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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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Palmerston has an estimated 5,537 residents, down from 5,579 at the 2021 Census. That puts 2,840 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 research conducted by AreaSearch, the population residing in Palmerston stands at approximately 5,537 as of Aug 2026. This represents a contraction of 42 people (0.8%) compared to the 2021 Census, when 5,579 people were counted. This demographic shift is derived by combining the ABS estimated resident population of 5,537 recorded as of June 2025 with address validation data collected post-Census. With this population base, the local density reaches 2,839 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality within the highest quartile among national areas evaluated by AreaSearch. Inbound international migration served as the principal driver of demographic gains, generating roughly 62.9% of total population additions over recent intervals.
For each SA2 boundary, AreaSearch utilizes ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. In instances where specific SA2 areas lack coverage, or for horizons extending beyond 2032, age-bracket growth trajectories derived from ACT Government SA2 projections (using 2022 as a base) are applied. Looking ahead across this projection timeframe, models point toward an overall demographic reduction, anticipating that the local population will shrink by 18 persons by 2041 under this framework. Conversely, specific demographics are set to expand, most notably the 45 to 54 age group, which is forecast to increase by 83 people. Refer to the age section for further details.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building activity in Palmerston has been exceptionally quiet, with only 3 homes approved across the preceding 5 financial years. Alongside recent demographic declines, this pace of residential construction has maintained relative balance, which works to the advantage of property purchasers, while newly approved dwellings carry an average construction value of $124,000—below broader regional averages—pointing to relatively affordable building opportunities. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $553,000 during the current financial year, highlighting an environment centered primarily on residential property. In comparison to Australian Capital Territory, Palmerston records markedly subdued levels of building activity.
While subdued new construction generally bolsters value retention and demand across existing dwellings, local construction volume has registered a modest uptick in recent periods. Building activity also trails broader Australian averages, a reflection of established suburban maturity alongside potential land constraints. Furthermore, all recent construction has centered entirely on standalone houses, preserving the neighborhood's established suburban character and catering to family households prioritizing living space. This recent building trend demonstrates an even stronger orientation toward detached houses than baseline stock (60.0% at Census), underscoring enduring demand for detached family residences. With demographic forecasts pointing to flat or contracting population levels, Palmerston is likely to see subdued housing pressure, creating favorable market conditions for prospective property buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Palmerston
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 82 current infrastructure and development projects close to Palmerston, worth an estimated $4.79 billion. 13 are already under construction and 27 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation and education & training. 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
Major infrastructure developments, planning frameworks, and public works exert a fundamental influence on local area growth. Currently, no major public projects have been identified by AreaSearch as having a direct impact on the area. Notable regional developments in the surrounding district include the Gungahlin Community Centre, Gold Creek Homestead Precinct, Raya Gungahlin, and Gungahlin Town Centre Improvements, with further details provided below regarding the most relevant initiatives.
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
Gungahlin Town Centre Improvements
A comprehensive urban renewal program by the ACT Government to enhance the Gungahlin Town Centre. Key components include a major active travel project with 13 new community paths to improve walking and cycling connections, significant intersection safety upgrades at Hinder Street and Anthony Rolfe Avenue, and the Gungahlin Town Centre East Design and Place Framework for a new urban village.
Gungahlin Community Centre
A new 25 million AUD multipurpose facility designed to serve the growing Gungahlin community. The two-storey center includes a youth hub, art workshops, a large community hall for dance and judo, and a commercial-grade kitchen. It features secure outdoor green spaces centered around a preserved 100-year-old Blakelys Redgum tree, alongside public parking and end-of-trip facilities for commuters.
Olea Gungahlin Townhouses
Approved medium-density project branded Olea by Dish Developments. Original DA 202038102 approved on 5 Jul 2021 for 99 dwellings (70 townhouses, 29 units), later amended in Dec 2021 to a total of 109 dwellings with a single level basement (approx. 189 car spaces). Site fronts Camilleri Way and Kate Crace Street near Gungahlin Marketplace and the light rail, with outlook to Mulanggari Grasslands Nature Reserve.
Gold Creek Homestead Precinct
An $80 million intergenerational precinct comprising the restoration of the historic 1860s Gold Creek Homestead and a major expansion of The Grove Ngunnawal retirement village. The project includes 45 premium independent living villas, featuring Australia's first retirement 'Passive House' pilot for ultra-low energy consumption. The restored Homestead officially reopened in March 2026 as a multipurpose community hub. Construction continues on a co-located 124-bed residential aged care facility by Arcare, featuring a three-storey design with a cafe, wellness gym, and cinema, targeted for completion in late 2026 or early 2027.
Franklin Residential Development
New residential development in Franklin offering mixed housing typologies including apartments, townhouses and detached homes. Planned community with parks, walking trails and local retail amenities.
Franklin Aged Care Facility
New 120-bed aged care facility with specialized dementia care units, rehabilitation services and community health programs.
Raya Gungahlin
Raya is a contemporary residential development by Core Developments offering 166 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments in the heart of Gungahlin Town Centre. Located minutes from the Gungahlin Place light rail station and adjacent to major retail and dining precincts, the development features energy-efficient design with a minimum 6.2-star EER (average 7.4 stars), double-glazed windows, and common area solar power system. Designed by Stewart Architecture with interiors by Department of Design, apartments include spacious balconies ranging from 8 to over 50 square metres, high-quality finishes including Smeg appliances, reconstituted stone benchtops, Caroma tapware, timber flooring, and reverse cycle air conditioning.The project includes rooftop communal facilities with barbecue areas and resort-style amenities. Raya represents modern urban living with convenient access to shopping centers, restaurants, medical facilities, schools, and the light rail network. Sales launched in March 2025 with settlement scheduled for early 2027.
Gungahlin Community Facilities Upgrades
Multiple community facility improvements including new playground in Amaroo, Palmerston shops upgrades, new cricket nets at Bonner oval, and female-friendly changeroom upgrades at multiple ovals.
3,090 residents of Palmerston are employed, from a labour force of 3,244. Unemployment sits at 4.7%, with participation at 72.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 4,102, about 74% 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
Palmerston features a well-educated labor base with substantial participation across essential service industries, maintaining an unemployment rate of 4.7% alongside steady workforce conditions over the prior twelve months. As of March 2026, employed residents count 3,090 individuals, while local joblessness tracks 0.7% higher than the Australian Capital Territory rate of 4.1%, and the area's labor force participation rate closely aligns with the Australian Capital Territory level of 70.6%. Census figures indicate that a modest 11.6% of workers carried out their duties from home, though prevailing Covid-19 pandemic restrictions should be taken into account.
The primary employment fields for local residents comprise public administration & safety, professional & technical, and education & training. However, public administration & safety accounts for 27.7% of working residents, slightly below the 30.4% observed regionally. Given the contrast between resident workers and local employment figures recorded at the Census, this predominantly residential suburb offers fewer employment opportunities directly within its borders. According to AreaSearch's evaluation of ABS and SALM metrics, the twelve months to March 2026 saw local employment rise by 0.3% while the labor force expanded by 1.1%, causing unemployment to climb by 0.8 percentage points. Across Australian Capital Territory, employment similarly increased by 0.3%, the labor supply rose by 1.1%, and unemployment moved up 0.7 percentage points. Long-term national labor outlooks from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide additional context on prospective employment trends for Palmerston. When mapped against the local industry profile, these five- and ten-year projections illustrate potential growth patterns. Across the nation, total employment is projected to expand by 6.6% across five years and 13.7% across ten years, with distinct variations across different economic sectors. Weighting these broader projections against Palmerston's specific workforce distribution suggests local job numbers could grow by 6.4% over five years and 13.1% over ten years (note that this represents a simple proportional weighting for illustrative purposes and excludes local population forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Palmerston is $2,316 a week (about $120,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,134 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $66,616 a year against an average of $75,483. 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
Based on ATO postcode figures compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, taxpayers in the Palmerston SA2 record a median income of $66,616 alongside an average income of $75,483. These metrics rank very high in a nationwide context, sitting alongside the Australian Capital Territory median of $72,206 and average of $85,981. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% recorded since financial year 2023, modeled figures stand at approximately $73,571 (median) and $83,363 (average) as of March 2026. In the 2021 Census, personal, family, and household earnings all scored strongly, landing between the 84th and 87th percentiles nationally.
Income distribution shows that the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly earnings bracket accounts for 34.5% of local residents (1,910 individuals), closely matching the regional proportion of 34.3%. A substantial cohort of high earners (35.7% taking in over $3,000/week) underpins strong local purchasing power. Residential accommodation expenses represent 13.8% of income, while elevated earnings place local residents in the 85th percentile for disposable income and position the suburb within the 8th decile on the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Palmerston had 2,038 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 60% detached houses and 0% apartments. 43% are owned with a mortgage, 29% rented and 29% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $450 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,940 a month. Rent absorbs 19.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 19.3%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, the local residential stock in Palmerston comprised 60.3% standalone houses and 39.7% attached, apartment, or other dwellings, compared to 63.3% houses and 36.7% alternative dwelling types across Australian Capital Territory. Rates of outright homeownership matched the Australian Capital Territory figure of 28.6%, while remaining properties were either held with a mortgage (42.5%) or occupied by tenants (28.9%). Typical monthly mortgage costs stood below the Australian Capital Territory benchmark at $1,940, while typical weekly rental payments matched the broader territory level at $450, against territory-wide metrics of $2,080 and $450 respectively.
On a national scale, mortgage payments in Palmerston sit above the Australian median of $1,863, and local rental rates substantially exceed the nationwide figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Palmerston counted 2,038 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.6 people each. 35% are couples with children, against 26% couples without children. 22% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.5 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households constitute the majority of living arrangements at 74.7%, comprising couples with children at 35.2%, couples without children at 25.6%, and single-parent households at 13.0%. Non-family living situations account for the other 25.3%, consisting of single-person households at 21.8% and shared group households at 3.2%. The average household size stands at 2.6 persons, slightly above the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
41.5% of adults in Palmerston hold a university qualification, including 23.8% with a bachelor degree and 13.1% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 81% of areas nationally. A further 16.6% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 655 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,066 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Residents of Palmerston exhibit higher educational attainment than broader benchmarks, as 41.5% of individuals aged 15+ hold tertiary degrees compared with 30.4% across Australia. This educational standing positions the community exceptionally well for knowledge-intensive sectors. Bachelor degrees represent the most common tertiary attainment at 23.8%, accompanied by postgraduate qualifications (13.1%) and graduate diplomas (4.6%). Technical and trade accreditations are also widely held, with 27.3% of individuals aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (16.6%). Formal study participation remains elevated, with 31.3% of the resident population currently enrolled in an educational program.
Broken down by level, 10.6% are attending primary school, 6.9% are in secondary school, and 6.8% are undertaking tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Palmerston reaches 22 stops on 58 routes, timetabled for about 2,600 services a week. The typical home sits about 180 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.4 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
Palmerston is serviced by a public transit network of 22 active bus stops. These transit points accommodate 58 separate routes, combining to provide 2,578 scheduled trips each week. Transit access across the suburb is excellent, with residents located an average of 184 meters from their closest stop. Given the suburb's residential focus, the majority of workers travel out of the area, with private motor vehicles being the primary mode for 85% of commuters and buses carrying 7%. Households maintain an average of 1.4 vehicles each. Working from home was recorded by 11.6% of residents at the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-related conditions.
Transit service levels provide an average of 368 daily trips across the broader network, which equates to roughly 117 trips each week per individual transit stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
69.6% of residents in Palmerston report no long-term health condition. 4.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 56.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of chronic health conditions and mortality rates indicate that Palmerston benefits from above-average health metrics, with minimal prevalence of common medical ailments across both older and younger age brackets. Furthermore, private healthcare coverage is widespread, held by approximately 57% of all residents (~3,133 people), compared with 62.4% throughout Australian Capital Territory. Mental health conditions and asthma represent the most frequently reported medical diagnoses locally, affecting 9.4% and 8.6% of residents respectively, whereas 69.6% reported having no diagnosed long-term health conditions, in line with 70.2% across Australian Capital Territory.
Health outcomes among working-age individuals align with typical benchmarks. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 14.3% of the community (792 people), with older cohorts demonstrating favorable health outcomes that generally mirror wider national performance levels.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
32.2% of Palmerston residents were born overseas and 32.2% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 75% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (22.8%) and English (21.5%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Palmerston displays a higher degree of cultural diversity than most Australian communities, with 32.2% of its population born overseas and 32.2% utilizing a non-English language in their households. Christianity constitutes the primary religious affiliation, accounting for 42.9% of the local population. Buddhism is notably prominent, representing 4.9% of the community compared to 3.0% across Australian Capital Territory. Regarding ancestral background based on parental birthplace, the three largest groups in Palmerston are Australian at 22.8%, English at 21.5%, and Other at 13.3%. Several cultural groups demonstrate higher local concentrations than the wider territory, including residents of Croatian heritage at 1.4% (compared to 0.9% regionally), Vietnamese heritage at 2.3% (against 1.0%), and Korean heritage at 1.0% (compared to 0.6%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Palmerston is 36. 25.6% 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 age distribution in Palmerston closely aligns with Australian Capital Territory patterns, showing a maximum variation of 3.6 percentage points across any single broad age cohort. The estimated median age is 36, remaining unchanged from the 2021 Census and sitting 1 year older than the territory-wide median of 35 recorded at that Census. Since then, seniors and retirees aged 65+ have increased their demographic share from 12.2% to an estimated 14.3%. Moving toward 2041, the 65+ cohort is forecast to experience the largest numerical increase, adding 100 residents (13%) to reach 893.
In contrast, populations of young to middle-aged adults, as well as children and young adults, are projected to decrease over that timeframe.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Palmerston
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 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) | Aug 2026 last month 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 4 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 6 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) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago 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 Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (5,579 at the 2021 Census → 5,537 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 Aug 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 (801041048). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.