Albury’s population is officially above 50,000 for the first time, after an increase in migration.
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The milestone was 26 years in the making, with Albury taking more than two decades to jump from 40,154 in 1991.
Albury’s population rose at 6.8 per cent in the past five years from 47,810 residents in 2011 to 51,076 in the 2016 census.
However, Wodonga continues to outgrow Albury, recording a 10.8 per cent increase, with the population rising from 35,519 to 39,351.
All Border municipalities experienced population growth including Towong, which recorded a slim 1.59 per cent increase, with 94 new residents.
Albury mayor Kevin Mack said the data shows the region was thriving.
“Our income growth compared to housing costs shows the region remains a great place to live, work and invest,” he said.
“Interestingly, the figures show we’re becoming more cosmopolitan, with significant growth in the number of people born overseas adding to the cultural mix that will help us to become even more diverse and vibrant in years to come.”
Migration was a significant driver in the region’s population growth with 8.6 per cent of Albury’s population and seven per cent of Wodonga’s population now born overseas.
The Alpine shire is the region’s most diverse area with just under a quarter of Alpine residents born overseas, at 23.5 per cent.
In 2011, 80.5 per cent of Alpine residents said they were born in the country.
Migration from India increased in Wodonga and Albury while it remained steady in Benalla.
Migration from England still accounted for the majority of those born overseas followed by New Zealand but Border towns also welcomed people from Germany, the Philippines, Bhutan, Scotland, Italy and Germany.
Border residents are less likely to be married in 2016 than they were in 2011.
The percentage of people married dropped in all municipalities while people who declared they were in a defacto relationships or not married rose.