QUEENSLAND


TOTAL POPULATION

At June 2014, the estimated resident population of Queensland was 4.7 million people, an increase of 393,700 since June 2009. In the five years to 2014, Queensland's population grew by 9.1%. This was the second-fastest growth of all states and territories, behind Western Australia at 15%.

In 2014, Greater Brisbane (which excludes the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast) was home to 2.3 million people, or almost half of Queensland's population. Greater Brisbane increased by 206,100 people in the five years to 2014, accounting for just over half of Queensland's total population growth. Ipswich had the largest growth of all SA4s in Greater Brisbane, with an increase of 40,500 people, while Moreton Bay - South had the fastest growth at 15%.

In the five years to 2014, the population of the rest of Queensland increased by 187,600 people to reach 2.4 million. The SA4s of Gold Coast (up by 51,100 people) and Sunshine Coast (27,500) accounted for 42% of this growth. Other SA4s that experienced large growth were Fitzroy (up by 22,200 people) and Townsville (19,400).


AGE AND SEX DISTRIBUTION

At June 2014, Greater Brisbane had a higher proportion of its population aged 20 to 44 years (39%) than the rest of Queensland (33%).This reflects a pattern of young adults moving to capital cities to pursue work, education and other opportunities. In contrast, Greater Brisbane had a lower proportion aged 45 years and over (36%) than the rest of the state (41%). The proportion of people aged 19 years and younger was similar.

MEDIAN AGE

At June 2014, the median age (the age at which half the population is older and half is younger) of Queensland's population was 36.8 years, up from 36.2 years at June 2009. The median age of males in 2014 was 36.0 years, compared with 37.5 years for females.

The median age of the population in Greater Brisbane was 35.1 years at June 2014, up from 34.9 at June 2009, while the median age in the rest of Queensland increased from 37.5 to 38.5 years over the same period.

Of the ten SA2s with the highest median ages in the state, only Bribie Island (58.6 years) and Redland Islands (52.4) were in Greater Brisbane. The rest were in the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Wide Bay regions, led by Cooloola (55.1 years) and Caloundra Hinterland (53.1).

The two SA2s with the lowest median ages had predominantly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. These were Yarrabah (22.9 years) near Cairns, and Northern Peninsula (24.0) in the far north of the state. Other SA2s with comparatively low median ages included St Lucia (24.4 years) in Greater Brisbane and Douglas (24.5) in Townsville. This reflects large numbers of university students in these areas.


CHILDREN (UNDER 15 YEARS OF AGE)

While the number of children in Queensland increased by 62,900 (7.2%) in the five years to June 2014 to reach 934,900, the proportion of Queensland's total population aged under 15 years remained steady at 20%.

At June 2014, the three SA2s with the highest proportions of children were in the state's north. Yarrabah had the highest proportion of people aged under 15 years (34%), closely followed by Northern Peninsula and Torres Strait Islands (both 33%). These areas also had a high proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.


WORKING AGE POPULATION (AGED 15-64 YEARS)

At June 2014, close to two thirds of the Queensland population (3.1 million people) were aged between 15 and 64 years. The proportion of working age population in Greater Brisbane (68%) was higher than in the rest of Queensland (65%).

Eight of the ten SA2s in Queensland with the highest proportions of working age population were in inner Brisbane, ranging from 90% in Fortitude Valley to 80% in New Farm.

Outside Greater Brisbane, the SA2s with the highest proportions of people of working age were Douglas (80%) in Townsville, and Cairns City (79%).

PEOPLE AGED 65 YEARS AND OVER

In the five years to June 2014, the number of people aged 65 years and over in Queensland increased by 124,300 people (23%) to reach 659,800. This accounted for 14% of the state's population.

Between 2009 and 2014, the proportion of people aged 65 years or older in Greater Brisbane increased from 11% to 12%, while in the rest of Queensland it increased from 13% to 15%.

Bribie Island in Greater Brisbane was the SA2 with the highest proportion of its population aged 65 years and over, at 38%. The four SA2s with the next highest proportions were outside Greater Brisbane, ranging from 32% in Cooloola in the Wide Bay region to 28% in Clear Island Waters on the Gold Coast.

SEX RATIO

At June 2014, the sex ratio (the number of males per 100 females) in Queensland was 99.3. Females outnumbered males in both Greater Brisbane (with a sex ratio of 98.8) and the rest of Queensland (99.8).

The SA2 with the highest sex ratio was Wacol (190.9), which contains a male prison. This was followed by Mount Isa Region (166.8), an area with a long established mining industry, and Tablelands (142.8).

The SA2s with the lowest sex ratios were Sippy Downs (83.2) on the Sunshine Coast and Coombabah (83.3) on the Gold Coast.