Census reveals the ‘typical’ Australian

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MEDIA RELEASE
11 April 2017
Embargoed: 11.30 am (Canberra time)
36/2017

Census reveals the ‘typical’ Australian


The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has today revealed the first insights from the 2016 Census of Population and Housing, releasing a preview of the key characteristics that make the ‘typical’ Australian in 2016 and highlighting Australia’s diversity.

Today’s release comes ahead of the first Census data release on Tuesday, 27 June 2017. This will include datasets for all national, state/territory and capital cities, along with datasets for small population groups and small geographic areas such as suburbs and Local Government Areas, showing that there’s nothing ‘typical’ about Australians at all!

In the meantime, the 2016 Census has revealed the ‘typical’ Australian is a 38 year old female who was born in Australia, and is of English ancestry. She is married and lives in a couple family with two children and has completed Year 12. She lives in a house with three bedrooms and two motor vehicles.

The age of the ‘typical’ Australian varies across the states and territories. The ‘typical’ Tasmanian is the oldest of all Australians at 42 years old, while the ‘typical’ Northern Territorian is the youngest at 34 years old.

The ‘typical’ Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person is a lot younger at 23 years old, and is also female.

The ‘typical’ Australian male is 37 years old – a year younger than the ‘typical’ female – and spends less than five hours a week on domestic work, while the ‘typical’ female spends between five and 14 hours a week on domestic work.

In 2016, the ‘typical’ Australian home is owned with a mortgage, but this differs across the country. For example, the ‘typical’ home in Tasmania and New South Wales is owned outright, while the ‘typical’ Northern Territory home is rented. In 2006, the ‘typical’ Australian home was owned outright.

Although our ‘typical’ Australian has both parents born in Australia, the ‘typical’ Australian in New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia has at least one parent who was born overseas.

In 2016, the ‘typical’ migrant in Australia was born in England and is 44 years old; a decade ago they were aged 46. There are however some differences between the states – the ‘typical’ migrant in Queensland was born in New Zealand, while in Victoria the ‘typical’ migrant was born in India. The ‘typical’ migrant in New South Wales was born in China.

The information released today is just a glimpse of what can be expected when 2016 Census data is released in June, thanks to the participation of Australians in last year’s Census. The June release will follow the completion of the ABS’ usual data quality assurance process and the Census Independent Assurance Panel’s quality assurance work.

The Census is Australia’s richest data source, giving insight into Australian life, showing how our local communities and nation have changed over time, and helping governments, business and communities plan for the future. It provides the most comprehensive information about regional areas and small population groups, which helps inform government funding decision-making, policy development and service delivery.

All ‘typical’ Australia profiles, including states and territories are available from the ABS website.

Further information on the release schedule of the 2016 Census is also available from the ABS website.


The 'Typical' Australian

Median Age 38
Sex (Mode)Female
Country of Birth of Person (Mode)Australia
Country of Birth of Parents (Mode)Both parents born in Australia
Language Spoken at Home (Mode)English
Ancestry 1st Response (Mode)English
Social Marital Status (Mode)Married in a registered marriage
Family Composition (Mode)Couple family with children
Count of All Children in Family (Mode)Two children in family
Highest Year of School Completed (Mode)Year 12 or equivalent
Unpaid Domestic Work: Number of Hours (Mode)5 to 14 hours
Number of Motor Vehicles (Mode)Two vehicles
Number of Bedrooms in Private Dwelling (Mode)Three bedrooms
Tenure Type (Dwelling Count) (Mode)Owned with a mortgage


Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

Median Age 23
Sex (Mode)Female



Persons born overseas

Median Age44
Sex (Mode)Female
Country of Birth of Person (Mode)England
Language Spoken at Home (Mode)English


Note:
• The mode is the most commonly occurring value in a distribution.
• Statements of typical age in this release are median values. The median is the middle value in distribution when the values are arranged in ascending or descending order.
The most common response for each data item is calculated independently. For example, if the 'typical' person is male and the 'typical' person does 5-14 hours of unpaid domestic work per week, this does not imply that the 'typical' male does 5-14 hours of unpaid domestic work per week.
• No detailed Census data will be issued with this information. Datasets for the above characteristics will be released as part of the main release of 2016 Census data on Tuesday, 27 June 2017.