Population estimates by remoteness area show how the distribution of Australia’s population is changing over time.

Data are sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publication Regional Population.

Population is measured using Estimated Resident Population (ERP), the official estimate of Australia’s population. ERP is based on Census counts by place of usual residence and adjusted for people missed in the Census and Australians temporarily overseas. Estimates are prepared as at 30 June each year and are revised following the next Census.

Population estimates for remoteness areas are produced by aggregating smaller geographic areas (Statistical Area Level 1).

See the ABS publication for more information and data quality notes. Data for this visualisation are drawn from the Regional Population data downloads (Population estimates by LGA, Significant Urban Area, Remoteness Area and electoral division, 2001 to 2025; table 3).