2015.0 - Census of Population and Housing: Selected Social and Housing Characteristics, Australia, 2001  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 19/11/2002  Reissue
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MEDIA RELEASE

November 19, 2002
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
162/2002

2001 Census reveals the average Australian

The average Australian is someone in their mid-thirties, who has a weekly individual income of $300 - $399 and a weekly family income of $800 - $999, according to selected averages from the 2001 Census released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

At the time of the 2001 Census, the average Australian with a home loan was repaying $800 - $999 monthly, or paying $150 - $199 per week if renting. The mean household size in Australia was 2.6 people and the weekly income generated by the average Australian household was $700 - $799.

The 2001 Census selected averages for each of the states and territories reveal many similarities, but also highlight some interesting differences. South Australia had the oldest median age at 37 years and the smallest mean household size at 2.4 people, while the Northern Territory had the youngest median age at 30 years and the largest mean household size at 3 people.

The Northern Territory and New South Wales had Australia's highest median housing loan repayments at $1,000 - $1,199 per month, South Australia and Tasmania were the lowest at $600 - $799. They also had the lowest median weekly household income at $600 - $699.

Tasmania recorded the lowest median weekly family income of $700 - $799. Highest median weekly income levels were found in the Australian Capital Territory with family income at $1,200 - $1,499 and household income at $1,000 - $1,199.

Outdoing the states, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory recorded higher median weekly individual incomes at $500 - $599 and $400 - $499 respectively. The states all recorded median individual income levels of $300 - $399 per week.

Median weekly rent was split equally between the states and territories with New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory paying $150 - $199 per week and South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory paying $100 - $149 per week.

Media information: All metropolitan, regional and suburban media can access the full range of local 2001 Census information (at statistical local area) via this web site.