2016.5 - Census of Population and Housing: Selected Characteristics for Urban Centres and Localities, Western Australia, Cocos (Keeling) and Christmas Islands, 1996  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 29/01/1998   
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WESTERN AUSTRALIA




PREFACE

This document contains data from the 1996 Census of Population and Housing, and describes the characteristics of people in Western Australia and their housing arrangements. It is just a sample of what is available in the publication series Census of Population and Housing: Selected Characteristics for Urban Centres and Localities (Cat nos 2016.0-7), available for each State and Territory, and nationally.

The data presented in this document relate to where people were counted on census night, and therefore data for each geographical area includes visitors to that area but exclude those people who were away on census night. The document uses both the Urban Centre/Locality (UC/L) and the Section of State (SOS) geographic classifications which classify areas according to size of the population. Whilst the UC/L classification covers only part of the State or Territory, the SOS classification covers the State or Territory in its entirety.

This document presents only a selection of data from the full range of census variables. For further information about other census or Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data refer to the Directory of Census Statistics, 1996 or elsewhere on this site. Concepts and definitions used in this document, including UC/L and SOS, are explained in the Explanatory Notes and more detailed information is available in the Census Dictionary, 1996 (Cat. no. 2901.0)

The ABS draws extensively on information provided freely by individuals, businesses, governments and other organisations. Their continued cooperation is very much appreciated: without it, the wide range of statistics published by the ABS would not be available. Information received by the ABS is treated in strict confidence as required by the Census and Statistics Act 1905.

M. Konrath
Regional Director



SUMMARY OF FINDINGS


    POPULATION AND HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS
    POPULATION DISTRIBUTION
    Since 1991, there had been an 8.8% increase in the number of people counted in the Census (1,726,095) in Western Australia (WA). Almost two-thirds (63.5%) of the people were counted in the Major Urban area of Perth, a slight decrease on the 1991 proportion (64.2%). Conversely, the percentage in the Other Urban area increased from 21.3% in 1991 to 22.8% in 1996.

    Of the 73 Urban Centres, the five largest accounted for 71.6% of the State's population:
    Perth (1,096,829), Rockingham (49,917), Mandurah (35,945), Kalgoorlie-Boulder (28,087) and Geraldton (25,243).

    SEX
    In 1996, the numbers of males and females were very nearly equal (862,645 and 863,450 respectively). While the proportion of males was highest in the Rural Balance (54.6%), the proportion of females was highest in the Major Urban area (51.1%). These levels were similar to those of 1991.

    Males outnumbered females in the majority (63.7%) of UC/Ls, particularly in Eneabba (L) (62.0%), Marvel Loch (L) (70.4%), Leinster (L) (67.5%), Laverton (L) and Leonora (61.8% each). Localities which recorded the highest proportions of females were Gingin (54.8%), Mukinbudin (54.2%), Chidlow (53.6%) and Dumbleyung (53.0%).

    AGE
    The population in WA is aging. In 1996, the median age for WA was 33 years, compared with 31 years in 1991. The proportion of people aged 65 years or more also increased from 9.8% in 1991 to 10.5% in 1996.

    In both 1996 and 1991, the Major Urban area recorded the highest proportion of people aged 65 years or more (11.0% and 10.5% respectively) and the Rural Balance recorded the lowest (6.8% and 6.1%). There were proportionally fewer children (0-14 years) in Perth (21.0%) than for the State as a whole (22.4%).

    At the UC/L level, the highest percentages of people aged 65 years or more were recorded in Augusta (27.7%), Denham (25.3%), Beverley (L) (21.1%), Exmouth (20.5%) and Onslow (19.9%). The highest proportions of children were recorded in the Indigenous communities of Mungullah (L) (40.2%), Kalumburu (L) (42.9%), Looma (L) (41.8%), Beagle Bay (L) (40.7%) and Bardi (One Arm Point) (L) (38.8%).

    BIRTHPLACE
    Australian-born
    Just over two-thirds (68.3%) of those counted in the Census in WA were Australian-born, a slight decrease since 1991 (69.1%). The Major Urban area recorded a lower percentage than that for the State, in both 1996 (63.6%) and 1991 (64.3%).

    The highest proportions of Australian-born people were recorded in the Indigenous communities of Mungullah (L) (100%), Looma (100%), Oombulgurri (98.7%) and Bardi (One Arm Point) (L) (98.4%). The lowest Australian-born proportions were recorded at Yanchep (62.8%), Rottnest Island (L) (60.4%) and Two Rocks (59.9%).

    Overseas-born
    Of the people counted in WA, 14.7% stated that they had been born in the United Kingdom (UK), Ireland or New Zealand (NZ), a decrease since 1991 (15.7%). The Major Urban area recorded a higher proportion of people born in these countries (15.7% in 1996 and 17.1% in 1991) than the State as a whole. At the UC/L level, high proportions of people born in these countries were recorded in Golden Bay-Singleton, Mundaring, Kwinana, Byford, Two Rocks, Yanchep and Rockingham (ranging from 22.4% to 26.1%).

    Around one in eight (12.9%) people counted in WA reported that they had been born overseas in Countries other than the UK, Ireland or NZ, which was similar to the 1991 finding (12.7%). The Major Urban area of Perth recorded the highest proportion of people born in these countries with 16.9% (16.3% in 1991). At the UC/L level, after Perth, the highest proportions were noted in Port Hedland (10.6%), Brunswick Junction (L) (10.0%) and Leinster (9.7%).

    INDIGENOUS ORIGIN
    The number of people who reported being of Indigenous origin increased by 21.6% between 1991 and 1996, from 41,769 to 50,793. As a proportion of the WA population, this represented an increase in the Indigenous population from 2.6% to 2.9%.

    The proportion of Indigenous people was lower in the Major Urban area (1.4% in 1996 and 1.0% in 1991) than in WA as a whole.

    Localities which recorded the highest proportions of Indigenous people were Looma (98.3%), Mungullah (93.2%), Kalumburu (92.9%), Oombulgurri (92.8%), La Grange (91.7%) and Beagle Bay (90.2%).

    LONE PERSON HOUSEHOLDS
    There was a large increase (33.6%) in the number of lone person households since 1991. Most of this change occurred in the Major Urban and the Other Urban areas (increases of 25,271 and 7,930 households respectively). The proportions of lone person households ranged from 14.6% in the Rural Balance to 23.8% in Perth.

    At the UC/L level, the highest percentages of lone person households were recorded in the Localities of Rottnest Island (40.1%), Beverley (32.8%), Tambellup (31.8%) and Furnissdale (31.2%).

    FAMILIES WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN
    There were 227,702 family households with dependent children in WA in 1996, compared with 219,224 in 1991. The majority (51.6%) of all family households had at least one dependent child (54.8% in 1991).

    The highest percentages of family households with dependen children were in Indigenous communities such as Turkey Creek, Looma, Oombulgurri, Warburton and Mungallah (89.3%, 87.2%, 82.4%, 82.1%, and 81.6%). The UC/Ls of Coral Bay (L) (21.9%), Augusta (29.3%), and Yunderup (31.0%) recorded low percentages.

    LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS (For persons aged 15 years and over)
    EMPLOYED
    In 1996, there were 763,207 employed people in WA compared with 664,265 in 1991, representing an increase of 14.9%. As with the population distribution, about two-thirds of these were in the Major Urban area (64.5% in 1996 and 64.7% in 1991).

    Urban Centres with the largest numbers of employed people were Perth (492,553), Rockingham (18,689), Kalgoorlie-Boulder (14,398) and Mandurah (11,891).

    Full-time employment
    Of the 763,207 people employed in WA, 508,309 (66.6%) worked full-time. This was an increase of 13.3% since 1991 (448,596). Just over two thirds (67.8%) of the full-time workers were male, which was similar to the situation in 1991 (68.3%). The Bounded Locality proportion of full-time male workers (72.8%) was higher than for WA as a whole.

    UC/Ls which recorded the highest percentages of full-time male employees were Eneabba (L) (86.7%), Augusta (84.6%), Dardanup (L) (84.1%), Green Head (L) (83.3%) and Koorda (L) (83.2%). The highest percentages of full-time employees who were female were recorded in Turkey Creek (L) and Looma (L) (each 50.0%).

    Part-time employment
    In 1996, 238,184 people were employed part-time, representing an increase of 31.0% since 1991 (181,809). Approximately two-thirds (66.8%) of these workers were females, compared with 68.1% in 1991. The highest proportion of part-time female workers was recorded in the Major Urban area (67.6%).

    Localities which recorded the highest percentages of part-time female employees were
    Mukinbudin (82.9%), Koorda (81.1%) and Lake Grace (80.6%). The highest rate for males was recorded in Kalumburu (L) (68.7%).

    Occupation
    In 1996, about a quarter (25.4%) of employed people were Managers and administrators or Professionals, compared with 24.2% in 1991. In both 1996 and 1991, the Rural Balance recorded the highest percentages in these occupations ( 35.9% and 37.5% respectively). UC/Ls with the highest percentages in 1996 were Point Samson (L) (35.6%) and Halls Creek (32.1%).

    In 1996, 9.1% of employed people were Labourers and related workers, compared with 9.2% in 1991. The Bounded Locality proportion for this group was the highest in both 1996 (15.8%) and 1991 (17.5%). Localities with the highest percentages were Looma (76.0%), Bardi (One Arm Point) (59.5%) and Beagle Bay (57.0%).

    Industry
    Just over one-third of employed people (33.6%) worked in the Manufacturing, Retail trade or Property and business service industries, the top three employing industries in the State. The Major Urban area recorded the highest percentages in both 1996 (36.8%) and 1991 (33.9%).

    UC/Ls with the highest levels in these industries were Wundowie (L) (62.5%), North Pinjarra (56.8%), Northcliffe (L) (47.8%) and Wooroloo (L) (46.1%).

    Private Sector
    The proportion of people employed in the WA private sector increased considerably between 1991 (72.5%) and 1996 (80.1%). In both censuses, the highest proportion was recorded in the Rural Balance (80.5% in 1991 and 83.4% in 1996).

    In 93.5% of UC/Ls, the majority of employed people worked in private enterprise.

    UC/Ls in mining areas recorded the highest percentages: Marvel Loch (L) (97.2%), Leinster (94.6%) and Eneabba (L) (94.0%).

    UNEMPLOYED
    In 1996, there were 66,830 unemployed people in WA compared with 94,200 in 1991 - a decrease of 29.1%. The overall unemployment rate was 8.1% (12.4% in 1991), while the rate for people aged 15-24 years was 13.7% (21.2% in 1991). Both rates were highest in the Other Urban area (9.0% and 15.3% respectively) and lowest in the Rural Balance (5.7% and 10.3%).

    UC/Ls which recorded comparatively high unemployment rates were Dongara (17.7%, 134 people) and Yanchep (16.1%, 109 people). Those which recorded comparatively high rates for people aged 15-24 years were Mandurah (21.6%, 580 people) and Kwinana (21.5%, 298 people).

    OCCUPIED PRIVATE DWELLINGS
    In 1996, there were 412,520 occupied private dwellings in the Major Urban area accounting for 65.6% of the occupied private dwellings in the State. A further 141,705 occupied private dwellings were located in the Other Urban area (22.5%), while 75,078 were in the Bounded Locality (2.6%) and the
    Rural Balance (9.3%).
    TENURE TYPE
    Fully owned
    Almost two-fifths of the occupied private dwellings in WA were fully owned by their occupants (37.0% in both 1996 and 1991). In both 1996 (47.7%) and 1991 (48.1%) the Rural Balance recorded the highest ownership levels.

    In 12 (7.1%) of the 168 UC/Ls more than half of the occupied private dwellings were fully owned, the Localities of Coral Bay (59.9%), Quindalup (56.2%) and Furnissdale (55.6%) recording the highest rates.

    Being purchased
    In 1996, 29.8% of the occupied private dwellings in WA were being purchased by their occupants, virtually unchanged from 29.5% in 1991. The Major Urban area recorded the highest percentage in both 1996 (31.2%) and 1991 (32.4%).

    High levels of homes being purchased were recorded in the UC/Ls of Paraburdoo (73.8%),
    Tom Price (67.1%) and Dampier (63.6%).

    Rented
    In 1996, 28.4% of the occupied private dwellings in WA were being rented, compared with 27.8% in 1991. The Bounded Locality recorded the highest percentage in both 1996 (35.5%) and 1991 (36.4%).

    Extremely high percentages of homes being rented were recorded in the Indigenous communities of Looma (L) (100%), Bardi (One Arm Point) (L) (95.5%) and Warburton (L) (94.1%).

    HOUSEHOLD INCOME
    The median household weekly income in 1996 of $657 showed an increase of 18.2% over 1991 ($556). In 1996 the State median was exceeded by that of the Major Urban area ($665).

    Urban Centres associated with mining recorded the highest median household incomes: Leinster ($1,597), Dampier ($1,492), Kambalda West ($1,334) and Tom Price ($1,262). The lowest were recorded in the south-western Localities of Hopetoun ($365), Wundowie ($369), and Beverley ($376).

    HOUSING LOAN REPAYMENTS
    Between 1991 and 1996, the median monthly housing loan repayment for the State increased by 42.1%, from $523 to $743. In both censuses, the highest median housing loan repayment was recorded for the Rural Balance ($800 in 1996 and $587 in 1991).

    Median housing loan repayments ranged from $228 in Paraburdoo to $1,000 in Broome.

    RENT PAYMENTS
    The median weekly rent payment for WA increased by 17.0% between 1991 ($94) and 1996 ($110). The 1996 median weekly rent recorded for the Major Urban area was the highest in both 1996 ($120) and 1991 ($106).

    UC/Ls recording the highest median weekly rent payments were Kalgoorlie-Boulder ($150),
    Margaret River ($140), Stratham (L) ($138) and Coral Bay (L) ($138).

Labour Force Characteristics, Section of State

Employed Persons(a)
Unemployment rates
Full-time males
Full-time females
Part-time males
Part-time females
Total persons(b)
Employed in private sector
Managers & adminis- trators; Professio-nals
Labourers and related workers
Manufactu-ring; Retail; Property and business services
Aged 15-24 years
Aged 15 years or more
    Section of State
no.
no.
no.
no.
no.
%
no.
no.
no.
%
%
    1996
    WA Major Urban
213,137
111,413
51,291
106,852
492,553
80.2
127,666
38,190
181,163
13.8
8.2
    WA Other Urban
76,160
30,946
16,115
33,179
160,302
80.0
30,073
17,293
51,924
15.3
9.0
    WA Bounded Locality
8,850
3,312
2,345
3,867
18,909
71.4
3,786
2,990
4,303
12.0
7.5
    WA Rural Balance
44,158
17,855
9,180
15,199
88,793
83.4
31,845
10,843
18,894
10.3
5.7
    WA Migratory
2,323
155
126
30
2,650
28.9
528
84
164
1.7
1.2
    Total
344,628
163,681
79,057
159,127
763,207
80.1
193,898
69,400
256,448
13.7
8.1
    1991
    WA Major Urban
189,914
98,038
37,655
83,276
430,070
71.1
102,948
35,377
145,628
21.3
12.7
    WA Other Urban
64,749
24,525
11,049
24,675
132,095
72.7
23,200
14,065
38,287
22.6
13.1
    WA Bounded Locality
10,376
3,463
2,153
3,664
20,649
69.7
3,831
2,828
4,099
21.4
12.3
    WA Rural Balance
40,656
15,898
7,073
12,167
80,349
80.5
30,152
8,841
15,020
17.9
9.8
    WA Migratory
917
60
73
24
1,102
60.3
308
42
87
3.9
3.0
    Total
306 612
141,984
58,003
123,806
664,265
72.5
160,439
61,153
203,121
21.2
12.4
          (a) For census purposes, people who stated they were employed, but worked zero hours in the week prior to census night have been coded to 'part time'.
          (b) Includes people who did not state the number of hours worked.

Urban Centres and Localities, Ranked by Total Number of Persons

Rank
    Urban Centre/ Locality
    Persons
Rank
    Urban Centre/ Locality
    Persons
1
    Perth
1,096,829
85
    Pannawonica (L)
779
2
    Rockingham
49,917
86
    Mundijong (L)
774
3
    Mandurah
35,945
87
    Pingelly (L)
756
4
    Kalgoorlie-Boulder
28,087
88
    Brunswick Junction (L)
752
5
    Geraldton
25,243
89
    Mount Magnet (L)
747
6
    Bunbury
24,945
90
    Gnowangerup (L)
737
7
    Albany
20,493
91
    Cunderdin (L)
715
8
    Kwinana
15,674
92
    Quairading (L)
706
9
    Port Hedland
12,846
93
    Corrigin (L)
703
10
    Broome
11,368
94
    Dalwallinu (L)
697
11
    Busselton
10,642
95
    Morawa (L)
692
12
    Karratha
10,057
96
    Toodyay (L)
674
13
    Esperance
8,647
97
    Chidlow (L)
672
14
    Collie
7,194
98
    Laverton (L)
644
15
    Carnarvon
6,357
99
    Jurien (L)
636
16
    Northam
6,300
100
    Yarloop (L)
619
17
    Australind
5,694
101
    Wundowie (L)
613
18
    Kununurra
4,884
102
    Lancelin (L)
597
19
    Newman
4,790
103
    Mullewa (L)
591
20
    Narrogin
4,491
104
    Onslow (L)
588
21
    Manjimup
4,390
105
    Bruce Rock (L)
579
22
    Eaton
4,070
106
    Lake Grace (L)
575
23
    Katanning
4,035
107
    Boyanup (L)
575
24
    Tom Price
3,872
108
    Allanson (L)
572
25
    Golden Bay-Singleton
3,671
109
    La Grange (L)
557
26
    Derby
3,236
110
    Boyup Brook (L)
553
27
    Exmouth
3,058
111
    Gingin (L)
549
28
    Merredin
2,911
112
    Leeman (L)
531
29
    Margaret River
2,846
113
    Brookton (L)
526
30
    Harvey
2,570
114
    Nannup (L)
521
31
    Kambalda West
2,398
115
    Marvel Loch (L)
494
32
    Bridgetown
2,123
116
    Goomalling (L)
482
33
    Byford
2,102
117
    Cervantes (L)
480
34
    Paraburdoo
1,980
118
    Narembeen (L)
459
35
    Denmark
1,978
119
    Warburton (L)
457
36
    York
1,923
120
    Rottnest Island (L)
412
37
    Mundaring
1,912
121
    Three Springs (L)
411
38
    Leschenault
1,909
122
    Sawyers Valley (L)
409
39
    Pinjarra
1,892
123
    Greenbushes (L)
403
40
    Dongara
1,874
124
    Dwellingup (L)
399
41
    Waroona
1,833
125
    Stratham (L)
396
42
    Stoneville
1,831
126
    Eneabba (L)
389
43
    Mount Helena
1,825
127
    Williams (L)
384
44
    Yanchep
1,790
128
    Dowerin (L)
378
45
    Kalbarri
1,788
129
    Cue (L)
374
46
    Yunderup
1,751
130
    Jarrahdale (L)
373
47
    Gelorup
1,728
131
    Drummond Cove (L)
370
48
    Moora
1,664
132
    Kalumburu (L)
368
49
    Wickham
1,649
133
    Quindalup (L)
365
50
    Mount Barker
1,648
134
    Looma (L)
359
51
    Donnybrook
1,635
135
    Ravensthorpe (L)
354
52
    Norseman
1,516
136
    Wyalkatchem (L)
349
53
    Leinster
1,440
137
    Koorda (L)
348
54
    Dampier
1,424
138
    Mukinbudin (L)
347
55
    Parkerville
1,380
139
    Carnamah (L)
338
56
    Two Rocks
1,373
140
    Walpole (L)
337
57
    Wagin
1,337
141
    Jerramungup (L)
332
58
    Meekatharra
1,270
142
    Tambellup (L)
325
59
    Halls Creek
1,263
143
    Kondinin (L)
322
60
    Coolgardie
1,258
144
    Hopetoun (L)
319
61
    Capel
1,258
145
    Marble Bar (L)
318
62
    Kambalda East
1,200
146
    Dardanup (L)
314
63
    Little Grove
1,185
147
    Mingenew (L)
313
64
    Dunsborough
1,154
148
    Bardi (One Arm Point) (L)
312
65
    Southern Cross
1,147
149
    Turkey Creek (L)
306
66
    Fitzroy Crossing
1,147
150
    Oombulgurri (L)
304
67
    Leonora
1,143
151
    Serpentine (L)
299
68
    Denham
1,140
152
    Beagle Bay (L)
285
69
    East Bullsbrook
1,135
153
    Cranbrook (L)
283
70
    Augusta
1,087
154
    Kulin (L)
271
71
    Boddington
1,043
155
    Mungullah (L)
266
72
    Kojonup
1,035
156
    Burekup (L)
265
73
    North Pinjarra
1,011
157
    Darkan (L)
265
74
    Furnissdale (L)
997
158
    Dumbleyung (L)
264
75
    Pemberton (L)
994
159
    Wiluna (L)
262
76
    Roebourne (L)
958
160
    Point Samson (L)
255
77
    Coral Bay (L)
936
161
    Wickepin (L)
249
78
    Wyndham (L)
868
162
    Green Head (L)
245
79
    Binningup (L)
859
163
    Peppermint Grove (L)
245
80
    Kellerberrin (L)
855
164
    Wooroloo (L)
244
81
    Northampton (L)
842
165
    Cuballing(L)
241
82
    Mahogany Creek (L)
824
166
    Northcliffe (L)
239
83
    Wongan Hills (L)
813
167
    Tammin (L)
236
84
    Beverley (L)
787
168
    Bremer Bay (L)
221