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Inner West CouncilCommunity profile

Balmain

Method of travel to work

On Census day 2021 in Balmain, 23.0% of males travelled to work in a private car, 4.6% took public transport and 4.5% rode a bike or walked. 57.5% worked at home.

Balmain'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
Balmain - Employed males (Usual residence)20212016Change
Main method of travelNumber%Birchgrove %Number%Birchgrove %2016 to 2021
Train220.80.41505.43.9-129
Bus843.01.860321.716.5-520
Tram0----0----0
Ferry220.81.61866.711.8-165
Taxi/ride-share60.2--180.60.3-12
Car - as driver62122.422.21,06038.039.7-439
Car - as passenger190.70.9552.01.7-37
Truck100.4--120.4---2
Motorbike230.80.7652.42.6-43
Bicycle361.31.71033.72.8-67
Walked only883.22.81415.13.8-53
Other281.00.4612.22.4-33
Worked at home1,59757.561.21756.39.3+1,421
Did not go to work2167.86.41405.04.5+76
Not stated50.2--140.50.7-9
Total employed persons aged 15+2,777100.0100.02,787100.0100.0-11
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 128 males who caught public transport to work (train, bus, tram or ferry) in Balmain, compared with 673 who drove in private vehicles (car – as driver, car – as passenger, motorbike, or truck).

Analysis of the method of travel to work of the male residents in Balmain in 2021, compared to Birchgrove, shows that 4.6% used public transport, while 23.0% used a private vehicle, compared with 3.8% and 23.0% respectively in Birchgrove.

The major differences in males between the method of travel to work of Balmain and Birchgrove were:

  • A larger percentage of males who did not go to work (7.8% compared to 6.4%)
  • A larger percentage of males who travelled by bus (3.0% compared to 1.8%)
  • A smaller percentage of males who worked at home (57.5% compared to 61.2%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed males in Balmain decreased by 10 between 2016 and 2021.

The largest changes in the method of travel to work by male resident population in Balmain between 2016 and 2021 were for those nominated:

  • Worked at home (+1,421 males)
  • Bus (-520 males)
  • Car - as driver (-439 males)
  • Ferry (-165 males)

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