FACTBase Bulletin 24 - Perth's Changing Population

This Bulletin provides a brief snapshot of key recent trends in Perth’s population and makes select observations on population change, metropolitan primacy, the role of migration and population densities.

Key Findings

• Western Australia’s population growth was second-highest in Australia at 21%, which was 3% less than Queensland.
• Much of Perth’s growth is driven by migration – arrivals and departures of Perth’s internal migration were almost equal.
• Almost half (49.3%) of arrivals were from overseas and another 24% were from interstate.
• Within Perth, the strongest population growth occurred along the northern and southern coastal statistical sub-divisions.
• Perth’s population density is concentrated around the coastal corridors, with the most density occurring around the CBD and inner suburbs. Perth’s density is slower than Melbourne and Sydney, and on par with Adelaide.