The estimated residential population (ERP) by Local Government Area (LGA), the ERP and ERP change from the previous year, and population density are published in the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publication Regional Population Growth, Australia.

The ERP is the official estimate of the Australian population, based on Census counts by place of usual residence (excluding short-term overseas visitors in Australia), as of 30 June of the corresponding year. Usual residence within Australia refers to that address at which a person has lived or intends to live for six months or more, with an allowance for Census net undercount, to which are added the estimated number of Australian residents temporarily overseas at the time of the Census. Estimates are revised 12 months from release and are finalised following each Census. In Census years, LGA ERP is prepared by aggregating whole SA2 or SA1 level estimates where possible. In intercensal years, LGA population estimates are updated by accounting for the components of population change compared to the most recent Census. Historical data are updated when boundaries change.

Regional Population Growth data are also used in the following dashboard menu options: Australian population change - Statistical Area 2 and Australian population change - Remoteness Areas.

National and state/territory data presented in this visualisation are the sum of the sub-state components which differ to the published figures in the data source. The data source figures adjust for population movements not captured at the sub-state levels. If more accurate national/state/territory population changes are needed, users should seek the data from the ABS source publication. Additional information about the methodology is also available at the data source.  

See ABS - Regional Population for further information, including in-depth commentary and analysis, in particular the source data Quality Declaration. Source references: Data downloads - Data cubes; Population estimates and components by LGA, 2021 to 2022; tables 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.