The Australian population grid 2024 was created using 2024 Estimated Resident Population (ERP) by Statistical Area Level 1 2021 (SA1) data. This data was modelled to 1 kilometre square grid cells to represent the population density of Australia (people per square kilometre). This is modelled data and should be used and interpreted with caution.SA1s are defined by the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3 2021. The grid was constructed using the National Nested Grid Standard.Processing steps:A subset of the ABS Address Register (AR) was created to represent residential addresses as closely as possible. Indigenous Community Points (ICP) were included where no AR point existed. SA1 centroid points were included where no AR or ICP point existed within an SA1. All these layers were combined into a single point layer (Allpoints).The Allpoints layer was overlaid with the SA1 boundaries to give every point an SA1 code. Points without an SA1 code (outside all SA1 regions) were dropped.ERP by SA1 was averaged across all points within each SA1. Points were converted to raster using the National Nested Grid as template. Point population values which fell within each raster cell were summed.Data and geography referencesMain source data publication: Regional population, 2023–24 financial yearGeographic boundary information: Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3Further information: Regional population methodologySource: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)Contact the Australian Bureau of StatisticsEmail geography@abs.gov.au if you have any questions or feedback about this web service.Subscribe to get updates on ABS web services and geospatial products.Privacy at the Australian Bureau of StatisticsRead how the ABS manages personal information - ABS privacy policy.

Census data reveals that population density varies noticeably from area to area. Small area census data do a better job depicting where the crowded neighborhoods are. In this map, the yellow areas of highest density range from 30,000 to 150,000 persons per square kilometer. In those areas, if the people were spread out evenly across the area, there would be just 4 to 9 meters between them. Very high density areas exceed 7,000 persons per square kilometer. High density areas exceed 5,200 persons per square kilometer. The last categories break at 3,330 persons per square kilometer, and 1,500 persons per square kilometer.This dataset is comprised of multiple sources. All of the demographic data are from Michael Bauer Research with the exception of the following countries:Australia: Esri Australia and MapData ServicesCanada: Esri Canada and EnvironicsFrance: Esri FranceGermany: Esri Germany and NexigaIndia: Esri India and IndicusJapan: Esri JapanSouth Korea: Esri Korea and OPENmateSpain: Esri España and AISUnited States: Esri Demographics

Please note, we recommend using the new Map Viewer in ArcGIS Online. There is an issue in Map Viewer Classic with the display of grid cell values. The clickable area of each cell is shifted to the northwest. This can result in neighbouring pixel values being displayed. The underlying data is correct, and the values display correctly in the new Map Viewer and in ArcGIS Pro. The Australian population grid 2022 is a modelled 1 km x 1 km grid representation of the estimated resident population (ERP) of Australia from 30 June 2022. The population grid is created by reaggregating estimated resident population data from Statistical Areas Level 1 (SA1) to a 1 km x 1 km grid across Australia based on point data representing residential address points. The value of each grid cell represents the estimated population density (number of people per square kilometre) within each 1 km x 1 km grid cell.

SA1 boundaries are defined by the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3 (2021) and the 1 km x 1 km grid is based on the National Nested Grid.

Data considerations Caution must be taken when using the population grid as it presents modelled data only; it is not an exact measure of population across Australia. Contact the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) If you have questions, feedback or would like to receive updates about this web service, please email geography@abs.gov.au. For information about how the ABS manages any personal information you provide view the ABS privacy policy.

Data and geography references Source data publication: Regional population, 2022 Additional data input: ABS Address Register Geographic boundary information: Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3, National Nested Grid Further information: Regional population methodology Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)

The population of the world, allocated to 1 arcsecond blocks. This refines CIESIN’s Gridded Population of the World project, using machine learning models on high-resolution worldwide Digital Globe satellite imagery.

The ABS Australian population grid 2023 was created using 2023 Estimated Residential Population (ERP) data at the SA1 level. The SA1 level ERP data was then modelled down to a 1km x 1km grid across geographic Australia using various point layers that represent population. The value of each grid cell represents the population density (number of people per square kilometre) in that 1km x 1km cell. This is modelled data and caution must be used in its interpretation, as the population has NOT been measured at the 1km cell level. SA1s are defined by the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3 (2021) and the grid used is based on the National Nested Grid Standard.Data and geography notes:Source data publication: Regional population, 2022-23Geographic boundary information: Statistical Areas Level 1 (SA1)(2021) - Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3, National Nested Grid StandardAdditional data inputs: ABS Address Register, Indigenous Community Points (ICP)Further information: Regional population methodologySource: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) www.abs.gov.auProcessing steps:A subset of the Address Register was created to represent residential addresses as closely as possible. Indigenous Community Points were included where no AR point existed. SA1 centroid points were included where no AR or ICP point existed within an SA1. All these layers were combined into a single point layer (Allpoints).The Allpoints layer was overlaid with the ASGS 2021 SA1 boundaries to give every point an SA1 code. Points without an SA1 code (outside all SA1 regions) were dropped.Estimated Resident Population by SA1 (ERP) was averaged across all points within each SA1.Points were converted to raster using the National Nested grid as template. Point population values falling within each raster cell were summed.

The Australian Population Grid 2022 was created using estimated residential population (ERP) data for Statistical Areas Level 1 (SA1). The SA1 level ERP data was then modelled down to a 1km x 1km grid across geographic Australia using various point layers that represent population. The value of each grid cell represents the population density (number of people per square kilometre) in that 1km x 1km cell. This is modelled data and caution must be used in its interpretation, as the population has NOT been measured at the 1km cell level. SA1s are defined by the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3 (2021) and the grid used is based on the National Nested Grid Standard.Data and geography notes: Source data publication: Regional population, 2022Geographic boundary information: Statistical Areas Level 1 (SA1) - Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3, National Nested Grid StandardAdditional data inputs: ABS Address Register, Indigenous Community Points (ICP)Further information: Regional population methodologySource: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) www.abs.gov.auProcessing step:1) A subset of the Address Register that represented residential addresses as closely as possible was made. ICP points were included where no AR point existed.SA1 centroid points were included where no AR or ICP point existed within an SA1. All these layers were combined into a single point layer (Allpoints). 2) The Allpoints layer was overlaid with the ASGS 2021 SA1 boundaries to give every point an SA1 code. Points without an SA1 code (outside all SA1 regions) were dropped. 3) Estimated Resident Population by SA1 (ERP) was averaged across all points within each SA1. 4) Points were converted to raster, using the National Nested grid as template. Point population values falling within each raster cell were summed.

Census data reveals that population density varies noticeably from area to area. Small area census data do a better job depicting where the crowded neighborhoods are. In this map, the yellow areas of highest density range from 30,000 to 150,000 persons per square kilometer. In those areas, if the people were spread out evenly across the area, there would be just 4 to 9 meters between them. Very high density areas exceed 7,000 persons per square kilometer. High density areas exceed 5,200 persons per square kilometer. The last categories break at 3,330 persons per square kilometer, and 1,500 persons per square kilometer.This dataset is comprised of multiple sources. All of the demographic data are from Michael Bauer Research with the exception of the following countries:Australia: Esri Australia and MapData ServicesCanada: Esri Canada and EnvironicsFrance: Esri FranceGermany: Esri Germany and NexigaIndia: Esri India and IndicusJapan: Esri JapanSouth Korea: Esri Korea and OPENmateSpain: Esri España and AISUnited States: Esri Demographics

Changelog Version 1.0.0 (2025-07-05)

ArcGIS Instant App (Atlas) created with the following:

Population distribution by Statistical Area Level 2 webmapBasemap widget showcasing the Basemap Gallery

 Configured to open on the Topographic Basemap

Map layer widget, configured to open on the initial App load

 Show title 
 Toggle on/off
 Zoom to layer
 Show legend
 Adjust transparency 
 Swipe layer on/off
 Open data table
 Layer information
 Remove layer

Legend widget

 Will showcase the legend of visible layers 

Measurement widget

 Linear measurement 
 Area measurement 
 Find coordinates
 Elevation profiles 

Sketch widget used to add the drawing as an operational layer of the map

 Points 
 Lines 
 Polygons 
 Shapes 
 Symbols 
 Text
 Colours 

Save widget

 Export to PDF 
 Screenshot

It should be noted that this data is now somwhat dated! Human population density is a surrogate indicator of the extent of human pressures on the surrounding landscapes. Areas with high population …Show full descriptionIt should be noted that this data is now somwhat dated! Human population density is a surrogate indicator of the extent of human pressures on the surrounding landscapes. Areas with high population density are associated with higher levels of stream pollution and water diversion through sewers and drains. City and urban environments are substantially changed from their pre-European condition but a changed condition is not of itself necessarily poor by societal standards. It is the impacts such as polluted run-off to waterways, air pollution, sewage disposal, household water use and predation of wildlife by pets that confer impacts on catchment condition. Human population centres have an impact well beyond the built environment. The impact of major population centres is well expressed in the AWRC map, but is best displayed in the 500 map. The main areas of impact are the major coastal and capital cities and suburbs, including popular beachside tourist destinations. Elsewhere, the impact of population density appears to be confined to the Murray and other major river valleys. The Australian Bureau of Statistics compiles population statistics by sampling statistical local areas (SLAas) through the national census. These data can be converted to a per catchment basis. Interpretation of the indicator is largely unequivocal, although there are land-uses/activities (e.g. mining) where population density is not a good indicator of the degree of habitat decline. This indicator has not been validated relative to habitat decline. This indicator is easy to understand. Data are available as: continental maps at 5km (0.05 deg) cell resolution for the ILZ; spatial averages over CRES defined catchments (CRES, 2000) in the ILZ; spatial averages over the AWRC river basins in the ILZ. See further metadata for more detail.

Key FeaturesArcGIS Instant App (Atlas) created using the Population distribution by local government area webmap and the following widgets:BasemapMap LayerLegendMeasurementSketchSaveModification As needed, please refer to map for currency of data layers. Contact Digital Atlas of Australia

The Meeberrie earthquake is the largest known onshore Australian earthquake. Its magnitude was ML 7.2 and it was felt over a wide area of Western Australia as shown on the isoseismal map below, from Port Hedland in the north to Albany and Norseman in the south. Damage from the earthquake was small because of the low population density in the epicentral region, but the shaking at Meeberrie homestead was very severe; all the walls of the homestead were cracked, several rainwater tanks burst, and widespread cracking of the ground occurred. Minor non-structural damage was reported in Perth more than 500km away from the epicentre.

Chart and table of population level and growth rate for the Melbourne, Australia metro area from 1950 to 2025.

The earliest point where scientists can make reasonable estimates for the population of global regions is around 10,000 years before the Common Era (or 12,000 years ago). Estimates suggest that Asia has consistently been the most populated continent, and the least populated continent has generally been Oceania (although it was more heavily populated than areas such as North America in very early years). Population growth was very slow, but an increase can be observed between most of the given time periods. There were, however, dips in population due to pandemics, the most notable of these being the impact of plague in Eurasia in the 14th century, and the impact of European contact with the indigenous populations of the Americas after 1492, where it took almost four centuries for the population of Latin America to return to its pre-1500 level. The world's population first reached one billion people in 1803, which also coincided with a spike in population growth, due to the onset of the demographic transition. This wave of growth first spread across the most industrially developed countries in the 19th century, and the correlation between demographic development and industrial or economic maturity continued until today, with Africa being the final major region to begin its transition in the late-1900s.