Brisbane and Perth have highest growth rates
Brisbane's population grew by 1.9 per cent during 2019-20, recording the highest growth rate of all Australian capital cities, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
ABS Director of Demography, Phil Browning, said: "Brisbane was closely followed by Perth with a population growth rate of 1.8 per cent. Third was Melbourne with growth of 1.6 per cent."
"Melbourne also had the largest population increase, growing by more than 80,000 people".
Sydney, which remains Australia's most populous capital, saw an increase in its population of 57,100 people to reach 5.37 million. Brisbane grew by 46,900 people and Perth by 37,600 people.
Only Darwin experienced a decrease in population during 2019-20, with 180 fewer people calling the Northern Territory capital home at 30 June 2020 compared to the previous year.
| Capital city | Change over 2019-20 | Population at 30 Jun 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number | Per cent | Number | |
| Brisbane | 46,900 | 1.9 | 2,560,700 |
| Perth | 37,600 | 1.8 | 2,125,100 |
| Melbourne | 80,100 | 1.6 | 5,159,200 |
| Canberra | 5,100 | 1.2 | 431,400 |
| Adelaide | 16,100 | 1.2 | 1,376,600 |
| Hobart | 2,600 | 1.1 | 238,800 |
| Sydney | 57,100 | 1.1 | 5,367,200 |
| Darwin | -180 | -0.1 | 147,200 |
| Total capital cities | 245,300 | 1.4 | 17,406,300 |
Today's data also reveals the population growth hotspots within the capitals and the rest of the country.
Mickleham - Yuroke in Melbourne's outer north had the highest growth rate (33 per cent) in Australia in 2019-20, while Riverstone - Marsden Park in Sydney's outer north-west had the largest growth (up by 8,900 people).
| State/Territory | Largest growth 2019-20 | Highest growth rate 2019-20(a) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area | Number | Area | Per cent | |
| Victoria | Cranbourne East | 6,300 | Mickleham - Yuroke | 32.8 |
| New South Wales | Riverstone - Marsden Park | 8,900 | Riverstone - Marsden Park | 27.8 |
| Queensland | Pimpama | 2,700 | Ripley | 20.3 |
| Northern Territory | Palmerston - South | 830 | Palmerston - South | 14.6 |
| Australian Capital Territory | Throsby | 550 | Moncrieff | 14.3 |
| Western Australia | Ellenbrook | 2,400 | Alkimos - Eglinton | 10.2 |
| South Australia | Munno Para West - Angle Vale | 970 | Munno Para West - Angle Vale | 6.6 |
| Tasmania | Newnham - Mayfield | 290 | Rokeby | 4.0 |
- Excludes areas with less than 1,000 people at June 2019.
Statistics in this release are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting Australian Government closure of the international border from 20 March 2020.
Media notes
- Unless otherwise stated, capital cities mentioned in this release are Greater Capital City Statistical Areas and areas are Statistical Areas Level 2 as defined in the 2016 Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS).
- When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.
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