Electorate Rankings: Census 1996 (2000 Electoral
Boundaries)
Andrew Kopras
Statistics Group
7 November 2000
Contents
Introduction
Main Features
Tables
Population
1 Total Population
2 Population Density
3 Australian Citizens Aged 18 Years and
Over
4 Persons who were Visitors on Census
Night
5 Persons who Changed Address Since
1991
6 Persons Aged Under 5 Years
7 Persons Aged Between 5 and 14 Years
8 Persons Aged Between 15 and 24 Years
9 Persons Aged Between 25 and 64 Years
10 Persons Aged 65 Years and Over
11 Median Age
Religion
12 Persons of Catholic Religion
13 Persons of Christian Religion
14 Persons of Non-Christian Religion
15 Persons of No Religion
Ethnicity
16 Persons of Indigenous Origin
17 Persons Born Overseas
18 Persons Born Overseas Resident Less Than 5
Years
19 Persons Born in United Kingdom and
Ireland
20 Persons Born in Southern Europe
21 Persons Born in South East Asia
22 Persons Born in Non English Speaking
Countries
23 Persons Born Overseas and Australian-Born
Persons with Overseas-Born Parents
24 Persons Not Fluent in English
25 Persons Speaking a Language Other Than
English at Home
Families
26 Couple Families with Dependent
Children
27 Couple Families with No Children
28 One Parent Families with Dependent
Children
29 Lone Person Households
Income
30 Families with Weekly Income Below
$500
31 Families with Weekly Income $1,500 and
Above
32 Median Weekly Family Income
Labour Force
33 Employed Persons
34 Unemployed Persons
35 Unemployed Persons Aged 15 to 19
Years
36 Labour Force
37 Employees
38 Employers and Own Account Workers
39 Women in the Labour Force
40 Government Employees
41 Persons Employed in Agriculture
42 Persons Employed in Manufacturing
43 Professional Occupations
44 Tradespersons and Labourers
45 Persons Using Public Transport to Travel to
Work
Education
46 Persons with Tertiary Education
Qualifications
47 Persons with Trade Qualifications
48 Persons with No Qualifications
49 Persons Attending Infant, Primary or
Secondary School
50 Persons Attending a Tertiary Education
Institution
51 Persons Who Left School Aged 15 Years or
Under
Dwellings
52 Rented Dwellings
53 Fully-Owned Dwellings
54 Dwellings being Purchased
55 Median Monthly Housing Loan
Repayment
56 Median Weekly Rent
57 Dwellings with Two or more Motor
Vehicles
58 Flat, Unit or Apartment Dwellings
59 Persons Residing in Non-Private
Dwellings
Appendices
1 Characteristics for States, Territories
and Australia
2 Characteristics for Electoral
Regions
Introduction
This paper provides an analysis of socio-demographic data from
the 1996 Census of Population and Housing for Commonwealth
Electoral Divisions. It is an update to Background Paper No. 14,
1997-98, and reflects changes to Electoral Boundaries brought about
by redistributions. The Electoral Boundaries used in this paper are
those applicable following the 1999 and 2000 Electoral
Redistributions in New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania,
Western Australia, and the Northern Territory. The allocation of
Census Collection Districts to the new Electoral Divisions was
performed by the Australian Electoral Commission as a by-product of
the redistribution process.
Data for each characteristic is presented in two tables. The
first table lists each Electoral Division alphabetically and shows
the value of the characteristic. The second table ranks each
Electoral Division on the relative value of the characteristic
(normally the characteristic expressed as per cent of total). The
political party holding each Division after the 1998 Election is
also shown on each table. In the case of redistributed Divisions,
this is the party notionally holding the Division.
The Main Features section of the paper shows how each
characteristic is defined, including the definition of the relative
value of the characteristic and contains a brief overview of the
interesting points of each table. It also shows the Australian
average of the characteristic in the table.
For comparison purposes the value and relative value of each
characteristic for Australia and each State and Territory and for
each Electoral Region are shown in the Appendices.
Further Information
Further information about this paper and requests for other
Census data should be referred to Andrew Kopras, Statistics Group,
Information and Research Services, on (02) 6277 2483.
Main Features
This section provides a summary of some of the more interesting
features of each table.
Table 1-Total
Population
Population in Electoral Division on Census night, 6 August
1996.
The Division with the lowest total population is the newly
created Northern Territory Division of Solomon (86 972), followed
by the five Tasmanian Divisions. The Tasmanian divisions have low
populations and continue to exist due to requirements outlined in
the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia regarding
representation of the original States. The Division with the
highest total population is Kalgoorlie in Western Australia (168
250). Divisions with a high proportion of their population not on
the Electoral Roll (young people, overseas born, etc.) feature at
the higher end of the rankings for this characteristic. The two
Divisions closest to the median population are Western Australian
metropolitan Division of Perth (118 649) and the Queensland Rural
Division of Wide Bay (118 659).
Table 2-Population
Density
Population of Electoral Division per square kilometre.
This table shows the greatest difference of all tables between
lowest and highest ranked Divisions. At one end of the scale are
the rural Divisions of Kalgoorlie (WA), Lingiari (NT) and Grey (SA)
with 0.1 persons per square kilometre. On the opposite end are the
inner-Sydney Divisions of Grayndler and Wentworth with over 4500
persons per sq km. All 20 Divisions with the highest
population density are located in either Sydney or Melbourne. The
Australian average is 2.3 persons per sq. km.
Table 3-Australian Citizens
Aged 18 Years and Over
Ranked on Australian Citizens 18 years and over as a percentage
of total population.
This table does not appear to show any particular pattern as to
party holding the Division. The Division with the lowest proportion
is the outer-western suburban Sydney Division of Chifley (57.1%)
while the highest is the inner-Adelaide Division of Hindmarsh
(74.1%). The Australian average is 65.0%.
Table 4-Persons who were
Visitors on Census Night
Persons who were counted away from their normal home or were an
overseas visitor on the Census night. Ranked on visitors as a
percentage of total population.
This table does not appear to show any particular pattern as to
party holding the Division. As to be expected Divisions with a
significant tourism industry rated highly for this characteristic.
Of the 20 Divisions with the highest proportion of persons who were
visitors on census night, 11 are in Queensland. The Division with
the lowest proportion is the outer-suburban Melbourne Division of
Scullin (1.8%) while the highest is the far-North Queensland
Division of Leichhardt (21.1%). The Australian average is 5.4%.
Table 5-Persons who Changed
Address Since 1991
Persons who were residing at a different address in 1991. Ranked
on the percentage of persons who changed address since 1991 to the
population aged 5 and over.
Of the 20 Divisions with the lowest proportion of persons who
changed address since 1991, 15 are held by the ALP. The Divisions
with the lowest proportion are mostly in Victoria and NSW while the
Divisions with the highest proportion are mainly in Queensland and
Western Australia. In seven Divisions more than 55% of the
population have changed address since 1991. The Division with the
lowest proportion is the Melbourne inner-suburban Division of
Maribyrnong (28.5%) while the highest is the Queensland rural
Division of Fisher (57.7%). The Australian average is 43.3%.
Table 6-Persons Aged Under 5
Years
Ranked on persons aged under five years as a percentage of total
population.
Of the 20 Divisions with the lowest proportion of persons aged
under five, 13 are held by the Coalition. Of the 20 Divisions with
the highest proportion of persons aged under five, 18 are
outer-suburban Divisions. The Division with the lowest proportion
is the inner-city Division of Sydney (3.4%) while the highest is
outer-western suburban Sydney Division of Chifley (10.0%). The
Australian average is 7.1%.
Table 7-Persons Aged Between 5
and 14 Years
Ranked on persons aged between 5 and 14 years as a percentage of
total population.
This table does not appear to show any particular pattern as to
party holding the Division. Outer-suburban Divisions feature
prominately with high proportions of this characteristic. The
Division with the lowest proportion is the inner-city Division of
Sydney (5.5%) while the highest is the outer-western Sydney
Division of Macarthur (18.6%). The Australian average is 14.4%.
Table 8-Persons Aged Between
15 and 24 Years
Ranked on persons aged between 15 and 24 years as a percentage
of total population.
Most National Party held Divisions appear to be clustered at the
lower end of the rankings for this characteristic possibly
reflecting limited employment and educational prospects for school
leavers in rural Divisions. Divisions with higher proportions of
persons aged between 15 and 24 tend to include the locations of
tertiary educational institutions. The Division with the lowest
proportion is the NSW far-north coast Division of Richmond (10.2%)
while the highest is the Brisbane western suburban Division of Ryan
(21.0%). The Australian average is 14.4%.
Table 9-Persons Aged Between
25 and 64 Years
Ranked on persons aged between 25 and 64 years as a percentage
of total population.
Of the 20 Divisions with the lowest proportion of persons aged
between 25 and 64, 13 are held by the Coalition. The Division with
the lowest proportion is the Toowoomba based Division of Groom
(47.4%) whilst the highest is inner-suburban Sydney Division of
Grayndler (58.8%). The Australian average is 51.4%.
Table 10-Persons Aged 65
Years and Over
Ranked on persons aged 65 years and over as a percentage of
total population.
Of the 15 highest ranked Divisions on the basis of proportion of
persons aged 65 and over, only three are held by the ALP. Divisions
containing popular retirement areas (coastal areas of NSW and
Queensland) figure prominently at the higher end of the rankings
for this characteristic. The Division with the lowest proportion is
the new Northern Territory Division of Lingiari (4.6%) while the
highest is the inner-Adelaide Division of Hindmarsh (21.1%). The
Australian average is 12.0%.
Table 11-Median
Age
Age at which there are an equal number of people older and
younger.
Of the 30 Divisions with highest median age, 27 are held by the
Coalition. Not surprisingly, Divisions containing popular
retirement areas feature at the higher end of the rankings while
outer-suburban Divisions feature at the lower end of the rankings.
The Divisions with equal lowest median age are Lingiari (NT),
Rankin (Qld), Werriwa (NSW), Macarthur (NSW) and Chifley (NSW) (28
years) while the Divisions with equal highest median age are
Bradfield (NSW), Hindmarsh (SA), Richmond (NSW), McPherson (Qld),
Lyne (NSW), Fisher (Qld) and Boothby (SA) (41 years). The
Australian median is 34 years.
Table 12-Persons of Catholic
Religion
Ranked on persons of Catholic Religion as a percentage of total
population.
Of the 20 highest ranked Divisions on the basis of proportion of
persons of Catholic religion, 18 are held by the ALP. The two
Divisions not held by the ALP (Calare and Riverina) are the only
Rural Divisions in the 20 highest ranking Divisions for this
characteristic. The Division with the lowest proportion of persons
of Catholic religion is the South Australian rural Division of
Wakefield (12.7%) while the highest is the inner-suburban Melbourne
Division of Maribyrnong (47.4%). The Australian average is
26.8%.
Table 13-Persons of Christian
Religion
Persons of Christian religion includes: Anglican; Baptist;
Brethren; Catholic; Churches of Christ; Jehovah's Witnesses; Latter
Day Saints; Lutheran; Oriental Christian; Othodox; Pentecostal;
Presbyterian and Reformed; Salvation Army; Seventh-day Adventist;
Uniting Church and Other Christian. Ranked on persons of Christian
Religion as a percentage of total population.
Most National Party held Divisions feature at the higher end of
the rankings (including five the six highest) for this
characteristic, reflecting the relatively low incidence of overseas
born persons in rural Divisions. The Division with the lowest
proportion is the inner-city Division of Melbourne Ports (47.1%)
while the highest is the southern NSW rural Division of Riverina
(85.2%). The Australian average is 70.3%.
Table 14-Persons of
Non-Christian Religion
Persons of Non-Christian religion includes: Buddhism; Hinduism;
Islam; Judaism and Other Non-Christian. Ranked on persons of
Non-Christian religion as a percentage of total population.
Of the 20 highest ranked Divisions on the basis of proportion of
persons of Non-Christian religion, only two are held by the
Coalition. Divisions with a high proportion of overseas born
feature prominently at the higher end of the rankings for this
characteristic. The Division with the lowest proportion is the
Queensland rural Division of Maranoa (0.3%) while the highest is
the outer-suburban Sydney Division of Fowler (21.1%). The
Australian average is 3.4%.
Table 15-Persons of No
Religion
Ranked on persons who stipulated that they had no religion on
the census form as a percentage of total population.
Most National Party held Divisions feature at the lower end of
the rankings (including the two lowest) for this characteristic,
reflecting the higher levels of religious adherence in rural areas.
The Division with the lowest proportion is the northern NSW rural
Division of Gwydir (7.7%) while the highest is the outer-suburban
Adelaide Division of Bonython (28.1%). The Australian average is
16.5%.
Table 16-Persons of
Indigenous Origin
Persons who identified themselves as Aboriginal, Torres Strait
Islander or both Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander on the census
form. Ranked on Persons of Indigenous Origin as a percentage of
total population.
Of the 25 Divisions with the highest proportion of persons of
Indigenous origin, only six are held by the ALP. Only three
Divisions (Lingiari, Kalgoorlie and Leichhardt) have an Indigenous
origin population proportion of over 10%. Of the 20 Divisions with
the highest proportion of persons of Indigenous origin only two are
metropolitan Divisions (Oxley in Brisbane and Chifley in Sydney).
The Division with the lowest proportion is the Sydney north shore
Division of Bradfield (0.1%) while the highest is new Northern
Territory Division of Lingiari (35.2%). The Australian average is
2.0%.
Table 17-Persons Born
Overseas
Ranked on persons born overseas as a percentage of total
population.
Of the 20 highest ranked Divisions on the basis of proportion of
persons born overseas, only three are held by the Coalition.
Reflecting migrant settlement patterns, all 20 of the highest
ranked Divisions are located in metropolitan areas while all 20 of
the lowest ranked Divisions are located in rural areas. The
Division with the lowest proportion is the central NSW rural
Division of Parkes (4.6%) while the highest is the outer-suburban
Sydney Division of Fowler (52.7%). The Australian average is
21.8%.
Table 18-Persons Born
Overseas Resident Less Than 5 Years
Persons born overseas and aged five years and over who have
arrived in Australia in 1992 or later. Ranked on persons born
overseas and aged five years and over who have arrived in Australia
in 1992 or later as a percentage of total population aged five
years and over.
Most National Party held Divisions feature at the lower end of
the rankings (including the lowest) while the higher end of the
ratings is dominated by ALP held Divisions. The Division with the
lowest proportion is the central NSW rural Division of Parkes
(0.3%) while the highest is the outer-suburban Sydney Division of
Fowler (9.5%). The Australian average is 2.7%.
Table 19-Persons Born in
United Kingdom and Ireland
Includes Republic of Ireland. Ranked on persons born in the
United Kingdom and Ireland as a percentage of total population.
Of the 10 Divisions with the lowest proportion of persons born
in the United Kingdom and Ireland, five are held by the National
Party. Divisions in South Australia and Western Australia feature
prominently at the higher end of the rankings for this
characteristic (15 of the highest 20 Divisions are located in South
Australia or Western Australia). The Division with the lowest
proportion of persons born in the UK and Ireland is the central NSW
rural Division of Parkes (1.8%) while the highest is the
outer-suburban Perth Division of Moore (22.1%). The Australian
average is 6.3%.
Table 20-Persons Born in
Southern Europe
Southern Europe includes Albania, Andorra, Cyprus, Gibraltar,
Greece, Holy See, Italy, Malta, Portugal, San Marino, Spain,
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
Slovenia, Former Yugoslav Republics of Serbia and Montenegro and
Former Yugoslavia not further defined. Ranked on persons born in
Southern Europe as a percentage of total population.
Of the 20 Divisions with the highest proportion of persons born
in Southern Europe, only one is held by the Coalition. Metropolitan
Divisions (especially in Sydney and Melbourne) predominate at the
higher end of the rankings while rural Divisions predominate at the
lower end of the rankings for this characteristic. The Division
with the lowest proportion of persons born in Southern Europe is
the Toowoomba based Division of Groom (0.3%) while the highest is
the outer-suburban Melbourne Division of Scullin (19.4%). The
Australian average is 3.6%.
Table 21-Persons Born in
South East Asia
South East Asia includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,
Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Ranked on persons born in South East Asia as a percentage of total
population.
Most National Party held Divisions feature at the lower end of
the rankings (including the two lowest) while at the higher end of
the rankings only two of the top 20 Divisions are held by the
Coalition. Similarly to the other ethnic origin tables metropolitan
Divisions feature at the higher end of the rankings while rural
Divisions feature at the lower end. The Division of Fowler, based
on the suburb of Cabramatta, has more than twice the proportion of
persons born in South-East Asia than the next highest ranked
Division. The Division with the lowest proportion is the central
NSW rural Division of Parkes (0.2%) while the highest is the
outer-suburban Sydney Division of Fowler (23.7%). The Australian
average is 2.6%.
Table 22-Persons Born in
Non-English Speaking Countries
Persons who were born overseas except in United Kingdom,
Ireland, Canada, United States of America, South Africa and New
Zealand. Ranked on persons born in non-English speaking countries
as a percentage of total population.
The 20 Divisions with the highest proportion of persons born in
non-English speaking countries are all held by the ALP. Nine
Divisions, all in NSW or Victoria, have over one-third of their
population born in a non-English speaking country. The Division
with the lowest proportion is the central NSW rural Division of
Parkes (1.9%) while the highest is the outer-suburban Sydney
Division of Fowler (49.2%). The Australian average is 13.2%.
Table 23-Persons Born
Overseas and Australian-Born Persons with Overseas Born
Parents
Persons who were born overseas plus persons born in Australia
whose parents were both born overseas. Ranked on a percentage of
total population.
Most National Party held Divisions are at the lower end of the
rankings (including the four of the lowest five), while at the
higher end ALP held Divisions predominate. Eighteen Divisions have
more than half of their population either born overseas or
Australian born with overseas born parents. The Division with the
lowest proportion is the central NSW rural Division of Parkes
(6.5%) while the highest is the outer-suburban Sydney Division of
Fowler (69.7%). The Australian average is 30.1%.
Table 24-Persons Not Fluent
in English
Persons aged five years and over who do not speak English or do
not speak it well. Ranked on persons not fluent in English as a
percentage of population aged five years and over.
The top 24 Divisions with the highest proportion of persons not
fluent in English are all held by the ALP. Six Divisions have more
than 10% of their population not fluent in English. The Division
with the lowest proportion of persons not fluent in English is the
Tasmanian rural Division of Lyons (0.1%) while the highest is the
outer-suburban Sydney Division of Fowler (19.1%). The Australian
average is 2.5%.
Table 25-Persons Speaking a
Language Other Than English at Home
Ranked on persons speaking a language other than English at home
as a percentage of persons aged five years and over.
Of the 20 Divisions with the highest proportion of persons
speaking a language other than English at home, 19 are held by the
ALP. In four NSW Divisions (Reid, Blaxland, Watson and Fowler) more
than half the population speaks a language other than English at
home. The Division with the lowest proportion is the western
Victorian rural Division of Wannon (1.5%) while the outer-suburban
Sydney Division of Fowler is the highest at 61.3%. The Australian
average is 15.1%.
Table 26-Couple Families with
Dependent Children
Family types consisting of two parents with one or more
dependent offspring. Families that also have non-dependent
offspring and other related individuals present are included.
Ranked on couple families with dependent children as a percentage
of total families.
This table does not appear to show any particular pattern as to
party holding the Division. As to be expected outer-suburban
Divisions figure prominently in the rankings for the higher
proportion of couple families with dependent children. The Division
with the lowest proportion is the inner-city Division of Sydney
(22.1%) while the western Sydney Division of Prospect is the
highest (51.4%). The Australian average is 40.6%.
Table 27-Couple Families with
No Children
Family types consisting of a couple with no dependent or
non-dependent offspring. Families that also have other related
individuals present are included. Ranked on couple families with no
children as a percentage of total families.
Of the 25 Divisions with the highest proportion of couple
families with no children, only four are held by the ALP. The
Division with the lowest proportion is the western Sydney Division
of Prospect (21.9%) while the highest is the inner-city Division of
Sydney (48.3%). The Australian average is 34.1%.
Table 28-One Parent Families
with Dependent Children
Family types consisting of one parent and one or more dependent
offspring. Families that also have non-dependent offspring and
other related individuals present are included. Ranked on one
parent families with dependent children as a percentage of total
families.
Of the 20 Divisions with the lowest proportion of one parent
families with dependent children, sixteen are held by the
Coalition. The Division with the lowest proportion of one parent
families with dependent children is the north-western Sydney
Division of Mitchell (5.5%) while the highest is the western Sydney
Division of Chifley (15.7%). The Australian average is 9.9%.
Table 29-Lone Person
Households
Households consisting of a person living alone. Ranked on the
percentage of lone person households to total households.
This table does not appear to show any particular pattern as to
party holding the Division. Inner-city Divisions feature
prominently at the higher end of the rankings for this
characteristic while at the lower end outer-metropolitan Divisions
predominate. The Division with the lowest proportion of lone person
households is the outer-suburban Melbourne Division of Scullin
(10.0%) while the highest is the inner-city Division of Sydney
(42.8%). The Australian average is 22.8%.
Table 30-Families with Weekly
Income Below $500
Families with weekly income at August 1996 of $500 or less ($500
per week is slightly more than 70% of average weekly earnings at
August 1996). Ranked on families with weekly income below $500 as a
percentage of total families (excluding families with income not
stated).
Most National Party held Divisions feature at the higher end of
the rankings (including the four highest) reflecting the relatively
low family incomes in rural Divisions. The Division with the lowest
proportion is the Sydney north shore Division of Bradfield (13.7%)
while the highest is the NSW north coast Division of Cowper
(52.0%). The Australian average is 32.5%.
Table 31-Families with Weekly
Income $1500 and Above
Families with annual income at August 1996 of $1500 or more
($1500 per week is slightly more than twice the average weekly
earnings at August 1996). Ranked on families with weekly income
above $1500 as a percentage of total families (excluding families
with income not stated).
Of the 20 Divisions with the highest proportion of families with
weekly income $1500 and above, only four are held by the ALP and
two of these are the ACT Divisions (Canberra and Fraser). North
shore of Sydney and Melbourne eastern suburbs Divisions dominate
the higher end of the rankings for this characteristic. The
Division with the lowest proportion is the NSW north coast Division
of Cowper (3.6%) while the highest is the Sydney north shore
Division of Bradfield (46.2%). The Australian average is 13.1%.
Table 32-Median Family
Income
Weekly family income level at which there are an equal number of
families above and below that level.
Of the 20 Divisions with the highest median family income, only
three are held by the ALP. Rural Divisions figure prominently in
the rankings for low median family income while for high median
family income Divisions in the north shore of Sydney and the
eastern suburbs of Melbourne are prominent. Thirteen Divisions have
a median family income of over $1000 per week. The Division with
the lowest median family income is the NSW north coast Division of
Cowper ($486 per week) while the highest is the Sydney north shore
Division of Bradfield ($1400 per week). The Australian median is
$729 per week.
Table 33-Employed
Persons
Ranked on the employment ratio which is employed persons as a
percentage of population aged 15 years and over.
Of the 20 Divisions with the highest employment ratio, only four
are held by the ALP and two of these are the ACT Divisions
(Canberra and Fraser). Twenty-three Divisions have an employment
ratio of over 60%. The Division with the lowest employment ratio is
NSW north coast Division of Cowper (41.6%) while the highest is
outer-southern Sydney Division of Hughes (68.8%). The Australian
average is 54.4%.
Table 34-Unemployed
Persons
Ranked on the unemployment rate which is unemployed persons as a
percentage of the labour force.
Of the 20 Divisions ranked lowest on the basis of the
unemployment rate, only three are held by the ALP. Eight Divisions
have an unemployment rate of under 5% while six Divisions have an
unemployment rate of over 15%. The Division with the lowest
unemployment rate is Sydney north shore Division of Mackellar
(3.4%) while the highest is the outer-suburban Sydney Division of
Fowler (19.2%). The Australian average is 9.2%.
Table 35-Unemployed Persons
Aged 15 to 19
Ranked on the unemployment rate for persons aged 15 to 19 which
is unemployed persons aged 15 to 19 years as a percentage of the
labour force aged 15 to 19 years.
Of the 20 Divisions ranked lowest on the basis the unemployment
rate for persons aged 15 to 19, only three are held by the ALP.
Seven Divisions (all Sydney suburban based Divisions) have an
unemployment rate for persons aged 15 to 19 of under 10%. The
Division with the lowest unemployment rate for persons aged 15 to
19 is the Sydney north shore Division of Mackellar (6.7%) while the
highest is the outer-suburban Adelaide Division of Bonython
(30.9%). The Australian average is 18.8%.
Table 36-Labour
Force
Includes employed and unemployed persons. Ranked on the labour
force participation rate which is persons in the labour force as a
percentage of the population aged 15 years and over.
Of the 20 Divisions with the highest labour force participation
rate, only five are held by the ALP. Only two Divisions (Lyne and
Richmond-both NSW north coast Divisions) have a labour force
participation rate under 50%, while three Divisions (Dickson,
Canberra and Hughes) have a rate over 70%. The Division with the
lowest labour force participation rate is NSW north coast Division
of Lyne (49.5%) while the highest is the outer-southern Sydney
Division of Hughes (71.6%). The Australian average is 59.9%.
Table
37-Employees
Ranked on employees as a percentage of total employment.
Twenty-four Divisions with the lowest proportion of employees
are held by the Coalition. Conversely, 15 Divisions with the
highest proportion of employees are held by the ALP. Rural
Divisions feature prominently at the lower end of the rankings. The
Division with the lowest proportion is the Western Australia rural
Division of O'Connor (77.5%) while the highest is the western
Sydney Division of Chifley (96.0%). The Australian average is
90.6%.
Table 38-Employers and Own
Account Workers
Ranked on employers and own account workers as a percentage of
total employment.
This table is almost exactly the reverse of the table for
employees (table 37) (as expected because employees plus employers
and own account workers make up the majority of total employed).
The Division with the lowest proportion is the western Sydney
Division of Chifley (3.4%) while the highest is the Western
Australia rural Division of O'Connor (19.7%). The Australian
average is 8.3%.
Table 39-Women in the Labour
Force
Ranked on women in the labour force as a percentage of total
labour force.
This table does not appear to show any particular pattern as to
party holding the Division. Rural Divisions feature at the lower
end of the rankings for this characteristic reflecting more limited
employment opportunities for women in rural areas. The Division
with the lowest proportion of women in the labour force is the
Western Australia rural Division of Kalgoorlie (36.2%) while the
highest is the inner-city Division of North Sydney (48.6%). The
Australian average is 43.6%.
Table 40-Government
Employees
Employees of the Commonwealth, State and Local Governments and
Authorities. Ranked on government employees as a percentage of
total employment.
This table does not appear to show any particular pattern as to
party holding the Division. The two highest are the ACT divisions
(Canberra and Fraser with 43.7% and 46.8% respectively) followed by
the new Northern Territory Division of Solomon (31.8%). The
Division with the lowest proportion of government employees is the
Gold Coast based Division of McPherson (9.6%). The Australian
average is 17.8%.
Table 41-Persons Employed in
Agriculture
Ranked on persons employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing
as a percentage of total employment.
Sixteen Divisions with the highest proportion of persons
employed in agriculture are held by the Coalition (10 of these by
the National Party). As to be expected rural Divisions dominate the
higher end of the rankings while metropolitan Divisions dominate
the lower end. Reflecting the high degree of urbanisation of
Australia, seventy-one Divisions have less than 1% of persons
employed in agriculture. The Division with the lowest proportion is
the inner-Sydney Division of Watson (0.1%) while the highest is the
WA rural Division of O'Connor (29.3%). The Australian average is
4.2%.
Table 42-Persons Employed in
Manufacturing
Ranked on persons employed in manufacturing as a percentage of
total employment.
The top 21 highest ranked Divisions on the basis of the
proportion of persons employed in manufacturing are all held by the
ALP. Fifteen Divisions have more than 20% of persons employed in
manufacturing. The Division with the lowest proportion is the north
Canberra Division of Fraser (2.9%) while the highest is the
Dandenong based Division of Holt (29.4%). The Australian average is
12.6%.
Table 43-Persons with
Professional Occupations
Includes managers, administrators and professionals (Census
Occupation codes 1 and 2). Ranked on persons in professional
employment as a percentage of total employment.
Of the 20 Divisions with the lowest proportion of persons with
professional occupations, only one is held by the Coalition, while
only six of the 20 Divisions with the highest proportion are held
by the ALP. The Division with the lowest proportion is the
outer-western suburban Sydney Division of Chifley (12.1%) while the
highest is the Sydney north shore Division of Bradfield (48.8%).
The Australian average is 26.4%.
Table 44-Tradespersons and
Labourers
Includes tradespersons, labourers and related workers (Census
Occupation codes 4 and 9). Ranked on tradespersons and labourers as
a percentage of total employment.
Of the 20 Divisions with the lowest proportion of tradespersons
and labourers, only six are held by the ALP. Three Divisions (Brand
in WA, Bonython in SA and Fowler in NSW) have more than 30% of
persons employed as a tradesperson or labourer. The Division with
the lowest proportion is the Sydney north shore Division of
Bradfield (6.9%) while the highest is the outer-suburban Sydney
Division of Fowler (32.2%). The Australian average is 21.8%.
Table 45-Persons Using Public
Transport to Travel to Work
Persons who have used public transport, i.e. train, bus, tram or
ferry as one of the modes of travelling to work. (Note that a
person may have used more than one mode of transport.) Ranked on
persons using public transport to travel to work as a percentage of
total employed persons.
Most National Party held Divisions feature at the lower end of
the rankings. As to be expected rural Divisions are concentrated at
the lower end of the rankings and inner-city Divisions at the
higher end of the rankings for this characteristic. Reflecting
Australia's reliance on the private motor vehicle, only nine
Divisions (all in Sydney) have a proportion of more than 20%. The
Division with the lowest proportion is the western Victorian rural
Division of Murray (0.4%) while the highest is the inner-Sydney
Division of Grayndler (31.4%). The Australian average is 8.6%.
Table 46-Persons with
Tertiary Education Qualifications
Persons whose highest education qualification obtained is a
Degree or higher, or a Diploma. Ranked on persons with tertiary
education qualifications as a percentage of the population aged 15
years and over.
This table does not appear to show any particular pattern as to
party holding the Division. Divisions at the lower end of the
rankings tend to be rural or outer-metropolitan while at the higher
end Sydney north shore and Melbourne eastern suburban Divisions
feature. The Division with the lowest proportion of persons with
tertiary education qualifications is the outer-suburban Adelaide
Division of Bonython (5.9%) while the highest is the inner-city
Division of North Sydney (38.3%). The Australian average is
16.4%.
Table 47-Persons with Trade
Qualifications
Persons with skilled vocational or basic vocational
qualifications. Ranked on persons with trade qualifications as a
percentage of the population aged 15 years and over.
This table does not appear to show any particular pattern as to
party holding the Division. The Division with the lowest proportion
is the inner-city Division of Melbourne (6.4%) while the highest is
the outer-southern Sydney Division of Hughes (19.2%). The
Australian average is 13.4%.
Table 48-Persons with No
Qualifications
Persons aged 15 years and over with no education qualifications.
Ranked on persons with no qualifications as a percentage of the
population aged 15 years and over.
Of the 20 Divisions with the lowest proportion of persons with
no qualifications, only five are held by the ALP. The Division with
the lowest proportion of persons with no qualifications is the
inner-city Division of North Sydney (39.8%) while the highest is
the outer-suburban Adelaide Division of Bonython (70.7%). The
Australian average is 58.4%.
Table 49-Persons Attending
Infant, Primary or Secondary School
Ranked on persons attending infant, primary or secondary school
as a percentage of total population.
The proportion of persons attending infant, primary or secondary
school in the highest ranked Division (the outer-suburban Melbourne
Division of Burke, 21.4%) is over three times that of the lowest
ranked Division (the inner-city Division of Sydney, 5.8%).
Outer-suburban Divisions figure prominently at the higher end of
the rankings this characteristic, while inner-city Divisions
dominate the lower end of the rankings. The Australian average is
16.5%.
Table 50-Persons Attending a
Tertiary Education Institution
Persons attending a TAFE college, CAE or University. Ranked on
persons attending a tertiary education institution as a percentage
of total population.
Twelve Divisions with the lowest proportion of persons attending
a Tertiary Education Institution are held by the Coalition (seven
of these by the National Party, reflecting the absence of Tertiary
Education Institutions in rural areas). At the higher end of the
rankings, Divisions containing Tertiary Education Institutions are
prominent. The Division with the lowest proportion is the north
Queensland rural Division of Kennedy (2.1%) while the highest is
the inner-city Division of Melbourne (15.1%). The Australian
average is 6.0%.
Table 51-Persons Who Left
School Aged 15 Years or Under
Ranked on persons who left school aged 15 or under as a
percentage of the population aged 15 or over.
Of the 20 Divisions with the lowest proportion of persons who
left school aged 15 or under, only seven are held by the ALP and
two of these are the ACT Divisions (Canberra and Fraser). The
Queensland rural Division of Wide Bay (at 51.1%) is the only
Division with a proportion over 50%. The Division with the lowest
proportion is the inner-eastern suburban Melbourne Division of
Kooyong (15.0%). The Australian average is 33.3%.
Table 52-Rented
Dwellings
Dwellings whose tenure type is rented (from all sources). Ranked
on rented dwellings as a percentage of total occupied private
dwellings.
Of the 22 Divisions with the lowest proportion of rented
dwellings, only seven are held by the ALP. Two Divisions, the
inner-city Divisions of Melbourne and Sydney, have a rented
dwelling proportion of over 50%. The Division with the lowest
proportion is the outer-eastern suburban Melbourne Division of
Aston (12.4%) while the highest is Sydney (54.7%). The Australian
average is 27.3%.
Table 53-Fully-Owned
Dwellings
Dwellings whose tenure type is fully owned. Ranked on the number
of fully owned dwellings as a percentage of total occupied private
dwellings.
Of the 20 Divisions with the lowest proportion of fully owned
dwellings, ony five are held by the Coalition. Rural Divisions and
older established Metropolitan Divisions feature at the higher end
of the rankings. Six Divisions have a fully owned dwelling
proportion over 50%. The Division with the lowest proportion of
fully owned dwellings is the new Northern Territory Division of
Solomon (17.6%) while the highest is the Sydney north shore
Division of Bradfield (58.2%). The Australian average is 40.9%.
Table 54-Dwellings being
Purchased
Dwellings whose tenure type is being purchased. Ranked on the
number of dwellings being purchased as a percentage of total
occupied private dwellings.
This table does not appear to show any particular pattern as to
party holding the Division. Not surprisingly, outer-metropolitan
Divisions dominate the higher end of the rankings for this
characteristic. The Division with the lowest proportion is the
inner-city Sydney Division of Wentworth (12.5%) while the highest
is the outer-suburban Perth Division of Moore (45.9%). The
Australian average is 25.0%.
Table 55-Median Monthly
Housing Loan Repayment
Monthly housing loan repayment level at which there are an equal
number of dwellings being purchased above and below that level.
Of the 20 Divisions ranked highest on the basis of median
monthly housing loan repayment only seven are held by the ALP.
Reflecting the Sydney property market, only three of the 20
Divisions ranked highest are located outside Sydney. The median
monthly housing loan repayment for the highest ranked Division (the
Sydney north shore Division of Bradfield, $1431) is almost three
times that of the lowest Division (the rural SA Division of Grey,
$521). The Australian median is $787.
Table 56-Median Weekly
Rent
Weekly rent level at which there are an equal number of rented
dwellings above and below that level.
Of the 20 Divisions with the highest median weekly rent, only
five are held by the ALP. Similar to the loan repayments rankings,
Sydney Divisions dominate the higher end of the rankings for rent
payments. The Division with the lowest median weekly rent is the SA
rural Division of Grey ($62) while the highest is the Sydney north
shore Division of Bradfield ($282). The Australian median is
$128.
Table 57-Dwellings with Two
or More Motor Vehicles
Dwellings where two or more registered motor vehicles owned by
the occupants of the dwelling were garaged or parked near the
dwelling. Ranked on the number of dwellings with two or more motor
vehicles as a percentage of total occupied private dwellings.
Of the 16 Divisions with the lowest proportion of dwellings with
two or more motor vehicles, only two are held by the Coalition,
while at the higher end of the rankings only three of the top 14
Divisions are held by the ALP. Inner-metropolitan Divisions feature
at the lower end of the rankings while outer-metropolitan and rural
Divisions dominate. The Division with the lowest proportion is the
inner-city Division of Sydney (13.8%) while the highest is the
north-western Sydney Division of Mitchell (67.7%). The Australian
average is 43.2%.
Table 58-Flat, Unit or
Apartment Dwellings
Flat, unit or apartment dwellings ranked on the percentage of
total private dwellings.
This table does not appear to show any particular pattern as to
party holding the Division. As to be expected, inner-city Divisions
dominate the higher end of the rankings for this characteristic.
Four Divisions have a proportion of over 50%. The Division with the
lowest proportion is the outer-suburban Perth Division of Cowan
(1.1%) while the highest is the inner-city Sydney Division of
Wentworth (55.7%). The Australian average is 13.0%.
Table 59-Persons Residing in
Non-Private Dwellings
Non-private dwellings include hotels, motels, guest houses,
prisons, religious and charitable institutions, defence
establishments, hospitals and other communal dwellings (but not
self-care units in accommodation for the retired or aged). Ranked
on the persons residing in non-private dwellings as percentage of
total persons.
This table does not appear to show any particular pattern as to
party holding the Division. Outer-metropolitan Divisions dominate
the lower end of the rankings for this characteristic while at the
higher end of the rankings no clear pattern exists. Six Divisions
have a proportion of over 10%. The Division with the lowest
proportion of persons residing in non-private dwellings is the
outer-suburban Perth Division of Cowan (0.4%) while the highest is
the inner-city Division of Sydney (18.6%). The Australian average
is 3.4%.