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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
According to investigations by AreaSearch, the population of Macquarie stands at approximately 3,233 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 129 people (4.2%) compared to the 2021 Census, which counted 3,104 people. This shift is calculated using the ABS estimated resident population of 3,231 from June 2025 combined with 27 validated new addresses identified since the Census. Such a population size results in a density of 1,901 persons per square kilometer, a figure that exceeds the typical average across national locations analyzed by AreaSearch. Throughout the last ten years, Macquarie has shown steady growth with a compound annual rate of 1.6%, ahead of the SA3 area.
The population expansion was mostly driven by overseas migration, which made up about 84.5% of the total population gains in recent times. AreaSearch utilizes ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. For SA2 areas without this data, and for any years after 2032, age group growth rates from the ACT Government's SA2 area projections (2022 baseline) are applied. Based on these projected demographic trends, population growth is anticipated to be slightly below the national median, with the community projected to add 324 persons by 2041 using the latest annual ERP figures, representing a 10.0% increase overall across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
64 new dwellings have been approved in Macquarie over the past five years, an average of 12 a year. That is 4.2 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 8, well below 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
Approvals for residential builds in Macquarie average approximately 12 properties per year, with 64 dwellings approved over the last 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 8 recorded so far in FY-26. Because an average of 3.5 people per year moved to the area for every new home constructed over those 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25), the supply of housing is failing to match demand, which typically intensifies buyer competition and exerts upward pressure on prices, even though new builds are constructed at an average cost of $145,000—a figure below the regional average—indicating the addition of more budget-friendly housing choices.
Furthermore, $443,000 in commercial development approvals have been registered during this financial year, pointing to a focus that is overwhelmingly residential. Macquarie generates about three-quarters of the building activity per capita seen in the Australian Capital Territory, placing it in the 22nd percentile of areas analyzed across the nation, which translates to fewer options for prospective buyers and helps maintain demand for existing housing. The new construction mix consists of 80.0% standalone houses and 20.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving a suburban feel characterized by spacious family dwellings. This new construction leans more toward detached houses than the current residential mix (61.0% at the Census), showing that demand for family homes remains strong despite growing pressure for higher density. There are approximately 719 people per dwelling approval in the locality, indicating a mature market. Demographic projections indicate that Macquarie will add 322 residents by 2041 (starting from the most recent quarterly estimate by AreaSearch). The current rate of property development appears to align well with future requirements, supporting stable market conditions without causing extreme price inflation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Macquarie
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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 36 current infrastructure and development projects close to Macquarie, worth an estimated $20.1 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 infrastructure projects, major developments, and urban planning decisions have a significant impact on local market performance. AreaSearch has identified 1 project that is expected to affect this locality. Notable projects include Bruce Precinct (Section 15), Bruce Residential Development Zone, Wayfarer Belconnen by Geocon (Stage 2), and the Belconnen Town Centre Master Plan & District Strategy, with the following list outlining the developments likely to be most relevant.
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 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.
Belconnen Arts Centre Redevelopment
Modernization of existing arts centre with expanded performance spaces, visual arts galleries, community workshop areas, and improved accessibility. Features flexible venue spaces for theater, music, and community events with enhanced acoustics and lighting.
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.
Belconnen Basketball Stadium Expansion
Expansion of existing basketball facilities to include additional courts, spectator seating for 2,000, improved accessibility features, and modernized amenities. Part of ACT Government's sports infrastructure investment program.
1,680 residents of Macquarie are employed, from a labour force of 1,788. Unemployment sits at 6.0%, with participation at 65.4%. 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
The local workforce in Macquarie is highly qualified, with a strong presence in essential services and an unemployment rate of 6.0%. In March 2026, there are 1,680 employed residents, while the unemployment rate is 2.0% higher than the 4.1% rate recorded in the Australian Capital Territory, and the labor participation rate is considerably lower (65.4% compared to 70.8% in the Australian Capital Territory). Census data reveals that a small portion of residents, 11.4%, worked from home, although the influence of Covid-19 lockdowns should be kept in mind. The main industries employing local residents are public administration & safety, education & training, and professional & technical.
The locality has a particularly high concentration of jobs in education & training, with employment in this sector at 1.5 times the regional average. Conversely, public administration & safety is underrepresented, employing 28.4% of the Macquarie workforce compared to 30.4% in the Australian Capital Territory. This mainly residential locality offers few local job opportunities, as shown by comparing the count of the Census working population against the resident population. Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics, during the 12 months ending March 2026, the labor force expanded by 1.2% while employment fell by 0.6%, leading to a 1.7 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate. In comparison, the Australian Capital Territory saw employment rise by 0.3% and the labor force grow by 1.1%, while its unemployment rate rose by 0.7 percentage points. National employment projections from May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide additional context regarding future demand trends in Macquarie. These five-year and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to project future growth. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary widely across different sectors. Applying these industry projections to the local employment structure suggests that Macquarie's employment will grow by 6.5% over five years and 13.2% over ten years (note that this calculation is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustration and does not incorporate local population forecasts).
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
Taxpayer data from the ATO at the postcode level, compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, shows a median income of $63,822 and an average income of $78,510 in the Macquarie SA2. This represents a very high level nationally, although it is lower than the median income of $72,206 and average income of $85,981 in the Australian Capital Territory. Adjusting for Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since financial year 2023, estimated figures for March 2026 would be roughly $70,485 for the median and $86,706 for the average. In the 2021 Census, individual weekly earnings were high, placing in the 84th percentile nationally at $1,078.
Looking at income distributions, the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket contains 33.1% of the population (1,070 individuals), which aligns with the regional trend of 34.3% in this bracket. Residents retain 85.3% of their income for non-housing costs, and the area ranks in 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, the housing stock in Macquarie consisted of 61.3% standalone houses and 38.7% other housing types (such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and alternative dwellings), compared to 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings in the Australian Capital Territory. The rate of home ownership in Macquarie was 32.9%, which is higher than the rate in the Australian Capital Territory, while the remaining homes were occupied by households with a mortgage (29.3%) or tenants (37.8%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the locality was $2,000, which is below the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,080, while the median weekly rent was $400, compared to $450 in the territory.
Looking nationwide, mortgage payments in Macquarie exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and rents 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
Families make up the majority of households at 61.3%, consisting of couples with children (23.9%), couples without children (25.7%), and single parent households (10.7%). The remaining 38.7% are non-family households, which consist of lone person households (33.0%) and group housing (5.5%). The median household size is 2.3 individuals, which is smaller than 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
The level of education in Macquarie is high compared to broader averages, with 51.7% of residents aged 15 and over holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% nationally and 43.8% in the SA3 area. This educational profile leaves the population well positioned for professional opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 27.8%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 18.0% and graduate diplomas at 5.9%. Vocational qualifications are held by 21.8% of residents aged 15 and over, comprising advanced diplomas (8.0%) and certificates (13.8%). The level of participation in study is high, with 31.4% of residents enrolled in education.
This includes 9.3% in university or higher education, 9.1% in primary school, and 6.2% in high school.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Macquarie reaches 22 stops on 54 routes, timetabled for about 3,500 services a week. The typical home sits about 180 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
Analysis of the local transport network shows 22 active transit stops in Macquarie, consisting of bus services. These stops accommodate 54 distinct routes, which provide a total of 3,490 passenger trips each week. Access to transit is rated as excellent, with residents living an average of 179 meters from the nearest stop. Because this is a residential suburb, most workers commute out of the area; driving remains the primary travel method at 81%, while 9% use buses. The average rate of car ownership is 1.1 vehicles per household, which is below the regional average.
A relatively small share of residents, 11.4%, work from home (based on the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions). Service frequency averages 498 daily trips across all routes, which translates to roughly 158 weekly trips per active 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
Assessments of mortality rates and the prevalence of chronic illnesses by AreaSearch suggest below-average health outcomes for Macquarie, with overall health conditions being typical, though higher than national averages among older age brackets. The proportion of residents with private health insurance is very high, covering approximately 58% of the population (~1,875 people). This compares to 62.4% across the Australian Capital Territory. The most prevalent health conditions recorded in the area were mental health issues and asthma, which affect 10.1 and 8.3% of residents, respectively, while 66.5% of the population reported no long-term medical conditions compared to 70.2% in the Australian Capital Territory.
Residents of working age display a higher than average rate of chronic health issues. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 18.1% of the population (586 people), which is higher than the 14.3% share in the Australian Capital Territory. Senior health outcomes present some challenges, though they rank more favorably nationally than the broader local population.
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 higher cultural diversity than most local property markets, with 31.9% of residents born outside Australia and 26.2% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 36.9% of the population. The most prominent religious overrepresentation is in Buddhism, which accounts for 3.6% of residents compared to 3.0% across the Australian Capital Territory. Based on parental birthplaces, the three most common ancestries in Macquarie are English (23.2%), Australian (23.1%), and Other (13.1%). Significant differences also appear in the shares of other ethnic backgrounds, with Vietnamese overrepresented at 1.8% of the population (compared to 1.0% regionally), French at 0.7% (compared to 0.5%), and Welsh at 0.7% (compared to 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 median age in Macquarie is 37 years, which is slightly older than the Australian Capital Territory median of 35 years but close to the national average of 38 years. The 75 - 84 cohort is highly represented at 7.8% compared to the territory, while the 35 - 44 age bracket is less common at 14.0%. Since 2021, the share of residents aged 25 to 34 has grown from 17.3% to 19.6%. In contrast, the 35 to 44 cohort declined from 15.2% to 14.0% and the 5 to 14 cohort fell from 11.5% to 10.3%.
Population projections for 2041 show notable changes in the demographic makeup. The 45 to 54 cohort is expected to grow, increasing by 73 people (20%) from 369 to 443, while decreases are projected for the 5 to 14 and 25 to 34 groups.
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 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 9 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. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 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 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 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 — 27 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 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 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 (801011020). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.