Millions of Australians contributed to the 2021 Census of Population and Housing. In Victoria around 2.6 million households filled out forms or entered their details online.
What is the Census?
The Census provides a five-yearly snapshot of Australia’s population and households. It provides the most demographic and geographic detail of any output from the ABS.
The Census is used to analyse trends in behaviour and provide deep understanding essential to planning for communities. Detail from the Census is also essential in forecasting population growth and change.
The first results of the Census have been released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Key questions from the Census
Over the coming weeks and months this page will be updated to investigate some key questions for planners.
- Where has the population grown and changed since 2016?
- How large, or small, are the households we are living in and how has that changed?
- What types of dwellings have been built in the last five years and in what locations?
- And, how do some of these data fit together – for example, are more families living in apartments?
Insights
Short articles and highlights from the Census will also be released on Insights.
Time series profiles
Select a location (State, Greater Melbourne, Regional Victoria, or Local Government Area) to show how the age profile, household size and household types have changed since 2006.
A spreadsheet to generate profiles with additional information is available.
| 2006 | 2011 | 2016 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Persons by Usual Residence | ||||
| Rate of change p.a. | % | % | % | |
| Median age | ||||
| Average household size |
Graphs below show change in population and households for the selected location
Double click a legend item to display that Census year only.
Population age structure
Number of households by number of persons usually resident
Number of households by type
Map showing median age and population change by LGA
Hover over an LGA to show detail.