CensusAtlas

Indicator

People in a de facto relationship

Share of people aged 15+ who are in a de facto marriage (registered marriages excluded).

Australia over time

11.5% in 2021 ▲ +21.5%

Explore on the map

See how de facto varies across Australia.

By block (sa1) By statistical area 2 (sa2) By postcode By council (lga) By sub-region (sa3) By region (sa4) By capital city By state / territory By australia By suburb / locality By urban area By urban centre By federal electorate By state electorate By section of state By section of state range By remoteness area

Highest areas

SA2 areas with the highest de facto (2021 Census).

  1. Badgerys Creek 43.5%
  2. Enoggera Reservoir 40.9%
  3. Aurukun 36.0%
  4. Deua - Wadbilliga 33.3%
  5. Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw 33.1%
  6. Erskineville - Alexandria 30.6%

Related indicators

Total population View → Median age View → Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander population View → People aged 65 and over View → Children under 15 View →

Frequently asked questions

What is People in a de facto relationship in Australia?

At the 2021 Census, People in a de facto relationship across Australia was 11.5%. It is expressed as a percentage of the relevant group.

How is People in a de facto relationship measured?

Share of people aged 15+ who are in a de facto marriage (registered marriages excluded). It is calculated as a percentage of the relevant population or dwellings, so it can be compared fairly between large and small areas.

How does People in a de facto relationship vary across Australia?

Across the 2,354 SA2 areas with data, People in a de facto relationship ranges from 0.0% to 43.5%, with a typical (median) area at 12.1%. Most areas cluster toward the lower end, with a smaller number of much higher areas stretching the range.

Can People in a de facto relationship be compared across censuses?

Yes — People in a de facto relationship is measured consistently enough to compare across the 2011, 2016 and 2021 Censuses, so the trend over time is meaningful. Nationally it has risen from 9.5% in 2011 to 11.5% in 2021.

Where can I see People in a de facto relationship for my area?

Use the interactive map to compare People in a de facto relationship down to block (sa1) and statistical area 2 (sa2) level, or search any suburb, postcode or council area to see its value in context against state and national figures.

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). People in a de facto relationship [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/indicator/share-de-facto