The bar charts compare the percentages of people born in Australia and those born outside Australia who were living in cities, towns, and rural areas in 1995 and 2010.
Overall, there was a clear trend toward urbanization over the 15-year period, with a significant increase in the proportion of people residing in cities. Conversely, the percentages of people living in rural areas and towns declined, particularly for those born outside Australia.
In 1995, half of the Australian-born population lived in cities, whereas this figure was higher, at 60%, for those born outside the country. Rural areas were the second most common place of residence, with 30% of Australian-born and 40% of foreign-born individuals living there. Towns accounted for the smallest share, at 20% and 10%, respectively.
By 2010, the percentage of city dwellers had risen substantially, reaching 65% for Australian-born individuals and 80% for those born abroad. In contrast, the proportion of people living in rural areas experienced a dramatic decline, dropping to 15% for the former group and a mere 5% for the latter. Meanwhile, the percentage of people residing in towns saw a modest decrease, leveling out at around 10% for both groups.
In conclusion, the data highlights a pronounced shift toward urban living between 1995 and 2010, with rural areas experiencing the most notable decline, particularly among individuals born outside Australia. This shift underscores the growing appeal of cities as the dominant place of residence during this period.