AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY


Territory summary

Population change

Population density

Centre of population

Statistical local area populations


TERRITORY SUMMARY

The estimated resident population of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) increased by 6,800 people in the 12 months to June 2011 to reach 365,600. The annual growth rate of 1.9% was slightly higher than the ACT's average annual growth of 1.8% for the five years to June 2011.

The three northern SSDs again experienced the largest population growth in 2010-11. The outer northern SSD of Gungahlin-Hall grew by 4,200 people, North Canberra SSD by 1,600 and Belconnen SSD by 1,100. The population of the southern SSD of Tuggeranong decreased by 1,100 people.

For the fourth year in a row, the combined population of the northern SSDs (191,700 people) was greater than that of the combined southern SSDs (173,900).

POPULATION CHANGE

Growth in the ACT

In 2010-11, the three SLAs that grew the most in the ACT were on the northern edge of Canberra, in the Gungahlin-Hall SSD. The largest population increase was recorded for Franklin (1,200 people), followed by Forde (1,000) and Bonner (920). The next largest increases were for the SLAs of Casey, also on the northern edge of Canberra (up by 870), and City (510).

SLAs WITH LARGEST POPULATION GROWTH, Australian Capital Territory
	ERP at 30 June	Population Change
	2011p	2010r-2011p
SLA	no.	no.	%
Franklin	2 900	1 200	67.7
Forde	1 900	1 000	127.3
Bonner	1 100	920	413.1
Casey	1 000	870	510.5
City	1 800	510	39.6

Notable population increases were also recorded in other SLAs in the ACT. Of the established suburbs, rapid growth occurred in inner-city and town centre SLAs, with the fastest increase being recorded in Belconnen Town Centre (up by 9.9%). This was followed by Kingston (8.1%), Lyneham (6.0%) and Phillip (5.9%).


Growth in the surrounding region

Population growth in New South Wales LGAs located on the borders of the ACT, from which many people commute to work in Canberra, continued in 2010-11. The population of Queanbeyan (C) increased by 330 people, Yass Valley (A) by 290, and Palerang (A) by 210.


Population decline in the ACT

While most SLAs in the ACT grew in 2010-11, about one-third experienced slight population decreases. Around two-thirds of these declining SLAs were in Canberra's south. The largest population decreases occurred in the outer southern SLAs of Gordon (down 180 people), Calwell (140) and Banks (120), and the northern SLA of Kaleen (180).

POPULATION DENSITY

The population density of the ACT at June 2011 was 160 people per square kilometre (sq km), the highest of all states and territories. The population density of Canberra SD was 450 people per sq km, higher than all Australian capital cities combined (380).

The SLAs within Canberra SD with the highest population density at June 2011 were Palmerston (3,200 people per sq km), Braddon (3,000) and Ngunnawal (2,400).

In the 12 months to June 2011, the largest increases in population density within Canberra SD occurred in Forde (up 540 people per sq km), Franklin (up 510) and City (up 350). A number of SLAs within Canberra SD recorded a decrease in population density in this period. The largest decreases occurred in the southern SLAs of Banks (down 52 people per sq km), Gordon (down 41) and Isabella Plains (down 40).

CENTRE OF POPULATION

The centre of population in the ACT at June 2011 was located in the Royal Canberra Golf Course, in the suburb of Yarralumla. In the five years to June 2011, the centre of population moved 0.8 kilometres north. This reflects population growth in the northern suburbs of Canberra, especially within Gungahlin-Hall SSD.

STATISTICAL LOCAL AREA POPULATIONS

For a full list of SLA populations see the Downloads tab.