Richardson
Statistical Area - sa2

Richardson has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Richardson's population was approximately 2,992 as of August 2025, a decrease of 66 people (2.2%) since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 3,058. This change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 2,992 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 11 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density was 1,335 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. While Richardson experienced a 2.2% decline since census, the SA3 area achieved 0.2% growth, indicating divergent population trends. Natural growth contributed approximately 66.3% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, age group growth rates from the ACT Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, also based on 2022. Future population trends indicate an overall decline by 171 persons by 2041, but specific age cohorts like the 75 to 84 age group are projected to grow by 36 people.

The level of residential development activity in Richardson is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Richardson averaged around two new dwelling approvals annually. Development approval data from the ABS is on a financial year basis: 11 dwellings approved between FY20-FY25, with 0 so far in FY26. Population decline has occurred during this period.

Relative to demand, housing supply has remained adequate, creating a balanced market with good buyer choice. $56,000 in commercial approvals were registered in the current financial year. Richardson's new dwelling approval rate per person is approximately two-thirds of the Australian Capital Territory's, placing it around the 30th percentile nationally. This indicates limited buyer options and strengthening demand for established dwellings, though building activity has recently accelerated. The area's new development consists of 50.0% detached houses and 50.0% attached dwellings, reflecting denser development trends appealing to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. This differs significantly from the current housing mix of 96.0% houses, likely due to reduced development site availability and shifting lifestyle demands.

Richardson has around 0 people per dwelling approval, showing low density characteristics. With population expected to remain stable or decline, housing pressure may reduce, potentially creating buying opportunities.

Richardson has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 43rdth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified four projects expected to impact the area: Calwell Group Centre improvements, Calwell Retirement Living Precinct, Calwell Public Housing Development, and Light Rail Stage 4 to Tuggeranong. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

AreaSearch analysis reveals Richardson recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Richardson has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate was 6.2% in the past year, seeing an estimated employment growth of 3.7%.

As of June 2025, 1,634 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.8%, compared to Australian Capital Territory's (ACT) rate of 3.4%. Workforce participation was similar to ACT's at 69.6%. Key industries of employment include public administration & safety, construction, and health care & social assistance. Richardson specializes in construction, with an employment share 2.0 times the regional level.

However, public administration & safety shows lower representation at 22.8% compared to the regional average of 30.4%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, indicated by Census working population vs resident population count. In the past year, employment increased by 3.7%, labour force by 1.6%, and unemployment fell by 1.9 percentage points. ACT recorded employment growth of 1.9% with a state unemployment rate of 4.2% in Sep-25, compared to the national rate of 4.5%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Richardson's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.4%% over five years and 13.1% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

Richardson has a median taxpayer income of $59,751 and an average of $66,221, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022. This is slightly above the national average, contrasting with the Australian Capital Territory's median income of $68,678 and average income of $83,634. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.78% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Richardson would be approximately $66,192 (median) and $73,360 (average) as of March 2025. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Richardson cluster around the 74th percentile nationally. Distribution data shows that 38.6% of locals (1,154 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income category, reflecting a pattern seen in the broader area where 34.3% occupy this range. High housing costs consume 15.7% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 69th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Richardson is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Richardson's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 95.7% houses and 4.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to the Australian Capital Territory's 79.6% houses and 20.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Richardson stood at 26.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 47.8% and rented ones at 25.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, aligning with the Australian Capital Territory average, while the median weekly rent was $391, compared to the territory's averages of $2,000 and $425 respectively. Nationally, Richardson's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were higher than the national figure of $375.

Richardson has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 75.0% of all households, including 33.3% couples with children, 23.4% couples without children, and 16.4% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 25.0%, composed of 22.8% lone person households and 2.4% group households. The median household size is 2.6 people, aligning with the Australian Capital Territory average.

Educational outcomes in Richardson fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area faces educational challenges with university qualification rates at 21.3%, substantially below the SA4 region average of 46.8%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 14.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 37.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (11.7%) and certificates (25.5%).

Educational participation is high at 29.2%, including 10.6% in primary, 7.9% in secondary, and 3.4% in tertiary education. Richardson Primary School serves the area with an enrollment of 140 students. It demonstrates typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 951) with balanced educational opportunities. The school focuses exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available nearby. Local school capacity is limited at 4.7 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 14.9, leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

Richardson has 28 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. All these stops are served by bus routes. There are 8 individual routes in total, offering 1,152 weekly passenger trips combined.

The accessibility of transport is rated excellent, with residents being an average of 182 meters away from the nearest stop. On average, there are 164 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 41 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Richardson is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Richardson faces significant health challenges, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover stands at approximately 52%, affecting around 1,567 people, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's rate of 57.2%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 10.0% and 8.6% of residents respectively. About 66.3% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 66.1% across the Australian Capital Territory. The area has 14.4% of residents aged 65 and over (430 people), which is lower than the Australian Capital Territory's figure of 17.6%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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

Richardson's population showed above-average cultural diversity, with 21.8% born overseas and 17.5% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Richardson, accounting for 46.5%. Islam, however, was notably overrepresented at 3.3%, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's average of 2.4%.

Regarding ancestry, Australians comprised 27.6%, followed by English at 24.7% and Other at 9.2%. Hungarian (0.6%), Spanish (0.8%), and Serbian (0.6%) ethnic groups were overrepresented in Richardson compared to regional averages of 0.3%, 0.7%, and 0.4% respectively.

Richardson's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Richardson's median age is nearly 36 years, close to the Australian Capital Territory average of 35 but younger than Australia's average of 38 years. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Richardson has a higher proportion of residents aged 65-74 (10.1%) but fewer residents aged 15-24 (11.4%). From the 2021 Census to present, the proportion of residents aged 65-74 has increased from 8.6% to 10.1%, while the 0-4 age group has grown from 6.2% to 7.5%. Conversely, the 55-64 age group has declined from 12.7% to 10.8% and the 5-14 age group has dropped from 13.8% to 12.3%. Population forecasts for Richardson in the year 2041 indicate significant demographic changes, with the strongest projected growth in the 75-84 age cohort (29%), adding 30 residents to reach a total of 135. Residents aged 65 and above will drive 87% of population growth, emphasizing trends towards an aging population. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 85+ and 45-54 age cohorts.