Census 2021

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) scheduled a progressive release of results from the 2021 Census of Population and Housing. The second-phase results were released on 12 October 2022. ‘First release’ Census 2021 data included a wealth of statistics about Australia’s population such as country of birth, language spoken at home, education, family and household structure, income level, housing costs, long–term health conditions, Australian Defence Force service and volunteering in the community. ‘Second release’ Census 2021 data included statistics on employment, migration and non-school qualifications. The third and final release of Census 2021 statistics is scheduled for early 2023 and will include more complex topics such as socio-economic indexes for areas (SEIFA), distance to work and remoteness areas.

Summary reports (statistical snapshots) highlighting key findings about Queensland’s residents will be published by QGSO below.

Additionally, the Queensland Regional Profiles will progressively be updated with Census 2021 data.

Diversity Figures, Census 2021 (report)

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The Multicultural Affairs Queensland, in partnership with the Queensland Government Statistician's Office, produced a report and accompanying 'snapshot' to provide a statistical summary of the diversity of Queensland's population.  Diversity Figures brings together core demographic and diversity data from the ABS 2021 Census of Population and Housing.

There are a number of social and cultural characteristics featured in the Diversity Figures including:

  • country of birth of overseas born people in Queensland
  • geographic distribution of Queensland’s diverse population
  • language spoken other than English, and English proficiency
  • religious affiliation of Queensland’s population
  • ancestry of Queensland’s population
  • education and employment characteristics.

The publication can be viewed on the Multicultural Affairs Queensland website.

SEIFA Index of Disadvantage, Census 2021 (table)

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Queensland Government Statistician's Office has developed some Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) tables for statistical area level 1 (SA1), SA2 and local government area (LGA) which provide a breakdown of population within each quantile. Quantiles can be calculated a number of ways. Two common methods are "weighted" and "equal counts". The weighted method divides the data into even groups (quantiles), where each group has the same population (available for download based on rankings within Queensland, below). The equal count method divides the data into even groups where each group has the same number of regions. Equal count deciles can be downloaded from the ABS website. The SEIFA indexes are also available free of charge on the ABS website. The indexes based on 2021 census data are available for Australia and for all states and territories. For a more detailed explanation of SEIFA, see the ABS SEIFA 2021 technical paper.

Where a region's population is relatively large compared to the average population for specific region types, (e.g. Brisbane (C) LGA), quintiles may not contain equal populations.

SEIFA Index of Disadvantage, Census 2021
Local Government Area (LGA 2021)
xlsx (19.09 KB)
Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1)
xlsx (441.12 KB)
Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2)
xlsx (100.25 KB)

SEIFA Index of Advantage/Disadvantage, Census 2021 (table)

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Queensland Government Statistician's Office has developed some Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) tables for statistical area level 1 (SA1), SA2 and local government area (LGA) which provide a breakdown of population within each quantile. Quantiles can be calculated a number of ways. Two common methods are "weighted" and "equal counts". The weighted method divides the data into even groups (quantiles), where each group has the same population (available for download based on rankings within Queensland, below). The equal count method divides the data into even groups where each group has the same number of regions. Equal count deciles can be downloaded from the ABS website. The SEIFA indexes are also available free of charge on the ABS website. The indexes based on 2021 census data are available for Australia and for all states and territories. For a more detailed explanation of SEIFA, see the ABS SEIFA 2021 technical paper.

Where a region's population is relatively large compared to the average population for specific region types, (e.g. Brisbane (C) LGA), quintiles may not contain equal populations.

SEIFA Index of Advantage/Disadvantage, Census 2021
Local Government Area (LGA 2021)
xlsx (19.01 KB)
Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1)
xlsx (481.92 KB)
Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2)
xlsx (278.29 KB)

Employment characteristics of Queenslanders, Census 2021 Snapshot (report)

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This statistical snapshot presents information on the employment characteristics of Queensland’s working age population using second release census data from 2021 and earlier censuses. The hours worked, median age, and industry and occupations of employed persons are featured, in addition to differences in labour force participation between men and women.

Employment characteristics of Queenslanders, Census 2021 Snapshot
pdf (209.04 KB)

Education and Training in Queensland, Census 2021 Snapshot (report)

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This statistical snapshot presents information on the education and training characteristics of Queensland’s population using data from 2021 and earlier censuses. Study participation for university students, and students across the higher education and training sector are analysed by age and sex. The proportion of qualified Queenslanders aged 20 to 64 years by highest non-school qualifications are presented by sex, work status and median personal weekly income, as well as field of study.

Education and Training in Queensland, Census 2021 Snapshot
pdf (251.87 KB)

Occupation and Industry in Queensland, Census 2021 Snapshot (report)

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This statistical snapshot presents information on the occupations of Queenslanders, and the industries they work in, using data from 2021 and earlier censuses. The proportion of Queenslanders by industry employed are presented by work status, sex and annual full-time median income. Key occupations are identified for men and women and young and older workers. Changes over time to the proportion of the Queensland population in key occupations are also highlighted.

Occupation and Industry in Queensland, Census 2021 Snapshot
pdf (302.44 KB)

Australian Indigenous languages, Queensland, Census 2021 (report)

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This report presents information on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders speaking Australian Indigenous languages from the 2021 Census. Information is disaggregated by:

  • geography
  • age group and sex
  • English proficiency
  • languages 
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status.
Australian Indigenous languages, Queensland, Census 2021
pdf (280.13 KB)

Australian South Sea Islanders in Queensland, Census 2021 (report)

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This publication presents information on Queensland’s Australian South Sea Islander peoples based on data from the 2021 census. The report features information on the population size and location, associated ancestries, health, housing, education and labour force characteristics.

Australian South Sea Islanders in Queensland, Census 2021
pdf (310.8 KB)

Journey to work by origin and destination, statistical area level 4 (SA4), Queensland, Census 2021 (table)

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This table provides the location where employed residents of the SA4 shown in the first column worked in the week prior to the 2021 Census.

Journey to work by origin and destination, statistical area level 4 (SA4), Queensland, Census 2021
csv (6.03 KB)

Queensland regions compared, Census 2021 (report)

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This publication uses demographic data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) Census of Population and Housing 2021 to compare key characteristics of Queensland’s usual resident population by statistical areas level 4 (SA4).

Queensland regions compared, Census 2021
pdf (586.14 KB)

Queensland compared with other jurisdictions, Census 2021 (report)

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This publication uses demographic data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) Census of Population and Housing 2021 to compare key characteristics of Queensland’s usual resident population with those of other Australian states and territories. Where appropriate, comparisons are also made between the populations of greater capital city statistical areas (GCCSA) and rest of state regions for each state and territory.

Queensland compared with other jurisdictions, Census 2021
pdf (462.54 KB)

Median total household income by statistical area level 4 (SA4), Queensland, 2011, 2016 and 2021 (table)

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This table provides a time series of the median total household income for Queensland’s SA4s.

Median total household income by statistical area level 4 (SA4), Queensland, 2011, 2016 and 2021
csv (1.45 KB)

Language spoken at home by statistical area level 4 (SA4), Queensland, Census 2021 (table)

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This table provides a count of persons by language spoken at home for each SA4 in Queensland.

Language spoken at home by statistical area level 4 (SA4), Queensland, Census 2021
csv (2.74 KB)

Country of birth by top ten local government areas, Queensland, Census 2021 (table)

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This table provides country of birth statistics for the ten most populated LGAs in Queensland.

Country of birth by top ten local government areas, Queensland, Census 2021
csv (5.95 KB)

Queensland as a village of 100 people, Census 2021 Snapshot (report)

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This statistical snapshot presents information on Queensland's population using census data from 2021. Data are presented as if Queensland were a village of 100 people providing an easy-to-understand insight into selected characteristics of Queensland's population.

Queensland as a village of 100 people, Census 2021 Snapshot
pdf (256.53 KB)

A changing Queensland, Census 2021 Snapshot (report)

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This statistical snapshot presents information on Queensland’s population change over time using census data from 2011 and 2021. Population size, growth and age structure are featured, in addition to other key characteristics such as cultural diversity, income and housing tenure.

A changing Queensland, Census 2021 Snapshot
pdf (201.34 KB)

Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, Census 2021 Snapshot (report)

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This statistical snapshot presents information on Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, based on data from the 2021 and earlier censuses. It features changes to the counts of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by sex and age structure since 2011, and growth in the population since 1971. Housing, income, education and language characteristics of Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are also described. 

Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, Census 2021 Snapshot
pdf (207.36 KB)

Queensland counts, Census 2021 Snapshot (report)

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This statistical snapshot presents information on Queensland’s population using census data from 2021. Counts of population by sex, age structure and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status are featured, in addition to counts of the number of houses by tenure type and the number of people living alone.

Queensland counts, Census 2021 Snapshot
pdf (305.89 KB)

Queensland compared, Census 2021 Snapshot (report)

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This statistical snapshot presents a comparison of key population characteristics of Queensland with Australia as a whole, using census data from 2021. Population size and age structure are featured, in addition to other characteristics including cultural diversity, housing tenure and voluntary work.

Queensland compared, Census 2021 Snapshot
pdf (279.17 KB)