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AustraliaCommunity profile

Greater Capital Cities

Population and dwellings

The Census usual resident population of Greater Capital Cities in 2021 was 16,566,060, living in 6,800,410 dwellings with an average household size of 2.59.

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 Greater Capital Cities at the last Census, with comparisons to previous Census years for the Census counts only. The current estimate for Greater Capital Cities 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 Greater Capital Cities 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
Greater Capital Cities - Total persons20212016Change
PopulationNumber%Australia %Number%Australia %2016 to 2021
Estimated Resident Population16,797,232----15,818,317----+978,915
Enumerated Population16,460,049----15,086,873----+1,373,176
Usual Resident Population16,566,060----15,178,758----+1,387,302
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2016 and 2021. Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information
Selected subpopulation categories
Greater Capital Cities - Total people (Usual residence)20212016Change
Population groupNumber%Australia %Number%Australia %2016 to 2021
Males8,165,05749.349.37,471,05849.249.3+693,999
Females8,401,00550.750.77,707,69850.850.7+693,307
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population292,4281.83.2218,4721.42.8+73,956
Australian citizens13,599,92182.183.812,171,85080.282.4+1,428,071
Eligible voters (citizens aged 18+)10,392,11162.764.49,248,34660.962.8+1,143,765
Population over 1513,518,47681.681.812,350,43681.481.3+1,168,040
Employed Population8,043,66494.794.97,139,50893.193.1+904,156
Overseas visitors (enumerated)33,121----219,598-----186,477
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2016 and 2021 (Usual residence). Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information
Dwellings
Greater Capital Cities - Households (Enumerated)20212016Change
DwellingsNumber%Australia %Number%Australia %2016 to 2021
Total dwellings6,800,410100.0100.06,132,346100.0100.0+668,064
Occupied private dwellings6,236,86291.790.25,604,68891.489.3+632,174
Population in non-private dwellings336,409----393,340-----56,931
Average household size (persons per dwelling)2.59--2.522.62--2.55-0.04
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2016 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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