17 March 2008

Social Atlas Series brings 2006 Census to Life

The Assistant Treasurer, Chris Bowen today launched the Australian Bureau of Statistics' (ABS) 2006 Census Social Atlas Series in a ceremony at Parliament House.

The 2006 Census Social Atlas Series is easy to understand with thematic maps and accompanying commentary including key social, demographic and housing characteristics.

"The Social Atlas Series brings the Census to life," Mr Bowen said.

"The series presents the story - the challenges and opportunities - of real people across the cities and regions of our nation.

"It really does present a bird's eye view of our capital cities, and importantly for the first time, our regions."

The Social Atlas' use of easy to read thematic maps of capital cities, featuring new analysis of 2006 Census data, makes data easier to interpret and provides the groundwork for a wide variety of stories on current and emerging issues.

A broad range of topics are covered relating to:

  • population;
  • cultural diversity;
  • work;
  • housing;
  • families;
  • education and training; and
  • economic resources.

"Most importantly, this series presents information in a way that it makes it more accessible and understandable for users," Mr Bowen said.

"I want to commend the Australian Statistician, Mr Brian Pink and the Australian Bureau of Statistics for putting together this user friendly publication that will open up the 2006 Census to students, researchers, journalists and government."

For more details and to download information free of charge, visit the home page of the ABS website on www.abs.gov.au under product releases, or click onto the Social Atlas icon on the right of the page.

Media Contact - James Cullen 0409 719 879