Dickson

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

Dickson's population was approximately 4,060 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 768 people, a rise of 23.3% since the 2021 Census which recorded a population of 3,292. The change is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 4,056 in June 2024 and an additional 607 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2,569 persons per square kilometer, placing Dickson in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Dickson's growth rate exceeded both the state's (5.9%) and SA4 region's averages. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 53.8% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts 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 the ACT Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, using 2022 as the base year. Looking ahead, demographic trends predict exceptional growth for Dickson, placing it in the top 10 percent of national statistical areas. By 2041, the area is expected to increase by 2,590 persons based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 62.0% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Dickson among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Dickson has experienced approximately 248 dwelling approvals per year. Between FY-21 and FY-25, a total of 1,243 homes were approved, with none yet in FY-26. The average new residents per year per dwelling constructed over these five years was 0.8.

This pace suggests that supply is meeting or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average construction cost value of new properties during this period was $200,000, reflecting more affordable housing options. In FY-26, commercial development approvals totalled $10.3 million, indicating balanced commercial development activity in the area. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Dickson has 460.0% higher new home approvals per person, suggesting robust developer interest and greater choice for buyers. However, construction activity has eased recently. New development in Dickson consists of 3.0% detached dwellings and 97.0% medium to high-density housing, indicating a shift from the area's existing housing composition (currently 30.0% houses). This trend may reflect decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles requiring more diverse, affordable housing options.

With around 58 people per dwelling approval, Dickson exhibits characteristics of a growth area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Dickson is projected to add 2,519 residents by 2041. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 11 projects that could impact this region. Notable ones are Vermillion, Calypso, Stockdale Street Apartments, and Watson Solar Farm. The following details these projects, focusing on the most relevant ones.

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

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AreaSearch assessment positions Dickson ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Dickson has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. The unemployment rate is 3.5% and there was an estimated 1.9% employment growth over the past year.

As of September 2025, 2,737 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.1% below the Australian Capital Territory's rate of 3.6%. Workforce participation in Dickson is 78.2%, compared to the ACT's 69.6%. Employment is concentrated in public administration & safety, professional & technical, and education & training sectors.

Health care & social assistance shows lower representation at 7.9% versus the regional average of 11.7%. There are 1.3 workers for every resident, indicating Dickson functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between September 2024 to September 2025, employment increased by 1.9% while labour force grew by 2.4%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, ACT saw employment rise by 1.4%, labour force grow by 1.2%, and unemployment fall by 0.2 percentage points. As of 25-Nov-25, ACT employment grew by 1.19% year-on-year adding 710 jobs with the state unemployment rate at 4.5%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Dickson's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.0% over ten years.

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

The Dickson SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $73,291 and an average income of $90,602 in the financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is notably higher than the Australian Capital Territory's median income of $68,678 and average income of $83,634 during the same period. By September 2025, current estimates suggest a median income of approximately $83,259 and an average income of $102,924, based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.6% since financial year 2022. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Dickson rank highly nationally, with household, family, and personal incomes falling between the 82nd and 94th percentiles. Income brackets indicate that 36.8% of the population (1,494 individuals) earn within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, which is comparable to the metropolitan region where this cohort also represents 34.3%. Economic strength is evident with 34.2% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. Despite high housing costs consuming 16.8% of income, strong earnings place disposable income at the 80th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Dickson features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Dickson, as per the latest Census, 29.5% of dwellings were houses while 70.6% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This compares to the Australian Capital Territory's figures of 39.3% houses and 60.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Dickson stood at 19.6%, with mortgaged properties at 33.5% and rented ones at 46.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,904, lower than the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,080. The median weekly rent in Dickson was $500, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's $476. Nationally, Dickson's median monthly mortgage repayments were higher at $1,904 versus Australia's average of $1,863, while median weekly rents were substantially higher at $500 compared to the national figure of $375.

Dickson features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 53.3% of all households, including 17.5% couples with children, 27.3% couples without children, and 6.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 46.7%, with lone person households at 33.3% and group households comprising 13.7%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which aligns with the Australian Capital Territory average.

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

Dickson's educational attainment exceeds national and regional averages. Among residents aged 15+, 62.9% hold university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and the SA4 region's 46.8%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 34.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (22.4%) and graduate diplomas (5.6%). Technical qualifications comprise 14.0%, with advanced diplomas at 6.3% and certificates at 7.7%.

Educational participation is high, with 34.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 17.3% in tertiary education, 6.4% in primary education, and 4.4% pursuing secondary education.

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

Transport analysis shows 26 active stops operating in Dickson, offering a mix of bus services. These stops are served by 29 individual routes, collectively providing 2,393 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 180 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 341 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 92 weekly trips per stop.

Dickson's residents are extremely healthy with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Dickson. Younger cohorts particularly saw very low prevalence of common health conditions.

The rate of private health cover was found to be exceptionally high at approximately 67% of the total population (2,708 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%. The most common medical conditions in the area were mental health issues and asthma, impacting 12.0% and 8.7% of residents respectively. Meanwhile, 71.5% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, slightly higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 70.8%. The area has 6.8% of residents aged 65 and over (276 people), which is lower than the 11.4% in the Australian Capital Territory.

Dickson was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Dickson's population showed high diversity with 31.1% born overseas and 26.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, making up 25.3%. Judaism, at 0.7%, was slightly overrepresented compared to the Australian Capital Territory average of 0.5%.

The top three ancestral groups were English (22.4%), Australian (19.7%), and Other (11.8%). Notably, Croatian (1.0% vs regional 0.7%), Korean (0.8% vs 0.7%), and Russian (0.5% vs 0.4%) groups were overrepresented in Dickson.

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

Dickson's median age is 29 years, which is notably lower than the Australian Capital Territory average of 35 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Dickson has a higher concentration of residents aged 25-34 (30.7%), but fewer residents aged 5-14 (7.9%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.5%. According to the 2021 Census, the proportion of Dickson's population aged 25 to 34 has grown from 28.5% to 30.7%, while the proportion aged 35 to 44 has increased from 14.8% to 16.7%. Conversely, the proportion aged 15 to 24 has declined from 18.4% to 16.8%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Dickson. Notably, the number of residents aged 25 to 34 is expected to grow by 48%, reaching 1,841 from 1,246.