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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.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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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 AreaSearch, the population of Forde stands at approximately 4,457 as of Aug 2026. This represents a gain of 22 people (0.5%) relative to the 4,435 people recorded in the 2021 Census. Such movement is calculated using ABS estimated resident population figures of 4,457 from June 2025 alongside post-Census address validation. The current head count generates a population density of 2,321 persons per square kilometer, placing it above the national benchmark evaluated by AreaSearch. Inbound international migration served as the core catalyst for demographic expansion, making up around 61.9% of total recent population additions.
Projections generated by ABS/Geoscience Australia (issued in 2024 using 2022 as baseline) are utilised by AreaSearch across SA2 locations, supplemented by ACT Government SA2 cohort growth projections (also 2022-based) for non-covered territories or years following 2032. Under this forecasting approach, the overall population is projected to contract over the projection timeframe, shrinking by 39 persons by 2041. Even with this top-line reduction, particular demographic segments are set to expand, most notably the 55 to 64 age bracket, which is slated to add 115 people. Additional details appear in the age breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential construction has stayed very quiet in Forde, with only 2 approvals registered during a five-year stretch. Such figures reflect a fully established neighbourhood with scarce vacant parcels for building. In terms of the local property market, this constrained pipeline of fresh builds tends to reinforce dwelling values, focusing prospective buyer demand mostly toward existing properties. Building volume in Forde trails the broader Australian Capital Territory by a substantial margin. This restricted flow of additions commonly bolsters value and buyer interest in established homes. Construction activity also sits under national benchmarks, highlighting planning limitations alongside the suburb's established footprint.
With projections pointing toward a flat or shrinking local headcount, Forde could face reduced pressure on housing, presenting advantageous market conditions for purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Forde
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
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. 10 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
Infrastructure upgrades, major planning undertakings, and regional works significantly shape local development trajectory. AreaSearch has pinpointed 8 projects with relevance to the surrounding district. Notable developments include the Amaroo Village Development - Block 9 Section 111, Moncrieff East Residential Estate, Gungahlin Tennis Facility (Amaroo Tennis Centre), and Gungahlin Community Centre, alongside further initiatives listed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
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 Cycleway Extension
Extension of existing cycleway network connecting Franklin to Gungahlin Town Centre and surrounding suburbs with dedicated bike lanes and pedestrian paths.
2,707 residents of Forde are employed, from a labour force of 2,764. Unemployment sits at 2.1%, with participation at 79.8%. 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
The local labour force is exceptionally qualified, featuring notable concentration in professional services, a minimal jobless rate of 2.1%, and an estimated 0.9% gain in local employment throughout the previous twelve months. As of March 2026, employed residents total 2,707, while unemployment sits 2.0% under the Australian Capital Territory benchmark of 4.1%. Workforce engagement is also elevated, recording 79.8% against 70.6% across the Australian Capital Territory. Furthermore, Census data revealed that 14.0% of workers performed their duties from home, though pandemic containment measures may have shaped these returns. Resident workers are primarily concentrated across education & training, professional & technical, and public administration & safety.
Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for a smaller share at 8.4% compared with the 11.7% territory-wide benchmark. Comparing resident numbers against the Census working population indicates that this largely residential setting provides relatively few jobs internally. According to AreaSearch evaluations of ABS and SALM releases, over the twelve months to March 2026, the local workforce increased by 1.1% while employment expanded by 0.9%, resulting in a 0.2 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate. By contrast, the Australian Capital Territory recorded a 0.3% increase in employment, a 1.1% lift in the labour force, and a 0.7 percentage point increase in joblessness. Broader industry hiring patterns can be evaluated using national outlook data from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26. Projected across five and ten-year intervals, these national figures point to overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, although trajectories vary considerably by sector. Weighting these projections against Forde's local occupational structure suggests potential employment gains of 6.3% over five years and 12.9% over ten years (note that this basic weighting exercise is illustrative and excludes local demographic forecasting).
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
Tax statistics released by the ATO at postcode resolution for financial year 2023 show Forde SA2 taxpayers registering a median income of $90,368 and an average of $102,483. These figures stand far above nationwide benchmarks, exceeding the Australian Capital Territory median of $72,206 and average of $85,981. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since financial year 2023 brings estimated earnings to roughly $99,802 (median) and $113,182 (average) by March 2026. Across personal, family, and household levels in the 2021 Census, local earnings place between the 98th and 99th percentiles nationwide.
The distribution is heavily weighted toward high earners, with the $4000+ weekly bracket capturing 41.7% of residents (1,858 individuals), in contrast to wider regional norms where $1,500 - 2,999 is most common at 34.3%. Overall, 61.6% make upwards of $3,000 weekly, underscoring substantial spending power. Housing costs absorb 13.6% of income, disposable earnings rank in the 99th percentile, and the suburb sits in the 10th decile on the SEIFA income scale.
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
Census records show that separate houses formed 84.9% of the local dwelling stock, with alternative formats (such as apartments, semi-detached houses, and other structures) comprising 15.1%, compared to 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings across the Australian Capital Territory. Outright ownership was comparatively low at 16.4%, while properties under a mortgage made up 60.2% and rental accommodations accounted for 23.3%. Mortgage costs were elevated, with monthly median payments reaching $2,481 against the territory benchmark of $2,080, and weekly median rent stood at $590 versus $450 territory-wide. Across the country, Forde's mortgage servicing costs outstrip the national median of $1,863, and typical rent levels substantially exceed the Australia-wide figure 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
Families constitute 87.0% of households in the area, dominated by couples with children (56.3%), followed by couples without children (20.9%) and single parent arrangements (8.9%). Non-family living situations make up 13.0% of homes, including single-person households at 11.2% and group living at 1.9%. The area's median household size of 3.2 people exceeds 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
Tertiary attainment across Forde tracks substantially above national levels, with 51.2% of persons aged 15+ possessing higher education qualifications compared with 30.4% across Australia, creating an excellent foundation for knowledge-intensive sectors. Bachelor degrees represent the largest share at 28.1%, accompanied by postgraduate qualifications at 18.0% and graduate diplomas at 5.1%. Vocational qualifications account for 22.8% of individuals aged 15+, consisting of 12.1% in certificates and 10.7% in advanced diplomas. Active learning participation is pronounced, with 37.4% of the population attending an educational institution. This includes 14.5% in primary schooling, 10.6% in secondary studies, and 6.1% enrolled in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Forde reaches 19 stops on 37 routes, timetabled for about 2,000 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
Public transport connectivity in Forde is supported by 19 active stops served by buses across 37 separate routes, combining to deliver 1,974 weekly passenger trips. Access to public transit is exceptional, with locals residing an average of 186 meters from their closest boarding point. Because the locality is primarily residential, outbound commuting prevails, with private vehicles accounting for 91% of travel journeys. Household vehicle ownership stands at 1.8 per dwelling, higher than the territory average. In addition, 14.0% of workers performed their roles from home according to the 2021 Census, which coincided with pandemic restrictions.
Transit services run at an average rate of 282 trips per day across all network routes, delivering approximately 103 trips per week at each individual 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
Community health indicators in Forde are strong, with low incidence rates for common long-term conditions and favorable mortality metrics across both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is remarkably high, encompassing approximately 72% of the local populace (3,222 people), which outpaces the Australian Capital Territory level of 62.4% and the national figure of 55.7%. Asthma and mental health issues represent the primary chronic diagnoses in the locality, reported by 8.0% and 6.7% of the community respectively. Meanwhile, 77.0% of locals noted no chronic illnesses, surpassing the 70.2% mark across the Australian Capital Territory.
Working-age cohorts display strong vitality with minimal chronic health conditions. Seniors aged 65 and over comprise 7.9% of residents (353 people), notably below the 14.2% proportion across the territory, with older citizens demonstrating solid wellness and national metrics consistent with wider averages.
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
Cultural background indicators show higher diversity in Forde than in most comparable areas, with 31.9% of residents born abroad and 31.8% utilising a non-English language at home. Christianity forms the largest faith group at 48.8% of locals. Additionally, Hinduism is prominently represented, accounting for 7.6% of the population compared with 4.8% across the Australian Capital Territory. Looking at parental heritage, the most prominent reported ancestries across Forde include Australian at 22.8%, English at 20.3%, and Other at 11.9%. Distinct variations also appear across other cultural heritages, with Indian ancestry representing 5.9% (versus 3.3% across the region), Croatian comprising 2.2% (versus 0.9%), and Spanish accounting for 0.8% (versus 0.5%).
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. 24.6% 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 demographic profile balances a substantial youth base with middle-aged family cohorts. Residents aged 45 - 64 make up 27.7% of the populace as at August 2026, compared to 21.5% across the Australian Capital Territory, whereas seniors aged 65+ account for 7.9% locally versus 14.2% across the territory. As at August 2026, median age is estimated at 36, up from 35 at the 2021 Census and 1 year older than the territory-wide median of 35 recorded in that Census. The most noticeable cohort shift since the Census occurred among the 25 - 44 demographic, falling from 30.9% to an estimated 27.1%.
Concurrently, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 19.5% to an estimated 17.4%, whereas the 15 to 24 group rose from 12.5% to 15.0%, illustrating an existing populace maturing without incoming replacement by younger families. Looking toward 2041, senior demographics are anticipated to capture the bulk of growth, rising by 152 residents (43%) to 505, while cohorts of children, youths, and young to middle-aged adults contract.
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 Sep 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) | Aug 2026 last month 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 4 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 6 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 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago 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 Aug 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 Aug 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.