About Visual Census
Explore Australian Census data on an interactive map
Visual Census makes published Australian Census data easier to explore by place. Choose a year, geography and measure to compare communities across Australia.
The site is free to use, does not require an account and includes tools for searching, comparing changes over time, sharing maps and downloading displayed data.
Explore the mapAvailable data
The atlas contains hundreds of measures across major Census topics. Availability depends on the selected Census year and geography.
Population
Population size, age, density and demographic structure.
Income
Household income, rent, mortgage costs and related indicators.
Ancestry and language
Reported ancestry, language use and English proficiency.
Housing
Home ownership, renting, dwelling type and household size.
Employment
Employment status, occupations and industries.
Education and health
Qualifications, school attendance and selected health measures.
Geographies and years
Boundary definitions change between Census years, so not every geography is available for every year.
| Geography | ABS level | Available years |
|---|---|---|
| Suburbs and localities | SAL | 2021 |
| Local government areas | LGA | 2001, 2006, 2016, 2021 |
| Statistical Areas 1-4 | SA1-SA4 | 2011, 2016, 2021 |
| Electoral divisions | CED / SED | 2016, 2021 |
| Urban centres and localities | UCL | 2021 |
| States and territories | State | 2006-2021 |
Data sources and methodology
Census data and geographic boundaries are sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Measures are calculated from published Census table cells and rounded for display.
Historical comparisons should be interpreted carefully because boundaries, classifications and Census definitions can change over time. ABS confidentiality adjustments may also cause small differences between totals.
Visual Census is an independent project and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Refer to the ABS for official statistics, definitions and advice.
Common questions
Where does the data come from?
Visual Census uses published Australian Bureau of Statistics Census DataPacks and official geographic boundaries. The site is an independent visualisation and is not an ABS product.
Can I view Census data by suburb?
Yes. Select Suburb as the geography to explore available 2021 Census results for ABS Suburbs and Localities. SA2 areas are also useful for neighbourhood comparisons across multiple Census years.
Which Census years are included?
Data is available for Census years from 2001 to 2021. Coverage varies by measure and geography, with the broadest coverage available for 2021.
Can I compare or download data?
The map includes tools for comparing compatible measures over time and downloading the values shown for the selected year, geography and measure.