Canberra-Queanbeyan: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Canberra-Queanbeyan: At the 2021 Census the median personal income in the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area was $1,195 a week, the median household income $2,350 a week and the median family income $2,851 a week. Boundary: the Canberra-Queanbeyan Significant Urban Area (a continuous built-up area that can cross council and state borders).
- Health in Canberra-Queanbeyan: 39.1% of residents of the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area reported at least one long-term health condition at the 2021 Census, 13th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (39.8%). Boundary: the Canberra-Queanbeyan Significant Urban Area (a continuous built-up area that can cross council and state borders).
- Education in Canberra-Queanbeyan: 73.2% of residents of the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area aged 15 and over had completed Year 12 or equivalent at the 2021 Census, 8th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (58.8%). Boundary: the Canberra-Queanbeyan Significant Urban Area (a continuous built-up area that can cross council and state borders).
- Poverty and living standards in Canberra-Queanbeyan: The median weekly rent paid by households in the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area 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 Canberra-Queanbeyan Significant Urban Area (a continuous built-up area that can cross council and state borders).
What is the population of Canberra-Queanbeyan?
The Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area had an estimated 521,049 residents on 30 June 2025 (ABS preliminary estimate), 10th highest of 31 areas covered on this site. Boundary: the Canberra-Queanbeyan Significant Urban Area (a continuous built-up area that can cross council and state borders).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyIs the population of Canberra-Queanbeyan growing?
The population of the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area grew by 5,894 people (1.1%) in the year to 30 June 2025, from 515,155 to 521,049; Australia as a whole grew 1.5%.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow fast has the population of Canberra-Queanbeyan grown in the last five years?
Between 30 June 2020 and 30 June 2025 the estimated population of the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area rose 8.1%, from 481,786 to 521,049, compared with 7.7% for Australia.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median age in Canberra-Queanbeyan?
The median age in the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area was 35 years at the 2021 Census; half of residents were younger and half older.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the average household size in Canberra-Queanbeyan?
The average household in the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area had 2.5 people at the 2021 Census.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra-Queanbeyan were born overseas?
At the 2021 Census 28.2% of residents of the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area were born overseas, above the national figure (27.6%), and 24.1% spoke a language other than English at home, above the national figure (22.3%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWho runs Canberra-Queanbeyan?
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 484,630
- Sunshine Coast 381,957
- Central Coast 357,816
- Greater Wollongong 322,343
- Geelong 295,052
- Greater Hobart 255,250
- Sydney 241,797
Up a level: all cities in Australia · Australia · government and power
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Regional population 2024-25: estimated resident population by Local Government Area and Significant Urban Area, 2001 to 2025 (data cube 32180DS0004), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 625c7c3de3b7…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: 2021 Census General Community Profile DataPack: Significant Urban Areas, Australia, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1c2f3c0b329f…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.