O'Connor (ACT)

O'Connor has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

As of November 2025, O'Connor's population is approximately 6,027, reflecting an increase of 110 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 5,917. This change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,865 in June 2024 and an additional 25 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is around 1,222 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 86.3% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered and years post-2032, age group growth rates from the ACT Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, using 2022 as the base year. Future population dynamics anticipate an increase just below the median of Australian statistical areas, with an expected rise to 6,325 persons by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 298 persons and 2.3% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in O'Connor, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

O'Connor has recorded approximately 24 residential properties granted approval each year. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, a total of 122 homes were approved, with an additional 19 approved so far in FY-26. Despite recent population decline, development activity has been adequate relative to other areas, benefiting buyers while new homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $394,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties.

This year, there have also been $2.0 million in commercial approvals, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, O'Connor has significantly less development activity, 71.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established homes. Recent construction comprises 67.0% detached dwellings and 33.0% medium and high-density housing, offering choices across price ranges from spacious family homes to more accessible compact options.

With around 364 people per dwelling approval, O'Connor shows a developed market. Population forecasts indicate O'Connor will gain 136 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

O'Connor has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 25thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 33 projects that may affect the region. Notable initiatives include Yowani Grounds Estate Development, Yowani Country Club - New Clubhouse, Northbourne Village - De Burgh, and Public Housing Renewal: 44 David Street, Turner. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

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.

Employment performance in O'Connor exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

O'Connor's workforce is highly educated with strong professional services representation. The unemployment rate was 3.3% in the past year, showing an estimated growth of 0.9%. As of September 2025, 3,552 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.3% below the Australian Capital Territory's rate of 3.6%.

Workforce participation was on par with the ACT at 72.5%. According to Census responses, 15.9% of residents worked from home as of September 2025. Dominant employment sectors include public administration & safety, professional & technical, and education & training. The area shows strong specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.

Health care & social assistance had limited presence at 8.5%, compared to the regional average of 11.7%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by the working population vs resident population count. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 0.9% and labour force grew by 1.0%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, ACT saw employment rise by 1.4%, labour force grow by 1.2%, and unemployment fall by 0.2 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May-25) project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to O'Connor's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 2023, O'Connor SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $74,570 with an average level standing at $90,141. Nationally, these figures are extremely high compared to levels of $72,206 and $85,981 for the Australian Capital Territory respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.26% since financial year ending June 2023, current estimates would be approximately $81,475 (median) and $98,488 (average) as of September 2025. Census data from 2021 shows household, family, and personal incomes all rank highly in O'Connor, between the 90th and 93rd percentiles nationally. Income distribution data shows that 31.2% of residents (1,880 people) fall within the $4000+ bracket, unlike metropolitan trends where 34.3% fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. The substantial proportion of high earners, with 42.9% above $3,000/week, indicates strong economic capacity throughout the district. Housing accounts for 13.7% of income while strong earnings rank residents within the 91st percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

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

In O'Connor, as per the latest Census evaluation, 65.9% of dwellings were houses while 34.1% consisted of other types such as semi-detached homes and apartments. This compares to the Australian Capital Territory's figures of 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in O'Connor stood at 31.8%, with mortgaged properties making up 29.2% and rented dwellings accounting for 39.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,500, exceeding the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,080. The median weekly rent in O'Connor was recorded at $451, slightly higher than the Australian Capital Territory's figure of $450. Nationally, O'Connor's median monthly mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while median weekly rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

O'Connor features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 62.5% of all households, including 27.7% couples with children, 24.9% couples without children, and 8.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 37.5%, with lone person households at 26.2% and group households comprising 11.4%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which aligns with the Australian Capital Territory average.

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

Educational attainment in O'Connor is notable, with 61.0% of residents aged 15 and above holding university qualifications. This exceeds the national average of 30.4% and the SA4 region's average of 46.8%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 31.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (23.2%) and graduate diplomas (6.3%). Technical qualifications make up 14.1%, with advanced diplomas at 6.3% and certificates at 7.8%.

Educational participation is high, with 36.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 15.0% in tertiary education, 8.2% in primary education, and 8.0% pursuing secondary education.

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

O'Connor has 29 active public transport stops, all serving buses. These stops are covered by 118 different routes, offering a total of 9,435 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically living 187 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily due to its residential nature. Cars remain the primary mode of transport at 64%, followed by cycling at 15% and buses at 8%. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, 15.9% of residents work from home, which might be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, service frequency averages 1,347 trips per day, equating to approximately 325 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in O'Connor is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

O'Connor demonstrates above-average health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both young and old age cohorts showed a low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover was exceptionally high at approximately 66% of the total population (3,971 people), compared to 62.4% across Australian Capital Territory and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions were mental health issues impacting 10.7% of residents and asthma affecting 8.2%, while 69.2% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 70.2% across Australian Capital Territory. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 15.5% of residents aged 65 and over (933 people), which is higher than the 14.1% in Australian Capital Territory. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in O'Connor was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

O'Connor's population showed significant diversity with 25.6% born overseas and 17.7% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 31.5%. Judaism, though small at 0.3%, was higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 0.2%.

The top three ancestral groups were English (24.6%), Australian (22.9%), and Other (10.6%). Notably, Polish (1.3% vs regional 0.8%), Croatian (1.1% vs 0.9%), and Hungarian (0.4% vs 0.3%) groups had higher representations than the region's averages.

O'Connor's population is younger than the national pattern

O'Connor's median age is 35, matching the Australian Capital Territory figure but slightly below Australia's 38 years. Compared to the territory, O'Connor has a higher proportion of residents aged 15-24 (17.6%) but fewer residents aged 35-44 (10.3%). This 15-24 concentration is notably above the national average of 12.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the 25 to 34 age group has increased from 15.7% to 17.6%, while the 75 to 84 cohort has risen from 3.3% to 5.0%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age group has decreased from 11.7% to 10.3%, and the 35 to 44 age group has fallen from 11.7% to 10.3%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic shifts in O'Connor. The 75 to 84 cohort is projected to grow by 51%, adding 152 residents to reach 454. This growth is part of an ongoing trend of demographic aging, with residents aged 65 and older representing 65% of anticipated population growth. Meanwhile, the 0 to 4 and 45 to 54 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.