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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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Richardson has an estimated 3,065 residents. That puts 1,368 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 findings from AreaSearch, the population of Richardson stands at approximately 3,065 as of May 2026. This indicates an addition of 7 individuals (0.2%) since the 2021 Census, when the count was 3,058 people. The adjustment is determined using the ABS estimated resident population of 3,060 from June 2025 alongside 12 validated new addresses confirmed since the Census. This population level translates to a density of 1,368 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the typical figure across national locations evaluated by AreaSearch. The post-census expansion of 0.2% in Richardson is within 1.2 percentage points of the broader SA3 area (1.4%), indicating competitive growth dynamics.
Natural increase was the main driver of population growth, accounting for roughly 62.0% of the overall population gains in recent times. AreaSearch utilizes projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia for individual SA2 areas, published in 2024 with 2022 serving as the baseline. For SA2 areas excluded from this dataset, as well as for periods after 2032, growth rates by age group from the ACT Government's SA2 projections starting from a 2022 baseline are applied. Looking at future demographic developments, projections show a downward trend in the total population, with a projected reduction of 159 persons by 2041 under this approach. Conversely, expansion is predicted within particular age brackets, led by the 75 to 84 cohort, which is expected to rise by 33 people. See the age section for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
21 new dwellings have been approved in Richardson over the past five years, an average of 4 a year. That is 1.4 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 3, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Richardson has averaged approximately 4 residential building approvals annually, representing a total of 21 homes over the last 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 3 approvals have been logged. With the population declining recently, the supply of housing has remained sufficient to meet demand, leading to a balanced market with options for purchasers, while new structures carry an average building cost of $195,000—a figure below the regional average—pointing to more economical housing alternatives for buyers. Furthermore, $56,000 in non-residential commercial approvals have been documented this financial year, reflecting quiet commercial building activity.
Relative to the Australian Capital Territory, the rate of new home approvals per capita in Richardson is about two-thirds, placing the area in the 30th percentile of locations analyzed nationwide, which points to somewhat restricted opportunities for buyers but bolsters demand for existing properties, although construction pace has risen lately. This level is also below the nationwide average, reflecting the established nature of the suburb and suggesting possible planning constraints. New projects consist of 50.0% detached houses and 50.0% attached dwellings. The shift toward higher density housing provides affordable entry points and attracts downsizers, investors, and first-time buyers. This represents a major departure from the existing housing stock (which stands at 96.0% houses), indicating a decline in available development lots and meeting evolving lifestyle preferences and affordability needs. Because the population is anticipated to remain constant or shrink, Richardson is likely to experience less pressure on housing, potentially creating favorable conditions for home buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Richardson
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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 12 current infrastructure and development projects close to Richardson, worth an estimated $1.59 billion. 1 are already under construction and 3 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation and telecommunications. 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, major developments, and urban planning changes play a critical role in shaping the performance of a suburb. A total of 4 projects have been flagged by AreaSearch as having a potential impact on the local area. Principal developments include Banks Gateway Estate, Calwell Retirement Living Precinct, Calwell Public Housing Development, and Canberra Light Rail Stage 4 - Woden to Tuggeranong, with the subsequent list detailing those expected to have the most relevance.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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
Wanniassa Hills Primary School Modernisation
ACT Government modernisation project at Wanniassa Hills Primary School delivering a preschool upgrade and replacement of existing gas boilers with fully electric heat pumps to improve energy efficiency, thermal comfort and learning environments. The works build on the school's earlier major modernisation program including new learning communities, administration refurbishment, hall improvements and expanded parking. Electrical supply upgrade works were tendered in 2025 to support the new HVAC system.
Erindale Group Centre Master Plan Implementation - Stage 1
A long-term revitalisation of the Erindale Group Centre focused on transforming public spaces, improving pedestrian and active travel links, and upgrading community infrastructure. The 2025-26 ACT Budget specifically funded the Erindale shops upgrade, with concept designs for public space improvements, including new lighting, paving, and furniture, expected for community feedback in 2026. The broader master plan facilitates future mixed-use development and roughly 800 new dwellings to support Tuggeranong growth.
Calwell Retirement Living Precinct
A retirement living precinct proposal by KBDC, featuring 30 one-storey townhouses alongside the Calwell shopping strip.
Canberra Light Rail Stage 4 - Woden to Tuggeranong
Proposed southern extension of the Canberra light rail network connecting Woden Town Centre to Tuggeranong Town Centre via the Athllon Drive corridor. Recent 2026 updates indicate the ACT Government is developing a transit-oriented development (ToD) plan for the Athllon Drive corridor, with conceptual integrated bus and light rail network options for Canberra South expected by June 2026. The project remains part of the long-term City-wide Light Rail Network plan to support a population of 500,000.
Calwell Public Housing Development
30 new public housing townhouses (2 and 3 bedroom) built to Class C Adaptable standards. Features evaporative heating/cooling, 6-star energy rating hot water systems, double-glazed windows, and sustainable design.
EV Fast Charging Infrastructure - Calwell (Calwell Shopping Centre)
Public DC fast EV charging delivered at Calwell Shopping Centre and operated by Evie Networks, supported by ACT Government grants and ARENA funding to expand Canberra's charging network.
Calwell Group Centre improvements
Public space upgrades at local shops including new seating, playground with nature play elements, accessible parking bays, improved pedestrian access, upgraded lighting, and enhanced landscaping. Features nest swing, trampolines, slide, steppers and new shade sail.
The Valley Ponds - Wanniassa
Proposed medium-density residential estate of approximately 120-150 townhouses and apartments on former open space land between Wanniassa Hills and the Erindale Centre, part of the broader Indicative Land Release Program.
1,586 residents of Richardson are employed, from a labour force of 1,700. Unemployment sits at 6.7%, with participation at 69.0%. 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 2,310, about 75% 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
Richardson features a capable labor pool with strong representation in essential services, an unemployment rate of 6.7%, and an estimated job growth rate of 1.1% over the past year. As of March 2026, there are 1,586 employed residents, with the unemployment rate sitting 2.7% above the Australian Capital Territory average of 4.1%, and labor market participation closely matching the Australian Capital Territory benchmark of 70.8%. According to Census data, a modest 8.0% of workers operated from home, though the influence of Covid-19 restrictions should be kept in mind. The primary sectors employing residents are public administration & safety, construction, and health care & social assistance.
The locality displays a specific employment concentration in construction, where its share of jobs is 2.0 times the regional average. Conversely, public administration & safety is underrepresented, employing 22.8% of the local workforce compared to 30.4% in the Australian Capital Territory. The largely residential character of the suburb appears to limit local employment opportunities, as shown by the ratio of Census local workers to resident workers. Based on AreaSearch's evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics, during the 12 months ending March 2026, employment grew by 1.1% and the labor force expanded by 1.0%, leading to a decrease in the unemployment rate of 0.1 percentage points. Meanwhile, the Australian Capital Territory recorded employment growth of 0.3% and labor force growth of 1.1%, resulting in a 0.7 percentage point increase. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia dated May-25 offer additional perspective on prospective future demand in Richardson. These forecasts, spanning five and ten-year horizons, have been applied to the local workforce structure to project growth trends. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary considerably across different industries. Applying these sector-specific forecasts to the employment distribution of Richardson suggests local jobs should rise by 6.4% over five years and 13.1% over ten years (note that this is a basic weighted extrapolation for demonstration purposes and does not incorporate local population forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Richardson is $2,043 a week (about $106,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,012 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $62,703 a year against an average of $68,414. 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
The most recent postcode-level ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicate that incomes in the Richardson SA2 are close to the national average, with a median of $62,703 and an average of $68,414. This is lower than the Australian Capital Territory, which records a median income of $72,206 and an average of $85,981. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since financial year 2023, current projections estimate these figures at approximately $69,249 (median) and $75,556 (average) as of March 2026. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes in Richardson placed around the 73rd percentile nationally.
The earnings distribution shows that the largest group, representing 38.6% of residents (1,183 people), falls within the $1,500 - 2,999 range, mirroring the surrounding region where 34.3% are in the same bracket. High housing expenses take up 15.7% of earnings, yet solid incomes keep disposable funds at the 68th percentile, and the area's SEIFA income score falls in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Richardson had 1,108 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 96% detached houses and 0% apartments. 48% are owned with a mortgage, 26% rented and 27% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $391 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,000 a month. Rent absorbs 19.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The mix of housing in Richardson at the time of the latest Census consisted of 95.7% detached houses and 4.3% other home types (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings in the Australian Capital Territory. Home ownership rates in Richardson matched the Australian Capital Territory level of 26.5%, with the remaining properties being either mortgaged (47.8%) or rented (25.6%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the suburb was lower than the Australian Capital Territory median at $2,000, while the median weekly rent stood at $391, compared to $2,080 and $450 in the Australian Capital Territory.
On a national scale, mortgage payments in Richardson are higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are above the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Richardson counted 1,108 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.6 people each. 33% are couples with children, against 23% couples without children. 23% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the vast majority of households at 75.0%, which includes 33.3% couples raising children, 23.4% couples without children, and 16.4% single parent households. Non-family households account for the remaining 25.0%, consisting of single-person households at 22.8% and group households at 2.4%. The median household occupancy of 2.6 people is slightly above the Australian Capital Territory median of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
21.3% of adults in Richardson hold a university qualification, including 14.0% with a bachelor degree and 4.8% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 25.5% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 140 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 951 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
Educational attainment levels in the area show areas for improvement, with university graduation rates (21.3%) sitting well below the SA4 regional average of 46.8%. This presents both a difficulty and a chance for focused educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 14.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees (4.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Vocational and technical training are highly represented, with 37.2% of residents aged 15 and over holding trade qualifications – specifically advanced diplomas (11.7%) and certificates (25.5%). Enrollment in education is quite strong, with 29.2% of the population presently undertaking formal study.
This comprises 10.6% in primary school, 7.9% in high school, and 3.4% enrolled in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Richardson reaches 28 stops on 54 routes, timetabled for about 3,700 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 1.6 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
Analysis of transit options indicates there are 28 active public transport stops in Richardson, consisting of bus services. These stops are connected to 54 separate routes, which combine to support 3,689 passenger journeys each week. Access to transit is classified as excellent, with typical resident walk distances of 182 meters to the nearest stop. Because this is a residential suburb, the majority of workers travel outside the area for employment, with private cars remaining the primary choice at 93%, and buses carrying 6%. Household car ownership averages 1.6 vehicles per home, which is above the regional norm.
A low 8.0% of the workforce worked from home (2021 Census; this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 rules). Transit service frequency averages 527 journeys per day across all active routes, which equates to roughly 131 trips per stop every week.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
66.3% of residents in Richardson report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 75% of areas nationally. 6.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 53.3% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.8 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 data and the occurrence of chronic illnesses, Richardson exhibits notable health concerns, with common ailments being somewhat widespread among both younger and older populations, while the percentage of residents with private health insurance is just ahead of the median SA2 location at roughly 53% of the population (~1,633 people). This compares to 62.4% across the Australian Capital Territory. The most prevalent health issues recorded in the suburb were mental health conditions and arthritis, affecting 10.0 and 8.6% of the population, respectively, while 66.3% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 70.2% in the Australian Capital Territory.
The workforce-age cohort experiences clear health challenges with higher rates of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and over make up 15.1% of the local population (461 people). Health indicators for these older residents show some difficulties, with national rankings aligning closely with those of the broader community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Richardson is largely Australian-born, at 78.2% of residents, with 17.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (27.6%) and English (24.7%). 3.3% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Richardson shows higher cultural diversity than average, with 21.8% of the population born outside Australia and 17.5% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, accounting for 46.5% of Richardson residents. The most notable religious overrepresentation is Islam, which represents 3.3% of the community compared to 3.4% across the Australian Capital Territory. Regarding ancestral origins (parents' country of birth), the primary groups in Richardson are Australian at 27.6%, English at 24.7%, and Other at 9.2%. Notable variations also appear in other backgrounds: Hungarian background is overrepresented at 0.6% in Richardson (compared to 0.3% across the region), Spanish at 0.8% (compared to 0.5%), and Serbian at 0.6% (compared to 0.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Richardson is 36. 27.6% 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 median age in Richardson is 36 years, which is very close to the Australian Capital Territory average of 35 and slightly lower than the Australian figure of 38 years. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Richardson has a larger proportion of residents aged 65 - 74 (10.4%) but a smaller share of people aged 15 - 24 (11.4%). Since the 2021 Census, the 65 to 74 age group has risen from 8.6% to 10.4% of the population, and the 75 to 84 cohort has climbed from 2.8% to 3.9%.
In contrast, the 55 to 64 bracket fell from 12.7% to 10.3%, and the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 13.8% to 12.3%. Demographic projections for 2041 indicate notable shifts for Richardson. The 75 to 84 group is projected to see the highest growth at 22%, increasing by 26 residents to a total of 146. Seniors (65+) are expected to account for 87% of the total population growth, highlighting the aging trend. Conversely, population drops are expected for the 45 to 54 and 5 to 14 age groups.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Richardson
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) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| 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) | Aug 2026 this 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 — 12 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,058 at the 2021 Census → 3,065 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 (801071087). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.