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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
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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McKellar has an estimated 2,619 residents, down from 2,740 at the 2021 Census — a change of 121 people, or 4.4%. The population has thinned by an average 1.1% a year over five years, slower than 99% of areas nationally. That puts 1,857 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 demographic research by AreaSearch, McKellar has an estimated population of 2,619 as of Aug 2026. This represents a reduction of 121 residents (4.4%) from the 2021 Census tally of 2,740 people. Such numbers are derived from the ABS estimated resident population figure of 2,619 in June 2025 alongside address verification metrics tracked since the Census. McKellar maintains a density of 1,857 persons per square kilometer, outpacing the national average across regions monitored by AreaSearch. Inflow from abroad served as the main demographic engine, generating around 61.3% of total population additions over recent timeframes.
Projections generated by ABS/Geoscience Australia published in 2024 (anchored to 2022) are utilized by AreaSearch across SA2 locations, supplemented where needed or beyond 2032 by ACT Government SA2 models using a 2022 baseline. Looking ahead, this framework forecasts a demographic contraction for the locality, projecting a loss of 473 persons by 2041. In contrast to the overarching downward trend, positive momentum is expected within selected age brackets, most notably among individuals aged 75 to 84, who are forecast to add 35 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential construction authorizations have been minimal in McKellar over recent times, recording 4 homes approved across the 5 financial years from FY-22 to FY-26. Amid recent population contraction, this subdued construction volume has generally aligned with buyer requirements while providing suitable options, with newly constructed dwellings averaging an expected construction cost of $408,000. Building activity in McKellar remains notably subdued when measured against Australian Capital Territory, as well as falling behind national levels, highlighting an established urban fabric alongside likely zoning constraints. Such constrained additions typically bolster buyer competition and values across existing housing stock.
Furthermore, new building activity has centered exclusively on separate houses, maintaining the suburban ambiance and catering to purchasers seeking detached layouts with ample room. Given that demographic figures are projected to contract or plateau, residential demand in McKellar is poised to ease, potentially offering favorable conditions for purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around McKellar
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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 48 current infrastructure and development projects close to McKellar, worth an estimated $18.3 billion. 11 are already under construction and 18 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal 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
Infrastructure upgrades, major planning programs, and regional initiatives play a fundamental role in shaping local community performance. AreaSearch has identified no active major projects within the area that are expected to have an immediate influence. Surrounding regional developments of note encompass Wayfarer Belconnen by Geocon (Stage 2), Bruce Innovation District, Belconnen Lakeshore - Connected Waterfront Precinct, and Kenny New Suburb Development, with the most relevant initiatives outlined 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.
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.
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.
Bruce Precinct
A masterplanned mixed-use urban precinct and residential land release located centrally in Bruce. Aligning with the Bruce Sports, Health and Education Precinct masterplan, it aims to deliver 250-500 new dwellings alongside commercial, hospitality, innovation hubs, and retail opportunities.
Bruce Sporting Complex Upgrade
Progressive upgrade of sporting facilities in Bruce including playing fields, lighting, pavilions, changerooms and supporting infrastructure. The works form part of the ACT Government's ongoing sportsground improvement program to improve community and competition sporting facilities.
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.
Kaleen Environmental Restoration Project
Restoration of natural habitats and delivery of water sensitive urban design works in Kaleen to improve creek health, reduce stormwater pollutants entering Lake Ginninderra, and enhance local biodiversity and amenity.
West Belconnen Health Centre
Planned ACT Government community health centre for the growing West Belconnen and Ginninderry region. The facility is intended to provide integrated primary care, specialist outpatient services, allied health, mental health and community health services. As of 2026 the project remains in the planning phase with potential sites under review, land acquisition and concept design progressing ahead of future construction funding.
1,332 residents of McKellar are employed, from a labour force of 1,416. Unemployment sits at 5.9%, with participation at 64.5%. 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 1,988, about 76% 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
McKellar features a well-educated labor pool with significant participation in core community services, alongside an unemployment rate of 5.9%. Total employed residents stood at 1,332 as of March 2026, while local joblessness exceeds the Australian Capital Territory benchmark of 4.1% by 1.9%, and the labor force participation rate of 64.5% trails the territory figure of 70.6%. Census findings showed that just 13.3% of workers operated remotely from home, a metric subject to pandemic-era restrictions. Key employment sectors for the local workforce include public administration & safety, professional & technical, and health care & social assistance.
Building and construction displays noticeable local concentration, holding an employment proportion 1.4 times regional levels. Conversely, public administration & safety captures a smaller share at 27.8% relative to the 30.4% regional benchmark. Comparing Census resident numbers against local employment figures indicates that this predominantly residential district provides restricted job creation within its boundaries. AreaSearch evaluated SALM and ABS figures for the period to March 2026, revealing a 1.1% growth in the labour force paired with a 1.2% drop in employment, which pushed unemployment up by 2.1 percentage points. In comparison, the Australian Capital Territory experienced a 0.3% employment increase, a 1.1% labour force expansion, and a 0.7 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia released national employment forecasts dated Mar-26 to help gauge future demand in McKellar. Those forecasts span five and ten year horizons and were overlaid onto McKellar's current employment structure to project growth trajectories. Nationally, employment is expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though sectoral growth varies widely. When those industry projections are applied to McKellar's job composition, local employment is projected to grow by 6.5% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, though this simple weighting exercise is illustrative only and excludes local population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in McKellar is $2,687 a week (about $140,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,160 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $69,692 a year against an average of $80,802. 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
ATO postcode records compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 reveal that McKellar SA2 recorded a median individual taxpayer income of $69,692 and an average of $80,802, placing the area at an elevated tier nationwide compared to Australian Capital Territory averages of $72,206 (median) and $85,981 (average). Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since financial year 2023 produces updated benchmark estimates of $76,968 for median income and $89,238 for average income as of March 2026. Across the 2021 Census, local personal, family, and household earnings all placed between the 88th and 93rd percentiles nationally.
Income distribution shows 27.3% of local earners (714 individuals) falling into the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, closely tracking the broader regional share of 34.3%. Financial strength is evident with 45.3% generating weekly earnings above $3,000, underpinning demand for higher-end retail and commercial services. Households retain 89.8% of earnings after meeting shelter expenses, highlighting substantial disposable income and securing an 8th decile position on the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
McKellar had 963 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 94% detached houses and 0% apartments. 38% are owned with a mortgage, 19% rented and 43% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $438 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,167 a month. Rent absorbs 16.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 18.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to Census findings, McKellar's dwelling landscape consists of 93.7% separate houses and 6.3% alternative housing types such as apartments and semi-detached units, compared to Australian Capital Territory figures of 63.3% houses and 36.7% alternative dwellings. Outright home ownership is particularly pronounced at 42.8%, notably exceeding the territory benchmark, while properties under mortgage represent 38.0% and tenancies account for 19.2%. Monthly mortgage payments show a local median of $2,167 against the territory level of $2,080, while median weekly rent is $438 compared to $450 across Australian Capital Territory. On a nationwide basis, local mortgage commitments run well ahead of the $1,863 Australian baseline, with rental figures likewise surpassing the $375 national benchmark.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
McKellar counted 963 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.7 people each. 36% are couples with children, against 33% couples without children. 18% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families form the clear majority of local living arrangements at 79.4%, comprising couples with children at 35.7%, childless couples at 32.9%, and single parent households at 10.7%. Non-family dwellings make up the remaining 20.6%, divided between single-person homes at 17.6% and shared residences at 2.9%. The median household size stands at 2.7 people, exceeding the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
42.3% of adults in McKellar hold a university qualification, including 25.3% with a bachelor degree and 11.6% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 15.7% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Educational profiles in McKellar sit well above broader benchmarks, with 42.3% of individuals aged 15+ possessing a higher education degree compared to 30.4% nationally, positioning the suburb advantageously for professional and knowledge-focused careers. Bachelor awards represent the largest qualification at 25.3%, alongside postgraduate degrees at 11.6% and graduate diplomas at 5.4%. Technical and vocational training accounts for 24.9% of adult qualifications among residents aged 15+, comprising certificates (15.7%) and advanced diplomas (9.2%). Academic participation is strong throughout the community, with 27.6% of residents enrolled in formal studies. Primary education accounts for 8.6% of the population, secondary schooling encompasses 7.1%, and tertiary courses engage 6.1%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in McKellar reaches 19 stops on 51 routes, timetabled for about 3,600 services a week. The typical home sits about 160 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.7 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
Public transit networks in McKellar include 19 active bus stops served by 51 distinct routes, generating 3,553 weekly departures across the area. Accessibility is strong, with typical walking distances to a stop averaging 159 meters. Given the residential profile, outward commuting dominates: private vehicles represent 90% of travel, while bus services capture 6%. Dwellings average 1.7 motor vehicles, exceeding regional figures, while 13.3% of workers worked from home according to 2021 Census records influenced by pandemic conditions. Transit service frequency across the network averages 507 departures daily, which translates to roughly 187 trips per week at each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
68.0% of residents in McKellar report no long-term health condition. 5.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 59.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Community health indicators in McKellar perform favorably against broader benchmarks in AreaSearch reviews of illness prevalence and mortality, with low rates of common health conditions observed across both younger and older residents. Private health insurance coverage is notably robust, encompassing roughly 60% of residents (1,558 people), in line with the 62.4% figure recorded across Australian Capital Territory. Arthritis and asthma constitute the leading diagnosed conditions locally, affecting 9.7 and 7.8% of the community, while 68.0% reported no diagnosed medical conditions compared to 70.2% across Australian Capital Territory. Meanwhile, working-age cohorts display an above-average incidence of long-term health issues.
Seniors aged 65 and over make up 23.1% of the population (604 people), exceeding the 14.2% proportion across Australian Capital Territory, with older residents registering particularly strong health ratings relative to national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
31.0% of McKellar residents were born overseas and 27.2% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (22.7%) and English (21.4%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in McKellar exceeds typical local benchmarks, with 31.0% of the populace born abroad and 27.2% speaking a non-English language in their households. Christianity is the dominant faith, observed by 50.9% of residents. The most noticeable demographic concentration appears in Buddhism, which accounts for 3.6% of the local population compared to 3.0% across Australian Capital Territory. Regarding parental birthplaces, Australian heritage leads at 22.7% of the community, followed by English backgrounds at 21.4% and Other ancestries at 11.2%. Specific European ancestries show elevated representation relative to wider benchmarks, including Croatian residents at 2.4% (against 0.9% regionally), Polish at 1.1% (versus 0.8%), and Serbian at 0.7% (compared to 0.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of McKellar is 43. 24.6% 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
McKellar exhibits a distinct lifestyle and retirement orientation within its demographic makeup. AreaSearch figures for August 2026 indicate that seniors aged 65+ comprise 23.1% of the suburb, compared to 14.2% across Australian Capital Territory, whereas adults aged 25 - 44 account for 22.5% locally against a territory level of 32.8%. Median age is estimated at 43, holding steady since the 2021 Census and remaining 8 years older than the Australian Capital Territory median of 35, while the national Census median stood at 38. The most significant shift since the Census occurred among the 65+ cohort, rising from 19.9% to an estimated 23.1%.
Long-term projections to 2041 indicate no meaningful growth across broad age cohorts, with contractions expected among mature adults, younger retirees, youth, and children.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for McKellar
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. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,740 at the 2021 Census → 2,619 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 (801011021). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.