3235.6.55.001 - Population by Age and Sex, Tasmania, Jun 2002  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 14/08/2003   
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TOTAL POPULATION

The estimated resident population of Tasmania as at 30 June 2002 was 472,725, an increase of 930 since June 2001. The population was in decline from 30 September 1996 when the population reached its highest level of 474,535. The population returned to growth after 30 September 2000 when the population reached 471,284. The growth rate for 2001-02 was 0.20%, compared with a growth rate of 0.08% for 2000-01.

Greater Hobart Statistical Division increased by 700 people (0.4%), Northern Statistical Division by 500 (0.4%) and Southern Statistical Division by 100 (0.3%). Mersey-Lyell Statistical Division experienced a decline of 400 people (-0.4% per year).

MEDIAN AGE

The median age of the estimated resident population of Tasmania as at 30 June 2002 was 37.7, an increase of 0.5 years on the 37.2 for 30 June 2001, and 1.8 years higher than the Australian median age of 35.9 years. The median age for Tasmanian males increased from 36.5 at 30 June 2001 to 36.9 at 30 June 2002. The equivalent figures for Tasmanian females were 37.9 in 2001 and 38.4 in 2002.

The highest median age among the Statistical Divisions was in Southern (39.1 years), followed by Mersey-Lyell (37.9 years), Northern (37.6 years) and Greater Hobart (37.3 years).

Local government areas with the highest median ages were Glamorgan/Spring Bay (45.7 years), Break O'Day (44.2 years), Flinders (44.1 years), Tasman (43.7 years), Central Highlands (40.4 years) and King Island (40.0 years). Local government areas with the lowest median ages included Brighton (30.0 years), West Coast (33.8 years), Circular Head (35.1 years) and Launceston (36.1 years).

Local government areas with the highest median ages for males were Glamorgan/Spring Bay (45.2 years), Flinders (44.5 years), Tasman (44.4 years), Break O'Day (44.3 years), Central Highlands (40.3 years) and King Island (40.2 years). Local government areas with the lowest median ages for males included Brighton (29.6 years), Launceston (34.6 years), West Coast (34.7 years) and Circular Head (34.8 years).

Local government areas with the highest median ages for females were Glamorgan/Spring Bay (46.4 years), Break O'Day (44.0 years), Flinders (43.8 years), Tasman (43.0 years), Central Highlands (40.4 years), Clarence (40.2 years), Central Coast (40.1 years) and Latrobe (40.1 years). Local government areas with the lowest median ages for females included Brighton (30.4 years), West Coast (32.8 years), Circular Head (35.5 years), Southern Midlands (36.2 years) and Sorell (36.4 years).


AGE STRUCTURE

Population aged 0-14 years

The population aged 0-14 years was estimated to be 97,798 persons, or 20.7% of the population of Tasmania at 30 June 2002, compared with 107,905 persons (23.0%) in 1992. Of those aged 0-14 years, 51.3% were males.

The Statistical Division with the highest proportion of its population in the 0-14 age group was Southern (22.2%), followed by Mersey-Lyell (21.6%), Northern (20.7%) and Greater Hobart (19.9%).

The local government areas with the highest proportion of children aged 0-14 years were Brighton (28.6%), West Coast (24.5%), Southern Midlands (24.0%), Circular Head (24.0%), Huon Valley (23.8%), Sorell (23.4%) and Kentish (23.2%). The local government areas of Hobart (15.4%), Glamorgan/Spring Bay (17.3%), Tasman (19.2%) and Flinders (19.5%) were estimated to have had the lowest proportions of children aged 0-14 years.

Population aged 15-64 years

The population aged 15-64 years was estimated to be 308,789 persons, or 65.3% of the population of Tasmania at 30 June 2002, compared with 305,397 persons (65.0%) in 1992. Of those aged 15-64 years, 50.3% were females.

The Statistical Division of Greater Hobart had the highest proportion of its population in the 15-64 age group (66.1%), followed by Southern (65.1%), Northern (65.0%) and Mersey-Lyell (64.2%).

The local government areas with the highest proportion aged 15-64 years were Hobart (70.3%), West Coast (66.6%), Kingborough (66.0%), Launceston (65.8%), Central Highlands (65.8%), Flinders (65.8%) and Derwent Valley (65.7%). The local government areas of Dorset (62.1%), Waratah/Wynyard (62.9%), Break O'Day (63.2%), Devonport (63.3%), Glamorgan/Spring Bay (63.6%), Central Coast (63.6%) and Glenorchy (64.0%) were estimated to have the lowest proportions of their populations aged 15-64 years.

Population aged 65 years and over

The 65-years-and-over age group was estimated to be 66,138 persons, or 14.0% of the population of Tasmania at 30 June 2002, compared with 56,524 persons (12.0%) in 1992. Of those aged 65 years and over, 55.8% were females.

The Statistical Division with the highest proportion of its population in the 65-year-and-over age group was Northern (14.2%), followed by Mersey-Lyell (14.2%), Greater Hobart (14.0%) and Southern (12.7%).

Glamorgan/Spring Bay had the highest proportion of its population aged 65 years and over (19.1%) followed by Break O'Day (17.2%), Tasman (16.4%) and Glenorchy (16.3%). Lowest proportions were recorded by Brighton (6.3%), West Coast (8.9%), Kentish (10.8%), Circular Head (11.1%) and Southern Midlands (11.1%).

Population aged 85 years and over

The population aged 85 years and over in Tasmania was estimated to be 7,543 persons, or 1.6% of the population at 30 June 2002, compared with 4,398 persons (0.9%) in 1992. Of those aged 85 years and over, 68.8% were females.

The Statistical Division with the highest proportion of their population in the 85-years-and-over age group was Greater Hobart (1.7%), followed by Northern (1.6%), Mersey-Lyell (1.5%) and Southern (1.2%).

Flinders had the highest proportion of its populations aged 85 years and over (2.6%) followed by Glamorgan/Spring Bay (2.1%), Hobart (2.1%), Launceston (2.0%), Central Coast (2.0%) and Glenorchy (2.0%). Lowest proportions were recorded by Brighton (0.6%), West Coast (0.7%), George Town (0.8%), Sorell (0.9%), Kentish (0.9%) and Southern Midlands (1.0%).


GENDER

At 30 June 2002 there were 7,149 more females than males in Tasmania (103.1 females for every 100 males). In 1992 there were only 4,550 more females than males (101.7 females for every 100 males).

The Statistical Division with the highest number of females per 100 males was Greater Hobart (105.3), followed by Northern (102.9), Mersey-Lyell (102.2) and Southern (93.9).

The local government areas with the highest number of females per 100 males were Devonport (108.0), Glenorchy (106.8), Launceston (106.6), Hobart (106.5) and Burnie (105.2). The local government areas of Flinders (84.7), Central Highlands (85.3), King Island (87.3) and West Coast (90.0) were estimated to have had the lowest numbers of females per 100 males.