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Brisbane, located in Queensland, encompasses a diverse metropolitan area known as the Greater Capital City Statistical Area, which includes the City of Brisbane and surrounding local government areas such as Ipswich, Moreton Bay, Logan City, and Redland City. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the population of Greater Brisbane reached 2,706,966 in June 2023, solidifying its status as the third-largest city in Australia.
The demographic composition of Brisbane showcases a rich tapestry of ancestry and immigration. As of the 2021 census, approximately 20.7% of residents were born overseas, with 25.2% having at least one parent born outside of Australia. The city ranks 26th among global metropolitan areas in terms of immigrant population. The most prominent countries of birth among the foreign-born residents include New Zealand, England, India, mainland China, and the Philippines.
In terms of ancestry, the 2021 census revealed that the most commonly reported backgrounds were English (32.5%), Australian (31.6%), and Irish (11.1%). Other significant ancestries include Scottish (10.1%), German (5.7%), and Chinese (4.7%). Notably, the areas of Sunnybank, Sunnybank Hills, Stretton, and others have a substantial population of residents born in mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, with Chinese being the most reported ancestry in these neighborhoods. Inala, Darra, and other suburbs are known for their sizable Vietnamese communities, while Chermside has a prominent Indian population.
Brisbane is also home to a rich Indigenous heritage, with 3.0% of residents identifying as Indigenous, including Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders. This diverse cultural landscape is further complemented by the city's thriving Chinatown, where Chinese Australians represent the largest non-European ancestry group.
Linguistically, English remains the predominant language, spoken at home by 77.3% of the population. Other languages include Mandarin (2.5%), Vietnamese (1.1%), Punjabi (0.9%), Cantonese (0.9%), and Spanish (0.8%).
The religious affiliations in Brisbane also reflect its diversity. According to the 2021 census, 41.4% of residents identified as having "No religion," while 44.3% identified as Christian, with Catholicism (18.6%) and Anglicanism (9.7%) being the most prevalent denominations. The CBD is home to two major cathedrals: St John's Cathedral (Anglican) and St Stephen's Cathedral (Catholic). Non-Christian religions represented in the city include Hinduism (2%), Buddhism (1.9%), and Islam (1.8%).
Brisbane's demographics illustrate a vibrant and multicultural society, highlighting the city’s global connections and its role as a welcoming home for people from diverse backgrounds.