Indicator: Population characteristics| Indicator description | Complete list of Indicators | What the results tell us for TumutSee also: | Population growth | Tumut, with Queanbeyan, has the second highest percentage of persons of indigenous origin in the Region (2.6%, compared with Eurobodalla's 3.7%, and the Regional average of 1.3%). Its levels are comparatively low for overseas born persons (7.6% compared with the regional average of 17.5%) and for persons speaking a language other than English in the home (2.6%, compared with the regional average of 17.5%). See the Region (table 1) for more detail about Population characteristics in August 1996. About the dataThe regional table 'Population Characteristics Census night August 1996' shows actual census data.preface in the catalogue states "The data presented in this publication relate to where people were enumerated on census night. They should not be confused with the official estimated resident population figures (ERP)..." Population characteristics for the Region are collected via the Census. As 2001 will be a Census year, no new comprehensive material is available since the 1997 report, which used 1996 census data. Some updates have been published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and these have been used where practicable. Sources:
Description: What does 'population characteristics' measure?Which data are collected?
Why do we report this indicator?The composition of a population (i.e. its characteristics) underpins changes the pressure of the human population on the environment. There is a direct impact on the level of resources required to provide the range of services and infrastructure required to maintain a given quality of life in areas such as health, housing, education, employment, transport, resource use and management, and construction. An understanding of this and of the dependency ratio in the population means that, as the composition characteristics of a population change, environmental, economic and social pressures can be minimised. In addition to the differing demands different groups within a population make on their natural and urban environment, the intrinsic age-sex structure of a population can be a source of pressure on the environment through fertility and mortality. For example, a population with a younger age structure can expect a large number of births even if most women have few children. Conversely, a population with an old age structure can expect a large number of deaths even if mortality rates are low. This has implications for the rate of population growth in an area. The number and distribution of the three groups listed below should be identified because of their special needs resulting from their languages, skills, knowledge, income levels, occupations and residences:
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