# Major Cities of Australia

Remoteness Area · Area profile

Area: 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.

## Demographics & Identity

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.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total population | 1,344,200 | +15.6% since 2011 |
| Median age | 39 yrs | +2.6% since 2011 |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander population | 1.7% | +33.3% since 2011 |
| People aged 65 and over | 18.6% | +19.1% since 2011 |
| Children under 15 | 17.1% | -2.3% since 2011 |
| People in a de facto relationship | 10.8% | +18.2% since 2011 |

**Age structure** — Young adults (25–44) 27.5%, Older adults (45–64) 24.6%, Seniors (65+) 18.6%, Children (0–14) 17.1%, Youth (15–24) 12.2%

**Marital status** — Married 45.4%, Never married 36.6%, Divorced 9.4%, Widowed 5.5%, Separated 3.1%

## Ancestry & Birthplace

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%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People born overseas | 28.0% | +8.2% since 2011 |

**Country of birth** — Australia 68.3%, England 5.6%, India 3.2%, China 1.8%, Vietnam 1.2%, Italy 1.2%, Philippines 0.9%, New Zealand 0.7%, Nepal 0.5%, South Africa 0.5%

**Ancestry** — English 36.5%, Australian 29.9%, Scottish 8.1%, Irish 7.6%, Italian 6.9%, German 6.6%, Chinese 4.2%, Indian 3.1%, Greek 2.8%, Vietnamese 1.6%, Dutch 1.6%, Filipino 1.3%

## Language

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.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People using another language at home | 21.9% | +21.7% since 2011 |
| People who speak little or no English | 3.3% | -8.7% since 2016 |

**Language used at home** — English only 74.3%, Mandarin 2.3%, Italian 1.7%, Vietnamese 1.6%, Greek 1.5%, Punjabi 1.4%, Arabic 0.8%, Cantonese 0.7%, Hindi 0.7%, Tagalog 0.4%

## Religion

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%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with no religion | 44.9% | +61.3% since 2011 |

**Religious affiliation** — No religion 44.9%, Christianity 39.9%, Not stated 5.5%, Islam 2.9%, Hinduism 2.7%, Buddhism 2.3%, Other religions 1.7%, Judaism 0.1%

## Education & Qualifications

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.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Completed Year 12 | 59.4% | +21.4% since 2011 |
| Adults with a bachelor degree or higher | 26.1% | +42.4% since 2011 |

**Highest year of school** — Year 12 59.4%, Year 11 14.7%, Year 10 12.7%, Year 9 or below 8.6%

**Highest qualification level** — Bachelor degree 28.5%, Certificate III / IV 27.1%, Advanced diploma / diploma 14.8%, Postgraduate degree 10.3%, Graduate diploma / certificate 4.1%, Certificate I / II 2.1%

**Field of qualification** — Management & commerce 19.3%, Engineering & related 14.0%, Society & culture 13.7%, Health 12.6%, Education 8.0%, Food, hospitality & personal services 5.0%, Architecture & building 4.8%, Creative arts 3.6%, Natural & physical sciences 3.4%, Information technology 3.3%, Agriculture & environment 1.6%

## Income

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.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median personal income (weekly) | $760 | +37.7% since 2011 |
| Median household income (weekly) | $1,539 | +40.2% since 2011 |
| Median family income (weekly) | $1,983 | +41.9% since 2011 |
| People earning $2,000+ a week | 9.8% | — |
| Households earning $3,000+ a week | 18.1% | — |

**Household income distribution** — $1,500–$2,999 29.8%, $650–$1,499 28.7%, Under $650 17.3%, $3,000–$3,999 9.2%, $4,000 or more 8.9%

**Personal income distribution** — Under $650 42.1%, $650–$1,499 33.1%, $1,500–$2,999 16.4%, $3,000 or more 3.5%

## Health & Disability

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%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with a long-term health condition | 30.2% | — |
| People with a mental health condition | 9.8% | — |
| People needing help with daily activities | 6.6% | +21.4% since 2011 |

**Long-term health conditions reported** — Mental health 9.8%, Arthritis 9.5%, Other condition 9.0%, Asthma 8.7%, Diabetes 5.5%, Heart disease 4.4%, Cancer 3.1%, Lung condition 1.8%, Stroke 1.0%, Dementia 1.0%

**Number of long-term health conditions** — None 63.7%, One condition 20.0%, Two conditions 6.6%, Three or more 3.6%

## Community Participation

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%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Volunteers | 15.3% | -11.4% since 2011 |
| People providing unpaid care | 13.1% | +10.7% since 2011 |
| People caring for children unpaid | 27.1% | -1.9% since 2011 |
| People who served in the Defence Force | 3.1% | — |
| People doing 15+ hours of unpaid housework | 20.5% | -5.9% since 2011 |

## First Nations

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.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people | 23,272 | — |
| First Nations median age | 23 yrs | — |
| First Nations Year 12 completion | 41.8% | — |
| First Nations unemployment rate | 14.3% | — |
| First Nations median personal income | $550 | — |
| First Nations household income | $1,369 | — |
| Speaks a First Nations language | 8.4% | — |

## Family & Households

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.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Average household size | 2.4 | +0.0% since 2011 |
| One-parent families | 15.2% | -0.4% since 2011 |
| People living alone | 28.0% | +0.1% since 2011 |

**Family composition** — Couples with children 56.6%, Couples without children 26.9%, One-parent families 15.2%, Other families 1.3%

**Household size** — 2 people 33.4%, 1 person 28.0%, 3 people 15.9%, 4 people 14.9%, 5 people 5.4%, 6 or more 2.4%

## Housing & Dwellings

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.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median rent (weekly) | $320 | +28.0% since 2011 |
| Median mortgage repayment (monthly) | $1,560 | +1.4% since 2011 |
| Average people per bedroom | 0.80 | -27.3% since 2011 |
| Households renting | 28.9% | +1.1% since 2011 |
| Homes owned outright | 30.7% | -2.5% since 2011 |
| Separate (detached) houses | 74.4% | -2.5% since 2011 |
| Homes with three or more bedrooms | 76.3% | +3.7% since 2011 |

**How homes are owned or rented** — Owned with a mortgage 36.8%, Owned outright 30.7%, Rented 28.9%, Other tenure 2.4%, Not stated 1.2%

**Types of homes** — Separate house 74.4%, Townhouse / semi-detached 16.8%, Flat or apartment 8.4%, Other dwelling 0.3%

**Bedrooms per home** — 3 bedrooms 51.5%, 4 bedrooms 20.8%, 2 bedrooms 19.0%, 5 or more 4.0%, 1 bedroom 3.4%, Studio / none 0.2%

**Weekly rent distribution** — $200–$349 41.4%, $350–$549 34.3%, Under $200 16.6%, $550–$749 3.5%, $750 or more 1.0%

**Monthly mortgage distribution** — $1,000–$1,799 39.5%, $1,800–$2,999 26.4%, Under $1,000 19.3%, $3,000 or more 10.0%

## Transport & Vehicles

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.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Homes with no motor vehicle | 7.8% | -20.9% since 2011 |
| People working from home | 9.7% | +220.4% since 2011 |
| Commuting by public transport | 5.0% | -27.2% since 2011 |

**How people get to work** — Car (driver) 63.3%, Worked at home 9.7%, Car (passenger) 4.3%, Bus 3.9%, Walked 1.9%, Bicycle 1.0%, Train 0.8%

**Motor vehicles per home** — 1 vehicle 37.6%, 2 vehicles 36.8%, 3 vehicles 11.6%, No vehicle 7.8%, 4 or more 6.2%

## Migration & Movement

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.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People who moved in the last 5 years | 38.3% | +5.9% since 2011 |
| Recent arrivals from overseas | 15.8% | -20.7% since 2011 |

## Jobs & Industry

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.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% | -5.0% since 2011 |
| Labour-force participation | 61.6% | +2.1% since 2011 |
| Employed full-time | 57.5% | -5.0% since 2011 |

**Industries people work in** — Health care & social assistance 17.2%, Retail trade 9.7%, Education & training 9.1%, Construction 8.3%, Public administration & safety 7.2%, Professional & technical 7.1%, Manufacturing 6.7%, Accommodation & food 6.6%, Transport & warehousing 4.1%, Other services 4.0%, Administrative & support 3.8%, Finance & insurance 3.2%, Wholesale trade 2.4%, Arts & recreation 1.5%, Electricity, gas & water 1.3%, Rental & real estate 1.3%, Media & telecommunications 1.2%, Agriculture, forestry & fishing 1.0%, Mining 0.9%

**Occupations people work in** — Professionals 23.8%, Community & personal service 13.2%, Clerical & administrative 13.2%, Technicians & trades 12.8%, Managers 12.0%, Labourers 9.3%, Sales workers 8.5%, Machinery operators & drivers 5.5%

## Walkability

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.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Walkability score | 6.7 | — |
| Amenity types within a 15-minute walk | 6.4 | — |
| Homes with a 15-minute-city walkshed | 82.2% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of groceries | 78.3% | — |
| Homes within 10 min walk of public transport | 94.3% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a school | 83.2% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a park | 97.7% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of health services | 64.5% | — |
| Walkable amenities per 1,000 residents | 14.5 | — |
| Street connectivity (intersections/km²) | 110 | — |
| Mean terrain slope | 4.6% | — |

## Nearby areas

[Inner Regional Australia](https://censusatlas.au/region/ra/RA41/inner-regional-australia) · [Outer Regional Australia](https://censusatlas.au/region/ra/RA42/outer-regional-australia) · [Remote Australia](https://censusatlas.au/region/ra/RA23/remote-australia) · [Remote Australia](https://censusatlas.au/region/ra/RA43/remote-australia) · [Outer Regional Australia](https://censusatlas.au/region/ra/RA22/outer-regional-australia) · [Inner Regional Australia](https://censusatlas.au/region/ra/RA21/inner-regional-australia) · [Very Remote Australia](https://censusatlas.au/region/ra/RA14/very-remote-australia) · [Major Cities of Australia](https://censusatlas.au/region/ra/RA20/major-cities-of-australia)

Interactive profile: https://censusatlas.au/region/ra/RA40/major-cities-of-australia