New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has revealed that Darwin had the youngest population among Australia’s state and territory capitals in 2023, with a median age of 34.6 years, while Adelaide had the oldest at 39.2 years.
The statistics indicate that cities generally have younger populations than regional areas, with demographics influenced by factors such as the existence of infrastructure like military bases, universities and mining resources.
Darwin also had a higher ratio of men to women, with 104.7 men for every 100 women, compared to a national average of 99 males per 100 females.
In contrast, Adelaide and Hobart recorded the lowest male-to-female ratios among the capitals.
Areas with significant male populations, like Western Australia’s East Pilbara, were typically linked to mining or prisons, while older populations in Sydney’s Woollahra reflected longer life expectancy and higher socio-economic status.