Chisholm

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

Chisholm's population was approximately 5,268 people as per the 2021 Census. By February 2026, this had decreased to around 5,255, a reduction of 13 individuals (0.2%). This decline is inferred from ABS estimates showing an estimated resident population of 5,221 in June 2024 and the addition of 15 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio was 1,695 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. While Chisholm experienced a 0.2% decline between Census periods, the SA3 area had a 0.1% growth rate, indicating divergent trends. Natural growth contributed approximately 66.0% of overall population gains 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 and years post-2032, age group growth rates from ACT Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, using 2022 as the base year. According to these projections, Chisholm's population is expected to decrease by 325 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts like the 75-84 group are projected to grow, with an increase of 125 people anticipated.

The level of residential development activity in Chisholm is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Chisholm has seen approximately 8 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 42 homes. In FY-26 so far, 5 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.4 new residents have settled per year per dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25. The average construction cost of new properties is $215,000.

This financial year has seen $337,000 in commercial development approvals, indicating minimal commercial activity. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Chisholm shows around 69% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 18th percentile nationally, suggesting limited buyer options but strengthening demand for established homes. This activity is below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New building activity comprises 57.0% detached houses and 43.0% attached dwellings, offering choices across price ranges. This shows a considerable shift from the current housing mix of 96.0% houses, addressing reduced development sites availability and shifting lifestyle demands.

The location has approximately 807 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market. Given stable or declining population forecasts, Chisholm may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Chisholm has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 23rdth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified two projects that may affect this region: Calwell Retirement Living Precinct, Calwell Public Housing Development, Erindale Group Centre Master Plan Implementation - Stage 1, and Canberra Light Rail Stage 4 - Woden to Tuggeranong. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Employment conditions in Chisholm remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Chisholm has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 4.4% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.8%. As of September 2025, 2,819 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.4%, 0.8% higher than the Australian Capital Territory's rate of 3.6%.

Workforce participation was broadly similar to the Australian Capital Territory's 72.5%. According to Census responses, 9.3% of residents worked from home. Key industries of employment among residents were public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and construction, with a notable concentration in construction at 1.7 times the regional average. However, professional & technical services were under-represented, with only 7.4% of Chisholm's workforce compared to 11.1% in the Australian Capital Territory.

The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 2.8%, while labour force increased by 1.1%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 1.6 percentage points. In comparison, Australian Capital Territory's employment grew by 1.4%, labour force expanded by 1.2%, and unemployment fell by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase in employment over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Chisholm's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch released postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023. Chisholm SA2's median income among taxpayers was $67,412, with an average of $73,552. This is above the national average. The Australian Capital Territory had a median income of $72,206 and an average of $85,981. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.26% since financial year 2023, estimates for September 2025 would be approximately $73,654 (median) and $80,363 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Chisholm rank highly nationally, between the 83rd and 85th percentiles. The income distribution shows that 38.1% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999, reflecting regional patterns where 34.3% fall within this range. High weekly earnings exceeding $3,000 are achieved by 33.9% of households, indicating strong consumer spending potential. Housing accounts for 13.8% of income, with residents ranking in the 84th percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

In Chisholm, as per the latest Census evaluation, 95.9% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 4.2% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is in contrast to the Australian Capital Territory's figures of 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Chisholm stood at 29.1%, with mortgaged properties making up 50.7% and rented dwellings accounting for 20.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,000, lower than the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,080. The median weekly rent figure in Chisholm was $410, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's $450. Nationally, Chisholm's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Chisholm has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 76.6% of all households, including 36.9% couples with children, 26.4% couples without children, and 12.4% single parent families. Non-family households account for 23.4%, with lone person households at 20.9% and group households making up 2.1%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.

Educational attainment in Chisholm aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area has university qualification rates at 25.6%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 46.8%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 6.2% and graduate diplomas at 3.8%. Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 36.7% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas at 12.4% and certificates at 24.3%.

Educational participation is high, with 28.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 10.2% in primary, 8.0% in secondary, and 3.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Chisholm has 38 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 84 different routes that together facilitate 5,450 weekly passenger trips. Residents have excellent access to public transport, with an average distance of 175 meters to the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards from Chisholm, which is predominantly residential. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation, used by 93% of residents. On average, there are 1.7 vehicles per dwelling, higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 9.3% of residents work from home, a figure that may have been influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, service frequency averages 778 trips per day, equating to approximately 143 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Chisholm is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Chisholm faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

Private health cover is very high at approximately 55% of the total population (~2,911 people), compared to 62.4% in Australian Capital Territory. The most common medical conditions are mental health issues (9.5%) and asthma (8.8%). 66.4% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 70.2% across Australian Capital Territory. Working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 17.5% of residents aged 65 and over (921 people), higher than the 14.3% in Australian Capital Territory. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Chisholm's population, surveyed in June 2016, showed above-average cultural diversity with 19.0% born overseas and 14.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 50.0%. Islam, at 2.4%, was overrepresented compared to the Australian Capital Territory's average of 3.4%.

Ancestry-wise, the top three groups were Australian (27.5%), English (26.5%), and Irish (8.2%). Notably, Serbian (0.5% vs regional 0.4%), Hungarian (0.4% vs 0.3%), and Macedonian (0.4% vs 0.2%) ethnicities were overrepresented in Chisholm compared to the region.

Chisholm's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Chisholm's median age is 37 years, slightly older than Australian Capital Territory's 35 but aligned with Australia's national average of 38 years. The 65-74 age group comprises 11.8% of Chisholm's population compared to Australian Capital Territory, while the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 10.7%. Between 2021 and present day, the 65-74 age group has grown from 9.4% to 11.8%, and the 35-44 cohort increased from 13.5% to 15.2%. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort declined from 13.6% to 10.7%, and the 55-64 group dropped from 15.1% to 12.8%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for Chisholm. The 75-84 age cohort is projected to increase by 102 people (43%), from 234 to 337. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 93% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, both 65-74 and 15-24 age groups are expected to decrease in numbers.