Population
The Mid West’s population has increased steadily over the past 20 years and at June 2006 was estimated to be 51,748. The local population makes up 9.3% of the states regional population and 2.5% of the total state population.
Between the census years of 1996 and 2001 the region grew at an average rate of 0.7% per anum. The growth rate has increased in recent times and between 2005 and 2006 the estimated annual growth rate was a staggering 3.5%.
While the current population makes the Mid West the sixth largest of Western Australia’s nine regions, the region's high projected population growth will make it the fourth largest region by 2026. Based on historical trends, the population of the region should reach 55,400 by 2016 and 68,100 by 2031. Major economic developments such as the numerous resource projects proposed for the Region have the capacity to boost these projections quite significantly. The region’s enviable lifestyle, proximity to the metropolitan area, strong supportive social infrastructure and relatively cheap housing are attracting even more interest from retirees and those looking for a sea-change.
Population within the region is unevenly dispersed. The City of Geraldton/Greenough’s population is estimated to be 35,022 or more than 67% of the region's population. Between 2000 and 2006 coastal municipalities (Geraldton/Greenough, Chapman Valley and Irwin) have shown a strong growth, including 1.8% average annual average growth in the Shire of Chapman Valley to the north of the Geraldton/Greenough area. Many farming areas (Carnamah, Morawa, Mingenew and Coorow) have recorded decreases in population, largely as a result of farm amalgamation. The population of inland shires where mining is a dominant feature has tended to be variable depending on the level of economic activity. However, since the mid 1990's when fly in - fly out became established, population has tended to decline.
|
Population Distribution 2001 - 2006 |
Local
Government
Authority |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
Annual Growth
2005-06
% |
AAGR
2000-
2005
% |
| Carnamah |
804 |
765 |
743 |
709 |
692 |
787 |
13.7 |
-0.4 |
| Chapman Valley |
876 |
884 |
892 |
957 |
984 |
957 |
-2.6 |
|
| Coorow |
1,375 |
1,366 |
1,362 |
1355 |
1320 |
1,256 |
-1.7 |
-1.8 |
| Cue |
394 |
391 |
370 |
366 |
352 |
359 |
2.0 |
-1.8 |
Geraldton/
Greenough |
32,764 |
32,654 |
32,452 |
32,156 |
32,604 |
35,022 |
7.4 |
1.3 |
| Irwin |
3,059 |
2,996 |
2,989 |
3034 |
3247 |
3,240 |
-0.2 |
1.2 |
| Meekatharra |
1,453 |
1,466 |
1,486 |
1529 |
1529 |
1,296 |
-16.4 |
|
| Mingenew |
584 |
585 |
582 |
557 |
525 |
501 |
-4.6 |
-3.0 |
| Morawa |
985 |
963 |
957 |
904 |
880 |
888 |
3.4 |
-2.1 |
| Mount Magnet |
851 |
841 |
829 |
757 |
719 |
496 |
-31.7 |
-10.2 |
| Mullewa |
1,118 |
1,120 |
1,104 |
1057 |
1057 |
1,011 |
-4.4 |
|
|
Murchison |
160 |
160 |
162 |
162 |
162 |
127 |
-21.6 |
-4.5 |
| Northampton |
3,333 |
3,329 |
3,320 |
3313 |
3237 |
3,360 |
3.8 |
0.2 |
|
Perenjori |
612 |
589 |
585 |
584 |
573 |
564 |
-1.4 |
-1.6 |
|
Sandstone |
133 |
143 |
150 |
150 |
150 |
130 |
-13.3 |
-0.5 |
|
Three Springs |
751 |
746 |
745 |
743 |
722 |
713 |
-1.2 |
-1.0 |
|
Wiluna |
898 |
924 |
955 |
951 |
960 |
770 |
-20.5 |
-3.0 |
|
Yalgoo |
325 |
325 |
328 |
327 |
327 |
271 |
-17.1 |
-3.6 |
| MID WEST (total) |
50,475 |
50,247 |
50,011 |
49,611 |
50,015 |
51,748 |
3.5 |
0.5 |