1344.8.55.001 - ACT Stats, 2006
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 20/06/2006
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POPULATION CHANGES IN THE ACT Quarterly population growth rates for the ACT are unstable in comparison to the rest of Australia. This is mainly due to the ACT's small population size, but is also associated with seasonal patterns of population growth (e.g. influxes of tertiary students at the start of the academic year). During the last fifteen years, the strongest growth rates in the ACT have been in March quarters. WHY IS THE ACT POPULATION CHANGING? There are three components of population change that constantly effect the size and geographic distribution of the ACT's population:
All of these changes have an impact on the ACT population, although some have a greater impact than others. For example, the low rates of population growth experienced in the ACT over recent years is largely the result of people leaving the ACT to live in other parts of Australia, or negative net interstate migration. Components of growth As shown in the graph below, natural increase has consistently added more people to the ACT population than net interstate migration or net overseas migration. However, while natural increase has been reasonably stable from year to year, net interstate migration (and, to a lesser extent, net overseas migration) has been far more volatile. Generally speaking, changes in the total population growth rate for the ACT are driven by changes in net interstate migration. During the year ended 31 December 2005, the ACT experienced a total population growth rate of 0.8%. Natural increase added 2,800 people (0.8%) to the ACT population, with 4,200 births and 1,500 deaths registered to ACT residents. After recording population losses due to net interstate migration since 1998, there was also a small net gain (70 persons) from interstate migration during the 2005 calendar year. During this year, it is estimated that 18,400 people moved to the ACT from interstate, while slightly fewer moved from the ACT to other parts of Australia. Net overseas migration reduced the size of the ACT population by 380 persons during 2005. This represents the first net overseas migration loss for the ACT since 1999. POPULATION DENSITY AND POPULATION CHANGES WITHIN THE ACT As at 30 June 2005, the ACT was the most densely populated state or territory, with 138.4 people per square kilometre. This was followed by Victoria (with 22.1 people per square kilometre) and New South Wales (8.5 people per square kilometre). The population density for Australia as a whole was 2.6 people per square kilometre. In 2004-05, population growth continued in areas on the suburban fringes of Canberra, as well as in a number of inner city Statistical Local Areas (SLAs) (see end note). Statistical Subdivisions In contrast to recent years, during which Gungahlin-Hall Statistical Subdivision (SSD) (see end note) experienced the largest increases in population of all ACT SSDs, North Canberra SSD recorded the largest growth in 2004-05, up 860 people (or 2.1%). Gungahlin-Hall SSD increased by 750 people (or 2.5%), followed by South Canberra SSD while increased by 550 people (or 2.3%). Weston Creek-Stromlo SSD recorded little change, while Tuggeranong SSD decreased by 770 people, Belconnen SSD by 150 people, and Woden Valley by 170 people. AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY, Population change and density - 2000-2005
(a) Estimated resident population at 30 June (b) Annual average. Source: Regional Population Growth, Australia, Electronic Delivery, Jun 2005 (cat. no. 3218.0.55.001). Statistical Local Areas On the northern edge of Canberra, Gungahlin-Hall - SSD Bal (which includes the suburbs of Gungahlin Town Centre and Harrison) recorded the largest increase in population of SLAs in the ACT in 2004-05, up 780 people. The nearby SLA of Amaroo increased by 200 people. Dunlop, on the north-western fringe of Belconnen SSD, increased by 260 people, while Banks, the southern-most suburb of Canberra, increased by 250 people. In Canberra's inner north, the SLA of Turner increased by 350 people, while Braddon and City increased by 200 and 110 people respectively. In South Canberra SSD, the population of Barton increased by 310 people and Kingston increased by 220 people. Around half of the SLAs in the ACT experienced decreases in population in 2004-05. The largest decreases was recorded in Kambah (down 160 people), followed by Conder (down 150 people), and Wanniassa and Ngunnawal (each down 140 people). Population growth in the surrounding region Population growth in New South Wales Local Government Areas (LGAs) (see end note) adjacent to the ACT continued in 2004-05, in part due to their proximity to Canberra. The population of Queanbeyan (C) increased by 900 people, Palerang (A) increased by 160 people, and Yass Valley (A) increased by 120 people. FURTHER INFORMATION Further information can be obtained from Australian Demographic Statistics, December quarter 2005 (cat. no. 3101.0) and Regional Population Growth 2004-05 (cat. no. 3218.0), available from the ABS web site www.abs.gov.au End Note Natural increase: The excess of births over deaths. Net interstate migration: The difference between the number of Australian residents who move to a given state or territory from elsewhere in Australia and the number of residents who leave that state or territory to live elsewhere in Australia. Net overseas migration: The difference between the number of people coming to Australia to live for 12 months or more (including Australian residents returning after a long-term absence overseas) and the number of people leaving Australia to live overseas for 12 months or more (including adjustments for changes in traveller intentions). Statistical Local Areas (SLAs) - Geographical areas that are, in most cases identical with, or have been formed from a division of, whole Local Government Areas. In other cases they represent unincorporated areas. In aggregate, SLAs cover the whole of a state or territory without gaps or overlaps. Statistical Subdivisions (SSDs) - These are of intermediate size and are defined as socially and economically homogenous regions characterised by identifiable links between the inhabitants. In the non-urban areas an SSD is characterised by identifiable links between the economic units within the region, under the unifying influence of one or more major towns or cities.
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