Regional population

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Statistics about the population and components of change (births, deaths, migration) for Australia's capital cities and regions

Reference period
2018-19 financial year
Released
25/03/2020

Key statistics

  • People living in the capitals increased by 303,100 people or 1.8%. 
  • Capital city growth accounted for 79% of total population growth.
  • Melbourne (113,500) and Sydney (87,100) had the largest growth.
  • Melbourne (2.3%) and Brisbane (2.1%) had the highest growth rates.

Any reference to population refers to Estimated Resident Population (ERP).

Any reference to capital city refers to Greater Capital City Statistical Area (GCCSA), and any reference to area refers to Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2). 

Capital cities

Population change

Population change by capital city

 ERP at 30 June 20192018-19 (no.)2018-19 (%)
Sydney5,312,16387,0651.7
Melbourne5,078,193113,4802.3
Brisbane2,514,18452,5872.1
Adelaide1,359,76013,9001.0
Perth2,085,97327,4051.3
Hobart236,1363,4451.5
Darwin147,255-1,141-0.8
Canberra426,7046,3251.5
Total capital cities17,160,368303,0661.8

 

 

Components of population change

Population change at the regional level has three main components: natural increase, overseas migration and internal migration. 

  • Natural increase was the largest contributor to population change in Perth and Canberra.
  • Net overseas migration was the major contributor to population change in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Hobart. 
  • Net internal migration loss was largest in Sydney, Adelaide and Darwin.
  • All three components contributed similarly to population change in Brisbane.
     


 

Regions

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Cranbourne East (up by 7,800 people) in Melbourne's outer south-east
  • Cobbitty - Leppington in Sydney's outer south-west and Riverstone - Marsden Park in Sydney's outer north-west (both 5,300)
     

The areas with the highest growth rates were:  

  • Mickleham - Yuroke (53%) in Melbourne's outer north
  • Moncrieff (38%) in Canberra's outer north
  • Rockbank - Mount Cottrell (37%) in Melbourne's outer west
     

Outside of the capital cities: 

  • Pimpama (up by 3,300 people) on Queensland's Gold Coast had the largest growth
  • Pimpama also had the highest growth rate (20%)
     

Areas with the largest growth

SA2SA4ERP at 30 June 20192018-19 (no.)
Cranbourne EastMelbourne - South East49,1997,818
Cobbitty - LeppingtonSydney - South West32,1515,280
Riverstone - Marsden ParkSydney - Blacktown31,8645,275
Rouse Hill - Beaumont HillsSydney - Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury31,6813,878
Mickleham - YurokeMelbourne - North West11,2273,866

Areas with the highest growth rates

SA2(a)SA4ERP at 30 June 20192018-19 (%)
Mickleham - YurokeMelbourne - North West11,22752.5
MoncrieffAustralian Capital Territory3,84438.1
Rockbank - Mount CottrellMelbourne - West8,81536.6
RipleyIpswich8,11226.6
PimpamaGold Coast19,42520.5

a. Excludes SA2s with less than 1,000 people at June 2018.

 

Centre of population

Australia's centre of population: 

  • was 50 kilometres east of the small service town of Ivanhoe in western New South Wales. This location reflects the concentration of population in south-east Australia
  • moved 2.4 kilometres south-east in 2018-19. This shift largely reflects rapid population growth in Melbourne over this period, increasing by 2.3% compared to 1.3% for the rest of the country
     

Map showing Australia's Centre of Population, June 2018 and June 2019

Map showing Australia's Centre of Population, June 2018 and June 2019

Map showing Australia's Centre of Population, June 2018 and June 2019

This is an image that shows the location of Australia’s centre of population on a map of Australia. The area of the centre of population is zoomed in to an SA2 level, showing the locations of the centre of population as of 30 June 2018 and 30 June 2019. These locations are situated in NSW, Far West SA2, north of Hay, north-west of Griffith Region.

Population density

Australia's population density at June 2019 was 3.3 people per square kilometre (sq km). 

The most densely populated areas were: 

  • Inner-city Melbourne (21,900 people per sq km)
  • Potts Point - Woolloomooloo (16,800) and Pyrmont - Ultimo (16,600), both in inner Sydney

Population grid

Population density can also be explored at a finer level by breaking Australia up into 1 km² grid cells.

Grid cells can be grouped into population density classes, ranging from no population to very high.

  • Sydney had the largest combined area in the high and very high density classes (187 km²), followed by Melbourne (74 km²), Brisbane (15 km²) and Canberra (1 km²).
  • No other capital cities had areas in the high or very high density classes.
     

Total area (km²) in population density classes by capital city

 No populationVery lowLowMediumHighVery High
 (0)*(Less than 500)*(500-2000)*(2000-5000)*(5000-8000)*(More than 8000)*
Sydney6,6333,89880684013156
Melbourne2,0055,9189531,0545816
Brisbane5,0049,630786415141
Adelaide1932,36839829100
Perth2,4872,81172539200
Hobart4751,0891121800
Darwin2,159942521900
Canberra1,7773272005510

* people per square kilometre
 

New South Wales

Population change

Greater Sydney increased by 87,100 people (1.7%), the rest of the state increased by 22,600 (0.8%). 

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Cobbitty - Leppington in Sydney's outer south-west and Riverstone - Marsden Park in Sydney's outer north-west (both up by 5,300 people)
  • Rouse Hill - Beaumont Hills (3,900), also in Sydney's outer north-west


The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

  • Riverstone - Marsden Park and Cobbitty - Leppington (both 20%)
  • Rouse Hill - Beaumont Hills (14%)
     

    Components of population change

    • Cobbitty - Leppington had the largest natural increase (770 people).
    • Cobbitty - Leppington and Riverstone - Marsden Park had the largest net internal migration gains (both 4,400 people).
    • Parramatta - Rosehill, to the west of Sydney's city centre, had the largest net overseas migration gain (2,600 people). 
       

    Centre of population

        The centre for New South Wales: 

        • was near the Hawkesbury River at June 2019, in the rural suburb of Lower Portland
        • moved 390 metres south-east over 2018-19, reflecting strong growth in Sydney and along the NSW coast
           

        The centre for Sydney: 

        • was in the Parramatta River at June 2019, close to the suburb of Ermington 
        • moved 70 metres south-west over 2018-19, led by strong population growth in outer south-western Sydney

        Population density

          The areas with the highest density at June 2019 all surrounded Sydney's central business district: 

          • Potts Point - Woolloomooloo (16,800 people per sq km)
          • Pyrmont - Ultimo (16,600)
          • Darlinghurst (15,100)

          Victoria

          Population change

          Greater Melbourne increased by 113,500 people (2.3%) to reach 5.08 million, the rest of the state increased by 20,500 (1.4%). 

          The areas with the largest growth were:

          • Cranbourne East (up by 7,800 people) in Melbourne's outer south-east
          • Mickleham - Yuroke (3,900) in Melbourne's outer north
          • Tarneit (3,300) in Melbourne's outer west
             

          The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

          • Mickleham - Yuroke (53%)
          • Rockbank - Mount Cottrell (37%) in Melbourne's outer west
          • Cranbourne East (19%)
             

          Components of population change

          • Tarneit had the largest natural increase (960 people).
          • Cranbourne East had the largest net internal migration gain (6,500 people).
          • Inner-city Melbourne had the largest net overseas migration gain (3,400 people).
             

          Centre of population

          The centre for Victoria:

          • was in the suburb of Coburg North at June 2019, north of Melbourne’s central business district
          • moved 200 metres south over 2018-19, towards Melbourne's central business district
             

          The centre for Melbourne: 

          • was in the suburb of Malvern at June 2019, near the Monash Freeway
          • moved 100 metres west over 2018-19, reflecting strong housing development in Melbourne's outer west

          ​​​​​​​Population density

              The areas with the highest density at June 2019 were: 

              • inner-city Melbourne (21,900 people per sq km)
              • the inner suburbs of Carlton (13,600) and South Yarra - East (10,000)

              Queensland

              Population change

              Greater Brisbane increased by 52,600 people (2.1%), the rest of the state increased by 32,500 (1.3%). 

              The areas with the largest growth were:

              • Pimpama (up by 3,300 people) on the Gold Coast
              • Jimboomba (2,500) on Brisbane's southern outskirts
              • Springfield Lakes (2,400), a suburb of Ipswich
                 

              The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

              • Ripley (27%), a suburb of Ipswich
              • Pimpama (20%)
              • Eagle Farm - Pinkenba (19%) on the northern banks of the Brisbane River
                 

              Components of population change

              • Jimboomba had the largest natural increase (490 people).
              • Pimpama had the largest net internal migration gain (2,800 people).
              • Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast had the largest net overseas migration gain (900 people).
                 

              Centre of population

              The centre for Queensland:

              • was in the rural suburb of Booubyjan at June 2019, 95 kilometres south-west of Maryborough
              • moved 2.4 kilometres south-east over 2018-19, reflecting strong population growth in South East Queensland
                 

              The centre for Brisbane: 

              • was in the suburb of Highgate Hill at June 2019, to the south-west of Brisbane's central business district
              • moved 50 metres south-west over 2018-19, indicating higher growth in Ipswich in Brisbane's south-west

              Population density

                  The areas with the highest density at June 2019 were all inner Brisbane suburbs: 

                  • Kangaroo Point (7,400 people per sq km)
                  • Fortitude Valley (7,100)
                  • New Farm (6,700)

                  South Australia

                  Population change

                  Greater Adelaide increased by 13,900 people (1.0%), the rest of the state increased by 1,500 (0.4%).

                  The areas with the largest growth were:

                  • Mount Barker (up by 850 people) in the Adelaide Hills
                  • Munno Para West - Angle Vale (800) on the northern outskirts of Adelaide
                  • Northgate - Oakden - Gilles Plains (670) in Adelaide's inner north-east
                     

                  The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

                  • Munno Para West - Angle Vale (5.8%)
                  • Mount Barker (4.6%)
                  • inner-city Adelaide (3.5%)
                     

                  Components of population change

                  • Windsor Gardens, in Adelaide's inner north-east, had the largest natural increase (260 people).
                  • Mount Barker had the largest net internal migration gain (620 people).
                  • Inner-city Adelaide had the largest net overseas migration gain (740 people).
                     

                  Centre of population

                  The centre for South Australia:

                  • was in the new suburb of Lightsview at June 2019, in Adelaide's inner north-east
                  • moved 180 metres south over 2018-19, towards Adelaide's central business district
                     

                  The centre for Adelaide: 

                  • was on the banks of the River Torrens, north of Botanic Park at June 2019, in the suburb of Adelaide
                  • moved less than 10 metres over 2018-19, reflecting similar overall growth in the northern and southern suburbs

                  ​​​​​​​Population density

                  The areas with the highest density at June 2019 were: 

                  • Unley - Parkside (3,000 people per sq km) and Prospect (2,800), which both surround Adelaide's central business district
                  • Glenelg (2,900), a coastal suburb in Adelaide's south-west

                  Western Australia

                  Population change

                  Greater Perth increased by 27,400 people (1.3%), the rest of the state fell by 80 (-0.01%). 

                  The areas with the largest growth were:

                  • Ellenbrook in Perth's north-east and Baldivis in the city's south-west (both up by 2,200 people)
                  • Forrestdale - Harrisdale - Piara Waters (2,100) in Perth's south-east
                     

                  The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

                  • Alkimos - Eglinton (12%) in Perth's outer north-west
                  • North Coogee (9.6%) and Casuarina - Wandi (9.2%) in Perth's south-west

                   

                    Components of population change

                    • Ellenbrook had the largest natural increase (650 people).
                    • Baldivis had the largest net internal migration gain (1,400 people).
                    • Perth City had the largest net overseas migration gain (900 people).
                       

                    Centre of population

                    The centre for Western Australia:

                    • was in the Avon Valley National Park at June 2019, 24 kilometres west of the town of Toodyay
                    • moved 820 metres south-west over 2018-19, towards Perth’s central business district
                       

                    The centre for Perth: 

                    • was in the suburb of Como at June 2019, near the banks of the Swan River
                    • moved 40 metres south over 2018-19, reflecting slightly stronger growth to the south of the city

                    Population density

                      The areas with the highest density at June 2019 were: 

                      • Scarborough and Tuart Hill - Joondanna in Perth's north-west (both 3,400 people per sq km)
                      • Perth City (3,300)

                      Tasmania

                      Population change

                      Greater Hobart increased by 3,400 people (1.5%), the rest of the state increased by 2,700 (0.9%).

                      The areas with the largest growth were:

                      • Sorell - Richmond in Hobart's north-east and Rokeby on the eastern shore of the Derwent River (both up by 240 people)
                      • Newnham - Mayfield (230) in Launceston
                         

                      The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

                      • Old Beach - Otago (3.8%) and Rokeby (3.6%), both on Hobart's eastern shore
                      • Port Sorell (3.1%) on Tasmania's north-west coast
                         

                        Components of population change

                        • Rokeby had the largest natural increase (80 people).
                        • Port Sorell had the largest net internal migration gain (190 people).
                        • Sandy Bay, to the south of Hobart's central business district, had the largest net overseas migration gain (320 people).
                           

                        Centre of population

                            The centre for Tasmania:

                            • was near the banks of Woods Lake at June 2019, in the state's Central Highlands
                            • moved 350 metres south-east over 2018-19, reflecting population growth in Greater Hobart
                               

                            The centre for Hobart: 

                            • was just south of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens at June 2019, in the suburb of Queens Domain
                            • moved just 30 metres east over 2018-19

                            Population density

                              The areas with the highest density at June 2019 were close to Hobart's central business district: 

                              • West Moonah (2,300 people per sq km)
                              • Moonah (1,900)
                              • Sandy Bay (1,800)

                              Northern Territory

                              Population change

                              Greater Darwin declined by 1,100 people (-0.8%), the rest of the territory increased by 10 (0.01%).

                              The areas with the largest growth were:

                              • Palmerston - South (up by 730 people), to the south-east of Darwin's city centre
                              • Lyons (350) on the northern fringe of Darwin
                              • Tanami (60) in the territory's outback
                                 

                              The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

                              • Palmerston - South (15%)
                              • Lyons (5.8%)
                              • Tanami (2.0%)
                                 

                              Components of population change

                              • Katherine in the territory's Top End had the largest natural increase (140 people).
                              • Palmerston - South had the largest net internal migration gain (600 people).
                              • Darwin City had the largest net overseas migration gain (90 people).
                                 

                              Centre of population

                              The centre for the Northern Territory:

                              • was 42 kilometres south-west of the town of Katherine at June 2019
                              • moved 1.1 kilometres south-east and away from Greater Darwin over 2018-19, due to population decline in the capital
                                 

                              The centre for Darwin: 

                              • was in the suburb of Wishart at June 2019, south of the Stuart Highway
                              • moved 120 metres south-east over 2018-19, towards the fast-growing Palmerston area

                              Population density

                              The areas with the highest density at June 2019 were: 

                              • Nightcliff and Wagaman (both with 2,700 people per sq km) in Darwin's northern suburbs
                              • the inner-city suburb of Parap (also 2,700)

                              Australian Capital Territory

                              Population change

                              The number of people living in the Australian Capital Territory increased by 6,300 (1.5%). 

                              The areas with the largest growth were:

                              • Moncrieff (up by 1,100 people) on Canberra's northern outskirts
                              • Throsby (520), a newly developing suburb also in the north
                              • Coombs (480) on Canberra's western outskirts
                                 

                              The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

                              • Moncrieff (38%)
                              • Coombs (16%)
                              • Dickson (11%) in the city's inner north
                                 

                              Components of population change

                              • Ngunnawal in Canberra's north had the largest natural increase (190 people).
                              • Moncrieff had the largest net internal migration gain (930 people).
                              • Belconnen, north-west of the city centre, had the largest net overseas migration gain (160 people).
                                 

                              Centre of population

                              The centre for the Australian Capital Territory:

                              • was located near Lake Burley Griffin at June 2019, in the suburb of Yarralumla
                              • moved 100 metres north in 2018-19, reflecting population growth in the northern suburbs of Canberra

                              Population density

                                The areas with the highest density at June 2019 were: 

                                • Braddon (4,400 people per sq km) in the inner north
                                • Kingston (4,200) on the south-eastern banks of Lake Burley Griffin
                                • inner-city Civic (3,400)

                                Interactive map

                                2018-19 Regional Population Change, Australia

                                2019 Regional Population Grid, Australia

                                These maps use data contained in Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2018-19.

                                How to use

                                • Navigating topics: maps can be selected via the drop-down menu (mobile devices) or the tabs (larger screens).
                                • Search: the 🔍 icon opens the search function. It is set to look for locations such as addresses, suburbs and postcodes contained within an SA2 or LGA.
                                • Data: on each population change map, an SA2 or LGA region can be selected to view the underlying data. Data for all SA2s and LGAs, as well as the Population Grid, can be found in the Downloads section of this publication.
                                • If the maps do not load successfully, please try refreshing this page.
                                   

                                More information

                                Data downloads - data cubes

                                Population estimates by Statistical Area Level 2, 2018 to 2019

                                Population estimates by Local Government Area, 2018 to 2019

                                Population estimates by Significant Urban Area, 2009 to 2019

                                Population estimates by Remoteness Area, 2009 to 2019

                                Population estimates by electoral division, 2009 to 2019

                                Data downloads - GeoPackages

                                Population estimates by Statistical Area Level 2, 2001 to 2019, in GeoPackage

                                Population estimates by Local Government Area, 2001 to 2019, in GeoPackage

                                Data downloads - population grid files

                                Australian Population Grid 2019 in ESRI Grid format

                                Australian Population Grid 2019 in GeoTIFF format

                                Australian Population Grid 2019 in PNG format

                                Previous catalogue number

                                This release previously used catalogue number 3218.0.
                                 

                                Previous catalogue number

                                This release previously used catalogue number 3218.0.
                                 

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