Holt
Statistical Area - sa2

Holt lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Holt's population was approximately 5,984 as of August 2025. This represented an increase of 356 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,628. The growth was inferred from ABS estimates and validated new addresses between June 2024 and the Census date. Holt's population density was around 1,813 persons per square kilometer in 2025. This exceeded the national average assessed by AreaSearch. Holt's population growth of 6.3% since the 2021 census surpassed both its SA3 area (2.4%) and the state level.

Interstate migration contributed approximately 37.8% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers being positive factors. AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, ACT Government's SA2 area projections were used, also based on 2022. Future population trends projected an above median growth for the area, with an expected increase of 1,398 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 23.3% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Holt recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Holt receives approximately 68 dwelling approvals annually. The ABS reports 344 dwelling approvals across the past five financial years, from FY20 to FY25, with none recorded yet in FY26. On average, each new home built attracts 8.1 new residents per year over these five years. This significant demand outpaces supply, typically driving up prices and increasing competition among buyers.

The average construction cost of new dwellings is $327,000. In FY26, commercial approvals total $492,000, indicating minimal commercial development activity. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Holt has around three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks in the 28th percentile nationally for areas assessed, offering limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing properties.

Recent construction comprises 60% detached dwellings and 40% townhouses or apartments, providing options across different price points. Holt has around 618 people per approval, indicating a mature, established area. By 2041, Holt is projected to grow by 1,394 residents. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Holt has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 21stth percentile nationally

No infrastructure changes are currently planned for this area.

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

AreaSearch analysis reveals Holt recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Holt has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 5.8% as of the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 3.4%.

As of June 2025, there are 3,113 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.4% higher than the Australian Capital Territory's (ACT) rate of 3.4%. Workforce participation is lower at 66.3%, compared to ACT's 69.6%. Employment is concentrated in public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training sectors. Holt specializes in construction, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.

Conversely, public administration & safety has lower representation at 26.6%, compared to the regional average of 30.4%. Local employment opportunities appear limited based on Census data comparison. Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 3.4% while labour force grew by 1.6%, reducing unemployment by 1.6 percentage points. In contrast, ACT had employment growth of 1.9%, with unemployment falling by 0.3%. State-level data from Sep-25 shows ACT employment contracted by 0.33%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, compared to the national rate of 4.5% and national employment growth of 0.26%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local growth rates may differ based on industry-specific projections applied to Holt's employment mix, suggesting potential growth of approximately 6.5%% over five years and 13.3% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

Holt shows a median taxpayer income of $61,092 and an average of $69,056 according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2022. This is higher than the national average, contrasting with the Australian Capital Territory's median income of $68,678 and average income of $83,634. Based on a Wage Price Index growth rate of 10.78% from financial year 2022 to March 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $67,678 (median) and $76,500 (average). Census data shows individual earnings at the 82nd percentile nationally are $1,041 weekly. The income band of $1,500 - 2,999 captures 34.7% of the community, comprising 2,076 individuals, consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing 34.3% in the same category. High housing costs consume 15.6% of income, yet strong earnings place disposable income at the 65th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Holt displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

As evaluated in the latest Census, Holt's dwelling structure comprised 59.3% houses and 40.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Australian Capital Territory's 69.4% houses and 30.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Holt was at 27.9%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (44.3%) or rented (27.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Holt was $1,950, below the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,000. The median weekly rent figure for Holt was recorded at $396, compared to Australian Capital Territory's $430. Nationally, Holt's mortgage repayments are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceed the national figure of $375.

Holt features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 65.2% of all households, including 27.5% couples with children, 25.5% couples without children, and 10.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 34.8%, with lone person households at 31.3% and group households making up 3.4%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.

Holt performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

The area's university qualification rate is 34.8%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 46.8%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 22.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (9.1%) and graduate diplomas (3.6%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 31.7% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (10.6%) and certificates (21.1%).

Educational participation is high at 28.1%, including primary education (8.7%), secondary education (6.3%), and tertiary education (5.1%). Kingsford Smith School and Cranleigh School serve a total of 887 students, with Holt demonstrating typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1015) and balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes one primary and one K-12 school.

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

Transport analysis shows that Holt has 50 active public transport stops in operation. These are served by buses along nine different routes. The total number of weekly passenger trips across all routes is 1,959.

Residents have excellent access to these services, with an average distance of 182 meters to the nearest stop. Each day, there are approximately 279 trips in total, which works out to about 39 trips per week for each individual stop.

Health performance in Holt is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a slightly higher degree among older age cohorts

Holt faces significant health challenges with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, particularly among older age cohorts. Approximately 54% of Holt's total population (~3,213 people) has private health cover, compared to 57.1% in the Australian Capital Territory.

The most common medical conditions are mental health issues (10.7%) and arthritis (8.8%). About 64.7% of residents claim to be completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 68.1% across the Australian Capital Territory. Holt has 16.2% of its residents aged 65 and over (967 people). Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those for the broader population.

Holt was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Holt was found to have a higher proportion of overseas-born residents, with 26.1%, compared to most local markets. Among these, 20.3% spoke a language other than English at home. Christianity was the dominant religion in Holt, comprising 43.1% of its population.

Notably, the 'Other' religious category had a higher representation in Holt at 2.1%, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's average of 1.3%. The top three ancestry groups were English (25.1%), Australian (23.7%), and Other (12.0%). Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Polish residents made up 1.0% in Holt, higher than the regional average of 0.8%, Hungarians comprised 0.4% compared to 0.3% regionally, and Welsh residents were at 0.7% versus 0.6%.

Holt's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Holt's median age is nearly matching the Australian Capital Territory average of 35 years, being somewhat younger than Australia's average of 38 years. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Holt has a higher concentration of residents aged 75-84, at 7.0%, but fewer residents aged 15-24, at 10.3%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the percentage of residents aged 75 to 84 has grown from 5.5% to 7.0%, while the 35 to 44 age group increased from 15.9% to 17.3%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 age group has declined from 9.2% to 7.1%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 indicate significant demographic changes for Holt. The 35 to 44 age cohort is projected to grow by 28%, adding 289 residents to reach a total of 1,327. In contrast, the 25 to 34 age cohort shows minimal growth of just 3%, with an increase of 35 people.