Gowrie (ACT)
Statistical Area - sa2

Gowrie has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

As of August 2025, Gowrie (ACT) has an estimated population of around 3,096 people. This figure represents a decrease of 44 individuals since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 3,140. The change is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 3,096 as of June 2024 and validation of six new addresses post-Census. This results in a population density ratio of approximately 1,604 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Between Census periods, Gowrie experienced a decline of 1.4%, while the broader SA3 area grew by 0.2%. Natural growth contributed about 73.9% to overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered or years post-2032, ACT Government's SA2 area projections using a 2022 base are adopted. By 2041, population projections indicate an overall decline of 284 persons in Gowrie. However, specific age cohorts are expected to grow; notably, the 75 to 84 age group is projected to increase by 55 people over this period.

The level of residential development activity in Gowrie is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Gowrie has averaged approximately two new dwelling approvals annually. Development approval data is produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a financial year basis, with twelve dwellings approved over the past five financial years, from FY20 to FY25. No approvals have been recorded so far in FY26. On average, 1.1 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were recorded over the past five financial years.

However, this figure has increased to 9.0 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting increasing demand and tightening supply. In the current financial year, $595,000 in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating the area's residential nature. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Gowrie records significantly lower building activity, 73.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new dwellings typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Recent development has been entirely comprised of standalone homes, maintaining the area's traditional suburban character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space.

The location has approximately zero people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. Given stable or declining population forecasts, Gowrie may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Gowrie has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence performance. No projects identified by AreaSearch will impact this area. Notable projects are: Light Rail Stage 4 to Tuggeranong (2025), Monaro Highway Safety Upgrades (Q1 2023), Canberra Hospital Master Plan (2026), and Deakin Private Hospital expansion (2024).

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

AreaSearch assessment indicates Gowrie faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Gowrie ACT has an educated workforce with strong representation in essential services. Its unemployment rate was 6.5% as of June 2021.

Over the past year, employment grew by an estimated 0.7%. As of June 2025, 1,590 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 3.1%, higher than the ACT's 3.4%. Workforce participation in Gowrie is 66.5%, below the ACT's 69.6%. Leading industries include public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training.

Construction shows strong specialization with an employment share of 1.4 times the regional level, while professional & technical services are under-represented at 8.5% compared to the ACT's 11.1%. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 0.7% in Gowrie while labour force grew by 1.7%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate of 0.9 percentage points. In contrast, ACT-wide employment rose by 1.9%, with unemployment falling by 0.3%. As of Sep-25, state-level data shows ACT employment contracted by 0.33% (losing 1,480 jobs), with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, compared to the national rate of 4.5%. Job and Skills Australia's forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Gowrie's industry mix suggests local employment could grow by approximately 6.4% over five years and 13.2% over ten years.

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

Gowrie's median taxpayer income is $68,311 and average is $79,768 according to AreaSearch's postcode level ATO data for the financial year 2022. Nationally, this is high compared to ACT's median income of $68,678 and average income of $83,634. As of March 2025, estimated incomes are approximately $75,675 (median) and $88,367 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. In Gowrie, household, family, and personal incomes rank highly nationally, between the 91st and 93rd percentiles according to Census 2021 income data. The predominant income cohort spans 30.6% of locals (947 people) in the $1,500 - $2,999 category, reflecting broader area patterns where 34.3% occupy this range. Gowrie demonstrates affluence with 43.1% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. After housing costs, residents retain 88.2% of income, indicating strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

Dwelling structure in Gowrie, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 99.3% houses and 0.7% other dwellings. In comparison, Australian Capital Territory had 79.6% houses and 20.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Gowrie was 35.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 49.3% and rented dwellings at 15.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,167, compared to Australian Capital Territory's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in Gowrie was $440, higher than Australian Capital Territory's $425. Nationally, Gowrie's median monthly mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,167 compared to the Australian average of $1,863. Rents in Gowrie were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households compose 82.4% of all households, including 38.7% couples with children, 31.0% couples without children, and 12.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 17.6%, with lone person households at 15.5% and group households comprising 2.0%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.6.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 34.8%, which is notably lower than the SA4 region average of 46.8%. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 21.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.6%) and graduate diplomas (4.3%). Vocational credentials are also common, with 32.4% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas account for 12.7% and certificates for 19.7%. Educational participation is high, with 28.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 11.2% in primary education, 6.5% in secondary education, and 4.7% pursuing tertiary education. Gowrie Primary School and Holy Family Primary School serve a total of 855 students in the area, with Gowrie demonstrating above-average socio-educational conditions (ICSEA: 1057). Both schools focus on primary education, while secondary options are available nearby. The area functions as an education hub, offering 27.6 school places per 100 residents, which is significantly higher than the regional average of 14.9%. This attracts students from surrounding communities.

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

Gowrie's public transport analysis shows 25 operational stops within the area, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by eight distinct routes, offering a combined total of 806 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport is deemed excellent, with residents on average being located 165 meters from their nearest transport stop.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 115 trips per day, equating to approximately 32 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Gowrie are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Gowrie's health indicators show below-average outcomes with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 59% of the total population (1,839 people), compared to 57.2% across Australian Capital Territory.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 9.7 and 8.4% of residents respectively. 66.0% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 66.1% across Australian Capital Territory. The area has 18.6% of residents aged 65 and over (576 people), higher than the 17.6% in Australian Capital Territory. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, performing even better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Gowrie's cultural diversity was found to be above average, with 20.8% of its population born overseas and 15.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the main religion in Gowrie, making up 50.5% of people. Notably, Judaism comprised 0.3%, which is higher than the Australian Capital Territory's average of 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups were Australian (27.1%), English (26.7%), and Irish (9.3%). Spanish was overrepresented at 0.8% compared to the regional average of 0.7%, Russian at 0.6% versus 0.3%, and Croatian at 0.9% against 0.8%.

Gowrie's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Gowrie's median age is 38 years, which is higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 35 but equivalent to Australia's median age of 38. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Gowrie has a higher proportion of residents aged 65-74 (11.5%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (11.7%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the population aged 75-84 has grown from 4.3% to 6.0%, while the 35-44 age group increased from 14.5% to 16.0%. Conversely, the 25-34 age group has declined from 13.5% to 11.7%, and the 55-64 age group dropped from 12.2% to 11.0%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Gowrie's age profile. The 75-84 age cohort is projected to grow by 20%, adding 37 residents to reach a total of 223. Residents aged 65 and above will drive 88% of population growth, indicating demographic aging trends. Meanwhile, the 55-64 and 0-4 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.