Council area

Canberra, ACT

Canberra had a population of 453,890 at the 2021 Census (+14.4% since 2016). Median age 35.6. Median weekly household income $2,374. Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. Census 2026 data arrives June 2027.

Explore Canberra freeSee the figures

Canberra at a glance

What the 2021 Census says, compared with Australian Capital Territory.

In Australian Capital Territory

Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Canberra's population grew by 14.4% to 453,890, in step with Australian Capital Territory as a whole (+14.4%). Its median age of 35.6 is close to the ACT average (35.6). Children under 10 make up 12.3% of residents, and people aged 70 and over 9.6%.

31.0% of households rent, close to the ACT average of 31.0%. 26.9% own their home outright. Flats and apartments are 19.4% of homes (19.4% across Australian Capital Territory). The 2021 Census counted 168,400 households.

The median household earns $2,374 a week, in line with the ACT average of $2,374. Renters pay a median $453 a week, and households with a mortgage repay $2,064 a month.

29.9% of residents were born overseas, close to the ACT average of 29.9%. 25.6% use a language other than English at home. 46.8% report no religion, close to the ACT average (46.8%).

Key figures

2021 Census, Canberra beside ACT and Australia.

CanberraACTAustralia
Population453,890454,49525,422,828
Growth since 2016+14.4%+14.4%+8.6%
Median age35.635.638.2
Households168,400168,4009,275,123
Flats and apartments19.4%19.4%14.3%
Renting31.0%31.0%31.1%
Owned outright26.9%26.9%31.4%
Median household income a week$2,374$2,374$1,747
Median rent a week$453$453$376
Median mortgage repayment a month$2,064$2,064$1,866
Born overseas29.9%29.9%29.3%
Other language at home25.6%25.6%23.6%
No religion46.8%46.8%41.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Population and age

Each census since 2011, and the age profile in 2021.

Population

+14.4% since 2016.

Population · each census
  1. 356,5862011
  2. 396,8572016
  3. 453,8902021

Age

Median age 35.6, against 35.6 for Australian Capital Territory.

Canberra Australian Capital Territory
0–912.3%
10–1911.8%
20–2916.2%
30–3916.7%
40–4913.5%
50–5911.2%
60–698.8%
70–796.4%
80+3.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Cultural background

The largest groups in Canberra at the 2021 Census.

Ancestry

Top 5 · ancestry
  1. English33.5%
  2. Australian33.1%
  3. Irish12.1%
  4. Scottish10.5%
  5. Chinese6.0%

Languages at home

Top 5 · languages at home
  1. Mandarin3.3%
  2. Nepali1.3%
  3. Vietnamese1.2%
  4. Punjabi1.2%
  5. Hindi1.1%

Country of birth

Top 5 · country of birth
  1. India3.9%
  2. England3.0%
  3. China2.8%
  4. Nepal1.3%
  5. New Zealand1.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Around Canberra

The places it belongs to, sits beside and contains.

Part of

Suburbs in Canberra

Largest first.

Explore Canberra in Censible

Every census figure for Canberra, mapped and compared with any other place. A free account takes a minute.

Free accountHow the figures are built