Lyla Lindsey
Canberra, Australia's capital and largest inland city, is home to a significant number of people. As of 2021, the city had a population of 452,670 residents, accounting for 1.8% of Australia's total population of 27.4 million. Canberra's population has grown steadily over the years, with a 2023 estimate of 472,000 people and a projected population of 500,000 by 2028. The city covers 814 square kilometers, resulting in a population density of approximately 495.6 people per square kilometer as of 2016. Canberra's population growth is influenced by factors such as migration and birth rates, with certain suburbs like Denman Prospect experiencing notable expansion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 452,670 (2021 census); 472,000 (2023 estimate); 478,000 (2024 estimate) |
| Population rank | 9th largest city in Australia; largest inland city |
| Population density | 495.6 people per square km (2016); 173.3 people per square km (2025) |
| Population growth | 10% increase between 2006 and 2011; 1.07% increase from 2022 to 2023; 1.27% increase from 2023 to 2024 |
| Area | 814 square km |
| Average income | $917 |
| Percentage with postgraduate degree | 4.5% |
| Percentage born overseas | 32% (2016); 32.5% (2021) |
| Top countries of birth (excluding Australia) | England, China, India, New Zealand, Philippines (2016); Asia and Europe (2021) |
| Percentage identifying as Indigenous Australians | 1.6% (2016) |
| Language spoken at home | 72.7% English-only (2016); other languages include Mandarin, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Hindi, Spanish |
| Main occupations | 28.7% professionals; 19.3% clerical and administrative workers; 15.6% managers; 10.5% technicians and trades workers; 9.3% community and personal service workers; 6.9% sales workers; 5.0% labourers; 2.7% machinery operators and drivers; 2.0% other |
| Main industries | 32.3% public administration and safety; 9.5% professional, scientific and technical services; 9.1% health care and social assistance; 8.4% education and training; 7.8% retail trade; 6.4% construction; 5.7% accommodation and food services; 3.2% other services; 2.4% administrative and support services |
| Religious affiliation | 54.2% no religious affiliation (2021) |
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What You'll Learn
Canberra's population in 2021 was 452,670
Canberra is Australia's capital and its largest inland city. Despite this, it is only the ninth-largest city in the country. The city's population has grown significantly since its establishment, when it had a population of just 2,000. By 1976, this number had risen to 203,000. As of the 2021 census, Canberra had 452,670 residents, making up 1.8% of Australia's total population.
Canberra's population density is 173.3 people per square kilometre, which is the fifth-highest among Australian capital cities. However, compared to other developed cities worldwide, this density is relatively low. The city covers an area of 814 square kilometres, resulting in a population density of 495.6 people per square kilometre in 2016.
The 2021 census revealed that 32.5% of Canberra's population were born overseas, with the majority hailing from Asia and Europe. Australia, England, China, India, New Zealand, and Vietnam are the top six countries of birth for people in Canberra. In 2016, 72.7% of people spoke only English at home, while other commonly spoken languages included Mandarin, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Hindi, and Spanish.
The residents of Canberra are well-educated, with 4.5% holding postgraduate degrees, compared to the Australian average of 1.8%. The main occupations of people living in Canberra are professionals (28.7%), clerical and administrative workers (19.3%), managers (15.6%), technicians and trades workers (10.5%), community and personal service workers (9.3%), and sales workers (6.9%). The city also has a higher percentage of volunteers than other Australian cities.
Canberra's population has continued to grow in recent years, with the metro area population reaching 472,000 in 2023 and 478,000 in 2024.
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Population density is 173.3 people per square kilometre
Canberra, Australia's capital and largest inland city, covers 814 square kilometres of area. As of 2021, it had a population of 452,670 people. In 2024, this number grew to 478,000. This gives Canberra a population density of 173.3 people per square kilometre. This figure ranks it as the fifth most populated city in Australia.
Compared to other developed cities worldwide, Canberra's population density is relatively low. For example, as of 2016, Canberra's population density was 495.6 people per square kilometre. This increase in population density can be attributed to the city's growth over the years. From 1960 to 1971, the population tripled from 50,000 to 146,000, climbing to 203,000 in 1976.
Canberra's population density is influenced by various factors, including its history, geography, and urban planning. As a planned city, its development has been intentional and strategic, which may have contributed to the relatively even distribution of people across the city. Additionally, Canberra's location at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory may play a role in its population density, as it is not within any of Australia's states, providing a sense of neutrality.
The population density of 173.3 people per square kilometre also reflects the liveability and attractiveness of the city. With a high average income and a well-educated population, Canberra offers a high quality of life. The city has a diverse range of industries, with the top occupations being professionals, clerical and administrative workers, managers, and technicians. This diversity of employment opportunities may contribute to a more even distribution of residents across the city.
The population density of Canberra also has implications for the city's infrastructure and services. A density of 173.3 people per square kilometre suggests that the city may have a more spacious and less congested environment compared to denser cities. However, it is important to consider the distribution of this population across different areas of the city, as certain neighbourhoods or districts may have higher or lower densities, which can impact local resources and amenities.
Overall, the population density of 173.3 people per square kilometre in Canberra, Australia, reflects a balance between urban development and space. This density allows for a range of occupations and a high quality of life for residents, contributing to the unique character of Australia's capital city.
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32% of residents were born overseas
Canberra, Australia's capital and largest inland city, is a planned city located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory. It covers 814 square kilometers (314 square miles) of area. According to the 2021 census, Canberra had 452,670 residents, accounting for 1.8% of Australia's population.
Canberra has experienced significant population growth over the years. In the first few decades after its establishment, growth was relatively slow due to limited funds following World War I. The population was nearly 2,000 at that time. Development was halted during the Great Depression and World War II, but the city's population began to climb in the 1960s. Between 1960 and 1971, the population tripled from 50,000 to 146,000, and by 1976, it had reached 203,000. The 2011 census revealed a population of 357,220, representing a more than 10% increase in just five years.
As of the 2016 census, 32% of Canberra's inhabitants were born outside of Australia. The top countries of birth for this group were England, China, India, New Zealand, and the Philippines. By the 2021 census, the percentage of the population born overseas had increased slightly to 32.5%, with a large majority hailing from Asia and Europe. This diversity is reflected in the languages spoken at home, with 72.7% speaking only English, followed by Mandarin (3.1%), Vietnamese (1.1%), Cantonese (1%), Hindi (0.9%), and Spanish (0.8%).
The population of Canberra continues to grow, with estimates for the metro area population reaching 472,000 in 2023 and 478,000 in 2024. These figures represent slow but steady increases from previous years. Canberra's population density is relatively low compared to other developed cities worldwide, with 173.3 people per square kilometer, ranking it as the fifth most populated city among Australia's capital cities.
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54.2% of people have no religious affiliation
Canberra, Australia's capital and largest inland city, had a population of 452,670 residents as of the 2021 census. This amounts to 1.8% of Australia's population.
The largest single religion in Canberra is Western (Roman) Catholic, with 19.1% of the population or 86,744 people as adherents. However, an analysis of the religious affiliation of Canberra's population in 2021 revealed a lower proportion of people who professed a religion and a higher proportion who stated they had no religion when compared to the rest of Australia.
Religion data can provide an indicator of cultural identity and ethnicity when observed in conjunction with other key variables, such as country of birth and language spoken. In 2021, 32.5% of Canberra's population were born overseas, with the top countries of birth outside of Australia being England, China, India, New Zealand, and the Philippines. The other languages most commonly spoken at home were Mandarin, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Hindi, and Spanish.
While the exact percentage of people with no religious affiliation in Canberra is unclear, the analysis suggests that it is higher than the national average, with a larger proportion of the population stating they have no religion. This aligns with the overall trend of decreasing religious affiliation in Australia, as seen with the decline in the number of people affiliated with Christianity from 52.1% in 2016 to 43.9% in 2021.
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The population grew by 10% between 2006 and 2011
Canberra, Australia's capital and largest inland city, has experienced varying rates of population growth throughout its history. Between 2006 and 2011, the population grew by approximately 10%, reaching 357,220 people in August 2011. This growth rate is notable, especially when compared to the city's population in previous decades.
In the first few decades after its establishment, Canberra's growth was relatively slow due to limited funds following World War I. The population remained modest, with only about 2,000 residents. Development was further halted by the Great Depression and World War II, causing a delay in the city's expansion.
However, things changed in the 1960s, with the city's population tripling from 50,000 in 1960 to 146,000 in 1971. This rapid growth continued, reaching 203,000 in 1976. Unfortunately, Canberra's construction industry collapsed in 1976 due to a national recession, slowing down the city's population growth once again.
Despite these fluctuations, the 10% growth rate between 2006 and 2011 is significant. By 2016, the population had reached an estimated 403,468, resulting in a density of 495.6 people per square kilometre. This growth trend continued, with the 2021 census recording 452,670 residents, comprising 1.8% of Australia's total population. The metro area population estimates for 2022, 2023, and 2024 are 467,000, 472,000, and 478,000, respectively.
Canberra's population growth has shaped the city's demographics and economy. The city has a diverse population, with 32% of residents born overseas as of 2016, primarily from England, China, India, New Zealand, and the Philippines. The population density, while lower than other developed cities worldwide, is still significant, ranking Canberra as the fifth most populated city among Australia's capital cities.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2021, Canberra had 452,670 residents, making up 1.8% of Australia's population.
Canberra covers 814 square kilometres (314 square miles) of area. Its population density is 173.3 people per square kilometre, which is the 5th highest among Australian capital cities.
Canberra's population has grown significantly since its establishment. In the first few decades, growth was slow due to low funds after World War I, and the population was nearly 2,000. From 1960 to 1971, the population tripled from 50,000 to 146,000. In 2011, the census recorded 357,220 people, and by 2016, the population was estimated to be 403,468.
The average income in Canberra is $917, higher than the Australian average of $577.
4.5% of people living in Canberra have a postgraduate degree, compared to the Australian average of 1.8%.
