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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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Mawson has an estimated 3,547 residents, up from 3,440 at the 2021 Census — a change of 107 people, or 3.1%. That puts 1,681 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 assessments by AreaSearch indicate that Mawson accommodates around 3,547 people as of Aug 2026. This marks a gain of 107 people (3.1%) relative to the 2021 Census headcount of 3,440 people. Such growth is determined using the ABS estimated resident population figure of 3,526 from June 2025 alongside 53 validated new addresses recorded following the Census. The suburb's density stands at 1,681 persons per square kilometer, tracking above national benchmarks evaluated by AreaSearch. Inbound overseas migration formed the primary demographic driver, delivering roughly 75.1% of recent net gains. Projections utilize 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia datasets pegged to a 2022 base year for each SA2, with post-2032 horizons and uncovered zones relying on ACT Government SA2 age-bracket modeling from a 2022 base.
Forward-looking demographic assessments place Mawson in the lower quartile of AreaSearch cohorts, forecasting an increase of 68 persons through to 2041 relative to latest annual ERP figures, representing an overall 1.3% rise across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
99 new dwellings have been approved in Mawson over the past five years, an average of 19 a year. That is 5.7 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 20 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 40% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. 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 Mawson have maintained a pace of around 19 properties per annum, totaling 99 homes across the latest 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). With only 0.4 new residents entering per approved dwelling across the latest 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), local additions equal or outpace inbound demand, broadening housing choices for purchasers and facilitating expansion beyond baseline forecasts alongside average building values of $367,000 per dwelling. Furthermore, current-year commercial approvals reached $1.1 million, reflecting subdued commercial activity. Per capita residential development in Mawson is substantially subdued relative to Australian Capital Territory, tracking 68.0% under the wider jurisdiction.
Such limited building rates typically sustain baseline pricing and interest in established stock. Recent activity divides into 40.0% detached dwellings alongside 60.0% medium-to-high density formats like townhouses or units. This tilt toward compact housing provides accessible price points for first-home buyers, investors, and downsizing households. Displaying around 302 people per dwelling approval, the locality exhibits low density features. Forecasts anticipate Mawson adding 47 residents through to 2041 according to recent quarterly benchmarks from AreaSearch. The prevailing volume of residential delivery appears well placed to absorb projected demand, fostering favorable buyer conditions and potentially enabling demographic growth beyond baseline estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Mawson
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 one current infrastructure or development project inside Mawson. A further 41 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $3.94 billion. 7 are already under construction and 9 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
Urban development, government initiatives, and civil works exert a considerable influence on neighborhood performance. AreaSearch has highlighted 2 projects holding direct relevance for the district. Significant developments influencing the surrounding catchment encompass Mixed-Use Complex In Mawson, Phillip Swimming And Ice-Skating Centre Redevelopment, Woden Town Square Precinct Redevelopment, and Canberra Hospital Master Plan.
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.
Mixed-Use Complex In Mawson
Development of 92 apartments with commercial components, designed by Oztal Architects, includes two buildings and basement parking.
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.
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.
Canberra Hospital Master Plan
The Canberra Hospital Master Plan is a 20-year strategic development blueprint prepared by Canberra Health Services and the ACT Government to guide campus expansion through 2041. Organized into seven specialized clinical and research precincts, the plan builds upon the recent $660 million Critical Services Building (Building 5) and Yamba Drive entrance upgrades. Future stages focus on a new pathology and clinical support facility, mental health precinct enhancements, and consolidated parking infrastructure.
Woden Town Centre Public Realm Upgrades
ACT Government public realm improvements to Woden Town Square and surrounding streets in Phillip, delivered in stages as part of the broader Woden renewal program. Works include new landscaping and tree planting, street furniture, wayfinding signage, improved pedestrian connectivity and active travel links around the CIT Woden Campus and town centre. The initial Woden Experiment placemaking activation (2019) informed subsequent permanent upgrades. The new Woden Public Transport Interchange became operational in April 2026, completing the active travel connectivity 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.
Woden Bus Depot and Transport Interchange
The Woden Bus Depot and Transport Interchange are fully completed and operational as of April 2026. The new interchange on Callam Street serves over 10,000 Canberrans daily with 10 platforms, improved amenities, and future-proofed light rail capabilities. The Woden Bus Depot is Australia's largest electric bus depot, featuring charging infrastructure for up to 100 zero-emission buses alongside modern maintenance facilities.
1,941 residents of Mawson are employed, from a labour force of 1,994. Unemployment sits at 2.7%, with participation at 68.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.9% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 3,040, about 86% 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
Mawson features a highly qualified labor force with strong representation in core services, paired with an unemployment rate of just 2.7% and a 1.8% rise in employment over the preceding year. As of March 2026, 1,941 residents are employed, maintaining an unemployment rate 1.4% beneath the 4.1% seen across Australian Capital Territory, while participation sits lower at 68.1% compared to 70.6% across Australian Capital Territory. Remote work was registered by a modest 10.1% of workforce participants in Census records, which were subject to COVID-19 restrictions. Primary employment sectors for local residents comprise public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and professional & technical roles.
Concentration is notably pronounced in health care & social assistance, employing residents at 1.6 times the territorial rate. By contrast, public administration & safety accounts for 27.8% of the working population, lagging behind the 30.4% baseline across Australian Capital Territory. Mawson remains a heavily residential enclave featuring subdued local job opportunities, as demonstrated by the comparison between working and resident populations. SALM and ABS metrics examined by AreaSearch reveal that across the 12 months to March 2026, local employment grew 1.8% against a 1.2% labor pool expansion, reducing the jobless rate by 0.6 percentage points. Over the same interval across Australian Capital Territory, employment increased 0.3%, the labor force expanded 1.1%, and joblessness rose 0.7 percentage points. Long-term labor trajectory estimates can be drawn from Mar-26 national projections by Jobs and Skills Australia. While nationwide employment is projected to expand 6.6% across five years and 13.7% over ten years, local industry composition suggests Mawson employment could climb 6.9% across five years and 14.2% over ten years via proportional extrapolation, without incorporating localized demographic adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Mawson is $2,204 a week (about $115,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,158 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $68,199 a year against an average of $87,891. 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
Taxation records compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 place Mawson SA2 in the upper tiers nationally. Local median taxpayer earnings stand at $68,199 alongside an average of $87,891, compared with benchmarks of $72,206 and $85,981 across Australian Capital Territory. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since financial year 2023 yields updated benchmarks of roughly $75,319 (median) and $97,067 (average) as of March 2026. In the 2021 Census, individual, household, and family earnings placed between the 78th and 88th percentiles across Australia. The $1,500 - 2,999 bracket accounts for 33.0% of earners (1,170 people), matching the regional proportion of 34.3%.
High-income earners making over $3,000 per week represent 34.9%, underpinning significant purchasing capacity. Housing costs consume 13.6% of income, disposable earnings sit in the 80th percentile, and the SEIFA income metric ranks in the 8th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Mawson had 1,375 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 54% detached houses and 20% apartments. 31% are owned with a mortgage, 36% rented and 33% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $400 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,167 a month. Rent absorbs 18.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.7%. 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, Mawson's housing landscape consisted of 54.2% standalone houses and 45.8% multi-unit configurations (including semi-detached properties, units, and 'other' dwellings), contrasted with 63.3% separate dwellings and 36.7% attached or apartment stock across Australian Capital Territory. Outright home ownership stood high at 32.9%, outperforming Australian Capital Territory, while 30.7% of residences carried a mortgage and 36.4% were occupied by tenants. Median monthly mortgage payments reached $2,167 against an ACT level of $2,080, while median weekly rent stood at $400 compared to $450 in Australian Capital Territory.
Relative to wider Australia, Mawson's mortgage costs exceed the $1,863 national median, and weekly rents surpass the $375 benchmark.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Mawson counted 1,375 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.4 people each. 27% are couples with children, against 29% couples without children. 29% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.5 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 66.9% of Mawson households, consisting of 28.9% couples without children, 27.4% couples with children, and 9.1% single parent arrangements. Non-family living situations represent 33.1%, split between 29.2% single-person dwellings and 3.6% group residences. The median household occupancy is 2.4 people, slightly below the 2.5 average for Australian Capital Territory.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
53.0% of adults in Mawson hold a university qualification, including 31.1% with a bachelor degree and 16.1% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 94% of areas nationally. A further 12.2% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 698 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,089 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
Mawson registers exceptional tertiary attainment, with 53.0% of individuals aged 15+ holding university degrees, outpacing the 30.4% national rate and 46.8% across the SA4 region. Bachelor degree holders constitute 31.1% of the cohort, postgraduate award holders represent 16.1%, and graduate diplomas account for 5.8%. Vocational credentials make up 23.6% among residents aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.4%) alongside certificates (12.2%). Participation in study remains strong, with 30.6% of the population actively undertaking formal education. This enrollment cohort comprises 9.5% attending primary schooling, 7.2% engaged in tertiary studies, and 6.9% in secondary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Mawson reaches 14 stops on 29 routes, timetabled for about 2,900 services a week. The typical home sits about 220 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.2 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
Mawson contains 14 active bus transit stops distributed across the suburb, accommodated by 29 individual transit routes providing 2,873 weekly passenger trips. Access to public transit is solid, with residents situated an average of 221 meters from their nearest boarding point. Commuters predominantly travel outside the residential area, with private vehicles accounting for 83% of transit journeys and buses taking 10%. Household motor vehicle ownership stands at 1.2 per dwelling, while 10.1% of workers reported working from home in the 2021 Census during COVID-19 conditions. Transit services maintain an operational tempo of 410 trips per day across the network, generating roughly 205 weekly trips at each active stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
70.8% of residents in Mawson report no long-term health condition. 4.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 63.3% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators in Mawson remain favorable based on AreaSearch evaluations of chronic conditions and mortality. Although older cohorts display higher health vulnerability relative to nationwide standards, general illness rates remain low across the broader population. Private health insurance participation is notably elevated at roughly 63% of residents (2,245 people), exceeding the 55.7% national average. Prevalent medical conditions identified locally include arthritis (8.3%) and mental health conditions (7.6%), while 70.8% of individuals reported being completely free of long-term medical ailments compared to 70.2% across Australian Capital Territory. Health metrics for the under-65 population track favorably.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 18.9% of the population (670 people), exceeding the 14.2% proportion across Australian Capital Territory, though displaying lower national rankings relative to younger local age groups.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
35.5% of Mawson residents were born overseas and 30.6% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 77% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are English (20.8%) and Australian (19.5%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity is pronounced in Mawson, where 35.5% of residents were born abroad and 30.6% converse in a non-English language at home. Christianity forms the largest religious affiliation at 40.9% of the population. Hinduism displays prominent representation, encompassing 8.9% of the local populace relative to 4.8% across Australian Capital Territory. In terms of parental birth heritage, the predominant ancestries reported across Mawson include English (20.8%), Australian (19.5%), and Other (17.5%), with the latter tracking well above the regional share of 12.2%. Minor ancestries showing above-average shares include Welsh at 0.9% (relative to 0.6% regionally), Hungarian at 0.5% (against 0.3%), and Russian at 0.5% (compared to 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Mawson is 38. 27.2% 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 Mawson leans toward mature demographics. August 2026 AreaSearch estimates show 18.9% of the populace in the senior bracket (65+), surpassing the 14.2% seen across Australian Capital Territory, while 29.3% belong to the 25 - 44 cohort, below the regional 32.8% level. The estimated median age sits at 38 as at August 2026, mirroring the 2021 Census figure and tracking 3 years above the ACT median of 35 recorded at that Census. Young to middle-aged adults declined from 31.6% at the Census to 29.3%. Forecasts to 2041 anticipate older age brackets absorbing the bulk of local expansion by adding 104 residents (15%) to reach 774, while younger adult cohorts and children are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Mawson
8 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 8 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. | ||
| 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 3 sections | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2025 about a year ago all 1 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 — 53 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,440 at the 2021 Census → 3,547 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 (801091106). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.