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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
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Calwell has an estimated 5,520 residents, down from 5,730 at the 2021 Census — a change of 210 people, or 3.7%. The population has thinned by an average 0.8% a year over five years, slower than 99% of areas nationally. That puts 1,419 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research conducted by AreaSearch, the resident population of Calwell stands at approximately 5,520 as of Aug 2026. This represents a net contraction of 210 people (3.7%) compared to the 5,730 people documented in the 2021 Census. This updated figure builds upon the ABS June 2025 estimated resident population of 5,520 alongside 30 validated new addresses logged following the census count. Calwell exhibits a population density of 1,419 persons per square kilometer, a figure that sits higher than the typical benchmark across areas evaluated nationwide by AreaSearch. Inbound international migration served as the foremost component of local population expansion, generating roughly 61.8% of aggregate population additions over recent timeframes.
Projections compiled by the ABS/Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 using a baseline year of 2022, are utilized by AreaSearch across SA2 locations. For territories lacking this coverage and across horizons extending beyond 2032, age-cohort growth trajectories sourced from ACT Government SA2 models (benchmarked to 2022) are applied. Looking ahead, Calwell is projected to track within the lower quartile of nationwide statistical boundaries, expanding by 218 persons out to 2041 relative to current annual ERP figures, translating to an overall growth rate of 4.0% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
34 new dwellings have been approved in Calwell over the past five years, an average of 6 a year. That is 1.2 approvals per 1,000 residents. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building authorisations in Calwell have maintained a pace of roughly 6 properties per year, delivering 34 homes approved across the past 5 financial years (spanning FY-22 to FY-26). Against a backdrop of recent population declines, this volume of construction has provided adequate supply for prospective purchasers, while incoming residences register an average expected construction cost of $166,000—a level below broader regional figures that affords relatively accessible purchase opportunities. Furthermore, commercial approvals totaling $393,000 have been logged during the ongoing financial year, underlining the district's overwhelmingly residential orientation. On an individual basis, construction activity in Calwell sits 18.0% beneath the Australian Capital Territory baseline, ranking the suburb in the 2nd percentile nationwide and sustaining demand for existing residential stock amidst restricted new inventory.
This subdued output also tracks below the national standard, a reflection of the suburb's established character and probable local zoning limitations. Approvals for new residential construction comprise 14.0% standalone homes alongside 86.0% attached dwellings. Such emphasis on medium-to-higher density formats offers lower-cost entry points suitable for downsizers, purchasers entering the market, and investors. This signals a pronounced departure from the standing built environment (where 87.0% houses currently prevail), highlighting dwindling land availability and an increasing appetite for adaptable, affordable housing typologies. Demographic projections indicate an influx of 218 residents across Calwell through to 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Current construction rates generally align with anticipated demographic expansion, though prospective homeowners may encounter tighter conditions as the local population increases.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Calwell
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 4 current infrastructure and development projects inside Calwell, worth an estimated $17 million. A further 5 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $1.48 billion. 1 are already under construction and 2 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation and telecommunications. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local economic and social outcomes are substantially shaped by capital works, strategic planning, and infrastructure upgrades. AreaSearch has pinpointed 7 key projects situated to influence the district. Prominent developments include Banks Gateway Estate, Calwell Retirement Living Precinct, Calwell Public Housing Development, and EV Fast Charging Infrastructure - Calwell (Calwell Shopping Centre), with detailed summaries provided below for the most significant undertakings.
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
Calwell Retirement Living Precinct
A retirement living precinct proposal by KBDC, featuring 30 one-storey townhouses alongside the Calwell shopping strip.
EV Fast Charging Infrastructure - Calwell (Calwell Shopping Centre)
Public DC fast EV charging delivered at Calwell Shopping Centre and operated by Evie Networks, supported by ACT Government grants and ARENA funding to expand Canberra's charging network.
Calwell Public Housing Development
30 new public housing townhouses (2 and 3 bedroom) built to Class C Adaptable standards. Features evaporative heating/cooling, 6-star energy rating hot water systems, double-glazed windows, and sustainable design.
Banks Gateway Estate
New residential subdivision by the Suburban Land Agency delivering approximately 220 new homes in Banks, directly adjacent to northern Gordon and within the same primary school catchment. The project is focused on creating a thriving local community.
Calwell Group Centre improvements
Public space upgrades at local shops including new seating, playground with nature play elements, accessible parking bays, improved pedestrian access, upgraded lighting, and enhanced landscaping. Features nest swing, trampolines, slide, steppers and new shade sail.
Tuggeranong Multi-Unit Development - Gordon
Multiple 24-unit developments and supportive housing projects including six single storey supportive housing dwellings with carports, and childcare centre construction for 90 places.
Canberra Light Rail Stage 4 - Woden to Tuggeranong
Proposed southern extension of the Canberra light rail network connecting Woden Town Centre to Tuggeranong Town Centre via the Athllon Drive corridor. Recent 2026 updates indicate the ACT Government is developing a transit-oriented development (ToD) plan for the Athllon Drive corridor, with conceptual integrated bus and light rail network options for Canberra South expected by June 2026. The project remains part of the long-term City-wide Light Rail Network plan to support a population of 500,000.
Lanyon Marketplace Improvements
Public space improvements completed in late 2023 at Lanyon Marketplace in Conder. The project, led by the ACT Government, included new seating and landscaping, improved pedestrian access (paths, pram ramps, safe crossings), a new raised intersection at Balcombe and Sidney Nolan Streets, and additional parking spaces on Sidney Nolan Street. The original record's mention of new Coles/Aldi/specialty stores appears to refer to an expected private sector expansion/refurbishment or is based on speculation, as the public works completed focused on the community space and access, with the Marketplace being anchored by Woolworths and 18 specialty shops.There is an ALDI store located at 9 Sidney Nolan Street nearby.
3,176 residents of Calwell are employed, from a labour force of 3,291. Unemployment sits at 3.5%, with participation at 74.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 4,290, about 78% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Calwell features an accomplished local workforce with solid representation in frontline sectors, an unemployment rate standing at just 3.5%, and an estimated job expansion rate of 1.3% over the prior year. By March 2026, 3,176 residents were actively employed, with local unemployment registering 0.6% below the broader Australian Capital Territory rate of 4.1%. Workforce engagement remains sound at 74.2% compared to 70.6% across the Australian Capital Territory. Census figures indicated that 9.6% of workers carried out their duties from home, though this metric was captured during Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. Locals are primarily employed across public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, alongside construction.
The locality displays a marked concentration in construction employment, where its representation reaches 1.6 times the regional average. Conversely, the professional & technical sector remains underrepresented, accounting for 7.9% of employment versus 11.1% across the wider region. As evidenced by the balance between resident workers and local jobs recorded in the Census, this largely residential district provides restricted employment options within its own boundaries. AreaSearch evaluations of ABS and SALM data demonstrate that across the year leading to March 2026, local employment grew by 1.3% while the labour force expanded by 1.2%, which reduced the unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. Over the identical timeframe, the Australian Capital Territory saw employment rise by 0.3%, labour force increase by 1.1%, and unemployment climb by 0.7 percentage points. Projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide additional context regarding future employment prospects. These five- and ten-year models have been applied to the local workforce composition to gauge growth trends. Across Australia, workforce numbers are anticipated to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with distinct variances across industry categories. Applying these sector trajectories to Calwell's industry distribution points to potential job increases of 6.4% over five years and 13.1% over ten years (a weighted illustrative model that excludes localised demographic variations).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Calwell is $2,460 a week (about $128,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,192 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $73,856 a year against an average of $80,583. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Aggregated ATO statistics for financial year 2023 compiled by AreaSearch position taxable income in the Calwell SA2 among the highest echelons in the nation. Taxpayers in the Calwell SA2 record a median income of $73,856 alongside an average income of $80,583, benchmarks that compare against $72,206 and $85,981 across the Australian Capital Territory. Accounting for a 10.44% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, modeled figures reach approximately $81,567 (median) and $88,996 (average) by March 2026. Findings from the Census 2021 reveal that personal, household, and family earnings across Calwell sit within the 89th to 90th percentiles nationally.
Income distribution shows 37.0% of local earners (2,042 individuals) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the regional proportion of 34.3%. Affluence is prominent, with 39.5% taking home over $3,000 per week, reinforcing strong demand for premium goods and services. Locals keep 87.0% of income once accommodation outlays are met, providing substantial buying power, while the suburb's SEIFA income position falls into the 7th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Calwell had 2,018 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 87% detached houses and 3% apartments. 55% are owned with a mortgage, 15% rented and 30% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $448 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,000 a month. Rent absorbs 18.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 18.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the most recent Census, the housing inventory in Calwell was composed of 86.8% houses and 13.2% other dwellings (including semi-detached units, apartments, and alternative structures), whereas the Australian Capital Territory documented 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings. Outright home ownership stood at 30.2%, substantially exceeding territory-wide levels, while remaining residences were under a mortgage (54.6%) or leased (15.2%). Typical monthly mortgage commitments in Calwell stood at $2,000, under the Australian Capital Territory median of $2,080, and median weekly rent was $448 compared to $450 territory-wide. Across the broader nation, Calwell mortgage repayments exceed the Australian benchmark of $1,863, with local rental costs well above the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Calwell counted 2,018 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.7 people each. 39% are couples with children, more than in 75% of areas nationally, against 26% couples without children. 19% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families form the vast majority of local living arrangements at 78.1% of all households, encompassing couples with children at 38.5%, couples without children at 26.2%, and single parent families at 12.2%. The balance of 21.9% consists of non-family households, including lone person households at 19.1% and group households at 2.5%. With a median household size of 2.7 people, Calwell households are typically larger than the Australian Capital Territory median of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
29.1% of adults in Calwell hold a university qualification, including 19.2% with a bachelor degree and 6.2% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 23.1% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 1,060 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,013 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment reveals notable structural differences, as the tertiary qualification rate in Calwell (29.1%) sits well beneath the SA4 regional benchmark of 46.8%. Bachelor degrees constitute the primary higher education credential at 19.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 6.2% and graduate diplomas at 3.7%. Meanwhile, technical and vocational skills are strongly represented, with 36.0% of citizens aged 15+ holding vocational certifications—comprising advanced diplomas (12.9%) alongside certificates (23.1%). Participation in formal learning is substantial across the community, with 28.7% of residents actively undertaking studies. This cohort comprises 10.2% enrolled in primary education, 7.7% attending secondary education, and 4.2% engaged in tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Calwell reaches 33 stops on 65 routes, timetabled for about 4,200 services a week. The typical home sits about 200 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.7 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transit in Calwell comprises 33 operational stops utilized by bus services. These hubs are connected by 65 individual routes, delivering a collective volume of 4,228 weekly passenger trips. Transit access is rated as excellent, with typical walking distances of 199 meters to the nearest transit facility. Owing to the area's residential role, outward commuting is standard, with private vehicles accounting for 92% of journeys and buses accommodating 5%. Vehicle ownership sits at an average of 1.7 per dwelling, exceeding the regional figure, while 9.6% of workers worked from home according to the 2021 Census during COVID-19 conditions.
Schedules provide an average of 604 trips per day across the network, which equates to roughly 128 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
66.9% of residents in Calwell report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 88% of areas nationally. 5.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 59.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 11.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators compiled by AreaSearch point to notable health management needs across Calwell, evidenced by mortality patterns and the incidence of chronic conditions across both younger and senior demographics. Furthermore, private healthcare coverage is notably widespread, held by approximately 60% of the population (3,284 people), compared to 62.4% throughout the Australian Capital Territory. Asthma and mental health issues represent the most prevalent diagnoses locally, documented among 9.0% and 9.4 of the population respectively, while 66.9% reported no diagnosed medical conditions compared to 70.2% territory-wide across the Australian Capital Territory. Working-age adults display a higher than typical incidence of long-term health issues.
Seniors aged 65 and over comprise 15.6% of the population (861 people), exceeding the 14.2% proportion across the Australian Capital Territory, with health complications in this older cohort scoring higher national rankings than the general community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Calwell is largely Australian-born, at 80.9% of residents, with 14.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (27.8%) and English (26.4%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Calwell displays a higher than average degree of cultural diversity, with 19.1% of residents having been born overseas and 14.0% utilizing a language other than English at home. Christianity stands as the primary religious affiliation, accounting for 49.1% of the population. Notably, Islamic affiliation comprises 2.1% of residents, in contrast to 3.4% throughout the Australian Capital Territory. Regarding ancestral heritage based on parental country of birth, the three most common backgrounds in Calwell are Australian (27.8%), English (26.4%), and Other (8.9%). Several smaller heritages exhibit distinct comparative concentrations, including Spanish ancestry at 1.1% (compared to 0.5% regionally), Serbian at 0.5% (versus 0.4%), and Hungarian at 0.4% (versus 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Calwell is 37. 24.2% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The age distribution in Calwell aligns closely with broader trends in the Australian Capital Territory, where the maximum variation across age groups is 4.9 percentage points. The estimated median age is 37, matching the 2021 Census result and sitting 2 years above the Australian Capital Territory Census baseline of 35. Following the census, the cohort of middle aged and young retiree cohorts (45 - 64) declined from 27.8% to an estimated 25.3%. Moving toward 2041, the most substantial demographic expansion is expected among retiree and elderly cohorts (65+), adding 310 residents (36%) to reach 1,171, whereas young to middle aged adults, children, and young adults are forecast to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Calwell
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 | Aug 2025 about a year ago all 4 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 Aug 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 — 30 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (5,730 at the 2021 Census → 5,520 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 (801071073). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.