O'Connor (ACT)

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

O'Connor's population was 5,917 as of May 2021. By May 2026, it had increased to around 5,923, a rise of 6 people (0.1%). This growth is inferred from ABS estimated resident population figures: 5,921 in June 2025 and an additional 25 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density was approximately 1,201 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed about 89.3% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses 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 lower quartile growth, with the area expected to increase by 257 persons to 2041 based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 4.3% over the 16 years.

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. The population decline over recent years has resulted in adequate development activity relative to other areas, benefiting buyers.

The average construction cost value for new homes is $394,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. This year alone, there have 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, 70.0% 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 affordable compact options. With around 364 people per dwelling approval, O'Connor shows a developed market. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, O'Connor is forecasted to gain 255 residents by 2041. 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 24thth percentile nationally

The performance of an area is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 33 such projects that could impact the area. Notable projects include Yowani Grounds Estate Development (Newlyne Precinct), Yowani Country Club - New Clubhouse, Yowani Country Club Redevelopment - Office Building, and Botanical Turner. The following list details those expected to have the most relevance.

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.

O'Connor has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

O'Connor has an educated workforce with professional services well represented. Its unemployment rate was 3.9% in December 2025, similar to the Australian Capital Territory's (ACT) 3.8%. Workforce participation was also comparable to ACT's at 70.5%.

According to Census responses, 15.9% of residents worked from home as of December 2025, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Dominant employment sectors include public administration & safety, professional & technical, and education & training. The area specializes in professional & technical services with an employment share 1.4 times the regional average. Health care & social assistance has limited presence at 8.5%, compared to 11.7% regionally.

Local employment opportunities appear limited, as indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Over December 2024 to December 2025, employment increased by 0.3% while labour force grew by 1.1%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, ACT saw employment rise by 0.9%, labour force grow by 1.2%, and unemployment increase by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall 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 simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data for financial year 2023 shows O'Connor SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $74,570 and an average income of $90,141. These figures are high compared to the national averages of $72,206 and $85,981 respectively in Australian Capital Territory. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, estimated median and average incomes as of March 2026 would be approximately $82,355 and $99,552 respectively. Census 2021 data ranks O'Connor's household, family, and personal incomes highly, between the 90th and 93rd percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that 31.2% of residents earn over $4,000 weekly, unlike metropolitan trends where 34.3% fall within a lower bracket. High earnings indicate strong economic capacity, with housing accounting for 13.7% of income and disposable income ranking at the 91st percentile. 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, 65.9% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 34.1% being semi-detached homes, apartments, or other types. This is compared to the Australian Capital Territory's (ACT) figures of 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in O'Connor stood at 31.8%, with mortgaged properties at 29.2% and rented ones at 39.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,500, higher than the ACT average of $2,080. The median weekly rent was $451, similar to the ACT figure of $450. Nationally, O'Connor's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,500 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while 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

In O'Connor, educational attainment notably exceeds broader benchmarks. Specifically, 61.0% of residents aged 15 years or older possess university qualifications, compared to Australia's national average of 30.4%, and the SA4 region's average of 46.8%. This significant educational advantage positions the area favourably for opportunities centered around knowledge-based industries. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent among residents, with 31.5% holding such qualifications, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 23.2%, and graduate diplomas at 6.3%.

Technical qualifications represent a substantial portion of educational achievements in O'Connor, with 14.1% of residents aged 15 years or older having completed advanced diplomas (6.3%) or certificates (7.8%). Educational participation is notably high within the area, with 36.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education programs. This includes 15.0% pursuing tertiary education, 8.2% engaged 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

Public transport analysis shows 29 active transport stops operating within O'Connor, consisting of a mix of buses. These stops are served by 118 individual routes, collectively providing 9,435 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 187 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 64%, with 15% cycling and 8% by bus. Vehicle ownership averages 1.2 per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, some 15.9% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 1,347 trips per day across all routes, 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 show low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 66% of the total population, which consists of 3,903 people.

This compares to 62.4% across Australian Capital Territory and a national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, impacting 10.7 and 8.2% of residents respectively. Meanwhile, 69.2% of residents declare 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 16.0% of residents aged 65 and over, which comprises 950 people, higher than the 14.3% 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 higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 25.6% born overseas and 17.7% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in O'Connor, making up 31.5%. Judaism was overrepresented compared to Australian Capital Territory, comprising 0.3% versus 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%) ethnic groups were overrepresented in O'Connor.

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

O'Connor's median age is 35, matching the Australian Capital Territory figure but lower than Australia's 38 years. Compared to the ACT, O'Connor has a higher proportion of residents aged 15-24 (17.8%) but fewer residents aged 35-44 (10.1%). This 15-24 concentration is significantly higher than the national average of 12.7%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the 25 to 34 age group has increased from 15.7% to 18.4%, while the 75 to 84 cohort has risen from 3.3% to 5.1%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age group has decreased from 11.7% to 9.8%, and the 35 to 44 age group has dropped from 11.7% to 10.1%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic shifts in O'Connor. The 55 to 64 cohort is projected to grow by 20%, adding 140 residents to reach a total of 829. This growth reflects an ongoing trend of demographic aging, with residents aged 65 and older representing 61% of anticipated population growth. Conversely, the 0 to 4 and 15 to 24 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.