This page outlines the methodology used to calculate demographic indicators for different geographies.
Methodology
Demographic indicators are derived from the 2021 Census conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Median Age
Median age ranks are based on ABS statistics for median age from the 2021 Census. Rankings are calculated as the population-weighted percentile score of each area, with higher a higher ranking indicating a higher median age.
Born Overseas
The proportion of people born overseas is based on country of birth data from the 2021 Census. Rankings are calculated as the population-weighted percentile score of each area, with higher a higher ranking indicating a higher proportion of people born overseas.
Indigeneity
The proportion of people identifying as indigenous is based on ABS indigenous identification statistics from the 2021 Census. Rankings are calculated as the population-weighted percentile score of each area, with higher a higher ranking indicating a higher proportion of indigenous identification.
Coverage
Demographic statistics cover all Australian states and territories. Statistics are available for suburbs and localities (suburb) and 2024 local government areas (LGA) defined under the Australian Statistical Geography Standard Edition 3. Only geographies with significant populations are included due to data quality concerns.
Reference period
All demographic indicators are derived from 2021 Census data, with a reference period of August 2021.
Sources
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2021) Selected medians and averages, Local Government Area 2021 [Data Explorer]
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2021) Selected medians and averages, Suburbs and Localities [Data Explorer]
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2021) Country of Birth of Person [Census TableBuilder]
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2021) Indigenous Status [Census TableBuilder]