3235.0 - Population by Age and Sex, Regions of Australia, 2015 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 18/08/2016   
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QUEENSLAND


TOTAL POPULATION


At June 2015, the estimated resident population of Queensland was 4.78 million people, an increase of 374,100 since June 2010. In the five years to 2015, Queensland's population grew by 8.5%. This was the third-fastest growth of all states and territories, behind Western Australia (13%) and Victoria (8.7%).

In 2015, Greater Brisbane (which excludes the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast) was home to 2.31 million people, or almost half of Queensland's population. Greater Brisbane increased by 200,400 people in the five years to 2015, accounting for just over half of Queensland's total population growth. Ipswich had the largest growth of all SA4s in Greater Brisbane, with an increase of 39,800 people, while Moreton Bay - South had the fastest growth at 15% over the five years.

In the five years to 2015, the population of the rest of Queensland increased by 173,700 people to reach 2.47 million. The SA4s of Gold Coast (up by 50,300 people) and Sunshine Coast (27,200) accounted for 45% of this growth. Other SA4s that experienced large growth were Fitzroy (up by 22,100 people) and Townsville (17,400).



AGE AND SEX DISTRIBUTION

At June 2015, Greater Brisbane had a higher proportion of its population aged 20 to 44 years (38%) than the rest of Queensland (32%). Conversely, Greater Brisbane had a lower proportion aged 45 years and over (36%) than the rest of the state (41%). The proportion of people aged 19 years and younger was similar (26%).

AGE AND SEX DISTRIBUTION (%), Queensland - 30 June 2015

Image: Age & Sex Distribution (%), Queensland - 30 June 2015

The age distribution of the population in Greater Brisbane varies most from the rest of the state for the young adult population aged 18 to 40 years. The prevalence of younger adults in Greater Brisbane is consistent with their tendency to migrate out of regional areas to pursue work, education and other opportunities in the capital city.

Graph Image for AGE DISTRIBUTION(a), Queensland - 30 June 2015

Footnote(s): (a) 85 years and over not shown

Source(s): Population by Age and Sex, Regions of Australia, 2015 (cat. no. 3235.0)


MEDIAN AGE

At June 2015, the median age (the age at which half the population is older and half is younger) of Queensland's population was 36.9 years, up from 36.4 years at June 2010. The median age of males in 2015 was 36.1 years, compared with 37.6 years for females.

The median age of the population in Greater Brisbane was 35.2 years at June 2015, up from 35.0 at June 2010, while the median age in the rest of Queensland increased from 37.7 to 38.7 years over the same period.

The SA2 with the highest median age was Bribie Island (59.3 years) in the Moreton Bay region. This was followed by Cooloola (56.0 years) in the Wide Bay region, and the Sunshine Coast SA2 of Caloundra Hinterland (54.0).

The two SA2s with the lowest median ages had predominantly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. These were Yarrabah (23.4 years) near Cairns, and Northern Peninsula (24.4) in the far north of the state. Other SA2s with comparatively low median ages included St Lucia (24.4 years) in Greater Brisbane and Douglas (24.5) in Townsville. This reflects large numbers of university students in these areas.


CHILDREN (UNDER 15 YEARS OF AGE)

While the number of children in Queensland increased by 61,500 (7.0%) in the five years to June 2015 to reach 944,000, the proportion of Queensland's total population aged under 15 years remained steady at 20%.

At June 2015, the three SA2s with the highest proportions of children were in the state's north. Yarrabah and Northern Peninsula both had the highest proportion of people aged under 15 years (33%), closely followed by Torres Strait Islands (32%). These areas also had a high proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.


WORKING AGE POPULATION (AGED 15-64 YEARS)

At June 2015, close to two thirds of the Queensland population (3.15 million people) were aged between 15 and 64 years. The proportion of working age population in Greater Brisbane (68%) was higher than in the rest of Queensland (64%).

Eight of the ten SA2s in Queensland with the highest proportions of working age population were in inner Brisbane, ranging from 91% in Fortitude Valley to 80% in New Farm.

Outside Greater Brisbane, the SA2s with the highest proportions of people of working age were Douglas (80%) in Townsville, and Cairns City (78%).


WORKING AGE POPULATION (AGED 15-64 YEARS), Statistical Areas Level 2, Queensland - 30 June 2015
Image: Working Age Population (Aged 15-64 Years), SA2, Queensland - 30 June 2015



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PEOPLE AGED 65 YEARS AND OVER

In the five years to June 2015, the number of people aged 65 years and over in Queensland increased by 129,000 people (23%) to reach 686,200. This age group accounted for 14% of the state's population in 2015.

Between 2010 and 2015, the proportion of people aged 65 years or older in Greater Brisbane increased from 11% to 13%, while in the rest of Queensland it increased from 14% to 16%.

Bribie Island in Greater Brisbane was the SA2 with the highest proportion of its population aged 65 years and over, at 40%. The four SA2s with the next highest proportions were outside Greater Brisbane, ranging from 33% in Cooloola in the Wide Bay region to 29% in Clear Island Waters on the Gold Coast.

POPULATION AGED 65 YEARS AND OVER, Statistical Areas Level 2, Queensland - 30 June 2015
Image: Population Aged 65 Years and Over, SA2, Queensland - 30 June 2015





SEX RATIO


At June 2015, the sex ratio (the number of males per 100 females) in Queensland was 99.1. Females outnumbered males in both Greater Brisbane (with a sex ratio of 98.7) and the rest of Queensland (99.6).

The SA2 with the highest sex ratio was Wacol (185.0), which contains a male prison. This was followed by Mount Isa Region (175.6) and Broadsound - Nebo (143.0), both located in mining areas.

The SA2s with the lowest sex ratios were Coombabah (82.0) on the Gold Coast and Sippy Downs (82.8) on the Sunshine Coast.