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

AreaSearch's analysis shows Dunlop's population was around 7,296 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 31 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,265 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 7,296 from the ABS as of June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,021 persons per square kilometer, which is above average national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Dunlop's 0.4% growth since census positions it within 2 percentage points of the SA3 area (2.4%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth was primarily driven by natural growth contributing approximately 69.2% 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, also using 2022 as a base. Projections indicate a decline in overall population by 1,037 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts like the 55 to 64 age group are projected to expand by 152 people over this period.

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

Dunlop has seen virtually no dwelling approvals in recent years. Development approval data produced by the ABS on a financial year basis totals 1 approval across the past five financial years, from FY2020-21 to FY2025-26, with 1 approval so far this financial year. This results in an average of 37 people moving to the area for each dwelling built over these years, indicating that demand significantly outpaces supply and puts upward pressure on prices while increasing competition among buyers. There have been $2.9 million in commercial approvals this financial year, suggesting limited focus on commercial development.

Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Dunlop has significantly less development activity, which typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties but has picked up recently. This scarcity of new homes is below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. Population projections showing stability or decline in Dunlop should reduce housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

With population projections showing stability or decline, Dunlop should see reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

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

No infrastructure changes or major projects have been identified by AreaSearch as likely impacting the area. Key projects include Wallaroo Solar Farm, Parkwood Urban Release, New Northside Hospital, and Deakin Private Hospital. The following details those projects deemed 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 June 2025.

This represents a 1.4% increase in employment over the previous year. As of June 2025, 4,277 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.4% higher than the Australian Capital Territory's (ACT) rate of 3.4%. Workforce participation stood at 74.1%, slightly above ACT's 69.6%. Employment was concentrated in public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training sectors.

Dunlop had a particular employment specialization in construction, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level. Conversely, professional & technical services employed only 8.6% of local workers, below ACT's 11.1%. The predominantly residential area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the Census working population count versus resident population. Between Jun-24 and Jun-25, employment increased by 1.4%, while labour force grew by 1.6%, leading to a 0.2 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. In comparison, ACT saw employment growth of 1.9% and unemployment falling by 0.3 percentage points over the same period. By Sep-25, ACT's employment had contracted by 0.33% (losing 1,480 jobs), with a state unemployment rate of 4.2%, favourable to the national rate of 4.5%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 projected a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Dunlop's employment mix suggested local growth of approximately 6.4% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized 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 indicates that Dunlop has one of the highest incomes in Australia. The median assessed income is $69,014 and the average income stands at $78,012. In contrast, the Australian Capital Territory's figures show a median income of $68,678 and an average income of $83,634. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.78% since financial year 2022, current estimates suggest that as of March 2025 the median income would be approximately $76,454 and the average income around $86,422. According to Census 2021 income data, Dunlop's household, family, and personal incomes rank highly nationally, between the 90th and 91st percentiles. Income analysis shows that the majority of residents, 37.9% (2,765 people), fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly income bracket, aligning with the surrounding region where this cohort represents 34.3%. A substantial number of higher earners, 38.5%, exceed $3,000 weekly, indicating strong purchasing power in the community. Housing expenses account for 14.7% of income, and residents rank within the 90th percentile for disposable income. The area'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

Dwelling structure in Dunlop, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 91.9% houses and 8.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares 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 remaining dwellings either mortgaged (61.4%) or rented (18.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,000, aligning with the Australian Capital Territory average. However, the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $465, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's $430. Nationally, Dunlop's median monthly mortgage repayments are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 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 account for 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, higher 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 at 29.3%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 46.8%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 18.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.8%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 34.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – 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 shows that Dunlop currently has 23 active public transport stops in operation. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 425 weekly passenger trips provided collectively by these routes. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located approximately 229 meters away from the nearest transport stop.

The service frequency averages 60 trips per day across all routes, equating to about 18 weekly trips per individual 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 closely align with national benchmarks.

Common health conditions among its residents are somewhat typical of the general population but higher than the national average for older cohorts. Approximately 59% of Dunlop's total population (4290 people) has private health cover, which is exceptionally high compared to other areas. The most prevalent medical conditions in Dunlop are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 10.3 and 9.5% of residents respectively. Conversely, 67.6% of residents claim to be completely free from medical ailments, slightly lower than the Australian Capital Territory average of 68.1%. As of 2021, Dunlop has 10.0% of its population aged 65 and over (730 people), which is lower than the Australian Capital Territory's average of 15.3%. Health outcomes among seniors in Dunlop require more attention than those for 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's cultural diversity was above average, with 21.5% of its population born overseas and 20.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the dominant religion in Dunlop, comprising 48.8% of the population. Notably, Islam was overrepresented in Dunlop at 3.8%, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's average of 3.3%.

The top three represented ancestry groups were Australian (27.9%), English (24.6%), and Other (11.6%). Some ethnic groups showed notable divergences: Hungarian (0.4% vs regional 0.3%), Croatian (0.9% vs 0.8%), and Polish (0.9% vs 0.8%) were overrepresented in Dunlop.

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 Australia's national average of 38 years. The 45-54 age group constitutes 16.1% of Dunlop's population, higher than that of the Australian Capital Territory, while the 25-34 cohort makes up 10.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 55 to 64 age group has grown from 10.4% to 11.9%, and the 15 to 24 cohort has increased from 13.0% to 14.4%. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort has declined from 16.9% to 15.2%, and the 25-34 group has dropped from 11.8% to 10.4%. By 2041, population forecasts suggest substantial demographic changes in Dunlop. The 55 to 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 expected to see reduced numbers.