INTRODUCTION
STATISTICS PRESENTED IN THIS PUBLICATION
This publication presents a range of social and housing statistics produced from the 2001 Census of Population and Housing for Northern Territory. For comparative purposes, it includes 1996 Census data based on 2001 Census geography.
The tables in this publication provide a selection of data for the population and their housing arrangements for Urban Centres/Localities (UC/L) and Sections of State (SOS). These geographic structures classify areas according to size of the population. Whilst the UC/L classification covers only part of each state and territory, the SOS classification covers each state and territory in its entirety. Refer to the Glossary for more information about the definitions of UC/L and SOS.
The data are presented on the basis of where people were counted on Census Night ('asenumerated'), and therefore data for each geographic area include visitors to that area, but exclude those people who were away on Census Night. All tables exclude overseas visitors unless otherwise stated.
Data released in Selected Social and Housing Characteristics, Northern Territory (cat.no. 2015.7) provide various characteristics for Statistical Divisions (SDs), Statistical Subdivisions (SSDs) and Statistical Local Areas (SLAs). Refer to Appendix 2-Census Products and Services for more information.
POPULATION MEASURES
Census counts should not be confused with the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) official population estimate, the Estimated Resident Population (ERP) which is used for electoral purposes and in assisting in the distribution of government funds to state and local governments. The ERP is the definitive population estimate and is derived from the census counts. For a fuller description of population measures and the derivation of ERP, please see paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 of the Explanatory Notes. Appendix 1-Estimated Resident Population includes a table showing census counts and ERP for each state and territory.
One of the important features of the Census is that it describes the characteristics of Australia's population and housing for small geographic areas and small population groups. While not available in this publication, data at the smallest geographic level (Collection District) are available in a range of census products. For more information on these products, please refer to Appendix 2-Census Products and Services. Concepts and definitions used in this publication are explained in the Glossary and more detailed information is available in the 2001 Census Dictionary (cat. no. 2901.0). The Explanatory Notes in this publication provide a discussion of the scope and coverage of the Census, the different measures of population, and the limitations of census data.
This publication is one of a series of publications which provide data for both UC/L and SOS geographic areas for each state and territory (cat. nos 2016.1-7). A similar publication is also available, providing data for urban centres across the whole of Australia (cat. no. 2016.0). See Appendix 2-Census Products and Services for more information.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Person characteristics
Population distribution
The Census of Population and Housing conducted on 7 August 2001 counted 210,664 persons (including 7,935 overseas visitors) in the Northern Territory (NT), an increase of 8.0% or 15,563 persons since 1996 (195,101people).
There were 62 Urban Centres and Localities in NT in 2001, with the highest population counts recorded in Darwin (71,347), Alice Springs (24,640), Palmerston (20,570), Katherine (6,719) and Humpty Doo-McMinns Lagoon (5,245). These five Urban Centres represented 61.0% of the NT population.
Age
In 2001, the median age was 30 years, compared with 29 years in 1996. The proportion of persons aged 0-14 years decreased from 24.8% in 1996 to 23.6% in 2001, while the proportion of persons aged 65 years and over increased from 4.9% to 5.3% in the same period.
The highest percentages of persons aged 0-14 years were recorded in the Localities of Palumpa (46.0%), Peppimenarti (42.9%), Duck Creek (42.6%) and Amoonguna (40.7%).
A high proportion of people aged 65 years and over was recorded in the Urban Centres of Tennant Creek (7.5%), Howard Springs (6.9%) and Virginia-Bees Creek (6.5%), and in the Localities of Mataranka (15.6%), Cooinda (13.4%) and Timber Creek (13.0%).
Sex
In 2001, there were more males (110,176) than females (100,488) with higher proportions of males recorded in all Section of State areas.
Males outnumbered females in 36 Urban Centres and Localities. A higher proportion were recorded in the Urban Centres of Nhulunbuy (56.4%), Virginia-Bees Creek (52.9%) and Darwin (52.0%), and in the Localities of Pine Creek (62.3%), Minjilang (57.8%) and Alyangula (55.3%).
A higher proportion of females were recorded in the Urban Centres of Port Keats (53.3%), Nguiu (51.1%) and Galiwinku (50.9%), and the Localities of Nyrripi (55.9%), Ampilatwatja (Aherrenge) (54.6%), Peppimenarti (54.3%) and Yuendumu (54.0%).
Median individual income
The median weekly income grew from $358 in 1996 to $442 in 2001, an increase of 23.5%, with a larger increase recorded in the Rural Balance (36.4%).
The highest median income was recorded in the Urban Centre of Nhulunbuy ($714) followed by Jabiru ($620) and Yulara ($591), while Localities with high median incomes were Alyangula ($776), Pine Creek ($567) and Cooinda ($524). Low median incomes were recorded in the Localities of Bamyili (Barunga) ($148), Duck Creek ($147) and Nyrripi ($144).
Indigenous status
The number of persons who reported being of Indigenous origin increased by 9.7% to 50,785 persons in 2001, up from 46,277 persons in 1996, representing 25.1% of the NT population (excluding overseas visitors).
Three quarters of the Urban Centres and Localities reported proportions of Indigenous persons equivalent to or more than the average for NT (23.5%). High proportions were recorded in the Localities of Duck Creek (96.1%), Kintore (95.7%) and Belyuen (95.3%) and in the Urban Centres of Nguiu (92.5%), Galiwinku (92.4%) and Port Keats (89.3%).
Birthplace
The number of persons born in Australia increased by 6.0% to 157,959 persons in 2001, up from 148,951 persons in 1996, representing 77.9% of the NT population (excluding overseas visitors).
In 33 of the Urban Centres and Localities, 95.0% or more of the population were born in Australia. The highest proportions of Australian-born were recorded in the Localities of Amoonguna, Duck Creek and Angurugu all recording 100.0%.
Of the population counted (excluding overseas visitors) 14.5% (29,354 persons) stated that they had been born overseas, with high percentages recorded in the Urban Centres of Darwin (21.3%) and Nhulunbuy (16.6%), and in the Localities of Alyangula (18.2%) and Mandorah (16.5%).
Internet and Personal computer use
Of the population counted (excluding overseas visitors), 31.3% (63,480 persons) used a personal computer at home in the week prior to Census Night. Of the same population 30.8% (62,493 persons) used the Internet in the week prior to Census Night.
The highest proportions of persons who used a personal computer at home were recorded in the Locality of Alyangula (51.4%) and in the Urban Centres of Nhulunbuy (48.3%), Darwin (40.5%) and Palmerston (40.2%), while low proportions were recorded in the Localities of Amoonguna (0.0%), Umbakumba (1.1%) and Duck Creek (1.3%).
Labour Force Characteristics
Employed persons
In 2001, there were 90,434 employed persons (94.1% of the labour force), an increase of 7457 persons since 1996.
Urban Centres with the largest numbers of employed persons were Darwin (35,102 persons or 93.5% of the labour force), Alice Springs (11,987 persons or 96.0%), Palmerston (9,321 or 92.9%), Katherine (2,863 or 91.7%) and Humpty Doo-McMinns Lagoon (2511 or 93.7%).
Full-time employment
The number of full-time workers increased by 6.7% from 56,832 persons in 1996 to 60,671 in 2001. This represents 67.1% of the employed population in the NT. As a proportion of persons in the labour force, the highest proportions of full-time workers were recorded in the Urban Centres of Yulara (76.0%) and Nhulunbuy (73.3%), and the Localities of Alyangula (73.9%) and Pine Creek (72.5%).
Part-time employment
In 2001, 26,919 workers (29.8% of employed persons) were employed part-time, an increase of 12.4% (2,979persons) since 1996. The highest proportions of part-time workers, as a proportion of persons in the labour force, were recorded in the Localities of Duck Creek (86.8%), Amoonguna (84.0%) and Gulin Gulin-Weemol (79.6%). The locality with the lowest proportion of part-time workers was Kintore (13.8%).
Unemployed persons
In 2001, 5.9% of the labour force (5,714 persons) were unemployed, compared with 7.4% (6,626 persons) in 1996. High unemployment rates were recorded in the Localities of Bamyili (Barunga) (57.6%), Kintore (39.7%) and Minjilang (31.5%).
For those aged 15-24 years the unemployment rate fell to 10.5% from 13.1% in 1996. The highest youth unemployment rates were recorded in the Localities of Milingimbi (57.1%) and Yuendumu (52.5%).
The number of unemployed persons looking for full-time employment decreased by 17.0%, from 5,235 persons in 1996 down to 4,345 in 2001. Those looking for part-time work decreased by 1.6% from 1,391 persons in 1996, down to 1,369 in 2001.
Occupation
In 2001, the largest occupation groups were Professionals and Associate Professionals (31.4%), Intermediate Clerical, Sales and Service Workers (15.7%), Tradespersons and Related Workers (13.6%), and Labourers and Related Workers (10.0%). These proportions are similar to those in 1996.
The highest proportions of Professionals and Associate Professionals were recorded in the Localities of Willowra (72.7%), Papunya (69.0%) and Ampilatwatja (Aherrenge) (56.4%).
High proportions of Intermediate Clerical, Sales and Service Workers were recorded in the Localities of Cooinda (30.1%), Numbulwar (29.4%) and Adelaide River (23.3%).
The highest proportions of Labourers and Related Workers were recorded in the Localities of Duck Creek (76.4%), Gulin Gulin-Weemol (62.7%) and Beswick (62.4%).
Industry
In 2001, the three largest industries of employment in the NT were Government Administration and Defence (17.7%), Retail Trade (11.9%), and Health and Community Services (8.8%). These industries were also the top three industries in 1996.
The highest proportions of persons employed in Government Administration and Defence were recorded in the Localities of Duck Creek (100.0%), Umbakumba (88.8%) and Gulin Gulin-Weemol (81.6%).
The highest proportions of persons employed in Retail trade were recorded in the Localities of Lajamanu (23.5%), Willowra (18.2%) and Bamyili (Barunga) (16.4%).
The highest proportions of persons employed in Health and Community Services were recorded in the Localities of Kintore (29.4%), Kaltukatjara (Docker River) (26.3%) and Ampilatwatja (Aherrenge) (25.6%).
Dwelling Characteristics
Total number of dwellings
The number of dwellings increased by 18.1% from 61,317 in 1996 to 72,389 dwellings in 2001. Of these dwellings, 89.9% (65,057) were occupied private dwellings, 9.6% were unoccupied private dwellings and 0.6% were non-private dwellings.
Total number of persons
The number of persons in occupied private dwellings increased by 8.1% from 177,116 persons in 1996 to 191,392 in 2001. Of these, 73.1% (139,839 persons) were counted in the Other Urban area.
Fully owned
Of the 65,057 occupied private dwellings in the NT, 18.3% were fully owned, compared with 17.8% in 1996. The Rural Balance area recorded the highest proportions of fully owned dwellings in both 2001 (29.4%) and 1996 (27.9%).
Home ownership proportions were highest in the Localities of Mataranka (45.7%) and Timber Creek (42.3%).
Being purchased
In the NT, 24.2% of private dwellings were being purchased, compared with 22.7% in 1996. The Other Urban area recorded the highest percentages in both 2001 (28.9%) and 1996 (26.9%).
High proportions of homes being purchased were recorded in the Urban Centres of Humpty Doo-McMinns Lagoon (50.6%), Palmerston (40.4%) and Howard Springs (39.3%).
Housing loan repayments
The median loan repayment increased by 16.4% up from $859 in 1996 to $1,000 in 2001. High median loan repayments were recorded in the Localities of Gunyangara ($1,750) and Daly River ($1,350) and the Urban Centres of Howard Springs ($1,077) and Virginia-Bees Creek ($1,071).
Rented dwellings
In 2001, 41.5% (26,994) of occupied private dwellings were being rented, compared with 44.2% in 1996. The Bounded Locality recorded the highest percentages in both 2001 (65.1%) and 1996 (61.6%).
High proportions of rented dwellings were recorded in the Localities of Amoonguna (100.0%), Angurugu (100.0%) and Warrabri (96.1%).
Rent
The median weekly rent increased by 11.9%, from $101 in 1996 to $113 in 2001. The Other Urban area recorded the highest median rent ($142) compared with the Rural Balance ($39) and the Bounded Locality ($37).
High median rent was recorded in the Urban Centres of Virginia-Bees Creek ($167), Humpty Doo-McMinns Lagoon ($165) and Darwin ($163), and in the Localities of Cooinda ($312), Batchelor ($123) and Papunya ($107).
Family Characteristics
The number of families grew from 39,928 in 1996 to 43,251 in 2001, an increase of 8.3%. Of these families, 49.0% were couples with dependent and non-dependent children, 31.4% were couples without children, 17.8% were one parent families and 1.8% were of other family type. In the Bounded Locality area, 64.4% of couple families had dependent children, compared with 68.4% in 1996.
The highest proportions of couple families with dependent children were recorded in the Urban centres of Nhulunbuy (57.0%), Maningrida (52.1%) and Port Keats (51.5%), and the Localities of Palumpa (64.4%), Ngukurr (63.4%), and Ampilatwatja (Aherrenge) (62.3%).
The highest proportions of couple families without children were recorded in the Urban Centre of Yulara (65.7%), and in the Localities of Mandorah (60.9%) and Cooinda (55.6%).
High proportions of one parent families were recorded in the Localities of Kintore (54.4%), Amoonguna (43.3%) and Gapuwiyak (43.1%).
Households Characteristics
The number of households grew from 49,600 in 1996 to 55,149 in 2001, an increase of 11.2%. Of these households 73.1% were family households, 21.9% were lone person households and 5.0% were group households. This is similar to the proportions in 1996.
The highest proportions of lone person households were recorded in the Urban Centres of Yulara (44.4%), Jabiru (27.5%) and Tennant Creek (24.9%), and in the Localities of Cooinda (65.4%), Pine Creek (42.6%) and Mataranka (39.4%).
The highest proportions of group households were recorded in the Urban Centres of Yulara (16.7%), Darwin ( 6.7%) and Alice Springs ( 5.5%), and in the Localities of Cooinda (15.4%), Peppimenarti (7.0%) and Nyrripi (5.9%).
Print Page
Print All