Statistics about the population and components of change (births, deaths, migration) for Australia's capital cities and regions
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.
| ERP at 30 June 2021 | 2020-21 (no.) | 2020-21 (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 5,361,466 | -5,151 | -0.1 |
| Melbourne | 5,096,298 | -60,505 | -1.2 |
| Brisbane | 2,582,007 | 21,870 | 0.9 |
| Adelaide | 1,378,413 | 1,895 | 0.1 |
| Perth | 2,141,834 | 16,169 | 0.8 |
| Hobart | 238,375 | -334 | -0.1 |
| Darwin | 146,982 | -327 | -0.2 |
| Canberra | 431,611 | 398 | 0.1 |
| Total capital cities | 17,376,986 | -25,985 | -0.1 |
Population change at the regional level has three main components: natural increase, internal migration and overseas migration.
The areas with the largest growth were:
The areas with the highest growth rates were:
The areas with the largest and fastest decline were all in Greater Melbourne:
Outside of the capital cities:
| SA2 | SA4 | ERP at 30 June 2021 | 2020-21 (no.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverstone - Marsden Park | Sydney - Blacktown | 48,063 | 7,360 |
| Cobbitty - Leppington | Sydney - South West | 42,386 | 5,352 |
| Cranbourne East | Melbourne - South East | 60,489 | 5,027 |
| Rouse Hill - Beaumont Hills | Sydney - Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury | 40,333 | 4,260 |
| Mickleham - Yuroke | Melbourne - North West | 19,029 | 4,127 |
| SA2(a) | SA4 | ERP at 30 June 2021 | 2020-21 (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Throsby | Australian Capital Territory | 1,834 | 38.1 |
| Rockbank - Mount Cottrell | Melbourne - West | 15,274 | 34.3 |
| Mickleham - Yuroke | Melbourne - North West | 19,029 | 27.7 |
| Ripley | Ipswich | 11,645 | 19.4 |
| Pallara - Willawong | Brisbane - South | 8,024 | 18.6 |
Greater Sydney declined by 5,200 people (-0.1%), the rest of the state increased by 26,800 (1.0%).
The areas with the largest growth were:
The areas with the highest growth rates were:
While natural increase (36,900 people) was a positive contributor to Greater Sydney's population change, a large net internal migration loss (-34,800) and some net overseas migration loss (-7,200) resulted in overall population decline.
Greater Melbourne declined by 60,500 people (-1.2%), the rest of the state increased by 15,700 (1.0%).
The areas with the largest growth were:
The areas with the highest growth rates were:
A large net overseas migration loss (-54,400 people) led to Greater Melbourne recording a significant decline in population, with natural increase (27,400) offset by net internal migration loss (-33,500).
Greater Brisbane increased by 21,900 people (0.9%), the rest of the state increased by 24,100 (0.9%).
The areas with the largest growth were:
The areas with the highest growth rates were:
Natural increase (17,400 people) was the largest contributor to Greater Brisbane's population change, closely followed by net internal migration gain (15,000).
Greater Adelaide increased by 1,900 people (0.1%), the rest of the state increased by 1,200 (0.3%).
The areas with the largest growth were:
The areas with the highest growth rates were:
While both net overseas (-3,100 people) and internal (-200) migration were negative for Greater Adelaide, natural increase (5,300) led to overall population increase.
Greater Perth increased by 16.200 people (0.8%), the rest of the state increased by 1,900 (0.3%).
The areas with the largest growth were:
The areas with the highest growth rates were:
Natural increase (15,100 people) was the largest contributor to Greater Perth's population change, while net internal migration (6,500) was also positive.
Greater Hobart declined by 330 people (-0.1%), the rest of the state increased by 1,100 (0.4%).
The areas with the largest growth were:
The areas with the highest growth rates were:
Natural increase (860 people) was offset by net internal migration loss (-830), and with a small net overseas migration loss (-370) Greater Hobart recorded a small decline in population.
Greater Darwin declined by 330 people (-0.2%), the rest of the territory remain unchanged (0%).
The areas with the largest growth were:
The areas with the highest growth rates were:
Natural increase (1,700 people) was offset by net internal migration loss (-1,600), and with a small net overseas migration loss (-380) Greater Darwin recorded a small decline in population.
The number of people living in the Australian Capital Territory increased by 400 (0.1%).
The areas with the largest growth were:
The areas with the highest growth rates were:
Natural increase (3,300 people) was offset by net overseas migration loss (-3,300), with a small net internal migration gain (360) leading to a marginal population increase for Canberra.
Caution: Data Explorer can be problematic when trying to view and manipulate large datasets, such as SA2-based or LGA geographies released in this product. Please use the Excel data cubes provided above for these datasets.
Data in Data Explorer is currently released after the 11:30am release on the ABS website. Please check the reference period when using Data Explorer.
Population estimates by SA2 and above, 2001 to 2021
Population estimates by LGA, 2001 to 2021
Population estimates and components by SA2 and above, 2017 to 2021
Population estimates and components by LGA, 2017 to 2021
Regional internal migration estimates by region of arrival and departure, SA4 and above, 2016-17 to 2020-21
For information on Data Explorer and how it works, see the Data Explorer user guide.
29/04/2022 - The Interactive maps section has been updated to include animated maps of population change by SA1 and SA2.
12/04/2022 - As advertised in this publication on 29 March 2022, this additional release contains interactive maps of population change 2020-21 and the population grid 2021.
This release previously used catalogue number 3218.0
