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 Western Australia, Cocos (Keeling) and Christmas Islands. 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, Western Australia, Cocos (Keeling) and Christmas Islands (cat.no. 2015.5) 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 1,851,252 persons (including 19,244 overseas visitors) in Western Australia (WA), an increase of 7.3% or 125,157 persons since 1996 (1,726,095 persons).
There were 66 Urban Centres and 108 Localities in WA in 2001, with the highest population counts recorded in Perth (1,176,542), Rockingham (60,767), Mandurah (46,697) and Bunbury (45,299). These Urban Centres accounted for 71.8% of the population.
Age
In 2001, the median age was 34 years, compared with 33 years in 1996. The proportion of persons aged 0-14 years decreased from 22.4% in 1996 to 21.3% in 2001, while the proportion of persons aged 65 years and over increased from 10.5% to 11.1% during the same period.
The highest proportions of persons aged 0-14 years were recorded in the Localities of Yungngora (40.6%), Bayulu (40.4%), Jigalong (38.8%) and Yandeyarra (37.6%).
A high proportion of persons aged 65 years and over was recorded in the Urban Centres of Augusta (30.8%), Denham (26.7%) and Kalbarri (21.2%), and in the Localities of Monkey Mia (22.3%), Bouvard (21.7%) and Hopetoun (20.8%).
Sex
In 2001, there were more females (928,984) than males (922,268) with higher proportions of females recorded in the Major Urban areas (51.1%). However, all other areas contained more males than females, with the Rural Balance (54.5% males) recording the highest proportion.
A higher proportion of females was recorded in the Urban Centres of Waroona (53.0%) and Mundaring (52.8%), and in the Localities of Looma (54.4%), Boyup Brook (54.0%), Childlow and Peppermint Grove (both 53.7%).
Males outnumbered females in 110 Urban Centres and Localities. A higher proportion of males was recorded in the Urban Centres of Leinster (70.4%) and Leonora (63.2%), and in the Localities of Marvel Loch (67.2%), Eneabba (66.5%) and Bremer Bay (63.1%).
Median individual income
The median weekly income grew from $307 in 1996 to $374 in 2001, an increase of 21.8%, with large increases recorded in the Major Urban (23.5%) and Rural Balance (15.4%) sections of the state.
The highest median incomes were recorded in the Urban Centres of Leinster ($1,183), Paraburdoo ($869) and Newman ($761), and in the Localities of Marvel Loch ($1048), Pannawonica ($1,009) and Eneabba ($795). The lowest median incomes were recorded in the Localities of Warburton ($153), Balgo ($170) and Looma ($172).
Indigenous status
The number of persons who reported being of Indigenous origin increased by 15.2% to 58,496 in 2001, up from 50,793 in 1996, representing 3.2% of the total population (excluding overseas visitors).
Almost half (48.9%) of the Urban Centres and Localities reported proportions of Indigenous persons equivalent to, or less than, the average for WA (3.2%). The highest proportions were recorded in the Localities of Bayulu (98.4%), Looma (96.2%) and Bardi (One Arm Point) (95.2%), and in the Urban Centres of Halls Creek (62.6%) and Derby (40.5%).
Birthplace
The number of persons born in Australia increased by 5.4% to 1,241,786 in 2001, up from 1,178,341 in 1996, representing 67.8% of the population of WA (excluding overseas visitors).
In 15 of the Urban Centres and Localities, 90.0% or more of the population were born in Australia. The highest proportions were recorded in the Localities of Bayulu, Looma, Yungngora and Bardi (One Arm Point); all 100.0%.
Of the population counted (excluding overseas visitors), 27.0% (495,240 persons) stated that they had been born overseas, with the highest proportions recorded in The Vines (41.4%), Baldivis (L) (32.8%) and Two Rocks (L) (32.3%).
Internet and Personal computer use
Of the population counted (excluding overseas visitors), 43.4% (794,456 persons) used a personal computer at home in the week prior to Census Night. Of the same population, 38.5% (704,428 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 Stoneville (55.7%), Baldivis (L) and The Vines (both 54.6%), while low proportions were recorded in Bardi (One Arm Point), Looma (L) and Bayulu (L) (all below 1.5%).
Labour Force Characteristics
Employed persons
In 2001, there were 828,781 employed persons (92.5% of the labour force), an increase of 8.6% or 65,574 persons since 1996 (763,207 persons).
Urban Centres with the largest numbers of employed persons were Perth (538,751 or 92.5% of the labour force), Rockingham (22,691 or 89.2%), Bunbury (20,416 or 91.6%) and Mandurah (15,964 or 87.4%). This pattern is similar to the population distribution.
Full-time employment
The number of full-time workers increased from 508,309 persons in 1996 to 520,491 in 2001. This represents 62.8% of the employed population in WA. As a proportion of persons in the labour force, the highest proportions of full-time workers were recorded in the Localities of Eneabba (83.2%) and Marvel Loch (82.1%). Urban Centres with the highest proportions of full-time workers were Leinster (85.6%) and Paraburdoo (74.2%).
Part-time employment
In 2001, 285,302 workers (34.4% of employed persons) were employed part-time, an increase of 47,118 persons since 1996. The highest proportions of part-time workers, as a proportion of persons in the labour force, were recorded in the Localities of Mindibungu (80.0%) and Balgo (72.3%). The Locality with the lowest proportion of part-time workers was Eneabba (11.2%).
Unemployed persons
In 2001, there were 67,485 unemployed persons (7.5% of persons in the labour force) in WA, compared with 66,830 persons (8.1%) in 1996. High unemployment rates were recorded in the Localities of Roebourne (18.4%), Green Head (17.9%) and Cue (17.0%).
For those aged 15-24 years, the unemployment rate fell to 14.1% from 13.7% in 1996. High youth unemployment rates were recorded in the Localities of Monkey Mia (57.1%), Peppermint Grove (41.2%) and Bouvard (40.0%).
The number of unemployed persons looking for full-time work decreased by 7.7% down from 52,887 persons in 1996 to 48,790 in 2001. Those looking for part-time work increased by 34.1% from 13,943 persons in 1996 up to 18,695 in 2001.
Occupation
In 2001, the largest occupation groups were Professionals and Associate Professionals (29.4% of employed persons), Intermediate Clerical, Sales and Service Workers (16.1%) and Tradespersons and Related Workers (13.3%). These proportions are similar to those in 1996.
The highest proportions of Professionals and Associate Professionals were recorded in the Localities of Frenchman Bay (48.1%), Wiluna (43.6%) and Parkerville (38.1%).
The highest proportions of Intermediate Clerical, Sales and Service Workers were recorded in the Localities of Monkey Mia (23.2%), Ellenbrook (22.6%) and Balgo (21.8%).
The highest proportions of Tradespersons and Related Workers were recorded in the Localities of Paraburdoo (28.8%), Marvel Loch (27.0%) and Allanson (25.3%).
Industry
In 2001, the three largest industries of employment in WA were Retail Trade (14.8%), Property and Business Services (10.9%) and Manufacturing (10.2%). These industries were also the top three in 1996 (Retail Trade (13.5%), Manufacturing (10.1%) and Property and Business Services (9.9%)).
The highest proportions of persons employed in Retail Trade were recorded in Sawyers Valley (L) (20.5%), Mandurah (L) (19.8%) and Busselton (19.6%).
The highest proportions of persons employed in Property and Business Services were recorded in The Vines (13.4%), Perth (L) (12.9%) and Dunsborough (12.7%).
The highest proportions of persons employed in Manufacturing were recorded in the Localities of Yarloop (37.0%), North Pinjarra (27.3%) and Cookernup (24.2%).
Dwelling Characteristics
Total number of dwellings
The number of dwellings increased by 10.6% from 700,382 in 1996 to 774,926 in 2001. Of these dwellings, 89.8% (695,649) were occupied private dwellings, 10.0% were unoccupied private dwellings and 0.2% were non-private dwellings.
Total number of persons
The number of persons in occupied private dwellings increased by 7.7% from 1,659,055 in 1996 to 1,786,222 in 2001. Of these, 64.2% (1,146,909 persons) were counted in Major Urban areas.
Fully owned
Of the 695,649 occupied private dwellings in WA, 35.9% were fully owned, compared with 37.0% in 1996. The Rural Balance area recorded the highest proportion of fully owned dwellings in both 2001 (47.6%) and 1996 (47.7%).
Home ownership proportions were highest in the Localities of Frenchman Bay (57.3%), Green Head (56.7%) and Wickepin (55.2%).
Being purchased
In WA, 31.7% of private dwellings were being purchased, similar to 29.8% in 1996. The Major Urban area recorded the highest proportions in both 2001 (33.2%) and 1996 (31.2%).
High proportions of homes being purchased were recorded in Baldivis (L) (73.5%), Ellenbrook (66.4%) and Paraburdoo (64.2%).
Housing loan repayments
The median monthly loan repayment increased by 13.0%, up from $745 in 1996 to $842 in 2001. High median loan repayments were recorded in Frenchman Bay (L) ($1,666), Broome ($1,216) and The Vines (L) ($1,162).
Rented dwellings
In 2001, 24.9% (172,888) of occupied private dwellings were being rented, similar to 26.8% in 1996. The Bounded Locality areas recorded the highest proportions in both 2001 (31.3%) and 1996 (32.1%).
The Localities with the highest proportions of rented dwellings were Looma and Bayulu (both 100.0%), and Yungngora (91.9%).
Rent
The median weekly rent increased by 18.2% from $110 in 1996 to $130 in 2001. The Major Urban areas recorded the highest median rent ($141), compared with the Rural Balance ($67) and Bounded Locality ($77) sections of state.
A high median rent was recorded in the Urban Centres of Coral Bay ($266), The Vines ($203) and Dunsborough ($166), and in the Localities of Gnarabup ($211), Point Samson ($195) and Baldivis ($192).
Family Characteristics
The number of families grew from 445,543 in 1996 to 479,892 in 2001, an increase of 7.7%. Of these families, 46.9% were couples with dependent and non-dependent children, 36.1% were couples without children, 15.2% were one parent families and 1.8% were of other family type. In the Rural Balance area, 46.4% of couple families had dependent children, compared with 51.0% in 1996.
The highest proportions of couple families with dependent children were recorded in Rottnest Island (L) (66.7%), Leinster (62.6%) and Baldivis (L) (62.3%).
High proportions of couple families without children were recorded in Augusta (64.6%) and Frenchman Bay (L) (63.0%).
The highest proportions of one parent families were recorded in the Localities of Kalumburu (50.8%), Warmun (42.1%) and Bardi (One Arm Point) (37.9%).
Households Characteristics
The number of households grew from 604,067 in 1996 to 659,664 in 2001, an increase of 9.2%. Of these households, 71.9% were family households, 24.3% were lone person households and 3.7% were group households. These proportions are similar to those in 1996.
The highest proportions of lone person households were recorded in the Localities of Wiluna (67.0%), Rottnest Island (50.0%) and Bremer Bay (42.3%).
The proportions of group households in WA were relatively low with the highest recorded in the Localities of Gnarabup (10.6%) and Yandeyarra (9.1%).
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