Data just released from the 2021 Census of Population and Housing reveals Brimbank's population has decreased, but the proportion of senior citizens and residents born overseas has increased.
Brimbank's estimated population for 2021 is 196,712 - 7,478 less than the last census in 2016.
This decline in population is due to residents mainly moving to new housing areas in neighbouring Melton and Wyndham, and numbers not being replaced by newcomers from overseas as a result of the border closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The largest changes in Brimbank's age structure were:
- babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) – a decrease of 1,958 people
- empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) – an increase of 1,484 people
- seniors (70 to 84) - an increase of 3,881 people.
Other key demographics included:
- 855 residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- the number of residents born overseas increased from 92,829 to 93,829, or 48 per cent of the population, compared with 35 per cent in greater Melbourne
- the top 10 countries of birth were Vietnam, India, Philippines, Malta, North Macedonia, Italy, New Zealand, China, Croatia and Greece
- more than half of Brimbank's residents speak another language
- the top 10 languages spoken, excluding English, were Vietnamese, Filipino/Tagalog, Greek, Punjabi, Arabic, Macedonian, Maltese, Cantonese, Italian and Croatian
- 71 per cent of residents identify with a faith or religion, compared to 56 per cent in greater Melbourne.
This information was compiled by .id (informed decisions) which distributes community profiles to councils based on the latest Australian census data.
Brimbank Mayor Cr Jasmine Nguyen said:
"The latest Census data tells us that Brimbank is more culturally diverse than ever before with a greater proportion of our residents born overseas.
"Our demographics show that our population is ageing with an increase in the number of seniors in Brimbank, while there's been a decrease in the number of children in our municipality.
"This data is a useful resource to help Council plan services and programs to ensure they are tailored to the needs of our community."
