Canberra--the demographic experiment

"The aims of this paper are to describe the demographic outcome of the early patterns of growth of...[Canberra, Australia], and to illustrate the way in which refinements in the measurement of demographic events can provide a more accurate picture of the true situation than occurs from crude measures. Much of the discussion is based on a comparison of the demographic situation in the ACT [Australian Capital Territory] with that in the nearest State capital city, Sydney, or with total Australia." Information is included on age structure, mobility, socioeconomic status, fertility, divorce, female labor force participation, and child care. "The ACT population has always been considered to be different from that of the other capital cities and from the overall population of Australia, and in many respects this is true. At the same time, however, recent data suggest that the ACT population profile is now converging towards the Australian experience."