Denman Prospect
Statistical Area - sa2

Denman Prospect lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Denman Prospect's population was approximately 5,520 as of Aug 2025. This figure represents an increase of 2,761 people from the 2021 Census total of 2,759. The growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 4,888 in June 2024 and an additional 1,108 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,164 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Denman Prospect's growth rate exceeded both the state (5.7%) and its SA4 region between Aug 2021 and Aug 2025. Interstate migration contributed approximately 90.2% of overall population gains during this period, although all drivers including natural growth and overseas migration were positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area as 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 used, also based on 2022. Future population trends predict exceptional growth for Denman Prospect, placing it in the top 10 percent of Australian statistical areas. Based on latest population numbers, the area is expected to grow by 7,743 persons by 2041, recording a gain of 128.8% over the 17 years from Aug 2025.

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

Denman Prospect has granted approximately 357 residential property approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that between Financial Year 2020 (FY-20) and FY-2025, around 1,786 homes were approved. As of FY-2026208 properties have been recorded. Over the past five financial years, an average of 1.9 people moved to the area for each dwelling built.

The average construction cost value of new properties is $382,000. In FY-2026, commercial approvals totalled $51.8 million, indicating high local commercial activity. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Denman Prospect exhibits 710.0% higher building activity per person, offering greater choice for buyers and reflecting robust developer interest in the area. New building activity comprises 33.0% standalone homes and 67.0% attached dwellings, promoting higher-density living and providing more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This shift departs from current housing patterns (49.0% houses), suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. With approximately 12 people per dwelling approval, Denman Prospect is considered a growth area. By 2041, the population is projected to grow by around 7,111 residents.

If current development rates continue, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Denman Prospect has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Area infrastructure changes greatly influence local performance. AreaSearch identified eight potential impact projects: Molonglo River Bridge and John Gorton Drive Extension, Denman Apartments, The Borough, Denman Prospect suburb development. Relevant details are listed below.

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

Employment performance in Denman Prospect ranks among the strongest 15% of areas evaluated nationally

Denman Prospect has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 1.8% as of June 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 1.1%. In June 2025, there were 2,681 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.6%, lower than the Australian Capital Territory's (ACT) rate of 3.4%. Workforce participation was higher in Denman Prospect at 82.9% compared to ACT's 69.6%. Leading employment industries were public administration & safety, professional & technical, and health care & social assistance.

The area showed strong specialization in professional & technical services with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level. Education & training had limited presence at 5.8% compared to the regional average of 9.6%. Over a 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 1.1%, labour force grew by 1.6%, and unemployment rose by 0.5 percentage points in Denman Prospect. In contrast, ACT saw employment grow by 1.9% with a decrease in unemployment of 0.3 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 showed ACT employment contracted by 0.33% (losing 1,480 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, compared to the national unemployment rate of 4.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 estimated national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Denman Prospect's employment mix suggested local growth of approximately 7.0% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

Denman Prospect had a median income among taxpayers of $93,675 during financial year 2022. The average income stood at $111,440 in the same period. These figures are exceptionally high nationally compared to the Australian Capital Territory's median and average incomes of $68,678 and $83,634 respectively. By March 2025, current estimates suggest the median income will be approximately $103,773 and the average income around $123,453, based on a 10.78% growth in wages since financial year 2022. Census 2021 data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Denman Prospect rank highly nationally, between the 98th and 99th percentiles. The largest income bracket comprises 36.6% of residents earning $4000+ weekly, differing from regional patterns where $1,500 - $2,999 is dominant at 34.3%. Economic strength is evident with 55.4% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. High housing costs consume 15.8% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 98th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

Denman Prospect displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

In Denman Prospect, as per the latest Census, 48.6% of dwellings were houses while 51.3% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This compares to the Australian Capital Territory's figures of 40.9% houses and 59.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Denman Prospect stood at 6.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 78.7% and rented ones at 14.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,400, surpassing the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,099. Meanwhile, the median weekly rent in Denman Prospect was $498, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's figure of $472. Nationally, Denman Prospect's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 78.3% of all households, including 43.9% couples with children, 24.8% couples without children, and 8.3% single parent families. The remaining 21.7% are non-family households, consisting of 18.8% lone person households and 3.1% group households. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.7.

Denman Prospect 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 Denman Prospect is notably higher than broader benchmarks. As of 2016, 62.6% of residents aged 15 years and over held university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 46.8% in the SA4 region. This educational advantage positions the area favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are most common at 33.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (23.3%) and graduate diplomas (5.4%).

Vocational pathways account for 18.9% of qualifications among those aged 15 years and over, with advanced diplomas at 9.1% and certificates at 9.8%. Educational participation is high, with 33.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of 2016. This includes 13.4% in primary education, 6.9% in tertiary education, and 5.7% pursuing secondary education. Evelyn Scott School provides local educational services within Denman Prospect, with an enrollment of 584 students in 2021. The school demonstrates significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement (ICSEA: 1114). All schools offer integrated K-12 education, providing continuity throughout students' academic journey. As of 2016, the area functions as an education hub with 10.8 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 6.2, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

The analysis shows 14 active public transport stops in Denman Prospect. These are mixed bus routes with three individual services providing a total of 658 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility is rated good, with residents typically being 233 meters from the nearest stop.

There are an average of 94 daily trips across all routes, which equates to about 47 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Denman Prospect shows excellent health outcomes with very low prevalence of common conditions across all ages. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 76% of its total population of 4,206, compared to 70.6% in Australian Capital Territory and a national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common conditions, affecting 7.0% and 6.3% respectively.

81.5% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 80.0% across Australian Capital Territory. The area has 4.7%, or 259 people, aged 65 and over, with strong health outcomes among seniors broadly matching the general population's profile.

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

Denman Prospect has a high level of cultural diversity, with 42.8% of its population born overseas and 46.1% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the main religion in Denman Prospect, comprising 30.6% of people. Hinduism is overrepresented compared to the Australian Capital Territory, making up 14.5% of Denman Prospect's population versus 12.7% regionally.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are Australian (16.9%), Other (16.8%), and English (16.0%). Notably, Indian ethnicity is overrepresented at 11.4%, compared to 9.0% in the region; Sri Lankan ethnicity is also overrepresented at 1.8% versus 0.9%; Croatian ethnicity stands out at 1.5% against a regional average of 0.7%.

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

Denman Prospect's median age is 32 years, which is younger than both the Australian Capital Territory average of 35 and the Australian median of 38. Compared with the Australian Capital Territory, Denman Prospect has a higher proportion of residents aged 35-44 (24.9%) but fewer residents aged 55-64 (5.0%). This concentration of 35-44 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.2%. According to post-2021 Census data, demographic aging is evident with Denman Prospect's median age increasing from 31 years in 2021 to 32 years. Notable shifts include the proportion of residents aged 45-54 growing from 8.9% to 11.7%, and those aged 65-74 increasing from 2.2% to 3.6%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 25-34 has declined from 24.0% to 20.6%, and the proportion of residents aged 0-4 has dropped from 9.7% to 7.3%. Population forecasts for Denman Prospect in 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes, with the strongest projected growth coming from the 35-44 age group, which is expected to grow by 117%, adding 1,603 residents to reach a total of 2,976.