Brisbane is the capital and largest city of Queensland, with a population of approximately 2,447,280 inhabitants. Located along the Brisbane River in southeastern Australia, it was established in 1824 as a penal colony before opening to free settlers in 1842. The city developed as a major river port and commercial center, benefiting from agricultural expansion and later industrial growth. Today, Brisbane is a key economic and cultural hub in the Asia-Pacific region and will host the 2032 Summer Olympic Games.
Brisbane is known for its subtropical climate and outdoor lifestyle. Prominent landmarks include the Queensland Art Gallery, part of the Queensland Cultural Centre, and the Brisbane Skytower, one of the city’s tallest structures. Notable individuals born in Brisbane include tennis champion Samantha Stosur and actress Claire Holt.
Brisbane in Australia
153.0° E
Brisbane Population Evolution
The population of Brisbane in 2026 is estimated to 2,701,840 inhabitants. This estimate is taken from our extrapolation of available data and not an official estimate.
Population Summary
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1,608,820 | |
| 2006 | 1,763,131 | +9.6% |
| 2011 | 1,977,315 | +12.1% |
| 2016 | 2,192,720 | +10.9% |
| 2021 | 2,447,280 | +11.6% |
Interactive Map of Brisbane
What to see in Brisbane
Brisbane Skytower
Queensland Art Gallery
Parliament House, State of Queensland
King George Square
Story Bridge
cantilever bridgeFamous People Born in Brisbane
Peter C. Doherty
professorMiranda Otto
actorScott Dixon
racing automobile driverSamantha Stosur
tennis playerClaire Holt
actorSister Cities of Brisbane
Sister cities, also known as twin cities, are formal partnerships between cities in different countries to promote cultural and commercial ties.
This list is based on publicly available structured data and may differ slightly from official municipal publications.
| City | Country | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Chongqing | 🇨🇳 People's Republic of China | 32,054,159 |
| Shenzhen | 🇨🇳 People's Republic of China | 17,494,398 |
| Hyderabad | 🇮🇳 India | 9,305,000 |
| Kaohsiung | 🇹🇼 Taiwan | 2,733,964 |
| Semarang | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | 1,621,384 |
| Abu Dhabi | 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | 1,570,000 |
| Kobe | 🇯🇵 Japan | 1,521,707 |
| Daejeon | 🇰🇷 South Korea | 1,475,221 |
| Auckland | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 1,470,100 |
Learn more about Brisbane
Other facts about Brisbane
Sources & References
- Wikidata
- Austrian Bureau of Statistics (accessed on 20 February 2026)