1911 Australia Census
| First Commonwealth Census | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Country | Commonwealth of Australia |
| Date taken | 3 April 1911 |
| Total population | 4,455,005 |
| Percent change |
 18.05% |
| Most populous state/territory | New South Wales (1,646,734) |
| Least populous state/territory | Federal Territory (1,714) |
The 1911 Australia Census was the first national population census held in Australia. The day used for the census, was taken for the night between the 2 and 3 April 1911. The total population of the Commonwealth of Australia was counted as 4,455,005 - an increase of 681,204 people, 18.05% since the 1901 "Federation" Census.
The Census Volumes II and III were published on 30 September 1914. At that time it was intended to issue shortly thereafter Volume 1.
The first Commonwealth Statistician was George Handley Knibbs. He began his career as a licensed surveyor in government service. In April 1911, a Monday, census collectors set out all over Australia under mostly clear skies to begin gathering in Australia’s first national census forms. They covered suburbs to rural towns and the outback. They travelled by bike or horse where they had the transport that was needed to cover large areas, however, most travelled by foot. Some in Northern Queensland had to find their way through a flooded landscape while others in South Australia had difficulties finding water and fodder for their horses due to droughts. They had distributed the forms prior to the census day.
Collectors had to supply their own transport and cover any associated costs such as fodder and petrol. They were paid according to their method of transport. Collectors on foot were paid ten shilling a day, those on bicycle fifteens shillings a day and those on horse 20 shillings a day. Police were used in the days immediately following the census to get travellers, swagmen and campers to provide their information. Train conductors and ships' captains were also used as collectors in the 1911 census and several subsequent censuses, to cover people travelling overnight on census night.
For Every Person present in the Night from 2 to 3 April 1911, or returning on 3rd April (if not included elsewhere).
Population counts for Australian states and territories had 4,455,005 and 19,939 full-Aboriginals for a total population of 4,474,944.
Note: All figures are for the census usually resident population count.
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