In a few days time, on Tuesday 11 August, Redlands households will be completing online forms to provide information required for the 2026 Australian census.
All households should have received a letter from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) providing a census number and password which will be needed to complete the 2026 Australian Census form online.
Information collected through the 2026 Australian Census will provide information about Australia’s population including profiles of age, ancestry, education, type of employment and religion. Data will also be collected about housing.
Australia has a national census every five years which shows how the population changes over time.
The cost of the 2026 Australian Census is $726 million according to a report by the Australian Financial Review.
Data from the 2026 Australian Census will be made available by the ABS progressively, beginning in June 2027.
Australian Census data about Redlands
Here are a few examples of Redland City census information collected in 2011, 2016 and 2021.
| Redland City – Population | 2011 Census | 2016 Census | 2021 Census |
| Population of Redland City | 138,666 | 147,010 | 159,222 |
| Median Age of Population | 39 | 41 | 43 |
| Percentage Born in Australia | 73.5% | 72.5% | 73.5% |
| Percentage Stating That Their Religion is Christian | 68.7% | 60.0% | 49.6% |
| Average number of children in families | 1.9 | 1.8 | 1.8 |
Census data shows a steady increase in the number of dwellings and a slight reduction in the proportion of dwellings that are single houses. About 70% of dwellings are owner occupied.
| Redland City – Dwellings | 2011 Census | 2016 Census | 2021 Census |
| Number of Dwellings | 50,124 | 54,039 | 60,718 |
| Separate Houses as Percentage of Dwellings | 87% | 85% | 83% |
| Dwellings Owned Outright | 31% | 31% | 33% |
| Dwellings Owned With Mortgage | 40% | 39% | 39% |
| Dwellings Rented | 23% | 23% | 22% |
| Median Rent | $350 | $390 | $420 |
| Dwelling with 2 or more Vehicles | 60.7% | 62.2% | 63.1% |
The figures for work related activity in the 2021 Census show some impacts of the COVID pandemic including a much higher number of people working from home on the Census day.
| Redland City – Work | 2011 Census | 2016 Census | 2021 Census |
| Labour Force | 71,806 | 74,731 | 80,382 |
| % of Labour Force Working Full Time | 60.0% | 58.8% | 56.2% |
| % of Labour Force Working Part Time | 29.2% | 30.6% | 30.5% |
| % of Labour Force Unemployed | 5.4% | 6.4% | 4.4% |
| % of Employed People Working From Home | NA | 5.0% | 15.2% |
| % of Employed People Who Travel to Work as Car Driver or Passenger | 70.7% | 75.6% | 67.4% |
| % of Employed People Who Used Public Transport Getting to Work | 7.8% | 7.0% | 4.0% |
| % of People aged 15 or Older Who Did Voluntary Work Through An Organisation or Group | 18.4% | 18.2% | 13.5% |
More information about the 2026 Australian Census
More information about the 2026 Australian Census is available on the ABS 2026 Census Information webpage.