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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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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 investigations by AreaSearch, the population of McKellar is approximately 2,619 in May 2026. This represents a contraction of 121 individuals (4.4%) from the 2,740 residents recorded during the 2021 Census. This shift is calculated utilizing the ABS June 2025 estimated resident population of 2,619 alongside address verification checks conducted post-Census. Such a population size yields a density of 1,857 persons per square kilometer, a figure that exceeds the typical density found across the country. The main driver of population gains recently was overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 61.3% of the overall increase.
Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia published in 2024 (using 2022 as a base year) are utilized for each SA2 district. Where this information is unavailable, or for periods past 2032, growth rates by age group from the ACT Government's SA2 projections (also with a 2022 base) are implemented. Based on these anticipated demographic trends, the total population is projected to drop, with a reduction of 472 persons by 2041 under this approach. Conversely, expansion is projected within particular age brackets, led by the cohort aged 75 to 84, which is expected to grow by 35 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building approvals in McKellar average approximately 1 per year, with a cumulative total of 5 dwellings authorized over the last 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 0 approvals have been logged. With the local population contracting, this level of new housing has likely matched demand, providing options for purchasers, while the average expected construction cost stands at $326,000—moderately higher than regional averages—pointing to a focus on premium builds. McKellar exhibits minimal building activity when contrasted with the Australian Capital Territory overall, coming in 94.0% below the regional per capita average.
This restricted flow of new dwellings typically bolsters demand and supports prices for pre-existing houses. The construction rate is similarly below the national benchmark, reflecting a mature market and potential development constraints. Furthermore, all recent approvals consisted of detached homes, maintaining the low-density suburban character of the suburb and appealing to buyers seeking extra space. The area averages about 2626 people per single residential approval, highlighting the established status of the local market. Given that the local population is projected to contract or remain steady, McKellar will likely experience less pressure on its housing stock, which could open up favorable options for home buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around McKellar
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
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 $20.7 billion. 11 are already under construction and 18 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, planning initiatives, and major works are key drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has identified 0 projects within the area that are expected to impact the local market. The principal projects of relevance include Wayfarer Belconnen by Geocon (Stage 2), Bruce Innovation District, Belconnen Lakeshore - Connected Waterfront Precinct, and the Kenny New Suburb Development, with the main projects detailed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
1,332 residents of McKellar are employed, from a labour force of 1,416. Unemployment sits at 5.9%, with participation at 64.7%. 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
The local workforce in McKellar is highly qualified, with a strong presence in essential services and an unemployment rate of 5.9%. In March 2026, there are 1,332 employed residents, with the unemployment rate standing 1.9% higher than the 4.1% rate recorded across the Australian Capital Territory. Furthermore, participation in the labor force is notably lower at 64.7% compared to the Australian Capital Territory average of 70.8%. Census data indicates that only 13.3% of the working population operated from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of COVID-19 restrictions. The primary employment sectors for local residents are public administration & safety, professional & technical, and health care & social assistance.
There is a notable concentration of workers in construction, which represents 1.4 times the regional proportion. On the other hand, the public administration & safety sector is less represented locally at 27.8% of employment compared to 30.4% regionally. Given the discrepancy between the local working population and resident workforce counts, this highly residential suburb appears to offer few job opportunities within its own boundaries. An examination of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch reveals that during the twelve months ending March 2026, the local workforce expanded by 1.1% while overall employment contracted by 1.2%, leading to a 2.1 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, the Australian Capital Territory saw employment rise by 0.3% and the workforce grow by 1.1%, with its unemployment rate increasing by 0.7 percentage points. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia dated May-25 offer additional perspective on potential employment trends in McKellar. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future employment paths. Locally, applying these industry-level national growth rates (which project overall expansions of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though varying by sector) suggest that McKellar's employment could grow by 6.5% over five years and 13.3% over ten years.
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
According to the most recent postcode ATO data for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the McKellar SA2 record a median income of $69,692 and an average income of $80,802. These figures rank among the highest nationally, compared to the Australian Capital Territory median of $72,206 and average of $85,981. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since financial year 2023, current estimates correspond to roughly $76,968 for the median and $89,238 for the average as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census confirms that household, family, and individual incomes in McKellar are high, placing in the 88th to 93rd percentiles across the country.
The income distribution is dominated by the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which accounts for 27.3% of residents (714 people), mirroring metropolitan trends where 34.3% fall into this bracket. Economic capacity is further demonstrated by the 45.3% of households earning weekly incomes above $3,000, which helps drive local consumer spending. After paying for housing, households retain 89.8% of their earnings, indicating strong disposable income, and the suburb is positioned in the 8th decile of 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
An analysis of housing types from the most recent Census shows that McKellar's housing stock consists of 93.7% separate houses and 6.3% semi-detached properties, apartments, or other dwellings, compared to the Australian Capital Territory average of 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings. The rate of outright home ownership in McKellar is significantly higher than the territory average at 42.8%, with the remaining properties occupied by households with a mortgage (38.0%) or renting tenants (19.2%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,167 is higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,080, while the median weekly rent of $438 is slightly lower than the territory average of $450.
On a national level, monthly mortgage payments in McKellar are much higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are also well above the national median of $375.
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 represent the vast majority of local households at 79.4%, consisting of couples with children at 35.7%, couples without children at 32.9%, and single-parent households at 10.7%. Non-family households constitute 20.6% of the area, with lone persons accounting for 17.6% and group households making up 2.9%. The median household occupancy stands at 2.7 people, which is higher than 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
Residents of McKellar demonstrate high levels of educational attainment, with 42.3% of those aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to the national average of 30.4%. This highlights a highly qualified population well-positioned for professional sectors. Bachelor degrees represent the most common higher qualification at 25.3%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 11.6% and graduate diplomas at 5.4%. Vocational education is held by 24.9% of the population aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.2%) and certificates (15.7%). A significant portion of the population is actively engaged in studies, with 27.6% of residents currently enrolled in an educational program.
This student cohort includes 8.6% in primary school, 7.1% in high school, and 6.1% enrolled in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in McKellar reaches 21 stops on 59 routes, timetabled for about 3,800 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 transport infrastructure in McKellar includes 21 active bus stops. These stops accommodate 59 separate routes, which combine to run 3,841 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is highly rated, with residents living an average of 158 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, leading to commuting patterns directed outwards, with 90% of commuters driving a car and 6% taking a bus. Motor vehicle ownership is high, averaging 1.7 cars per dwelling, which is above the regional average. A relatively low 13.3% of residents worked from home, as recorded in the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 conditions.
Across all active transit routes, services run at an average frequency of 548 trips per day, which translates to roughly 182 weekly trips per 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
Based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and the prevalence of chronic illnesses, McKellar records favorable health outcomes, with low rates of common conditions observed among both younger and older age brackets. The proportion of residents with private health insurance is high, encompassing roughly 60% of the population (1,558 people), compared to 62.4% across the Australian Capital Territory. Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent chronic conditions locally, affecting 9.7% and 7.8% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 68.0% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 70.2% across the Australian Capital Territory.
Working-age individuals exhibit above-average rates of chronic conditions. Residents aged 65 and over make up 22.2% of the local population (581 people), which exceeds the territory-wide figure of 14.3%. Senior citizens in the area enjoy particularly strong health outcomes, ranking higher nationally than the general population.
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
McKellar exhibits higher levels of cultural diversity than most comparable markets. The overseas-born population stands at 31.0%, while 27.2% of residents speak a non-English language at home. Christianity is the main religious affiliation, representing 50.9% of the community. Buddhism is notably overrepresented at 3.6% of the population, compared to the Australian Capital Territory average of 3.0%. The primary ancestries recorded in the suburb are Australian (22.7%), English (21.4%), and Other (11.2%). In comparison to the broader region, there are distinct concentrations of certain backgrounds, including Croatian at 2.4% of the population (compared to 0.9% regionally), Polish at 1.1% (compared to 0.8%), and Serbian at 0.7% (compared to 0.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of McKellar is 43. 24.8% 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 McKellar is 43 years, which is older than both the Australian Capital Territory median of 35 years and the national median of 38 years. Compared to territory averages, there is a higher concentration of residents in the 65 - 74 age group (12.8%) and a lower representation of the 25 - 34 cohort (11.9%). Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 grew from 4.8% to 8.0%, and the 15 to 24 group increased from 11.8% to 12.9%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 12.8% to 11.5%, and the 55 to 64 group decreased from 15.1% to 13.9%.
Demographic models suggest that by 2041, the age profile will change, with the 75 to 84 cohort projected to see the largest growth rate of 4%, adding 8 residents to total 219. Seniors aged 65 and older represent 100% of the projected growth, while population declines are anticipated for those aged 0 to 4 and 15 to 24.
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 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. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 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 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 (801011021). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.