FACTBase Bulletin 26 - Perth's Continuing Population Growth

This Bulletin provides an update of population trends in Western Australia and Metropolitan Perth as well as the implications of these trends on Perth’s future development.

Key Findings

• Perth’s strong economic performance continues to drive population growth into 2011.
• During 2010-2011, Western Australia experience the highest population growth rate when compared to New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.
• Both Western Australia and the Northern Territory have higher proportions of males than females compared to the other states.
• Western Australia’s dependency ratio is lower than the national ratio at just 46.1 compared to 48.3.
• All Statistical subdivisions in the Perth and Peel Metropolitan region have experienced growth from 2001 to 2011, with the most growth occurring in the North Metropolitan area.
• In 2011 Western Australia had the lowest population density in the nation, and some statistical level areas within the Metropolitan Perth and Peel experienced a decline in density from 2001 to 2011.
• The northern and southern sprawling nature of the population growth trends identified in 2011 will have planning implications in the future such as access to housing, transport to work, and fostering vibrancy and diversity within the Metropolitan region.