Chapman

Chapman is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Chapman's population was approximately 2,878 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 11 people from the 2021 Census count of 2,867. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates showing a resident population of 2,873 in June 2024 and the addition of 17 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 1,547 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Chapman's growth rate of 0.4% since the census is comparable to its SA3 area (0.6%), indicating strong growth fundamentals. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth in recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, age group growth rates from the ACT Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, using 2022 as the base year. Future projections indicate an overall population decline in Chapman, with a decrease of 349 persons expected by 2041. However, specific age cohorts are projected to grow, notably the 85 and over group, which is anticipated to increase by 37 people.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Chapman according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Chapman has seen around 6 new homes approved each year. Over the past 5 financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, approximately 30 homes were approved, with none yet approved in FY-26. On average, 2.7 people per year moved to the area for each new home constructed during this period, indicating healthy demand which should support property values.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $285,000. This financial year has seen $747,000 in commercial approvals, suggesting minimal commercial development activity in the area compared to previous years. Relative to the Australian Capital Territory, Chapman records 12.0% less building activity per person and ranks among the 25th percentile of areas assessed nationally, offering more limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing homes. This lower-than-average building activity reflects the area's maturity and possible planning constraints.

New building activity comprises 60.0% detached houses and 40.0% medium and high-density housing, offering a blend of attached housing types across various price ranges. This shift from the area's existing housing composition (currently 89.0% houses) indicates decreasing availability of developable sites and reflects changing lifestyles and the need for more diverse, affordable housing options. With population projections showing stability or decline, Chapman is expected to experience reduced housing demand pressures in the future, benefiting potential buyers.

Chapman has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 40thth percentile nationally

No changes can affect a region's performance more than alterations to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. Zero projects have been identified by AreaSearch that could potentially impact the area. Key projects include Fetherston Weston, Molonglo Group Centre to Town Centre Transition, Canberra Hospital Master Plan, and Deakin Private Hospital, with the following list outlining those likely to be most relevant.

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

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Chapman ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Chapman has an educated workforce with professional services well represented. Its unemployment rate was 1.6% in September 2025, lower than the Australian Capital Territory's (ACT) 3.6%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 1.5%. As of September 2025, 1,444 residents were employed with an unemployment rate of 1.9%, below ACT's rate. Workforce participation in Chapman was 61.0%, lower than ACT's 69.6%. Leading employment industries among Chapman residents are public administration & safety, professional & technical services, and health care & social assistance.

Professional & technical services showed strong specialization with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level. Retail trade had lower representation at 4.1% compared to the regional average of 6.6%. Limited local employment opportunities were indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, Chapman's employment increased by 1.5%, while labour force grew by 1.0%, reducing unemployment by 0.5 percentage points. In comparison, ACT experienced employment growth of 1.4% and labour force growth of 1.2%, with a 0.2 percentage point drop in unemployment over the same period. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 showed ACT employment grew by 1.19% year-on-year, adding 710 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.5%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.3%, and employment growth was 0.14%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 estimated overall employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Chapman's employment mix, local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, assuming no changes in population projections.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released on June 30, 2022, the Chapman SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $77,996 with the average level standing at $92,788. Nationally, this is extremely high compared to levels of $68,678 and $83,634 across Australian Capital Territory respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.6% since June 30, 2022, current estimates would be approximately $88,603 (median) and $105,407 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes all rank highly in Chapman, between the 96th and 97th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that 37.7% of residents (1,085 people) fall into the $4000+ bracket, differing from patterns across regional levels where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 34.3%. Economic strength is evident through 51.6% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. After housing costs, residents retain 90.6% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

Chapman is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Chapman's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census data, consisted of 89.2% houses and 10.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to the Australian Capital Territory's 81.7% houses and 18.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Chapman stood at 48.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.8% and rented ones at 11.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,600, higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,251. The median weekly rent in Chapman was $450, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's $420. Nationally, Chapman's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,600 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Chapman features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 81.7% of all households, including 38.7% couples with children, 33.3% couples without children, and 9.4% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 18.3%, with lone person households at 17.1% and group households at 1.2%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.6.

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

Chapman has a notably high educational attainment, with 52.5% of its residents aged 15 and above holding university qualifications. This figure surpasses both the national average of 30.4% and the SA3 area's average of 46.6%. The most common qualification is the Bachelor degree, held by 29.9% of residents, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 15.5%, and graduate diplomas at 7.1%. Vocational pathways account for 21.5% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 9.6% and certificates at 11.9%.

Educational participation is particularly high in Chapman, with 29.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.6% in primary education, 9.8% in secondary education, and 5.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Chapman has 19 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by six different routes that combined provide 1,211 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as excellent, with residents typically located just 188 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 173 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 63 weekly trips per individual stop.

Chapman's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Chapman's health metrics closely match national benchmarks. Common health conditions are seen at standard levels across both young and old age cohorts. Private health cover is exceptionally high, with approximately 67% of the total population (1,931 people) having it, compared to 60.9% in Australian Capital Territory and a national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, affecting 10.1 and 7.5% of residents respectively. 65.9% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 66.3% in Australian Capital Territory. As of 25.7% of residents aged 65 and over (738 people), this is higher than the 20.6% in Australian Capital Territory. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

In terms of cultural diversity, Chapman records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Chapman has a cultural diversity index above the average, with 22.7% of its population born overseas and 12.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Chapman, making up 51.4% of its population, compared to 44.9% across Australian Capital Territory. The top three ancestry groups in Chapman are English (26.9%), Australian (25.5%), and Irish (9.7%).

Notably, Welsh (1.1%) is overrepresented in Chapman compared to the regional average of 0.7%, as are Hungarian (0.7% vs 0.6%) and Scottish (8.9% vs 8.8%).

Chapman hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Chapman is 47 years, which is significantly higher than the Australian Capital Territory's average of 35 years and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to the ACT, Chapman has a higher proportion of residents aged 75-84 (11.2%), but fewer residents aged 25-34 (4.2%). This concentration of residents aged 75-84 is well above the national average of 6%. According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 15-24 has grown from 10.9% to 13.8%, while the 75-84 age group has increased from 9.5% to 11.2%. Conversely, the 55-64 age group has declined from 13.6% to 12.3%, and the 35-44 age group has dropped from 12.2% to 10.9%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Chapman's age structure. The population aged 85+ is expected to grow by 65%, reaching 100 people from the current figure of 60. Notably, the combined age groups of 65+ will account for all of the total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, both the 75-84 and 0-4 age groups are projected to decrease in number.