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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.
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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 98% 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
Calwell had a population of approximately 5,520 in May 2026 according to AreaSearch. The area experienced a decline of 210 residents (3.7%) from the 5,730 individuals recorded in the 2021 Census. This adjustment is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 5,520, combined with 30 validated new addresses identified after the Census. The resulting population density is 1,419 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the national average for analyzed regions. Recent population growth was primarily supported by international migration, which accounted for roughly 61.8% of the total demographic growth.
Projections for each SA2 region rely on 2024 releases from the ABS and Geoscience Australia using 2022 as the baseline. For locations without this coverage and for periods after 2032, growth rates by age group are sourced from ACT Government SA2 projections with a 2022 base. Future population growth is projected to align with the lower quartile of statistical areas nationwide, with Calwell anticipated to add 235 residents by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP figures, representing a 16-year increase of 4.3%.
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. Few approvals have been recorded in the most recent months, well below the longer-run average; the latest ABS periods are still being reported. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential development approvals in Calwell average approximately 6 dwellings annually, with a total of 34 homes approved over the last 5 financial years. There have been 0 approvals registered during FY-26. Adequate housing supply relative to demand has maintained a balanced market with diverse purchasing options during this period of population decline, while new construction costs average $166,000—below regional averages—providing more economical options. Commercial development remains quiet, with $393,000 in approvals recorded for the current financial year. Calwell displays a new home approval rate per resident that is roughly half that of the Australian Capital Territory, placing it in the 5th percentile nationally, which restricts buyer options and bolsters demand for existing homes.
This rate also sits below the national average, highlighting the mature state of the area and indicating potential planning restrictions. Approved new developments consist of 14.0% detached houses and 86.0% townhouses or apartments. This preference for medium and high-density housing provides affordable options and draws first-time buyers, investors, and downsizers, representing a shift from the current housing stock (where houses make up 87.0%) due to scarce developable land and changing lifestyle needs. Calwell is projected to add 235 residents by 2041 based on the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. Construction activity is progressing at a rate that matches this projected growth, though buyers may experience increased market competition as the population expands.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Calwell
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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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 infrastructure, major development projects, and planning changes are primary drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has tracked 7 projects expected to influence the local area. Key projects include the Banks Gateway Estate, Calwell Retirement Living Precinct, Calwell Public Housing Development, and the EV Fast Charging Infrastructure - Calwell at the Calwell Shopping Centre, with details on the most significant initiatives provided 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
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 73.9%. 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 educated labor force with strong representation in essential service industries, an unemployment rate of 3.5%, and an estimated 1.3% growth in employment over the past year. In March 2026, working residents numbered 3,176, with an unemployment rate 0.6% below the 4.1% recorded for the Australian Capital Territory, and workforce participation was typical at 73.9% compared to 70.8% across the territory. Census records show a low 9.6% of residents working from home, though this may reflect pandemic-related restrictions. Public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and construction represent the main sectors of employment for local residents.
The area has a high concentration of construction workers, with employment in this sector at 1.6 times the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical services are underrepresented at 7.9% compared to 11.1% across the region. The comparison between the Census working population and resident population suggests this largely residential suburb offers limited local employment options. Analysis of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch shows that during the 12 months ending March 2026, employment expanded by 1.3% and the labor force grew by 1.2%, leading to a 0.2 percentage point drop in the unemployment rate. In contrast, the Australian Capital Territory saw employment rise by 0.3%, labor force expand by 1.1%, and unemployment increase by 0.7 percentage points. Future local demand can be contextualized using the May-25 Jobs and Skills Australia national employment projections. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future growth. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary by industry. Applying these industry projections to the local employment mix suggests a 6.4% rise in Calwell's employment over five years and a 13.1% rise over ten years, representing a simple weighted extrapolation that does not account for local population changes.
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
Taxpayer income levels in the Calwell SA2 are exceptionally high by national standards, based on financial year 2023 ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch. The median taxpayer income is $73,856 and the average income is $80,583, compared to ACT figures of $72,206 and $85,981 respectively. Adjusted for a 10.44% growth in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 are approximately $81,567 (median) and $88,996 (average). Census data indicates household, family, and personal incomes rank between the 89th and 90th percentiles nationally. The weekly earning bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 is the most common, accounting for 37.0% of residents (2,042 people) compared to 34.3% in the wider region.
A high proportion of residents (39.5%) earn more than $3,000 per week, indicating local affluence. Residents retain 87.0% of their income after housing costs, showing high purchasing power, and the area is positioned in the 7th decile of the SEIFA income index.
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
Census data indicates that Calwell's housing stock consists of 86.8% separate houses and 13.2% other housing types, such as townhouses and apartments, compared to 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings in the ACT. Home ownership is higher in Calwell than in the ACT, standing at 30.2%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (54.6%) or rented (15.2%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $2,000, and the median weekly rent was $448, compared to ACT averages of $2,080 and $450 respectively. On a national level, Calwell's median mortgage costs exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are higher than 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 make up the majority of households at 78.1%, consisting of couples with children (38.5%), couples without children (26.2%), and single parents (12.2%). Non-family households represent 21.9% of the total, with single-person households at 19.1% and group houses at 2.5%. The average household size is 2.7 residents, which is larger than the ACT average 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
The region shows lower rates of university qualifications, with 29.1% of residents holding a tertiary degree compared to the SA4 regional average of 46.8%. This gap highlights an opportunity for targeted local educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary qualification at 19.2%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 6.2% and graduate diplomas at 3.7%. Technical and vocational skills are prominent, with 36.0% of residents aged 15 and over possessing vocational qualifications, including advanced diplomas (12.9%) and certificates (23.1%). Participation in education is high, with 28.7% of the population enrolled in study.
This group includes 10.2% in primary schools, 7.7% in secondary schools, and 4.2% attending tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Calwell reaches 33 stops on 68 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 transport infrastructure in Calwell includes 33 active transit stops serviced by buses. There are 68 individual bus routes running through the area, offering 4,244 passenger trips per week. Transit access is high, with the average distance to the nearest stop being 199 meters. Most residents travel outside the suburb for work, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of transit at 92%, followed by buses at 5%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.7 cars per household, exceeding the regional average. Working from home is relatively uncommon at 9.6% according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by active pandemic restrictions.
Bus routes average a combined total of 606 daily trips, which represents roughly 128 weekly trips per active transit 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
AreaSearch health metrics, including mortality rates and chronic disease rates, indicate notable health challenges in Calwell across both younger and older cohorts, though private health insurance coverage is high at approximately 60% of the population (3,284 people). This rate is similar to the 62.4% recorded across the ACT. Mental health conditions and asthma are the most common diagnoses, affecting 9.4% and 9.0% of residents respectively, while 66.9% of the population reported no chronic conditions compared to 70.2% in the ACT. Chronic health issues are higher than average among working-age residents.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 16.4% of the population (906 people), exceeding the ACT average of 14.3%. Senior citizens face health challenges, with national rankings higher than those of the overall local population.
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 above-average cultural diversity, with 19.1% of residents born outside Australia and 14.0% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religion, representing 49.1% of the population. The most prominent religious overrepresentation is Islam, which accounts for 2.1% of the population compared to 3.4% across the ACT. The leading ancestries reported by parents' country of birth are Australian at 27.8%, English at 26.4%, and Other at 8.9%. Certain ethnic heritages show notable differences compared to regional figures: Spanish ancestry represents 1.1% of the local population (compared to 0.5% regionally), Serbian is 0.5% (compared to 0.4%), and Hungarian stands at 0.4% (compared to 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Calwell is 37. 23.7% 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 median age in Calwell is 37 years, which is older than the ACT median of 35 and close to the Australian national average of 38. The 55 - 64 age bracket makes up 13.6% of the population, showing stronger representation than in the ACT, while the 25 - 34 bracket is smaller at 13.0%. Since 2021, the 65 to 74 demographic increased from 8.1% to 10.8% of the population, and the 35 to 44 cohort grew from 12.8% to 15.0%. Conversely, the 15 to 24 age group fell from 12.3% to 10.7%, and the 45 to 54 cohort decreased from 13.2% to 12.0%.
Projections for 2041 indicate significant demographic shifts, with the 75 to 84 cohort expected to grow by 154 people (68%) from 226 to 381. The combined 65+ cohorts are projected to account for 76% of total population growth, pointing to an aging local profile, whereas the 15 to 24 and 35 to 44 age brackets are expected to decrease.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Calwell
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| 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. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| 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 May 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 May 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.