Canberra: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Canberra: The median total income of residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) who had income was $75,643 a year in 2022-23 (before tax, excluding government pensions and allowances), the highest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $58,216. Boundary: the whole Australian Capital Territory (Canberra has no city council, so the ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area is the territory).
- Health in Canberra: 5,215 births were registered to mothers living in the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) in 2024, and the total fertility rate was 1.34 births per woman, below the national figure (1.54). Boundary: the whole Australian Capital Territory (Canberra has no city council, so the ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area is the territory).
- Education in Canberra: 77.1% of residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) aged 15 and over had completed Year 12 or equivalent at the 2021 Census, 3rd highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (58.8%). Boundary: the whole Australian Capital Territory (Canberra has no city council, so the ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area is the territory).
- Poverty and living standards in Canberra: The median weekly rent paid by households in the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) was $450 at the 2021 Census (rents on census night, 10 August 2021), joint 3rd highest of 31 areas; the national median was $375. Boundary: the whole Australian Capital Territory (Canberra has no city council, so the ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area is the territory).
What is the population of Canberra?
The Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) had an estimated 484,630 residents on 30 June 2025 (ABS preliminary estimate), 11th highest of 31 areas covered on this site. Boundary: the whole Australian Capital Territory (Canberra has no city council, so the ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area is the territory).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyIs the population of Canberra growing?
The population of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) grew by 6,200 people (1.3%) in the year to 30 June 2025, from 478,430 to 484,630; Australia as a whole grew 1.5%.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow fast has the population of Canberra grown in the last five years?
Between 30 June 2020 and 30 June 2025 the estimated population of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) rose 8.9%, from 444,903 to 484,630, compared with 7.7% for Australia.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people moved to Canberra in 2024-25?
In the year to 30 June 2025 the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) had net overseas migration of +4,819 people and net internal (within Australia) migration of -1,501 people.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the population density of Canberra?
The Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) covers 2,358 square kilometres, so its 2025 population works out at about 206 people per square kilometre.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median age in Canberra?
The median age of residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) was 35.7 years in 2024, below the national figure (38.3 years).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households are there in Canberra?
The 2021 Census counted 168,400 households in the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra), with an average of 2.5 people per household.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra were born overseas?
At the 2021 Census 28.7% of residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) were born overseas, above the national figure (27.6%), and 24.6% spoke a language other than English at home, above the national figure (22.3%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWho runs Canberra?
In Australia, cities and towns are run by local governments: Councillors elected (methods vary by state; voting compulsory in some states); mayors directly elected in some places and chosen by councillors in others. Local roads, planning approvals, waste, libraries, parks, rates (property tax).
How local power works in Australia
Cities of a similar size in Australia
- Greater Sydney 5,638,830
- Greater Melbourne 5,435,590
- Greater Brisbane 2,833,524
- Greater Perth 2,452,765
- Greater Adelaide 1,491,015
- Brisbane 1,375,301
- Gold Coast-Tweed Heads 761,634
- Gold Coast 691,230
- Newcastle-Maitland 541,634
- Canberra-Queanbeyan 521,049
- Sunshine Coast 381,957
- Central Coast 357,816
- Greater Wollongong 322,343
- Geelong 295,052
- Greater Hobart 255,250
- Sydney 241,797
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Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Regional population 2024-25: estimated resident population by Greater Capital City Statistical Area, 2001 to 2025 (data cube 32180DS0003, Table 4), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 f35d0ca0caaf…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Greater Capital City Statistical Areas and Australia (ASGS Edition 3), all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 bf78744b9729…)
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