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Understanding Population Statistics

A range of population figures is available. Either directly or indirectly, all of these population figures are derived from the five-yearly Census of Population and Housing. The census results are released as two types of counts:

The 2006 census results were first released as counts based on usual residence, while for previous censuses the first available results were based on place of enumeration. Estimates of the resident population of areas are based on these census counts.

Also available from the census are results by counts of:

Differences between census count figures

The census attempts to count every person in Australia on census night. The census count by place of enumeration, counts every person based on where they were located on census night (8 August 2006). This is also known as the 'de facto' population count. In some cases, this will be the same place as where they live, in other cases, people would have been counted away from home.

The place of enumeration census count includes people on vessels in or between Australian ports, or on long-distance trains, buses or aircraft. It also includes people entering Australia from overseas before midnight on census night and Australian residents in Antarctica.

The census count based on usual residence is a count of people based on the area where they usually live. This is also known as the 'de jure' population count. The information is determined from responses to the question of usual residence on the census form. The number of visitors to an area is not included in the usual residence census count.

In broad terms, the census count based on place of enumeration counts everyone who was in an area, while the census count based on usual residence counts everyone who usually lives there.

Estimated resident population figure

The estimated resident population figure is based on census usual residence counts. It is determined to represent the resident population at 30 June of each census year (see tables below) and, for Australia and the states and territories, is updated quarterly. Estimated resident population figures for other levels of geography, including statistical division, local government area and statistical local area are prepared annually (released in April for 30 June the previous year). Initially, they are released as preliminary figures, designated (p). Subsequently, the figures are revised and designated (r). All estimated resident population figures prepared between Census dates can be revised following the release of new census data.

Estimated resident population figures at a state level at 30 June in the census year are updated quarterly (until the next census data are available) using births, deaths, and overseas and interstate migration data. Because reliable migration statistics are not available at the statistical local area level, estimated resident population figures at this level are updated annually using a regression model with variables indicating population change.

Determining estimated resident population figures from a census count

The table below details the components of Queensland's estimated resident population as at 8 August 2006 (2006 census date) and shows how the figure is arrived at.

Components of estimated resident population '000
Census count, actual location 4046.9
Plus residents absent interstate 38.1
Less interstate visitors (107.5)
Less overseas visitors (72.9)
Equals census count, place of usual residence 3904.6
Plus adjustments for under-enumeration 148.4
Plus residents temporarily overseas 50.4
Demographic adjustment for age/sex anomalies (3.1)
Equals estimated resident population as at 8 August 2006 4100.3
Source: ABS, Catalogue Number 3101.0  

Once this figure is determined, the estimated resident population must be adjusted back to the 30 June date. The table below details how the 8 August 2006 estimate was adjusted to account for those who were born, those who died, and those who moved in or out of the state during the period from 30 June 2006 to 8 August 2006.

Components from 1 July to 8 August 2006 '000
Estimated resident population as at 8 August 2006 4100.3
Less births (6.1)
Plus deaths 2.9
Less net interstate migration (2.4)
Less net permanent and long-term overseas movement (3.2)
Equals estimated resident population as at 30 June 2006 4091.5
Source: ABS, Catalogue Number 3101.0  

The population estimate is for a point in time 39 days prior to the census. Therefore, people who died are added back into the population, people born during this time are subtracted, and the net gain from migration is also subtracted. The adjustments are made backwards in time from 8 August 2006 to 30 June 2006.

Difference between census population and estimated resident population

The census counts and the estimated resident population figure are different because they represent different definitions and different points in time. The census counts whoever was in Australia, wherever they happened to be, on census night. This census count by place of enumeration is a frozen snapshot in time. The usual resident count moves people counted elsewhere in Australia back to where they usually live. This census count also refers to census night, but counts all people that filled out a census form at their home location (and makes an adjustment for those who said they usually lived there but were away). The estimated resident population is the official population estimate, and represents the best possible estimate of the resident population at 30 June or mid-year.

Prior to the release of new census data, most people will be using preliminary estimated resident population figures (see above for a description) figures based on the previous census. These figures are an estimate of the number of people resident in an area excluding visitors.

With the release of new census data, census counts (based on place of usual residence) for areas become available. These figures reflect the number of usual residents counted in an area on Census night plus the number of usual residents that were away from home and counted as visitors elsewhere in Australia. The number of visitors in an area is not included.

The estimated resident population figures are revised to reflect the new census results (see above for a description). Compared with the estimated resident population figures, the census count based on place of usual resident does not include people who did not fill out a census form, and people temporarily overseas on census night, and therefore not required to fill out a census form. Some differences may appear if significant change has occurred in the population and the process for estimating the resident population did not accurately reflect these changes.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics will also release census counts based on place of enumeration (see above for a description).

When comparing an estimated resident population figure to a census count based on place of enumeration differences are likely to appear if there were visitors present in the area and if any usual residents were away from the area on census night. The census counts based on place of enumeration in popular holiday destinations are normally larger than the census counts based on usual residence.

Estimated working population

The census count of the working population reflects all people who were employed in the week prior to the census. Responses to the census question concerning location of workplace are used to determine the number of people working in particular locations. Along with information on how these people travelled to work, these counts are important in planning for services for the daytime populations of employment locations and for transport planning.

Number of families verses number of households

Families are defined as two or more people, with one person aged 15 years or more, who are related by blood, marriage (registered or de facto), adoption, step or fostering and who are usually resident in the same household. In contrast, households are defined as a one or more related or unrelated person or persons who usually live in the same dwelling. The basis of a family then is either a couple relationship, a lone parent-child relationship or other blood relationship. Thus, it is possible for more than one family to live in the same household and for non-family members to be household members. A non-family household is either a lone person household or a group household. All other households are made up of different family compositions.

The terminology of household type and family type refer to the 2001 census, while the terminology of household composition and family composition refer to the 2006 census. The counts from the two censuses are nevertheless comparable.

Available population estimates

Between census dates, estimated resident populations down to statistical local area level are updated annually (released in April for 30 June the previous year). However, population estimates for smaller areas are often required. Both the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Planning Information and Forecasting Unit produce population estimates at the collection district (around 200 households in urban areas) level in intercensal years. These estimates are based on building approvals and other data. In addition, PIFU (Planning Information and Forecasting Unit) also produces estimates of the number of dwellings at all geographic levels including collection district, statistical local areas, local government areas and above. 

Name of measure Availability Geographic coverage Visitors included
Census count: place of enumeration Five yearly following release of Census results Down to collection district Yes
Census count: usual residence Five yearly following release of Census results Down to collection district No
Estimated resident population: state level Quarterly State No
Estimated resident population: below state level Annually (released in February/March as at 30 June previous year) Down to statistical local area No
Population estimates (from ABS and PIFU) Annually (following release of estimated resident population figures below the state level) Down to collection district No

Number of visitors in an area

People who are visiting Australia at the time of the census are counted regardless of how long they have been in the country or how long they plan to stay.

In the 2001 and 2006 censuses, overseas visitors were those people who said they would be usually resident in Australia for less than one year. Compared with the 1996 census, the definition of an overseas visitor in the 2001 and 2006 censuses was increased from usually resident less than six months to less than one year. The number of visitors from within Australia is separately identified in census data and a range of characteristics can be provided for these visitors. In contrast, the only data for overseas visitors are age, sex and marital status.

References

Further information

For further information contact the Planning Information and Forecasting Unit.

Visit the Australian Bureau of Statistics website to obtain census counts or the latest estimated resident population figures.

Last reviewed: Sep 21, 2009, Last modified: Sep 17, 2009