McKellar
Statistical Area - sa2

McKellar has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, McKellar's population is around 2633 as of August 2025. This reflects a decrease of 107 people, approximately 3.9%, since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 2740 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 2633 from the ABS as of June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of approximately 1867 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 56.2% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data and for years post-2032, age group growth rates from the ACT Government's SA2 area projections, with 2022 as a base, were adopted. Considering these projected demographic shifts, over this period, projections indicate a decline in overall population, with the area's population expected to shrink by approximately 499 persons by 2041 according to this methodology. However, growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, led by the 75 to 84 age group which is projected to increase by approximately 42 people.

The level of residential development activity in McKellar is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

McKellar has seen approximately zero new homes approved annually. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis: 1 home over the past five financial years (between FY20-FY25), with zero recorded so far in FY26. Given population decline over this period, new supply likely keeps up with demand, offering good choice to buyers.

New properties are constructed at an average value of $262,000, under regional levels, indicating more accessible housing choices for buyers. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, McKellar has significantly less development activity (94.0% below regional average per person). This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties. Recent development has been entirely comprised of detached dwellings, preserving the area's suburban nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The location has approximately 2646 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market.

With population expected to remain stable or decline, McKellar should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

McKellar has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 24thth percentile nationally

No infrastructure changes or major projects were identified in the area by AreaSearch. Key projects potentially impacting the area are Onderra, Bruce Innovation District, Kenny New Suburb Development, and New Northside Hospital. Details about these relevant projects follow.

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

Employment conditions in McKellar remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

McKellar's workforce is highly educated with strong representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 3.9% as of June 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 1.5% over the past year.

There were 1,395 residents employed by June 2025, with an unemployment rate of 4.4%, which is 0.5% above the Australian Capital Territory's (ACT) rate of 3.4%. Workforce participation in McKellar was 62.3%, significantly lower than ACT's 69.6%. Dominant employment sectors among residents include public administration & safety, professional & technical, and health care & social assistance. Construction stands out with employment levels at 1.4 times the regional average.

However, public administration & safety is under-represented, with only 27.8% of McKellar's workforce compared to ACT's 30.4%. Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by the Census working population count vs resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 1.5%, while labour force also rose by 1.5%, keeping unemployment relatively stable at 4.9%. In comparison, ACT recorded employment growth of 1.9% with a 0.3 percentage point drop in unemployment to 3.7%. State-level data for Sep-25 shows ACT employment contracted by 0.33% (losing 1,480 jobs), with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, favourable when compared to the national unemployment rate of 4.5% and lagging national employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to McKellar's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.5% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that McKellar has one of the highest incomes in Australia, with a median income of $64,878 and an average income of $78,350. This is higher than the Australian Capital Territory's median income of $68,678 and average income of $83,634. Using Wage Price Index growth of 10.78% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for McKellar as of March 2025 would be approximately $71,872 (median) and $86,796 (average). Census data reveals that household, family, and personal incomes in McKellar are among the highest in Australia, ranking between the 89th and 94th percentiles nationally. Distribution data shows that 27.3% of locals (718 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly income category, which is similar to the broader area where 34.3% occupy this bracket. A substantial number of residents, 45.3%, earn more than $3,000 weekly. After housing costs, residents retain 89.8% of their income on average, indicating strong purchasing power in the area. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

McKellar is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In McKellar, as per the latest Census evaluation, 93.7% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 6.3% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This contrasts with the Australian Capital Territory's (ACT) figures of 69.4% houses and 30.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in McKellar stood at 42.8%, with mortgaged properties at 38.0% and rented ones at 19.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, surpassing the ACT average of $2,000. Weekly rent median was $438 compared to ACT's $430. Nationally, McKellar's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

McKellar features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 79.4% of all households, including 35.7% couples with children, 32.9% couples without children, and 10.7% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 20.6%, with lone person households at 17.6% and group households making up 2.9%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.

McKellar performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

Educational attainment in McKellar shows a significant advantage over broader Australian benchmarks. As of 2016 data, 42.3% of residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, compared to the national average of 30.4%. This educational advantage is reflected in various qualification levels: bachelor degrees at 25.3%, postgraduate qualifications at 11.6%, and graduate diplomas at 5.4%. Vocational pathways account for 24.9% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 9.2% and certificates at 15.7%.

Educational participation is notably high in McKellar, with 27.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of the 2016 census. This includes 8.6% in primary education, 7.1% in secondary education, and 6.1% pursuing tertiary education. However, educational facilities appear to be located outside McKellar's immediate catchment boundaries, requiring families to access schools in neighboring areas for their children's education.

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

Transport analysis shows 24 active stops operating within McKellar. These are a mix of bus services. Three routes serve these stops, providing a total of 687 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated excellent with residents typically located 151 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 98 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 28 weekly trips per stop.

McKellar's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

McKellar's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks.

Common health conditions are seen at standard levels across both young and old age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 59% (1,548 people). The most common medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, impacting 9.7 and 7.8% of residents respectively. 68.0% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 68.1% across Australian Capital Territory. The area has 21.0% (552 people) aged 65 and over, higher than the 15.3% in Australian Capital Territory. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

McKellar 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

McKellar's population was found to be more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 31.0% born overseas and 27.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the dominant religion in McKellar, comprising 50.9% of its population. However, Buddhism was overrepresented compared to regional figures, making up 3.6% versus 3.0%.

The top three ancestral groups were Australian (22.7%), English (21.4%), and Other (11.2%). Notable ethnic group divergences included Croatian (2.4% vs regional 0.8%), Polish (1.1% vs 0.8%), and Serbian (0.7% vs 0.3%).

McKellar hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

McKellar's median age is 43 years, which is significantly higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 35 and considerably older than Australia's median age of 38. Compared to the ACT average, McKellar has an over-representation of the 65-74 age cohort (12.9% locally) and an under-representation of the 25-34 age group (12.3%). Post-2021 Census, the 75-84 age group grew from 4.8% to 6.7% of McKellar's population, while the 45-54 cohort declined from 12.8% to 11.8%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in McKellar's age profile. The 75-84 cohort is expected to grow by 18%, adding 31 residents to reach 209. All growth will come from residents aged 65 and older, while population declines are projected for the 0-4 and 15-24 cohorts.