{"id":3193,"date":"2022-08-07T06:19:20","date_gmt":"2022-08-07T06:19:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/royabhishek.in\/urbanbuyer\/australias-50-largest-cities\/"},"modified":"2025-05-07T07:57:52","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T07:57:52","slug":"australias-50-largest-cities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/royabhishek.in\/urbanbuyer\/australias-50-largest-cities\/","title":{"rendered":"Australia\u2019s 50 largest cities"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"key<\/picture><\/span><\/p>\n

Key takeaways<\/p>\n

Sydney regained the top spot as Australia\u2019s largest city for 2021, but Melbourne is close on its heels.<\/p>\n

In fact there are just 57,000 people separating Sydney from Melbourne – 4.959 million compared to 4.901 million – according to the latest ABS data.<\/p>\n

While the country\u2019s population temporarily stalled we can expect Australia\u2019s population to begin rising strongly again.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Sydney<\/a> regained the top spot as Australia\u2019s largest city for 2021, but Melbourne<\/a> is close on its heels.<\/p>\n

In fact, there are just 57,000 people separating Sydney from Melbourne – 4.959 million compared to 4.901 million – according to the latest ABS data<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Last year it was Melbourne which wore the crown for the highest population<\/a>, but thanks to the Covid-19 lockdowns which saw the city\u2019s population dip (of a huge 65,000 people over the year), Sydney once again has stepped to the top of the annual list of urban area populations put together by id.com.au<\/a> demographers using ABS data<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As population trends shift and growth accelerates across major cities, those considering property in emerging hotspot like Brisbane may benefit from speaking with an experienced buyers agent in Brisbane<\/a> to navigate opportunities with confidence.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s not the only change.<\/p>\n

\"Aus<\/figure>\n

Covid-19 border closures, lockdowns, and associated population movements have shifted things around throughout the whole of the country.<\/p>\n

The data shows that our largest cities and established urban areas have declined (particularly Sydney and Melbourne with a population fall of 0.1% and 1.3% year-on-year respectively) while places, where people look for lifestyle change within 2 hours drive of the capitals, have tended to boom.<\/p>\n

This is unsurprising given we already know that seachange and tree change markets<\/a> have seen immense price growth over 2021, as the prevalence of remote work amid the pandemic, the relative affordability of regions and the potential for retirement decisions being brought amid labour market disruptions contributed to elevated levels of migration to regional Australia through 2021.<\/p>\n

Plenty of areas have grown or shrunk in population but surprisingly, the majority have maintained their position on the list.<\/p>\n

\"Aus<\/figure>\n

In fact, 42 out of the 50 places are unchanged from 2020.<\/p>\n

The data shows that 12 of the top 50 urban centres recorded a population drop in 2021.<\/p>\n

The total for the top 50 was an increase of 9,702 people \u2013 just 0.05%, although this was mainly due to Melbourne\u2019s large 65,000 population fall.<\/p>\n

Areas that have climbed the list represent \u2018flee change\u2019 locations around 100km or so from our capital.<\/p>\n

For example, Warragul-Drouin in Victoria rose two places to position 36, Nelson Bay NSW is up to position 48\u00a0 and (just off the list) Victor Harbor \u2013 Goolwa in SA rises 2 places to number 51.<\/p>\n

<\/section>\n

Here\u2019s the full list:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Rank<\/strong><\/td>\nSignificant urban area<\/strong><\/td>\n2021 population<\/strong><\/td>\n5-year change No.<\/strong><\/td>\n5-year change %<\/strong><\/td>\n1-year change No.<\/strong><\/td>\n1-year change %<\/strong><\/td>\nChange in rank (1 yr)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1<\/td>\nSydney NSW<\/td>\n4,959,107<\/td>\n321,671<\/td>\n6.90%<\/td>\n-7,103<\/td>\n-0.10%<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/td>\nMelbourne Vic<\/td>\n4,901,863<\/td>\n355,270<\/td>\n7.80%<\/td>\n-65,115<\/td>\n-1.30%<\/td>\n-1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3<\/td>\nBrisbane Qld<\/td>\n2,495,825<\/td>\n213,066<\/td>\n9.30%<\/td>\n20,724<\/td>\n0.80%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4<\/td>\nPerth WA<\/td>\n2,099,530<\/td>\n117,260<\/td>\n5.90%<\/td>\n15,339<\/td>\n0.70%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5<\/td>\nAdelaide SA<\/td>\n1,359,087<\/td>\n53,561<\/td>\n4.10%<\/td>\n1,664<\/td>\n0.10%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6<\/td>\nGold Coast \u2013 Tweed Heads Qld-NSW<\/td>\n718,772<\/td>\n73,061<\/td>\n11.30%<\/td>\n9,402<\/td>\n1.30%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7<\/td>\nNewcastle \u2013 Maitland NSW<\/td>\n505,489<\/td>\n29,773<\/td>\n6.30%<\/td>\n7,471<\/td>\n1.50%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8<\/td>\nCanberra \u2013 Queanbeyan ACT-NSW<\/td>\n462,984<\/td>\n23,013<\/td>\n5.20%<\/td>\n-1,841<\/td>\n-0.40%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9<\/td>\nSunshine Coast Qld<\/td>\n353,906<\/td>\n37,001<\/td>\n11.70%<\/td>\n5,601<\/td>\n1.60%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10<\/td>\nCentral Coast NSW<\/td>\n338,567<\/td>\n10,237<\/td>\n3.10%<\/td>\n1,275<\/td>\n0.40%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11<\/td>\nWollongong NSW<\/td>\n312,167<\/td>\n17,383<\/td>\n5.90%<\/td>\n2,823<\/td>\n0.90%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12<\/td>\nGeelong Vic<\/td>\n287,704<\/td>\n33,408<\/td>\n13.10%<\/td>\n5,385<\/td>\n1.90%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
13<\/td>\nHobart Tas<\/td>\n218,386<\/td>\n10,990<\/td>\n5.30%<\/td>\n-568<\/td>\n-0.30%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
14<\/td>\nTownsville Qld<\/td>\n184,271<\/td>\n6,027<\/td>\n3.40%<\/td>\n978<\/td>\n0.50%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
15<\/td>\nCairns Qld<\/td>\n155,529<\/td>\n6,347<\/td>\n4.30%<\/td>\n224<\/td>\n0.10%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
16<\/td>\nToowoomba Qld<\/td>\n140,303<\/td>\n6,649<\/td>\n5.00%<\/td>\n797<\/td>\n0.60%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
17<\/td>\nDarwin NT<\/td>\n132,921<\/td>\n-177<\/td>\n-0.10%<\/td>\n-424<\/td>\n-0.30%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
18<\/td>\nBallarat Vic<\/td>\n111,348<\/td>\n9,670<\/td>\n9.50%<\/td>\n1,851<\/td>\n1.70%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
19<\/td>\nBendigo Vic<\/td>\n103,575<\/td>\n7,641<\/td>\n8.00%<\/td>\n1,112<\/td>\n1.10%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
20<\/td>\nAlbury \u2013 Wodonga NSW-Vic<\/td>\n97,274<\/td>\n6,438<\/td>\n7.10%<\/td>\n1,215<\/td>\n1.30%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
21<\/td>\nLaunceston Tas<\/td>\n88,884<\/td>\n3,152<\/td>\n3.70%<\/td>\n-249<\/td>\n-0.30%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
22<\/td>\nMackay Qld<\/td>\n81,262<\/td>\n851<\/td>\n1.10%<\/td>\n351<\/td>\n0.40%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
23<\/td>\nRockhampton Qld<\/td>\n79,967<\/td>\n1,369<\/td>\n1.70%<\/td>\n374<\/td>\n0.50%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
24<\/td>\nMelton Vic<\/td>\n77,392<\/td>\n15,432<\/td>\n24.90%<\/td>\n1,923<\/td>\n2.50%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
25<\/td>\nBunbury WA<\/td>\n75,440<\/td>\n1,762<\/td>\n2.40%<\/td>\n271<\/td>\n0.40%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
26<\/td>\nCoffs Harbour NSW<\/td>\n73,443<\/td>\n3,337<\/td>\n4.80%<\/td>\n424<\/td>\n0.60%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
27<\/td>\nBundaberg Qld<\/td>\n71,796<\/td>\n1,617<\/td>\n2.30%<\/td>\n248<\/td>\n0.30%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
28<\/td>\nWagga Wagga NSW<\/td>\n57,004<\/td>\n1,204<\/td>\n2.20%<\/td>\n121<\/td>\n0.20%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
29<\/td>\nHervey Bay Qld<\/td>\n56,599<\/td>\n3,583<\/td>\n6.80%<\/td>\n623<\/td>\n1.10%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
30<\/td>\nShepparton \u2013 Mooroopna Vic<\/td>\n52,273<\/td>\n1,565<\/td>\n3.10%<\/td>\n-233<\/td>\n-0.40%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
31<\/td>\nMildura \u2013 Wentworth Vic-NSW<\/td>\n51,794<\/td>\n743<\/td>\n1.50%<\/td>\n-507<\/td>\n-1.00%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
32<\/td>\nPort Macquarie Vic<\/td>\n50,365<\/td>\n3,989<\/td>\n8.60%<\/td>\n882<\/td>\n1.80%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
33<\/td>\nGladstone \u2013 Tannum Sands Qld<\/td>\n45,987<\/td>\n1,033<\/td>\n2.30%<\/td>\n58<\/td>\n0.10%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
34<\/td>\nTamworth NSW<\/td>\n43,330<\/td>\n1,344<\/td>\n3.20%<\/td>\n81<\/td>\n0.20%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
35<\/td>\nTraralgon \u2013 Morwell Vic<\/td>\n42,567<\/td>\n1,182<\/td>\n2.90%<\/td>\n139<\/td>\n0.30%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
36<\/td>\nWarragul \u2013 Drouin Vic<\/td>\n42,115<\/td>\n6,592<\/td>\n18.60%<\/td>\n1,484<\/td>\n3.70%<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
37<\/td>\nBowral \u2013 Mittagong NSW<\/td>\n41,454<\/td>\n2,801<\/td>\n7.20%<\/td>\n488<\/td>\n1.20%<\/td>\n-1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
38<\/td>\nOrange NSW<\/td>\n41,162<\/td>\n1,576<\/td>\n4.00%<\/td>\n274<\/td>\n0.70%<\/td>\n-1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
39<\/td>\nBusselton WA<\/td>\n41,034<\/td>\n3,344<\/td>\n8.90%<\/td>\n700<\/td>\n1.70%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
40<\/td>\nDubbo NSW<\/td>\n39,363<\/td>\n2,245<\/td>\n6.00%<\/td>\n311<\/td>\n0.80%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
41<\/td>\nNowra \u2013 Bomaderry NSW<\/td>\n38,947<\/td>\n2,157<\/td>\n5.90%<\/td>\n631<\/td>\n1.60%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
42<\/td>\nBathurst NSW<\/td>\n38,087<\/td>\n2,209<\/td>\n6.20%<\/td>\n543<\/td>\n1.40%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
43<\/td>\nGeraldton WA<\/td>\n37,228<\/td>\n-1,141<\/td>\n-3.00%<\/td>\n-35<\/td>\n-0.10%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
44<\/td>\nWarrnambool Vic<\/td>\n35,957<\/td>\n1,342<\/td>\n3.90%<\/td>\n79<\/td>\n0.20%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
45<\/td>\nAlbany WA<\/td>\n34,612<\/td>\n828<\/td>\n2.50%<\/td>\n18<\/td>\n0.10%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46<\/td>\nDevonport Tas<\/td>\n30,883<\/td>\n983<\/td>\n3.30%<\/td>\n18<\/td>\n0.10%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
47<\/td>\nMount Gambier SA<\/td>\n29,940<\/td>\n408<\/td>\n1.40%<\/td>\n-3<\/td>\n0.00%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
48<\/td>\nNelson Bay NSW<\/td>\n28,752<\/td>\n1,293<\/td>\n4.70%<\/td>\n259<\/td>\n0.90%<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
49<\/td>\nKalgoorlie \u2013 Boulder WA<\/td>\n28,565<\/td>\n-2,087<\/td>\n-6.80%<\/td>\n-354<\/td>\n-1.20%<\/td>\n-1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
50<\/td>\nLismore NSW<\/td>\n28,469<\/td>\n-547<\/td>\n-1.90%<\/td>\n-27<\/td>\n-0.10%<\/td>\n-1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Source: Id.com.au<\/a> using ABS data<\/em><\/p>\n

Australia is still an urbanised country<\/span><\/h2>\n

Id.com.au<\/a>\u2019s list of the top 50 urban areas in Australia contains 21,423,279 people in 2021 \u2013 which is 83.2% of the country\u2019s total.<\/p>\n

The top 100 urban areas make up 86.9%.<\/p>\n

Of course, the top 5 alone \u2013 the only cities with over 1 million \u2013 make up 61%, which shows that Australia is still a very urbanised country.<\/p>\n

The data also shows that more than two-thirds of Australia\u2019s population growth occurred in the \u201cNot in a significant urban area\u201d category.<\/p>\n

\"Aus<\/figure>\n

This makes up only 13.1% of Australia\u2019s population, but increased by almost 31,000 people for the year, representing a 0.9% increase, the demographers found.<\/p>\n

This is by far the largest growth in this category since records began in the 1980s.<\/p>\n

These include all rural areas outside of major centres, as well as smaller towns of less than 10,000 population (and not near the outskirts of a larger urban area).<\/p>\n

Australia\u2019s population is expected to surge<\/span><\/h2>\n

While the country\u2019s population temporarily stalled or even fell, during the Covid-19 pandemic, now our borders have reopened and migration has resumed, we can expect Australia\u2019s population to begin rising strongly again.<\/p>\n

Australia\u2019s population is projected to reach between 37.4 and 49.2 million<\/a> people by 2066 and then grow to over 50 million people by 2101<\/a>.<\/p>\n