Chart Color Schemes
This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Detail
Acton has an estimated population of approximately 3,616 as of Aug 2026 according to research by AreaSearch. In comparison to the 2021 Census tally of 2,848 people, this represents an expansion of 768 people, or 27.0%. These figures are derived from the ABS estimated resident population figure of 3,616 as of June 2025 alongside post-Census address validation data. With a population density of 1,319 persons per square kilometer, the locality sits higher than the national benchmark across locations analyzed by AreaSearch. The community's 27.0% expansion following the 2021 census outpaced the broader state at 8.5% as well as the surrounding SA4 region, establishing it as an area pacesetter.
Recent population gains were almost entirely fueled by overseas migration, representing the primary catalyst for local demographic expansion. Projections utilized by AreaSearch incorporate the 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia data series using 2022 as a base year. Where SA2 coverage is missing or extends beyond 2032, age cohort growth rates from the ACT Government SA2 projections (2022 base) are implemented. Looking forward, demographic forecasts position the area in the upper quartile nationally, anticipating an addition of 1,064 persons to 2041 relative to latest annual ERP figures, translating to an overall growth rate of 29.4% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Over the preceding five years, Acton has seen zero new residential building approvals. This indicates an established urban fabric with virtually no undeveloped land parcels available for construction. In such constrained environments, existing dwellings regularly experience steady demand because purchasers encounter limited newly built choices. Building and construction volumes in Acton sit well below the broader Australian Capital Territory. Such restricted additions to housing stock commonly reinforce values and demand across established residences. Furthermore, building volumes remain subdued compared to national averages, highlighting a mature property landscape and possible constraints on development.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Acton
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Detail
Urban performance is significantly shaped by infrastructure upgrades and major regional works, with AreaSearch identifying 27 key projects that will influence the locality. Notable developments include ACT Light Rail Stage 2A (City to Commonwealth Park), Canberra Lyric Theatre (Theatre Centre Transformation Stage 1), Light Rail Stage 2A: City to Commonwealth Park, as well as the City Hill Mixed-Use Precinct, with prominent initiatives outlined below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
ACT Light Rail Stage 2A (City to Commonwealth Park)
A 1.7km extension of Canberras light rail network from Alinga Street to Commonwealth Park. The project features three new stops at Edinburgh Avenue, City South, and Commonwealth Park, along with a new light rail bridge over Parkes Way. The system utilizes wire-free technology with on-board energy storage and incorporates green track sections featuring turf and succulent species to reduce noise and glare. As of April 2026, track laying is advancing on London Circuit and structural work on the Parkes Way bridge is nearing completion, with the line expected to be open for passengers in 2028.
Canberra Lyric Theatre (Theatre Centre Transformation Stage 1)
A new 2,000-seat lyric theatre being constructed on Vernon Circle adjacent to The Playhouse as Stage 1 of the broader Canberra Theatre Centre transformation. Designed by Cox Architecture with Yerrabingin, Charcoalblue and Arcadia Landscape Architecture, the venue will enable Canberra to host large-scale musicals, ballet, opera and international productions for the first time. The auditorium features 1,000-seat stalls, a 500-seat circle and a 500-seat balcony with state-of-the-art acoustics. A $317 million contract was signed in December 2025 with Multiplex as builder; main construction commenced January 2026 with completion targeted for 2028.Refurbishment of the existing Canberra Theatre, Playhouse and Courtyard Studio will follow in subsequent stages.
Light Rail Stage 2A: City to Commonwealth Park
Construction is underway on Light Rail Stage 2A, a 1.7 km extension of Canberra's light rail network from Alinga Street to Commonwealth Park via London Circuit West. The project will add three stops at Edinburgh Avenue, City South and Commonwealth Park, include wire-free operation using onboard energy storage, deliver active travel and streetscape upgrades, and form the first stage of the broader Light Rail to Woden program. Stage 2B to Woden remains in planning and environmental approvals.
City Hill Mixed-Use Precinct
A transformative urban renewal project south-west of City Hill comprising six distinct buildings. The precinct includes 502 residential dwellings (76 affordable), a striking 5-star hybrid timber hotel, an A-grade commercial office building (One City Hill), and an activated ground floor retail hub with cafes and a supermarket. At its heart is a large urban park designed to integrate with the future Canberra light rail expansion and the city's civic fabric.
Crystalbrook Aurora
A 10-storey luxury hotel featuring 225 guest rooms and suites, a 300-seat flagship Japanese restaurant (Raku), and a level-10 rooftop dining venue. The development includes the Eleme Day Spa, a wellness floor with a pool, sauna, and gym, plus five conferencing spaces. As of early 2026, the project has topped out, with facade installation and interior fit-out underway toward a 2027 opening.
Turner Build-to-Rent
Canberra's first privately delivered build-to-rent development, situated on a 7,070sqm site on Northbourne Avenue adjacent to the light rail line. Cedar Pacific is delivering approximately 306 apartments across three buildings of 8-9 storeys arranged around a central landscaped courtyard. The project includes a 15% affordable rental component (40-plus dwellings managed by a community housing provider at less than 75% of market rent). Amenities include a rooftop pool, premium gym, cinema, co-working space, residents lounge, private dining room, outdoor BBQ and basement parking.The development is targeting a 5-star Green Star rating with timber construction and all-electric operation.
Northbourne Village Stage 4
The final stage of the Northbourne Village precinct in Lyneham, developed by JWLand. Stage 4 is a nine-storey hotel and serviced apartment building comprising 134 rooms. The facade responds to the adjacent heritage-listed Owen Flats. Parking for Stage 4 is provided within the basement of the adjacent Stage 3 building. The project completes a major urban renewal precinct along Northbourne Avenue, Canberra's inner-north gateway boulevard, adjacent to the light rail corridor. Construction was projected to commence in mid-2025.
The Belmont
A premium residential development in Braddon featuring 8 storeys with 96 high-end apartments and ground-floor retail space. The project emphasizes sustainable design with rooftop gardens, energy-efficient systems, and communal lifestyle facilities including a residents lounge and gym.
Detail
Acton features an educated local labor pool with strong representation across essential services, an unemployment rate standing at only 0.9%, and annual job growth estimated at 1.4%. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 2,252, with local joblessness sitting 3.2% beneath the Australian Capital Territory mark of 4.1%, whereas labor force participation trails at 63.7% against 70.6% across Australian Capital Territory. Census figures showed a moderate 18.4% working remotely from home, a metric that may have been shaped by Covid-19 restrictions. The top sectors employing local residents are accommodation & food, education & training, together with retail trade.
Specialization is particularly pronounced in accommodation & food, where the sector's local share reaches 4.4 times the regional standard. Conversely, public administration & safety is less prevalent, comprising only 4.5% of the local workforce compared to 30.4% across Australian Capital Territory. Recording 2.6 workers for every resident at the Census, the precinct acts as a major employment center that provides more jobs than it has resident workers and draws commuter inflows from adjacent districts. AreaSearch examination of ABS and SALM figures indicates that over the 12-month period, local employment expanded by 1.4% while the labor force increased by 1.6%, lifting the local unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. Over the same timeline in Australian Capital Territory, employment increased by 0.3%, the labor force expanded by 1.1%, and joblessness rose by 0.7 percentage points. Projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 provide additional context regarding future employment prospects. Mapped over five and ten-year intervals across the local industry profile, national forecasts indicate total employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with marked divergence across sectors. Weighted against the local industry baseline, Acton's employment is modeled to rise by 5.9% across five years and 12.3% across ten years (noting this is an illustrative weighting model that excludes localized population changes).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Detail
According to AreaSearch's evaluation of ATO tax statistics released at postcode level for financial year 2023, taxpayers in the Acton SA2 recorded a median income of $17,337 alongside an average of $24,391. These earnings sit below national benchmarks, as well as the Australian Capital Territory median of $72,206 and average of $85,981. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since financial year 2023, modeled estimates point to around $19,147 (median) and $26,937 (average) as of March 2026. Detailed Census income metrics are unavailable; however, records indicate that no local residents fell into the $0 - 399 income bracket, whereas the wider regional market was led by the $1,500 - 2,999 category at 34.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Detail
Census data reveals that standalone houses comprised no proportion of Acton's housing stock, with other dwelling categories (including townhouses, apartments, and other dwellings) also accounting for none of the total, contrasting with 63.3% separate houses and 36.7% other dwellings across Australian Capital Territory. Home ownership stood at no recorded proportion, with zero share categorized as mortgaged and none as rented. The area's median monthly mortgage repayment was recorded at none, differing from the Australian Capital Territory figure of $2,080, while median weekly rent was $9 compared to $450 across Australian Capital Territory.
At a national level, mortgage commitments sit substantially below the Australian benchmark of $1,863, and weekly rents track considerably lower than the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Detail
Family households account for none of the local household structure, with couples with children, couples without children, and single parent arrangements all recording zero presence. The entirety of households (100.0%) consists of non-family living arrangements, though lone person and group households individually register no presence in the breakdown. Typical household size sits at 1.0 people, remaining below the Australian Capital Territory benchmark of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Detail
Educational attainment profiles show university qualification rates at 30.7%, which sits well below the 59.7% recorded across the broader SA3 area, presenting potential avenues for targeted educational development. Bachelor degrees make up the largest component at 18.5%, accompanied by postgraduate qualifications at 11.4% and graduate diplomas at 0.8%. Vocational and technical qualifications account for 7.1% of credentials among residents aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas at 2.1% and certificates at 5.0%. Formal study engagement is exceptionally pronounced, with 97.6% of residents attending an educational institution. This is driven by 97.2% enrolled in tertiary studies, while no residents are enrolled in primary education and none are undertaking secondary schooling.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Detail
Public transport connectivity in Acton includes 10 active bus stops served by 64 separate routes that generate 4,820 weekly passenger trips. Being predominantly residential, outbound commuting is typical, with walking accounting for 34% of journeys and bus transit taking 15%. Motor vehicle availability averages none per dwelling, which is lower than the regional rate. In addition, 18.4% of residents worked remotely from home at the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions. Transit services maintain an average frequency of 688 daily trips across the combined network, translating to approximately 482 weekly departures per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Detail
Health analysis by AreaSearch underscores meaningful public health challenges in Acton across both younger and older cohorts when evaluating chronic condition rates and mortality statistics, accompanied by private health insurance coverage of roughly 45% (~1,623 people). This level of private cover trails Australian Capital Territory at 62.4% and the national baseline of 55.7%. Mental health conditions and asthma represent the most widespread diagnoses locally, affecting 15.6 and 9.9% of residents, respectively, while 74.9% of people indicated having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 70.2% in Australian Capital Territory. Working-age health metrics align generally with broader trends.
The cohort aged 65 and over represents 0.1% of the community (5 people), below the 14.2% registered across Australian Capital Territory, with senior health indicators generally matching nationwide averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Detail
Cultural diversity in Acton is pronounced relative to most surrounding markets, characterized by 31.6% of residents born overseas and 24.3% utilizing a non-English language in the home environment. Christianity forms the largest religious affiliation, accounting for 23.1% of residents. Notably, Judaism demonstrates strong relative representation at 1.8% of the local population, contrasting with 0.2% across Australian Capital Territory. Looking at parental country of birth, the primary ancestries in Acton comprise Australian at 25.2%, English at 21.7%, and Other backgrounds at 10.6%. Specific ethnic groups also show higher local representation compared to the wider region, including South Australian at 0.8% (vs 0.3%), Hungarian at 0.5% (vs 0.3%), and Russian at 0.5% (vs 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Detail
Acton's demographic makeup is heavily weighted toward young pre-family cohorts, with AreaSearch's August 2026 data indicating 84.3% of the community comprises children and young adults (0 - 24) compared to 31.4% across Australian Capital Territory, while mature adults and early retirees (45 - 64) represent just 0.7% compared to 21.5% regionally. The estimated median age is 23, increasing from 19 at the 2021 Census, and sits 12 years below the Australian Capital Territory Census figure of 35 (with Australia recording a median of 38). Since the Census, the share of children and young adults has decreased from 88.3% to an estimated 84.3%.
Looking forward to 2041, children and young adults will capture the majority of population expansion, adding 918 residents (30%) to reach 3,965, whereas the retiree and elderly group (65+) is projected to expand fastest at 315% to 21.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Acton
8 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 8 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 3 sections | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2025 about a year ago all 1 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jul 2025. | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,848 at the 2021 Census → 3,616 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (801051049). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.