3218.0 - Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2010-11 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 30/03/2012   
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MEDIA RELEASE
30 March 2012
Embargo: 11.30 am (Canberra time)
42/2012

Population growth surges in the outer suburbs

Strong growth in the outer suburbs of Australia's capital cities continued in 2010-11, according to estimates released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Of the ten fastest-growing Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the country, six were in the outer suburban fringes of Melbourne and Perth.

This strong growth in the outer suburbs contributed to a population increase in Australia's capital cities of 224,400 people in 2010-11. This accounted for more than two-thirds of the growth in the Australian population. Melbourne had the largest increase, up by 66,900 people, followed by Sydney (59,800) and Perth (42,800).

Overall though, population growth in Australian capital cities slowed. Growth in all capital cities was down from last year, apart from Perth which increased slightly from 2.3% to 2.5%, and Canberra which remained stable at 1.9%. Darwin slowed the most, down from 2.0% growth in 2009-10 to just 0.5% in 2010-11.

In Queensland, the LGA of Brisbane had the largest increase in population of any LGA in Australia between June 2010 and June 2011, with an increase of 14,100 people.

The LGAs with the fastest growth in the state were Cook, which grew by 6.4%, and Gladstone, which grew by 3.5%.

The preliminary 30 June 2011 Estimated Resident Population (ERP) contained in this release of Regional Population Growth will be the last regional estimates to be based on the 2006 Census of Population and Housing. Estimates for 30 June 2011, based on the 2011 Census, are due to be released on 31 July 2012.

For further information see Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2010-11 (cat. no. 3218.0).

Media notes:
1) Unless otherwise stated, capital cities mentioned in this release are defined as Statistical Divisions.

2) When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.