MEDIA RELEASE
31 March 2015	Embargoed: 11.30 am (Canberra time)	45/2015

Sydney is on track to become the first city in Australia to reach five million people, according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

In 2013-14, Sydney's population increased by 84,200 people to hit 4.8 million, however Melbourne is closing the gap. It had the largest population growth of all capitals, increasing by 95,700 people (or 1,800 people per week) to reach 4.4 million.

But neither city can lay claim to being the fastest-growing capital in Australia. That title is currently held by Perth, which grew by 2.5 per cent in 2013-14, to become our fourth capital city to hit 2 million people.

Phil Browning from the ABS said this was a significant milestone, given just 30 years ago Perth's population lagged behind that of Adelaide.

"In 1983, Adelaide just beat Perth to the one million mark." said Mr Browning "However, since that time, Perth's population has more than doubled, whereas Adelaide has grown by less than one third."

"Adelaide’s population increased by 1 per cent in 2013-14 with only Hobart (0.6 per cent) having a slower rate of population growth."

Darwin’s population increased by 2.2 per cent in 2013-14, giving it the second-fastest growth rate of all state capitals (along with Melbourne).

Brisbane’s annual growth rate has fallen to its lowest level in over a decade (1.7 per cent), but it is still growing faster than Canberra (1.2 per cent).

Capital city growth was responsible for almost 80 per cent of Australia's population growth in 2013-14, with much of this growth occurring in outer suburban areas and inner cities.

Seven of the country’s top ten growth areas were outer suburbs of Greater Melbourne, with South Morang having the largest growth of all areas in Australia, up by 4,200 people.

The suburb of Crace, on the ACT's northern outskirts, holds the title of Australia's fastest-growing area, with a 57 per cent increase in population in 2013-14.

For further information on capital city and regional population change, see Regional Population Growth, Australia (cat. no. 3218.0) available for free download from the ABS website https://www.abs.gov.au.

Media Note:

• Unless otherwise stated, capital cities mentioned in this release are Greater Capital City Statistical Areas and areas are Statistical Areas Level 2, as defined in the Australia Statistical Geography Standard.
• When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.
• Media requests and interviews - contact the ABS Communications Section on 1300 175 070.