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AustraliaCommunity profile

Australia

Population and dwellings

The Census usual resident population of Australia in 2021 was 25,422,797, living in 10,874,835 dwellings with an average household size of 2.52.

There are a number of different ways of measuring the population of an area, all of which give an insight into the size of the place and its rate of growth over different time periods. The Census counts people where they are on the night of the Census (Enumerated population) and also by where they usually live (Usual residence). Both these populations are useful and form the basis for a range of characteristics collected in the Census.

However, the most accurate count of the total population is Estimated Resident Population, which factors in an estimate of those missed in the Census and those who were overseas on Census night. It is usually higher than either Census count, and is also updated annually after the Census, providing preliminary estimates for up to 5 years.

This page provides the three population counts for Australia at the last Census, with comparisons to previous Census years for the Census counts only. The current estimate for Australia at the most recent year available is shown at the top of the page. This figure is a preliminary estimate only and is subject to review after the next Census data are released. Please use with caution.

Also included are a range of sub-population groups and key statistics from the Census (Usual resident) population, such as citizens, employed persons and Indigenous population.

These figures all provide the context for the size of the population and growth rate within Australia and should be looked at in conjunction with other basic demographic information, such as Age Structure, Dwelling Type and Household Size.

The data on this page are sourced from a variety of different tables and designed to give a range of population and dwelling numbers for the area.

Population
Australia - Total persons20212006Change
PopulationNumber%Greater Capital Cities %Number%Greater Capital Cities %2006 to 2021
Estimated Resident Population25,685,412----20,450,966----+5,234,446
Enumerated Population25,422,788----19,855,289----+5,567,499
Usual Resident Population25,422,797----19,855,287----+5,567,510
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2006 and 2021. Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information
Selected subpopulation categories
Australia - Total people (Enumerated)20212006Change
Population groupNumber%Greater Capital Cities %Number%Greater Capital Cities %2006 to 2021
Males12,545,15049.349.29,799,25049.449.1+2,745,900
Females12,877,62750.750.810,056,03950.650.9+2,821,588
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population812,7353.21.8455,0242.31.1+357,711
Australian citizens21,306,66583.882.117,095,56486.184.2+4,211,101
Eligible voters (citizens aged 18+)16,370,99764.462.712,865,35164.863.6+3,505,646
Population over 1520,784,79281.881.515,918,08380.280.6+4,866,709
Employed Population------9,104,18594.895.0--
Overseas visitors (enumerated)45,801----206,357-----160,556
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2006 and 2021 (Enumerated). Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information
Dwellings
Australia - Households (Enumerated)20212006Change
DwellingsNumber%Greater Capital Cities %Number%Greater Capital Cities %2006 to 2021
Total dwellings10,874,835100.0100.08,426,560100.0100.0+2,448,275
Occupied private dwellings9,808,43590.291.77,596,18190.192.4+2,212,254
Population in non-private dwellings721,138----679,432----+41,706
Average household size (persons per dwelling)2.52--2.592.55--2.59-0.03
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2006 and 2021 (Enumerated). Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information

*Note that this is an estimate based on ERP at the SA1 level. It is subject to review after the next Census data release and may not match .id's population forecasts.

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