Australian cities hollow out as younger families move out and inner suburbs get older

Abstract

Many families move to afford a freestanding house, but higher density living could save them money, experts say.

Families with children make up a smaller share of households in the inner cities in 2021 than they did a decade before. The median age was similar in much of inner Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney in 2021 when compared to 2011, but declined in some outer suburbs. Outer suburbs have also seen some of the largest increases in dwelling construction.

While many families move out to the suburbs to afford a freestanding house, the productivity commission says the answer is to increase density in the inner city.