Regional population

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

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Reference period
2023-24 financial year

Key statistics

  • The capitals grew by 427,800 people (2.4%) in 2023-24.
  • Capital city growth comprised overseas migration (373,000), natural increase (89,500) and internal migration (-34,600).
  • Melbourne had the largest increase (142,600), Perth had the highest growth rate (3.1%).
  • Regional Australia grew by 113,800 (1.3%).

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).

Capital cities

Population change

  • Melbourne had the largest growth (up by 142,600 people), followed by Sydney (107,500), Brisbane (72,900) and Perth (72,700).
  • Perth had the highest growth rate (3.1%), followed by Melbourne and Brisbane (both 2.7%).
Population change by capital city
Capital cityERP at 30 June 20242023-24 (no.)2023-24 (%)
Sydney5,557,233107,5382.0
Melbourne5,350,705142,6372.7
Brisbane2,780,06372,9302.7
Adelaide1,469,16322,1251.5
Perth2,384,37172,7423.1
Hobart254,9309460.4
Darwin152,4891,3670.9
Canberra473,8557,4961.6
Total capital cities18,422,809427,7812.4

Components of population change

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

  • Natural increase was highest in Melbourne followed by Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.
  • Brisbane and Perth were the only capitals to have net internal migration gains. Net internal migration loss was largest in Sydney and Melbourne.
  • All capital cities experienced net overseas migration gain, which was largest in Melbourne followed by Sydney, Perth and Brisbane.

Regions

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Fraser Rise - Plumpton (up by 4,300 people) and Rockbank - Mount Cottrell (4,100) in Melbourne's outer west
  • Box Hill - Nelson (4,000) in Sydney’s outer north-west.

The areas with the highest growth rates were:

  • Taylor (29%) in Canberra's outer north
  • Fraser Rise - Plumpton (26%)
  • Box Hill - Nelson (22%).

Outside of the capital cities: 

  • Caloundra West - Baringa on Queensland's Sunshine Coast had the largest growth (up by 2,500 people)
  • Googong, just outside the Australian Capital Territory, had the highest growth rate (16%).
Areas with the largest growth
SA2SA4ERP at 30 June 20242023-24 (no.)
Fraser Rise - PlumptonMelbourne - West20,7304,316
Rockbank - Mount CottrellMelbourne - West31,3894,145
Box Hill - NelsonSydney - Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury22,4204,042
Clyde North - SouthMelbourne - South East24,6093,932
Marsden Park - Shanes
Park		Sydney - Blacktown27,2633,497
Areas with the highest growth rates
SA2(a)SA4ERP at 30 June 20242023-24 (%)
TaylorAustralian Capital Territory4,76628.7
Fraser Rise - PlumptonMelbourne - West20,73026.3
Box Hill - NelsonSydney - Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury22,42022.0
StrathnairnAustralian Capital Territory1,91521.6
Tarneit - NorthMelbourne - West13,48520.3
  1. Excludes SA2s with less than 1,000 people at June 2023.

Centre of population

Population density

Population grid

New South Wales

Population change

Greater Sydney increased by 107,500 people (2.0%), the rest of the state increased by 30,600 (1.1%).

The areas with the largest growth were in Sydney's outer north-west:

  • Box Hill - Nelson (up by 4,000)
  • Marsden Park - Shanes Park (3,500)
  • Schofields - East (2,700 people).

The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

  • Box Hill - Nelson (22%)
  • Austral - Greendale in Sydney’s outer south-west and Googong, just outside the Australian Capital Territory (both 16%).

Components of population change

While net overseas migration (120,900 people) and natural increase (27,700) were positive contributors to Greater Sydney's population increase, net internal migration was negative (-41,100).

  • Schofields - East had the largest natural increase (520 people).
  • Box Hill - Nelson had the largest net internal migration gain (3,600).
  • Sydney (South) - Haymarket in the city centre had the largest net overseas migration gain (2,300).

Centre of population

Population density

Victoria

Population change

Greater Melbourne increased by 142,600 people (2.7%), the rest of the state increased by 19,800 (1.2%).

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Fraser Rise - Plumpton (up by 4,300) and Rockbank - Mount Cottrell (4,100 people), both in Melbourne’s outer west
  • Clyde North - South (3,900) in Melbourne’s outer south-east.

The areas with the highest growth rates were:

  • Fraser Rise - Plumpton (26%)
  • Tarneit - North (20%) in Melbourne's outer west
  • Clyde North - South (19%).

Components of population change

While net overseas migration (121,200 people) and natural increase (29,000) were positive contributors to Greater Melbourne's population increase, net internal migration was negative (-7,600).

  • Mickleham - Yuroke, in Melbourne's outer north, had the largest natural increase (870 people).
  • Fraser Rise - Plumpton had the largest net internal migration gain (3,800).
  • Carlton, in inner Melbourne, had the largest net overseas migration gain (2,900).

Centre of population

Population density

Queensland

Population change

Greater Brisbane increased by 72,900 people (2.7%), the rest of the state increased by 50,400 (1.8%).

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Ripley (up by 2,700) in Ipswich
  • Caloundra West - Baringa on Queensland's Sunshine Coast (2,500)
  • Chambers Flat - Logan Reserve (2,400) in Logan.

The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

  • Chambers Flat - Logan Reserve (19%)
  • Ripley (15%)
  • Greenbank - North Maclean (13%) in Logan.

Components of population change

Net overseas migration (44,300) people) was the largest contributor to Greater Brisbane's population increase, followed by net internal migration (15,600) and natural increase (13,100). 

  • Redbank Plains in Ipswich had the largest natural increase (420 people).
  • Ripley had the largest net internal migration gain (2,300).
  • Brisbane City had the largest net overseas migration gain (1,300).

Centre of population

Population density

South Australia

Population change

Greater Adelaide increased by 22,100 people (1.5%), the rest of the state increased by 2,900 (0.7%).

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Munno Para West - Angle Vale (up by 2,100 people) in Adelaide's outer north
  • Mount Barker (1,100) in the Adelaide Hills
  • the city centre of Adelaide (1,000). 

The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

  • Virginia - Waterloo Corner (14%) in Adelaide's outer north
  • Munno Para West - Angle Vale (11%)
  • the city centre of Adelaide (5%).

Components of population change

While net overseas migration (21,700 people) and natural increase (3,800) were positive contributors to Greater Adelaide's population increase, net internal migration was negative (-3,300).

  • Munno Para West - Angle Vale had the largest natural increase (360 people) and largest net internal migration gain (1,700).
  • The city centre of Adelaide had the largest net overseas migration gain (1,400).

Centre of population

​​​​​​​Population density

Western Australia

Population change

Greater Perth increased by 72,700 people (3.1%), the rest of the state increased by 8,600 (1.5%).

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Alkimos - Eglinton (up by 2,100 people) in Perth's outer north-west
  • Brabham - Henley Brook in Perth's outer north-east and Baldivis - North in Perth’s outer south (both 1,500).

The areas with the highest growth rates were:

  • Alkimos - Eglinton (12%)
  • Brabham - Henley Brook and Baldivis - North (both 11%).

Components of population change

Net overseas migration (53,400 people) was the largest contributor to Greater Perth's population increase, followed by natural increase (11,300) and net internal migration (8,100).

  • Piara Waters - Forrestdale in Perth’s south had the largest natural increase (340 people).
  • Alkimos - Eglinton had the largest net internal migration gain (1,500).
  • Bentley - Wilson - St James, to the south-east of Perth's city centre, had the largest net overseas migration gain (1,500). 

Centre of population

Population density

Tasmania

Population change

Greater Hobart increased by 950 people (0.4%), the rest of the state increased by 810 (0.3%).

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Rokeby (up by 230 people) on the eastern shore of the River Derwent in Hobart
  • Kingston - Huntingfield (220) in Hobart's south
  • Sorell - Richmond (200) in Hobart's north-east.

The areas with the highest growth rates were:

  • Rokeby (2.7%)
  • Risdon Vale (2.3%) in Hobart's north
  • Geeveston - Dover (1.9%) in the south of the state.

Components of population change

While net overseas migration (2,500 people) and natural increase (460) were positive contributors to Greater Hobart's population increase, net internal migration was negative (-2,000).

  • Rokeby had the largest natural increase (130 people).
  • Sorell - Richmond had the largest internal migration gain (120).
  • Sandy Bay, to the south of Hobart's city centre, had the largest net overseas migration gain (430).

Centre of population

Population density

Northern Territory

Population change

Greater Darwin increased by 1,400 people (0.9%), the rest of the territory increased by 640 (0.6%).

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Palmerston - South (up by 400 people) to the south-east of Darwin City
  • Howard Springs, to the east of Darwin City, and Lyons on the northern fringe of Darwin (both 210).

The areas with the highest growth rates were:

  • Berrimah (8.1%), to the east of Darwin City
  • Palmerston - South (4.9%)
  • Howard Springs (3.7%).

Components of population change

While net overseas migration (2,700 people) and natural increase (1,400) were positive contributors to Greater Darwin's population increase, net internal migration was negative (-2,800).

  • Palmerston - South had the largest natural increase (170 people) and the largest net internal migration gain (160).
  • Darwin City had the largest net overseas migration gain (420).

Centre of population

Population density

Australian Capital Territory

Population change

The number of people living in the Australian Capital Territory increased by 7,500 (1.6%).

The areas with the largest growth were:

  • Taylor (up by 1,100 people) in Canberra's outer north
  • Phillip (910), south of Canberra CBD
  • Denman Prospect (700) in Canberra's outer west.

The areas with the highest growth rates were: 

  • Taylor (29%)
  • Strathnairn (22%) in Canberra’s outer north-west
  • Denman Prospect (17%).

Components of population change

While net overseas migration (6,200) and natural increase (2,800 people) were positive contributors to Canberra's population increase, net internal migration was negative (-1,600).

  • Taylor had the largest natural increase (130 people) and the largest net internal migration gain (890).
  • Belconnen town centre in Canberra's north-west had the largest net overseas migration gain (310).

Centre of population

Population density

Interactive maps

On each map an area can be selected to view the underlying data. All data can be found in the Data downloads section of this publication.

Population grid

Population grid 2024

Population change by Statistical Areas Level 2

This interactive map displays the percentage population change in Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2s) between 2023 and 2024. Percentage of population change is divided into 5 data classes: 

  • 3.0% or more (dark red)
  • 2.0% to less than 3.0% (light red)
  • 1.0% to less than 2.0% (dark orange)
  • 0.0% to less than 1.0% (light orange)
  • Decline (yellow)

The top 10 growth SA2s are also displayed with blue dots.

This map shows that the SA2s with the highest population growth rates in 2023-24 were generally on the outskirts of Australia's capital cities. The top 10 were: 

  • Taylor, Strathnairn, Denman Prospect and Phillip in Canberra
  • Fraser Rise - Plumpton, Tarneit - North and Clyde North - South in Melbourne
  • Box Hill - Nelson and Austral - Greendale in Sydney
  • Chambers Flat - Logan Reserve in Brisbane

Accessibility statement: We are committed to providing information and services to the widest possible audience. We’ve designed this website to comply with the Australian Government Digital Service Standard and aim to meet the latest WCAG Guidelines which describe how to make web content more usable and accessible for everyone. However, some functions of this interactive map may be inaccessible, or difficult to use with assistive technology. All data underlying this map can be downloaded in table format from the Data downloads section of this publication. For further information or assistance, or to advise of accessibility issues with this product, please email client.services@abs.gov.au.

Source

Regional population 2023-24: Population change

Population change by Local Government Areas

This interactive map displays the percentage population change in Local Government Areas (LGAs) between 2023 and 2024. Percentage of population change is divided into 5 data classes: 

  • 3.0% or more (dark red)
  • 2.0% to less than 3.0% (light red)
  • 1.0% to less than 2.0% (dark orange)
  • 0.0% to less than 1.0% (light orange)
  • Decline (yellow)

The top 10 growth LGAs are also displayed with blue dots.

This map shows that the LGAs with the highest population growth rates in 2023-24 were generally either located in Australia's inner-cities or on the outskirts of the country's capitals.

Inner city LGAs in the top 10 included:

  • Melbourne in Victoria
  • Perth in Western Australia

LGAs on the outskirts or just outside of the country’s capitals to make the top 10 were: 

  • Melton and Mitchell in or just outside Melbourne
  • Serpentine-Jarrahdale, Kwinana, Gingin, Dandaragan and Swan in or just outside Perth
  • Camden in Sydney

Accessibility statement: We are committed to providing information and services to the widest possible audience. We’ve designed this website to comply with the Australian Government Digital Service Standard and aim to meet the latest WCAG Guidelines which describe how to make web content more usable and accessible for everyone. However, some functions of this interactive map may be inaccessible, or difficult to use with assistive technology. All data underlying this map can be downloaded in table format from the Data downloads section of this publication. For further information or assistance, or to advise of accessibility issues with this product, please email client.services@abs.gov.au.

Source

Regional population 2023-24: Population change

Geographic areas

Data downloads

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Data cubes

Data files

GeoPackages

Data files

Population grid files

Data files

Data Explorer datasets

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 and components by SA2 and above, 2022 to 2024
Population estimates and components by LGA, 2022 to 2024
Population estimates by SA2 and above, 2001 to 2024
Population estimates by LGA, 2001 to 2024
Regional internal migration estimates by region of arrival and departure, SA4 and above, 2021-22 to 2023-24

For information on Data Explorer and how it works, see the Data Explorer user guide.

Post-release changes

07/04/25 - The Australian population grid 2024 in ESRI Grid format has been replaced. The previous version was incomplete.

Previous catalogue number

This release previously used catalogue number 3218.0.

Methodology

Regional population methodology, 2023-24 financial year

Media releases