 18.6%, which is higher than most similar areas.
Birthplace diversity is a key feature, with 28.0% of people born overseas, a figure that has risen since 2011. English is the most common ancestry at 36.5%, followed by Australian at 29.9%.
More than one in five people use a language other than English at home, which is much higher than most areas. This linguistic diversity has grown since 2011, though the percentage of people who speak little or no English has barely changed.
A significant shift has occurred in faith, with the number of people reporting no religion rising 17 points since 2011 to 44.9%. This is well above the national figure of 38.9%.
The workforce is highly qualified, with 26.1% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Both university degrees and Year 12 completion rates have risen significantly since 2011.
Typical family incomes are higher than in most similar areas, though they remain a little below the national figure. High earners are more common here, with 18.1% of households earning $3,000 or more a week.
Health challenges are more common here than in most areas, with 30.2% of people living with a long-term health condition. This includes a higher than average rate of mental health conditions at 9.8%.
Community support is strong, as 13.1% of people provide unpaid care, which is much higher than most areas. This includes a high rate of people caring for children unpaid at 27.1%.
First Nations residents are typically younger than the national average, with a typical age of 23. They also have a much higher rate of Year 12 completion compared to other areas.
About 28.0% of people live alone, and one-parent families are slightly more common here than across Australia. Most homes contain two people, making up 33.4% of households.
Separate houses are less common here than in most similar areas, and typical weekly rents have risen to $320. Most homes are large, with 76.3% having three or more bedrooms.
Public transport use for commuting is much higher than in most areas, though it has fallen since 2011. Working from home has become more popular, rising to 9.7% of the population.
The area is quite mobile, with 38.3% of residents having moved house in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals make up 15.8% of the population, though this is down from 2011.
A high proportion of adults are working or looking for work, which is much higher than in most similar areas. The most common industries are health care, retail, and education.
The area is very walkable, with a score of 6.7. Almost every home is within a 15-minute walk of a park or public transport.