Number of alcohol outlets in small geographic areas (SA2) of selected Australian states

The small geographic areas used in the maps of this report (SA2) have an average population of about 8,800 adults (11,300 people of all ages) and this ranges from 0 to almost 40,000 (See Data tables Table S3).

Around 2 in 3 people in Australia (67%) live in Capital city areas and 1 in 3 (33%) live in Non-capital city areas as at 2022 (ABS 2023).

The data in these maps are presented for both Capital city areas and Non-capital city areas. People living in Capital city areas are more likely to be living close to many amenities including alcohol outlets. People living in Non-capital city areas, particularly in more remote areas will access and purchase alcohol in very different ways to those in more urban areas, often having to travel by car for food, services, alcohol and other amenities. People living in all areas may also purchase alcohol from online stores which are out of scope for this report (see Limitations and future work).

How to use these maps

MAP 1: Number of alcohol outlets in each small geographic area (SA2), selected Australian states, 2018 will open in a new tab.

Use the zoom and search functions to explore the map. Select a group or area of interest from the lists to show that group or area. Click on an area in the map to view additional information. The colour shading indicates different numbers of alcohol outlets per area, with darker shades indicating higher numbers.

For the best experience, use Chrome, Edge or Firefox browsers. For more information on browser compatibility, see Supported browsers.

MAP 1: Number of alcohol outlets in each small geographic area (SA2), selected Australian states, 2018

(map will open in a new window)

interactive map

Number of outlets by area in selected Australian states, 2018

For small geographic areas (SA2) included in this report: 

  • There are 22 outlets per area on average. 
  • The number of alcohol outlets in an area ranges from 0 to 1,077. 
  • The median (middle) is 13 alcohol outlets in an area. 
  • Most (97%) small geographic areas (SA2) have at least 1 alcohol outlet. 
  • A small number (3.2% or 66 areas) have no alcohol outlet within the area. Of these, 17 areas have no people living in the area. 
  • There are 8 areas where there are alcohol outlets but no people living in the area.
  • The bottom 20% of areas have 5 alcohol outlets or less, compared with the top 20% of areas which have 28 outlets or more.
  • Areas with higher numbers of outlets are generally in Capital city areas.
  • The top 6 small geographic areas (SA2) for alcohol outlet counts are the Capital city central business district areas for each State. 
  • Some of the Non-capital city areas with higher numbers of outlets are known tourist areas such as in the Snowy mountains in NSW (Jindabyne – Berridale), Coffs Harbour in NSW (Coffs Harbour – South) the Great Ocean Road in Vic (Warrnambool – South and Moyne – West) the Gold Coast in Qld (Main Beach, Surfers Paradise and Mermaid Beach – Broadbeach) or Kangaroo Island in SA (Kangaroo Island) (Tables S4 and S5).

Number of outlets by Capital city areas in selected Australian states, 2018

  • On average there are 23 outlets per area.
  • The number of alcohol outlets ranges from 0 to 1,077.
  • The median (middle) is 12 alcohol outlets in an area.
  • Most (96%) have at least 1 alcohol outlet.
  • A small number (3.6% or 42 areas) have no alcohol outlet within the area. Of these, 9 also have no people living in the area. 
  • There are also 7 areas where there were alcohol outlets but no people living in the area.
  • The bottom 20% of areas have 4 alcohol outlets or less, compared with the top 20% of areas which have 28 outlets or more (See Data tables Tables S4 and S5).

Number of outlets by Non-capital city areas in selected Australian states, 2018

  • On average, there are 20 outlets per area. 
  • The number of outlets ranges from 0 to 253 alcohol outlets. 
  • The median (middle) is 15 alcohol outlets in an area.
  • Most (97%) have at least 1 alcohol outlet.
  • A small number (2.6% or 24 areas) have no alcohol outlet within the area. Of these, 8 also have no people living in the area. 
  • There is 1 area where there are alcohol outlets but no people living in the area.
  • The bottom 20% of areas have 7 alcohol outlets or less, compared with the top 20% of areas which have 28 outlets or more (See Data tables Tables S4 and S5).

References

ABS (2023) Regional population, 2021-22 financial year, ABS website, accessed 08 August 2024.

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