3218.0 - Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2006-07 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 31/03/2008   
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Image: Main Features - Includes: Summary of population change in Australia MAIN FEATURES


POPULATION CHANGE
STATE AND TERRITORY HIGHLIGHTS
CAPITAL CITY GROWTH
OUTER SUBURBAN GROWTH
INNER CITY GROWTH
GROWTH ALONG THE COAST
GROWTH IN INLAND AREAS
POPULATION DECLINES
POPULATION CHANGE BY REMOTENESS AREAS
POPULATION DENSITY
CENTRE OF POPULATION


SUMMARY COMMENTARY


POPULATION CHANGE

Australia's estimated resident population (ERP) passed the 21 million mark in 2006-07, with an increase of 315,700 people since June 2006. This represents an annual growth rate of 1.5%, which was higher than the average annual growth rate of 1.4% since June 2002.


All states and territories experienced population growth in 2006-07. The fastest increases occurred in Western Australia (with an annual growth rate of 2.3%), Queensland (2.2%), Northern Territory (2.0%) and Australian Capital Territory (1.7%), which all recorded faster growth rates than Australia's overall annual rate of growth in 2006-07.


In each state and territory, the areas with the largest or fastest population growth tended to be outer suburbs, inner areas of capital cities and some coastal areas.

SLA POPULATION CHANGE, Australia - 2006-07
Diagram: SLA POPULATION CHANGE, Australia—2006–07

STATE AND TERRITORY HIGHLIGHTS

New South Wales
  • The state's 2006-07 growth rate of 1.1% was its highest since 2000-01.
  • The Sydney Statistical Division (SD) grew by 52,000 people in 2006-07.
  • Outside of the Sydney SD, the fastest growth rates occurred along the NSW coast in the Richmond-Tweed (1.3%) and Hunter (1.1%) SDs.


Victoria
  • Melbourne SD's growth of 61,700 people was the largest of all the Australian capital city SDs in 2006-07.
  • The fastest growing local government areas (LGAs) were Wyndham (C) (6.2%) and Melton (S) (5.8%) in the outer suburbs of the Melbourne SD and the inner city Melbourne (C) (5.8%).
  • Outside of the Melbourne SD the fastest growing LGAs were Surf Coast (S) (3.2%), Mitchell (S) (2.2%) and Bass Coast (S) (2.0%).


Queensland
  • The population of Brisbane (C) surpassed the population milestone of 1 million during 2006-07, to reach 1,010,000.
  • Of all Statistical Local Areas (SLAs) in Australia with a population greater than 2,000 as at 30 June 2006, the three fastest-growing were in Brisbane SD, namely Wakerley (22.0%), City-Inner (21.2%) and Griffin-Mango Hill (20.2%).
  • Gold Coast (C) recorded the largest population increase of all LGAs in Australia, up 17,200 people.
  • The mining town of Weipa (T) continued to be Queensland's fastest-growing LGA (up 6.4%).


South Australia
  • South Australia's growth of 16,300 people in 2006-07 was its largest since 1974-75.
  • The inner-city LGA of Adelaide (C) had the fastest population growth (4.8%) of all South Australian LGAs in 2006-07.
  • Whyalla (C) recorded its largest annual population increase (280 people) for more than 30 years.


Western Australia
  • Western Australia had the fastest population growth (2.3%) of the states and territories of Australia in 2006-07.
  • The inner-city LGA of Perth (C) had the fastest population growth (9.1%) in the Perth SD.
  • Rapid growth in the Kimberley, Pilbara and South Eastern SDs can be partly attributed to development associated with the expansion of the resources sector in these SDs.


Tasmania
  • Tasmania's resident population grew by 0.7% in 2006-07 as it had in the previous two years.
  • The Greater Hobart-Southern region increased its share of the state's population, while the share in Mersey-Lyell SD continued to decline.
  • Brighton (M) (3.2%), Sorrell (M) (2.4%) and Latrobe (M) (2.1%) were the fastest-growing LGAs in Tasmania for the second year running.


Northern Territory
  • Darwin SD (2.6%) was the fastest-growing capital city SD in Australia in 2006-07.
  • Palmerston (C) recorded the largest growth (1,200 people) of all Northern Territory LGAs.
  • The inner-city SLAs of Bayview-Woolner and City - Inner increased by 7.6% and 5.1%, respectively.


Australian Capital Territory
  • The population of the Australian Capital Territory increased by 5,600 people in 2006-07, which was its largest annual increase since 1990-91.
  • Population growth was largest in the northern suburban fringes of Canberra, particularly in the SLAs of Harrison (870 people) and Gungahlin (770 people).

CAPITAL CITY GROWTH

At 30 June 2007, around two-thirds (64%) of Australia's population resided in a capital city Statistical Division (SD), with approximately 13.4 million people calling a capital city SD home. The combined population of capital city SDs increased by 208,900 people in 2006-07, accounting for 66% of Australia's annual growth.


Melbourne SD recorded the largest growth of capital city SDs in 2006-07, increasing by 61,700 people, followed by Sydney SD (up 52,000 people), Brisbane SD (37,200 people) and Perth SD (35,300 people).


The population growth in the Melbourne SD in 2006-07 equated to an average increase of over 1,100 people per week, with Sydney SD increasing by around 1,000 per week.


In 2006-07, the fastest-growing capital city SDs were Darwin SD (2.6%), Perth SD (2.3%), Brisbane SD (2.0%) and Canberra SD (1.7%), each of which grew faster than the average growth rate of the combined capital city SDs.


Most capital city SDs had an equal or higher growth rate in 2006-07 than their average annual growth rate for the five years to June 2007. The exception was the Brisbane SD, which grew by 2.0% in 2006-07 although its average annual growth rate for the five years to June 2007 was 2.2%.


Overall, the rate of growth of the combined capital city SDs in 2006-07 (1.6%) was faster than the growth rate of the balance of Australia in 2006-07 (1.4%).



OUTER SUBURBAN GROWTH

Many outer Local Government Areas (LGAs) within capital city SDs experienced large population increases in 2006-07. In Perth SD, strong growth occurred in the LGAs of Wanneroo (C) and Rockingham (C), increasing by 9,400 and 4,200 people respectively. Other outer suburban areas to experience large growth in 2006-07 included the Melbourne LGAs of Wyndham (C) (up 7,200 people), Casey (C) (6,800) and Melton (S) (4,700) and the Sydney LGA of Blacktown (C) (4,900).


Within Brisbane SD, the outer suburban SLAs of Wakerley (up 22%) and Griffin-Mango Hill (up 20.2%) recorded rapid growth during 2006-07.


The fastest-growing outer suburban LGAs in 2006-07 included Wanneroo (C) and Serpentine-Jarrahdale (S) (both in Perth SD), with population increases of 8.1% and 6%, respectively, along with Wyndham (C) (6.2%) and Melton (S) (5.7%), which are both in the Melbourne SD. Litchfield (S) (4.9%) and Palmerston (C) (4.8%), in Darwin SD, also recorded strong growth.


The fastest-growing outer suburban SLA for Canberra SD was Gungahlin, which increased by 19.6% during the year since June 2006.

INNER CITY GROWTH

Perth (C) recorded the fastest growth rate of all LGAs in capital city SDs in Australia with a 9.1% increase in population during 2006-07. Other inner city LGAs to grow significantly were Melbourne (C) (5.8%) and Adelaide (C) (4.8%).


The Brisbane SLA of City - Inner also experienced a rapid increase in population in the twelve months to June 2007, increasing by 21.2%, followed by Brisbane's City - Remainder SLA, which recorded a growth rate of 9.9%.

GROWTH ALONG THE COAST

Excluding capital city SDs, the most prominent growth in 2006-07 continued to be along the coast of Australia. In particular, several Queensland coastal LGAs (LGAs located along the coast and outside of capital city SDs) had large growth, with Gold Coast (C) experiencing the largest growth (17,200 people) among all LGAs in Australia. Other Queensland coastal LGAs to record large population growth were Maroochy (S) and Cairns (C).


Three out of the four fastest-growing coastal LGAs were in Western Australia, with the LGA of Ravensthorpe (S) increasing by 10.8% (making it the fastest-growing LGA in Australia), followed by Capel (S) and Broome (S). The growth in Ravensthorpe (S) is mostly due to the expansion of mining in the region. The Queensland LGA of Weipa (T), which is also a mining area, was the second-fastest-growing coastal LGA, recording a growth rate of 6.4% in the twelve months to June 2007.

GROWTH IN INLAND AREAS

The largest population growth in 2006-07 in an inland LGA outside of capital city SDs occurred in the New South Wales LGA of Maitland (C), which increased by 1,700 people (or 2.7%). The fastest growing inland LGAs between June 2006 and June 2007 (excluding LGAs with populations less than 2,000 people at June 2006) were the Western Australian LGAs of Dardanup (S) (5.9%), which is near Bunbury to the south of the Perth SD, and Chittering (S) (5.7%), located just north of Perth SD.POPULATION DECLINES

Many rural areas experienced population declines during 2006-07. Large population declines during 2006-07 occurred in the drought-affected north-west of New South Wales, particularly in the LGAs of Moree Plains (A) and Narrabri (A) (down 280 and 180 respectively). The central Queensland LGAs of Banana (S) and Duaringa (S) recorded net losses of 190 and 170 people respectively.


The fastest declines in LGA populations in 2006-07 (excluding LGAs with populations less than 2,000 people at June 2006) continued to occur outside capital city SDs. The LGA of Bourke (A), (located in rural New South Wales) recorded the fastest decline during 2006-07 (down 3.9%), followed by the inland Queensland LGAs of Monto (S) (down 2.7%) and Paroo (S) (down 2.6%).

POPULATION CHANGE BY REMOTENESS AREAS

As at 30 June 2007, 68.5% of Australia's population resided in the major cities of Australia, as defined in the Remoteness Structure of the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (cat. no. 1216.0). Only 2.3% of the population resided in remote or very remote Australia.


In the 12 months to June 2007, major cities were the fastest-growing remoteness areas (RAs) in Australia (1.6%). The population of inner regional areas grew by 1.5%, which was the same as the growth rate of Australia as a whole, while the other RAs grew at a slower rate than the national average.


Major cities were the fastest-growing RAs in New South Wales (1.2%), Victoria (1.7%), Queensland (2.4%) and the Australian Capital Territory (1.7%), however inner regional areas were the fastest-growing RAs in South Australia (1.5%) and Western Australia (3.9%). Remote Australia was the fastest-growing RA in Tasmania (1.1%) and outer regional areas were the fastest-growing in the Northern Territory (2.6%).


Tasmania was the state with the largest percentage (64.8%) of its population living in inner regional Australia, which includes Hobart. The Northern Territory had the largest percentages of its population living in outer regional (which includes Darwin) (55.1%), remote (21.5%) and very remote (23.4%) areas of Australia.

ESTIMATED RESIDENT POPULATION BY REMOTENESS STRUCTURE(a)

ERP AT 30 JUNE
CHANGE
2002pr
2006pr
2007p
2002-2007p(b)
2006-2007p
no.
no.
no.
%
no.
%

New South Wales
Major Cities of Australia
4 799 524
4 948 309
5 008 351
0.9
60 042
1.2
Inner Regional Australia
1 340 527
1 386 692
1 400 391
0.9
13 699
1.0
Outer Regional Australia
448 145
444 393
443 109
-0.2
-1 284
-0.3
Remote Australia
36 574
33 292
32 784
-2.2
-508
-1.5
Very Remote Australia
5 059
4 496
4 437
-2.6
-59
-1.3
Total
6 629 829
6 817 182
6 889 072
0.8
71 890
1.1
Victoria
Major Cities of Australia
3 614 739
3 835 756
3 899 454
1.5
63 698
1.7
Inner Regional Australia
996 035
1 037 375
1 048 940
1.0
11 565
1.1
Outer Regional Australia
247 687
250 410
252 123
0.4
1 713
0.7
Remote Australia
5 085
4 769
4 699
-1.6
-70
-1.5
Total
4 863 546
5 128 310
5 205 216
1.4
76 906
1.5
Queensland
Major Cities of Australia
2 199 818
2 439 122
2 497 053
2.6
57 931
2.4
Inner Regional Australia
806 801
896 862
916 357
2.6
19 495
2.2
Outer Regional Australia
571 839
620 838
633 947
2.1
13 109
2.1
Remote Australia
85 188
84 753
84 751
-0.1
-2
-
Very Remote Australia
51 291
49 971
49 954
-0.5
-17
-
Total
3 714 937
4 091 546
4 182 062
2.4
90 516
2.2
South Australia
Major Cities of Australia
1 107 256
1 139 495
1 151 905
0.8
12 410
1.1
Inner Regional Australia
175 605
188 861
191 660
1.8
2 799
1.5
Outer Regional Australia
178 801
180 898
181 810
0.3
912
0.5
Remote Australia
44 174
45 310
45 478
0.6
168
0.4
Very Remote Australia
15 283
13 640
13 660
-2.2
20
0.1
Total
1 521 119
1 568 204
1 584 513
0.8
16 309
1.0
Western Australia
Major Cities of Australia
1 374 586
1 471 277
1 502 654
1.8
31 377
2.1
Inner Regional Australia
225 235
256 585
266 657
3.4
10 072
3.9
Outer Regional Australia
187 027
190 894
193 550
0.7
2 656
1.4
Remote Australia
91 830
93 386
94 926
0.7
1 540
1.6
Very Remote Australia
46 963
46 903
47 996
0.4
1 093
2.3
Total
1 925 641
2 059 045
2 105 783
1.8
46 738
2.3
Tasmania
Inner Regional Australia
305 715
316 946
319 492
0.9
2 546
0.8
Outer Regional Australia
156 979
162 867
163 639
0.8
772
0.5
Remote Australia
7 523
7 525
7 610
0.2
85
1.1
Very Remote Australia
2 582
2 584
2 600
0.1
16
0.6
Total
472 799
489 922
493 341
0.9
3 419
0.7
Northern Territory
Outer Regional Australia
108 337
115 381
118 429
1.8
3 048
2.6
Remote Australia
44 757
45 807
46 216
0.6
409
0.9
Very Remote Australia
46 348
49 486
50 330
1.7
844
1.7
Total
199 442
210 674
214 975
1.5
4 301
2.0
Australian Capital Territory
Major Cities of Australia
322 062
333 715
339 374
1.1
5 659
1.7
Inner Regional Australia
633
510
491
-5.0
-19
-3.7
Total
322 695
334 225
339 865
1.0
5 640
1.7
Australia(c)
Major Cities of Australia
13 417 985
14 167 674
14 398 791
1.4
231 117
1.6
Inner Regional Australia
3 851 065
4 084 217
4 144 378
1.5
60 161
1.5
Outer Regional Australia
1 898 815
1 965 681
1 986 607
0.9
20 926
1.1
Remote Australia
315 131
314 842
316 464
0.1
1 622
0.5
Very Remote Australia
169 566
169 074
170 982
0.2
1 908
1.1
Total
19 652 562
20 701 488
21 017 222
1.4
315 734
1.5

- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)
(a) See paragraphs 20 to 22 and paragraph 28 of the Explanatory Notes.
(b) Average annual growth rate.
(c) Includes Other Territories.
POPULATION DENSITY

Australia's population density varies greatly, ranging from very low population density in remote areas, to very high population density in the inner city areas. Australia's population density at June 2007 was 2.7 people per square kilometre. The ACT had the highest population density of the states and territories in June 2007 with 145 people per square kilometre, followed by Victoria with 23 and New South Wales with 9. The Northern Territory had a population density of only 0.2 people per square kilometre, the lowest of the states and territories.


Population density at June 2007 was highest in the capital city SDs, with the three most densely-populated SLAs being located in the Sydney SD. Sydney (C) - East was the most densely populated, with 8,300 people per square kilometre, followed by neighbouring SLA, Sydney (C) - West (7,300). Waverley (A) (east of Sydney (C) LGA, including the beach-side suburbs of Coogee, Bronte and Bondi) was the third most densely-populated SLA in Australia, with 7,000 people per square kilometre, while North Sydney (A) had 6,000 people per square kilometre.


The most densely populated SLAs in Victoria were Melbourne (C) - Inner and Port Phillip (C) - St Kilda, with 7,000 and 6,100 people per square kilometre respectively, making them the fourth and fifth most densely populated SLAs in Australia. Other densely-populated SLAs included the inner Brisbane SLA of New Farm (with 5,700 people per square kilometre) and Kangaroo Point (5,600).

CENTRE OF POPULATION

The centre of population is one measure to describe the spatial distribution of the population. This point marks the average latitude and longitude around which the population is distributed.


At June 2007 the centre of Australia's population was located around 53 kilometres east of the town of Ivanhoe in the western New South Wales LGA of Central Darling (A), reflecting the concentration of the population in the south-east of Australia, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne. Between June 2002 and 2007 the centre of population moved around 10 kilometres north, as a result of population growth in northern Australia.

CENTRE OF POPULATION, Australia - June 2002 and June 2007
Diagram: Centre of Population Map 2007


ESTIMATED RESIDENT POPULATION, States and territories - Capital city and balance of state/territory

ERP AT 30 JUNE
CHANGE
2002pr
2006pr
2007p
2002-2007p(a)
2006-2007p
Part of state/territory
no.
no.
no.
%
no.
%

New South Wales
Sydney SD
4 163 892
4 284 379
4 336 374
0.8
51 995
1.2
Balance of state
2 465 937
2 532 803
2 552 698
0.7
19 895
0.8
Total
6 629 829
6 817 182
6 889 072
0.8
71 890
1.1
Victoria
Melbourne SD
3 524 302
3 744 373
3 806 092
1.6
61 719
1.6
Balance of state
1 339 244
1 383 937
1 399 124
0.9
15 187
1.1
Total
4 863 546
5 128 310
5 205 216
1.4
76 906
1.5
Queensland
Brisbane SD
1 667 060
1 820 400
1 857 594
2.2
37 194
2.0
Balance of state
2 047 877
2 271 146
2 324 468
2.6
53 322
2.3
Total
3 714 937
4 091 546
4 182 062
2.4
90 516
2.2
South Australia
Adelaide SD
1 115 003
1 146 119
1 158 259
0.8
12 140
1.1
Balance of state
406 116
422 085
426 254
1.0
4 169
1.0
Total
1 521 119
1 568 204
1 584 513
0.8
16 309
1.0
Western Australia
Perth SD
1 413 725
1 519 510
1 554 769
1.9
35 259
2.3
Balance of state
511 916
539 535
551 014
1.5
11 479
2.1
Total
1 925 641
2 059 045
2 105 783
1.8
46 738
2.3
Tasmania
Hobart SD
197 964
205 566
207 484
0.9
1 918
0.9
Balance of state
274 835
284 356
285 857
0.8
1 501
0.5
Total
472 799
489 922
493 341
0.9
3 419
0.7
Northern Territory
Darwin SD
107 456
114 368
117 395
1.8
3 027
2.6
Balance of territory
91 986
96 306
97 580
1.2
1 274
1.3
Total
199 442
210 674
214 975
1.5
4 301
2.0
Australian Capital Territory
Canberra SD
322 335
333 940
339 573
1.0
5 633
1.7
Balance of territory
360
285
292
-4.1
7
2.5
Total
322 695
334 225
339 865
1.0
5 640
1.7
Other Territories
2 554
2 380
2 395
-1.3
15
0.6
Australia
Capital City
12 511 737
13 168 655
13 377 540
1.3
208 885
1.6
Balance of Australia(b)
7 140 825
7 532 833
7 639 682
1.4
106 849
1.4
Total
19 652 562
20 701 488
21 017 222
1.4
315 734
1.5

(a) Average annual growth rate.
(b) Includes Other Territories.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS WITH LARGEST POPULATION CHANGES

ERP AT 30 JUNE
CHANGE
2002pr
2006pr
2007p
2002-2007p(a)
2006-2007p
National rank and LGA(b) Part of state/territory
no.
no.
no.
%
no.
%

LARGEST INCREASES IN 2006-2007

1 Gold Coast (C) Qld Balance
440 807
507 439
524 667
3.5
17 228
3.4
2 Brisbane (C) Brisbane
917 715
992 176
1 007 901
1.9
15 725
1.6
3 Wanneroo (C) Perth
88 329
115 513
124 887
7.2
9 374
8.1
4 Wyndham (C) Melbourne
90 982
116 001
123 163
6.2
7 162
6.2
5 Casey (C) Melbourne
190 758
222 236
229 080
3.7
6 844
3.1
6 Pine Rivers (S) Brisbane
126 712
144 860
150 268
3.5
5 408
3.7
7 Ipswich (C) Brisbane
128 651
143 649
148 700
2.9
5 051
3.5
8 Blacktown (C) Sydney
268 187
279 759
284 692
1.2
4 933
1.8
9 Melton (S) Melbourne
58 151
80 911
85 613
8.0
4 702
5.8
10 Maroochy (S) Qld Balance
132 054
152 664
157 238
3.6
4 574
3.0
11 Melbourne (C) Melbourne
55 671
76 678
81 144
7.8
4 466
5.8
12 Cairns (C) Qld Balance
119 959
136 558
140 913
3.3
4 355
3.2
13 Caboolture (S) Brisbane
117 298
135 359
139 707
3.6
4 348
3.2
14 Rockingham (C) Perth
75 722
87 541
91 702
3.9
4 161
4.8
15 Sydney (C) Sydney
137 076
164 547
168 682
4.2
4 135
2.5
16 Whittlesea (C) Melbourne
120 353
129 525
133 156
2.0
3 631
2.8
17 Parramatta (C) Sydney
147 851
154 158
157 775
1.3
3 617
2.3
18 Hume (C) Melbourne
139 466
153 729
157 145
2.4
3 416
2.2
19 Stirling (C) Perth
177 290
185 705
189 083
1.3
3 378
1.8
20 Swan (C) Perth
87 463
97 251
100 593
2.8
3 342
3.4

LARGEST DECLINES IN 2006-2007

1 Moree Plains (A) NSW Balance
15 936
14 580
14 300
-2.1
-280
-1.9
2 Banana (S) Qld Balance
14 299
14 224
14 037
-0.4
-187
-1.3
3 Narrabri (A) NSW Balance
14 357
13 680
13 503
-1.2
-177
-1.3
4 Duaringa (S) Qld Balance
6 602
7 187
7 019
1.2
-168
-2.3
5 Joondalup (C) Perth
156 655
157 368
157 203
0.1
-165
-0.1
6 Wellington (A) NSW Balance
8 706
8 406
8 250
-1.1
-156
-1.9
7 Bourke (A) NSW Balance
3 808
3 217
3 091
-4.1
-126
-3.9
8 Walgett (A) NSW Balance
8 106
7 199
7 078
-2.7
-121
-1.7
9 Temora (A) NSW Balance
6 272
6 101
5 986
-0.9
-115
-1.9
10 Warrumbungle Shire (A) NSW Balance
10 712
10 208
10 093
-1.2
-115
-1.1
11 Wakool (A) NSW Balance
4 831
4 530
4 416
-1.8
-114
-2.5
12 Lachlan (A) NSW Balance
7 446
6 927
6 814
-1.8
-113
-1.6
13 Gwydir (A) NSW Balance
5 694
5 516
5 407
-1.0
-109
-2.0
14 Cowra (A) NSW Balance
13 044
13 025
12 924
-0.2
-101
-0.8
15 Yarriambiack (S) Vic. Balance
8 186
7 742
7 658
-1.3
-84
-1.1
16 Murweh (S) Qld Balance
5 008
4 870
4 786
-0.9
-84
-1.7
17 Coonamble (A) NSW Balance
4 722
4 342
4 263
-2.0
-79
-1.8
18 Gilgandra (A) NSW Balance
4 772
4 702
4 625
-0.6
-77
-1.6
19 Carnarvon (S) WA Balance
6 680
6 159
6 085
-1.8
-74
-1.2
20 Cootamundra (A) NSW Balance
7 648
7 597
7 527
-0.3
-70
-0.9

(a) Average annual growth rate.
(b) National Rank based on population change between June 2006 and June 2007.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA WITH FASTEST POPULATION CHANGES

ERP AT 30 JUNE
CHANGE
2002
2006
2007
2002-2007p(a)
2006-2007p
National rank and LGA(b) Part of state/territory
no.
no.
no.
%
no.
%

FASTEST INCREASES IN 2006-2007

1 Ravensthorpe (S) WA Balance
1 536
2 029
2 249
7.9
220
10.8
2 Perth (C) Perth
8 432
12 361
13 486
9.8
1 125
9.1
3 Wanneroo (C) Perth
88 329
115 513
124 887
7.2
9 374
8.1
4 Weipa (T) Qld Balance
2 299
3 029
3 222
7.0
193
6.4
5 Wyndham (C) Melbourne
90 982
116 001
123 163
6.2
7 162
6.2
6 Serpentine-Jarrahdale (S) Perth
11 931
13 392
14 194
3.5
802
6.0
7 Dardanup (S) WA Balance
9 199
10 777
11 418
4.4
641
5.9
10 Capel (S) WA Balance
7 596
10 630
11 250
8.2
620
5.8
8 Melbourne (C) Melbourne
55 671
76 678
81 144
7.8
4 466
5.8
9 Melton (S) Melbourne
58 151
80 911
85 613
8.0
4 702
5.8
11 Broome (S) WA Balance
13 527
14 436
15 259
2.4
823
5.7
12 Chittering (S) WA Balance
3 060
3 683
3 892
4.9
209
5.7
13 Fitzroy (S) Qld Balance
10 197
11 213
11 797
3.0
584
5.2
15 Crow's Nest (S) Qld Balance
10 670
13 311
13 991
5.6
680
5.1
14 Cambooya (S) Qld Balance
5 312
6 154
6 465
4.0
311
5.1
16 Hervey Bay (C) Qld Balance
44 529
55 113
57 867
5.4
2 754
5.0
17 Mirani (S) Qld Balance
5 333
5 709
5 990
2.4
281
4.9
18 Litchfield (S) Darwin
15 663
16 546
17 358
2.1
812
4.9
19 Palmerston (C) Darwin
22 842
25 371
26 592
3.1
1 221
4.8
20 Adelaide (C) Adelaide
13 975
17 723
18 575
5.9
852
4.8

FASTEST DECLINES IN 2006-2007

1 Bourke (A) NSW Balance
3 808
3 217
3 091
-4.1
-126
-3.9
2 Monto (S) Qld Balance
2 524
2 587
2 518
-
-69
-2.7
3 Paroo (S) Qld Balance
2 178
2 055
2 001
-1.7
-54
-2.6
4 Kojonup (S) WA Balance
2 287
2 271
2 212
-0.7
-59
-2.6
5 Taroom (S) Qld Balance
2 616
2 526
2 461
-1.2
-65
-2.6
6 Wakool (A) NSW Balance
4 831
4 530
4 416
-1.8
-114
-2.5
7 Duaringa (S) Qld Balance
6 602
7 187
7 019
1.2
-168
-2.3
8 Warren (A) NSW Balance
3 229
2 871
2 812
-2.7
-59
-2.1
9 Boorowa (A) NSW Balance
2 414
2 390
2 342
-0.6
-48
-2.0
10 Gwydir (A) NSW Balance
5 694
5 516
5 407
-1.0
-109
-2.0
11 Moree Plains (A) NSW Balance
15 936
14 580
14 300
-2.1
-280
-1.9
12 Temora (A) NSW Balance
6 272
6 101
5 986
-0.9
-115
-1.9
13 Wellington (A) NSW Balance
8 706
8 406
8 250
-1.1
-156
-1.9
14 Coonamble (A) NSW Balance
4 722
4 342
4 263
-2.0
-79
-1.8
15 Murweh (S) Qld Balance
5 008
4 870
4 786
-0.9
-84
-1.7
16 Walgett (A) NSW Balance
8 106
7 199
7 078
-2.7
-121
-1.7
17 Hay (A) NSW Balance
3 604
3 535
3 476
-0.7
-59
-1.7
18 Gilgandra (A) NSW Balance
4 772
4 702
4 625
-0.6
-77
-1.6
19 Lachlan (A) NSW Balance
7 446
6 927
6 814
-1.8
-113
-1.6
20 Murgon (S) Qld Balance
3 614
3 661
3 602
-0.1
-59
-1.6

- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)
(a) Average annual growth rate
(b) National Rank based on population change between June 2006 and June 2007, excluding LGAs with a population of less than 2,000 at June 2006.