Understanding the varying health landscapes within Australia is important for developing targeted public health interventions and empowering individuals to make health-conscious choices. To provide a comprehensive overview of the healthiness of different areas, we conducted an in-depth analysis of 88 Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4) regions across the country.
The data for this analysis was sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2021 dataset, offering the most reliable and up-to-date information available. Our criteria include a wide range of health indicators, such as the prevalence of chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and mental health issues, as well as the percentage of people requiring assistance with core activities.
Each metric was carefully chosen to reflect the overall health and well-being of the population in each SA4 area. Through this analysis, we aim to highlight the regions in Australia where residents enjoy the best health outcomes and identify areas that may require more targeted health interventions.
Key findings
- With an overall health score of 90, Central and Hills in Adelaide is the healthiest area in Australia, while Wide Bay in Queensland is the least healthy, scoring only 60.
- Assistance with Core Activities: Only 2.1% of people in Adelaide’s Central and Hills require help with daily tasks, compared to 10% in Queensland’s Wide Bay.
- Arthritis: Adelaide’s Central and Hills has the lowest percentage of arthritis patients (2.9%), while Queensland’s Wide Bay has the highest percentage (15%).
- Asthma: The prevalence of asthma is lowest in Barossa—Yorke—Mid North, SA (5%) and highest in South West Sydney (10.8%).
- Cancer: The percentage of people who’ve had cancer, including those in remission, is lowest in Adelaide’s Central and Hills (1.1%) and highest in Wheatbelt, WA (4.6%).
- Dementia: The percentage of people with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, is lowest in Adelaide’s Central and Hills (0.2%) and highest in Wheatbelt, WA (1.4%).
- Diabetes: Gestational diabetes excluded, Bendigo has the lowest percentage of diabetics (2.3%), while West and North West, Tasmania, have the highest percentage (7.2%).
- Heart Disease: The lowest rate of heart disease, including heart attacks and angina, is found in Adelaide’s Central and Hills (1.7%), while the highest rate is found in Wide Bay, Queensland (6.6%).
- Kidney Disease: Bendigo in Victoria and the Capital Region in NSW have the lowest percentage of individuals with kidney disease (0.5%), and Wheatbelt, WA has the highest (1.6%).
- Lung Condition: The percentage of people with lung conditions, such as COPD or emphysema, is the lowest in Adelaide’s Central and Hills (0.7%) and the highest in Queensland’s Wide Bay (4.1%).
- Mental Health Condition: There are fewer people (4%) in Barossa – Yorke – Mid North than in South West Sydney (12.5%) who suffer from mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.
- Stroke: The percentage of people who have had a stroke in Adelaide’s Central and Hills is the lowest (0.3%), while in Wheatbelt, WA, it is the highest (1.7%).
- Other Long-term Health Conditions: Adelaide’s Central and Hills have the lowest percentage of people with other long-term health conditions (4.1%), while Outback (South), WA has the highest (10.4%).
- No Long-term Health Conditions: The percentage of people without long-term health conditions is highest in West Adelaide (69.2%) and lowest in Wide Bay (48.4%).
- Urban areas like Adelaide and Brisbane have better health indicators than metropolitan areas like Sydney, Western Australia, and Queensland.
The healthiest and unhealthiest areas in Australia 2024
10 healthiest areas in Australia 2024
1. Adelaide - Central and Hills, Adelaide
Adelaide’s Central and Hills is the healthiest area in Australia. Just 2.1% of the population requires help with everyday tasks, indicating a low level of disability within the community. This could partly be explained by the fact that the prevalence of arthritis (2.9%) is significantly lower here than the national average.
Meanwhile, asthma affects 5.2% of residents, which shows effective respiratory health management. Cancer patients, including those in remission, make up only 1.1% of the population, reflecting strong cancer prevention and treatment measures. The incidence of dementia, including Alzheimer's, is remarkably low, at 0.2%.
Diabetes, excluding gestational diabetes, affects 3.3% of the population, indicating good overall metabolic health. Heart disease, including heart attacks and angina, is reported by 1.7% of residents. Kidney disease is found in 0.6% of the population, while lung conditions, including COPD and emphysema, affect 0.7%.
Mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, are reported by 4.4% of residents, demonstrating effective mental health support. Stroke incidence is low at 0.3%, and other long-term health conditions affect 4.1% of the population. Impressively, 62.1% of residents report having no long-term health conditions.
The final health score of 90 highlights Central and Hills’ excellent overall health and well-being.
2. Adelaide - North, Adelaide
North Adelaide ranks second among Australia's healthiest areas. Here, 5.3% of the population requires assistance with daily activities, indicating a relatively moderate level of disability. Arthritis affects 5.2% of residents, while asthma is present in 5.1%. Cancer patients, including those in remission, account for 1.7% of the population. The incidence of dementia, including Alzheimer's, is low, at 0.6%.
Diabetes affects 5% of residents. Heart disease, including heart attacks and angina, is reported by 2.8% of residents. Kidney disease affects 0.7% of the population, while lung conditions, including COPD and emphysema, are present in 0.9% of residents. Mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety, are reported by 4.8% of the population. Stroke incidence is 0.6%, and other long-term health conditions affect 6.5% of residents. Notably, 68.5% of the population reports no long-term health conditions.
3. Adelaide - South, Adelaide
South Adelaide residents generally enjoy good health, with only 3.4% of residents requiring assistance with daily living and 66.4% reporting no long-term conditions.
Conditions like arthritis (4.5%), asthma (6.8%), cancer (1.9%), dementia (0.4%), diabetes (2.8%), heart disease (2.1%), kidney disease (0.6%), lung conditions (0.9%), stroke (0.5%), and other long-term health conditions (7.1% ) affect a smaller percentage of the population.
However, a moderate portion (8.7%) of the community experiences mental health issues.
4. Adelaide - West, Adelaide
In West Adelaide, 4.4% of residents require assistance with core activities. Arthritis affects 5.6% of the population, while asthma is present in 5.7%. Cancer is reported by 2.4% of residents. The incidence of dementia is 0.6%. Diabetes affects 3.8% of residents. Heart disease is reported by 3.1% of residents. Kidney disease affects 0.7% of the population, while lung conditions are present in 0.9% of residents. Mental health conditions are reported by 5.5% of the population. Stroke incidence is 0.6%, and other long-term health conditions affect 7.2% of residents. Around 69.2% of residents report no long-term health conditions.
5. Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) ranks fifth among the healthiest areas in Australia. In the ACT, 3.5% of the population requires assistance with regular day-to-day activities, indicating a relatively healthy and independent community. Arthritis affects 5.7% of residents, while asthma affects 6.2% of the population. Cancer patients, including those in remission, make up 2.6% of residents, demonstrating effective cancer treatment and management.
The incidence of dementia, including Alzheimer's, is 0.8%. Diabetes affects 2.7% of residents, indicating good metabolic health. Heart disease, including heart attacks and angina, is reported by 2.9% of the population, suggesting effective cardiovascular health management. Kidney disease affects 0.7% of the population, while lung conditions, including COPD and emphysema, are present in 0.9% of residents. Mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety, are reported by 6.1% of the population. Stroke incidence is 0.6%, and other long-term health conditions affect 6.4% of residents. Notably, 67.2% of the population reports no long-term health conditions.
6. Ballarat, Victoria
In Ballarat, 3.7% of the community depends on external aid to perform core daily functions. Here, arthritis afflicts 5.3% of the population, asthma 6.1%, and cancer 1.9%. Dementia impacts 0.4%, diabetes 3.7%, and heart disease 2.4%. Kidney disease affects 0.7%, lung conditions 1.2%, and mental health issues 5.9%. Stroke incidence is 0.6%, with 6.5% experiencing other long-term conditions. Meanwhile, 64.5% report no long-term health issues.
7. Barossa - Yorke - Mid North, SA
Some 3.4% of people in Barossa require assistance with daily tasks. 3.1% suffer from arthritis, 5% from asthma, and 1.1% from cancer. Diabetes affects 5.3%, heart disease 4%, and dementia 0.4%. Kidney disease affects 1.3%, lung conditions 1.1%, and mental health issues 4%. Stroke incidence is 0.5%, with 5.4% experiencing other long-term conditions. Meanwhile, 65% report no long-term health issues.
8. Bendigo, Victoria
In Bendigo, 3% of the population requires assistance with daily activities. People here largely suffer from asthma (7.4%) and mental health issues (9.8%). Additionally, 4.6% of people suffer from arthritis and 2.4% from cancer. Diabetes affects 2.3% of people, while dementia affects 0.4%. Heart disease affects 2.5%. Kidney disease affects 0.5%, and lung conditions 0.9%. Stroke incidence is 0.5%, and 7.4% have other long-term conditions. Around 65.1% report no long-term health issues.
9. Brisbane - East, Brisbane
In East Brisbane, 3.7% of people need assistance with core activities. 5.9% of residents suffer from arthritis, while 6.7% have asthma. Cancer is reported by 2.9%, while dementia impacts 0.7%. 3.4% of people report having heart disease, and 3.8% report having diabetes. 0.6% of the population suffers from kidney disease, while 0.9% suffer from lung conditions. Mental health issues are reported by 6%, stroke by 0.6%, and other long-term conditions by 7.4%. About 67.8% of residents have no long-term health conditions.
10. Brisbane - North, Brisbane
North Brisbane ranks tenth among the healthiest areas in Australia. Here, 4.7% of the population requires assistance with daily tasks, indicating a moderate level of disability. Arthritis affects 5.9% of residents, while asthma affects 6.1%. Cancer patients, including those in remission, account for 2.4% of residents, demonstrating effective cancer care.
The incidence of dementia, including Alzheimer's, is only 0.7%. Diabetes affects 3.8% of residents. Heart disease, including heart attacks and angina, is reported by 3% of residents, indicating a healthy level of cardiovascular health. Kidney disease affects 0.7% of residents, while lung conditions, including COPD and emphysema, are present in 0.9% of the population. Mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety, are reported by 6.8% of residents, indicating a lower level of mental health concerns. Stroke incidence is 0.6%, and other long-term health conditions affect 7.4% of the population. Notably, 67.1% of residents report no long-term health conditions, contributing to the area's final health score of 86.
10 unhealthiest areas in Australia 2024
1. Wide Bay, Queensland
Wide Bay in Queensland ranks as the least healthiest area in Australia. A significant 10% of the population requires assistance with regular day-to-day activities, indicating a high level of disability.
The prevalence of arthritis is alarmingly high, at 15%, reflecting widespread joint and mobility issues. Asthma affects 9.8% of residents, highlighting respiratory health concerns. Cancer patients, including those in remission, make up 4.5% of the population, indicating substantial cancer prevalence. Dementia, including Alzheimer's, affects 1.1% of residents, suggesting cognitive health challenges.
Diabetes is present in 6.6% of the population, reflecting poor metabolic health. Heart disease, including heart attacks and angina, is reported by 6.6% of residents, indicating serious cardiovascular health issues. Kidney disease affects 1.5% of the population, while lung conditions, including COPD and emphysema, are prevalent in 4.1% of residents.
Mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety, affect 12.1% of the population, highlighting significant mental health concerns. Stroke incidence is 1.6%, and other long-term health conditions affect 10.2% of residents. Only 48.4% of residents report having no long-term health conditions.
The area's final health score of 60 underscores the critical health challenges faced by the Wide Bay community.
2. Western Australia - Wheatbelt, WA
In Wheatbealt, 8.8% of the population requires assistance with daily tasks. Arthritis affects 14.6% of residents. Asthma is present in 9.8% of the population. Cancer is reported by 4.6% of residents. Dementia affects 1.4% of the population. Diabetes is present in 6.2% of residents. Heart disease is reported by 6.3% of residents. Kidney disease affects 1.6% of the population, while lung conditions are prevalent in 3.5% of residents. Mental health conditions affect 11.4% of the population. Stroke incidence is 1.7%, and other long-term health conditions affect 9.2% of residents. Some 49.4% of residents report having no long-term health conditions.
3. Western Australia - Outback (South), WA
In this region, 8.5% of the population requires aid with daily activities. Arthritis affects 12.4% of residents. Asthma is present in 10.4% of the population. Cancer is reported by 4% of residents. Dementia affects 0.9% of the population. Diabetes is present in 6% of residents. Heart disease is reported by 5.8% of residents. Kidney disease affects 1.4% of the population, while lung conditions are prevalent in 3.3% of residents. Mental health conditions affect 12.2% of the population. Stroke incidence is 1.3%, and other long-term health conditions affect 10.4% of residents. Around 51% of residents report having no long-term health conditions.
4. Western Australia - Outback (North), WA
Here, a large proportion of residents (7.3%) require assistance with daily living, indicating a high level of dependency. Chronic conditions such as arthritis (13.9%), asthma (8.8%), and diabetes (5.9%) are widespread.
Mental health is a critical issue, with 10.4% of the population affected by conditions like depression and anxiety. Other serious health concerns include dementia (1.1%), cancer (4.4%), heart disease (5.6%), kidney disease (1.5%), lung conditions (2.9%), stroke (1.4%), and other long-term health conditions (8.9%). A little over half of the population reports no long-term health conditions.
5. West and North West, Tasmania
In West and North West Tasmania, 7.5% of the population requires external aid with basic activities, indicating a high level of disability. Arthritis affects 13.5% of residents, reflecting significant joint and mobility issues. Asthma is present in 10.3% of the population, indicating respiratory health concerns. Cancer patients, including those in remission, account for 3.8% of residents, suggesting notable cancer prevalence. Dementia, including Alzheimer's, affects 1% of the population, highlighting cognitive health challenges. Diabetes is present in 7.2% of residents, reflecting poor metabolic health.
Heart disease, including heart attacks and angina, is reported by 5.7% of residents, indicating serious cardiovascular health issues. Kidney disease affects 1.1% of the population, while lung conditions, including COPD and emphysema, are prevalent in 2.9% of residents. Mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety, affect 10.9% of the population, indicating significant mental health concerns. Stroke incidence is 1.2%, and other long-term health conditions affect 8.8% of residents. Only 52% of residents report having no long-term health conditions. The area's final health score of 66.3 underscores the substantial health challenges faced by the West and North West communities.
6. Warrnambool and South West, Victoria
In Warrnambool and South West, 7.4% of the population requires assistance with core activities. Arthritis affects 12.8% of residents, asthma 8.8%, cancer 4%, dementia 1.1%, diabetes 5%, heart disease 5.7%, kidney disease 1.4%, and lung conditions 3.2%. Mental health conditions impact 11% of residents, stroke incidence is 1.3%, and 8.8% have other long-term health issues. Only 52.2% report no long-term health conditions.
7. Townsville, Queensland
In Townsville, Queensland, 7.4% of the population needs assistance with core activities. Arthritis affects 12.3% of residents, asthma 9.8%, cancer 3.8%, dementia 0.8%, diabetes 5.8%, heart disease 5.7%, kidney disease 1.2%, and lung conditions 3%. Mental health conditions impact 11% of residents, stroke incidence is 1.4%, and 9% have other long-term health issues. Only 51.7% report no long-term health conditions.
8. Toowoomba, Queensland
In Toowoomba, Queensland, 7.8% of the population needs help with core activities. Arthritis impacts 13.2% of residents, asthma 10.3%, cancer 3.6%, dementia 0.7%, diabetes 5.9%, heart disease 5%, kidney disease 1.4%, and lung conditions 3.1%. Mental health issues affect 11.2% of the population, stroke incidence is 1.4%, and 8.9% have other long-term health conditions. Only 52.5% of residents report no long-term health issues.
9. Sutherland, Sydney
In Sutherland, Sydney, 7.3% of the population requires assistance with regular tasks. Arthritis affects 12.5% of residents. Asthma is present in 9.3% of the population. Cancer is reported by 3.8% of residents. Dementia affects 1.1% of the population. Diabetes is present in 6.5% of residents. Heart disease is reported by 5.8% of residents. Kidney disease affects 1% of the population, while lung conditions are prevalent in 2.7% of residents. Mental health conditions affect 10.1% of the population. Stroke incidence is 1.3%, and other long-term health conditions affect 8.6% of residents. Only 52.7% of residents report having no long-term health conditions.
10. South West Sydney, Sydney
South West Sydney ranks as the tenth least healthiest area in Australia. In this area, 7.3% of the population requires aid with basic day-to-day activities, indicating a high level of disability. Arthritis affects 11.3% of residents, reflecting significant joint and mobility issues. Asthma is present in 10.8% of the population, indicating respiratory health concerns. Cancer patients, including those in remission, account for 3.6% of residents, suggesting notable cancer prevalence. Dementia, including Alzheimer's, affects 0.8% of the population, highlighting cognitive health challenges. Diabetes, excluding gestational diabetes, is present in 5.3% of residents, reflecting poor metabolic health.
Heart disease, including heart attacks and angina, is reported by 5% of residents, indicating serious cardiovascular health issues. Kidney disease affects 0.9% of the population, while lung conditions, including COPD and emphysema, are prevalent in 2.7% of residents. Mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety, affect 12.5% of the population, indicating significant mental health concerns. Stroke incidence is 1.2%, and other long-term health conditions affect 9.5% of residents. Only 52.3% of residents report having no long-term health conditions. The area's final health score of 68.2 underscores the substantial health challenges faced by the South West community.
Conclusion
The analysis of health outcomes across Australia's SA4 regions reveals significant disparities, with urban areas like Adelaide's Central and Hills achieving the best health outcomes, while regions like Wide Bay in Queensland face considerable health challenges.
This data-driven approach highlights the importance of targeted public health interventions in less healthy regions to address chronic conditions, disability, and mental health issues.
As Australia continues to advance its healthcare strategies, focusing on these regional differences will be crucial in ensuring equitable health outcomes for all residents.
Methodology
In our analysis, we comprehensively examined 88 available SA4 areas in Australia based on a set of health-related criteria to rank their overall healthiness. Each criterion received a score ranging from 40 to 100, indicating its relative importance in the assessment. We applied a normalization process to ensure a fair and comparable analysis across all criteria. This process standardized the scores for each criterion to a common range while preserving their relative differences.
Data Sources:
All data is sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2021 data, accessible at ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics). Here are the columns used in our analysis, along with a brief description for each:
- Persons who need assistance with core activities (%): This data reflects the percentage of people needing assistance with core activities in each SA4 area, sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2021 data. It indicates the level of disability and need for assistance among residents.
- Arthritis (%): The percentage of people suffering from arthritis in each SA4 area, sourced from ABS 2021 data.
- Asthma (%): The percentage of people with asthma in each SA4 area, sourced from ABS 2021 data.
- Cancer (including remission) (%): The percentage of people who have had cancer, including those in remission, sourced from ABS 2021 data.
- Dementia (including Alzheimer's) (%): The percentage of people suffering from dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, sourced from ABS 2021 data.
- Diabetes (excluding gestational diabetes) (%): The percentage of people with diabetes, excluding gestational diabetes, sourced from ABS 2021 data.
- Heart disease (including heart attack or angina) (%): The percentage of people with heart disease, including heart attack or angina, sourced from ABS 2021 data.
- Kidney disease (%): The percentage of people with kidney disease in each SA4 area, sourced from ABS 2021 data.
- Lung condition (including COPD or emphysema) (%): The percentage of people with lung conditions, including COPD or emphysema, sourced from ABS 2021 data.
- Mental health condition (including depression or anxiety) (%): The percentage of people with mental health conditions, including depression or anxiety, sourced from ABS 2021 data.
- Stroke (%): The percentage of people who have suffered a stroke in each SA4 area, sourced from ABS 2021 data.
- Other long-term health condition(s) (%): The percentage of people with other long-term health conditions, sourced from ABS 2021 data.
Methodology: further details
How the weights are distributed
The weights assigned to each criterion reflect their importance in assessing an area's overall healthiness. Higher weights are given to metrics with more significant impacts on health, ensuring a balanced evaluation of factors contributing to an area's health status.
Weight distribution
For this analysis, each health condition has been assigned equal weights, considering the need to balance the overall health impact assessment:
| Feature | Weight |
| Persons who have the need for assistance with core activities (%) | -0.05 |
| Arthritis (%) | -0.05 |
| Asthma (%) | -0.05 |
| Cancer (including remission) (%) | -0.1 |
| Dementia (including Alzheimer's) (%) | -0.05 |
| Diabetes (excluding gestational diabetes) | -0.05 |
| Heart disease (including heart attack or angina) (%) | -0.1 |
| Kidney disease (%) | -0.05 |
| Lung condition (including COPD or emphysema) (%) | -0.05 |
| Mental health condition (including depression or anxiety) | -0.05 |
| Stroke (%) | –0.05 |
| Other long-term health condition(s) | -0.05 |
| No long-term health condition(s) (%) | 0.3 |
Calculation methodology
- Data normalization: Each criterion's data was normalized to a scale of 40-100 using the MinMaxScaler from the scikit-learn library. This step ensures that all criteria are comparable and maintain their relative differences, preventing any single criterion from disproportionately influencing the final score.
- Weight application: After normalization, the predefined weights were applied to each criterion. This step involved multiplying each normalized value by its respective weight to reflect its importance in the overall assessment.
- Score calculation: We calculated a composite score for each SA4 area by summing the weighted scores of all criteria. This composite score represents the overall health status for each area.
- Final score normalization: To present the scores in a more realistic range, the composite scores were further normalized to a scale of 60-90 using the MinMaxScaler. This ensures that the final scores are easily interpreted and compared across areas.
- Ranking: The SA4 areas were ranked based on their final scores, with the highest score indicating the healthiest area. This ranking provides a clear and straightforward comparison of healthiness levels across all SA4 areas.
