DEMOGRAPHICS
Age structure
There are a number of differences between the age distribution of the ACT and that of the rest of the ACR. As at 30 June 2006 the Canberra-Queanbeyan S Dist had proportionately fewer persons aged between 5 and 16 years or aged 44 years or over, but proportionately more persons aged between 17 and 43 years when compared with the rest of the ACR. The largest differences between the Canberra-Queanbeyan population and the rest of the ACR exist for young adults aged 19-30 years. This is associated with tertiary students studying within the ACT, as well as other young adults coming to the ACT to take up employment opportunities.
15.4 Age distribution, Australian Capital Region (a)
- 30 June 2006
![Graph: 15.4 Age distribution, Australian Capital Region (a)—30 June 2006](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/bb8db737e2af84b8ca2571780015701e/2ab8894de312a336ca2573a1007b60fd/Body/0.506!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
Following on from differences in age structures, the population of Canberra-Queanbeyan is, on average, younger than that of the rest of the ACR. As at 30 June 2006, the median age for the Canberra-Queanbeyan S Dist was 34.5 years, compared with 42.4 years for the rest of the ACR.
15.5 Age structure and median age, Australian Capital Region(a) - 30 June |
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![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Proportion of population in age group | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | 0-14 years | 15-64 years | 65 years and over | 85 years and over | Median age | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | % | % | % | % | years | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Canberra-Queanbeyan Statistical District | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
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1996(b) | 22.1 | 70.6 | 7.3 | 0.5 | 31.4 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
2001(b) | 20.7 | 70.7 | 8.5 | 0.8 | 33.4 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
2006(c) | 19.1 | 71.5 | 9.4 | 1.0 | 34.5 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Remainder of Australian Capital Region | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
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1996(b) | 22.5 | 62.4 | 15.1 | 1.2 | 37.4 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
2001(b) | 21.0 | 62.7 | 16.3 | 1.5 | 40.3 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
2006(c) | 19.7 | 63.1 | 17.2 | 1.8 | 42.4 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Total Australian Capital Region | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
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1996(b) | 22.2 | 68.1 | 9.7 | 0.7 | 33.2 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
2001(b) | 20.8 | 68.2 | 11.0 | 1.0 | 35.4 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
2006(c) | 19.3 | 68.9 | 11.8 | 1.2 | 36.6 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
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(a) Estimates are based on the 2006 Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) boundaries. |
(b) Estimates at 30 June 1996 and 2001 are final. |
(c) Estimates at 30 June 2006 are preliminary rebased estimates based on the 2006 Census. |
ABS data available on request, Regional Population Unit. |
Births
In 2005, there were 6,500 births registered to persons living in the ACR, similar to the number registered in 2004 (6,600 births).
Of the ACR births in 2005, almost three quarters (74%, or 4,800 births) were to mothers usually resident in the Canberra-Queanbeyan S Dist. There were 4,200 births (64% of all ACR births) to mothers resident in the Canberra SD, and 540 (8%) to mothers resident in Queanbeyan (C).
In the rest of the ACR, the highest numbers of births were in the SLAs of Bega Valley (A) (300 births, or 5%), Eurobodalla (A) (260 births, or 4%), and Goulburn-Mulwaree (A) - Goulburn (240 births, or 4%).
Of the babies registered in the ACR in 2005, 51% (3,300) were boys and 49% (3,200) were girls.
Mothers aged 30-34 years registered the highest proportion of births in 2005, accounting for 35% of all births to persons living in the ACR. Mothers aged 25-29 years registered the next highest proportion (26%), followed by mothers aged 35-39 years (18%).
Deaths
In 2005, there were 3,200 deaths registered of ACR residents. Of these, 1,700 deaths (54%) were of persons usually resident in the Canberra-Queanbeyan S Dist. In the remainder of the ACR, Eurobodalla (A) had the highest number of deaths (360 deaths, or 12%), followed by Bega Valley (A) (300 deaths, or 9%).
There were 1,700 (53%) male deaths in the ACR in 2005 and 1,500 (47%) female deaths.
Natural increase
Natural increase (the excess of births over deaths) in 2005 for the ACR was 3,400 persons.
Within the region, the Canberra-Queanbeyan S Dist recorded population growth of 3,200 persons due to natural increase, including 2,700 persons in the Canberra SD and 360 in Queanbeyan (C). In Eurobodalla (A), there were more deaths registered than births, resulting in a loss of 100 persons due to natural decrease in population.
Total fertility rate
The total fertility rate (TFR) represents the number of children a female would bear during her lifetime if she experienced current age-specific fertility rates at each age of her reproductive life.
The TFR for the ACR in 2005 was 1.74 babies per woman, below the national level of 1.81 babies per woman for the same period.
The highest TFR within the ACR was in Young (A) at 2.38 babies per woman. This was followed by Bombala (2.29), Tumut Shire (A) (2.28), Yass Valley (A) - Pt B (2.24) and Upper Lachlan (2.20).
15.6 Demographic summary, Australian Capital Region(a) - 2005 |
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![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Births | Deaths | Natural increase | Total fertility rate(b)(c) |
Statistical Local Area | no. | no. | no. | rate |
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Canberra-Queanbeyan Statistical District (S Dist) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Canberra Statistical Division (SD) | 4 190 | 1 472 | 2 718 | 1.63 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Cooma-Monaro (A) - Pt A | - | - | - | - |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Palerang (A) - Pt A | 98 | 28 | 70 | 1.85 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Queanbeyan (C) | 538 | 179 | 359 | 1.96 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Yass Valley (A) - Pt A | 7 | 3 | 4 | 1.48 |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Total | 4 833 | 1 682 | 3 151 | (d)1.68 |
Bega Valley (A) | 298 | 296 | 2 | 1.94 |
Bombala (A) | 33 | 34 | -1 | 2.29 |
Boorowa (A) | 27 | 18 | 9 | 1.96 |
Cooma-Monaro (A) - Pt B | 103 | 77 | 26 | 2.06 |
Eurobodalla (A) | 262 | 363 | -101 | 1.95 |
Goulburn Mulwaree (A) - Goulburn | 237 | 192 | 45 | 1.73 |
Goulburn Mulwaree (A) Bal | 54 | 23 | 31 | 1.62 |
Harden (A) | 46 | 35 | 11 | 2.12 |
Palerang (A) - Pt B | 32 | 30 | 2 | 1.89 |
Snowy River (A) | 93 | 26 | 67 | 1.67 |
Tumut Shire (A) | 138 | 101 | 37 | 2.28 |
Upper Lachlan (A) | 79 | 68 | 11 | 2.20 |
Yass Valley (A) - Pt B | 163 | 86 | 77 | 2.24 |
Young (A) | 142 | 108 | 34 | 2.38 |
Total Australian Capital Region(e) | 6 548 | 3 139 | 3 409 | (d)1.74 |
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- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells) |
(a) The statistical area boundaries used in the compilation of these statistics are those in existence at 1 July 2005. |
(b) Births per woman. |
(c) Unless otherwise indicated, refers to the average total fertility rate over the three years 2003 to 2005. |
(d) Total fertility rate for 2005. |
(e) Includes the Australian Capital Territory - Bal Statistical Division. |
Births, Australia, 2005 (cat. no. 3301.0), Data cubes; Deaths, Australia, 2005 (cat. no. 3302.0), Data cubes; ABS Data available on request, Demography program. |