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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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Chapman has an estimated 2,883 residents. That puts 1,550 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
Based on demographic evaluations by AreaSearch, the resident population of Chapman stands at approximately 2,883 as of May 2026. This represents a minor expansion of 16 residents, or 0.6%, relative to the 2,867 individuals recorded in the 2021 Census. This adjustment is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 2,881 alongside 17 validated new addresses registered after the Census. The local density reaches 1,550 persons per square kilometer, outstripping the typical figures recorded across the country. The post-census expansion rate of 0.6% is within 1.3 percentage points of the broader SA3 region at 1.9%, indicating competitive growth dynamics.
Overseas migration acted as the primary contributor to these gains, functioning as the sole driver of population growth in recent times. Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline are utilized for SA2 zones. For locations lacking this dataset and for projections past 2032, age cohort growth trends from ACT Government projections using a 2022 base are applied. Over this outlook, the total population is projected to contract, shrinking by 317 residents by 2041 under this framework. Conversely, specific age groups are projected to expand, particularly the cohort aged 85 and over, which is expected to increase by 49 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
30 new dwellings have been approved in Chapman over the past five years, an average of 6 a year. That is 2.1 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 1, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Annual residential building approvals in Chapman average approximately 6 dwellings, with a total of 30 homes approved across the past 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, and 1 approval registered during FY-26. The ratio of 1.1 new residents per new dwelling over the FY-21 to FY-25 period indicates a balanced supply and demand scenario, fostering stable market dynamics, with new builds averaging an estimated construction value of $285,000. In addition, commercial development approvals total $747,000 for the current financial year, highlighting the suburb's primary residential profile. Compared to the broader Australian Capital Territory, Chapman features 11.0% lower per-capita building activity, ranking in the 25th percentile of all analyzed locations nationwide, which restricts options for prospective buyers and sustains demand for established properties.
This rate of construction is also below the national average, pointing to the suburb's mature development status and potential zoning limitations. Detached residences comprise 60.0% of the new construction pipeline, while medium and high-density formats make up 40.0%, with townhouses and apartments offering diverse price points alongside traditional houses. This represents a distinct shift from the current housing stock where houses comprise 89.0%, driven by scarce vacant land and evolving lifestyle preferences and budget constraints. As future population trends suggest stable or declining resident numbers, Chapman is anticipated to experience reduced pressure on housing demand, which should benefit prospective purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Chapman
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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 21 current infrastructure and development projects close to Chapman, worth an estimated $1.34 billion. 3 are already under construction and 3 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation and retail. 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
Changes in local infrastructure projects, planning initiatives, and major works play a significant role in suburb performance. A total of 0 projects have been identified by AreaSearch as having a potential impact on this locality. Key regional developments include Fetherston Weston, Molonglo Group Centre to Town Centre Transition, Canberra Hospital Master Plan, and Deakin Private Hospital, with details provided on the projects most relevant to the area.
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
Kambah BMX Facility Lighting Upgrade
Installation of four light towers at the existing BMX facility to allow greater use of the site, extended hours, and outdoor activities outside summer months.
Cooleman Court Shopping Precinct Upgrades
Upgrades to the shopping precinct at Cooleman Court to revitalize and improve access.
Woolworths Weston Creek Supermarket Expansion and Refurbishment
Expansion of the supermarket and full refurbishment to Woolworth's latest standard. Supermarket to remain open during refurbishment.
Waramanga Oval and Stirling Playing Fields Upgrades
Lighting upgrades at Waramanga Oval and upgraded field lights at Stirling Playing fields to allow for night matches.
Heysen Street, Weston RZ4 Land Development Opportunity
Substantial 13,130my RZ4 (medium density residential) land parcel in established Weston, available for purchase for residential development. Elevated block with Brindabella views.
Weston Creek Aged Care Facility
Construction of an aged care facility and associated works on Blocks 1151 and 864 Weston Creek. Follows NCA Board approval in 2015 for a retirement village and 99-year lease.
Fetherston Ridge
Located on an elevated site in Weston, offering views across Fetherston Gardens to the Brindabella Ranges. Defence Housing Australia built 50 properties, and remaining land lots were sold. Will feature 120 residences.
Athllon Drive Duplication
The Athllon Drive Duplication upgrades a key arterial road linking Woden to Tuggeranong in the ACT. The primary southern section duplicates 2.4 km between Sulwood Drive and Drakeford Drive in Kambah and Wanniassa, with a smaller 600 m northern section between Hindmarsh Drive and Melrose Drive. Works include lane duplication, new traffic signals at multiple intersections, upgraded bus stops, active travel paths for cyclists and pedestrians, water quality improvements for Lake Tuggeranong, and a new underpass under Sulwood Drive.Jointly funded by the ACT and Australian governments at $98.55 million, the Development Application for the southern section was approved in early 2026 following completion of enabling works. A tender for main construction is expected to be issued in 2026, with the northern section design ongoing and its timeline less certain due to future light rail corridor planning.
1,451 residents of Chapman are employed, from a labour force of 1,477. Unemployment sits at 1.8%, with participation at 62.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.8% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,332, about 81% 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
Chapman is characterized by a highly qualified resident workforce with a strong presence of professionals, an unemployment rate of 1.8%, and job growth estimated at 1.3% over the prior year. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 1,451, while the local unemployment rate sat 2.3% below the Australian Capital Territory average of 4.1%, and the participation rate of 62.0% was lower than the Territory level of 70.8%. Census data indicates that 18.8% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may be influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns. The primary employment sectors for residents are public administration & safety, professional & technical, and health care & social assistance.
Local workers are particularly concentrated in professional & technical fields, representing a share 1.3 times higher than the regional average. Conversely, retail trade accounts for just 4.1% of local employment compared to 6.6% across the wider region. The highly residential nature of the suburb results in fewer local jobs, as shown by the imbalance between the census-recorded working population and resident workforce. According to analysis of SALM and ABS figures for the 12 months leading to March 2026, Chapman saw a 1.3% increase in employment alongside a 1.2% rise in the labor force, maintaining a stable unemployment level. Over the same span, the Australian Capital Territory experienced a 0.3% rise in employment, a 1.1% expansion of the labor force, and a 0.7 percentage point increase in unemployment. Future labor demand in Chapman can be contextualized via national employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia dated May-25. These five-year and ten-year forecasts are applied to the local industry mix to model potential trends. Nationwide employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual sector growth rates vary. Weighting these projections against Chapman's job profile yields an estimated local employment expansion of 6.8% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, representing a basic extrapolation that does not adjust for local population shifts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Chapman is $3,111 a week (about $162,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,378 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $80,664 a year against an average of $93,919. 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
ATO records for the 2023 financial year show that the median taxpayer income in the Chapman SA2 is $80,664, with an average of $93,919. These figures are exceptionally high by national standards, exceeding the Australian Capital Territory median of $72,206 and average of $85,981. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to a median of $89,085 and an average of $103,724 as of March 2026. The 2021 Census ranks Chapman's family, household, and individual incomes between the 96th and 97th percentiles nationwide.
Income distribution statistics show that the largest group consists of 37.7% of residents (1,086 people) earning in the $4000+ bracket, contrasting with the wider region where the $1,500 - 2,999 range is most common at 34.3%. Financial prosperity is further evidenced by 51.6% of households earning weekly incomes above $3,000, which supports strong local consumer demand. Discretionary income after housing costs remains high at 90.6%, and the area ranks in the 10th decile of the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Chapman had 1,023 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 89% detached houses and 3% apartments. 40% are owned with a mortgage, 12% rented and 49% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $450 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,600 a month. Rent absorbs 14.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 19.3%. 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 last Census, the housing stock in Chapman consisted of 89.2% standalone houses and 10.8% other options such as townhouses and apartments, compared to 63.3% houses and 36.7% alternative dwellings across the Australian Capital Territory. Home ownership is high, with 48.5% of homes owned outright, while the remaining properties are either mortgaged (39.8%) or rented (11.7%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,600 is higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,080, while the median weekly rent matches the Territory average of $450. By national standards, Chapman's mortgage costs are higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents exceed the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Chapman counted 1,023 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.7 people each. 39% are couples with children, more than in 76% of areas nationally, against 33% couples without children. 17% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families comprise the vast majority of local households at 81.7%, consisting of couples with children at 38.7%, couples without children at 33.3%, and single-parent households at 9.4%. Non-family households account for 18.3%, with single-person households at 17.1% and group homes at 1.2%. The median household size of 2.7 people is slightly larger than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
52.5% of adults in Chapman hold a university qualification, including 29.9% with a bachelor degree and 15.5% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 84% of areas nationally. A further 11.9% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 521 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,107 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 proportion of university graduates in Chapman is higher than broader regional and national averages, with 52.5% of residents aged 15 and over holding a degree, compared to 30.4% nationally and 46.6% in the SA3 area. This profile positions the local workforce well for opportunities in knowledge industries. Bachelor degrees are held by 29.9% of residents, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 15.5% and graduate diplomas at 7.1%. Vocational qualifications are held by 21.5% of the population aged 15 and over, comprising advanced diplomas at 9.6% and certificates at 11.9%. Student representation in Chapman is high, with 29.9% of the population currently enrolled in education.
Within this student group, 10.6% are in primary school, 9.8% are in secondary school, and 5.2% are attending higher education institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Chapman reaches 19 stops on 49 routes, timetabled for about 4,700 services a week. The typical home sits about 190 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.8 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 services in Chapman include 19 active stops served by bus routes. A total of 49 distinct routes operate through these stops, offering 4,667 passenger journeys each week. The average distance to a transit stop is 188 meters, indicating high accessibility. Given the residential nature of the suburb, commuting is predominantly outward-bound, with private vehicles accounting for 92% of journeys and cycling representing 2%. Dwelling vehicle ownership averages 1.8 cars, exceeding the regional average, while 18.8% of residents worked from home during the 2021 Census, which was influenced by pandemic conditions.
Transit service frequency averages 666 trips daily across all routes, which corresponds to approximately 245 weekly departures per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
65.9% of residents in Chapman report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 87% of areas nationally. 5.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 67.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 2.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health outcomes in Chapman are positive, characterized by low mortality rates and a low prevalence of chronic conditions, particularly among younger cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is high, with approximately 68% of the population (1,946 people) holding cover, compared to 62.4% in the Australian Capital Territory and a national average of 55.7%. The most common chronic illnesses in Chapman are arthritis and asthma, affecting 10.1% and 7.5% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 65.9% of residents reported having no chronic health conditions, compared to 70.2% across the Australian Capital Territory. Residents under 65 exhibit better health metrics than the average.
The population aged 65 and over represents 26.8% of residents (773 people), compared to 14.3% in the Territory. Senior health metrics are strong, although they rank lower relative to national benchmarks than the younger cohorts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Chapman is largely Australian-born, at 77.3% of residents, with 12.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (26.9%) and Australian (25.5%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Chapman displays cultural diversity metrics above the average, with overseas-born residents accounting for 22.7% of the population and 12.6% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 51.4% of residents, compared to 40.7% across the wider Australian Capital Territory. The primary ancestries reported by residents are English at 26.9%, Australian at 25.5%, and Irish at 9.7%. Some ancestral backgrounds are represented at higher rates than the wider region, including Welsh ancestry at 1.1% in Chapman compared to 0.6% regionally, Hungarian at 0.7% compared to 0.3%, and Scottish at 8.9% compared to 7.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Chapman is 47, older than 84% of areas nationally. 18.8% 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 Chapman is 47 years, which is older than the Australian Capital Territory median of 35 and the national median of 38. Chapman features a higher proportion of residents in the 75 - 84 age bracket at 11.6% compared to the ACT, but a lower proportion of 25 - 34 year-olds at 4.2%. The representation of the 75 - 84 cohort is higher than the national figure of 6.1%. Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 cohort has increased from 10.9% to 14.7%, and the 75 to 84 cohort has risen from 9.5% to 11.6%.
Conversely, the 35 to 44 cohort has decreased from 12.2% to 9.8%, and the 55 to 64 group has declined from 13.6% to 12.3%. Looking forward to 2041, demographic models project changes in the age profile. The cohort aged 85 and over is projected to grow by 55% (43 people) to reach 121 individuals from a base of 77. The combined groups aged 65 and over are projected to account for the entirety of local population growth, while both the 75 to 84 and 55 to 64 cohorts are expected to decrease in number.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Chapman
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) | May 2026 3 months ago all 13 measures |
| 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, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 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 May 2026. | ||
| 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) | Jul 2026 last 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 — 17 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,867 at the 2021 Census → 2,883 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 (801081091). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.