Census reveals the 'typical' Western Australian

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MEDIA RELEASE
11 April 2017
Embargoed: 11.30 am (Canberra time)
41/2017

Census reveals the 'typical' Western Australian



The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has today revealed the first insights from the 2016 Census of Population and Housing, releasing a preview of the key characteristics that make the ‘typical’ Western Australian in 2016 and highlighting Australia’s diversity.

Today’s release comes ahead of the first Census data release on Tuesday, 27 June 2017. This will include datasets for all national, state/territory and capital cities, along with datasets for small population groups and small geographic areas such as suburbs and Local Government Areas, showing that there’s nothing ‘typical’ about Australians at all!

In the meantime, the 2016 Census has revealed the ‘typical’ Western Australian is a 37 year old male, a year older than the ‘typical’ Western Australian in 2011 and 2006. He was born in Australia, has English ancestry and speaks English at home. He is married and lives in a couple family with two children. He has also completed Year 12, and does between five and 14 hours of domestic work per week.

Unlike the ‘typical’ Australian, who lives in a home with three bedrooms, the ‘typical’ Western Australian lives in a home with four bedrooms. Similar to the rest of the country, he lives in a home that has two motor vehicles.

The ‘typical’ Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person in Western Australia is male. This differs from 2011 and 2006, when the ‘typical’ Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person in Western Australia was female. In 2016, he is 23 years old, a year older than in 2011 and two years older than in 2006.

The ‘typical’ Western Australian home is owned with a mortgage, as it was in 2011 and 2006.

Unlike the ‘typical’ Australian, at least one of the ‘typical’ Western Australian’s parents was born overseas, which was also the case in 2011 and 2006.

The ‘typical’ migrant in Western Australia was born in England, is female, and speaks English at home. She is 43 years old, a year younger than in 2011 and three years younger than in 2006.

The information released today is just a glimpse of what can be expected when 2016 Census data is released in June, thanks to the participation of Australians in last year’s Census. The June release will follow the completion of the ABS’ usual data quality assurance process and the Census Independent Assurance Panel’s quality assurance work.

The Census is Australia’s richest data source, giving insight into Australian life, showing how our local communities and nation have changed over time, and helping governments, business and communities plan for the future. It provides the most comprehensive information about regional areas and small population groups, which helps inform government funding decision-making, policy development and service delivery.

All ‘typical’ Australia profiles, including states and territories are available from the ABS website.

Further information on the release schedule of the 2016 Census is also available from the ABS website.


The ‘Typical’ Western Australian

Median Age 37
Sex (Mode)Male
Country of Birth of Person (Mode)Australia
Country of Birth of Parents (Mode)At least on parent born overseas
Language Spoken at Home (Mode)English
Ancestry 1st Response (Mode)English
Social Marital Status (Mode)Married in a registered marriage
Family Composition (Mode)Couple family with children
Count of All Children in Family (Mode)Two children in family
Highest Year of School Completed (Mode)Year 12 or equivalent
Unpaid Domestic Work: Number of Hours (Mode)5 to 14 hours
Number of Motor Vehicles (Mode)Two vehicles
Number of Bedrooms in Private Dwelling (Mode)Four bedrooms
Tenure Type (Dwelling Count) (Mode)Owned with a mortgage


Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

Median Age23
Sex (Mode)Male



Persons born overseas

Median Age43
Sex (Mode)Female
Country of Birth of Person (Mode)England
Language Spoken at Home (Mode)English



Note:
• The mode is the most commonly occurring value in a distribution.
• Statements of typical age in this release are median values. The median is the middle value in distribution when the values are arranged in ascending or descending order.
The most common response for each data item is calculated independently. For example, if the 'typical' person is male and the 'typical' person does 5-14 hours of unpaid domestic work per week, this does not imply that the 'typical' male does 5-14 hours of unpaid domestic work per week.
• No detailed Census data will be issued with this information. Datasets for the above characteristics will be released as part of the main release of 2016 Census data on Tuesday, 27 June 2017.