Macquarie

Population growth drivers in Macquarie are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Macquarie's population was 3,233 as of May 2026. This figure is an increase from the 2021 Census count of 3,104 people. The growth of 129 people (4.2%) is inferred from ABS estimated resident population data showing 3,231 in June 2025 and validated new addresses since then. This results in a population density ratio of 1,901 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Macquarie's compound annual growth rate was 1.6%, outperforming its SA3 area. Overseas migration contributed approximately 84.5% to recent population gains.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, ACT Government's SA2 area projections are adopted using the same base year. Based on these projections, Macquarie is expected to grow by just below the median national rate. By 2041, its population is projected to increase by 324 persons, reflecting a total growth of 10.0% over the 16-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Macquarie according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Macquarie has averaged approximately 12 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 64 homes. As of FY-26 so far, 6 approvals have been recorded. On average, each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25 gained around 3 new residents per year, indicating strong demand which supports property values. New homes are being constructed at an average cost of $145,000, which is below regional levels, offering more affordable housing options for buyers.

In the current financial year, $443,000 in commercial approvals have been registered, suggesting minimal commercial development activity. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Macquarie exhibits approximately 75% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 22nd percentile nationally, resulting in relatively limited buyer choice and supporting interest in existing homes. New developments consist of 80.0% detached dwellings and 20.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's suburban character with a focus on family homes.

This preference for detached housing is more pronounced than current patterns suggest (61.0% at Census), indicating robust demand for family homes despite increasing density pressures. Macquarie has around 708 people per approval, reflecting its mature and established nature. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Macquarie is expected to grow by approximately 322 residents through to 2041. Current construction rates appear balanced with future demand, fostering steady market conditions without excessive price pressure.

Macquarie has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 19thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified one major project likely affecting the region: Bruce Precinct (Section 15). Other key projects include Bruce Residential Development Zone, Wayfarer Belconnen by Geocon (Stage 2), and Belconnen Town Centre Master Plan & District Strategy. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Employment drivers in Macquarie are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Macquarie has an educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 5.7% as of December 2025. Over the past year, employment remained relatively stable.

As of December 2025, 1,678 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was higher than the Australian Capital Territory's rate by 1.9%, at 3.8%. Workforce participation in Macquarie was lower at 65.1% compared to the Australian Capital Territory's 70.5%. According to Census responses, a low 11.4% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Key industries for employment among residents were public administration & safety, education & training, and professional & technical services.

Macquarie had particular specialization in education & training with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level. However, public administration & safety employed only 28.4% of local workers, lower than the Australian Capital Territory's 30.4%. The predominantly residential area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data comparing working population and resident population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 0.1%, while labour force grew by 1.1%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.0 percentage points. In contrast, Australian Capital Territory saw employment rise by 0.9% and unemployment increase by only 0.3 percentage points during the same period. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, released in May-25, projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Macquarie's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, though these are simple weighted extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not account for localized population projections.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch aggregated postcode-level ATO data released for financial year 2023. Macquarie SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $63,822 and an average income of $78,510. Nationally, these figures were high compared to the ACT's median of $72,206 and average of $85,981. As of March 2026, estimated median and average incomes are approximately $70,485 and $86,706 respectively, adjusted for Wage Price Index growth of 10.44%. Census data shows Macquarie's individual earnings at the 84th percentile nationally were $1,078 weekly. Income distribution reveals that 33.1% of locals (1,070 people) earn between $1,500 and $2,999 per week, similar to the broader area where this cohort represents 34.3%. After housing costs, 85.3% of income remains for other expenses. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Macquarie displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Macquarie, as per the latest Census evaluation, 61.3% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 38.7% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This is compared to Australian Capital Territory's 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Macquarie stood at 32.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.3% and rented ones at 37.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, below the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,080. The median weekly rent figure in Macquarie was $400 compared to the Australian Capital Territory's $450. Nationally, Macquarie's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Macquarie features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 61.3% of all households, including 23.9% couples with children, 25.7% couples without children, and 10.7% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 38.7%, with lone person households at 33.0% and group households making up 5.5%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.

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

Macquarie's educational attainment exceeds broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15+, 51.7% hold university qualifications compared to Australia's 30.4% and the SA3 area's 43.8%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 27.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (18.0%) and graduate diplomas (5.9%). Vocational pathways account for 21.8%, with advanced diplomas at 8.0% and certificates at 13.8%.

Educational participation is high, with 31.4% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.3% in tertiary education, 9.1% in primary education, and 6.2% pursuing secondary education.

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

Macquarie has 22 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are serviced by 54 different routes that collectively provide 3,490 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 179 meters from the nearest transport stop. In this primarily residential area, most residents commute outward. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport at 81%, while buses account for 9%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.1 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 11.4% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 498 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 158 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Macquarie 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

Macquarie's health indicators show below-average results based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The level of common health conditions among its general population is somewhat typical but higher than the national average, particularly among older cohorts.

Private health cover is very high in Macquarie, with approximately 58% of the total population (~1,875 people), compared to 62.4% across Australian Capital Territory. The most common medical conditions are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 10.1 and 8.3% of residents respectively. 66.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 70.2% across Australian Capital Territory. Working-age residents have an above-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. Macquarie has 18.1% of residents aged 65 and over (586 people), higher than the 14.3% in Australian Capital Territory. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, ranking lower nationally than the broader population.

Macquarie was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Macquarie's cultural diversity was found to be higher than most local markets, with 31.9% of its population born overseas and 26.2% speaking a language other than English at home. The predominant religion in Macquarie was Christianity, comprising 36.9% of the population. Notably, Buddhism was overrepresented, making up 3.6% compared to the Australian Capital Territory's 3.0%.

In terms of ancestry, the top groups were English (23.2%), Australian (23.1%), and Other (13.1%). Some ethnic groups showed significant differences: Vietnamese at 1.8%, French at 0.7%, and Welsh at 0.7% compared to regional figures of 1.0%, 0.5%, and 0.6% respectively.

Macquarie's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Macquarie's median age was 37 years as of a certain date, slightly older than the Australian Capital Territory's 35 but aligned with the national average of 38 years. The 75-84 age group had strong representation at 7.8%, compared to the Australian Capital Territory, while the 35-44 cohort was less prevalent at 14.0%. Between 2021 and a later date, the 25-34 age group grew from 17.3% to 19.6% of the population. Conversely, the 35-44 cohort declined from 15.2% to 14.0%, and the 5-14 group dropped from 11.5% to 10.3%. Population forecasts for Macquarie in 2041 indicate that the 45-54 age cohort is projected to increase by 73 people (20%) from 369 to 443, while population declines are projected for the 5-14 and 25-34 cohorts.