Lexi Webster
Australia is made up of six states and ten federal territories, with the majority of Australians living in the eastern coastal mainland states of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory. These four states collectively form 79% of the entire population of Australia. The largest state by area is Western Australia, which accounts for about 33% of the country's total area. However, the largest state by population is New South Wales, with over 8.15 million people, despite being less than half the size of Western Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| State with the most people | New South Wales |
| Population of New South Wales | Over 8.15 million |
| Total population of Australia | 25.6 million (2025) / 27.4 million (2024) |
| Percentage of Australians in New South Wales | 32% |
| Second-most populous state | Victoria |
| Population of Victoria | 24% of Australia's population |
| Third-most populous state | Queensland |
| Population of Queensland | 20% of Australia's population |
| Fourth-most populous state | Western Australia |
| Population of Western Australia | 10% of Australia's population |
| Fifth-most populous state | South Australia |
| Population of South Australia | 7% of Australia's population |
| Percentage of Australians living in eastern coastal mainland states | 79% |
| Percentage of Australians in California, USA | 0.0748% |
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What You'll Learn
New South Wales is Australia's most populous state
New South Wales was founded in 1788 and originally comprised much of the Australian mainland, as well as Lord Howe Island, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, and Van Diemen's Land. In the 19th century, large areas were separated to form the colonies of Tasmania and Western Australia.
Today, New South Wales is just under half the size of Western Australia, which is the largest state by area. Western Australia covers over 2.5 million square kilometers and has a population of over 2.6 million people. It is home to Perth, the fourth-largest city in Australia, which accounts for about 8% of the country's population.
Victoria is the second-most populous state in Australia, making up about 24% of the country's population. South Australia, which accounts for about 7% of the population, is the fifth-most populous state, with its capital city, Adelaide, home to about 5% of Australians. Queensland is the third-most populous state, with about 20% of the country's population.
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Victoria is the second-most populous state
Victoria is a state in southeastern Australia, bordered by New South Wales to the north, South Australia to the west, Tasmania and the Bass Strait to the south, and the Tasman Sea to the east. It has a land area of 227,444 square kilometres (87,817 square miles) and is the second-smallest state in Australia, after Tasmania. Despite its small size, Victoria has a diverse range of climates and geographical features, from alpine plateaus in the northeast to sandy deserts in the west.
The majority of Victoria's population is concentrated in the central-south area surrounding Port Phillip Bay, where Melbourne is located. Melbourne is known for its cultural diversity, with 35.1% of its inhabitants being immigrants. The city hosts a variety of museums, art galleries, and theatres, and it was named the world's sporting capital by a sports marketing company in 2016. Other major cities in Victoria include Geelong, Ballarat, and Bendigo.
Victoria's population has grown significantly over time, with a notable increase during the Victorian gold rush in the 1850s and 1860s. The state has continued to experience strong growth in the 20th and 21st centuries due to high levels of international and interstate migration. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Victoria's population is expected to reach 7.2 million by 2050.
In summary, Victoria is the second-most populous state in Australia, with a large proportion of its population residing in the capital city of Melbourne. The state has a diverse culture, geography, and demographic makeup, contributing to its significant presence within Australia.
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Queensland is the third-most populous state
Queensland is located in the northeast region of Australia and is the second-largest state in terms of area, covering 1,723,030 square kilometres (665,270 sq mi). It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia, and New South Wales to the west, southwest, and south, respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and the Pacific Ocean, and to the north by the Torres Strait, the Gulf of Carpentaria, and Papua New Guinea.
Due to its size, Queensland boasts diverse geographical features and climates, including tropical rainforests, rivers, coral reefs, mountain ranges, and white sandy beaches in its tropical and subtropical coastal regions. The state is nicknamed the "Sunshine State" for its warm climate and abundance of natural attractions, including the Great Barrier Reef and numerous beaches. Tourism is Queensland's leading tertiary industry, generating $8.8 billion annually and accounting for 4.5% of the state's Gross State Product. The industry directly employs about 5.7% of Queensland's citizens, with Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast being among the most visited destinations in the state.
Queensland was among the six colonies that became the founding states of Australia in 1901. The state has a strong economy, ranking third among Australian states, with key sectors including mining, agriculture, transportation, international education, insurance, and banking. It has the highest interstate net migration in the country and is a popular destination for internal migration from other states and territories.
In terms of demographics, Queensland has the smallest proportion of people living in its capital city compared to other states in mainland Australia. According to the 2011 census, the most common ancestry groups in Queensland are English (28.1%), Australian (27.4%), Irish (8.4%), Scottish (7.3%), and German (4.7%). About three-quarters of Queensland's population were born in Australia, with New Zealand, England, South Africa, India, and the Philippines being the most common countries of origin for non-native Australians. The state is also home to a significant number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with a population of over 155,000.
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Western Australia is the largest state by area
Western Australia is the largest Australian state by area, covering approximately 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi). This makes up about 33% of the country's total area. It is also the fourth-most populous state, with around 2.965 million inhabitants as of June 2024, accounting for about 10% of Australia's population. The state is home to diverse climates, ranging from tropical conditions in the Kimberley region to deserts in the interior and a Mediterranean climate in the coastal areas.
The capital city of Western Australia is Perth, which is also the fourth-largest city in Australia, housing around 80% of the state's population. Perth is a significant centre for the state's primary industries, including mining and petroleum, as well as associated services. The state's resource sector growth has led to labour and skill shortages, prompting the government to encourage interstate and overseas immigration.
Western Australia boasts a rich geological history, with the earliest direct known life on land, stromatolites, formed by microbes around 3.48 billion years ago. The state is also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, with around 630 bird species and over 11,000 native plant species. The best areas for birdwatching include the southwestern corner and the region surrounding Broome and the Kimberley.
The state's eastern border with South Australia and the Northern Territory spans 1,862 kilometres (1,157 miles), while its coastline stretches for 20,781 kilometres (12,913 miles), including island coastlines. Western Australia is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west and the Southern Ocean to the south.
In summary, Western Australia stands as the largest Australian state by area, offering a vast expanse of diverse landscapes, from tropical regions to desert interiors and Mediterranean coastlines. With its natural resources, unique geology, and biodiversity, Western Australia contributes significantly to the country's economy and ecological richness.
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South Australia is the fifth-most populous state
South Australia is the fourth-largest state in terms of total land area, making up about 12% of the country's total area. It is one of the few Australian states where the vast majority of its population is concentrated in a single urban area. The state's population is expected to grow and may reach 2 million by 2037.
South Australia has a unique colonial history, being the only Australian state to have never received British convicts. It was established as a freely settled, planned British province. The South Australian Company established a temporary settlement at Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, in 1836, five months before Adelaide was founded.
The state is home to diverse landscapes, including ancient mountain ranges, arid lands, desert regions, and a complex coastline. The region features the Nullarbor Plain, Flinders Ranges, Murray River valley, and extensive arid lands. South Australia's population has grown by around 500,000 since 1980, when it had a population of just over 1.3 million.
The state's population is relatively centralised, with more than 77% of South Australians living in the capital, Adelaide, or its surrounding areas. The next-largest city, Mount Gambier, has fewer than 30,000 residents. South Australia has a similar demographic makeup to other Australian states, with the most common stated ancestry being English, and a large percentage of people identifying with Australian heritage.
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Frequently asked questions
New South Wales is the most populous state in Australia, with a population of over 8.15 million people as of 2022.
The state of Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia.
Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, is the most populous city in the state and in the country.
