The socio-spatial structure of Australia’s metropolitan regions

Abstract

The release of the 2001 Census of Population and Housing by the Australia Bureau of Statistics provides an opportunity to update material relating to the social structure of Australian cities. Using multivariate statistical techniques this paper describes a typology of local areas across Australia's metropolitan regions focusing on how various social, demographic and economic factors can be used to differentiate between areas. Taking its lead from traditional social area analysis approaches, the paper identifies several factors which when combined help to explain the socio-spatial structure of Australia's metropolitan regions.