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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Cook has an estimated 2,968 residents. That puts 1,879 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Cook is estimated to be approximately 2,968 as of May 2026. This represents a minor rise of 3 individuals (0.1%) from the 2,965 citizens recorded during the 2021 Census. This adjustment is calculated using the ABS estimated resident population of 2,962 from June 2025 alongside 18 validated new addresses registered after the Census. This population level translates to a density of 1,878 persons per square kilometer, a figure that exceeds the typical density found in other national areas evaluated by AreaSearch.
The population increase in this locality was mostly fueled by overseas migration, which made up roughly 69.6% of the total population gains in recent times. AreaSearch utilizes the projection models developed by the ABS and Geoscience Australia for individual SA2 sectors, which were published in 2024 with 2022 serving as the baseline. In cases where SA2 sectors are omitted from this dataset, or for periods extending past 2032, age group growth trajectories from the ACT Government's SA2 projections, also utilizing a 2022 baseline, are applied. Future population forecasts derived from this system suggest a downward trend, with a projected reduction of 186 residents by 2041. Despite the overall decline, positive growth is expected in certain age brackets, particularly among individuals aged 85 and over, whose numbers are forecast to rise by 50 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Cook has maintained an average of approximately 3 new home approvals annually, with 18 residential dwellings approved over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, and 14 approvals recorded so far in FY-26. For every new residence constructed over the 5 financial years spanning FY-21 to FY-25, the area added an average of 2.7 new inhabitants, pointing to consistent demand that helps sustain property valuations, with the average construction cost of these new residences standing at $296,000. When contrasted with the Australian Capital Territory, the volume of building activity in Cook is notably low, tracking at 78.0% below the regional per capita average.
This constrained addition to the housing stock generally helps support demand and pricing for established residences. Building activity also falls below the national average, highlighting the mature state of the suburb and suggesting possible planning constraints. The mix of new construction is split evenly, with standalone houses representing 50.0% and medium to high-density dwellings making up the remaining 50.0%. This emphasis on denser housing options offers more accessible purchase points and appeals to downsizers, property investors, and first-time home buyers. With a ratio of roughly 1030 residents per approved dwelling, Cook demonstrates the characteristics of a fully established neighborhood. Given that population forecasts point to a stable or decreasing number of residents, Cook is anticipated to experience lighter pressure on housing demand, which represents a positive factor for prospective home buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Cook
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 37 current infrastructure and development projects close to Cook, worth an estimated $20.1 billion. 7 are already under construction and 14 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, residential development and sports & recreation. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, major developments, and urban planning policies can significantly influence property performance. A total of 0 key projects have been identified by AreaSearch as having a probable impact on this suburb. Notable developments in the surrounding region include the Bruce Precinct (Section 15), Bruce Residential Development Zone, the New Northside Hospital (North Canberra Hospital Redevelopment), and the Belconnen Town Centre East Precinct, with specific details of the most relevant projects listed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Ethos Belconnen
Ethos is the second stage of Per Se Developments' Cirrus lakeside precinct at Belconnen. The project comprises 88 premium apartments with ground floor commercial tenancies overlooking Lake Ginninderra. Construction is well advanced with display apartments open and commercial space being marketed ahead of expected completion in 2026.
Radford College Master Plan Implementation
Ongoing implementation of the Radford College Master Plan at the Bruce campus. Major recent works include the completed Collegians Centre (multi-purpose hall) and the Boorer Family Cricket Centre. As of mid-2025 the College Board confirmed the final stage of works was progressing, comprising the completion of the school ovals, presentation upgrades to the Haydon Drive and College Street boundaries, a new Foundation Walk, and a feature pedestrian entrance and path linking College Street to the Collegians Centre with shelter, seating, lighting and an avenue of trees.The College anticipated the design becoming visible by the end of Term 3 2025 following earthworks and landscaping across multiple worksites.
Bruce Precinct (Section 15)
A masterplanned mixed-use urban precinct and residential land release located centrally in Bruce, adjacent to the AIS and Bruce Ridge Nature Reserve. The project aligns with the Bruce Sports, Health and Education Precinct masterplan, delivering approximately 250-500 new dwellings, including affordable housing options, alongside commercial, hospitality, and retail opportunities.
Belconnen Community Hub Upgrade
Comprehensive upgrade of existing community facilities including expanded library services, community meeting spaces, youth programs area, seniors center, and childcare facilities. Improved accessibility and technology integration throughout.
University of Canberra Sports Precinct
Major expansion of University of Canberra sports facilities, including the development of Sports Hub 2, new aquatic centre, indoor sports courts, outdoor playing fields, gymnasium upgrades, and athlete training facilities. It focuses on community access programs and elite athlete development.
JWLand Belconnen Lathlain Street Development
Mixed-use precinct at Belconnen Town Centre comprising 435 apartments across buildings of 12 to 18 storeys, a 144-room hotel, ground-floor retail, cafes, restaurants, and commercial office suites. The project sits within the Lathlain Eat Street precinct opposite Westfield Belconnen and adjoins an ACT Government urban park. A podium park and rooftop terrace gardens are planned, with 583 basement car spaces across four levels. A development application was lodged in early 2025.
Belconnen Arts Centre Redevelopment
Modernization of existing arts centre with expanded performance spaces, visual arts galleries, community workshop areas, and improved accessibility. Features flexible venue spaces for theater, music, and community events with enhanced acoustics and lighting.
Belconnen Basketball Stadium Expansion
Expansion of existing basketball facilities to include additional courts, spectator seating for 2,000, improved accessibility features, and modernized amenities. Part of ACT Government's sports infrastructure investment program.
1,590 residents of Cook are employed, from a labour force of 1,645. Unemployment sits at 3.3%, with participation at 66.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.6% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,264, about 76% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Cook features a highly qualified labor force, marked by a strong presence in professional services, an unemployment rate of just 3.3%, and a minor 0.5% growth in local employment over the past year. As of March 2026, there are 1,590 employed residents, with the local unemployment rate sitting 0.7% below the Australian Capital Territory rate of 4.1%, while the participation rate is somewhat low at 66.1% compared to the 70.8% average for the Australian Capital Territory. Census data indicates that a moderate share of 15.3% of the working population performed their duties from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
The primary employment fields for local citizens are public administration & safety, education & training, and professional & technical services. The suburb exhibits a clear concentration in education & training, where the proportion of jobs is 1.6 times the wider regional benchmark. In contrast, accommodation & food services are underrepresented, accounting for 4.3% of local employment compared to the regional standard of 6.5%. The heavily residential nature of the suburb means local employment positions are relatively scarce, as shown by comparing the count of working residents against the local job count from the Census. According to AreaSearch's evaluation of SALM and ABS data, the year leading up to March 2026 saw local employment grow by 0.5% and the total labor force expand by 1.4%, which resulted in an increase in the unemployment rate by 0.8 percentage points. During the same timeframe in the Australian Capital Territory, employment increased by 0.3%, the labor force expanded by 1.1%, and unemployment ticked up by 0.7 percentage points. National employment forecasts from May-25 compiled by Jobs and Skills Australia help illustrate prospective labor demand patterns for Cook. These five and ten-year national growth forecasts have been applied to the local industry mix to model potential future changes. Nationally, employment is predicted to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though these growth rates vary considerably across different sectors. Projecting these industry-specific trends onto the local employment structure suggests Cook's workforce could grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.5% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Cook is $2,269 a week (about $118,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,288 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $76,255 a year against an average of $93,804. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Based on the most recent ATO figures gathered by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, the Cook SA2 exhibits some of the highest income levels in the nation. The median income for taxpayers in the Cook SA2 is $76,255 and the average stands at $93,804, compared to Australian Capital Territory figures of $72,206 and $85,981 respectively. Adjusting for a 10.44% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, current estimates would place the median income at approximately $84,216 and the average at $103,597 as of March 2026. The 2021 Census records show personal, family, and household incomes in Cook all sit at elevated levels, ranking between the 81st and 94th percentiles nationally.
Income distribution details show the weekly bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 is the most common, accounting for 31.7% of residents (940 people), which aligns with the regional figure of 34.3% in this bracket. A notable 37.1% of residents earn more than $3,000 weekly, pointing to high-income earners who help drive local commerce. Once housing costs are paid, residents keep 87.6% of their earnings, indicating substantial discretionary spending capacity, with the area's SEIFA income index ranking in the 9th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Cook had 1,237 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 61% detached houses and 3% apartments. 35% are owned with a mortgage, 24% rented and 41% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $440 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,167 a month. Rent absorbs 19.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.0%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, the housing stock in Cook consisted of 60.7% standalone houses and 39.3% other housing types, such as apartments and semi-detached properties, compared to the Australian Capital Territory breakdown of 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings. The rate of outright home ownership in Cook was significantly higher than the Australian Capital Territory rate, standing at 40.9%, while the remaining properties were either held with a mortgage (35.0%) or occupied by tenants (24.1%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the suburb was $2,167, which is higher than the Australian Capital Territory median of $2,080, whereas the median weekly rent was $440, compared to the regional median of $450.
On a national scale, mortgage costs in Cook are notably higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are also well above the countrywide median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Cook counted 1,237 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 27% are couples with children, against 27% couples without children. 31% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.3 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of local households at 65.2%, consisting of 27.0% couples with children, 27.0% couples without children, and 9.8% single parent households. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 34.8%, with single-person households representing 31.0% of the total and group households making up 3.6%. The median size of households in the area is 2.3 people, which is slightly smaller than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
60.8% of adults in Cook hold a university qualification, including 31.5% with a bachelor degree and 22.4% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 10.1% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Levels of educational qualification in Cook are notably higher than regional and national averages, with 60.8% of inhabitants aged 15+ holding a tertiary degree, compared to 30.4% across Australia and 43.8% within the SA3 region. This high concentration of qualified residents makes the area well-suited for professional and knowledge-based roles. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 31.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees (22.4%) and graduate diplomas (6.9%). Vocational training is held by 18.5% of the population aged 15 and over, comprising advanced diplomas (8.4%) and certificates (10.1%). Participation in study is quite strong, with 28.7% of the local population currently engaged in some form of structured learning.
This student population includes 8.4% attending primary school, 7.7% enrolled in university or tertiary courses, and 7.5% studying at the secondary school level.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Cook reaches 10 stops on 33 routes, timetabled for about 1,800 services a week. The typical home sits about 230 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.1 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
An analysis of public transport options reveals 10 active bus stops operating within Cook. These bus stops are serviced by 33 unique transit routes, which provide a combined total of 1,750 passenger trips each week. Transport connectivity is considered good, with local homes positioned an average of 230 meters from the nearest stop. Because the suburb is primarily residential, the majority of working residents travel outside the area for employment, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 76%, followed by buses at 10% and cycling at 9%. The average number of motor vehicles per household is 1.1, which is below the wider regional average.
Additionally, 15.3% of local workers worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era arrangements. The average service frequency across all routes is 250 trips per day, which translates to roughly 175 weekly transit trips for each individual bus stop in the suburb.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
64.0% of residents in Cook report no long-term health condition. 4.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 67.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
According to AreaSearch's evaluation of death rates and the frequency of long-term illnesses, health profiles in Cook are quite similar to national benchmarks, with average rates of typical medical conditions reported across young and senior age groups, while the proportion of residents with private health insurance is remarkably high at roughly 68% of the population (2,003 people). This compare to a rate of 62.4% for the Australian Capital Territory and a national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent health concerns reported by local residents were mental health conditions and asthma, affecting 10.6% and 9.3% of the population, respectively, while 64.0% of residents reported having no long-term medical issues, compared to 70.2% in the Australian Capital Territory.
The working-age cohort experiences some notable health difficulties, marked by elevated rates of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and over constitute 21.2% of the local population (629 people), a larger proportion than the 14.3% average for the Australian Capital Territory. Seniors in the area enjoy positive health outcomes, with national health benchmarks for this group exceeding those of the wider local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cook is largely Australian-born, at 75.1% of residents, with 15.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (27.2%) and Australian (23.4%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cook displays a higher level of cultural diversity than typical Australian suburbs, with 24.9% of the population born outside Australia and 15.7% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, followed by 32.9% of local residents. The most distinct religious overrepresentation in the suburb is Buddhism, which is practiced by 2.4% of the population, compared to a rate of 3.0% across the Australian Capital Territory. Looking at parent countries of birth, the three largest ancestry groups in Cook are English at 27.2%, Australian at 23.4%, and Irish at 10.5%.
There are also distinct variations in the concentration of other backgrounds: Welsh ancestry is overrepresented at 0.9% of Cook's population (compared to 0.6% across the region), Hungarian is at 0.5% (compared to 0.3%), and French is at 0.9% (compared to 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Cook is 42. 22.1% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age of 42 in Cook is notably higher than the Australian Capital Territory median of 35 and also sits above the national median of 38. Compared to the wider Australian Capital Territory, there is a clear concentration of residents in the 45 - 54 age bracket (14.8% locally), whereas the 25 - 34 cohort is underrepresented (10.2%). Since 2021, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 has risen from 8.9% to 12.0%, and the cohort aged 85 and over has increased from 2.5% to 3.6%. In contrast, the 25 to 34 bracket has shrunk from 12.7% to 10.2%, and children aged 0 to 4 have declined from 5.6% to 4.6% of the population.
Demographic projections indicate that Cook's age structure will change notably by 2041. The group aged 85 and over is expected to grow by 37 people (35%), rising from 106 to 144. In total, the cohorts aged 65 and over will represent 88% of the area's net population growth, highlighting the aging profile of the suburb. Conversely, the 75 to 84 and 0 to 4 age groups are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Cook
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | May 2026 3 months ago all 13 measures |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 18 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,965 at the 2021 Census → 2,968 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (801011005). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.