Regional population

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Statistics about the population and components of change (births, deaths, migration) for Australia's capital cities and regions

Reference period
2019-20 financial year
Released
30/03/2021

Key statistics

  • People living in the capitals increased by 245,300 (1.4%).
  • Capital city growth comprised overseas migration (162,800), natural increase (112,700) and internal migration (-30,200).
  • Melbourne had the largest growth (80,100 people), Brisbane had the highest growth rate (1.9%).
  • Regional Australia grew by 86,200 (1.1%).

Any reference to population refers to Estimated Resident Population (ERP).

Any reference to capital city refers to Greater Capital City Statistical Area (GCCSA), and any reference to area refers to Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2). 

Statistics in this release are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Capital cities

Population change

 ERP at 30 June 20202019-20 (no.)2019-20 (%)
Sydney5,367,20657,1071.1
Melbourne5,159,21180,0881.6
Brisbane2,560,72046,9141.9
Adelaide1,376,60116,1271.2
Perth2,125,11437,5591.8
Hobart238,8342,6101.1
Darwin147,231-184-0.1
Canberra431,3805,0951.2
Total capital cities17,406,297245,3161.4

 

Components of population change

Population change at the regional level has three main components: natural increase, overseas migration and internal migration. 

  • Net overseas migration was the major contributor to population change in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart. 
  • Natural increase was the largest contributor to population change in Brisbane and Canberra.
  • Net internal migration loss was largest in Sydney, followed by Melbourne, Adelaide and Darwin. 
     

Regions

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Riverstone - Marsden Park (up by 8,900 people) in Sydney's outer north-west 
  • Cranbourne East (6,300) in Melbourne's outer south-east 
  • Cobbitty - Leppington (4,900) in Sydney's outer south-west
     

The areas with the highest growth rates were:  

  • Mickleham - Yuroke (up by 33%) in Melbourne's outer north 
  • Rockbank - Mount Cottrell (29%) in Melbourne's outer west
  • Riverstone - Marsden Park (28%)
     

Outside of the capital cities: 

  • Pimpama (up by 2,700 people) on Queensland's Gold Coast had the largest growth
  • Pimpama also had the highest growth rate (14%)
Areas with the largest growth
SA2SA4ERP at 30 June 20202019-20 (no.)
Riverstone - Marsden ParkSydney - Blacktown40,7138,856
Cranbourne EastMelbourne - South East55,5106,292
Cobbitty - LeppingtonSydney - South West37,0434,897
Rouse Hill - Beaumont HillsSydney - Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury36,0784,403
Mickleham - YurokeMelbourne - North West14,9213,688
Areas with the highest growth rates
SA2(a)SA4ERP at 30 June 20202019-20 (%)
Mickleham - YurokeMelbourne - North West14,92132.8
Rockbank - Mount CottrellMelbourne - West11,37929.1
Riverstone - Marsden ParkSydney - Blacktown40,71327.8
WollertMelbourne - North East19,35420.3
RipleyIpswich9,75920.3
  1. Excludes SA2s with less than 1,000 people at June 2019.

 

Centre of population

Population density

Population grid

New South Wales

Population change

Greater Sydney increased by 57,100 people (1.1%), the rest of the state increased by 23,000 (0.8%). 

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Riverstone - Marsden Park (up by 8,900 people) in Sydney's outer north-west
  • Cobbitty - Leppington (4,900) in Sydney's outer south-west 
  • Rouse Hill - Beaumont Hills (4,400), also in Sydney's north-west
     

The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

  • Riverstone - Marsden Park (28%)
  • Cobbitty - Leppington (15%)
  • Rouse Hill - Beaumont Hills (14%)
     

Components of population change

  • Riverstone - Marsden Park had the largest natural increase (960 people) and the largest net internal migration gain (7,800 people).
  • Parramatta - Rosehill, to the west of Sydney's city centre, had the largest net overseas migration gain (1,800 people).
     

Centre of population

Population density

Victoria

Population change

Greater Melbourne increased by 80,100 people (1.6%), the rest of the state increased by 19,700 (1.3%). 

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Cranbourne East (up by 6,300 people) in Melbourne's outer south-east
  • Mickleham - Yuroke (3,700) and Wollert (3,300), both in Melbourne's outer north
     

The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

  • Mickleham - Yuroke (33%)
  • Rockbank - Mount Cottrell (29%) in Melbourne's outer west
  • Wollert (20%)
     

Components of population change

  • Cranbourne East had the largest natural increase (1,100 people) and the largest net internal migration gain (4,800 people).
  • Inner-city Melbourne had the largest net overseas migration gain (1,800 people).
     

Centre of population

Population density

Queensland

Population change

Greater Brisbane increased by 46,900 people (1.9%), the rest of the state increased by 35,400 (1.4%). 

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Pimpama (up by 2,700 people) on the Gold Coast
  • Caloundra - West (2,200) on the Sunshine Coast
  • Springfield Lakes (2,000), a suburb of Ipswich
     

The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

  • Ripley (20%), a suburb of Ipswich
  • Pallara - Willawong (16%) in Brisbane's south
  • Pimpama (14%) 
     

Components of population change

  • Jimboomba on Brisbane's southern fringe had the largest natural increase (510 people).
  • Pimpama had the largest net internal migration gain (2,100 people).
  • Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast had the largest net overseas migration gain (860 people).
     

Centre of population

Population density

South Australia

Population change

Greater Adelaide increased by 16,100 people (1.2%), the rest of the state increased by 1,600 (0.4%).

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Munno Para West - Angle Vale (up by 970 people) on the northern outskirts of Adelaide
  • Mount Barker (950 people) in the Adelaide Hills
  • inner-city Adelaide (650)
     

The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

  • Munno Para West - Angle Vale (6.6%)
  • Mount Barker (4.9%)
  • Lewiston - Two Wells (4.6%) in Adelaide's outer north
     

Components of population change

  • Munno Para West - Angle Vale had the largest natural increase (250 people).
  • Mount Barker had the largest net internal migration gain (720 people).
  • Inner-city Adelaide had the largest net overseas migration gain (710 people).
     

Centre of population

​​​​​​​Population density

Western Australia

Population change

Greater Perth increased by 37,600 people (1.8%), the rest of the state increased by 2,700 (0.5%). 

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Ellenbrook (up by 2,400 people) in Perth's outer north-east
  • Perth City (2,200)
  • Baldivis (1,900) in Perth's outer south-west
     

The areas with the highest growth rates were:

  • Alkimos - Eglinton (10%) in Perth's outer north-west
  • Hazelmere - Guildford (7.4%) in Perth's north-east
  • North Coogee (7.1%) in Perth's south-west
     

Components of population change

  • Ellenbrook had the largest natural increase (690 people) and the largest net internal migration gain (1,300 people).
  • Perth City had the largest net overseas migration gain (1,400 people).
     

Centre of population

Population density

Tasmania

Population change

Greater Hobart increased by 2,600 people (1.1%), the rest of the state increased by 3,600 (1.2%).

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Newnham - Mayfield (up by 290 people) in Launceston
  • Sorell - Richmond (280) in Hobart's north-east
  • Rokeby (270) on the eastern shore of the Derwent River
     

The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

  • Rokeby (up by 4.0%)
  • Brighton - Pontville on Hobart's northern fringe (3.5%)
  • Triabunna - Bicheno on Tasmania's east coast and Risdon Vale in Hobart's north-eastern suburbs (both 3.2%)
     

    Components of population change

    • Bridgewater - Gagebrook in Hobart's north had the largest natural increase (110 people).
    • Sorell - Richmond had the largest net internal migration gain (210 people).
    • Sandy Bay, to the south of Hobart's central business district, had the largest net overseas migration gain (380 people).
       

    Centre of population

    Population density

    Northern Territory

    Population change

    Greater Darwin declined by 180 people (-0.1%), the rest of the territory increased by 180 (0.2%).

    The areas with the largest growth were:

    • Palmerston – South (up by 830 people)
    • Lyons (290) on the northern fringe of Darwin
    • Rosebery - Bellamack (60) on the southern outskirts of Palmerston
       

    The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

    • Palmerston - South (15%)
    • Lyons (4.5%)
    • Tennant Creek (1.4%) in the centre of the territory
       

    Components of population change

    • Palmerston - South had the largest natural increase (150 people) and the largest net internal migration gain (680 people).
    • Darwin City had the largest net overseas migration gain (30 people).
       

    Centre of population

    Population density

    Australian Capital Territory

    Population change

    The number of people living in the Australian Capital Territory increased by 5,100 (1.2%). 

    The areas with the largest growth were all new suburbs on Canberra's northern outskirts:

    • Throsby and Moncrieff (both up by 550 people)
    • Taylor (520) 
       

    The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

    • Moncrieff (14%)
    • Coombs (12%) on Canberra's western outskirts
    • Phillip (8.6%) in Woden Valley
       

    Components of population change

    • Ngunnawal in Canberra's north had the largest natural increase (190 people).
    • Throsby had the largest net internal migration gain (520 people).
    • Belconnen, north-west of Canberra's city centre, had the largest net overseas migration gain (90 people).
       

    Centre of population

    Population density

    Data downloads - data cubes

    Population estimates by Statistical Area Level 2, 2019 to 2020

    Population estimates by Local Government Area, 2019 to 2020

    Population estimates by selected Non-ABS Structures, 2010 to 2020

    Includes population estimates for Significant Urban Areas, Remoteness Areas and electoral divisions.

    Population estimates for 2021 Commonwealth Electoral Divisions were added on 29 November 2021.

    Data downloads - GeoPackages

    Population estimates by Statistical Area Level 2, 2001 to 2020, in GeoPackage

    Population estimates by Local Government Area, 2001 to 2020, in GeoPackage

    Data downloads - population grid files

    Australian population grid 2020 in ESRI Grid format

    Australian population grid 2020 in GeoTIFF format

    Australian population grid 2020 in JPG format

    Post-release changes

    13/04/2021 - As advertised in this publication on 31 March 2021, this additional release contains interactive maps of population change 2019-20 and the population grid 2020.

    29/11/2021 - Population estimates for 2021 Commonwealth Electoral Division boundaries were added to the Population estimates by selected Non-ABS Structures, 2010 to 2020 data cube in Table 5.

    Previous catalogue number

    This release previously used catalogue number 3218.0.

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