Jacka
Statistical Area - sa2

Jacka lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Jacka's population was around 1,539 as of Aug 2025. This reflected an increase of 827 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 712 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 678 in June 2024 and an additional 297 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population resulted in a density ratio of 528 persons per square kilometer, indicating significant space per person and potential room for further development. Jacka's growth of 116.2% since the 2021 census exceeded the state's growth rate of 5.7%, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Natural growth contributed approximately 68.2% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, age group growth rates from the ACT Government's SA2 area projections were used, also based on 2022. Future population dynamics predicted exceptional growth, placing Jacka in the top 10 percent of national areas. By 2041, the area was expected to expand by 769 persons, recording a decrease of 6.0% in total over the 17 years.

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

Jacka has averaged approximately zero new dwelling approvals annually. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis. Over the past five financial years, from FY20 to FY25, there have been four dwellings approved, with 79 approvals so far in FY26.

The population has fallen during this period, suggesting that new supply has likely kept up with demand, offering good choice to buyers. The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $377,000. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Jacka records 292.0% more building activity per person, indicating ample choice for buyers. This rate is well above the national average and reflects strong developer confidence in the area. Recent building activity consists entirely of detached dwellings, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (44.0% at Census), indicating continued strong demand for family homes. The location has approximately 178 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an expanding market. With population expected to remain stable or decline in the future, Jacka should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Jacka has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 22ndth percentile nationally

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 12 projects that are expected to have an impact on the area. Notable projects include Throsby Residential Development, Gungahlin Tennis Facility, Jacka Social Housing Apartments, and Casey Health Centre (North Gungahlin Health Centre). The following list details those projects likely to be most relevant:.

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

Employment performance in Jacka exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Jacka has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 3.1%.

Over the past year, estimated employment growth was 1.6%. As of June 2025, there are 433 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 0.3% lower than the Australian Capital Territory's rate of 3.4%. Workforce participation in Jacka is high at 79.9%, compared to the ACT's 69.6%. Key industries for employment among residents are public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and professional & technical services.

Notably, health care & social assistance has a strong presence with an employment share of 1.4 times the regional level. However, public administration & safety has a limited presence at 23.5% compared to the regional level of 30.4%. The predominantly residential area appears to have limited local employment opportunities, indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population counts. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 1.6%, labour force grew by 1.6%, with unemployment remaining essentially unchanged. In contrast, across the ACT during this period, employment rose by 1.9%, labour force grew by 1.6%, and unemployment fell by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows ACT employment contracted by 0.33% (losing 1,480 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. This compares favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.5%, but lags behind national employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Jacka's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.9% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

Income data from AreaSearch for financial year 2022 shows median income in Jacka was $64,666 and average income was $73,994. This is higher than the national median of $68,678 and average of $83,634 in Australian Capital Territory. Adjusting for Wage Price Index growth of 10.78% by March 2025, estimated median income becomes $71,637 and average income $81,971. According to the 2021 Census, Jacka's incomes rank between the 76th and 89th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. The largest income bracket in Jacka is $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, comprising 48.3% of residents (743 people), similar to regional patterns where 34.3% fall into this range. Housing costs consume 18.5% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 72nd percentile nationally. Jacka's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

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

Dwelling structure in Jacka, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 44.5% houses and 55.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Australian Capital Territory had 66.3% houses and 33.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Jacka was at 5.6%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (61.0%) or rented (33.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Jacka was $1,772, below the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,123. The median weekly rent figure in Jacka was recorded at $450, compared to Australian Capital Territory's $462. Nationally, Jacka's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Jacka features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 75.1% of all households, including 48.1% couples with children, 14.3% couples without children, and 12.2% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 24.9%, with lone person households at 19.0% and group households making up 3.8% of the total. The median household size is 2.9 people, which aligns with the Australian Capital Territory average.

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

Educational attainment in Jacka is notable, with 44.8% of residents aged 15 and above holding university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 26.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 16.0% and graduate diplomas at 2.3%. Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 28.5% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas comprise 11.2% and certificates make up 17.3%. Educational participation is high, with 42.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 15.3% in primary education, 8.8% in secondary education, and 5.3% pursuing tertiary education. Educational facilities appear to be located outside Jacka's immediate boundaries, requiring families to access schools in neighboring areas.

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

Public transport analysis reveals two active transport stops operating within Jacka. These stops offer a mix of bus services. Two individual routes service these stops, collectively providing 355 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 322 meters from the nearest transport stop. Service frequency averages 50 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 177 weekly trips per individual stop.

Jacka's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Health outcomes data shows significant results across Jacka, with various health conditions affecting both younger and older age groups notably. Approximately 56% of the total population (~869 people) has private health cover, compared to 58.6% in the Australian Capital Territory.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions, impacting 8.0 and 6.4% of residents respectively. Around 80.6% of residents report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 76.4% across the Australian Capital Territory. As of 2021, 4.8% of residents are aged 65 and over (74 people), which is lower than the 8.3% in the Australian Capital Territory. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those of the broader population.

Jacka is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Jacka scores highly in cultural diversity, with 46.5% of its population born overseas and 52.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The dominant religion is Christianity, comprising 32.0% of Jacka's population. Hinduism is notably overrepresented, making up 15.5%, compared to the Australian Capital Territory average of 9.5%.

In ancestry, the top groups are Other (26.3%), Australian (16.9%), and English (15.9%). There are notable divergences in certain ethnic groups: Indian is overrepresented at 13.2% versus 6.4%, South African at 1.3% compared to 0.4%, and Korean at 1.5% versus 1.2%.

Jacka hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Jacka has a median age of 31, which is younger than the Australian Capital Territory's figure of 35 and substantially under the Australian median of 38. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Jacka has a higher concentration of residents aged 35-44 (24.2%), but fewer residents aged 55-64 (2.5%). This 35-44 concentration is well above the national figure of 14.2%. Between 2021 and present, the median age has increased by 1.4 years from 30 to 31, reflecting an aging population. Key changes include the 45 to 54 age group growing from 10.8% to 14.0%, and the 65 to 74 cohort increasing from 2.1% to 4.7%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 20.9% to 14.9%, and the 0 to 4 group dropped from 10.1% to 8.8%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Jacka. The 55 to 64 cohort is projected to grow by 183%, adding 71 residents to reach 111. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 15 to 24 and 35 to 44 cohorts.