Section of State Range · Area profile
250,000 to 999,999
393 km²
Rapid growth has shaped 250,000 to 999,999, which saw its population jump 27% since 2011 to reach 452,670 people. This is a young, highly educated community where the typical resident is just 35, noticeably younger than the national figure. A strong presence of overseas arrivals and a well-qualified workforce have created a prosperous area with high typical incomes. It is a dynamic place where nearly half of the residents have moved in within the last five years.
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The population is much younger than most similar areas, with only 13.7% of people aged 65 and over. While children under 15 make up 18.3% of the community, the largest group is young adults aged 25 to 44.
Overseas birthplaces are common here, with 28.8% of people born abroad, a figure that has risen since 2011. English, Australian, Irish, and Scottish are the most common ancestries.
Language diversity is high, as 24.6% of people use a language other than English at home. This is much higher than most similar areas and has increased significantly since 2011.
About 44.2% of residents have no religion, which is well above the national figure of 38.9%. This sentiment has grown sharply, rising 15 points since 2011.
The community is very well qualified, with 43.0% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. This is far above the national average of 26.3%.
Household prosperity is high, with 36.4% of homes earning $3,000 or more a week. Typical family weekly incomes are $2,871, which is well above the national figure of $2,120.
Residents are slightly healthier than average, as the 4.6% who need help with daily activities is lower than in most areas. Mental health conditions affect 10.0% of the population.
Volunteering is common, with 18.4% of people helping out, which is well above the national figure. There is also a strong military connection, as 6.0% of people served in the Defence Force.
Family life is typical for the nation, with 2.5 people per home. Couples with children make up the majority of households at 59.8%.
Rent is higher than usual, with a typical weekly cost of $450. While 63.1% of homes are separate houses, this is well below the national figure, and home ownership outright is also much lower than in most areas.
Public transport use for commuting is higher than most areas at 4.6%. While working from home rose by 8.2 points since 2011, it remains far below the national figure at 10.9%.
The area is very mobile, with 46.1% of people moving in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals make up 16.7% of the population.
Job prospects are strong, with a low unemployment rate of 3.8% and a high percentage of full-time workers at 65.8%. Many residents work in public administration and safety.
This is a very walkable area, with 98.2% of homes within a 10-minute walk of public transport and 99.7% near a park.