Ballarat is an Australian city located in Victoria with more than 100,000 residents. It is the third-largest city in Victoria, following Melbourne and Geelong.
It is located about 105 km to the west and northwest of Melbourne (Victoria’s capital city and state capital). The city is famous due to the gold rush period that transformed Ballarat from a tiny sheep farm into a large settlement.
Based on our study, the Ballarat population is expected to reach 124,492 at the end of June 2022. We calculate the end of June every year because Australia Bureau Statistics follows Australia’s financial year as they push by the data.
The calculation is made based on an annual growth rate of 3.55 percent over the past ten years, starting in 2011. We believe that using the latest numbers from the previous years (see our table in the next section) will help make the estimate more precise.
Table of Contents
Population Growth of Ballarat
Let’s look back at the over the past eight years of the population of Ballarat. The growth rate is consistent and steady and varies from 1.25 percent to 6.99 percent, which adds around 1,065 to 6,521 individuals every year to the overall population.
Many people were relocated to Ballarat to avail jobs in tourism, which significantly contributes to the increase in population.
The lower cost of housing compared to Melbourne can also draw people to reside here. However, Ballarat is a famous city for students from overseas.
| Year | Population | Growth rate |
| 2011 | 84,935 | n/a |
| 2012 | 86,000 | 1.25% |
| 2013 | 88,400 | 2.79% |
| 2014 | 93,320 | 5.57% |
| 2015 | 99,841 | 7% |
| 2016 | 104,355 | 4.52% |
| 2017 | 106,762 | 2.31% |
| 2018 | 110,030 | 3.06% |
| 2019 | 114,193 | 3.78% |
| 2020 | 117,010 | 2.47% |
| 2021 | 120,226 | 2.75% |
Demographics of Ballarat
According to the Australian census, the top five countries of birth for those living in Ballarat are Australia, England, India, New Zealand, and China.
The most popular five dialects spoken by people in Ballarat include English, Cantonese, Italian, Mandarin, and Punjabi.
The composition of the religions in Ballarat is 29.9 percent Catholic, 29.8% No religion, 11.7% Anglican, 8.7% religious affiliations not listed, 7.0% Uniting Church, 2.5% Presbyterian and Reformed, 2.0% Christian, 1.4% Other religious affiliations, 1.0 percent Churches of Christ, 0.9 Other Religious groups.
Population Density of Ballarat
The population density of Ballarat is 290 inhabitants per square kilometer. It is among the cities with the highest population density in Victoria.
Occupations and Industries
The most popular occupations for people in Ballarat include 30.4 Professionals, 12.2% Technicians & tradespeople, 11.8% Managers, 11.5% personal and community employees, 10.9 Social and Clerical employees, 10.9% Sales workers, 6.8% Labourers, 3.6 percent of machinery operators and drivers.
The primary industries that employees are employed in from Ballarat Central work in are 19.4 percent health aid and welfare, 11.8% Education and training, 11.3% Retail trade, 8.9% Accommodation and food services, 7.5% Public administration and safety, 7.3% Manufacturing, 6.5 Technical, professional and scientific assistance, 6.4% Construction, 2.9 The percentage of other benefits.
Facts About Ballarat
- Ballarat was a significant settlement due to its location in the Victorian gold rush. It was a small sheep farm.
- On the 18th of August, 1851, gold was found in Poverty Point. The news spread across Australia. So, over 2000 people were driven to the city to search for gold.
- Ballarat was referred to as an Australian city in Australia since 1871. It was among the towns that prospered due to gold mining.
- Before the European colonization of Australia before the European settlement of Australia, the Ballarat region was inhabited by the Wathaurong people, an Indigenous people of Australia.
- The Avenue of Honour is a grand boulevard in Ballarat that honors local soldiers who fought during the First World War.
- A significant asset for Ballarat can be found in Lake Wendouree, a manufactured lake that covers 200 hectares. It is situated a few kilometers to the west of the town’s center.
- Ballarat is among the cities growing at the fastest rate in Australia. Over 2,000 people move to Ballarat every year.
- Gold mining has made Ballarat a thriving town, and it was declared an official town in 1871.
References
The following links provide data for this topic:
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: www.abs.gov.au
- Victorian Government: www.vic.gov.au
- Live in Victoria: www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au