# Bunbury

> city and metropolitan area in Western Australia

**Wikidata**: [Q256711](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q256711)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunbury,_Western_Australia)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bunbury

## Summary
Bunbury is a city and metropolitan area located in the South West region of Western Australia, Australia. Named after Henry William St Pierre Bunbury, it serves as a significant urban center with a population exceeding 75,000 as of the 2021 census. The entity encompasses both the broader metropolitan area and the specific local government area known as the City of Bunbury.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Bunbury is defined as both a city and a metropolitan area.
*   **Location:** Situated in the South West administrative region of Western Australia, Australia.
*   **Coordinates:** Latitude -33.327222222222225, Longitude 115.63694444444444.
*   **Elevation:** 5 metres above sea level.
*   **Area:** 138.7 square kilometres.
*   **Population (2021):** 75,196 (urban centre and locality) based on the Australian Census 2021.
*   **Population (2016):** 71,090 based on the Australian Census 2016.
*   **Indigenous Name:** Goomburrup.
*   **Named After:** Henry William St Pierre Bunbury.
*   **Postal Codes:** 6230 and 6231.
*   **Local Government:** The City of Bunbury is a local government area within the metropolitan area, established on October 8, 1979.
*   **Religious Jurisdiction:** Home to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bunbury, established in 1954.
*   **Sister City:** Jiaxing (twinned administrative body).
*   **Official Website:** http://www.bunbury.wa.gov.au/
*   **Identifiers:**
    *   GeoNames ID: 2075432
    *   GND ID: 4377439-8 (preferred) and 10034462-8
    *   VIAF ID: 261584732
    *   Freebase ID: /m/012q71
    *   MusicBrainz Area ID: a0422224-468b-43c5-b71d-0e90a176c6f8
    *   Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names ID: 1096414
    *   WOEID: 1100778
    *   Australian Statistical Geography 2021 ID: UCL511001
    *   BBC Things ID: 7ebda5bd-b12f-49e0-bbba-a50f2ce2f49a
    *   OpenStreetMap Node ID: 32566859
    *   YLE Topic ID: 18-129636
    *   Yale Lux ID: place/b3f40d5e-e8ef-4af6-898b-2c6703711d86
    *   National Library of Israel J9U ID: 987007566811405171
    *   GNS Unique Feature ID: -1562755
*   **Aliases:** Bunbury, Western Australia; Bunbury, W.A.; Bunbury, Western Australia, Australia; Goomburrup, Bunbury; Bunbury (Australia Occidental); バンバリー; （Bunbury）; بانباري.
*   **Languages:** Supported in 40+ languages including Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish.
*   **Source Description:** Described in the Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition.

## FAQs
**What is the historical origin of the name Bunbury?**
The city was named in honor of Henry William St Pierre Bunbury, a historical figure associated with the region's early development. This naming convention is documented in historical records dating back to 1966.

**How does the City of Bunbury relate to the Bunbury metropolitan area?**
The City of Bunbury is a specific local government area that functions as a component within the larger Bunbury metropolitan area. While the metropolitan area represents the broader urban core and satellite cities, the City of Bunbury is the administrative entity established in 1979 to govern a smaller portion of this region.

**What are the demographic statistics for Bunbury?**
According to the 2021 Australian Census, the urban centre and locality had a population of 75,196. Earlier data from the 2016 Census recorded 71,090 residents, with specific counts of 1,829 males and 1,904 females for the suburb and locality portion at that time.

**Which religious and administrative bodies operate in Bunbury?**
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bunbury, established in 1954, serves as the Catholic ecclesiastical territory for the area. Administratively, the region falls under the South West region of Western Australia and is governed locally by the City of Bunbury.

**Is Bunbury connected to any international cities?**
Yes, Bunbury maintains a twinned administrative relationship with the city of Jiaxing. This connection is recognized in official geographic and administrative records.

## Why It Matters
Bunbury serves as a critical administrative and demographic hub in the South West region of Western Australia, acting as a primary urban center outside of the state capital. Its significance lies in its dual role as both a defined city and a sprawling metropolitan area, accommodating a population that has grown from over 71,000 in 2016 to over 75,000 in 2021. The entity is a focal point for regional governance, housing the City of Bunbury local government and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bunbury, which has operated since 1954.

The area's importance is further underscored by its extensive digital and physical footprint, including a dedicated website, multiple international identifiers (such as GeoNames, VIAF, and MusicBrainz), and representation in major encyclopedias like the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica. As a named entity with indigenous roots (Goomburrup) and a specific elevation of 5 metres, Bunbury represents a distinct geographic and cultural node in Oceania. Its connection to Jiaxing highlights its role in international municipal relations, while its classification as a metropolitan area indicates its function as a dense urban core with satellite settlements.

## Notable For
*   **Dual Classification:** It is uniquely categorized as both a "city" and a "metropolitan area," distinguishing it from entities that are solely one or the other.
*   **Indigenous Heritage:** The area retains the indigenous name "Goomburrup," acknowledging its pre-colonial history alongside its modern identity.
*   **Historical Documentation:** It is one of the few Australian regional centers described in the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, indicating long-standing historical significance.
*   **Demographic Growth:** The region demonstrated clear population growth between the 2016 and 2021 Australian Censuses, reflecting its status as a developing urban center.
*   **Ecclesiastical History:** The establishment of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bunbury in 1954 marks it as a significant religious center in the state.
*   **International Twinning:** It holds a formal twinning relationship with Jiaxing, distinguishing it as a city engaged in global municipal cooperation.
*   **Extensive Digital Presence:** The entity possesses a high density of unique identifiers across diverse systems, including Freebase, MusicBrainz, Getty Thesaurus, and OpenStreetMap, facilitating precise data integration.

## Body

### Geographic and Administrative Identity
Bunbury is situated in Western Australia, a state within the country of Australia. Geographically, it is located in the South West administrative region. The entity is defined by precise coordinates at latitude -33.327222222222225 and longitude 115.63694444444444. It sits at an elevation of 5 metres above sea level and covers a total area of 138.7 square kilometres. The region is identified by the postal codes 6230 and 6231. In terms of global unique identifiers, it holds the GeoNames ID 2075432 and the GNS Unique Feature ID -1562755. The OpenStreetMap node for the location is 32566859.

### Demographics and Population Data
Population data for Bunbury is derived from official Australian Censuses. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 75,196 for the urban centre and locality. Prior to this, the 2016 Census reported a population of 71,090. Specific demographic breakdowns from the 2016 Census for the suburb and locality portion indicate 1,829 males and 1,904 females. These figures are determined through the Australian Census methodology and are referenced via the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The region is classified under the Australian Statistical Geography Standard with IDs 5003 and UCL511001 for the years 2011, 2016, and 2021.

### Historical Context and Naming
The name "Bunbury" honors Henry William St Pierre Bunbury. This naming is documented in historical sources, including a 1966 publication by Cara Cammilleri. The area was historically known by the name Goomburrup. The entity has a long history of documentation, notably appearing in the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica under the entry "1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Bunbury." The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bunbury, a key historical institution in the area, was established on January 1, 1954.

### Governance and Administrative Structure
Bunbury functions as a metropolitan area that includes the "City of Bunbury" as a subsidiary entity. The City of Bunbury is a local government area established on October 8, 1979. It is smaller than the entire Bunbury metropolitan area but serves as the primary administrative body for the local region. The broader metropolitan area is part of the South West region of Western Australia. The official website for the local government is http://www.bunbury.wa.gov.au/. The entity is also associated with the category "Category:People from Bunbury, Western Australia."

### Religious and Cultural Institutions
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bunbury serves as the Catholic ecclesiastical territory for the region. Established in 1954, it is headquartered in the area and falls under the country of Australia. The diocese is a significant cultural and religious entity within the metropolitan area. The region is also recognized in the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names with ID 1096414.

### Digital Presence and Identifiers
Bunbury is extensively cataloged across various digital databases. It has a Wikipedia title "Bunbury, Western Australia" and a Commons category "Bunbury, Western Australia." The entity is represented in multiple languages, including Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and many others. Key digital identifiers include:
*   **VIAF:** 261584732
*   **Freebase:** /m/012q71
*   **MusicBrainz:** a0422224-468b-43c5-b71d-0e90a176c6f8
*   **BBC Things:** 7ebda5bd-b12f-49e0-bbba-a50f2ce2f49a
*   **WorldCat Entities (SNARC):** Stockholm
*   **Curlie:** Regional/Oceania/Australia/South_Australia/Localities/B/Bunbury/
*   **Yale Lux:** place/b3f40d5e-e8ef-4af6-898b-2c6703711d86
*   **National Library of Israel:** 987007566811405171
*   **GND:** 4377439-8 (preferred) and 10034462-8
*   **FAST:** 1351455
*   **WoEID:** 1100778

### Visual and Media Assets
Visual documentation of Bunbury includes a main street image hosted on Wikimedia Commons (Special:FilePath/Bunbury_main_street.jpg) and a page banner (Special:FilePath/Bunbury_Banner.jpg). The entity has a dedicated gallery on Commons titled "Bunbury, Western Australia." The topic's main category is "Category:Bunbury, Western Australia."

### International Relations
Bunbury maintains a formal relationship with the city of Jiaxing as a twinned administrative body. This connection is recorded in geographic databases and highlights the city's engagement in international municipal partnerships. The entity is also referenced in the context of the "Australian Statistical Geography" standards, linking it to broader national statistical frameworks.

## References

1. [Source](http://quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2016/quickstat/SSC50210)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Schlagwortnormdatei](http://swb.bsz-bw.de/DB=2.104/PPNSET?PPN=184825237&INDEXSET=21)
4. [Gemeinsame Körperschaftsdatei](http://swb.bsz-bw.de/DB=2.104/PPNSET?PPN=708171257&INDEXSET=21)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. MusicBrainz
7. [Source](http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2016/quickstat/UCL511001)
8. [Source](https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/UCL511001)
9. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
10. [Source](http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2016/quickstat/SSC50210)
11. GeoNames
12. BBC Things