Ruqayyah Snyder
Canberra, Australia's capital city, is home to many important institutions, museums, and national monuments. The city's population has been steadily increasing over the years, with the latest census in 2021 recording 452,670 residents, a significant jump from the 2016 estimate of 403,468. With a population density of 495.6 people per square kilometer, Canberra is the country's ninth-largest city, covering 814 square kilometers. The city boasts a highly educated population, with 4.5% holding postgraduate degrees, and enjoys a higher average income than the national average. Canberra's rich cultural offerings, safety, and high quality of life have earned it global recognition, including being named the best city to live in the world in 2014.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 478,000 (2024 metro area population) 452,670 (2021 census) |
| Population density | 495.6 people per square kilometre (as of 2016) 3.5 people per square kilometre (June 2024) |
| Population growth | 1.27% increase from 2023 to 2024 |
| Population demographics | 32% born overseas (2016 census) 1.6% identified as Indigenous Australians (2016) 72.7% spoke only English at home (2016 census) |
| Crime rate | Lowest of any Australian capital city as of 2019 |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9% (February 2020) |
| Average income | $917 (compared to the national average of $577) |
| Life expectancy | Highest in Australia (81.7 years for males and 85.7 years for females) |
| Points of interest | Australian War Memorial, Australian National University, Royal Australian Mint, National Gallery, National Museum, National Library, Australian Defence Force Academy, Telstra Tower, National Zoo and Aquarium, National Dinosaur Museum, Questacon, Canberra Museum and Gallery |
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What You'll Learn
Canberra's population in 2021 was 452,670
Canberra is Australia's capital city and its largest inland city. It is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory, a small territory developed to ensure that Australia's capital was neutral and not located in any of Australia's states.
At the 2021 census, Canberra had 452,670 residents, constituting 223,365 males and 229,301 females. This amounted to 1.8% of Australia's population. The 2021 unemployment rate was around 3.8%. The population of Canberra has grown over time, with 1,700 residents in 1911, 9,000 by 1930, and surpassing 100,000 by 1971. By 2000, the population was over 300,000, and it continues to grow. The metro area population of Canberra in 2021 was 467,000, increasing to 472,000 in 2023 and 478,000 in 2024.
Canberra is a planned city, covering 814 square kilometres (314 square miles) of area. The city is home to many important institutions of the federal government, national monuments, museums, and social and cultural institutions of national significance. It is also a seat of the Australian Defence Force and hosts all foreign embassies in Australia.
In 2021, 32.5% of Canberra's population were born overseas, with the top three countries of birth being India, England, and China. The most commonly spoken languages at home were English, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Cantonese, and Hindi. The city has a high average level of disposable income compared to other Australian capital cities, with an average weekly income of $917. Residents of Canberra are also better educated than the average Australian, with 4.5% of people holding a postgraduate degree, compared to the national average of 1.8%.
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Population growth and demographics
Canberra is the capital of Australia and its largest inland city. The population of Canberra has grown steadily over the years. In 1911, the city had just over 1,700 residents, which grew to 9,000 by 1930. The population crossed 100,000 in 1971 and reached over 300,000 in 2000. The latest census data from 2021 shows that Canberra's population was 452,670, constituting 1.8% of Australia's total population. The metro area population of Canberra in 2024 was estimated to be 478,000.
The population growth in Canberra can be attributed to net overseas migration and natural increase, with the city experiencing relatively even growth across its different areas. The Australian Capital Territory, which includes Canberra, had a population growth of 7,500 (1.6%) between 2023 and 2024. The area with the highest growth during this period was Googong, just outside the Australian Capital Territory, with a growth rate of 16%.
In terms of demographics, Canberra is similar to other major Australian cities in some respects and different in others. The 2016 census revealed that 32% of Canberra's inhabitants were born overseas, with the majority coming from Asia and Europe. The top countries of birth were India, England, and China. The 2016 census also showed that 1.6% of the population, or 6,476 people, identified as Indigenous Australians. At the same census, 72.7% of people reported speaking only English at home, while the other commonly spoken languages were Mandarin (3.1%), Vietnamese (1.1%), Cantonese (1%), Hindi (0.9%), and Spanish (0.8%).
Canberra has a higher average income and better-educated residents than the national average. The average weekly wage in Canberra is $917, compared to the national average of $577. Additionally, 4.5% of people in Canberra have a postgraduate degree, compared to the national average of 1.8%. The city also has the lowest crime rate of any Australian capital city as of 2019, with the most common crimes being property-related.
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Canberra's status as capital of Australia
Canberra is the capital of Australia and its largest inland city. As of the 2021 census, it had 452,670 residents, constituting 1.8% of Australia's population. The metro area population of Canberra in 2024 was 478,000.
Canberra's status as the capital of Australia is a result of a compromise. During debates over Federation in the late 19th century, there was much bickering about what and where a federal territory and Seat of Government should be. The Federal Parliament couldn't agree on whether Sydney or Melbourne should be the capital, so they chose Canberra as it was located between the two cities. The Constitution also said that the Parliament must choose a site at least 100 miles (160km) from Sydney.
Canberra was chosen as the location for the nation's capital in 1908, and the Seat of Government Bill confirming this was passed by Parliament in October of that year. The site was selected by surveyor Charles Scrivener, who was instructed to find an attractive setting for "a beautiful city ... worthy of the object, not only for the present but for all time". The winning design for the city was submitted by Chicago architect Walter Burley Griffin, in an international competition held by the Government.
Canberra was founded on 12 March 1913, during a ceremony held at Kurrajong Hill (now Capital Hill), the current site of Parliament House. The name "Canberra" was chosen as it was a sentimental favourite and logical choice, probably derived from a local Aboriginal word for "meeting place". The city was slow to develop, with construction delayed by the depression and World Wars. It did not start to resemble a city until the 1950s, and Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies initially considered it an embarrassment. Over time, his beliefs changed, and he began to champion the development of Canberra.
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Canberra's cultural institutions
Canberra, Australia's capital city, is home to approximately 478,000 people as of 2024. It is the country's ninth-largest city and covers 814 square kilometres (314 square miles) of area. As the seat of the Australian government, Canberra boasts a variety of cultural institutions, museums, and national monuments.
The city is home to 12 of Australia's most iconic cultural institutions. These include the Australian War Memorial, the Australian National University, the Royal Australian Mint, the Australian Institute of Sport, the National Gallery, the National Museum, and the National Library. The National Museum, located on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin, showcases the history of Australia and its rich indigenous culture. The National Gallery of Australia, which is also home to the world's largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artworks, is another notable cultural institution in Canberra.
Canberra also hosts several annual cultural events, including Floriade, the largest flower festival in the Southern Hemisphere, the Enlighten Festival, the National Multicultural Festival, and Summernats, a car festival. The city's main sporting venues are Canberra Stadium and Manuka Oval.
Canberra's design is influenced by the garden city movement and features significant natural areas such as the National Arboretum and Lake Burley Griffin. The city's cultural offerings extend to galleries and museums that hold treasures of local, national, and international significance, including the Drill Hall Gallery located on the Australian National University campus.
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Crime rates and statistics
Canberra, the capital of Australia, is known for its low crime rate compared to other cities in the country. According to statistics and local perceptions, Canberra is considered a safe place to live.
In terms of crime rates and statistics, Canberra has exhibited lower crime rates than other Australian cities and regions. For instance, in the 2023-24 financial year, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), which includes Canberra, had a lower number of police proceedings compared to other states and territories. The ACT had 39 proceedings, representing a 1% increase from the previous year. In contrast, Victoria and Tasmania experienced higher increases in police proceedings, with a less than 1% increase (124 proceedings) and a 6% increase (813 proceedings), respectively.
When comparing capital cities, Canberra fares well. As of February 2019, Canberra boasted the lowest crime rate among all Australian capital cities. Darwin was reported to be the worst for crime, followed by Perth, Brisbane, and Sydney. Canberra was ranked alongside Adelaide, Melbourne, and Hobart as cities with very low crime rates.
While Canberra generally enjoys a positive reputation for safety, there have been fluctuations and specific trends in certain types of crimes. For example, in the 2017-2018 year, crimes against persons in the ACT were roughly equivalent to Australian averages. However, certain crimes, such as theft from motor vehicles, malicious property damage, and other theft, were higher than the nationwide average. Additionally, the 2017 crime statistics revealed a rise in personal crimes, including burglaries, thefts, and assaults. Despite these fluctuations, the overall perception remains that Canberra is a relatively safe city.
It is worth noting that crime statistics may not always align with lived experiences. Residents of Canberra have shared their experiences, with some highlighting the absence of breath tests in the ACT, which contrasts with higher testing probabilities in regional towns. Nonetheless, Canberra's low crime rates are supported by both statistical evidence and the perceptions of its residents, contributing to its reputation as a safe city in Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
The population of Canberra, Australia was 452,670 as of the 2021 census.
Canberra covers 814 square kilometres (314 square miles) of area. As of 2016, with a population estimate of 403,468, this gave a population density of 495.6 people per square kilometre. In 2024, Canberra's population density was 3.5 people per square kilometre.
Canberra is Australia's capital and its largest inland city. It is home to many important institutions of the federal government, national monuments and museums. It is also a cultural hub, boasting many museums, galleries, historic homes, and performance venues. Canberra has been ranked among the world's best cities to live in and visit. In 2014, it was named the best city to live in the world by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The city has the lowest rate of crime of any Australian capital city, and its residents are, on average, better educated and have higher incomes than the national average.
