ABS census preview says mortgaged three bedroom home is the Australian norm
A mortgaged three bedroom home is the Australian norm, according to a preview of the 2016 census released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
In 2016, the ‘typical’ Australian home is owned with a mortgage as opposed to outright ownership in 2006. But this varies across the country, according to the preview of the 2016 Census of Population and Housing that highlights the key characteristics that make the ‘typical’ Australian in 2016 and highlighting the country’s diversity.
The first Census data release is scheduled for June 27, 2017. This will include datasets for all national, state/territory and capital cities, along with datasets for small population groups and small geographic areas such as suburbs and local government areas.
The Australian home varies from state to state, says the ABS. For example, the ‘typical’ home in Tasmania and New South Wales is owned outright, while the ‘typical’ Northern Territory home is rented. In 2006, the ‘typical’ Australian home was owned outright.
The 2016 Census says the ‘typical’ Australian is a 38-year-old female who was born in Australia, and is of English ancestry. She is married and lives in a couple family with two children and has completed Year 12. She lives in a house with three bedrooms and two motor vehicles.
The age of the ‘typical’ Australian varies across the states and territories.
The ‘typical’ Australian male is 37 years old.
In 2016, the ‘typical’ migrant in Australia was born in England and is 44 years old; a decade ago they were aged 46. There are however some differences between the states – the ‘typical’ migrant in Queensland was born in New Zealand, while in Victoria the ‘typical’ migrant was born in India. The ‘typical’ migrant in New South Wales was born in China.
The June release will follow the completion of the ABS’ usual data quality assurance process and the Census Independent Assurance Panel’s quality assurance work.
The Census process, conducted on the night of August 9, headlined the news soon after after the ABS website was hit with cyber attacks forcing a shut down for two days.
The ABS will release data regarding employment, qualifications and population mobility from October 17, 2017.
The lists below show when data related to each Census topic will be released, ABS said in the release. Each topic will have a number of data items associated with it.
JUNE 2017
Sex
Age
Residential status in non-private dwelling
Registered marital status
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin
Usual residence at Census time
Australian citizenship
Country of birth
Year of arrival in Australia
Country of birth of parents
Main language other than English spoken at home
Proficiency in spoken English
Ancestry
Religious Affiliation
Need for assistance
Attendance at an educational institution
Highest year of schooling completed
Number of children ever born
Income
Unpaid work
Address on Census night
Family relationship (and Social marital status)
Number of motor vehicles garaged
Number of bedrooms
Tenure type
Landlord type
Housing costs
Dwelling internet connection
Dwelling structure
Location of private dwelling
Type of non-private dwelling
OCTOBER 2017
Internal migration (address of usual residence 1 year ago and 5 years ago)
Non-school qualification
Labour force status
Status in employment
Occupation
Public or private employer indicator
Workplace address (Journey to work)
Industry of employment
Hours worked
Method of travel to work