MEDIA RELEASE
4 November 2011	Embargo: 11.30 am (Canberra time)	139/2011

The Local Government Area of Boddington, Western Australia has the highest number of registered motorcycles per capita in Australia, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

There were 83 per 1,000 of the Boddington population with registered motorcycles in 2010 closely followed by Nungarin (77) and Chapman Valley (76).

The above data is just one feature of many economic, social and environmental statistical online profiles updated today. This includes over 130 local government areas in Western Australia and over 2000 regions across Australia.

The ABS's National Regional Profile makes it easy for local communities to compare their regions with neighbouring districts, other regions in Western Australia and elsewhere in Australia.

There are data available on hundreds of items, including estimated resident population, unemployment rates, number of motor vehicles, value of building approvals, and much more.

For example, did you know:

• The Local Government Area of Mosman Park recorded an average investment income of $78,000 in 2008-09 – the highest in Australia;
• Cue has the state’s highest proportion of registered motor vehicles over 10 years old – over 73%; and
• The Local Government Area of Peppermint Grove recorded Australia’s highest average value of private sector house approvals in 2009-10 equalling $1.98 million.

Regional information is available over a five year period up to 2010, so local communities can track changes over time in the characteristics of their areas.

The Google Maps interface makes finding regions a cinch. To get started, just click on the ‘National Regional Profile’ link on the ABS website, www.abs.gov.au.

Media Note:

• Unless otherwise indicated, regions in this media release refer to local government areas.
• When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.