GLOSSARY
Average annual rate of growth
The average annual growth rate, r, is calculated as a percentage using the formula:
r = [(Pn/Po) 1/n - 1 ] x 100
where P0 is the population at the start of the period, Pn is the population at the end of the period and n is the length of the period between Pn and P0 in years.
Capital city
Refers to the capital city Statistical Divisions of state and territories as defined in Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) (cat. no. 1216.0).
Census count
The Census of Population and Housing enumerates persons on the basis of where they were located on census night. Characteristics of households are only available according to place of enumeration. The census also compiles information on people according to their place of usual residence. This information is coded to Statistical Local Area. This means that census counts of people can be produced according to their location on census night as well as their place of usual residence.
Estimated resident population (ERP)
The official measure of the population of Australia is based on the concept of usual residence. It refers to all people, regardless of nationality or citizenship, who usually live in Australia, with the exception of foreign diplomatic personnel and their families. It includes usual residents who are overseas for less than 12 months. It excludes overseas visitors who are in Australia for less than 12 months.
Intercensal error
Intercensal error is the difference between two estimates at 30 June of a census year population: the first based on the latest census and the second arrived at by updating the 30 June estimate of the previous census year with intercensal components of population change which do not take account of information available from the latest census. For further information see Population Estimates: Concepts Sources and Methods, 2009 (cat. no. 3228.0.55.001).
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Local Government Areas (LGAs) are the spatial units which represent the geographical areas of incorporated local government councils. The ABS has broadened the categories of legislation used to define local government areas for statistical purposes to include the Indigenous Council areas in the states and Northern Territory. The LGA structure covers only incorporated areas of Australia, which are legally designated parts of states and territories over which incorporated local governing bodies have responsibility.
Median age
For any distribution the median value is that which divides the relevant population into two equal parts, half falling below the value, and half exceeding it. Thus, the median age is the age at which half the population is older and half is younger.
Net undercount
The difference between the actual census count (including imputations) and an estimate of the number of people who should have been counted in the census. The estimate is based on the Post Enumeration Survey (PES) conducted after each census. For a category of person (e.g. based on age, sex and state of usual residence), net undercount is the result of Census undercount, overcount, misclassification and imputation error.
Population growth
For Australia, population growth is the sum of natural increase and net overseas migration. For states and territories, population growth also includes net interstate migration. At the sub-state level, population growth is determined by the methods outlined in the Explanatory Notes.
Post Enumeration Survey (PES)
The Census Post Enumeration Survey (PES) is a household survey conducted three to four weeks after the Census. The PES allows the ABS to estimate the number of people missed in the Census and the number counted more than once. Usually more people are missed than are counted more than once in Australia, leading to a net undercount. Results from the PES contribute to a more accurate calculation of the estimated resident population (ERP) for Australia and the states and territories, which is then backdated to 30 June of the Census year.
Remainder of state or territory
The aggregation of all Statistical Divisions (SD) within a state or territory other than its capital city SD (see Major Statistical Region in Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) (cat. no. 1216.0)).
Sex ratio
The sex ratio relates to the number of males per 100 females. The sex ratio is defined for the total population, at birth, at death and among age groups by appropriately selecting the numerator and denominator of the ratio.
Statistical Local Areas (SLAs)
Statistical Local Areas (SLAs) are, in most cases, identical with, or have been formed from a division of, whole LGAs. In other cases they represent unincorporated areas. In aggregate, SLAs cover the whole of a state or territory without gaps or overlaps. In some cases legal LGAs overlap Statistical Subdivision boundaries and therefore comprise two SLAs (Part A and Part B).
Statistical District (S Dist)
Statistical Districts (S Dist) consist of selected, significant, predominantly urban areas in Australia which are not located within a Capital City SD. Statistical Districts enable comparable statistics to be produced about these selected urban areas.
Statistical Division (SD)
Statistical Divisions (SDs) consist of one or more Statistical Subdivisions (SSD). These are designed to be relatively homogeneous regions characterised by identifiable social and economic units within the region, under the unifying influence of one or more major towns or cities. Information concerning SDs is contained in Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) (cat. no. 1216.0).
Statistical Subdivision (SSD)
Statistical Subdivisions (SSDs) are of intermediate size, between SLAs and SDs. In aggregate, they cover the whole of Australia without gaps or overlaps. They are defined as socially and economically homogeneous regions characterised by identifiable links between the inhabitants. In the non-urban areas an SSD is characterised by identifiable links between the economic units within the region, under the unifying influence of one or more major towns or cities.
Usual residence
Usual residence within Australia refers to that address at which the person has lived or intends to live for a total of six months or more in a given reference year.
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