idc-logo
svg rectangle color
City of SydneyCommunity profile

City of Sydney

Long term health conditions

reset

In the City of Sydney, the most common long-term health condition was mental health condition, while 24.2% of the population reported one or more health conditions, a lower rate than in Greater Sydney (27.5%).

The 2021 Census looked for the first time at the level of incidence of selected long-term health conditions in the community. The Census question asked respondents if they have been diagnosed with a specific condition (or other condition) from a list of ten conditions plus "other". Combined, these ten conditions comprise approximately 60% of Australia's deaths, and even those which are not deadly contribute substantially to the burden of disease.

It is well known that socio-economic factors also contribute to morbidity and health outcomes, with lower-socio economic characteristics correlated with higher incidence of some health conditions. The inclusion of this topic in the Census enables these factors to be explored in more detail.

Also, in society, health conditions tend to increase with age. For these reasons, it is recommended that long-term health conditions data for be viewed at in conjunction with age structure, household income, educational qualifications, and need for assistance datasets, along with the SEIFA index of disadvantage.

Q:

Derived from the Census question:

'Has the person been told by a doctor or nurse that they have any of these long-term health conditions?'

Long term health conditions - Summary
City of Sydney - Persons (Usual residence)2021
Long-term health conditions - SummaryNumber%Greater Sydney %
Population with at least one long-term health condition51,27624.227.5
No long-term health conditions142,22667.265.1
Not stated18,1348.67.4
Total persons211,636100.0100.0
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information
Long term health conditions
City of Sydney - Persons (Usual residence)2021
Long-term health conditionsNumber%Greater Sydney %
Arthritis8,3163.96.7
Asthma13,8366.56.8
Cancer (including remission)3,9391.92.4
Dementia (including Alzheimer's)7160.30.7
Diabetes4,6842.24.6
Heart disease4,2812.03.4
Kidney disease1,1080.50.8
Lung condition1,8050.91.2
Mental health condition17,9118.56.6
Stroke9250.40.7
Other long-term health condition14,6256.97.4
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information

Dominant groups

Analysis of the long term health conditions of the City of Sydney in 2021 compared to Greater Sydney shows that there was a lower proportion of people with a long-term health condition 24.2% compared to 27.5% in Greater Sydney.

The major differences in the long-term health conditions between the City of Sydney and Greater Sydney are:

  • A larger percentage with Mental health condition (8.5% compared to 6.6%)
  • A smaller percentage with Arthritis (3.9% compared to 6.7%)
  • A smaller percentage with Diabetes (2.2% compared to 4.6%)
  • A smaller percentage with Heart disease (2.0% compared to 3.4%)

DISCLAIMER: While all due care has been taken to ensure that the content of this website is accurate and current, there may be errors or omissions in it and no legal responsibility is accepted for the information and opinions in this website.

Please view our Privacy Policy, Terms of use and Legal notices.

ABS Data and the copyright in the ABS Data remains the property of the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The copyright in the way .id has modified, transformed or reconfigured the ABS Data as published on this website remains the property of .id. ABS Data can be accessed from the Australian Bureau of Statistics at www.abs.gov.au. ABS data can be used under license - terms published on ABS website. intermediary.management@abs.gov.au if you have any queries or wish to distribute any ABS data.