Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia is a large country with a relatively small population, resulting in a low population density. The majority of the population resides in large cities along the coast, with 70% of Australians living in the eight most populous cities. These cities are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Canberra, and Wollongong. Sydney is the most populous city, with a population of 5,450,496 as of 2023. Canberra, the capital, is the largest inland city, located 300 kilometres from Sydney. The population of the capital's Australian Capital Territory is 466,566. The country's vast interior, known as the Outback, is sparsely populated and evokes a sense of nostalgia and independence for Australians.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population density | 3.5 people per square kilometre (as of June 2024) |
| Most populous city | Sydney (5,450,496 as of 2023) |
| Population growth rates in 2023-24 | Taylor, Strathnairn, Denman Prospect, and Phillip in Canberra; Fraser Rise-Plumpton, Tarneit-North, Clyde North-South in Melbourne; Box Hill-Nelson and Austral-Greendale in Sydney |
| Capital cities with high or very high-density classes | Perth, Canberra (3 km² each), and Adelaide (1 km²) |
| Large cities | Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Hobart, Wollongong, Darwin |
| Multicultural metropolis | Sydney |
| Major cities that are not large metropolises | Brisbane |
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What You'll Learn
Population growth
Australia's population growth has been concentrated in its cities, with 70% of the population living in the top eight most populous cities. These cities are located within the six states of New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia, Victoria, and Queensland.
Sydney is the largest city in Australia, with a population of 4,627,345 people, and it continues to grow. In the 2023 financial year, Greater Sydney's population increased by 107,500 people (2.0%), while the rest of New South Wales added 30,600 people (1.1%). This growth was driven by net overseas migration and natural increase, with net internal migration being negative.
Melbourne and Sydney had the biggest increases in the year ending June 2023, with Melbourne's population growing by 167,500 and Sydney's by 146,700. Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide also saw significant growth, adding over 80,000 people each. The growth rate for the capital cities combined was 3.0%, more than double that of regional Australia (1.4%). Perth had the highest growth rate at 3.6%, followed by Melbourne (3.3%) and Brisbane (3.1%).
The population growth in these cities has been accommodated by high-density living, with an increase in apartments and a decrease in detached houses.
Some regional cities have also experienced significant population growth. Mandurah in Western Australia has attracted a net gain of 30,000 people, with migrants from Perth and the UK being the biggest contributors. The Gold Coast, with a population larger than three capital cities, has seen growth driven by its infrastructure and fringe benefits.
Overall, Australia's population growth has been strong, with a total national population increase of 35% over two decades ending in June 2023, from 19.7 million to 26.6 million.
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Cultural diversity
Australia is a multicultural country with a diverse range of cultures, ethnicities, and religions. According to the 2021 Census, just over 7 million people in Australia, or 27.6% of the population, were born overseas. This marks an increase from 26.3% in 2016 and 17.7% in 1911. The top five ancestries in Australia as of 2021 are English (33.0%), Australian (29.9%), Irish (9.5%), Scottish (8.6%), and Chinese (5.5%). Aboriginal Australians make up approximately 2.5% of the population, and in 2021, 2 in 3 South Sea Islanders also identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders.
Sydney, in particular, is one of the most multicultural cities in the world. In the Greater Sydney area, 39.2% of people were born outside of Australia, and this number increases to 47.7% in the City of Sydney and 53.8% in Western Sydney. The most common languages spoken in Sydney, other than English, are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Greek. Sydney is often referred to as a "city of villages," with distinct neighborhoods that celebrate the city's cultural diversity and rich immigrant histories.
While Australia has generally embraced multiculturalism, there have been critics of it in politics. Prime Minister Howard, for example, was a critic of multiculturalism and released the One Australia policy in the late 1980s, which called for a reduction in Asian immigration. He later retracted the policy, citing his previous position as wrong. Pauline Hanson, a new independent member of Parliament, also made a maiden speech highly critical of multiculturalism, stating that a multicultural society could never be strong. Despite calls for censure, Howard responded by emphasizing freedom of speech and advocating for a shared national identity.
To promote cultural diversity and social cohesion, various projects have been established by government and non-government entities. Canberra, for example, holds the annual National Multicultural Festival in February, and Harmony Day was established in 1999 by the Howard government to promote a unifying notion of Australian-ness within multicultural policy.
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Unique attractions
Australia is home to many unique attractions, from natural wonders to cultural institutions.
One of the most famous natural attractions is the Great Barrier Reef, known for its turquoise waters and diverse marine life. The reef is a popular destination for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts, offering a chance to explore a vibrant underwater world. Sydney, the country's largest city, is a multicultural metropolis and a hub for arts and culture. It boasts iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, as well as a thriving culinary scene that showcases the city's diversity.
Canberra, the country's capital, is home to significant cultural institutions such as the National Gallery of Australia and the Australian War Memorial. The city was purpose-built to serve as the capital and features a unique design by Chicago architect Walter Burley Griffin. Another city with a rich cultural offering is Hobart, the capital of Tasmania. Hobart is known for its Museum of Old and New Art, a renowned cultural institution showcasing a diverse range of art.
For those seeking outdoor adventures, Darwin is a popular choice. Isolated from the bigger cities, Darwin serves as a gateway to iconic national parks such as Kakadu. The city's tropical climate and proximity to natural wonders make it an ideal destination for exploring the rugged beauty of Australia's Northern Territory. Additionally, Australia offers unique experiences such as witnessing the mysterious pink hue of an Australian lake, exploring abandoned railroad tunnels filled with bioluminescent bugs, and discovering hand-built castles in the tropical jungle.
Australia's diverse cities and natural landscapes provide visitors with a range of unique attractions, from cultural hotspots to breathtaking natural wonders. Whether it's exploring the arts in Sydney or discovering the remote beauty of Darwin, Australia offers a wealth of experiences that showcase the country's vibrant character.
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Population density
Australia's population density as of June 2024 was 3.5 people per square kilometre. The country's population is concentrated along the coast, where its biggest cities are located. This is a result of the European colonisation of Australia, which began in 1770 when James Cook claimed the continent for the British crown.
Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, is the most populous city in Australia, with a population of 5,450,496 as of 2023. Between 2011 and 2023, the number of residents in Sydney grew by 18%. The city is a multicultural metropolis and one of the world's most important artistic centres.
Canberra, the capital of Australia, is the country's largest inland city, located 300 kilometres from Sydney and 650 kilometres from Melbourne. Its population is 466,566. Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, has a population of 253,654.
Darwin, a city in the Northern Territory, has a population of 150,736. It is a popular starting point for tourists driving along the Stuart Highway, which crosses the country from north to south.
Perth, Adelaide, and Melbourne are other large cities in Australia, with significant population growth in their outer suburbs.
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Urban centres
The eight Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSA) are unique statistical divisions that represent the broadest definition of each state or territory capital city. Each capital city forms its GCCSA, and 70% of Australia's population lives in these eight most populous cities. The population of the GCCSA is the most commonly quoted figure for the population of capital cities.
Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, is Australia's most populous city, with a population of 5,450,496 as of 2023. It is a multicultural metropolis and a hub for arts and culture. The Greater Sydney area experienced a population growth of 2.0% between 2023 and 2024.
Canberra, the capital of Australia, is located in the Australian Capital Territory and has a population of 466,566, including the adjacent town of Queanbeyan in New South Wales. It is Australia's largest inland city, located 300 kilometres from Sydney and 650 kilometres from Melbourne.
Other major cities include Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, with a population of 253,654, and Darwin, with a population of 150,736. Wollongong, also known as The Gong, is the eighth-largest city in Australia.
While most Australians live along the coast, where the biggest cities are located, the country also has a vast, sparsely populated inland area known as the Outback, which holds a special place in Australian culture and evokes a sense of nostalgia.
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