O'Connor (ACT)
Statistical Area - sa2

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

O'Connor (ACT)'s population is around 5,882 as of Aug 2025. This reflects a decrease of 35 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,917 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,870 from the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 25 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,193 persons per square kilometer. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 86.3% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. 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 a base. Future population dynamics anticipate an increase just below the median of Australian statistical areas, with the area expected to increase by 298 persons to 2041 based on latest numbers, resulting in a total increase of 4.8% over the 17 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 34 residential properties granted approval each year. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis. Over the past five financial years, from FY20 to FY25, around 170 homes have been approved, with an additional three approved in FY26 so far. Despite population decline during this period, new supply has likely kept pace with demand, offering buyers good choice.

The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $543,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. This financial year has seen approximately $2.0 million in commercial approvals, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, O'Connor shows significantly reduced construction activity, 72.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes.

New building activity consists of approximately 67.0% detached dwellings and 33.0% attached dwellings, with a growing mix of townhouses and apartments providing options across different price points. With around 364 people per dwelling approval, O'Connor demonstrates a developed market. Population forecasts indicate that O'Connor will gain approximately 281 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections and providing good conditions for buyers.

O'Connor has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 30 projects likely to affect the region. Notable initiatives include Northbourne Village-De Burgh, Yowani Grounds Estate Development, Yowani Country Club Redevelopment-Office Building, and Yowani Country Club-New Clubhouse. The following list details those most relevant:.

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

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

O'Connor ACT has a highly educated workforce with strong professional services representation. Its unemployment rate was 3.0% in June 2025, below the Australian Capital Territory's (ACT) rate of 3.4%.

Employment grew by 1.6% over the past year. As of June 2025, 3,607 residents are employed with an unemployment rate of 0.4% lower than ACT's. Workforce participation is similar to ACT's at 69.6%. Key industries include public administration & safety, professional & technical, and education & training.

Professional & technical employment is notably high at 1.4 times the regional average. However, health care & social assistance is under-represented at 8.5% compared to ACT's 11.7%. Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by Census data. Over June 2024-June 2025, employment and labour force increased by 1.6%, keeping unemployment stable at 3.0%. In contrast, ACT saw employment rise by 1.9% with a 0.3 percentage point unemployment decrease. State-level data to Sep-25 shows ACT employment contracted by 0.33% (losing 1,480 jobs) with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, compared to the national rate of 4.5%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to O'Connor's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.6%% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

O'Connor's median taxpayer income was $71,027 and average income was $87,803 according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. This is high nationally, contrasting with the Australian Capital Territory's median income of $68,678 and average income of $83,634. By March 2025, estimates suggest a median income of approximately $78,684 and an average income of $97,268, based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.78% since financial year 2022. Incomes in O'Connor rank highly nationally, with household, family, and personal incomes all between the 91st and 94th percentiles according to the 2021 Census. The largest income segment comprises 31.2% earning $4000+ weekly (1,835 residents), contrasting with the surrounding region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 34.3%. Economic strength is evident through 42.9% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000. Housing accounts for 13.7% of income, and residents rank 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, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This contrasts with the Australian Capital Territory's figures of 39.3% houses and 60.7% 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 Australian Capital Territory average of $2,080. The median weekly rent in O'Connor was recorded as $451, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's figure of $476. Nationally, O'Connor's median monthly mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,500 against 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 higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 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 is larger than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.2.

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 notably higher than broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15+, 61.0% hold university qualifications compared to 30.4% nationally and 46.8% regionally. Bachelor degrees are the most common (31.5%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (23.2%) and graduate diplomas (6.3%). Technical qualifications represent 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. O'Connor's three schools have a combined enrollment of 499 students as of the latest data available. The area demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions, with an ICSEA score of 1093. Education provision is balanced with two primary schools and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. School places per 100 residents stand at 8.5, below the regional average of 15.4, suggesting some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

Transport analysis indicates 29 active public transport stops in O'Connor. These are served by a mix of bus routes, totalling 6 individual lines. Together, they facilitate 370 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents located an average of 187 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 52 trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately 12 weekly trips per 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 shows above-average health outcomes. Both younger and older age groups have a low prevalence of common health conditions.

The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 64% of the total population (3752 people). This compares to a national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues are the most common medical condition in the area, affecting 10.7% of residents. Asthma impacts 8.2%, while 69.2% report being completely clear of medical ailments. This compares to 70.8% across the Australian Capital Territory. The area has 15.5% of residents aged 65 and over (911 people), higher than the 11.4% in the Australian Capital Territory. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

O'Connor 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

O'Connor's population showed higher cultural diversity compared to most local markets, with 25.6% born overseas and 17.7% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the dominant religion in O'Connor, accounting for 31.5%. Judaism, however, had an overrepresentation of 0.3%, higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 0.5%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (24.6%), Australian (22.9%), and Other (10.6%). Certain ethnic groups showed notable differences: Polish at 1.3% in O'Connor versus 0.9% regionally, Croatian at 1.1% versus 0.7%, and Hungarian at 0.4% versus 0.3%.

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

The median age in O'Connor is 35 years, matching the Australian Capital Territory figure but slightly lower than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, O'Connor has a higher proportion of residents aged 15-24 (17.6%) but fewer residents aged 35-44 (10.3%). This concentration of young adults is significantly higher than the national average of 12.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the age group 25 to 34 has increased from 15.7% to 17.6%, while the 75 to 84 cohort has grown 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 also dropped from 11.7% to 10.3%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes for O'Connor. The 55 to 64 cohort is projected to grow by 25%, adding 169 residents and reaching a total of 860. This growth contributes to the continuing demographic aging trend, with residents aged 65 and older representing 63% of anticipated population growth. In contrast, the 0 to 4 and 15 to 24 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.