453,890 —
Higher than 72% of capital city areas.
- 2016: 396,857
- 2021: 453,890
The number of people who usually live in the area, counted on Census night.
Australian Capital Territory · Capital City
Demographics & Identity in Australian Capital Territory
Who lives here — how many people, how old they are, and how communities identify.
A noticeably younger population defines the Australian Capital Territory, where the typical resident is just 35. This creates a different daily rhythm compared to most of the country, with a significant share of the community in their prime working years. The territory has grown quickly, adding about 57,033 people since 2016.
453,890
—
- 1–2: 3 areas
- 2–3: 0 areas
- 3–5: 0 areas
- 5–9: 0 areas
- 9–16: 2 areas
- 16–28: 1 area
- 28–48: 1 area
- 48–83: 0 areas
- 83–144: 1 area
- 144–251: 1 area
- 251–436: 0 areas
- 436–758: 2 areas
- 758–1,316: 0 areas
- 1,316–2,287: 1 area
- 2,287–3,974: 2 areas
- 3,974–6,906: 1 area
- 6,906–11,999: 3 areas
- 11,999–20,850: 1 area
- 20,850–36,228: 0 areas
- 36,228–62,950: 0 areas
- 62,950–109,382: 1 area
- 109,382–190,063: 1 area
- 190,063–330,254: 2 areas
- 330,254–573,849: 3 areas
- 573,849–997,120: 0 areas
- 997,120–1,732,595: 2 areas
- 1,732,595–3,010,558: 4 areas
- 3,010,558–5,231,147: 2 areas
All capital city areas, 2021. The marker is Australian Capital Territory — higher than 72% of areas.
| Australian Capital Territory | 453,890 |
|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory | 454,499 |
| Australia | 25,422,788 |
Population
How many people, and the typical age.
The total population grew 14% since 2016 to reach 453,890. This growth occurred while the typical age of residents remained steady at 35, which is three years younger than the national figure.
35 yrs —
Younger than 90% of capital city areas.
- 2016: 35 yrs
- 2021: 35 yrs
Half the population is older than this age, and half younger.
Age profile
How the population splits across age groups.
Young adults aged 25 to 44 make up the largest group at 32.4%. While the proportion of children is about the same as the national figure, the share of seniors is well below Australia's 17.2% at just 13.7%.
13.7% —
Lower than 55% of capital city areas.
- 2016: 12.6%
- 2021: 13.7%
Share of the population aged 65 years and over.
18.3% —
Higher than 73% of capital city areas.
- 2016: 18.8%
- 2021: 18.3%
Share of the population aged under 15 years.
Age structure
View on map →In Australian Capital Territory, the largest group is Young adults (25–44) at 32%, followed by Older adults (45–64) (22%) and Children (0–14) (18%).
Identity & relationships
First Nations identity and marital status.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 2.0% of the population, which is a little below the national figure. Those in de facto relationships rose to 12.5% since 2016, while 39.2% of residents have never been married.
2.0% —
Lower than 75% of capital city areas.
- 2016: 1.6%
- 2021: 2.0%
Share of people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
12.5% —
Lower than 57% of capital city areas.
- 2016: 11.5%
- 2021: 12.5%
Share of people aged 15+ who are in a de facto marriage (registered marriages excluded).
Marital status
View on map →In Australian Capital Territory, the largest group is Married at 47%, followed by Never married (39%) and Divorced (8%).
Age & sex structure
Sources
- Census of Population and Housing — Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021 (CC BY 4.0).
More for Australian Capital Territory
Cite this page
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Demographics & Identity in Australian Capital Territory [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/gccsa/8ACTE/australian-capital-territory/topic/demographics-identity