1307.8 - Australian Capital Territory in Focus, 2004  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 06/09/2004   
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Canberrans younger than rest of the nation


Canberrans were younger than Australians as a whole, with a median age of 34 years (36 nationally) at June 2003, according to figures issued today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

This latest edition of ACT in Focus 2004 provides a detailed statistical review of important and interesting aspects of life in the ACT. Other highlights include:
    • The January 2003 bushfires burnt 70% (165,000 hectares) of the ACT land area.
    • There was 569 mm of rain recorded in the ACT in 2003, an increase of 64 mm from 2002, but below the long-term average of 625 mm.
    • Despite an increase in population, Canberrans used 377 megalitres (ML) less water in 2002–03 (65,567 ML) than 2001–02.
    • There was a total of 14,630 child care service places in the ACT as at April 2004, with 43% being school age care (6,246 places).
    • The sexually transmitted disease, Chlamydia, was the most reported communicable disease in the ACT in 2003, with 28% of all reported communicable disease notifications (522 notifications).
    • The highest proportion of people using the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program in 2002–03 were aged between 20 and 24 years (300 people).
    • Eighty percent of ACT businesses used the Internet in 2002–03, compared with 71% nationally.
    • Overnight domestic visitors to the ACT were more likely to come to visit friends and relatives (41% of visitors) than for holiday or leisure (28%) in 2003.
    • The majority (95%) of Canberrans aged 18 years and over reported that they had attended at least one cultural venue or event during 2002.
    • In 2001, the ACT had the lowest rate of homelessness of all states and territories at 39.6 per 10,000 of the population.
    • During 2002, there were 4,112 births and 1,373 deaths registered in the ACT.
    • There were 25 adoptions in the ACT during 2002–03.

Further information is in ACT in Focus 2004 (cat. no. 1307.8). It includes information on the environment, government, economy, people, education, labour market, business, housing, tourism, the Australian Capital Region and more.