Australia, States and Territories
Local Government Areas
Australia
2006 Census Snapshots
Key statistics
| Key statistics | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | number | % |
| Males | 9,799,248 | 49.4 |
| Females | 10,056,039 | 50.6 |
| Total population | 19,855,287 | 100.0 |
| Australian citizens | 17,095,563 | 86.1 |
| Australian citizens aged 18+ | 12,865,351 | 64.8 |
| Indigenous population | 455,023 | 2.3 |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics,
Census of Population and Housing 2006.
Usual Residence Data: This data represents the place where a person usually lives, rather than the place where they were counted on Census night. Please refer to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census of Population and Housing - Fact Sheets, 2006 for more information.
Age structure
Derived from the Census question:
What is the person’s date of birth (or age last birthday)?
The Age Structure of the population is the most widely used component of the Census. It is an indicator of an area’s residential role and function and how it is likely to change in the future. The age structure of a population is usually indicative of an area’s era of settlement and provides key insights into the level of demand for services and facilities (as most services and facilities are age-specific).
| Age structure | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | number | % |
| Infants 0 to 4 years | 1,260,401 | 6.3 |
| Children 5 to 17 years | 3,505,168 | 17.7 |
| Adults 18 to 64 years | 12,445,339 | 62.7 |
| Mature adults 65 to 84 years | 2,321,531 | 11.7 |
| Senior citizens 85 years and over | 322,848 | 1.6 |
| Total persons | 19,855,287 | 100.0 |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics,
Census of Population and Housing 2006.
Usual Residence Data: This data represents the place where a person usually lives, rather than the place where they were counted on Census night. Please refer to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census of Population and Housing - Fact Sheets, 2006 for more information.
Birthplace
Derived from the Census question:
In which country was the person born?
Country of Birth data identifies where people were born and is indicative of the level of cultural diversity in an area. The mix of Country of Birth groups within an area is also indicative of historical settlement patterns, as source countries for Australia's immigration program have varied significantly over time.
| Birthplace | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | number | % |
| Australia | 14,072,945 | 70.9 |
| Overseas born | 4,416,033 | 22.2 |
| Mainly English speaking countries | 1,675,346 | 8.4 |
| Non-English speaking backgrounds | 2,740,687 | 13.8 |
| Total persons | 19,855,287 | 100.0 |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics,
Census of Population and Housing 2006.
Usual Residence Data: This data represents the place where a person usually lives, rather than the place where they were counted on Census night. Please refer to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census of Population and Housing - Fact Sheets, 2006 for more information.
Proficiency in English
Derived from the Census question:
How well does the person speak English?
English proficiency aims to measure the ability of persons who speak ‘English as a Second Language’ to speak English. The data, when viewed with other ethnic and cultural indicators such as country of birthplace, helps identify the ethnic composition of the population and the number of years of residence in Australia.
| Proficiency in English | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | number | % |
| Speaks English only | 2,219,362 | 50.3 |
| Speaks English well or very well | 1,710,723 | 38.7 |
| Not Fluent in English | 443,201 | 10.0 |
| Total overseas born | 4,416,035 | 100.0 |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics,
Census of Population and Housing 2006.
Usual Residence Data: This data represents the place where a person usually lives, rather than the place where they were counted on Census night. Please refer to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census of Population and Housing - Fact Sheets, 2006 for more information.
Religion
Derived from the Census question:
What is the person’s religion?
Religion is an indicator of cultural identity and ethnicity when observed in conjunction with other key variables. There are a number of reasons for different religious compositions across areas. These include the country of birth and ethnic background of the population, and the age of the population (belief in religion is generally stronger, the older the population).
| Religion | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | number | % |
| Christian Total | 12,685,829 | 63.9 |
| Non Christian Total | 1,238,945 | 6.2 |
| No Religion | 3,706,554 | 18.7 |
| Total persons | 19,855,287 | 100.0 |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics,
Census of Population and Housing 2006.
Usual Residence Data: This data represents the place where a person usually lives, rather than the place where they were counted on Census night. Please refer to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census of Population and Housing - Fact Sheets, 2006 for more information.
Labour force
Derived from the Census question:
Last week did the person have a full time or part time job of any kind?
The Employment Status of the population is an important indicator of the socio-economic status of an area. It represents the share of the population that is employed full-time, part-time or unemployed, as well as changes over time in the labour force.
| Labour force | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | number | % |
| Total employed | 9,104,185 | 94.8 |
| Total unemployed | 503,803 | 5.2 |
| Total labour force | 9,607,988 | 100.0 |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics,
Census of Population and Housing 2006.
Usual Residence Data: This data represents the place where a person usually lives, rather than the place where they were counted on Census night. Please refer to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census of Population and Housing - Fact Sheets, 2006 for more information.
Education
Derived from the Census question:
What type of educational institution is the person attending?
The share of population attending educational institutions reflects three factors: the age structure of the population, which influences the number of children attending school; the proximity to tertiary education, which can mean young adults leaving home to be nearer to educational facilities, and the degree to which people are seeking out educational opportunities in adulthood, especially in their late teens and early twenties.
| Education | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | number | % |
| Attending pre-school or primary school | 2,004,611 | 32.2 |
| Attending secondary school | 1,275,148 | 20.5 |
| Attending a tertiary institution | 1,173,470 | 18.9 |
| Total persons attended an education institute | 6,221,512 | 100.0 |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics,
Census of Population and Housing 2006.
Usual Residence Data: This data represents the place where a person usually lives, rather than the place where they were counted on Census night. Please refer to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census of Population and Housing - Fact Sheets, 2006 for more information.
Families
Derived from the Census question:
What is the person’s relationship [to each other person in the household]?
The Household and Family structure of the population is an indicator of an area’s residential role and function (relating to the types of housing markets attracted to the area). It is usually indicative of the area’s era of settlement and provides key insights into the level of demand for services and facilities (as most services and facilities are age- and household type-specific).
| Families | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | number | % |
| Couple without child(ren) | 1,943,646 | 37.2 |
| Couple with child(ren) | 2,362,576 | 45.3 |
| One parent family | 823,250 | 15.8 |
| Total families | 5,219,158 | 100.0 |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics,
Census of Population and Housing 2006.
Usual Residence Data: This data represents the place where a person usually lives, rather than the place where they were counted on Census night. Please refer to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census of Population and Housing - Fact Sheets, 2006 for more information.
Household income
Derived from the Census question:
What is the total of all wages/salaries, government benefits, pensions, allowances and other income the person usually receives?
Household income is one of the most important indicators of socio-economic status and helps to evaluate the economic opportunities and socio-economic status of an area. The amount of income an individual receives is linked to a number of factors including the person’s employment status, age, education, and the type of work they perform.
| Household income | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | number | % |
| Less than $350 | 1,033,231 | 14.5 |
| $350 to $999 | 2,034,867 | 28.5 |
| $1,000 and over | 3,273,806 | 45.8 |
| Total households | 7,144,096 | 100.0 |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics,
Census of Population and Housing 2006.
Usual Residence Data: This data represents the place where a person usually lives, rather than the place where they were counted on Census night. Please refer to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census of Population and Housing - Fact Sheets, 2006 for more information.
Housing tenure
Derived from the Census question:
Is this dwelling [owned outright, owned with a mortgage etc]’, and ‘If this dwelling is being rented, who is it rented from?
Tenure data, to some extent, provide insights into the socio-economic status of an area as well as the role that the area plays in the housing market. Tenure can also reflect built form, with a significantly higher share of renters in high density housing and a substantially larger proportion of home-owners in separate houses.
| Housing tenure | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | number | % |
| Owned | 2,478,264 | 32.6 |
| Purchasing | 2,448,212 | 32.2 |
| Renting | 2,063,951 | 27.2 |
| Total dwellings (OPDs) | 7,596,182 | 100.0 |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics,
Census of Population and Housing 2006.
Usual Residence Data: This data represents the place where a person usually lives, rather than the place where they were counted on Census night. Please refer to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census of Population and Housing - Fact Sheets, 2006 for more information.
Dwelling structure
Derived from the Census question:
Dwelling Type is derived from an assessment by the Census Collector who observes and records the type of dwelling structure.
The types of dwellings that are common to areas are important determinants in the role and function that the area plays in the housing market. A greater concentration of higher density dwellings is likely to attract more young adults and smaller households; while larger, detached or separate dwellings are more likely to house families and prospective families.
| Dwelling structure | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | number | % |
| Separate house | 5,685,386 | 67.5 |
| Medium density | 1,258,846 | 14.9 |
| High density | 520,018 | 6.2 |
| Caravans, cabin, houseboat | 94,819 | 1.1 |
| Other | 32,522 | 0.4 |
| Not stated | 4,591 | 0.1 |
| Occupied private dwellings | 7,596,181 | 90.1 |
| Unoccupied Dwellings | 830,379 | 9.9 |
| Total dwellings | 8,426,560 | 100.0 |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics,
Census of Population and Housing 2006.
Usual Residence Data: This data represents the place where a person usually lives, rather than the place where they were counted on Census night. Please refer to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census of Population and Housing - Fact Sheets, 2006 for more information.