QUEENSLAND


Total population

Age and sex distribution

Median age

Children (under 15 years of age)

Working age population (aged 15-64 years)

People aged 65 years and over

Sex ratio


TOTAL POPULATION

The estimated resident population of Queensland at 30 June 2010 was 4.51 million. From June 2005 to June 2010, the Queensland population grew by 13.0% (519,000 people), making it the second fastest growing state or territory in that period behind Western Australia (13.7%). The average annual growth rate for Queensland over this period was 2.5%.

At June 2010, south-east Queensland, comprising the Statistical Divisions (SDs) of Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and West Moreton, was home to 3.00 million people, or around two-thirds of Queensland's population. South-east Queensland increased by 355,800 people since June 2005, which accounted for 68.6% of Queensland's total population growth.

In the five years to June 2010, the SDs outside of south-east Queensland with the fastest growth were Wide Bay-Burnett, Mackay and Far North. They increased by 14.6% (37,400 people), 14.4% (22,200) and 14.0% (33,900) respectively. Central West was the only SD to decline in population in the five years to June 2010 (-2.8%).

The following commentary omits specific reference to Local Government Areas (LGAs) with populations of less than 2,000 at 30 June 2010.

AGE AND SEX DISTRIBUTION

Compared with the remainder of the state, south-east Queensland had a lower proportion of its population aged 19 years or less, and a higher proportion aged 20 to 44 years at June 2010. This reflects a pattern of young adults migrating out of regional areas to pursue work, education and other opportunities.

For every five-year age group in June 2010, more than 63.0% of the state's population resided in south-east Queensland. This has remained relatively consistent since June 2005.

MEDIAN AGE

In the five years to June 2010, the median age (the age at which half the population is older and half is younger) of Queensland's population increased from 35.9 years to 36.2 years. In the same five-year period, the median age of males increased from 35.3 to 35.5 years and that of females increased from 36.5 to 36.9 years.

The three LGAs with the highest median ages were Blackall Tambo (R) (44.8 years) in Central West SD, Hinchinbrook (S) (44.2) - a coastal LGA in Northern SD, and Fraser Coast (R) (42.9) in Wide Bay-Burnett SD.

At June 2010, the LGA with the lowest median age was Yarrabah (S) (22.0 years). This area has a predominantly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population and adjoins Cairns (R) in Far North SD. An additional six LGAs had median ages below 30.0 years, four of which also had high proportions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.

Among the LGAs which do not have predominantly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations, Mount Isa (C) (29.3 years) reported the lowest median age, closely followed by Cloncurry (S) (29.9). This may reflect the high proportion of workers in the mining industry in these areas.

CHILDREN (UNDER 15 YEARS OF AGE)

At June 2010, 20.0% of the population in Queensland were children (under 15 years of age). Despite this proportion declining from 20.6% in June 2005, it was still the second-highest proportion of all states and territories in 2010 (behind the Northern Territory at 23.1%). At June 2010, south-east Queensland had a lower proportion of children (19.3%) compared with that of the remainder of the state (21.2%).

The LGAs with the highest proportions of children also had a high proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The three LGAs with the highest proportions of children were Yarrabah (S) (38.9%), Northern Peninsula Area (R) (36.0%) and Torres Strait Island (R) (33.3%).

Of those LGAs which do not have predominantly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations, the mining town of Weipa (T) (27.3%) in Far North SD had the highest proportion of children in its population, followed by Mount Isa (C) (25.9%) in North West SD.

WORKING AGE POPULATION (AGED 15-64 YEARS)

At June 2010, more than two-thirds (67.5%) of the Queensland population were aged 15 to 64 years. In south-east Queensland, the proportion of the population in this age group was 68.2%, which was higher than the remainder of the state (66.0%).

Six LGAs had more than 70.0% of their population of working age: Whitsunday (R), Isaac (R), Brisbane (C), Weipa (T), Cloncurry (S) and Central Highlands (R).

PEOPLE AGED 65 YEARS AND OVER

At June 2010, over half a million Queenslanders (567,400 people or 12.6% of the population) were aged 65 years or older. This represents an increase of 87,900 people since June 2005, when the proportion of people aged 65 years and over in Queensland was 12.0%.

The LGAs of Hinchinbrook (S), North Burnett (R) and Fraser Coast (R) had the highest proportion of residents in this age groupat June 2010 (20.3%, 19.5% and 19.1% respectively).

SEX RATIO

In the five years to June 2010, the sex ratio (number of males per 100 females) for Queensland increased from 99.5 to 99.9. At June 2010, the sex ratio for south-east Queensland (98.3) was lower than that of the remainder of the state (103.2).

In June 2010, Queensland had more males than females in each five-year age group from 0 to 29 years. The only other age groups where males outnumbered females were 60 to 64 years and 65 to 69 years. A greater number of females than males were evident in older age groups (70 years or above) and particularly evident in age groups 75 years or above. This reflects the longer life expectancy of Australian women.

The LGA with the highest sex ratio was Isaac (R) (127.3). This was followed by Weipa (T) in Far North SD (123.7).

Northern Peninsula Area (R) was the LGA with the lowest sex ratio (86.2), followed by Blackall Tambo (R) (94.0) and Yarrabah (S) (94.7).