Regional population

Latest release

Statistics about the population and components of change (births, deaths, migration) for Australia's capital cities and regions

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Reference period
2024-25 financial year
Release date and time
31/03/2026 11:30am AEDT

Key statistics

  • The capitals grew by 324,700 people (1.8%) in 2024–25.
  • Capital city growth comprised overseas migration (258,100), natural increase (96,300) and internal migration (-29,800).
  • Melbourne had the largest increase (105,000), Perth had the highest growth rate (2.4%).
  • Regional Australia grew by 94,700 (1.1%).

Any reference to population refers to Estimated Resident Population (ERP) and any reference to population change is for the 2024–25 financial year.

Any reference to capital city refers to Greater Capital City Statistical Area (GCCSA), and any reference to area refers to Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2).

Estimates of both internal and overseas migration for 2021–22 to 2023–24 have been revised in this release.

Capital cities

Population change

  • Melbourne had the largest growth (up by 105,000 people), followed by Sydney (75,200), Brisbane (58,200) and Perth (58,100).
  • Perth had the highest growth rate (2.4%), followed by Brisbane (2.1%) and Melbourne (2.0%).
Population change by capital city
Capital cityERP at 30 June 20252024–25 (no.)2024–25 (%)
Sydney5,638,83075,2301.4
Melbourne5,435,590105,0302.0
Brisbane2,833,52458,2232.1
Adelaide1,491,01518,6471.3
Perth2,452,76558,0882.4
Hobart255,2505420.2
Darwin159,2842,7191.7
Canberra484,6306,2001.3
Total capital cities18,750,888324,6791.8

Components of population change

Population change at the regional level has three components: natural increase, internal migration and overseas migration. 

  • Natural increase was highest in Melbourne followed by Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.
  • Brisbane and Perth were the only capitals to have net internal migration gains. Net internal migration loss was largest in Sydney and Melbourne.
  • All capital cities experienced net overseas migration gain, which was largest in Melbourne followed by Sydney, Perth and Brisbane.

Regions

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Rockbank - Mount Cottrell (up by 4,600 people) and Fraser Rise - Plumpton (4,100) in Melbourne's outer west
  • Mickleham - Yuroke (4,100) in Melbourne’s outer north.

The areas with the highest growth rates were:

  • Port Melbourne Industrial (23%) in the inner city
  • Berrimah (22%), to the east of Darwin city
  • Fraser Rise - Plumpton (20%).

Outside of the capital cities: 

  • Caloundra West - Baringa on Queensland's Sunshine Coast had the largest growth (up by 2,000 people)
  • Googong, just outside the Australian Capital Territory, had the highest growth rate (9.7%).
Areas with the largest growth
SA2SA4ERP at 30 June 20252024–25 (no.)
Rockbank - Mount CottrellMelbourne - West35,8564,602
Mickleham - YurokeMelbourne - North West39,3894,145
Fraser Rise - PlumptonMelbourne - West24,7394,064
Box Hill - NelsonSydney - Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury26,3483,911
Clyde North - SouthMelbourne - South East28,3283,771
Areas with the highest growth rates
SA2(a)SA4ERP at 30 June 20252024–25 (%)
Port Melbourne IndustrialMelbourne - Inner3,14822.6
BerrimahDarwin2,87122.5
Fraser Rise - PlumptonMelbourne - West24,73919.7
Tarneit - NorthMelbourne - West15,88018.5
Box Hill - NelsonSydney - Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury26,34817.4
  1. Excludes SA2s with less than 1,000 people at June 2024.

Centre of population

Population density

Population grid

New South Wales

Population change

Greater Sydney increased by 75,200 people (1.4%), the rest of the state increased by 25,200 (0.9%).

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Box Hill - Nelson (up by 3,900 people) and Marsden Park - Shanes Park (3,200) in Sydney’s outer north-west
  • Austral - Greendale (3,100) in Sydney’s outer south-west.

The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

  • Box Hill - Nelson (17%)
  • Austral - Greendale (16%)
  • Marsden Park - Shanes Park (12%).

Components of population change

While net overseas migration (78,400 people) and natural increase (30,100) were positive contributors to Greater Sydney's population increase, net internal migration was negative (-33,300).

  • Schofields - East had the largest natural increase (530 people).
  • Box Hill - Nelson had the largest net internal migration gain (3,500).
  • Sydney (South) - Haymarket in the city centre had the largest net overseas migration gain (1,300).

Centre of population

Population density

Victoria

Population change

Greater Melbourne increased by 105,000 people (2.0%), the rest of the state increased by 17,900 (1.1%).

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Rockbank - Mount Cottrell (up 4,600 people) and Fraser Rise - Plumpton (4,100), both in Melbourne’s outer west
  • Mickleham - Yuroke (4,100) in Melbourne’s outer north.

The areas with the highest growth rates were:

  • Port Melbourne Industrial (23%) in the inner city
  • Fraser Rise - Plumpton (20%)
  • Tarneit - North (18%) in Melbourne's outer west.

Components of population change

While net overseas migration (81,200 people) and natural increase (32,400) were positive contributors to Greater Melbourne's population increase, net internal migration was negative (-8,600).

  • Rockbank - Mount Cottrell had the largest natural increase (980 people) and net internal migration gain (3,500).
  • Carlton, in inner Melbourne, had the largest net overseas migration gain (1,800).

Centre of population

Population density

Queensland

Population change

Greater Brisbane increased by 58,200 people (2.1%), the rest of the state increased by 39,700 (1.4%).

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Ripley (up by 3,100 people) in Ipswich
  • Caloundra West - Baringa on Queensland's Sunshine Coast (2,000)
  • Chambers Flat - Logan Reserve (1,800) in Logan.

The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

  • Ripley (15%)
  • Morayfield (15%) in Moreton Bay
  • Greenbank - North Maclean (14%) in Logan.

Components of population change

Net overseas migration (33,900 people) was the largest contributor to Greater Brisbane's population increase, followed by natural increase (13,200) and net internal migration (11,100).

  • Redbank Plains in Ipswich had the largest natural increase (460 people).
  • Ripley had the largest net internal migration gain (2,700).
  • Brisbane City had the largest net overseas migration gain (900).

Centre of population

Population density

South Australia

Population change

Greater Adelaide increased by 18,600 people (1.3%), the rest of the state increased by 1,900 (0.5%).

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Munno Para West - Angle Vale (up by 2,400 people) and Virginia - Waterloo Corner (1,300) in Adelaide's outer north
  • Mount Barker (1,200) in the Adelaide Hills.

The areas with the highest growth rates were all in Adelaide’s outer north: 

  • Virginia - Waterloo Corner (17%)
  • Munno Para West - Angle Vale (11%)
  • Lewiston - Two Wells (5.0%).

Components of population change

While net overseas migration (17,800 people) and natural increase (3,200) were positive contributors to Greater Adelaide's population increase, net internal migration was negative (-2,400).

  • Munno Para West - Angle Vale had the largest natural increase (390 people) and net internal migration gain (2,000).
  • The city centre of Adelaide had the largest net overseas migration gain (1,100).

Centre of population

​​​​​​​Population density

Western Australia

Population change

Greater Perth increased by 58,100 people (2.4%), the rest of the state increased by 8,100 (1.4%).

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Alkimos - Eglinton (up by 2,500 people) in Perth's outer north-west
  • Brabham - Henley Brook (1,800) in Perth's outer north-east
  • Baldivis - North in Perth’s outer south (1,700).

The areas with the highest growth rates were:

  • Alkimos - Eglinton (13%)
  • Brabham - Henley Brook (12%)
  • Baldivis - North (11%).

Components of population change

Net overseas migration (37,300 people) was the largest contributor to Greater Perth's population increase, followed by natural increase (12,600) and net internal migration (8,200).

  • Byford in Perth’s outer south-east had the largest natural increase (400 people).
  • Alkimos - Eglinton had the largest net internal migration gain (1,900).
  • Bentley - Wilson - St James, to the south-east of Perth's city centre, had the largest net overseas migration gain (1,100). 

Centre of population

Population density

Tasmania

Population change

Greater Hobart increased by 540 people (0.2%), the rest of the state increased by 950 (0.3%).

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Rokeby (up by 240 people) on the eastern shore of the Derwent River in Hobart
  • Sorell - Richmond (150) in Hobart's north-east.

The areas with the highest growth rates were:

  • Rokeby (2.7%)
  • Cygnet (1.5%) in south-eastern Tasmania
  • Westbury (1.5%), south-west of Launceston.

Components of population change

While net overseas migration (1,800 people) and natural increase (590) were positive contributors to Greater Hobart's population increase, net internal migration was negative (-1,900).

  • Rokeby had the largest natural increase (140 people).
  • St Helens - Scamander on Tasmania’s eastern seaboard had the largest internal migration gain (110).
  • Sandy Bay, to the south of Hobart's city centre, had the largest net overseas migration gain (310).

Centre of population

Population density

Northern Territory

Population change

Greater Darwin increased by 2,700 people (1.7%), the rest of the territory increased by 950 (0.9%).

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Berrimah (up by 530 people), to the east of Darwin City
  • Palmerston - South (340), to the south-east of Darwin City
  • Darwin City (320).

The areas with the highest growth rates were:

  • Berrimah (22%)
  • Palmerston - South and Darwin City (both 3.9%).

Components of population change

While net overseas migration (2,800 people) and natural increase (1,300) were positive contributors to Greater Darwin's population increase, net internal migration was negative (-1,400).

  • Palmerston - South had the largest natural increase (150 people).
  • Berrimah had the largest net internal migration gain (480).
  • Darwin City had the largest net overseas migration gain (430).

Centre of population

Population density

Australian Capital Territory

Population change

The number of people living in the Australian Capital Territory increased by 6,200 (1.3%).

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Taylor (up by 700 people) in Canberra's outer north
  • Phillip (580), south of Canberra CBD
  • Denman Prospect (560) in the Molonglo Valley.

The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

  • Taylor (15%)
  • Strathnairn (14%) in Canberra’s outer north-west
  • Denman Prospect (11%).

Components of population change

While net overseas migration (4,800) and natural increase (2,900 people) were positive contributors to Canberra's population increase, net internal migration was negative (-1,500).

  • Taylor had the largest natural increase (170 people).
  • Whitlam in Canberra’s west had the largest net internal migration gain (650).
  • Belconnen town centre in Canberra's north-west had the largest net overseas migration gain (240).

Centre of population

Population density

Interactive maps

On each map an area can be selected to view the underlying data. All data can be found in the Data downloads section of this publication.

Population grid

The Australian population grid 2025 interactive map will be available from this page shortly. 

Population change by Statistical Areas Level 2

This interactive map displays the percentage population change in Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2s) between 2024 and 2025. Percentage of population change is divided into 5 data classes: 

  • 3.0% or more (dark red)
  • 2.0% to less than 3.0% (light red)
  • 1.0% to less than 2.0% (dark orange)
  • 0.0% to less than 1.0% (light orange)
  • Decline (yellow)

The top 10 growth SA2s are also displayed with blue dots.

This map shows that the SA2s with the highest population growth rates in 2024–25 were generally on the outskirts of Australia's capital cities. The top 10 were: 

  • Port Melbourne Industrial, Fraser Rise - Plumpton, Tarneit - North, Clyde North - South and Whittlesea in Melbourne
  • Berrimah in Darwin
  • Box Hill - Nelson and Austral - Greendale in Sydney
  • Virginia - Waterloo Corner in Adelaide
  • Ripley in Brisbane.

Accessibility statement: We are committed to providing information and services to the widest possible audience. We’ve designed this website to comply with the Australian Government Digital Service Standard and aim to meet the latest WCAG Guidelines which describe how to make web content more usable and accessible for everyone. However, some functions of this interactive map may be inaccessible, or difficult to use with assistive technology. All data underlying this map can be downloaded in table format from the Data downloads section of this publication. For further information or assistance, or to advise of accessibility issues with this product, please email client.services@abs.gov.au.

Source

Regional population 2024–25: SA2 geospatial web service

Population change by Local Government Areas

This interactive map displays the percentage population change in Local Government Areas (LGAs) between 2024 and 2025. Percentage of population change is divided into 5 data classes: 

  • 3.0% or more (dark red)
  • 2.0% to less than 3.0% (light red)
  • 1.0% to less than 2.0% (dark orange)
  • 0.0% to less than 1.0% (light orange)
  • Decline (yellow)

The top 10 growth LGAs are also displayed with blue dots.

This map shows that the LGAs with the highest population growth rates in 2024–25 were generally located on the outskirts of the country's capitals. The top 10 were:

  • Melton and Mitchell in or just outside Melbourne
  • Kwinana, Serpentine-Jarrahdale, Swan, Murray, Dandaragan and Chittering in or just outside Perth
  • Playford in Adelaide
  • Wollondilly in Sydney.

Accessibility statement: We are committed to providing information and services to the widest possible audience. We’ve designed this website to comply with the Australian Government Digital Service Standard and aim to meet the latest WCAG Guidelines which describe how to make web content more usable and accessible for everyone. However, some functions of this interactive map may be inaccessible, or difficult to use with assistive technology. All data underlying this map can be downloaded in table format from the Data downloads section of this publication. For further information or assistance, or to advise of accessibility issues with this product, please email client.services@abs.gov.au.

Source

Regional population 2024–25: LGA geospatial web service

Geographic areas

Data downloads

Data cubes

Download all (2.29 MB)
Data files

Population grid files

Data files

Data Explorer datasets

Caution: Data Explorer can be problematic when trying to view and manipulate large datasets, such as SA2-based or LGA geographies released in this product. Please use the Excel data cubes provided above for these datasets. 

Data in Data Explorer is currently released after the 11:30am release on the ABS website. Please check the reference period when using Data Explorer.

Population estimates and components by SA2 and above, 2022 to 2025
Population estimates and components by LGA, 2022 to 2025
Population estimates by SA2 and above, 2001 to 2025
Population estimates by LGA, 2001 to 2025
Regional internal migration estimates by region of arrival and departure, SA4 and above, 2021–22 to 2024–25

For information on Data Explorer and how it works, see the Data Explorer user guide.

Geospatial web services

Regional population estimates are available as a web service for the following geographies:

Previous catalogue number

This release previously used catalogue number 3218.0.

Methodology

Regional population methodology, 2024-25 financial year

Media releases