Lexi Webster
Australia is a country with a diverse mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas, and its cities are spread across six states: New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia, Victoria, and Queensland. The definition of a city in Australia varies between states, and there are different criteria for a locality to be classified as a city. For instance, in New South Wales, a locality must have a population of at least 25,000 people and be an independent centre of population to be considered a city. Australia has 5 cities with over a million people, 14 cities with populations between 100,000 and 1 million, and 375 cities with populations ranging from 10,000 to 100,000.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cities in Australia | 8 Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSA) |
| Definition of a city | Varies between states; generally, a city must have a population of at least 25,000, be an independent centre of population, and be a homogenous centre of regional importance |
| Population density (as of June 2024) | 3.5 people per square kilometre |
| Most populous cities | Located in New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria |
| Population distribution | 70% of the population lives in the top eight most populous cities; around 10% live in rural towns |
| Areas with high population growth rates (2023-24) | 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 |
| Local government areas (LGAs) | May be termed cities, councils, regions, shires, or towns; Brisbane is the only state capital city with its LGA covering a significant portion of its urban area |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Population density
Australia's population density is low compared to other countries. As of June 2024, it was 3.5 people per square kilometre, up from 3.4/km2 in June 2022. In 2021, it was 3.34, a 0.14% increase from 2020. Australia's population density makes it the third least densely populated country in the world, after Namibia and Mongolia.
The population of Australia is estimated to be 27,923,100 as of 11 July 2025, with the majority of the population living in urban areas, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern and Southern seaboards. 70% of the population live in the top eight most populous cities, which are located within New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. The most populous cities are part of a Greater Capital City Statistical Area (GCCSA), which represents a broad functional definition of each of the eight state and territory capital cities.
The population density of each city varies. Sydney had the largest combined area in the high and very high-density classes (194 km²), followed by Melbourne (69 km²) and Brisbane (24 km²). Perth, Canberra (both 3 km²) and Adelaide (1 km²) were the other capital cities to have areas in the high or very high-density classes.
Local government areas (LGAs) cover around 90% of the nation. Brisbane is the only state capital city with its respective LGA (City of Brisbane) covering a significant portion of its urban area. In other capital cities, the central LGA covers a much smaller proportion of the total urban area.
Australia: A Land of Opportunities and Adventure
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Migration patterns
Australia's population growth between 30 June 1994 and 30 June 2024 averaged 1.4% per year. While natural increase has contributed to this growth, fluctuations in net overseas migration have had a greater impact. From 2005 to 2006 up until 2020 to 2021, net overseas migration contributed more to population growth than natural increase. The COVID-19 pandemic and the introduction of international border restrictions caused population growth to fall to a historical low of 0.1% in 2020–21, with a net outflow of migrants.
Following the easing of restrictions and the return of overseas migration in late 2021, Australia's population grew by 2.5% in 2022–23 and 2.0% in 2023–24. Net overseas migration grew to a record high of 536,000 people in 2022–23, then moderated to 435,000 people in 2023–24, remaining above pre-pandemic levels. The top five countries of birth for migrant arrivals in 2023–24 were India, China, the Philippines, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
In terms of internal migration, Australia's capital cities have experienced a net loss of residents. In the year before the 2021 Census, there was a net loss of 59,500 people from capital cities, with Sydney experiencing the biggest net loss of 49,100 people. This was a significantly greater loss than in previous years. In the March 2021 quarter, there was a net loss of 11,800 people from Australia's greater capital cities, with 66,300 departures to non-capital cities. This was the largest net loss on record since 2001.
Queensland experienced the largest change in net migration in the March 2021 quarter, with a net gain of 7,000 people. Brisbane, in particular, saw a net gain of 3,300 people. South Australia also saw a net gain of 60 people for Greater Adelaide in the same quarter, with a net interstate gain for the first time since September 2002.
Overall, Australia has high rates of interstate migration compared to other countries, although these rates have declined from their peak in the 1980s and 1990s. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated travel restrictions reduced net interstate migration, as state and territory governments temporarily restricted movements across cities, regions, and state borders.
Australian Citizenship: Locating Your Certificate Number
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Most populous cities
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world by land area, with a population of 26 million people. The country is divided into six states: New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia, Victoria, and Queensland. Each state has its own capital city, and these capital cities are typically the most populous urban areas in their respective states.
The most populous city in Australia is Sydney, with a population of 5,450,496 as of 2023. Sydney is located on the country's east coast and is known for its iconic landmarks such as the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. The city has experienced significant population growth, with an increase of 18% between 2011 and 2023.
The second-largest city in Australia is Melbourne, with a population of 5,207,145. Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria and is known for its vibrant arts scene and cultural diversity. It has been listed as one of the "world's most liveable cities" by The Economist. Melbourne has also seen substantial population growth, with a 24% increase between 2011 and 2023.
Brisbane is the third-largest city in Australia, with a population of 2,706,966 as of 2023. It is the capital of Queensland and is home to cultural attractions such as the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Brisbane derives its name from the Brisbane River, which flows through the city and out to the ocean.
Other populous cities in Australia include Perth, Adelaide, and Canberra, which all have areas with high population densities. These cities, along with Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, are located along the coast, which is where almost all of Australia's inhabitants reside. This coastal concentration is a result of the historical colonisation process, which began with James Cook's claim of the continent for the British in 1770.
Avengers 4: Australian Release Date and What to Expect
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Significant Urban Areas (SUAs)
Australia's population is spread across a mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas. Significant Urban Areas (SUAs) are statistical divisions that represent significant towns and cities or clusters of smaller towns with a total population of at least 10,000 people. SUAs are designed to provide an effective statistical representation of urban areas, and they can change over time due to population growth or changes in Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) boundaries. SA2s are collations of suburbs and localities designed for consistent statistical output between censuses.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) defines SUAs as having a population of over 50,000 people. In 2024, the ABS ranked all SUAs with a population greater than 50,000, including capital cities. 70% of the Australian population lives in the top eight most populous cities.
SUAs are constructed from one or more SA2 units, which are combined based on specific criteria. An SA2 containing an Urban Centre of 10,000 people or more is considered an SUA. Additionally, if an SA2 has an Urban Centre within a 5-kilometre distance via sealed road from a larger Urban Centre, and their combined population exceeds 10,000, they can be aggregated into the same SUA. SUAs can cross state and territory borders, ensuring a comprehensive geographical coverage without gaps or overlaps.
The population density in Australia as of June 2024 was 3.5 people per square kilometre. Sydney had the largest combined area in the high and very high-density classes, followed by Melbourne and Brisbane. The most populous cities are located within New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria.
Green Point and Gosford: How Far Apart?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Australia's population density as of June 2024 was 3.5 people per square kilometre. The country is divided into Local Government Areas (LGAs), which are the main units of local government. There are 566 LGAs covering the whole of Australia, including unincorporated areas. LGAs are an Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Mesh Block approximation of gazetted local government boundaries as defined by each state and territory. ABS approximations of administrative boundaries should only be used for statistical purposes.
The administrative area covered by local government councils in Australia varies significantly. For example, the Shire of Peppermint Grove in the Perth metropolitan region covers 1.5 square kilometres, while the Shire of East Pilbara in Western Australia's Pilbara region covers 372,571 square kilometres.
The LGAs with the highest population growth rates in 2023-24 were generally located in Australia's inner cities or on the outskirts of the country's capitals. In 2024, the LGAs with the highest population growth rates in Australia were Taylor, Strathnairn, Denman Prospect, and Phillip in Canberra; Fraser Rise-Plumpton, Tarneit North, and Clyde North-South in Melbourne; and Box Hill-Nelson and Austral-Greendale in Sydney.
The Australian Capital Territory, northern parts of South Australia, and some other territories are unincorporated, meaning they have no defined local government. Instead, the responsibilities typically handled by local government are administered by a department of the territory government.
The roles of LGAs in Australia have recently expanded as higher levels of government have devolved activities to the third tier. For example, LGAs are now responsible for providing community health services, regional airports, and pollution control, as well as community safety and accessible transport.
A New Identity: Steps to Legally Change Yours in Australia
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
There are 317 prominent cities in Australia, which is a subset of the 13,814 places in the country.
There are 5 cities in Australia with a population of more than 1 million.
The largest city in Australia is Melbourne, with an urban population of 5,031,195.
The definition of a city in Australia varies between states. A previous version of the Local Government Act 1993 specified that to be a city, an area must have a population of at least 25,000 people and be an independent centre of population.
![National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Adventure Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81rRihqWqgL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
![National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Scenic Drives Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/814R4OsGtCL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
