Duffy

An assessment of population growth drivers in Duffy reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Duffy's population, as of May 2026, is approximately 3,514 people. This figure represents an increase of 119 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,395 people. The growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 3,514 in June 2025 and the addition of 10 validated new addresses post-Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,255 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Duffy's growth rate of 3.5% since the 2021 Census surpassed the SA3 area's rate of 1.9%, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 62.4% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary population growth.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, 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 adopted, using 2022 as the base year. Future demographic trends anticipate lower quartile growth for statistical areas nationally, with Duffy expected to grow by 82 persons to reach 2041 based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total gain of 2.3% over the 16-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Duffy according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Duffy has seen around 5 new homes approved each year from FY21 to FY25, totalling 28 homes over the past 5 financial years. As of FY26, 6 approvals have been recorded. On average, 5.5 new residents per year have been added for every home built during this period. This supply lagging demand indicates heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures.

The average construction value of new homes is $313,000, higher than regional norms due to quality-focused development. In FY26, $209,000 in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Duffy shows approximately 69% of construction activity per person and ranks among the 15th percentile nationally, indicating limited buyer options but strengthening demand for established properties. Recent construction comprises 50.0% standalone homes and 50.0% townhouses or apartments, a shift from the area's existing housing composition of 88.0% houses. This change reflects decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles requiring more diverse, affordable housing options. Duffy has approximately 1001 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market with population forecasts expecting 82 residents by 2041.

Given current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Duffy has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 43rdth percentile nationally

No changes can significantly affect an area's performance as much as modifications to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 0 projects that are likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Molonglo Group Centre to Town Centre Transition, Fetherston Weston, Deakin Private Hospital, and Ngurra Cultural Precinct, with the following list detailing those most relevant.

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

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.

Duffy has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Duffy has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. Over the past year, there has been relative employment stability.

As of December 2025, 1,805 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 3.8% higher than the Australian Capital Territory's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in Duffy is lower at 67.8%, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's 70.5%. According to Census responses, 14.7% of residents work from home.

The dominant employment sectors are public administration & safety, professional & technical, and health care & social assistance. However, accommodation & food services are under-represented at 5.0%, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's 6.5%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited due to Duffy's predominantly residential nature. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels remained stable at 0.0% growth while labour force increased by 1.1%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate of 1.0 percentage points. In comparison, the Australian Capital Territory recorded employment growth of 0.9%, labour force growth of 1.2%, and an unemployment increase of 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Duffy's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, though these are simple weighted extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

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

The Duffy SA2 had extremely high income levels nationally according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. Its median income among taxpayers was $73,230 and average income stood at $85,263. This compares with figures for Australian Capital Territory's of $72,206 and $85,981 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $80,875 (median) and $94,164 (average) as of March 2026. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes all rank highly in Duffy, between the 92nd and 93rd percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that 31.6% of the community (1,110 individuals) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band, consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing 34.3% in the same category. A significant 43.3% earn above $3,000 weekly, reflecting pockets of prosperity that drive robust local economic activity. After housing costs, residents retain 87.2% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

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

Duffy's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 87.9% houses and 12.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Australian Capital Territory's 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Duffy stood at 37.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 43.3% and rented ones at 19.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,476, higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,080. The median weekly rent in Duffy was $445, compared to the Australian Capital Territory figure of $450. Nationally, Duffy's median monthly mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,476 versus the national average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 77.3% of all households, including 37.2% couples with children, 26.8% couples without children, and 11.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for 22.7%, with lone person households at 20.3% and group households making up 3.1%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.

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

Educational attainment in Duffy exceeds national averages significantly. As of a specific date, 46.7% of residents aged 15 and above held university qualifications, compared to the Australian average of 30.4%. This high level of educational attainment positions Duffy strongly for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 26.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (14.5%) and graduate diplomas (6.2%).

Trade and technical skills are also prominent, with 25.9% of residents aged 15 and above holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas at 11.0% and certificates at 14.9%. Educational participation is notably high in Duffy, with 30.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of a specific date. This includes 9.5% in primary education, 9.2% in secondary education, and 6.4% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Duffy has 28 operational public transport stops, all offering bus services. These stops are served by 71 different routes, facilitating a total of 5,540 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents located an average of 162 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily. Car remains the primary mode of transportation, used by 89% of residents, while bus accounts for 6%, and cycling for 3%. On average, there are 1.6 vehicles per dwelling, higher than the regional norm.

According to the 2021 Census, 14.7% of residents work from home, a figure potentially influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 791 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 197 weekly trips per stop.

Duffy'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 Duffy based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were low, particularly in younger cohorts.

Private health cover was exceptionally high at approximately 62% of the total population (2178 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions were asthma and arthritis, impacting 8.3 and 8.1% of residents respectively. 68.9% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 70.2% across Australian Capital Territory. The under-65 population demonstrated better than average health outcomes. The area had 15.3% of residents aged 65 and over (539 people), higher than the 14.3% in Australian Capital Territory. Health outcomes among seniors were above average, though ranking lower nationally than the broader population.

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

Duffy's population shows above-average cultural diversity, with 21.1% born overseas and 15.1% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Duffy, accounting for 42.7% of its population. Judaism's representation in Duffy is notably higher at 0.4%, compared to the Australian Capital Territory average of 0.2%.

The top three ancestral groups are Australian (26.7%), English (26.4%), and Irish (9.3%). Hungarian, Polish, and Welsh ethnicities are overrepresented in Duffy relative to regional averages: Hungarian at 0.8% vs 0.3%, Polish at 1.5% vs 0.8%, and Welsh at 0.9% vs 0.6%.

Duffy's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

Duffy's median age is 38 years, which is higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 35 but equivalent to the Australian median of 38. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Duffy has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (15.7%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (10.7%). Between the 2021 Census and the present, the population aged 5-14 has grown from 13.6% to 15.7%, while the 35-44 age group has increased from 13.6% to 15.4%. Conversely, the 65-74 age group has declined from 8.9% to 6.9%, and the 55-64 age group has dropped from 11.5% to 10.4%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Duffy's age profile will change significantly. The 45-54 age cohort is projected to grow by 11%, adding 52 residents to reach a total of 555. Meanwhile, both the 55-64 and 25-34 age groups are expected to decrease in number.