Lyla Lindsey
Australia has a population of over 26 million, with over 85% of Australians living in urban areas. The country is divided into six states: New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia, Victoria, and Queensland. Each state has a capital city, with Sydney being the most populous, followed by Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. Significant Urban Areas (SUAs) are defined as towns or cities with a population of at least 10,000, and there are over 375 cities in Australia that fall within this category. So, to answer the question, the minimum population for a city in Australia is 10,000 people.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum population for a city in Australia | 10,000 |
| Number of cities with more than a million people | 5 |
| Number of cities with between 100,000 and 1 million people | 14 |
| Number of cities with between 10,000 and 100,000 people | 375 |
| Most populous city | Sydney (4.4-4.6 million) |
| Second most populous city | Melbourne (projected to become the most populous) |
| Third most populous city | Brisbane |
| City with the highest growth rate | Perth (3.1%) |
| Population density (as of June 2024) | 3.5 people per square kilometre |
| Population growth rate (2023-24) | 1.6% |
| Projected population by the end of 2025 | 28.06 million |
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What You'll Learn
Significant Urban Areas (SUA)
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, which can change over time due to population growth, absorption of nearby centres, or decline. They are based on Urban Centres and Localities (UCLs) and are constructed from Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2). This allows for a wider range of statistical data, including non-Census data such as Estimated Resident Population (ERP).
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) defines SUAs as having a population of over 50,000 people. However, the criteria for an area to be considered an SUA are based on the population threshold of 10,000. SUAs that contain a single Urban Centre will be named after that centre, while those representing a combination of two or more Urban Centres will reflect the names of the centres that contribute the greater population. SUAs can cross state and territory borders, and they are designed to include potential growth on the edges of urban areas.
The creation or change of an SUA occurs when the population of Urban Centres grows to 10,000 people or more. For example, the urban growth between Melbourne and Melton led to the amalgamation of Melton into the Melbourne SUA. SUAs may contain more than one distinct Urban Centre, and there can be urban areas with populations greater than 10,000 that are not classified as SUAs. 70% of the Australian population lives in the top eight most populous cities.
The Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSA) refer to the eight unique statistical divisions representing each state or territory capital city and are constructed from one or more whole labour market areas. The population of the GCCSA is the most commonly quoted figure for the population of capital cities. In the 2023-24 financial year, the capitals grew by 427,800 people (2.4%), with Melbourne experiencing the largest increase of 142,600 people and Perth having the highest growth rate of 3.1%.
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Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSA)
Australia's capital cities are classified as Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSA). Each state and territory capital city has its own GCCSA, which represents the broadest possible definition of the city and includes populations who regularly socialise, shop or work within the city, but may live in the city, small towns, or rural areas surrounding it. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is an exception, as the whole territory is included in the GCCSA.
The eight GCCSAs are:
- Greater Sydney
- Greater Melbourne
- Greater Brisbane
- Greater Perth
- Greater Adelaide
- Greater Hobart
- Greater Darwin
- Greater Canberra
The GCCSA is the most commonly quoted figure for the population of capital cities in Australia. For example, in the 2023-24 financial year, Melbourne's population grew by 142,600 people, while Sydney's population increased by 107,500. These figures refer to the GCCSA populations of these cities.
The GCCSAs are constructed from one or more whole labour market areas and do not have specific population criteria. However, they are designed to represent significant urban areas with populations of at least 10,000 people. These areas may consist of a single urban centre or a cluster of urban centres and localities.
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Local Government Areas (LGA)
Australia has a population of over 26 million, with 70% of its population living in the top eight most populous cities. The largest city in Australia is Sydney, with a population of over 4.4 million people. Australia's population density is 3.5 people per square kilometre.
Local Government Areas (LGAs) are the main units of local government in Australia. They may be termed cities, councils, regions, shires, or towns, and they all function similarly. LGAs cover around 90% of the nation. Significant sections of South Australia and New South Wales are unincorporated, meaning they have no defined local government. Similarly, the Australian Capital Territory and smaller sections of the Northern Territory and Victoria are unincorporated.
Brisbane is the only state capital city with its 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. Most Australian capital cities have suburban local government areas that are significantly larger in population than the central local government area.
Significant Urban Areas (SUAs) are defined as significant towns and cities, or agglomerations of smaller towns, with a population of at least 10,000. SUAs with a population greater than 50,000 people are listed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, including those of the capital cities. In 2024, Melbourne had the largest increase in population, with an additional 142,600 people, while Perth had the highest growth rate at 3.1%.
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Population growth rates
Australia has a population of over 26 million, ranking 52nd in the world. The country is experiencing consistent population growth, with an average growth rate of 1.64% over the last 13 years. This growth is attributed to an increase in the birth rate, longer life expectancy, and a rise in immigration. By the end of 2025, Australia's population is expected to reach 28.06 million.
In terms of population growth rates, Melbourne is projected to become the most populated city in Australia. During the 2023-24 financial year, Melbourne had the largest population increase, with 142,600 more people, followed by Sydney (107,500), Brisbane (72,900), and Perth (72,700). However, when looking at growth rates, Perth had the highest rate at 3.1%, followed closely by Melbourne and Brisbane at 2.7%. These cities' growth is driven by overseas migration, natural increase, and internal migration.
The population distribution in Australia varies across its states and territories. New South Wales (NSW), with its capital in Sydney, currently has the largest population in the country. Sydney is Australia's most populous city, with over 4.4 million residents. NSW covers 10.4% of Australia's land area and has a population density of 3.5 people per square kilometre.
Victoria, home to Melbourne, is expected to reach a population of 6.38 million by the end of June 2019, with a growth rate of 1.81% since 2011. On the other hand, Western Australia, with its capital in Perth, has an estimated population of over 1.7 million people, while South Australia's population is just above that, accounting for 7.14% of Australia's population.
Significant Urban Areas (SUAs), defined as urban centres with populations exceeding 10,000, play a crucial role in Australia's urban landscape. These SUAs are classified based on census data, which is conducted every five years. As of 2024, there were 375 cities in Australia with populations between 10,000 and 100,000 people.
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Population density
Australia's population density is low compared to other countries. As of June 2024, Australia's population density was 3.5 people per square kilometre. This makes Australia the third least densely populated country in the world. For context, India has a population density of 464 people per square kilometre, and the United States has 36 people per square kilometre.
However, the population density in Australia's biggest cities is much higher. Melbourne's inner city has Australia's highest population density at 22,400 people per square kilometre. Potts Point and Pyrmont, in Sydney's inner city, have the second-highest population density in Australia at 16,700 and 16,500 people per square kilometre, respectively. Still, for big cities, these numbers are relatively low. New York City, for example, has a population density of over 38,000 people per square kilometre.
The overall population density in Australia doesn't capture how dense the livable areas are because most of the country's population lives along the coast in the biggest cities. Australia's population density is low because most of the country's interior is desert, also known as the outback, which presents extremely difficult living conditions.
Understanding population density is important for governments, home buyers, investors, and others. As population density increases, more dwellings are erected, and green spaces are traded for apartment buildings and houses. Population density also affects the concentration of jobs, with higher population density areas likely offering more job opportunities. Governments and councils need to understand population density to plan cities effectively, including determining the number of buses and trains that should be running, the number of police stations required, and when to build another grocery store or shopping centre in an area.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no official minimum population required for an area to be considered a city in Australia. However, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, a Significant Urban Area (SUA) must have a population of at least 10,000 people.
A Significant Urban Area in Australia is a statistical division that represents significant towns and cities or collections of smaller towns with a total population of 10,000 or more. These areas are used to track population and demographic data in the country.
Yes, there are cities and towns in Australia with populations less than 10,000. However, they would not be classified as Significant Urban Areas by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Australia has 5 cities with more than a million people, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. Additionally, there are 14 cities with populations between 100,000 and 1 million, and 375 cities with populations between 10,000 and 100,000.
