Fact Check: Melbourne is one of Australia's largest cities.

Fact Check: "Melbourne is one of Australia's largest cities."

What We Know

Melbourne is indeed one of the largest cities in Australia. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Melbourne experienced a population increase of approximately 142,600 people in the year ending June 2024, making it one of the cities with the highest population growth in the country. In terms of overall population, Melbourne ranks as the second-largest city in Australia, following Sydney, which has a population of about 4.6 million people, while Melbourne's population is estimated to be around 5.2 million as of 2024 (Wikipedia).

The ABS defines the Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSA) for each state and territory capital city, which includes Melbourne. This classification is commonly used to represent the metropolitan area of each city, further solidifying Melbourne's status as one of the largest urban centers in Australia (Wikipedia).

Analysis

The claim that "Melbourne is one of Australia's largest cities" is substantiated by multiple reliable sources. The ABS data indicates that Melbourne not only has a significant population but also shows substantial growth, which is indicative of its status as a major city. The population growth rate for Melbourne was reported at 2.7% for the year 2023-24, which is higher than the national average for regional areas (ABS).

Additionally, Wikipedia's list of cities by population confirms that Melbourne ranks as the second-largest city in Australia, further supporting the claim (Wikipedia). Other sources, such as the World Population Review, also corroborate this information, stating that Melbourne is one of the five cities in Australia with a population exceeding one million (World Population Review).

The reliability of these sources is high. The ABS is a government agency responsible for collecting and analyzing statistical data in Australia, making its reports credible. Wikipedia, while user-edited, cites data from the ABS and other reputable sources, which adds to its reliability.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that "Melbourne is one of Australia's largest cities" is accurate based on the population data provided by the ABS and corroborated by other reliable sources. Melbourne's significant population and growth rate confirm its status as a major urban center in Australia.