Dunlop
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Dunlop's population is 7,296 as of Aug '2025. This reflects a growth from the 2021 Census figure of 7,265 people, an increase of 31 persons (0.4%). The change was inferred from ABS estimated resident population data for Jun '24 and address validation since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2,021 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Dunlop's growth rate of 0.4% since census is competitive with the SA3 area's 2.4%. Natural growth contributed approximately 69.2% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in '24 with '22 as the base year. For areas not covered and years post-'32, ACT Government's SA2 area projections with a '22 base are adopted. Projections indicate a population decline by 1,037 persons to 2041. However, specific age cohorts like 55-64 are expected to grow by 152 people during this period.

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

Dunlop has averaged approximately zero new dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, totalling one approval across the past five financial years from FY20 to FY25, with one approval recorded so far in FY26. Over these five years, there have been an average of 37 people moving to the area for each dwelling built annually. This has resulted in demand significantly outpacing supply, which typically exerts upward pressure on prices and intensifies competition among buyers.

In this financial year, there have also been $2.9 million worth of commercial approvals, suggesting limited focus on commercial development. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Dunlop has exhibited significantly less development activity. This scarcity of new homes tends to strengthen demand and prices for existing properties, although recent periods have seen an increase in development activity.

This is also below national averages, reflecting the area's maturity and indicating possible planning constraints. Population projections suggest stability or decline, which should result in reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

Dunlop has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 22ndth percentile nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch has identified zero projects potentially impacting this region. Notable projects comprise Wallaroo Solar Farm, Parkwood Urban Release, New Northside Hospital, and Deakin Private Hospital, with the following details highlighting those most relevant.

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

The labour market in Dunlop demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Dunlop's workforce is highly educated with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 3.8% as of the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 1.4%.

As of June 2025, 4,277 residents were employed while the unemployment rate stood at 3.8%, slightly higher than the Australian Capital Territory's (ACT) rate of 3.4%. Workforce participation was 74.1%, comparable to ACT's 69.6%. Employment is concentrated in public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Notably, construction employment is high at 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, professional & technical services employ only 8.6% of local workers, below ACT's 11.1%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data. In the 12 months prior to June 2025, employment increased by 1.4%, while labour force grew by 1.6%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. ACT recorded employment growth of 1.9% and a fall in unemployment by 0.3 percentage points during this period. By September 2025, ACT's employment had contracted by 0.33%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.5%, with employment growth of 0.26%. Job and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Dunlop's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.4%% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, although these are simple 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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Dunlop has one of the highest incomes in Australia, with a median income of $69,014 and an average income of $78,012. This contrasts with Australian Capital Territory's median income of $68,678 and average income of $83,634. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.78% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of March 2025 would be approximately $76,454 (median) and $86,422 (average). Census 2021 income data shows Dunlop's household, family, and personal incomes rank between the 90th and 91st percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that 37.9% of residents (2,765 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly income bracket, similar to the surrounding region at 34.3%. Higher earners make up a significant portion with 38.5% exceeding $3,000 weekly. Housing expenses account for 14.7% of income, and residents rank in the 90th percentile for disposable income. Dunlop's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Dunlop is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

As evaluated at the latest Census, dwelling structures in Dunlop consisted of 91.9% houses and 8.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compared to Australian Capital Territory's figures of 69.4% houses and 30.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Dunlop was at 20.3%, with the rest being mortgaged (61.4%) or rented (18.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Dunlop was $2,000, aligning with Australian Capital Territory's average, while median weekly rent was recorded at $465, compared to Australian Capital Territory's figures of $2,000 and $430 respectively. Nationally, Dunlop's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 81.1% of all households, including 44.8% couples with children, 22.5% couples without children, and 12.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 18.9%, with lone person households at 16.7% and group households comprising 2.0%. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.

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

The area has university qualification rates of 29.3%, which is significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 46.8%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 18.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.8%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 34.1% of residents aged 15 and above holding them, including advanced diplomas (12.1%) and certificates (22.0%). Educational participation is high, with 33.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 12.7% in primary education, 9.4% in secondary education, and 4.4% pursuing tertiary education. Educational facilities seem to be located outside the immediate catchment boundaries, requiring families to access schools in neighboring areas.

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

Transport analysis indicates 23 active stops operating in Dunlop, offering mixed bus services. These are served by one route, facilitating 425 weekly passenger trips. Accessibility is rated good, with residents located an average of 229 meters from the nearest stop.

Services run approximately 60 trips daily across all routes, resulting in about 18 weekly trips per stop.

Dunlop's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Dunlop's health metrics are close to national benchmarks.

Common health conditions among its residents are somewhat typical of the general population but higher than the national average among older cohorts. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 59% of the total population (4,290 people). The most common medical conditions in the area are asthma and mental health issues, impacting 10.3 and 9.5% of residents respectively. 67.6% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 68.1% across Australian Capital Territory. The area has 10.0% of residents aged 65 and over (730 people), which is lower than the 15.3% in Australian Capital Territory. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, requiring more attention than the broader population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Dunlop was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Dunlop had above average cultural diversity, with 21.5% of its population born overseas and 20.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the main religion in Dunlop, comprising 48.8% of people. Islam was overrepresented compared to Australian Capital Territory figures, making up 3.8% versus 3.3%.

In terms of ancestry, Australian (27.9%), English (24.6%), and Other (11.6%) were the top three groups represented in Dunlop's population. Hungarian, Croatian, and Polish ethnic groups showed notable divergences: Hungarian was overrepresented at 0.4% versus regional figures of 0.3%, Croatian at 0.9% versus 0.8%, and Polish also at 0.9% versus 0.8%.

Dunlop's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Dunlop's median age is 37 years, slightly older than the Australian Capital Territory's 35 but aligned with the national average of 38 years. The 45-54 age group constitutes a strong 16.1%, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's percentage. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 10.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 55-64 age group grew from 10.4% to 11.9% of the population, while the 15-24 cohort increased from 13.0% to 14.4%. Meanwhile, the 5-14 cohort declined from 16.9% to 15.2%, and the 25-34 group dropped from 11.8% to 10.4%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes for Dunlop. The 55-64 age cohort is projected to increase by 103 people (12%), from 866 to 970. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 60% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, both the 15-24 and 0-4 age groups are projected to have reduced numbers.