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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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Macquarie has an estimated 3,233 residents, up from 3,104 at the 2021 Census — a change of 129 people, or 4.2%. Growth has averaged 1.5% a year over five years. That puts 1,902 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
Demographic assessment by AreaSearch indicates that Macquarie houses approximately 3,233 residents as of Aug 2026. This represents a gain of 129 people (4.2%) compared with the 3,104 individuals recorded during the 2021 Census. The updated figure is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population figure of 3,231 alongside 28 validated new addresses confirmed following the Census. The suburb's density stands at 1,901 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the nationwide norm recorded in AreaSearch assessments. Over the preceding ten years, Macquarie registered consistent expansion with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%, surpassing the broader SA3 area.
The primary catalyst for demographic expansion was overseas migration, generating roughly 84.5% of total net additions during recent periods. AreaSearch incorporates ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 (using 2022 as a base year) across each SA2 area, utilizing ACT Government SA2 projections (also 2022-based) for non-covered areas and horizons beyond 2032. Future outlooks suggest the locality will experience demographic growth slightly beneath the median of statistical districts tracked by AreaSearch. Driven by the most recent annual ERP benchmarks, Macquarie is projected to add 321 persons by 2041, representing an overall expansion of 9.9% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
35 new dwellings have been approved in Macquarie over the past five years, an average of 7 a year. That is 2.2 approvals per 1,000 residents. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals in Macquarie average roughly 7 properties annually, adding up to 35 homes across the previous 5 financial years. Between FY-22 and FY-26, the area added an average of 6.4 new residents per year for each residential dwelling built, indicating that incoming demand substantially outpaces building activity. This disparity commonly drives property valuations higher and intensifies buyer competition, alongside an average building value of $348,000 per new home. Furthermore, $443,000 in commercial building permits was recorded during the current financial year, pointing to subdued commercial building activity. Residential development in Macquarie trails the wider Australian Capital Territory markedly, sitting 64.0% below the regional per capita figure.
This subdued construction pipeline generally underpins values and interest across established properties. Building rates also trail national benchmarks, reflecting the district's mature nature and potential planning limitations. New additions comprise 57.0% standalone homes and 43.0% medium and high-density housing, delivering a diversifying blend of townhouses and apartments spanning multiple budget brackets, ranging from traditional family houses to accessible smaller dwellings. Generating around 596 people per approval, Macquarie displays the footprint of an established community. Long-term forecasts derived from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate show Macquarie welcoming 319 residents by 2041. Given prevailing construction rates, local housing supply could face challenges keeping pace with incoming resident gains, potentially amplifying market rivalry among purchasers and underpinning capital values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Macquarie
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 36 current infrastructure and development projects close to Macquarie, worth an estimated $17.7 billion. 7 are already under construction and 14 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, residential development 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 capital works, strategic zoning, and master-planned ventures represent key drivers of district evolution. AreaSearch has pinpointed 1 specific major project with direct local significance. Important developments shaping the surrounding district include the Bruce Precinct (Section 15), Bruce Residential Development Zone, Wayfarer Belconnen by Geocon (Stage 2), and the Belconnen Town Centre Master Plan & District Strategy, with key initiatives profiled 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
Ethos Belconnen
Ethos is the second stage of Per Se Developments' Cirrus lakeside precinct at Belconnen. The project comprises 88 premium apartments with ground floor commercial tenancies overlooking Lake Ginninderra. Construction is well advanced with display apartments open and commercial space being marketed ahead of expected completion in 2026.
Radford College Master Plan Implementation
Ongoing implementation of the Radford College Master Plan at the Bruce campus. Major recent works include the completed Collegians Centre (multi-purpose hall) and the Boorer Family Cricket Centre. As of mid-2025 the College Board confirmed the final stage of works was progressing, comprising the completion of the school ovals, presentation upgrades to the Haydon Drive and College Street boundaries, a new Foundation Walk, and a feature pedestrian entrance and path linking College Street to the Collegians Centre with shelter, seating, lighting and an avenue of trees.The College anticipated the design becoming visible by the end of Term 3 2025 following earthworks and landscaping across multiple worksites.
University of Canberra Sports Precinct
Major expansion of University of Canberra sports facilities, including the development of Sports Hub 2, new aquatic centre, indoor sports courts, outdoor playing fields, gymnasium upgrades, and athlete training facilities. It focuses on community access programs and elite athlete development.
Belconnen Basketball Stadium Expansion
The ACT Government is progressing planning for the expansion and modernisation of the Belconnen Basketball Stadium. The project encompasses additional indoor multi-sport courts, upgraded spectator seating, enhanced accessibility features, and improved administrative and changeroom amenities to meet rising regional community demand. Works are managed under the ACT Government's community sports infrastructure investment program.
Belconnen Mixed-Use Towers (40 Cameron Avenue)
RF Corval has proposed a major mixed-use redevelopment at 40 Cameron Avenue comprising two towers of 24 and 27 storeys. The proposal includes 407 residential apartments, ground-floor commercial and office tenancies, and structured basement and podium parking. The project replaces an existing low-rise commercial building situated within the Belconnen Town Centre precinct.
Belconnen Community Hub Upgrade
Comprehensive upgrade of existing community facilities including expanded library services, community meeting spaces, youth programs area, seniors center, and childcare facilities. Improved accessibility and technology integration throughout.
Bruce Precinct (Section 15)
A masterplanned mixed-use urban precinct and residential land release located centrally in Bruce, adjacent to the AIS and Bruce Ridge Nature Reserve. The project aligns with the Bruce Sports, Health and Education Precinct masterplan, delivering approximately 250-500 new dwellings, including affordable housing options, alongside commercial, hospitality, and retail opportunities.
JWLand Belconnen Lathlain Street Development
Mixed-use precinct at Belconnen Town Centre comprising 435 apartments across buildings of 12 to 18 storeys, a 144-room hotel, ground-floor retail, cafes, restaurants, and commercial office suites. The project sits within the Lathlain Eat Street precinct opposite Westfield Belconnen and adjoins an ACT Government urban park. A podium park and rooftop terrace gardens are planned, with 583 basement car spaces across four levels. A development application was lodged in early 2025.
1,680 residents of Macquarie are employed, from a labour force of 1,788. Unemployment sits at 6.0%, with participation at 66.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,840, about 88% 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
Macquarie features a highly qualified labor pool alongside robust representation in essential public services, operating with a 6.0% unemployment rate. As of March 2026, 1,680 residents are employed. The jobless rate sits 2.0% higher than the 4.1% figure across the Australian Capital Territory, while labor force participation is comparatively subdued (66.0% versus 70.6% across the Australian Capital Territory). Census records indicate that 11.4% of working residents operated from home, though this metric was captured during Covid-19 restrictions. Local workers are predominantly engaged across public administration & safety, education & training, and professional & technical fields.
Macquarie displays marked concentration in education & training, where local employment share stands at 1.5 times the regional benchmark. In contrast, public administration & safety accounts for 28.4% of employed residents compared to the territory-wide average of 30.4%. Comparisons between local resident counts and Census workplace locations highlight the area's predominantly residential character with limited local commercial employment. According to AreaSearch evaluations of ABS and SALM figures for the year ending March 2026, the local workforce grew by 1.2% while employment contracted by 0.6%, leading to an increase of 1.7 percentage points in the jobless rate. Across the Australian Capital Territory, employment rose by 0.3%, the labor force expanded by 1.1%, and unemployment climbed 0.7 percentage points. Looking ahead, national forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide perspective on local labor trends over five and ten-year horizons. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% across five years and 13.7% over ten years, though trajectories vary by industry. Aligning these sectoral projections with Macquarie's workforce composition indicates projected local employment gains of 6.5% over five years and 13.2% across ten years (representing a weighted baseline model without specific local population modeling).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Macquarie is $1,947 a week (about $101,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,078 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $63,822 a year against an average of $78,510. 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
Based on AreaSearch's evaluation of ATO postcode data from financial year 2023, Macquarie SA2 taxpayers recorded a median income of $63,822 alongside an average of $78,510. These outcomes comfortably exceed national standards, compared against $72,206 (median) and $85,981 (average) across the Australian Capital Territory. Factoring in Wage Price Index increases of 10.44% since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of approximately $70,485 (median) and $86,706 (average) as of March 2026. Figures from the 2021 Census place individual weekly earnings ($1,078) in the 84th percentile nationwide. The $1,500 - 2,999 earnings bracket forms the largest single group, covering 33.1% of residents (1,070 people) in line with the broader regional proportion of 34.3%.
After meeting housing costs, residents retain 85.3% of income for non-shelter spending, placing the district within the 7th decile of the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Macquarie had 1,260 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 61% detached houses and 24% apartments. 29% are owned with a mortgage, 38% rented and 33% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $400 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,000 a month. Rent absorbs 20.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census data, the dwelling structures in Macquarie were made up of 61.3% houses and 38.7% other dwellings, which includes semi-detached units, apartments, and other types. This distribution differs from the Australian Capital Territory, where houses account for 63.3% and other dwellings make up 36.7%. Home ownership in Macquarie stands significantly higher than in the Australian Capital Territory, reaching 32.9%. The remaining dwellings are either mortgaged at 29.3% or rented at 37.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Macquarie falls below the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,000.
Weekly rent in the area is recorded at $400, whereas the Australian Capital Territory reports median weekly rent at $450. On a national scale, mortgage repayments in Macquarie are higher than the Australian average of $1,863. Rent levels in Macquarie also surpass the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Macquarie counted 1,260 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 24% are couples with children, against 26% couples without children. 33% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.4 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households represent the clear majority at 61.3%, comprising 25.7% couples without children, 23.9% couples with children, and 10.7% single parent families. Non-family arrangements account for the remaining 38.7%, led by lone person households at 33.0% alongside group households at 5.5%. The average household size sits at 2.3 people, tracking slightly below the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
51.7% of adults in Macquarie hold a university qualification, including 27.8% with a bachelor degree and 18.0% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 81% of areas nationally. A further 13.8% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 1,148 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,091 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 profiles across Macquarie substantially outstrip broader standards, with 51.7% of individuals aged 15+ possessing higher education degrees, compared with 30.4% nationally and 43.8% across the SA3 area. This strong tertiary foundation underpins a highly capable knowledge-sector workforce. Bachelor degrees comprise 27.8% of qualifications, followed by postgraduate qualifications (18.0%) and graduate diplomas (5.9%). Meanwhile, technical and vocational training accounts for 21.8% of adult credentials—specifically advanced diplomas (8.0%) and certificates (13.8%). Engagement in learning pathways is elevated, with 31.4% of residents undertaking formal studies. This cohort includes 9.3% in higher education, 9.1% enrolled in primary education, and 6.2% attending secondary education programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Macquarie reaches 19 stops on 55 routes, timetabled for about 3,500 services a week. The typical home sits about 190 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.1 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
The public transit network in Macquarie includes 19 active bus stops. This infrastructure is served by 55 individual routes, operating an aggregate of 3,491 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is outstanding, with typical dwellings situated 186 meters from the nearest stop. Given the suburb's residential focus, outward commuting is standard; private vehicles account for 81% of travel journeys, while buses carry 9%. Households hold an average of 1.1 vehicles per dwelling, trailing territory norms. At the 2021 Census, 11.4% of workers worked from home under pandemic conditions. Transit schedules across all bus routes deliver an average of 498 daily services, generating approximately 183 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
66.5% of residents in Macquarie report no long-term health condition. 5.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 58.0% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.9 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments by AreaSearch based on chronic ailment prevalence and mortality metrics show below-average overall health measures in Macquarie. While typical health issues among general residents align with standard ranges, older demographics exhibit elevated rates above national levels. Private health insurance participation is substantial, covering roughly 58% of the community (~1,875 people), compared to 62.4% across the Australian Capital Territory. The primary reported chronic conditions across the suburb are mental health issues and asthma, diagnosed in 10.1 and 8.3% of residents respectively. Conversely, 66.5% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 70.2% throughout the Australian Capital Territory.
Working-age adults demonstrate higher-than-average rates of chronic ailments. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 17.8% of the populace (576 people), exceeding the 14.2% figure for the Australian Capital Territory, with senior health indicators presenting specific vulnerabilities despite broader national standing.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
31.9% of Macquarie residents were born overseas and 26.2% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (23.2%) and Australian (23.1%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Macquarie exhibits elevated multicultural diversity compared to most Australian suburbs, with 31.9% of the local population born overseas and 26.2% using a non-English language at home. Christianity forms the largest religious denomination at 36.9% of residents. The most pronounced local overrepresentation occurs in Buddhism, which accounts for 3.6% of residents compared to 3.0% across the Australian Capital Territory. Regarding ancestral background based on parental birthplace, the primary reported heritages in Macquarie are English (23.2%), Australian (23.1%), and Other (13.1%). Notable variations are evident across several distinct backgrounds: Vietnamese residents account for 1.8% locally (versus 1.0% regionally), French ancestry stands at 0.7% (versus 0.5%), and Welsh heritage represents 0.7% (versus 0.6%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Macquarie is 37. 31.8% 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 age distribution in Macquarie aligns closely with wider Australian Capital Territory trends, showing a maximum variance of 3.6 percentage points across age cohorts. The median age is an estimated 37, matching the 2021 Census baseline and sitting 2 years above the territory median of 35 recorded in that Census. Since then, residents aged 25 - 44 have increased from 32.5% to an estimated 33.9%. Forecasts to 2041 anticipate the largest expansion within the senior bracket (65+), growing by 132 residents (23%) to reach 709.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Macquarie
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 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) | Aug 2026 last month 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 4 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 6 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 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago 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 — 28 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,104 at the 2021 Census → 3,233 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 Aug 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 (801011020). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.