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RDA Darling Downs and South West RegionCommunity profile

Southern Downs Regional Council area

Method of travel to work

On Census day 2021 in Southern Downs Regional Council area, 70.6% of people travelled to work in a private car, 0.3% took public transport and 4.6% rode a bike or walked. 10.1% worked at home.

Southern Downs Regional Council area's commuting statistics reveal the main modes of transport by which residents get to work. There are a number of reasons why people use different modes of transport to get to work including the availability of affordable and effective public transport options, the number of motor vehicles available within a household, and the distance travelled to work.

Commuting data is very useful in transport planning as it informs decision-makers about the availability, effectiveness and utilisation of local transport options, particularly when analysed with Residents Place of Work data and Car Ownership.

WARNING: Method of travel to work relates to Census day, which for the 2021 Census occurred during COVID-19 lockdowns for large parts of Australia. In lockdown, many occupations were required to work from home if possible, and some industries were closed, so people did not go to work. For this reason, these categories may have increased, with corresponding declines in other methods of travel. Use the data with caution when comparing over time. For more details, please refer to the data notes.

Q:

Derived from the Census question:

'How did the person get to work on Tuesday, 10 August 2021?'

Method of travel to work
Southern Downs Regional Council area - Employed persons (Usual residence)20212016Change
Main method of travelNumber%RDA Darling Downs and South West Region %Number%RDA Darling Downs and South West Region %2016 to 2021
Train70.00.1120.10.1-5
Bus440.30.5420.30.5+2
Tram0--0.00--0.00
Ferry0--0.00--0.00
Taxi/ride-share370.20.3320.20.2+5
Car - as driver9,71664.966.79,06564.366.3+651
Car - as passenger8495.75.58746.25.8-25
Truck2171.41.12691.91.4-52
Motorbike610.40.5860.60.7-25
Bicycle550.40.5760.50.7-21
Walked only6364.23.96634.74.5-27
Other1751.21.42151.51.5-40
Worked at home1,51710.19.61,2088.67.7+309
Did not go to work1,51210.19.31,3609.69.4+152
Not stated1451.00.71981.41.1-53
Total employed persons aged 15+14,971100.0100.014,100100.0100.0+871
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2016 and 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information

Dominant groups

In 2021, there were 51 people who caught public transport to work (train, bus, tram or ferry) in Southern Downs Regional Council area, compared with 10,843 who drove in private vehicles (car – as driver, car – as passenger, motorbike, or truck).

Analysis of the method of travel to work of the residents in Southern Downs Regional Council area in 2021, compared to the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region, shows that 0.3% used public transport, while 70.6% used a private vehicle, compared with 0.6% and 72.2% respectively in the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region.

The major difference in persons between the method of travel to work of Southern Downs Regional Council area and the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region was:

  • A smaller percentage of persons who travelled by car (as driver) (64.9% compared to 66.7%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed people in Southern Downs Regional Council area increased by 871 between 2016 and 2021.

The largest changes in the method of travel to work by resident population in Southern Downs Regional Council area between 2016 and 2021 were for those nominated:

  • Car - as driver (+651 persons)
  • Worked at home (+309 persons)
  • Did not go to work (+152 persons)
  • Not stated (-53 persons)

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