Coombs
Statistical Area - sa2

Coombs lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Coombs' population is approximately 6,482 as of Aug 2025. This represents an increase of 1,631 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 4,851. The growth was inferred from ABS estimates of 5,872 in June 2024 and validated new addresses of 684 since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2,794 persons per square kilometer, placing Coombs in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch's assessments. The growth rate of 33.6% since the 2021 census exceeds both the state's (5.7%) and SA4 region's averages, making it a growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 57.3% of overall population gains recently.

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, ACT Government's SA2 area projections are adopted using 2022 as the base year. Future trends predict exceptional growth, placing Coombs in the top 10% of Australian statistical areas by 2041. The population is expected to expand by 2,790 persons by then, with an increase of 33.6% over the 17-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Coombs was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Coombs has experienced approximately 141 dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports 706 dwellings approved between financial years 2021 to 2025, with 93 approved so far in the current financial year 2026. Each dwelling built over these five years has resulted in an average of 3 new residents annually, indicating strong demand and supporting property values. The average construction cost for new homes is $197,000, which is below regional levels, offering more affordable housing options.

Commercial development approvals totalled $1.8 million this financial year, reflecting a predominant focus on residential development. Coombs records significantly lower building activity compared to the Australian Capital Territory, standing at 62.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction often reinforces demand and pricing for existing properties. However, developer confidence in the area is strong, with recent construction comprising 4.0% detached dwellings and 96.0% attached dwellings. This shift towards compact living provides affordable entry points, attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This marks a significant change from the current housing mix of 38.0% houses. With around 215 people per approval, Coombs exhibits a transitioning market.

Projections indicate a growth of approximately 2,180 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Coombs has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 45thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified two projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Molonglo Group Centre to Town Centre Transition, Molonglo Town Centre, Molonglo River Bridge and John Gorton Drive Extension, Fetherston Weston. Below lists those most relevant.

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

Employment performance in Coombs exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Coombs has an educated workforce with strong representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 3.1% as of June 2025, with estimated employment growth of 1.7% over the past year.

As of this date, 3494 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 0.3% lower than the Australian Capital Territory's rate of 3.4%. Workforce participation in Coombs was 82.1%, higher than the ACT's 69.6%. The dominant employment sectors among residents included public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and professional & technical services. Notably, health care & social assistance had employment levels at 1.4 times the regional average.

However, construction had limited presence with 5.2% employment compared to the regional average of 6.8%. Employment opportunities locally appeared limited as indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 1.7% and labour force grew by 1.6%, causing unemployment to fall by 0.1 percentage points in Coombs. In comparison, Australian Capital Territory saw employment grow by 1.9%, labour force expand by 1.6%, and unemployment fall by 0.3 percentage points during the same period. State-level data up to Sep-25 showed ACT employment had contracted by 0.33% (losing 1480 jobs), with a state unemployment rate of 4.2%, compared to the national unemployment rate of 4.5%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, published in May 2025, projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Coombs's employment mix suggested local growth of approximately 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, although these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localised population projections.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows median income in Coombs at $76,864 and average income at $91,441. This compares to Australian Capital Territory's median of $68,678 and average of $83,634. By March 2025, estimated incomes are approximately $85,150 (median) and $101,298 (average), based on a 10.78% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. Coombs' household, family, and personal incomes rank highly nationally, between the 93rd and 96th percentiles according to the 2021 Census. Income analysis reveals that the largest segment comprises 38.6% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (2,502 residents), similar to regional levels at 34.3%. A substantial proportion of high earners (42.1%) are above $3,000/week, indicating strong economic capacity in the suburb. High housing costs consume 16.4% of income, yet disposable income ranks at the 92nd percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Coombs displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Coombs, as per the latest Census evaluation, 37.5% of dwellings were houses while 62.5% were other types such as semi-detached homes and apartments, compared to Australian Capital Territory's 40.9% houses and 59.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Coombs stood at 7.6%, similar to the ACT average, with mortgaged properties at 64.0% and rented ones at 28.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, below the ACT average of $2,099 but higher than the national average of $1,863. Median weekly rent in Coombs was $480, slightly above the ACT figure of $472 and significantly higher than the national average of $375.

Coombs features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 74.0% of all households, including 39.2% couples with children, 22.9% couples without children, and 10.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 26.0%, with lone person households at 20.4% and group households comprising 5.5% of the total. The median household size is 2.7 people, which aligns with the Australian Capital Territory average.

Coombs demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Educational attainment in Coombs is notably higher than broader benchmarks. As of 2016, 57.7% of residents aged 15 years and above held university qualifications, compared to the national average of 30.4% and the SA4 region's 46.8%. The area's strong educational attainment positions it well for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 33.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (20.5%) and graduate diplomas (4.2%).

Vocational pathways make up 20.2% of qualifications among those aged 15 years and above, with advanced diplomas accounting for 10.2% and certificates for 10.0%. Educational participation is high, with 35.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of the latest data. This includes 11.7% in primary education, 8.7% in tertiary education, and 6.0% pursuing secondary education. Charles Weston School provides local educational services within Coombs, with an enrollment of 460 students as of 2021. The school focuses exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas. Coombs demonstrates significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement, as indicated by its ICSEA score of 1100.

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

Transport analysis shows 13 active stops in Coombs, all offering bus services. These stops are served by two distinct routes, collectively handling 697 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically situated 231 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 99 trips daily across all routes, translating to about 53 weekly trips per individual stop.

Coombs's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health outcomes data shows excellent results throughout Coombs, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 67% of the total population (4,349 people), compared to 70.6% in the Australian Capital Territory and a national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 7.4 and 6.1% of residents respectively.

A significant majority, 81.5%, report being completely clear of medical ailments compared to 80.0% in the Australian Capital Territory. As of 2021, 3.8% of Coombs' population are aged 65 and over (244 people). Health outcomes among seniors align closely with those of the general population.

Coombs is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Coombs has a high level of cultural diversity, with 43.8% of its population born overseas and 48.1% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the main religion in Coombs, making up 33.7% of people there. Hinduism is notably overrepresented in Coombs compared to the Australian Capital Territory as a whole, with 12.2% of its population identifying as Hindu.

The top three ancestry groups in Coombs are Other at 23.5%, Australian at 16.9%, and English at 16.2%. Some other ethnic groups are also notably divergent: Indian is overrepresented at 8.2%, Korean at 1.4%, and Filipino at 3.1%.

Coombs hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Coombs has a median age of 31, which is younger than the Australian Capital Territory's figure of 35 and substantially under the Australian median of 38. Compared to Australian Capital Territory, Coombs has a higher concentration of residents aged 35-44 (22.0%), but fewer residents aged 65-74 (2.6%). This 35-44 concentration is well above the national figure of 14.2%. Between 2021 and present, the median age has increased by 1.1 years from 30 to 31, reflecting an aging population. Key changes show the 45 to 54 age group grew from 9.5% to 11.8%, while the 5 to 14 cohort increased from 15.0% to 16.2%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 cohort declined from 25.9% to 21.4%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Coombs. The 45 to 54 age group is expected to show strong growth of 75%, adding 578 residents to reach 1,347. In contrast, numbers in the 75 to 84 age range are projected to fall by 4%.