3218.0 - Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2005-06  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 27/02/2007   
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MEDIA RELEASE
February 27, 2007
Embargoed 11:30am (AEDT)
25/2007

Perth: Fastest growing city in 2005-06: ABS

The City of Perth had the fastest population growth of all Local Government Area cities during 2005-06, according to population estimates released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

During 2005-06, the population of Perth Local Government Area (LGA) increased by 12.4%, (1,500 people). Other inner city areas which recorded strong growth included Melbourne LGA (3.3%) and Adelaide LGA (3.0%).

Brisbane LGA had the largest population growth during 2005-06, increasing by 14,000 people (1.4%), followed by the Gold Coast, which increased by 13,600 people (2.8%).

Melbourne Statistical Division (SD) recorded the largest growth of capital city SDs in 2005-06, increasing by 49,000 people in the 12 month period (or 940 people per week). Sydney SD increased by 37,200 people. Perth (SD) grew by 29,900, and now exceeds 1.5 million people.

In outer suburban areas, the largest population increase was recorded in Western Australia, with Wanneroo increasing by 7,900 people. Many other outer suburban areas recorded large increases, such as the Melbourne LGAs of Melton (up 6,800 people), Wyndham (6,700 people) and Casey (6,400 people). In Sydney, Blacktown increased by 5,000 people and Bankstown by 2,900.

Growth outside capital cities

Many regional coastal areas continued to experience strong population growth, with the largest growth occurring in Gold Coast-Tweed (up 14,500 people), Sunshine Coast (5,100 people), Townsville (4,400 people) and Cairns (4,100 people).

The Western Australian coastal areas of Bunbury (up 5.1%) and Mandurah (up 4.9%), along with Queensland's Hervey Bay (also up 4.9%), were the fastest growing regions outside capital cities.

A number of inland regional areas throughout Australia also experienced continued growth, with the Victorian LGAs of Greater Bendigo and Ballarat increasing by 1,900 and 1,700 people respectively, and the New South Wales LGA of Maitland increasing by 1,400 people.

Further information is in Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2005-06 (cat. no. 3218.0).


Regional population growth data highlights for 2005-06

NEW SOUTH WALES
  • Sydney's population is 4,293,100, an increase of 37,200 people (0.9%). The city of Sydney recorded the third largest growth of New South Wales LGAs (up 2,900).
  • Largest population increases in the outer-suburban LGAs of Blacktown (5,000 people) and Bankstown (2,900 people).
  • Continued growth in most coastal areas, with Tweed recording the largest increase (1,300) and Richmond Valley the fastest increase (1.9%) of NSW coastal LGAs.
VICTORIA
  • Melbourne's population is 3,684,500, an increase of 49,000 people (1.3%). Melbourne experienced the largest growth of all capital city Statistical Divisions.
  • Largest and fastest growth occurred in the Melbourne suburban fringe LGAs of Melton (up 6,800 people or 8.9%) and Wyndham (6,700 people or 5.7%).
  • Coastal growth in Greater Geelong (2,600 people) and Surf Coast (4.8%). Inland regional growth in Greater Bendigo (1,900 people) and Ballarat (1,700 people).
QUEENSLAND .
  • Brisbane's population is 1,820,400, an increase of 29,500 people (1.6%).
  • The city of Brisbane experienced the largest growth of all LGAs in Australia (14,000 people). The LGAs of Ipswich (4,200 people) and Pine Rivers (3,800 people) also recorded large growth.
  • The coastal LGA of Gold Coast recorded the second largest growth of all LGAs in Australia (up 13,600 people).
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
  • Adelaide's population is 1,138,800, an increase of 9,700 people (0.9%).
  • The city of Adelaide was the fastest growing LGA in South Australia (up 3.0%).
  • Continued large increases in the Adelaide LGAs of Salisbury (2,000 people) and Onkaparinga (1,700 people), and the Outer Adelaide LGA of Mount Barker (510 people).
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
  • Perth's population is 1,507,900, an increase of 29,900 people (2.0%).
  • The city of Perth was the fastest growing LGA in Australia (12.4% or 1,500 people).
  • Large increases in outer metropolitan LGAs of Wanneroo (7,900 people), Rockingham (4,600 people), Swan (2,800).
TASMANIA
  • Greater Hobart's population is 205,500, up 2,000 people (1.0%).
  • Clarence recorded the largest increase (520 people) of Tasmanian LGAs, followed by Kingborough (510 people).
  • Sorell recorded the fastest growth (up 2.8%), followed by Latrobe (up 2.6%).
NORTHERN TERRITORY
  • Darwin's population is 114,000, an increase of 2,800 people (2.5%).
  • Bayview-Woolner experienced large growth, increasing by 330 people.
  • Palmerston, on the outskirts of Darwin, recorded the largest growth of all Northern Territory LGAs (up 1,200).
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
  • The ACT has a population of 328,800, an increase of 3,000 people (0.9%).
  • Outer suburban Gungahlin (up 820 people), and neighbouring Ngunnawal (up 660 people), both recorded large growth.
  • Inner suburbs Kingston (670 people) and Braddon (590 people) also experienced large growth.