Rush to the regions
Interesting statistics from the ABS, detailing the rush to the regions.
Regional population growth outpaced capital city population growth in the 2021 financial year for the first time since 1981.
Melbourne's population actually fell by -60,500 as punters looked to escape the heaviest of the lockdown restrictions.
Regional Victoria saw an increase of +15,700, while regional Queensland (+24,000) and regional New South Wales saw strong increases.
Of the capital cities, Brisbane saw by far the strongest annual population increase at +21,900.
Source: ABS
Growth in the capital cities was stymied by a combination of international border closures and a rush to the regions as buyers undertook a literal 'race for space'.
The largest population decline was in inner Melbourne, which saw a decline of 5,900, although this now appears to have reversed, with inner-city vacancy rates in sharp decline.
