As of December 2023, the proportion of the Australian population that lived in New South Wales amounted to 31.3 percent. The Northern Territory had the least number of residents in the country, with less than one percent of the population residing there.

As of June 2023, there were approximately 8.33 million residents in the New South Wales region in Australia. In comparison, there were around 252 thousand residents in the Northern Territory region.

Australia Population: Resident: Estimated: Male: State: Victoria data was reported at 3,466,834.000 Person in Sep 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 3,450,134.000 Person for Jun 2024. Australia Population: Resident: Estimated: Male: State: Victoria data is updated quarterly, averaging 2,393,558.000 Person from Jun 1981 (Median) to Sep 2024, with 174 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,466,834.000 Person in Sep 2024 and a record low of 1,958,717.000 Person in Jun 1981. Australia Population: Resident: Estimated: Male: State: Victoria data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.G002: Estimated Resident Population.

Quarterly estimates of total resident population for states, territories and Australia. Includes estimates of the population by sex in five-year age groups; numbers (and some rates) of births, deaths, infant deaths, interstate and overseas movements; quarterly and/or annual time series spreadsheets; projected resident population for states, territories and Australia; and projected number of households for capital cities, states territories and Australia.

Population: Resident: Estimated: Male: State: Australian Capital Territory data was reported at 234,087.000 Person in Sep 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 233,445.000 Person for Jun 2024. Population: Resident: Estimated: Male: State: Australian Capital Territory data is updated quarterly, averaging 161,103.500 Person from Jun 1981 (Median) to Sep 2024, with 174 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 234,087.000 Person in Sep 2024 and a record low of 113,605.000 Person in Jun 1981. Population: Resident: Estimated: Male: State: Australian Capital Territory data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.G002: Estimated Resident Population.

Estimated resident population (ERPs) is the official measure of the Australian population, published quarterly by the ABS. This dataset contains quarterly ERP by age, at state/territory and Australia level.

The estimated resident population (ERP) is the official measure of the Australian population. This dataset contains annual ERP by country of birth, age and sex at the Australia level. At the …Show full descriptionThe estimated resident population (ERP) is the official measure of the Australian population. This dataset contains annual ERP by country of birth, age and sex at the Australia level. At the state/territory level it is available for Census years only.

This data set contains the Australian Bureau of Statistics population data for Australian states and territories. Population data was collected as part of national census’ in 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006 …Show full descriptionThis data set contains the Australian Bureau of Statistics population data for Australian states and territories. Population data was collected as part of national census’ in 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011. Data presented is the total population for all collection districts by place of enumeration. District Boundaries differed for each census and therefore were re-projected onto the 2011 population mesh blocks to standardise the spatial extent of the reporting areas. Given the focus of this project, population data was clipped by a 50km coastal buffer. Note: population data for census’ 1991 – 1996 - 2001 was purchased by NESP and is made publically available through by NESP Note: population data for 2006 and 2011 was downloaded through the ABS webportal. http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome.nsf/home/tablebuilder?opendocument&navpos=240 Note. 2006 Census district boundaries were downloaded from the ABS website http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/2919.0.55.001Main+Features1Aug 2006?OpenDocument and 2011 population mesh blocks http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/1270.0.55.001 This data contains geographical information in shape files that represent the population density in Australia, from 1991 to 2011. The data contains the summary polygon, state_code, cd_code19, 91_pop_dat (population count), area and density (in persons per km^2). For other data sets the count will be 96_pop_dat, 2001_pop_dat, 2006_pop_dat and 2011_pop_dat.

australia - Population Growth for Australia was 2.44747 % Chg. at Annual Rate in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, australia - Population Growth for Australia reached a record high of 2.44747 in January of 2023 and a record low of 0.14090 in January of 2021. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for australia - Population Growth for Australia - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

Section of State (SOS)

Section of State (SOS) groups Urban Centres and Localities (UCLs) into classes of urban areas based on population size, and the remainder is rural.

There are four SOS identifiers which include:

• Major Urban - represents a combination of all Urban Centres with a population of 100,000 or more
• Other Urban - represents a combination of Urban Centres with a population between 1,000 and 99,999
• Bounded Localities - a population cluster of between 200 and 999 people. Classified as rural.
• Rural Balance - represents the remainder State/Territory

Using SOS with Census data

Use SOS if you are wanting to compare urban and rural areas. The ABS defines ‘Urban Australia’ as Major Urban + Other Urban and ‘Rural Australia’ as Bounded Localities + Rural Balance.

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Australian Bureau of Statistics (Jul2021-Jun2026), Data services and APIs, ABS Website, accessed 25 July 2023.

https://www.abs.gov.au/website-privacy-copyright-and-disclaimer#copyright-and-creative-commons

Estimated resident population (ERPs) is the official measure of the Australian population, published quarterly by the ABS. This dataset contains quarterly ERP by age, at state/territory and …Show full descriptionEstimated resident population (ERPs) is the official measure of the Australian population, published quarterly by the ABS. This dataset contains quarterly ERP by age, at state/territory and Australia level.

Estimated Resident Population (ERP) is the official measure of the Australian population. ERP for sub-state regions (including SA2s and LGAs) is published annually, with a reference date of 30 June. ERP is the official measure of the Australian population, based on the concept of usual residence. It refers to all people, regardless of nationality, citizenship or legal status, who usually live in Australia, with the exception of foreign diplomatic personnel and their families. Note, years 2012-2016 describe preliminary rebased (PR) data. For more information about PR refer to the dataset's Explanatory Notes. This dataset has been compiled using Census data, mathematical models and a range of indicator data. Current indicators include building approvals, Medicare enrolments (provided by the Department of Human Services) and electoral enrolments (provided by the Australian Electoral Commission). Data is sourced from: ABS.Stat and further information is available at http://stat.data.abs.gov.au/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=ABS_ERP_LGA2016. For additional information about this dataset and other related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070.

These population projections were prepared by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for Geoscience Australia. The projections are not official ABS data and are owned by Geoscience Australia. These projections are for Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2s) and Local Government Areas (LGAs), and are projected out from a base population as at 30 June 2022, by age and sex. Projections are for 30 June 2023 to 2032, with results disaggregated by age and sex.

Method The cohort-component method was used for these projections. In this method, the base population is projected forward annually by calculating the effect of births, deaths and migration (the components) within each age-sex cohort according to the specified fertility, mortality and overseas and internal migration assumptions. The projected usual resident population by single year of age and sex was produced in four successive stages – national, state/territory, capital city/rest of state, and finally SA2s. Assumptions were made for each level and the resulting projected components and population are constrained to the geographic level above for each year.
These projections were derived from a combination of assumptions published in Population Projections, Australia, 2022 (base) to 2071 on 23 November 2023, and historical patterns observed within each state/territory.

Projections – capital city/rest of state regions The base population is 30 June 2022 Estimated Resident Population (ERP) as published in National, state and territory population, June 2022. For fertility, the total fertility rate (at the national level) is based on the medium assumption used in Population Projections, Australia, 2022 (base) to 2071, of 1.6 babies per woman being phased in from 2022 levels over five years to 2027, before remaining steady for the remainder of the projection span. Observed state/territory, and greater capital city level fertility differentials were applied to the national data so that established trends in the state and capital city/rest of state relativities were preserved. Mortality rates are based on the medium assumption used in Population Projections, Australia, 2022 (base) to 2071, and assume that mortality rates will continue to decline across Australia with state/territory differentials persisting. State/territory and capital city/rest of state differentials were used to ensure projected deaths are consistent with the historical trend. Annual net overseas migration (NOM) is based on the medium assumption used in Population Projections, Australia, 2022 (base) to 2071, with an assumed gain (at the national level) of 400,000 in 2022-23, increasing to 315,000 in 2023-24, then declining to 225,000 in 2026-27, after which NOM is assumed to remain constant. State and capital city/rest of state shares are based on a weighted average of NOM data from 2010 to 2019 at the state and territory level to account for the impact of COVID-19. For internal migration, net gains and losses from states and territories and capital city/rest of state regions are based on the medium assumption used in Population Projections, Australia, 2022 (base) to 2071, and assume that net interstate migration will trend towards long-term historic average flows.

Projections – Statistical Areas Level 2 The base population for each SA2 is the estimated resident population in each area by single year of age and sex, at 30 June 2022, as published in Regional population by age and sex, 2022 on 28 September 2023. The SA2-level fertility and mortality assumptions were derived by combining the medium scenario state/territory assumptions from Population Projections, Australia, 2022 (base) to 2071, with recent fertility and mortality trends in each SA2 based on annual births (by sex) and deaths (by age and sex) published in Regional Population, 2021-22 and Regional Population by Age and Sex, 2022. Assumed overseas and internal migration for each SA2 is based on SA2-specific annual overseas and internal arrivals and departures estimates published in Regional Population, 2021-22 and Regional Population by Age and Sex, 2022. The internal migration data was strengthened with SA2-specific data from the 2021 Census, based on the usual residence one year before Census night question. Assumptions were applied by SA2, age and sex. Assumptions were adjusted for some SA2s, to provide more plausible future population levels, and age and sex distribution changes, including areas where populations may not age over time, for example due to significant resident student and defence force populations. Most assumption adjustments were made via the internal migration component. For some SA2s with zero or a very small population base, but where significant population growth is expected, replacement migration age/sex profiles were applied. All SA2-level components and projected projections are constrained to the medium series of capital city/rest of state data in Population Projections, Australia, 2022 (base) to 2071.

Projections – Local Government Areas The base population for each LGA is the estimated resident population in each area by single year of age and sex, at 30 June 2022, as published in Regional population by age and sex, 2022 on 28 September 2023. Projections for 30 June 2023 to 2032 were created by converting from the SA2-level population projections to LGAs by age and sex. This was done using an age-specific population correspondence, where the data for each year of the projection span were converted based on 2021 population shares across SA2s. The LGA and SA2 projections are congruous in aggregation as well as in isolation. Unlike the projections prepared at SA2 level, no LGA-specific projection assumptions were used.

Nature of projections and considerations for usage The nature of the projection method and inherent fluctuations in population dynamics mean that care should be taken when using and interpreting the projection results. The projections are not forecasts, but rather illustrate future changes which would occur if the stated assumptions were to apply over the projection period. These projections do not attempt to allow for non-demographic factors such as major government policy decisions, economic factors, catastrophes, wars and pandemics, which may affect future demographic behaviour. To illustrate a range of possible outcomes, alternative projection series for national, state/territory and capital city/rest of state areas, using different combinations of fertility, mortality, overseas and internal migration assumptions, are prepared. Alternative series are published in Population Projections, Australia, 2022 (base) to 2071. Only one series of SA2-level projections was prepared for this product. Population projections can take account of planning and other decisions by governments known at the time the projections were derived, including sub-state projections published by each state and territory government. The ABS generally does not have access to the policies or decisions of commonwealth, state and local governments and businesses that assist in accurately forecasting small area populations. Migration, especially internal migration, accounts for the majority of projected population change for most SA2s. Volatile and unpredictable small area migration trends, especially in the short-term, can have a significant effect on longer-term projection results. Care therefore should be taken with SA2s with small total populations and very small age-sex cells, especially at older ages. While these projections are calculated at the single year of age level, small numbers, and fluctuations across individual ages in the base population and projection assumptions limit the reliability of SA2-level projections at single year of age level. These fluctuations reduce and reliability improves when the projection results are aggregated to broader age groups such as the five-year age bands in this product. For areas with small elderly populations, results aggregated to 65 and over are more reliable than for the individual age groups above 65. With the exception of areas with high planned population growth, SA2s with a base total population of less than 500 have generally been held constant for the projection period in this product as their populations are too small to be reliably projected at all, however their (small) age/sex distributions may change slightly. These SA2s are listed in the appendix. The base (2022) SA2 population estimates and post-2022 projections by age and sex include small artificial cells, including 1s and 2s. These are the result of a confidentialisation process and forced additivity, to control SA2 and capital city/rest of state age/sex totals, being applied to their original values. SA2s and LGAs in this product are based on the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) boundaries as at the 2021 Census (ASGS Edition 3). For further information, see Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3.

Made possible by the Digital Atlas of Australia The Digital Atlas of Australia is a key Australian Government initiative being led by Geoscience Australia, highlighted in the Data and Digital Government Strategy. It brings together trusted datasets from across government in an interactive, secure, and easy-to-use geospatial platform. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is working in partnership with Geoscience Australia to establish a set of web services to make ABS data available in the Digital Atlas of Australia.

Contact the Australian Bureau of Statistics If you have questions or feedback about this web service, please email geography@abs.gov.au. To subscribe to updates about ABS web services and geospatial products, please complete this form. For information about how the ABS manages any personal information you provide view the ABS privacy policy.

Data and geography references Source data publication: Population Projections, Australia, 2022 (base)

Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates of historic annual population growth, 1860-2015. http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/allprimarymainfeatures/6CBA90A25BAC951DCA257F7F001CC559?opendocument

Figure DRV2 in Drivers report. https://soe.environment.gov.au/theme/drivers/topic/population-driver-environmental-change#Figure_DRV2

Contains projections (based on different assumptions of future fertility, mortality and migration) of the resident population of Australia, the states and territories, capital cities and balance of states, by age and sex for the base year to 2101 (for Australia) and for the base year to 2061 (for the states and territories, capital cities and balances of states). Also includes summary measures such as percentages of population in selected age groups and median ages as well as detailed notes on the assumptions used.

Australia Population: Resident: Estimated: Male: State: Queensland data was reported at 2,777,470.000 Person in Sep 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 2,765,211.000 Person for Jun 2024. Australia Population: Resident: Estimated: Male: State: Queensland data is updated quarterly, averaging 1,849,866.000 Person from Jun 1981 (Median) to Sep 2024, with 174 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,777,470.000 Person in Sep 2024 and a record low of 1,178,447.000 Person in Jun 1981. Australia Population: Resident: Estimated: Male: State: Queensland data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.G002: Estimated Resident Population.

Contains latest available estimates of the resident populations of areas of Australia as at 30 June in each year . These estimates are provided for Statistical Areas Level 2 - 4 (SA2s - SA4s), Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSAs), and states and territories of Australia according to the current edition of the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS).

Estimates are also provided for Local Government Areas (LGAs), Significant Urban Areas, Remoteness Areas, and Commonwealth and State Electoral Divisions.

Australia Population: Resident: Estimated: Male: State: Tasmania data was reported at 284,994.000 Person in Sep 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 284,921.000 Person for Jun 2024. Australia Population: Resident: Estimated: Male: State: Tasmania data is updated quarterly, averaging 235,239.000 Person from Jun 1981 (Median) to Sep 2024, with 174 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 284,994.000 Person in Sep 2024 and a record low of 212,565.000 Person in Jun 1981. Australia Population: Resident: Estimated: Male: State: Tasmania data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.G002: Estimated Resident Population.

Population: Resident: Estimated: Male: State: South Australia data was reported at 930,739.000 Person in Sep 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 928,242.000 Person for Jun 2024. Population: Resident: Estimated: Male: State: South Australia data is updated quarterly, averaging 749,563.500 Person from Jun 1981 (Median) to Sep 2024, with 174 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 930,739.000 Person in Sep 2024 and a record low of 653,940.000 Person in Jun 1981. Population: Resident: Estimated: Male: State: South Australia data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.G002: Estimated Resident Population.

The share of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in Australia in 2019 was highest in New South Wales with around 33 percent of the indigenous population in Australia living there. Comparatively, the Australian Capital Territory accounted for only one percent of the country's indigenous population in that year.