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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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Lyons (ACT) has an estimated 3,312 residents, up from 3,271 at the 2021 Census — a change of 41 people, or 1.3%. That puts 1,466 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 Lyons stands at approximately 3,312 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 41 people (1.3%) relative to the 2021 Census, which recorded 3,271 people. This shift is calculated using the ABS estimated resident population of 3,310 from June 2025 alongside 37 validated new addresses registered after the Census. Consequently, the local density reaches 1,465 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical figure observed across assessed national locations. The expansion was largely fueled by overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 81.3% of the overall population gains in recent times.
Projections from ABS/Geoscience Australia released in 2024, using 2022 as a base, are applied to each SA2 region. For SA2 areas without this coverage, or for periods past 2032, age group growth rates from ACT Government projections (2022 base) are utilized instead. Looking ahead, Lyons is set to experience population gains slightly below the national median. Based on the most recent annual ERP data, the area is anticipated to add 272 residents by 2041, which translates to a total growth of 8.2% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
46 new dwellings have been approved in Lyons (ACT) over the past five years, an average of 9 a year. That is 2.8 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 10, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Lyons has recorded roughly 9 new residential approvals annually, amounting to 46 homes over the last 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 10 approvals have been documented. With an average of only 0.7 new residents arriving per new home over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, new builds are keeping pace with or exceeding demand. This provides buyers with additional choices and supports potential population growth beyond current estimates, with new dwellings showing an average value of $229,000. In comparison to Australian Capital Territory, the volume of construction in Lyons is extremely low, sitting 83.0% below the regional average per person.
This limited building activity typically supports demand and valuations for established properties. This rate is also below the national standard, reflecting the established nature of the suburb and potential planning constraints. The mix of new construction consists of 50.0% detached dwellings and 50.0% medium and high-density housing. This emphasis on denser housing options provides accessible options for buyers and appeals to downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. With approximately 511 people per approval, Lyons represents a mature market. Based on the most recent AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Lyons is projected to add 270 residents by 2041. Construction activity is keeping reasonable pace with this projected growth, though buyers might experience heightened competition as the population grows.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Lyons (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 5 current infrastructure and development projects inside Lyons (ACT), worth an estimated $595 million. A further 39 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $6.03 billion. 9 are already under construction and 8 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and health & medical. 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, major works, and planning updates are key drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has tracked 22 developments that are expected to influence this locality. Primary projects include the Woden Town Square Precinct Redevelopment, Ivy by Morris (Section 54 Phillip), The Hunter, and CIT Woden Campus, with specific details of the most significant projects 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
Woden Community Services Hub
A new four-storey facility in Woden Town Centre that will centralise community and government services under one roof, bringing together services currently operating from multiple buildings in the region. It will include child and family services, meeting rooms, a multi-purpose hall, and workshop spaces. Construction is expected to commence in 2026-27.
WOVA Residential Precinct
Four distinctive residential towers with 802 apartments, 54 Abode Hotel rooms, and 22 commercial tenancies. Features resort-style amenities including lap pool, fitness studio, private cinema, and rooftop terraces. Completed 2024.
The Hunter
The final stage of Canberra developer Doma Group's 670-apartment masterplan. It includes two new buildings of 16 and 18 storeys, comprising 189 apartments with basement and podium level car parking, communal areas, and a pool.
Oaks Arbour Apartments
Modern apartment complex with landscaped courtyards and community facilities. Focus on livability and environmental sustainability.
Ivy by Morris (Section 54 Phillip)
A premium 18-storey residential tower offering 212 apartments with rooftop amenities, ground-floor retail and direct connection to the redeveloped Woden Town Square.
Skye by Trilogy (Section 117 Phillip)
A landmark 20-storey mixed-use residential tower comprising 188 luxury apartments with ground-floor retail and commercial space, located directly opposite Westfield Woden in the Phillip town centre. Developed by Zapari, the project forms part of the broader high-rise transformation of the Woden Town Centre precinct.
Woden Pool Project (Phillip Swimming and Ice-Skating Centre Redevelopment)
Staged redevelopment of the Phillip Swimming and Ice-Skating Centre site in Woden by Geocon. Stage one, approved by the ACT Territory Planning Authority on 16 December 2025, comprises two 13-storey residential towers with 286 apartments above a new public aquatic centre featuring a 25-metre, eight-lane indoor lap pool, warm water program pool, splash pad, learn-to-swim and toddler areas, cafe, and steam and sauna facilities. The existing outdoor 50-metre pool and the ice-skating rink will remain operational during stage one construction, with their future considered in later stages.Geocon intends to eventually deliver around 696 to 700 apartments across five buildings in three stages on the 1.29 hectare site. Minor structural amendments to the approved stage one design remain under assessment.
The Oaks - Yamba Sports Club Redevelopment
Redevelopment of community sports club facilities with modern amenities and expanded capacity for recreational activities.
1,840 residents of Lyons (ACT) are employed, from a labour force of 1,930. Unemployment sits at 4.7%, with participation at 68.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.6% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,453, about 74% 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 workforce is highly qualified, with strong representation in essential services, a jobless rate of 4.7%, and steady employment conditions over the past year. As of March 2026, 1,840 local residents are employed. The unemployment rate sits 0.6% above the 4.1% recorded for Australian Capital Territory, while the participation rate is slightly below average at 68.8% compared to the regional figure of 70.8%. According to Census data, a modest 10.8% of residents worked from home, although this may have been influenced by COVID-19 lockdowns. The primary employment sectors for residents are public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training.
The suburb has a notable concentration in health care & social assistance, where the share of employment is 1.4 times the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical roles are under-represented, accounting for only 8.3% of the workforce in Lyons compared to 11.1% across Australian Capital Territory. Comparing the Census working population against the resident population suggests this largely residential suburb offers few local jobs. AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that during the year leading to March 2026, the local labour force expanded by 1.1% while employment fell by 0.3%, leading to a 1.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. By comparison, Australian Capital Territory recorded employment growth of 0.3% and labour force expansion of 1.1%, resulting in a 0.7 percentage point increase. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 offer additional context on future demand in Lyons. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to project growth. Nationally, employment is expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though trends vary by sector. Projecting these industry trends onto the employment profile of Lyons suggests local jobs will grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.6% over ten years. This calculation is a simple weighted extrapolation for illustration and does not incorporate local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Lyons (ACT) is $2,062 a week (about $107,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,097 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $62,799 a year against an average of $76,205. 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
According to AreaSearch analysis of postcode-level ATO records for financial year 2023, Lyons SA2 features a median taxpayer income of $62,799 and an average of $76,205. These figures are very high on a national scale, though they sit below the median of $72,206 and average of $85,981 for Australian Capital Territory. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since financial year 2023, estimates for March 2026 are approximately $69,355 for the median and $84,161 for the average. Census records show individual weekly earnings are in the 85th percentile nationally at $1,097.
The dominant income bracket comprises 30.9% of residents earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (1,023 residents), which aligns with the 34.3% seen regionally. Lyons displays high affluence, with 32.7% of individuals earning more than $3,000 weekly, which helps sustain premium local retail and services. High housing costs account for 15.2% of income, yet strong earnings keep disposable income in the 71st percentile, while the SEIFA income index ranks the area in the 8th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Lyons (ACT) had 1,342 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 52% detached houses and 28% apartments. 27% are owned with a mortgage, 45% rented and 28% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $360 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,383 a month. Rent absorbs 17.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 26.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, the housing mix in Lyons consisted of 51.7% separate houses and 48.3% other options (such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and alternative dwellings), compared to 63.3% houses and 36.7% other options in Australian Capital Territory. Home ownership rates in Lyons stood at 27.5%, matching the level in Australian Capital Territory, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (27.1%) or rented (45.4%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,383 was well above the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,080, whereas the median weekly rent was $360 compared to the regional figure of $450.
On a national level, Lyons's mortgage payments are significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while weekly rents are lower than the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Lyons (ACT) counted 1,342 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 26% are couples with children, against 25% couples without children. 35% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.3 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households make up the majority at 61.2% of all households, consisting of 26.2% couples with children, 25.3% couples without children, and 8.5% single parents. Non-family households represent the remaining 38.8%, with lone person households making up 35.1% and group households accounting for 3.9%. The median household size of 2.3 individuals is slightly lower than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
51.4% of adults in Lyons (ACT) hold a university qualification, including 26.4% with a bachelor degree and 19.3% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 98% of areas nationally. A further 11.7% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 99 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,129 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
Academic achievement in Lyons is well above average, with 51.4% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% nationally. This high rate of tertiary education prepares the suburb well for jobs in knowledge-based industries. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 26.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees (19.3%) and graduate diplomas (5.7%). Vocational courses account for 22.8% of qualifications for those aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.1%) and certificates (11.7%). A high proportion of the population is engaged in study, with 29.7% of residents currently enrolled in education.
This group includes 8.2% in primary school, 7.1% in tertiary studies, and 6.8% attending secondary school.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Lyons (ACT) reaches 17 stops on 51 routes, timetabled for about 3,400 services a week. The typical home sits about 210 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.0 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 services in Lyons include 17 active bus stops. These stops accommodate 51 separate routes that provide 3,383 weekly passenger trips. General transit access is good, with residents living an average of 210 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is mostly residential, meaning most workers travel elsewhere for employment. Cars remain the primary mode of travel at 74%, followed by buses at 14% and walking at 7%. Average vehicle ownership is 1.0 per household, which is below the regional average. A relatively low 10.8% of residents worked from home, based on the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 conditions.
Across all transit routes, frequency averages 483 trips daily, translating to approximately 199 weekly departures from each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
70.5% of residents in Lyons (ACT) report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 83% of areas nationally. 5.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 57.0% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 3.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health metrics for Lyons indicate excellent outcomes based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic illnesses. Younger age groups show very low rates of common health issues, and private health insurance coverage is high at approximately 57% of the population (~1,887 people). This compares to 62.4% across Australian Capital Territory. Mental health conditions and arthritis represent the most common medical issues, affecting 8.1% and 7.4% of residents respectively. Conversely, 70.5% of the population reported no chronic conditions, compared to 70.2% in Australian Capital Territory. Residents under 65 exhibit better than average health outcomes.
The proportion of residents aged 65 and over stands at 18.5% (612 people), which is higher than the 14.3% average for Australian Capital Territory, though this cohort ranks lower nationally than the rest of the local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
36.8% of Lyons (ACT) residents were born overseas and 30.6% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 78% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are English (23.2%) and Australian (21.0%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Lyons exhibits high cultural diversity, with 36.8% of the population born outside Australia and 30.6% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the main religion, practiced by 36.2% of residents. However, Buddhism is notably overrepresented at 6.7% of the population, compared to 3.0% across Australian Capital Territory. The top three ancestral origins reported in Lyons are English (23.2%), Australian (21.0%), and Other (17.3%), with the latter being significantly higher than the regional average of 12.2%. There are also notable differences in other backgrounds, with French representing 0.8% of Lyons (vs 0.5% regionally), Sri Lankan at 0.7% (vs 0.4%), and Polish at 1.0% (vs 0.8%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Lyons (ACT) is 37. That is 1 year older than at the 2021 Census. 28.1% 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
The median age in Lyons is 37 years, which is slightly older than the Australian Capital Territory average of 35, but close to the national average of 38. The cohort aged 85+ is highly represented at 4.3% compared to Australian Capital Territory, while the 5 - 14 group is less common at 9.7%. Since 2021, the 55 to 64 bracket has expanded from 9.0% to 10.3%, and the 85+ group rose from 3.3% to 4.3%. In contrast, the 25 to 34 age group decreased from 19.0% to 16.5%, and the 5 to 14 group fell from 11.0% to 9.7%.
Long-term projections for 2041 point to significant changes, with the 65 to 74 demographic expected to grow by 82 people (35%) from 235 to 318, while the 5 to 14 and 0 to 4 groups are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Lyons (ACT)
8 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 8 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) | May 2026 3 months ago all 13 measures |
| 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. | ||
| 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) | Jul 2026 last 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 3 sections | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2025 about a year ago all 5 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 Jul 2025. | ||
| 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 — 37 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,271 at the 2021 Census → 3,312 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 (801091105). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.