The Aboriginal population in the North West, West and Central RALC areas is much more concentrated. In some places, such as Wilcannia, Aboriginals are in a majority. Thus, in some rural areas the Aboriginal people form a substantial minority and are more visible and more community oriented. The urban populations in western Sydney, Dubbo and other larger rural centres appear to be increasing. But whether there or in the inner city, they still visit and are visited by rural relatives.
Rural communities continue to form the core of Aboriginal identity in New South Wales and Victoria.
Perhaps the most culturally significant communities are those in rural towns where a large minority of Aboriginals have been established since settlement, though often with severe disruptions. Such towns exist all over the state, but the largest proportion is in western and northern New South Wales and along the Murray River and in Gippsland in Victoria. Many had missions or reserves which nurtured some of the most active leaders of the Aboriginal communities who called for citizenship in the past and for Land Rights today. Well known ones include Moree, Bourke, Walgett, Wilcannia, Cowra in New South Wales and Mildura, Swan Hill, Echuca, Shepparton, and Bairnsdale in Victoria, and satellite towns and communities. The only place where a substantial group of Aboriginals live in a separate community on Aboriginal land is at Lake Tyers in Victoria.