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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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Gowrie (ACT) has an estimated 3,100 residents, down from 3,140 at the 2021 Census — a change of 40 people, or 1.3%. That puts 1,606 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 Gowrie is estimated at 3,100 as of May 2026. This represents a decline of 40 residents (1.3%) compared to the 3,140 people recorded in the 2021 Census. The change is calculated using ABS estimated resident population figures from June 2025 alongside 7 validated new addresses registered post-Census. The population density stands at 1,606 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical level across national locations evaluated by AreaSearch. In contrast to the 1.3% reduction in Gowrie since the Census, the wider SA3 region grew by 1.4%, showing opposing demographic patterns.
Natural increase was the main driver of local growth, representing roughly 65.9% of overall population gains in recent times. AreaSearch incorporates projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia for each SA2 locality, published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. For SA2 regions lacking this dataset, and for projections beyond 2032, growth rates by age group from ACT Government SA2 projections with a 2022 baseline are applied. Looking ahead, this methodology projects a population decrease, with a reduction of 266 persons by 2041. Conversely, growth is predicted within certain age brackets, particularly the 75 to 84 cohort, which is expected to rise by 39 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Gowrie averages approximately 2 residential building approvals annually, with a total of 10 dwellings approved over the last 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 0 approvals have been logged. With the population declining recently, housing supply has kept pace with demand to maintain a balanced market with options for buyers, while new builds average a construction value of $464,000, suggesting developers are concentrating on the upper end of the market with premium residences. Furthermore, commercial approvals total $595,000 for this financial year, showing very low levels of commercial construction.
In comparison to the wider Australian Capital Territory, Gowrie exhibits very low levels of development (73.0% below the regional per capita average). This constrained supply typically helps maintain demand and property values for existing homes. Building activity is also below the national average, reflecting the established status of the suburb and potentially pointing to planning restrictions. Additionally, recent construction has consisted entirely of detached houses, maintaining the suburban character of the area which appeals to buyers seeking space. With population projections remaining flat or declining, Gowrie is likely to experience minimal pressure on housing, which should benefit buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Gowrie (ACT)
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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 18 current infrastructure and development projects close to Gowrie (ACT), worth an estimated $2.46 billion. 1 are already under construction and 4 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and sports & recreation. 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 development initiatives are major factors in local property markets. AreaSearch has tracked 3 projects that could affect the immediate area. Key developments include the Wanniassa Hills Primary School Modernisation, Erindale Group Centre Master Plan Implementation - Stage 1, The Valley Ponds - Wanniassa, and Canberra Light Rail Stage 4 - Woden to Tuggeranong, with details below on those most likely to impact the suburb.
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
Wanniassa Hills Primary School Modernisation
ACT Government modernisation project at Wanniassa Hills Primary School delivering a preschool upgrade and replacement of existing gas boilers with fully electric heat pumps to improve energy efficiency, thermal comfort and learning environments. The works build on the school's earlier major modernisation program including new learning communities, administration refurbishment, hall improvements and expanded parking. Electrical supply upgrade works were tendered in 2025 to support the new HVAC system.
Erindale Group Centre Master Plan Implementation - Stage 1
A long-term revitalisation of the Erindale Group Centre focused on transforming public spaces, improving pedestrian and active travel links, and upgrading community infrastructure. The 2025-26 ACT Budget specifically funded the Erindale shops upgrade, with concept designs for public space improvements, including new lighting, paving, and furniture, expected for community feedback in 2026. The broader master plan facilitates future mixed-use development and roughly 800 new dwellings to support Tuggeranong growth.
Canberra Light Rail Stage 4 - Woden to Tuggeranong
Proposed southern extension of the Canberra light rail network connecting Woden Town Centre to Tuggeranong Town Centre via the Athllon Drive corridor. Recent 2026 updates indicate the ACT Government is developing a transit-oriented development (ToD) plan for the Athllon Drive corridor, with conceptual integrated bus and light rail network options for Canberra South expected by June 2026. The project remains part of the long-term City-wide Light Rail Network plan to support a population of 500,000.
The Valley Ponds - Wanniassa
Proposed medium-density residential estate of approximately 120-150 townhouses and apartments on former open space land between Wanniassa Hills and the Erindale Centre, part of the broader Indicative Land Release Program.
Empire Global Mixed-Use Development
Major mixed-use development comprising 299 residential apartments, 6 serviced apartments, and 1 commercial unit across two buildings up to 8 storeys. Includes three basement parking levels with 371 car spaces. The project was initially refused due to solar access concerns, but the developer plans to resubmit with amendments addressing planning authority concerns.
Southquay Greenway Stage 2 - Block 1 Section 80 Public Housing
Public housing development on Block 1 Section 80 in the Southquay Greenway precinct on Lake Tuggeranong, proposing 30 Class C adaptable units (12 x two-bedroom, 17 x three-bedroom, and 1 x four-bedroom) aligning with the ACT Planning Strategy for compact, efficient, and accessible developments.
Calwell Retirement Living Precinct
A retirement living precinct proposal by KBDC, featuring 30 one-storey townhouses alongside the Calwell shopping strip.
Wanniassa Playing Fields Irrigation & Lighting Upgrade
Installation of automated irrigation system and sports field lighting at Wanniassa District Playing Fields to support increased usage, night use, and drought resilience.
1,541 residents of Gowrie (ACT) are employed, from a labour force of 1,656. Unemployment sits at 6.9%, with participation at 68.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,426, about 78% 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 workforce in Gowrie is highly educated with significant representation in essential service sectors, an unemployment rate of 6.9%, and steady employment levels over the last year. As of March 2026, 1,541 residents are employed, with the local unemployment rate sitting 2.9% higher than the Australian Capital Territory rate of 4.1%, and the participation rate is slightly below average (68.2% versus 70.8% across the Australian Capital Territory). Census data indicates that a low proportion of residents (10.8%) worked from home, though this may have been influenced by COVID-19 restrictions. The primary sectors employing local residents are public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training.
The suburb has a notable concentration of employment in construction, at 1.4 times the regional proportion. Conversely, professional & technical roles are under-represented, accounting for 8.5% of the local workforce compared to 11.1% across the Australian Capital Territory. This mainly residential suburb seems to provide few jobs within its borders, based on the difference between the Census working population and resident population figures. Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics, employment rose by 0.5% and the labour force expanded by 1.2% over the 12-month period, leading to a 0.7 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, the Australian Capital Territory recorded employment growth of 0.3% and labour force expansion of 1.1%, resulting in a 0.7 percentage point rise. Employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia starting May-25 offer additional context on future demand trends in Gowrie. These five and ten-year projections are matched to local employment patterns to project future growth. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary by sector. Applying these sectoral growth rates to Gowrie's industry mix suggests local employment could grow by 6.4% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, assuming a basic weighted calculation that excludes local population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Gowrie (ACT) is $2,674 a week (about $139,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,207 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $70,885 a year against an average of $82,507. 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 median taxpayer income in the Gowrie SA2 is $70,885 and the average is $82,507, based on the latest postcode-level ATO statistics aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. These figures are high on a national scale, compared to a median of $72,206 and an average of $85,981 across the Australian Capital Territory. Adjusting for Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since financial year 2023, current estimates correspond to a median of $78,285 and an average of $91,121 as of March 2026. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes in Gowrie rank in the 91st to 93rd percentiles nationally.
Income distribution shows the largest group, representing 30.6% of residents (948 people), falls into the $1,500 - 2,999 range, mirroring the wider regional trend of 34.3% in this bracket. Local affluence is indicated by the 43.1% of households earning weekly incomes above $3,000, which supports consumer demand. After mortgage and rent expenses, households keep 88.2% of their income, showing strong disposable funds, and the area ranks in the 8th decile on the SEIFA index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Gowrie (ACT) had 1,106 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 99% detached houses and 0% apartments. 49% are owned with a mortgage, 16% rented and 35% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $440 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,167 a month. Rent absorbs 16.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 18.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, housing types in Gowrie consisted of 99.3% separate houses and 0.7% other dwellings like semi-detached properties and apartments, compared to 63.3% separate houses and 36.7% other dwellings in the Australian Capital Territory. Home ownership in Gowrie was high at 35.2%, with remaining households holding a mortgage (49.3%) or renting (15.5%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $2,167, which is above the Australian Capital Territory median of $2,080, while the median weekly rent was $440, compared to $450 across the territory. Nationally, mortgage payments in Gowrie are well above the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are higher than the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Gowrie (ACT) counted 1,106 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.8 people each. 39% are couples with children, more than in 76% of areas nationally, against 31% couples without children. 16% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 82.4%, consisting of couples with children (38.7%), couples without children (31.0%), and single parent households (12.2%). Non-family households account for 17.6%, with single person dwellings representing 15.5% and group share houses representing 2.0%. The median household size of 2.8 persons is larger than the Australian Capital Territory median of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
34.8% of adults in Gowrie (ACT) hold a university qualification, including 21.9% with a bachelor degree and 8.6% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 80% of areas nationally. A further 19.7% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 855 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,057 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment in the area shows a lower proportion of university qualifications (34.8%) compared to the SA4 region average of 46.8%, indicating potential for targeted learning programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 21.9%, with postgraduate degrees at 8.6% and graduate diplomas at 4.3%. Vocational and technical qualifications are common, with 32.4% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications such as advanced diplomas (12.7%) and certificates (19.7%). Student numbers are high, with 28.8% of the population enrolled in an educational institution, including 11.2% in primary schools, 6.5% in high schools, and 4.7% in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Gowrie (ACT) reaches 24 stops on 64 routes, timetabled for about 3,900 services a week. The typical home sits about 170 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
Analysis of transit options shows 24 active public transport stops in Gowrie, comprising bus services. These stops support 64 distinct routes, delivering a total of 3,868 passenger trips per week. Transport access is rated as excellent, with average walk distances to the nearest stop at 166 meters. The suburb is primarily residential, and most workers commute out, with private vehicles being the primary mode at 91% and bus transit at 5%. Households own an average of 1.8 vehicles, which is above the territory average. Working from home was recorded at 10.8% during the 2021 Census, which may have been affected by pandemic restrictions.
Transit routes average 552 daily trips in total, representing about 161 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
66.0% of residents in Gowrie (ACT) report no long-term health condition. 4.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 60.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health outcomes in Gowrie are above average based on AreaSearch analysis of mortality and chronic conditions, showing low rates of illness among both younger and older cohorts, while private health insurance coverage is high at 61% of the population (1,884 people) compared to a national average of 55.7%. The most frequent health conditions reported were mental health conditions and asthma, affecting 9.7 and 8.4% of residents respectively, while 66.0% reported no chronic medical conditions compared to 70.2% across the Australian Capital Territory. Working-age residents have a higher than average rate of chronic illnesses.
People aged 65 and over account for 19.5% of the population (603 people), which is higher than the 14.3% share across the Australian Capital Territory. Senior citizens exhibit above-average health profiles, with national rankings matching those of the broader community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Gowrie (ACT) is largely Australian-born, at 79.2% of residents, with 15.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (27.1%) and English (26.7%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Gowrie has a relatively high level of cultural diversity, with 20.8% of residents born outside Australia and 15.4% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the main religious affiliation, representing 50.5% of the population. The most distinct religious overrepresentation is Judaism, which accounts for 0.3% of residents compared to 0.2% across the Australian Capital Territory. Regarding parental birthplaces, the most common ancestries in Gowrie are Australian at 27.1%, English at 26.7%, and Irish at 9.3%. There are also differences in specific ethnic representations, such as Spanish ancestry at 0.8% of the population (compared to 0.5% across the region), Russian at 0.6% (compared to 0.3%), and Croatian at 0.9% (matching the regional average of 0.9%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Gowrie (ACT) is 38. 21.4% 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
Gowrie has a median age of 38 years, which is older than the Australian Capital Territory median of 35 years and identical to the national median of 38. Compared to the wider territory, Gowrie has a higher proportion of residents in the 65 - 74 age group (11.4%) but a lower share of 25 - 34 year-olds (11.3%). Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort grew from 4.3% to 6.7% of the population, and the 35 to 44 age group increased from 14.5% to 16.3%. Meanwhile, the 25 - 34 group fell from 13.5% to 11.3%, and the 55 - 64 bracket declined from 12.2% to 10.5%.
Projections suggest the local age profile will change by 2041, with the 85+ cohort growing fastest at 91% by adding 37 residents to reach 78. Residents aged 65+ are expected to account for 89% of population growth, highlighting demographic aging, whereas the 55 to 64 and 0 to 4 groups are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Gowrie (ACT)
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 — 7 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,140 at the 2021 Census → 3,100 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 (801071079). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.