1344.8.55.001 - ACT Stats, 2006  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 15/08/2006   
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Contents >> School Age Population in the ACT - Aug 2006

SCHOOL AGE POPULATION IN THE ACT


Age structure of the ACT

The median age of the ACT population is increasing. Between June 1996 and June 2005, the median (see note) age of the ACT population has increased by 3.2 years from 31.3 years in 1996 to 34.5 years in 2005.

The age structure of the ACT population is noticeably different to that of Australia with higher proportions of young adults (those aged 15-34 years) and people aged 45 to 54 years, and lower proportions of older people (55 years and over). This peak in the young adult age groups reflects students moving to the ACT to undertake tertiary education, as well as other young adults coming to the ACT to take up employment opportunities.


School age demographics in the ACT

There has been a slight decline in the ACT school age population over recent years. This reflects overall population trends.

The proportion ACT of the population who were of primary school age decreased from 10% (31,800 persons) in June 1996 to 9% (29,200 persons) in June 2005.

The proportion of the ACT population who were of high school age, decreased from 6% (18,400 persons) in June 1996 to 5% (17,500 persons) in June 2005. There was little change in the proportion of college aged persons in the ACT during this period.

Graph: ESTIMATED RESIDENT POPULATION OF SCHOOL AGE, Australian Capital Territory



Primary school ages

In June 2005, Statistical Local Areas (SLAs - see note) with the highest proportions of their population in primary school ages were Condor (16%), Theodore (15%) and Banks (15%). However, the largest numbers of primary school age children were in Kambah (1,500 persons), Gordon (1,100) and Ngunnawal (960).

In comparison, SLAs with the highest proportion of primary school age children in 1996 were Macarthur (19%), Gilmore (18%) and Chisholm (18%). Those with the largest numbers of primary school age children were Kambah (2,100 persons), Wanniassa (1,200) and Chisholm (1,100).

Between 1996 and 2005, the number of primary school age children in the ACT decreased by 2,600, or 8%. The greatest increases were in the developing areas of Nicholls, Ngunnawal, Amaroo and Dunlop, while the greatest decreases were in Kambah, Wanniassa, Chisholm, Kaleen and Monash.


High school and college ages

In both 1996 and 2005, the SLAs with the highest numbers of high school or college age persons were Kambah (2,300 in 1996, and 1,400 in 2005) and Wanniassa (1,200 in 1996, and 840 in 2005).

Overall, there has been a 5% decrease (1,500 persons) in the population of high school or college age between 1996 and 2005. The largest numerical increases over this period were in Acton, Amaroo, Banks and Ainslie, while the largest decreases were in Kambah, Yarralumla, Weston Creek-Stromlo, Wanniassa and Weston.


FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information relating to the school age population can be obtained from the ABS Website (www.abs.gov.au).


Note:

There is no standard definition of school ages as they vary between states and territories. For the purposes of this article the following definitions have been used:
primary school ages = 5-11 years;
high school ages = 12-15 years; and
college ages = 16-17 years.

Median age - the age at which half the population is older and half is younger.

Statistical Local Areas (SLAs) - Geographical areas that are, in most cases identical with, or have been formed from a division of, whole Local Government Areas. In other cases they represent unincorporated areas. In aggregate, SLAs cover the whole of a state or territory without gaps or overlaps.





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