Macgregor (ACT)

Macgregor has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

As of February 2026, Macgregor's population is approximately 6,944, a decrease of 105 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 7,049. This change was inferred from ABS' estimated resident population of 6,942 in June 2024 and an additional 32 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,626 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Natural growth contributed approximately 60.3% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered and years post-2032, age group growth rates from ACT Government's SA2 area projections using 2022 as the base are adopted. Population projections indicate a decline by 317 persons to 6,627 by 2041. However, specific age cohorts such as the 45 to 54 age group are projected to grow by 133 people during this period.

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

Macgregor has seen approximately 12 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years. Between FY-21 and FY-25, a total of 61 homes were approved, with an additional 3 approved so far in FY-26. The area's population decline has not hindered development activity, which has been adequate relative to other areas.

New homes are being built at an average construction cost value of $230,000. This financial year, there have also been $1.5 million in commercial approvals, indicating the area's residential focus. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Macgregor shows significantly reduced construction activity, with 70.0% fewer new properties per person being built. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Recent construction comprises 55.0% detached dwellings and 45.0% attached dwellings, marking a shift from the current housing pattern of 91.0% houses. This change suggests diminishing developable land availability and responds to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs.

With around 584 people per approval, Macgregor is a mature, established area with an expected stable or declining population, which may reduce pressure on housing and create buying opportunities.

Macgregor has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 16thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified five projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones are The Valley Ponds - Stage 3 & Future Stages, Macgregor Primary School Expansion & Modernisation, Ginninderry Estate - Stages 4-7 (Strathnairn & future Macnamara), and Kippax Fair Expansion & Upgrade. Below is a list of those most relevant.

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

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.

The employment landscape in Macgregor shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Macgregor's workforce is well-educated with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate stood at 4.8% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 1.1% over the past year. In September 2025, 3,820 residents were employed, while the unemployment rate was 1.2% higher than the Australian Capital Territory's rate of 3.6%.

Workforce participation was similar to the ACT's 72.5%. According to Census responses, only 10.4% of residents worked from home as of September 2025, with Covid-19 lockdown impacts noted. Employment is concentrated in public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training sectors.

However, public administration & safety shows lower representation at 27.5% compared to the regional average of 30.4%. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 1.1%, while labour force grew by 0.9%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, ACT's employment rose by 1.4%, labour force grew by 1.2%, and unemployment fell by 0.2 percentage points during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Macgregor's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

The Macgregor SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $72,465 and an average income of $79,969 in the financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is notably high compared to the Australian Capital Territory's median income of $72,206 and average income of $85,981 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.26% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for Macgregor would be approximately $79,175 (median) and $87,374 (average) as of September 2025. In the 2021 Census, Macgregor's household, family, and personal incomes ranked highly nationally, between the 85th and 89th percentiles. The largest income segment in Macgregor comprised 41.9% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly, with 2,909 residents falling into this bracket, similar to the metropolitan region where 34.3% occupied this bracket. The locality exhibited considerable affluence with 33.2% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. High housing costs consumed 15.6% of income, but strong earnings still placed disposable income at the 84th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 7th decile.

Macgregor is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Macgregor's dwellings, according to the latest Census, were 90.7% houses and 9.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Australian Capital Territory's 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Macgregor was at 20.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 58.3% and rented ones at 20.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, below the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,080. Median weekly rent in Macgregor was $464, compared to Australian Capital Territory's $450. Nationally, Macgregor's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Macgregor has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 77.0% of all households, including 39.1% couples with children, 23.8% couples without children, and 12.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 23.0%, with lone person households at 20.2% and group households comprising 2.7%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.

Macgregor 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 35.3%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 46.8%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 21.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (9.7%) and graduate diplomas (4.0%). Vocational credentials are held by 33.3% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 12.6% and certificates at 20.7%. Educational participation is high, with 32.7% currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 12.7% in primary, 6.9% in secondary, and 5.0% in tertiary education.

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

Macgregor has 28 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by a total of 59 different routes that together facilitate 4011 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these stops is rated as good, with residents typically living just 235 meters away from the nearest one. In this predominantly residential area, most people commute outward using their cars, which are used by 92% of residents for transport. Only 5% use buses. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling in Macgregor, a figure higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census data, only 10.4% of residents work from home, which might be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, an average of 573 trips are made each day, equating to about 143 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Macgregor are marginally below the national average with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Macgregor's health indicators show below-average outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence as of June 2021. Common health conditions among the general population are somewhat typical but higher than the national average among older cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 60% of the total population (4,131 people), compared to 62.4% across Australian Capital Territory as of June 2021. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 10.1 and 9.7% of residents respectively, while 69.0% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 70.2% across Australian Capital Territory as of June 2021. Working-age residents show an above-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 10.7% of residents aged 65 and over (740 people), which is lower than the 14.3% in Australian Capital Territory as of June 2021. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, though they rank lower nationally than those of the broader population.

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

Macgregor's population showed high diversity, with 27.1% born overseas and 25.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 41.0%. Notably, the 'Other' religious category comprised 3.1%, higher than the ACT average of 1.4%.

Ancestry-wise, Australian (25.6%), English (23.0%), and Other (13.4%) were the top groups. Some ethnic groups showed significant differences: Filipino at 2.2% vs regional 1.2%, Sri Lankan at 0.5% vs 0.4%, Indian at 3.9% vs 3.3%.

Macgregor hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Macgregor's median age is 35, matching the Australian Capital Territory's figure of 35 but slightly lower than Australia's 38 years. Compared to Australian Capital Territory, Macgregor has a higher proportion of residents aged 35-44 (18.8%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (14.5%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the 45 to 54 age group has increased from 11.8% to 13.7%, while the 15 to 24 cohort has risen from 9.9% to 11.6%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has decreased from 16.4% to 14.5%, and the 25 to 34 group has dropped from 16.0% to 14.5%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for Macgregor. The 55 to 64 age group is projected to grow by 16%, adding 93 residents to reach 684. However, both the 0 to 4 and 35 to 44 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.