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
2020-21 financial year
Released
29/03/2022

Key statistics

  • People living in the capitals decreased by 26,000 (-0.1%). 
  • The decline comprised net overseas (-84,700) and internal (-49,200) migration losses, and natural increase (107,900).
  • Melbourne had the largest decline (-60,500), Brisbane grew the most (21,900).
  • Regional Australia grew by 70,900 (0.9%).

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). 

Statistics in this release are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Capital cities

Population change

 ERP at 30 June 20212020-21 (no.)2020-21 (%)
Sydney5,361,466-5,151-0.1
Melbourne5,096,298-60,505-1.2
Brisbane2,582,00721,8700.9
Adelaide1,378,4131,8950.1
Perth2,141,83416,1690.8
Hobart238,375-334-0.1
Darwin146,982-327-0.2
Canberra431,6113980.1
Total capital cities17,376,986-25,985-0.1

 

Components of population change

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

  • Natural increase was highest in Sydney followed by Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
  • Net internal migration loss was largest in Sydney and Melbourne, while net internal migration gain was largest in Brisbane and Perth.
  • All capital cities experienced net overseas migration loss, which was largest in Melbourne followed by Brisbane, Sydney and Perth.

Regions

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Riverstone - Marsden Park (up by 7,400 people) in Sydney's outer north-west
  • Cobbitty - Leppington (5,400) in Sydney's outer south-west
  • Cranbourne East (5,000) in Melbourne's outer south-east 


The areas with the highest growth rates were:

  • Throsby (38%) in Canberra's outer north-east
  • Rockbank - Mount Cottrell (34%) in Melbourne's outer west
  • Mickleham - Yuroke (28%) in Melbourne's outer north 

 
The areas with the largest and fastest decline were all in Greater Melbourne:

  • Melbourne (city) declined by 5,900 people (-11%)
  • Clayton, in the south-east, declined by 2,700 (-9.4%)
  • inner-city Carlton declined by 2,600 (-10%)


Outside of the capital cities: 

  • Pimpama (up by 2,800 people) on Queensland's Gold Coast had the largest growth 
  • Pimpama also had the highest growth rate (13%)
Areas with the largest growth
SA2SA4ERP at 30 June 20212020-21 (no.)
Riverstone - Marsden ParkSydney - Blacktown48,0637,360
Cobbitty - LeppingtonSydney - South West42,3865,352
Cranbourne EastMelbourne - South East60,4895,027
Rouse Hill - Beaumont HillsSydney - Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury40,3334,260
Mickleham - YurokeMelbourne - North West19,0294,127
Areas with the highest growth rates
SA2(a)SA4ERP at 30 June 20212020-21 (%)
ThrosbyAustralian Capital Territory1,83438.1
Rockbank - Mount CottrellMelbourne - West15,27434.3
Mickleham - YurokeMelbourne - North West19,02927.7
RipleyIpswich11,64519.4
Pallara - WillawongBrisbane - South8,02418.6
  1. Excludes SA2s with less than 1,000 people at June 2020.

 

Centre of population

Population density

Population grid

New South Wales

Population change

Greater Sydney declined by 5,200 people (-0.1%), the rest of the state increased by 26,800 (1.0%).

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Riverstone - Marsden Park (up by 7,400 people) in Sydney's outer north-west
  • Cobbitty - Leppington (5,400) in Sydney's outer south-west 
  • Rouse Hill - Beaumont Hills (4,300), in Sydney's north-west 
     

The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

  • Riverstone - Marsden Park (18%) 
  • Austral - Greendale (15%) in Sydney's outer south-west
  • Cobbitty - Leppington (14%)
     

Components of population change

While natural increase (36,900 people) was a positive contributor to Greater Sydney's population change, a large net internal migration loss (-34,800) and some net overseas migration loss (-7,200) resulted in overall population decline.

  • Riverstone - Marsden Park had the largest natural increase (1,200 people) and the largest net internal migration gain (6,100 people).
  • Parramatta - Rosehill, to the west of Sydney's city centre, had the largest net overseas migration gain (570 people).
  • Sydney - Haymarket - The Rocks had the largest net overseas migration loss (-1,000 people).
     

Centre of population

Population density

Victoria

Population change

Greater Melbourne declined by 60,500 people (-1.2%), the rest of the state increased by 15,700 (1.0%). 

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Cranbourne East (up by 5,000 people) in Melbourne's outer south-east
  • Mickleham - Yuroke (4,100) in Melbourne's outer north 
  • Rockbank - Mount Cottrell (3,900) in Melbourne's outer west 
     

The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

  • Rockbank - Mount Cottrell (34%) 
  • Mickleham - Yuroke (28%) 
  • Wollert (18%) in Melbourne's outer north
     

Components of population change

A large net overseas migration loss (-54,400 people) led to Greater Melbourne recording a significant decline in population, with natural increase (27,400) offset by net internal migration loss (-33,500).

  • Cranbourne East had the largest natural increase (1,100 people) and the largest net internal migration gain (4,100 people).
  • No areas had a gain from net overseas migration, inner city Melbourne had the largest net overseas migration loss (-5,700 people).
     

Centre of population

Population density

Queensland

Population change

Greater Brisbane increased by 21,900 people (0.9%), the rest of the state increased by 24,100 (0.9%). 

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Pimpama (up by 2,800 people) on the Gold Coast 
  • Caloundra - West (2,200) on the Sunshine Coast 
  • Ripley (1,900), a suburb of Ipswich
     

The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

  • Ripley (19%) 
  • Pallara - Willawong (19%) in Brisbane's south 
  • Pimpama (13%)
     

Components of population change

Natural increase (17,400 people) was the largest contributor to Greater Brisbane's population change, closely followed by net internal migration gain (15,000). 

  • Jimboomba on Brisbane's southern fringe had the largest natural increase (520 people).
  • Pimpama had the largest net internal migration gain (2,300 people). 
  • No areas had a gain from net overseas migration, St Lucia south of Brisbane's central business district had the largest net overseas migration loss (-870 people).
     

Centre of population

Population density

South Australia

Population change

Greater Adelaide increased by 1,900 people (0.1%), the rest of the state increased by 1,200 (0.3%). 

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Munno Para West - Angle Vale (up by 1,100 people) on the northern outskirts of Adelaide 
  • Mount Barker (880) in the Adelaide Hills 
  • Gawler - South (440) in Adelaide's outer north 
     

The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

  • Munno Para West - Angle Vale (7.0%) 
  • Virginia - Waterloo Corner (6.2%) in Adelaide's outer north 
  • Mount Barker (4.3%) 
     

Components of population change

While both net overseas (-3,100 people) and internal (-200) migration were negative for Greater Adelaide, natural increase (5,300) led to overall population increase.

  • Munno Para West - Angle Vale had the largest natural increase (260 people) and largest net internal migration gain (850 people).
  • No areas had a gain from net overseas migration, inner city Adelaide had the largest net overseas migration loss (-480 people).
     

Centre of population

​​​​​​​Population density

Western Australia

Population change

Greater Perth increased by 16.200 people (0.8%), the rest of the state increased by 1,900 (0.3%). 

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Ellenbrook in Perth's north-east (up by 1,700 people) 
  • Baldivis (1,500) in Perth's outer south-west 
  • Forrestdale - Harrisdale - Piara Waters (1,500) in Perth's south-east 
     

The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

  • Casuarina - Wandi (8.4%) south of Perth 
  • Alkimos - Eglinton (8.2%) in Perth's outer north-west 
  • North Coogee (6.7%) in Perth's south-west 
     

Components of population change

Natural increase (15,100 people) was the largest contributor to Greater Perth's population change, while net internal migration (6,500) was also positive.

  • Ellenbrook had the largest natural increase (650 people) and the largest net internal migration gain (1,100 people). 
  • No areas had a gain from net overseas migration, inner city Perth had the largest net overseas migration loss (-520 people).
     

Centre of population

Population density

Tasmania

Population change

Greater Hobart declined by 330 people (-0.1%), the rest of the state increased by 1,100 (0.4%). 

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Rokeby on the eastern shore of the Derwent River (up by 310 people) 
  • Brighton - Pontville (250) on Hobart's northern fringe 
  • Howrah - Tranmere (200) on the eastern shore of the Derwent River 


The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

  • Rokeby (4.5%) 
  • Brighton - Pontville (4.1%) 
  • Longford (3.6%) south of Launceston 
     

Components of population change

Natural increase (860 people) was offset by net internal migration loss (-830), and with a small net overseas migration loss (-370) Greater Hobart recorded a small decline in population.

  • Rokeby had the largest natural increase (up 100 people) and the largest net internal migration gain (210 people). 
  • No areas had a gain from net overseas migration, Sandy Bay had the largest net overseas migration loss (-160 people).
     

Centre of population

Population density

Northern Territory

Population change

Greater Darwin declined by 330 people (-0.2%), the rest of the territory remain unchanged (0%).

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Palmerston - South (up by 670 people) in Darwin's east
  • Lyons (200) on the northern fringe of Darwin
  • Humpty Doo (90) south-east of Darwin
     

The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

  • Palmerston - South (10%) 
  • Lyons (3.0%) 
  • Virginia (1.6%) in Darwin's south-east
     

Components of population change

Natural increase (1,700 people) was offset by net internal migration loss (-1,600), and with a small net overseas migration loss (-380) Greater Darwin recorded a small decline in population.

  • Palmerston - South had the largest natural increase (170 people) and the largest net internal migration gain (500 people). 
  • No areas had a gain from net overseas migration, inner city Darwin had the largest net overseas migration loss (-100 people).
     

Centre of population

Population density

Australian Capital Territory

Population change

The number of people living in the Australian Capital Territory increased by 400 (0.1%).

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Denman Prospect (up by 780 people) in Canberra's west 
  • Taylor (670) and Throsby (510) in Canberra's north
     

The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

  • Throsby (38%) 
  • Greenway (11%) in Canberra's south-west
  • Coombs (10%)
     

Components of population change

Natural increase (3,300 people) was offset by net overseas migration loss (-3,300), with a small net internal migration gain (360) leading to a marginal population increase for Canberra.

  • Ngunnawal in Canberra's north had the largest natural increase (140 people).
  • Denman Prospect had the largest net internal migration gain (740 people).
  • No areas had a gain from net overseas migration, inner city Civic had the largest net overseas migration loss (-230 people).
     

Centre of population

Population density

Data downloads

Data files

GeoPackages

Data files

Population grid files

Data files

Data Explorer datasets

Caution: Data Explorer can be problematic when trying to view and manipulate large datasets, such as SA2-based or LGA geographies released in this product. Please use the Excel data cubes provided above for these datasets. 

Data in Data Explorer is currently released after the 11:30am release on the ABS website. Please check the reference period when using Data Explorer.

Post-release changes

29/04/2022 - The Interactive maps section has been updated to include animated maps of population change by SA1 and SA2.

12/04/2022 - As advertised in this publication on 29 March 2022, this additional release contains interactive maps of population change 2020-21 and the population grid 2021.

Previous catalogue number

This release previously used catalogue number 3218.0

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