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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Forde has an estimated 4,457 residents. That puts 2,321 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Forde is approximately 4,457 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 22 people (0.5%) relative to the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 4,435 people. This shift is deduced from the ABS estimated resident population of 4,457 as of June 2025 alongside address validation processes conducted after the Census date. Such a population size yields a density ratio of 2,321 persons per square kilometer, a figure that exceeds the typical average across national locations evaluated by AreaSearch. The primary driver of population growth for the area was overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 61.9% of the total population gains in recent times.
For each SA2 area, AreaSearch utilizes the projections from ABS/Geoscience Australia published in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. In instances where SA2 areas are omitted from this dataset, or for periods past 2032, age group growth rates from the ACT Government's SA2 area projections (with 2022 as a base) are applied instead. Looking at future demographic trends, projections over this timeframe point to a contraction in the overall population, with the cohort expected to shrink by 38 persons by 2041 under this approach. Conversely, expansion is anticipated within particular age brackets, led by the 55 to 64 age group, which is forecast to increase by 118 people. Refer to the age section for additional details.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential approvals in Forde have been almost non-existent in recent times, with a total of 4 homes approved throughout the last 5 financial years (spanning FY-21 to FY-25) and 0 thus far in FY-26. Amidst a shrinking population over recent years, development activity has remained sufficient in relative terms, presenting a positive scenario for purchasers, while new dwellings are built at an average value of $398,000, indicating that developers are targeting the premium segment with high-end projects. Furthermore, $2.8 million in commercial approvals have been logged in the current financial year, highlighting the residential focus of the locality.
Forde exhibits far less construction activity when contrasted with Australian Capital Territory. This limited volume of new housing supply generally bolsters demand and prices for existing properties, even though building activity has seen a rise in recent periods. This level of activity is also lower than the national standard, indicating market maturity and pointing toward potential developmental constraints. Forde may experience reduced housing pressure in light of stable or shrinking population projections, which creates beneficial circumstances for purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Forde
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 78 current infrastructure and development projects close to Forde, worth an estimated $5.32 billion. 11 are already under construction and 24 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation and education & training. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, planning choices, and major developments can significantly guide an area's trajectory. A total of 8 projects have been identified by AreaSearch as having potential impacts locally. Key initiatives include the Gungahlin Tennis Facility (Amaroo Tennis Centre), Amaroo Village Development - Block 9 Section 111, Moncrieff East Residential Estate, and the Gungahlin Community Centre, with details provided below for those of greatest relevance.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Gungahlin Tennis Facility (Amaroo Tennis Centre)
New regional tennis hub featuring 10 full-size ITF standard courts, 2 Hot Shots courts for junior development, a hitting wall, pavilion with female-friendly change rooms, LED lighting for night play, accessible pathways, and a 33-vehicle carpark. The facility supports diverse programs including Hot Shots, cardio tennis, school programs, and competitive leagues for all ages and abilities. Joint funding of $9.934 million from the ACT Government and $400,000 from Tennis ACT and Tennis Australia. Construction commenced September 2025 by Complex Co.Tennis ACT and affiliated clubs will operate and maintain the facility.
Moncrieff East Residential Estate
Large greenfield residential release delivering over 850 dwellings, new local parks, and community facilities. The Moncrieff East Estate development plan aims for approximately 1250 dwellings, public open space, and includes master planning and detailed design for a subdivision in the eastern part of Moncrieff. Civil works contracts have been awarded to Group 1 and Canberra Contractors.
Amaroo Village Development - Block 9 Section 111
DA approved 3-storey development comprising 8 residential units on upper floors with 2 including ground floor multi-purpose space and undercroft parking. 580sqm site zoned CZ2 Business Zone adjacent to Amaroo Village Precinct.
Gungahlin Community Centre
A new 25 million AUD multipurpose facility designed to serve the growing Gungahlin community. The two-storey center includes a youth hub, art workshops, a large community hall for dance and judo, and a commercial-grade kitchen. It features secure outdoor green spaces centered around a preserved 100-year-old Blakelys Redgum tree, alongside public parking and end-of-trip facilities for commuters.
Gungahlin Town Centre Improvements
A comprehensive urban renewal program by the ACT Government to enhance the Gungahlin Town Centre. Key components include a major active travel project with 13 new community paths to improve walking and cycling connections, significant intersection safety upgrades at Hinder Street and Anthony Rolfe Avenue, and the Gungahlin Town Centre East Design and Place Framework for a new urban village.
Franklin Residential Development
New residential development in Franklin offering mixed housing typologies including apartments, townhouses and detached homes. Planned community with parks, walking trails and local retail amenities.
Olea Gungahlin Townhouses
Approved medium-density project branded Olea by Dish Developments. Original DA 202038102 approved on 5 Jul 2021 for 99 dwellings (70 townhouses, 29 units), later amended in Dec 2021 to a total of 109 dwellings with a single level basement (approx. 189 car spaces). Site fronts Camilleri Way and Kate Crace Street near Gungahlin Marketplace and the light rail, with outlook to Mulanggari Grasslands Nature Reserve.
Franklin Community Centre
Multi-purpose community centre with meeting rooms, library branch, childcare facilities and programs for seniors and youth.
2,707 residents of Forde are employed, from a labour force of 2,764. Unemployment sits at 2.1%, with participation at 80.3%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 3,262, about 73% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Forde is characterized by a highly educated labor force, showing robust representation in professional services, an unemployment rate of only 2.1%, and an estimated job growth rate of 0.9% over the past year. As of March 2026, 2,707 local residents are employed, with the unemployment rate sitting 2.0% lower than the Australian Capital Territory rate of 4.1%, and workforce participation far exceeding typical levels (80.3% relative to 70.8% in Australian Capital Territory). Census responses indicate a moderate 14.0% of residents worked from home, although the influence of Covid-19 lockdowns should be kept in mind.
The primary employment sectors for local residents consist of public administration & safety, professional & technical, and education & training. By contrast, health care & social assistance is under-represented, employing only 8.4% of the workforce in Forde compared to 11.7% across Australian Capital Territory. This predominantly residential locality appears to provide sparse employment options within its boundaries, as shown by comparing the Census working population against the resident population. Based on AreaSearch's evaluation of SALM and ABS data, the year leading to March 2026 saw employment levels rise by 0.9% and the labor force expand by 1.1%, leading to an increase in unemployment of 0.2 percentage points. This differs from Australian Capital Territory, where employment grew by 0.3%, the labor force expanded by 1.1%, and unemployment increased by 0.7 percentage points. National employment projections from May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia can provide additional context regarding future demand trends within Forde. These forecasts, which span five and ten-year intervals, have been mapped against the local employment profile to project growth configurations. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary considerably across different industry groups. Applying these sector-specific forecasts to the employment distribution of Forde indicates that local employment is projected to rise by 6.3% over five years and 12.9% over ten years (note that this is a basic weighted extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not incorporate localized population forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Forde is $3,553 a week (about $185,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,548 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $90,368 a year against an average of $102,483. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
The Forde SA2 exhibits a median taxpayer income of $90,368 alongside an average of $102,483, according to the most recent postcode level ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This ranks within the top percentile nationwide, differing from the median income of $72,206 and average income of $85,981 in Australian Capital Territory. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since financial year 2023, current estimates stand at approximately $99,802 (median) and $113,182 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census reveals that household, family, and personal incomes in Forde all place in the upper echelon nationally, between the 98th and 99th percentiles.
Distribution patterns show the largest cohort consists of 41.7% of residents (1,858 people) in the $4000+ bracket, contrasting with the wider region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket is most common at 34.3%. The suburb displays significant wealth, with 61.6% of households earning more than $3,000 weekly, which helps sustain premium retail and service businesses. Housing costs consume 13.6% of income, and strong earnings place residents in the 99th percentile for disposable income, while the SEIFA income index ranks the locality in the 10th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Forde had 1,373 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 85% detached houses and 2% apartments. 60% are owned with a mortgage, 23% rented and 16% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $590 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,481 a month, a total housing cost higher than 97% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 16.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 16.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the most recent Census, the distribution of dwelling types in Forde consisted of 84.9% houses and 15.1% other options (such as semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative dwellings), compared to 63.3% houses and 36.7% other options in Australian Capital Territory. Concurrently, the home ownership rate in Forde was below the level in Australian Capital Territory at 16.4%, with the remaining properties being held with a mortgage (60.2%) or occupied by tenants (23.3%). The median monthly mortgage payment locally was substantially higher than the Australian Capital Territory median at $2,481, while the median weekly rent stood at $590, compared to regional figures of $2,080 and $450 respectively.
On a national level, Forde's mortgage payments are notably higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are also considerably above the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Forde counted 1,373 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 3.2 people each. 56% are couples with children, more than in 98% of areas nationally, against 21% couples without children. 11% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.4 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute the vast majority of households at 87.0%, which is made up of 56.3% couples with offspring, 20.9% couples without offspring, and 8.9% single parent households. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 13.0%, with single-person households at 11.2% and group living situations representing 1.9% of the total. The median household size of 3.2 individuals is larger than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
51.2% of adults in Forde hold a university qualification, including 28.1% with a bachelor degree and 18.0% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 82% of areas nationally. A further 12.1% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational accomplishments in Forde are substantially higher than broader standards, with 51.2% of residents aged 15+ holding a tertiary degree, compared to 30.4% in Australia. This notable educational lead positions the community well for knowledge-driven sectors. Bachelor degrees represent the largest share at 28.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees (18.0%) and graduate diplomas (5.1%). Vocational pathways account for 22.8% of qualifications for those aged 15+ – consisting of advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (12.1%). Enrolment in education is remarkably high, with 37.4% of residents currently participating in formal study. This comprises 14.5% in primary schools, 10.6% in secondary schools, and 6.1% enrolled in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Forde reaches 20 stops on 38 routes, timetabled for about 2,200 services a week. The typical home sits about 190 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.8 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
An evaluation of public transport options shows 20 active transit stops in Forde, consisting of various bus options. These stops are connected to 38 separate routes, which combine to support 2,187 passenger trips each week. Transport accessibility is classified as excellent, with residents living an average of 185 meters from the closest stop. Given the suburb's residential nature, most working residents travel outward, and private vehicles remain the primary commuting choice at 91%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.8 cars per household, which is higher than the regional average. Around 14.0% of the population worked from home (2021 Census; potentially reflecting COVID-19 circumstances).
Daily services average 312 trips across all transit routes, which translates to approximately 109 weekly departures per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
77.0% of residents in Forde report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 77% of areas nationally. 2.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 72.3% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
An assessment of health indicators demonstrates positive outcomes throughout Forde, according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality data and the occurrence of chronic conditions, with low rates of common health conditions observed across both younger and older cohorts, and private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high at roughly 72% of the population (3,222 people). This compares to 62.4% across Australian Capital Territory. The national average stands at 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions in the locality were asthma and mental health concerns, affecting 8.0 and 6.7% of residents, respectively, while 77.0% of the population reported no chronic medical issues compared to 70.2% across Australian Capital Territory.
Working-age individuals are particularly healthy, showing a low occurrence of chronic conditions. The suburb has 8.2% of residents aged 65 and over (363 people), which is lower than the 14.3% average in Australian Capital Territory. Senior health outcomes are above average, with national standings generally matching the trends of the broader local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
31.9% of Forde residents were born overseas and 31.8% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (22.8%) and English (20.3%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Forde displays greater cultural diversity than most local markets, with 31.9% of its residents born outside of Australia and 31.8% using a non-English language at home. The predominant religious affiliation in Forde is Christianity, representing 48.8% of the community. However, the most notable overrepresentation is found in Hinduism, which accounts for 7.6% of the population, compared to 4.8% across Australian Capital Territory. Regarding parental country of birth, the top three ancestries represented in Forde are Australian at 22.8%, English at 20.3%, and Other at 11.9%. Furthermore, there are distinct differences in the concentration of other ethnic backgrounds: Croatian is notably overrepresented at 2.2% of Forde (vs 0.9% regionally), Spanish at 0.8% (vs 0.5%) and Indian at 5.9% (vs 3.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Forde is 36, younger than 79% of areas nationally. That is 1 year older than at the 2021 Census. 23.7% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Forde's median age of 36 years is closely aligned with the Australian Capital Territory median of 35, while being slightly younger than the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Australian Capital Territory, Forde displays a higher proportion of residents in the 45 - 54 range (18.2%) but fewer individuals aged 25 - 34 (9.9%). This concentration of 45 - 54 year-olds is well above the national figure of 12.0%. Since the 2021 Census, the average age of residents has increased by 1.4 years, with the median climbing from 35 to 36.
In particular, the 55 to 64 age bracket has risen from 7.1% to 9.6% of the population, and the 75 to 84 group increased from 1.3% to 2.6%. In contrast, the 35 to 44 cohort has decreased from 20.3% to 17.6% and the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 19.5% to 17.3%. Population projections for 2041 suggest notable demographic shifts for Forde. The 55 to 64 group is projected to see the most significant expansion at 22%, adding 93 residents to total 522. The demographic trend toward an older population is apparent, with individuals aged 65+ accounting for 55% of the projected growth. Conversely, the 0 to 4 and 25 to 34 cohorts are forecast to experience population contractions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Forde
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (4,435 at the 2021 Census → 4,457 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (801041038). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.