2016.3 - Census of Population and Housing: Selected Characteristics for Urban Centres and Localities, Queensland, 2001  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 26/03/2003   
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INTRODUCTION


STATISTICS PRESENTED IN THIS PUBLICATION

This publication presents a range of social and housing statistics produced from the 2001 Census of Population and Housing for Queensland. For comparative purposes, it includes 1996 Census data based on 2001 Census geography.

The tables in this publication provide a selection of data for the population and their housing arrangements for Urban Centres/Localities (UC/L) and Sections of State (SOS). These geographic structures classify areas according to size of the population. Whilst the UC/L classification covers only part of each state and territory, the SOS classification covers each state and territory in its entirety. Refer to the Glossary for more information about the definitions of UC/L and SOS.

The data are presented on the basis of where people were counted on Census Night ('as enumerated'), and therefore data for each geographic area include visitors to that area, but exclude those people who were away on Census Night. All tables exclude overseas visitors unless otherwise stated.

Data released in Selected Social and Housing Characteristics, Queensland (cat.no. 2015.3) provide various characteristics for Statistical Divisions (SDs), Statistical Subdivisions (SSDs) and Statistical Local Areas (SLAs). Refer to Appendix 2-Census Products and Services for more information.


POPULATION MEASURES

Census counts should not be confused with the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) official population estimate, the Estimated Resident Population (ERP) which is used for electoral purposes and in assisting in the distribution of government funds to state and local governments. The ERP is the definitive population estimate and is derived from the census counts. For a fuller description of population measures and the derivation of ERP, please see paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 of the Explanatory Notes. Appendix 1-Estimated Resident Population includes a table showing census counts and ERP for each state and territory.

One of the important features of the Census is that it describes the characteristics of Australia's population and housing for small geographic areas and small population groups. While not available in this publication, data at the smallest geographic level (Collection District) are available in a range of census products. For more information on these products, please refer to Appendix 2-Census Products and Services. Concepts and definitions used in this publication are explained in the Glossary and more detailed information is available in the 2001 Census Dictionary (cat. no. 2901.0). The Explanatory Notes in this publication provide a discussion of the scope and coverage of the Census, the different measures of population, and the limitations of census data.

This publication is one of a series of publications which provide data for both UC/L and SOS geographic areas for each state and territory (cat. no's 2016.1-7). A similar publication is also available, providing data for urban centres across the whole of Australia (cat. no. 2016.0). See Appendix 2-Census Products and Services for more information.


SUMMARY OF FINDINGS


Person characteristics

Population distribution

The Census of Population and Housing conducted on 7 August 2001 counted 3,655,139 persons (including 69,500 overseas visitors) in Queensland, an increase of 8.5% or 286,289 persons since 1996 (3,368,850 persons).

There were 156 Urban Centres and 200 Localities in Queensland in 2001, four of which had population counts of above 100,000 persons: Brisbane (1,508,161), Gold Coast-Tweed Heads (Gold Coast Part) (376,533), Sunshine Coast (169,931) and Townsville-Thuringowa (119,504). These Urban Centres accounted for 59.5% of the population.

Age

In 2001, the median age was 35 years, compared with 33 years in 1996. The proportion of persons aged 0-14 years decreased from 21.7% in 1996 to 21.1% in 2001, while the proportion of persons aged 65 years and over increased from 12.0% to 12.3% in the same period.

The highest proportions of persons aged 0-14 years were recorded in the Localities of New Mapoon and Hammond Island (both 46.6%), Talbot Islands (44.4%) and Mabuiag Island (43.5%), and the Urban Centre of Cherbourg (41.3%).

A high proportion of persons aged 65 years and over was recorded in the Urban Centres of Bongaree (30.5%), Woorim (29.3%) and Crows Nest (28.0%), and in the Localities of Burrum Heads (43.1%), Woodgate (41.7%) and Seaforth (40.3%).

Sex

In 2001, there were more females (1,851,329) than males (1,803,810) with higher proportions of females recorded in urban areas (Major Urban (51.3%) and Other Urban (50.7%)). Proportionally more males were recorded in Rural Balance (52.1%) and Bounded Locality (50.5%) sections of the state.

A higher proportion of females was recorded in the Urban Centres of Woodford (63.8%), Maleny (54.3%), Eagle Heights (54.1%) and Cooroy (54.0%), and in the Localities of Herberton (58.2%), Mapleton (55.6%), Umagico (55.3%) and Horsehoe Bay (55.1%).

Males outnumbered females in 184 Urban Centres and Localities. A higher proportion of males was recorded in the Urban Centres of Tieri (59.4%), Dysart (58.8%) and Middlemount (57.9%), and in the Localities of Ravenswood (63.3%), Glenden (59.7%) and Burketown (58.4%).

Median individual income

The median weekly income grew from $286 in 1996 to $359 in 2001, an increase of 25.5%, with increases in the Bounded Locality (24.6%), Major Urban and Other Urban (both 23.9%) and Rural Balance (23.8%) sections of state.

The highest median incomes were recorded in the Urban Centres of Tieri ($922), Middlemount ($829) and Weipa ($707), while Localities with high median incomes were Glenden ($828), Ravenswood ($725) and Pallarenda ($517). The lowest median incomes were recorded in Wujal (L) ($114), Aurukun (L) ($151), Palm Islands ($180) and Kowanyama (L) ($180).

Indigenous status

The number of persons who reported being of Indigenous origin increased by 18.1% to 112,772 persons in 2001, up from 95,518 persons in 1996, representing 3.1% of the total population (excluding overseas visitors).

Over half (54.8%) of the Urban Centres and Localities reported proportions of Indigenous persons equivalent to, or less than, the average for Queensland (3.1%). The highest proportions were recorded in the Localities of Injinoo (96.7%), Warraber Island and Murray Island (both 95.8%), and in the Urban Centres of Cherbourg (96.4%) and Yarrabah (93.7%).

Birthplace

The number of persons born in Australia increased by 5.5% to 2,786,359 persons in 2001, up from 2,640,643 persons in 1996, representing 77.7% of the population of Queensland (excluding overseas visitors).

In 80 of the Urban Centres and Localities, 90.0% or more of the population were born in Australia. The highest proportions were recorded in the Localities of Mabuiag Island and Umagico (both 100.0%).

Of the 3,585,639 persons (excluding overseas visitors) counted in Queensland, 17.2% (616,168 persons) stated that they had been born overseas, with the highest proportions recorded in Kooralbyn (29.4%), Oak Beach (L) (29.1%) and Horsehoe Bay (L) (28.8%).

Internet and Personal computer use

Of the population counted, 41.3% (1,481,238 persons) used a personal computer at home in the week prior to Census Night. Of the same population, 35.7% (1,280,831 persons) used the Internet in the week prior to Census Night.

The highest proportions of persons who used a personal computer at home were recorded in Bellbowrie (66.5%), Blue Mountain Heights (L) (64.2%), Nindaroo (L) (62.8%) and Mount Glorious (L) (56.3%), while low proportions were recorded in the Localities of Napranum and New Mapoon (both 1.8%) and Warraber Island (1.9%).

Employed persons

In 2001, there were 1,568,864 employed persons (91.8% of the labour force), an increase of 10.4% (148,196 persons) since 1996 (1,420,668 persons).

Urban Centres with the largest numbers of employed persons were Brisbane (688,262 or 92.2% of the labour force), Gold Coast-Tweed Heads (Gold Coast Part) (151,944 or 90.3%), Sunshine Coast (62,677 or 88.6%) and Townsville-Thuringowa (54,876 or 91.4%). This pattern is similar to the population distribution.

Full-time employment

The number of full-time workers increased from 962,011 in 1996 to 1,002,596 in 2001. This represented 63.9% of the employed population in Queensland. As a proportion of persons in the labour force, the highest proportions of full-time workers were recorded in the Localities of Ravenswood (78.8%) and Macknade (77.6%). Urban Centres with the highest proportions of full-time workers were Middlemount (75.2%) and Tieri (75.1%).

Part-time employment

In 2001, 518,158 workers (33.0% of employed persons) were employed part-time, an increase of 21.1% (90,365 persons) since 1996. The highest proportions of part-time workers, as a proportion of persons in the labour force, were recorded in the Localities of Yorke Island (74.7%) and Wujal Wujal (73.2%). The Locality with the lowest proportion of part-time workers was Ravenswood (16.4%).

Unemployed persons

In 2001, there were 140,748 unemployed persons (8.2% of persons in the labour force), compared with 151,717 persons (9.6%) in 1996. High unemployment rates were recorded in the Localities of Glenwood (39.4%), Pacific Haven (32.7%) and Torbanlea (27.4%).

For those aged 15-24 years, the unemployment rate fell from 16.4% in 1996 to 15.3% in 2001. The highest youth unemployment rates were recorded in the Localities of Yuleba (60.0%), Glenwood (58.3%) and Ball Bay (57.1%).

The number of unemployed persons looking for full-time employment decreased by 16.0% from 120,966 persons in 1996 to 101,660 in 2001. However, those looking for part-time work increased by 27.1% from 30,751 persons in 1996 to 39,088 in 2001.

Occupation

In 2001, the largest occupation groups were Professionals and Associate Professionals (28.0% of employed persons), Intermediate Clerical, Sales and Service Workers (16.9%) and Tradespersons and Related Workers (12.8%). These proportions are similar to those in 1996.

The highest proportions of Professionals and Associate Professionals were recorded in the Localities of Mount Nebo (57.9%), Mount Glorious (53.5%) and Boreen Point (51.9%).

The highest proportions of Intermediate Clerical, Sales and Service Workers were in the Localities of Ball Bay (23.7%), Minden (23.0%) and Saunders Beach (21.9%).

The highest proportions of Tradespersons and Related Workers were recorded in Torbanlea (L) (29.4%), Thargomindah (L) (25.9%) and Dysart (25.1%).

Industry

In 2001, the three largest industries of employment in Queensland were Retail Trade (15.3%), Manufacturing (10.7%) and Property and Business Services (9.8%). These industries were also the top three in 1996, with Health and Community Services equal to Property and Business Services.

The highest proportions of persons employed in Retail Trade were recorded in Pacific Haven (L) (26.3%), Coral Cove (L) (22.8%) and Curra (22.7%).

The highest proportions of persons employed in Manufacturing were recorded in the Localities of Giru (43.6%), Imbil (36.6%) and Macknade (36.4%).

The highest proportions of persons employed in Property and Business Services were recorded in the Localities of Mount Nebo (18.8%), Bellbowrie (16.9%) and Port Douglas (16.2%).


Dwelling Characteristics

Total number of dwellings

The number of dwellings increased by 11.8% from 1,329,800 in 1996 to 1,487,193 in 2001. Of these dwellings, 91.2% (1,355,613) were occupied private dwellings, 8.5% were unoccupied private dwellings and 0.3% were non-private dwellings.

Total number of persons

The number of persons in occupied private dwellings increased by 9.3% from 3,211,805 in 1996 to 3,511,352 in 2001. Of these, 60.0% (2,106,725 persons) were counted in Major urban areas, compared with 50.0% in 1996.

Fully owned

Of the 1,355,613 occupied private dwellings in Queensland, 36.6% were fully owned, compared with 38.7% in 1996. The Rural Balance area recorded the highest proportions of fully owned dwellings in both 2001 (47.0%) and 1996 (46.8%).

Home ownership proportions were highest in the Localities of Willows Gemfields (77.6%), Woodgate (68.9%), Burrum Heads and Lucinda (both 67.4%).

Being purchased

In Queensland, 25.8% of the private dwellings were being purchased, similar to 24.8% in 1996. The Rural Balance areas recorded the highest proportions in both 2001 (27.3%) and 1996 (28.3%).

High proportions of homes being purchased were recorded in Minden Village (L) (67.1%), Bohle Plains (L) (60.6%) and Wyreema (60.5%).

Housing loan repayments

The median monthly loan repayment increased by 5.1% from $808 in 1996 to $849 in 2001. High median loan repayments were recorded in Burketown (L) ($2,000), Newell (L) ($1,358) and Hamilton Island ($1,320).

Rented dwellings

In 2001, 30.1% (408,117) of occupied private dwellings were being rented, the same proportion as recorded in 1996. The Other Urban areas recorded the highest proportions in both 2001 (33.3%) and in 1996 (34.4%).

The highest proportions of rented dwellings were recorded in Cherbourg (93.4%), Napranum (L) (93.3%) and Hope Vale (L) (89.7%).

Rent

The median weekly rent payment increased by 14.8% from $128 in 1996 to $147 in 2001. The Major Urban areas recorded the highest median rent ($163), compared with the Rural Balance ($102) and the Bounded Locality ($94) sections of the state.

A high median rent was recorded in the Urban Centres of Hamilton Island ($317), Port Douglas ($258), and Craiglie ($215), and in the Localities of Arcadia Bay ($312), Blue Mountain Heights ($233) and Samford ($189).


Family Characteristics

The number of families grew from 853,168 in 1996 to 933,928 in 2001, an increase of 9.5%. Of these families, 44.7% were couples with dependent and non-dependent children, 37.4% were couples without children, 16.0% were one parent families and 1.8% were of other family type. In the Rural Balance area, 46.5% of couple families had dependent children, compared with the 1996 figure of 50.6%.

The highest proportions of couple families with dependent children were recorded in Tieri (65.6%), Yam Island (L) (65.2%), Wyreema (L) (61.9%) and Gowrie Junction (L) (61.0%).

The highest proportions of couple families without children were recorded in the Localities of Willows Gemfields (83.8%), Woodgate (83.8%) and Seventeen Seventy (81.0%).

The highest proportions of one parent families were recorded in Cherbourg (51.1%), Marpuna (L) (46.3%) and Woorabinda (L) (41.4%).


Households Characteristics

The number of households grew from 1,146,960 in 1996 to 1,275,420 in 2001, an increase of 11.2%. Of these households, 72.3% were family households, 23.2% were lone person households and 4.5% were group households. This is similar to the proportions in 1996 (73.3%, 21.7% and 5.0% respectively).

The highest proportions of lone person households were recorded in the Localities of Sapphire (41.8%), Injune (41.7%) and Kilkivan (40.8%). Areas recording the lowest proportions were Alice River (3.7%), Gowrie Junction (L) and Yarrabah (both 5.3%).

The highest proportions of group households were recorded in the Urban Centres of Port Douglas (16.5%), Hamilton Island (14.9%) and Airlie Beach (12.9%).