Australia is famous for its unique wildlife, breathtaking beaches, bustling cities, and a variety of stunning landscapes. So, it’s easy to see why so many people are moving to the Land Down Under. But what city should you move to? While there are numerous towns and cities that have something to offer, here are the 8 fastest growing towns in Australia and what makes them so special.
The 8 Fastest Growing Towns in Australia
City | Estimated Resident Population for June 2022 | Population increase between 2021 and 2022 | Growth Percentage |
---|---|---|---|
Brisbane | 2,628,083 | 59,156 | 2.3 |
Perth | 2,224,475 | 32,246 | 1.5 |
Melbourne | 5,031,195 | 55,038 | 1.1 |
Adelaide | 1,418,455 | 16,062 | 1.1 |
Sydney | 5,297,089 | 37,325 | 0.7 |
Canberra | 456,692 | 3,134 | 0.7 |
Hobart | 252,693 | 1,646 | 0.7 |
Darwin | 149,582 | 781 | 0.5 |
1. Brisbane
Brisbane is Australia’s fastest-growing capital city, beating Melbourne and Sydney for that top spot. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Brisbane’s population grew by 2.3% between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 59,156 residents. The biggest reason behind Brisbane’s boom was natural, with more births than deaths. However, there are many reasons why people decided to move to this city, including:
Weather
Brisbane experiences around 283 days of sunshine annually and has a subtropical climate. Therefore, locals enjoy a vibrant outdoor life. The city also provides residents with a vast network of pathways and parks, perfect for cycling and walking. Lastly, Brisbane’s affordability, culture, accessibility, and relaxed vibe make it a welcoming town for anybody looking to put down some roots.
Environmentally Conscious
Brisbane has been named twice as Australia’s most sustainable city, which is no surprise as it has been the leader in sustainability practices for over 20 years. The City Council is taking action to provide a low-carbon and climate-resilient city. Their main focus is the performance of its own operations. Furthermore, the city delivers initiatives to support locals and their businesses in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Perth
Like most of Australia, Perth’s population growth over the last ten years has mostly been due to immigration. As a result, the city has become incredibly multicultural. In fact, Perth grew by 1.5% between 2021 and 2022. Most of Perth’s growth in the suburbs is exploding, especially in areas like Baldivis, Alkimos, Ellenbrook, and Harrisdale. However, there are other reasons why people find this city so appealing, like the wildlife and scenery around the city, gorgeous beaches, more affordable, and sunshine.
3. Melbourne
Melbourne was voted Australia’s most livable city and the third most livable city on the planet. As a result, many people are flocking to Melbourne, and its population increased by 1.1% between 2021 to 2022. The reason for this growth is due to international migration of the past few years, internal migration within Australia, and natural increase in birth rates. The city appeals to people because of its healthcare, infrastructure, culture, stability, environment, and education.
4. Adelaide
Adelaide is one of the fastest-growing towns in Australia, with a population increase of 1.1% between 2021 and 2022. One of the contributing factors to this population growth was the lack of harsh restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, Adelaide was voted one of the top 30 towns in Australia in 2022. This is a huge turnaround for the town, as before the pandemic, it was actually losing people to other states in the country.
5. Sydney
Sydney is a bustling capital city in the Land Down Under, famous for its iconic Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. However, this is not why the city has seen an increase in population. Most of the people moving into this city are overseas immigrants. For example, Sydney’s population grew by 37,325 between 2021 and 2022, resulting in a 0.7% increase since the previous year. However, the city also lost thousands of residents due to the high cost of living.
6. Canberra
Canberra is one of the fastest-growing towns in Australia, and as the country’s capital, it’s easy to see why people are flocking to the area. The population of Canberra increased by 3,134 people between 2021 and 2022. The reason for the increase in population is mainly due to overseas migration. However, natural causes like many births and few deaths also contribute to the increase in residents. Furthermore, some interstate migration also occurred, with people moving from other towns/cities in the country.
7. Hobart
Hobart is the second-oldest capital city in Australia. As a result, it was the first place in the country to have a casino. Furthermore, it is home to the MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) and numerous restaurants and bars. In addition, it is one of the only capital cities where you can experience the southern lights throughout the year. Hobart, Tasmania’s capital, has experienced a steady growth rate over the years. However, its growth was mainly due to natural reasons, like numerous births and few deaths. But, its population has recently increased due to younger people moving into the city. For example, between 2021 and 2022, 1,646 people moved to Hobart.
8. Darwin
While Darwin started out as a laid-back frontier town, it has become one of the fastest-growing towns in Australia. But, no matter how big Darwin gets, it still retains its relaxed atmosphere, with all the luxuries of a big city, like pubs, restaurants, clubs, and world-class accommodation. Most people fleeing country life to live in a city move to Darwin’s southern suburbs of Palmerston and the Central Business District (CBD). Furthermore, the Australian Bureau of Statics reports that many people are leaving regional and rural areas in the Top End are moving to Darwin. Unfortunately, while the population of the Greater Darwin area is booming, the overall population of the Northern Territory is the lowest in the country. Darwin’s population increased by 781 between 2021 and 2022, resulting in a 0.5% increase.
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