Braddon
Statistical Area - sa2

Braddon lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Braddon's population was around 7,272 as of Aug 2025. This reflected an increase of 889 people (13.9%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,383 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 7,272 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 96 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equated to a density ratio of 5,157 persons per square kilometer, placing Braddon in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Braddon's 13.9% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the state's (5.7%) and the SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the area. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 53.8% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth were positive factors.

AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and for years post-2032, age group growth rates from the ACT Government's SA2 area projections, with 2022 as a base, were adopted. Looking ahead, exceptional growth was predicted over the period with the area expected to grow by 3,345 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, indicating an increase of 46.0% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Braddon recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Braddon has recorded approximately 23 residential properties granted approval per year. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 119 approvals across the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, with zero so far in FY-26. On average, 10.4 people have moved to the area per year for each dwelling built over these five financial years. This demand significantly outpaces supply, which typically increases pressure on prices and competition among buyers.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $244,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers. In this financial year, $8.4 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating the area's residential character. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Braddon records markedly lower building activity, 73.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings.

New building activity shows 12.0% standalone homes and 88.0% townhouses or apartments, focusing on higher-density living which creates more affordable entry points suitable for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. Looking ahead, Braddon is expected to grow by 3,345 residents through to 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Braddon has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 29 potential impact projects. Major initiatives include Light Rail Extension Planning, Marcus Clarke Street Office Complex, AHLEI by Liebke + Co, and Girrahween Street Townhouses. The following list details those likely to have the most relevance.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Employment conditions in Braddon demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Braddon has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation, unemployment rate of 2.4% as of June 2025, and estimated employment growth of 1.8% over the past year. The unemployment rate is 1.0% below Australian Capital Territory's (ACT) rate of 3.4%, while workforce participation is higher at 80.6%.

Key industries include public administration & safety, professional & technical, and education & training. Public administration & safety has notable concentration with employment levels at 1.4 times the regional average. Health care & social assistance is under-represented at 6.7% compared to ACT's 11.7%. The ratio of 0.7 workers per resident indicates higher local employment opportunities.

In the period from June 25 to July 25, employment increased by 1.8%, labour force by 1.6%, reducing unemployment by 0.2 percentage points. Comparing ACT, employment grew by 1.9%, labour force expanded by 1.6%, and unemployment fell by 0.3 percentage points. As of Sep-25, ACT employment contracted by 0.33% (losing 1,480 jobs), with state unemployment rate at 4.2%, favourably comparing to national unemployment rate of 4.5%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May 2025) project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Braddon's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.4% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

AreaSearch released postcode-level ATO data for financial year 2022. Braddon had a median taxpayer income of $76,574 and an average of $98,528, placing it in the top percentile nationally. This compares to the Australian Capital Territory's median of $68,678 and average of $83,634. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.78% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of March 2025 would be approximately $84,829 (median) and $109,149 (average). Census data shows individual earnings reached the 98th percentile nationally at $1,512 weekly. The earnings profile reveals that 41.0% of Braddon's community earns between $1,500 and $2,999 per week, with 33.1% earning over $3,000. High housing costs consume 18.4% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 77th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

Braddon features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

As evaluated in the latest Census, dwelling structures within Braddon consisted of 4.9% houses and 95.1% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's 39.3% houses and 60.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Braddon was at 11.5%, with mortgaged properties at 27.3% and rented dwellings at 61.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,803, below the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,080, while the median weekly rent figure stood at $495, higher than the Australian Capital Territory's $476. Nationally, Braddon's median monthly mortgage repayments were lower at $1,803 compared to the national average of $1,863, and rents were substantially higher at $495 versus the national figure of $375.

Braddon features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 41.2% of all households, consisting of 6.9% couples with children, 30.3% couples without children, and 3.1% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 58.8%, with lone person households at 44.2% and group households comprising 14.8%. The median household size is 1.8 people, which is smaller than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.2.

Braddon shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Braddon has a notably high educational attainment, with 70.4% of residents aged 15 and above holding university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and the SA4 region's 46.8%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 38.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (25.2%) and graduate diplomas (6.6%). Technical qualifications represent 13.0%, with advanced diplomas at 6.0% and certificates at 7.0%. Educational participation is high, with 29.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 21.5% in tertiary, 2.0% in primary, and 1.6% in secondary education.

Merici College and Ainslie School serve a total of 1,290 students in Braddon. The area demonstrates significant socio-educational advantages with an ICSEA score of 1129. Educational provision is conventionally structured, comprising one primary and one secondary institution.

Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Braddon has 27 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 19 different routes that together facilitate 971 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents on average being located just 134 meters from the nearest stop.

Each route makes an average of 138 trips per day, resulting in approximately 35 weekly trips per individual stop.

Braddon's residents are extremely healthy with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Analysis shows robust health metrics across Braddon. Prevalence of common conditions is low across all ages. Private health cover stands at approximately 71% (5,163 people), higher than ACT's 65.3% and Australia's 55.3%.

Mental health issues affect 12.9%, asthma impacts 9.4%. 71.2% report no medical ailments, similar to ACT's 70.8%. Residents aged 65+ are 7.3% (531 people), lower than ACT's 11.4%. Senior health outcomes align with general population's profile.

Braddon is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Braddon has a high level of cultural diversity, with 27.8% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 35.3% born overseas. The predominant religion in Braddon is Christianity, accounting for 25.6% of the population. While Judaism comprises only 0.6% of Braddon's population, this is higher than the regional average of 0.5%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are English at 22.9%, Australian at 18.0%, and Other at 11.1%. Some ethnic groups show notable disparities: Korean is overrepresented at 1.1% compared to the regional average of 0.7%, Chinese at 8.9% versus 5.6%, and French remains consistent with the regional average at 0.7%.

Braddon hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Braddon has a median age of 31, which is younger than the Australian Capital Territory's figure of 35 and substantially under the Australian median of 38. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Braddon has a higher concentration of residents aged 25-34 (39.3%), but fewer residents aged 5-14 (2.5%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national figure of 14.5%. Between 2021 and the present, the proportion of residents aged 55-64 has grown from 6.1% to 7.3%, while those aged 35-44 increased from 16.1% to 17.2%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 15-24 has declined from 18.3% to 16.1%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate that Braddon's age structure will shift significantly. The number of residents aged 25-34 is projected to increase by 711 people (25%), rising from 2,860 to 3,572.