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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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Rivett has an estimated 3,436 residents, up from 3,354 at the 2021 Census — a change of 82 people, or 2.4%. Growth has averaged 0.8% a year over five years, slower than 77% of areas nationally. That puts 2,134 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
The population of Rivett is estimated at around 3,436 as of May 2026, according to analysis by AreaSearch. This number represents a growth of 82 residents (2.4%) compared to the 2021 Census, which counted 3,354 people. This adjustment is calculated based on the ABS estimated resident population of 3,431 as of June 2025 combined with 5 validated new addresses identified since the Census date. The locality has a population density of 2,134 persons per square kilometer, a rate that stands above the average for national locations evaluated by AreaSearch. With its 2.4% expansion since the 2021 census, Rivett outpaced the wider SA3 area (1.9%) to lead regional growth.
The main driver of this population growth was overseas migration, which accounted for approximately 56.7% of the total demographic gains during recent periods. Projections utilized by AreaSearch incorporate data from ABS/Geoscience Australia released in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. Where SA2 areas lack coverage or for periods after 2032, age cohort growth rates are drawn from ACT Government SA2 projections, which also use 2022 as a baseline. Future population forecasts suggest a downward trend overall, with expectations that the resident count will decrease by 84 persons by 2041 under this model. Conversely, expansion is anticipated within particular age brackets, notably the 55 to 64 age group, which is forecast to grow by 95 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
30 new dwellings have been approved in Rivett over the past five years, an average of 6 a year. That is 1.8 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 5, 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
Residential development approvals in Rivett run at approximately 6 per year, totaling 30 approved homes during the last 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) alongside 5 approvals in FY-26 to date. An influx of 4.2 people per year for every home constructed during the previous 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) indicates that local demand far outstrips incoming supply, a trend that typically drives up property prices and heightens competition among buyers, with the average construction cost for new properties standing at $279,000. Compared to Australian Capital Territory, the per capita rate of new housing approvals in Rivett is roughly three-quarters as high, placing the suburb in the 24th percentile of locations evaluated across the nation, which restricts options for buyers and bolsters demand for existing homes.
This low level of building activity sits below the national average, highlighting the established profile of the community and pointing to possible planning constraints. Furthermore, all recent construction has consisted of detached houses, preserving the classic suburban feel and offering family-oriented housing for buyers wanting more space. Reflecting a highly mature real estate market, there are approximately 809 people for every new dwelling approval in Rivett. As the local population is projected to stabilize or contract, the demand pressure on housing in Rivett is likely to ease, which may present favorable conditions for prospective buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Rivett
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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 16 current infrastructure and development projects close to Rivett, worth an estimated $1.1 billion. 3 are already under construction. The pipeline spans residential development, retail and sports & recreation. 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 upgrades, key planning proposals, and development initiatives are major drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has identified 0 total projects that are expected to influence the suburb. Prominent local projects include the Molonglo Group Centre to Town Centre Transition, Fetherston Weston, the Canberra Hospital Master Plan, and the Deakin Private Hospital, with details provided below on those most applicable to the area.
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
Cooleman Court Shopping Precinct Upgrades
Upgrades to the shopping precinct at Cooleman Court to revitalize and improve access.
Woolworths Weston Creek Supermarket Expansion and Refurbishment
Expansion of the supermarket and full refurbishment to Woolworth's latest standard. Supermarket to remain open during refurbishment.
Waramanga Oval and Stirling Playing Fields Upgrades
Lighting upgrades at Waramanga Oval and upgraded field lights at Stirling Playing fields to allow for night matches.
Heysen Street, Weston RZ4 Land Development Opportunity
Substantial 13,130my RZ4 (medium density residential) land parcel in established Weston, available for purchase for residential development. Elevated block with Brindabella views.
Weston Creek Aged Care Facility
Construction of an aged care facility and associated works on Blocks 1151 and 864 Weston Creek. Follows NCA Board approval in 2015 for a retirement village and 99-year lease.
Molonglo Town Centre
Canberra's sixth town centre, formally reclassified under National Capital Plan Amendment 99 (September 2024). The Suburban Land Agency is master-planning a 97-hectare precinct along the Molonglo River to serve as the primary commercial and community hub for the Molonglo Valley district, expected to house around 70,000 residents by 2050. The centre will include a main shopping precinct, homemakers and service trades precinct, district library and community centre, indoor sport and recreation facility, high school and college, transport interchange, town park, and approximately 10,000 dwellings within the town centre itself.Delivery is planned in four stages over 8-10 years, with retail core construction commencing in 2026.
Fetherston Weston
Village Building Company plans a medium-density development of 337 homes on former AFP site with sustainable features like solar panels and EV charging stations. Construction of 26 new buildings comprising 11 three-storey apartment buildings, 5 walk-up apartment buildings and 15 two-storey townhouses to accommodate a total of 337 new dwellings, with new basement car parking. Amendment for changes to the roof on building L, M, N, O, P and Z, and changes to building levels for buildings N and Z.
Fetherston Ridge
Located on an elevated site in Weston, offering views across Fetherston Gardens to the Brindabella Ranges. Defence Housing Australia built 50 properties, and remaining land lots were sold. Will feature 120 residences.
1,690 residents of Rivett are employed, from a labour force of 1,803. Unemployment sits at 6.3%, with participation at 65.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,646, about 77% 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
The labor force in Rivett is highly qualified and contains strong representation from essential services, though it has an unemployment rate of 6.3%. Employment figures for March 2026 show 1,690 residents working, while the local jobless rate exceeds the Australian Capital Territory level of 4.1% by 2.2%. In addition, participation in the workforce stands at 65.1%, which is noticeably lower than the 70.8% recorded across Australian Capital Territory. Census data indicates that a moderate 13.8% of employed locals worked from home, a metric that may have been influenced by Covid-19 restrictions.
Public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training stand out as the primary employment sectors for local residents. The suburb displays a notable concentration in health care & social assistance, where the proportion of jobs is 1.2 times higher than the regional average. Conversely, the accommodation & food sector is less prominent, employing 4.7% of the workforce in Rivett compared to 6.5% in Australian Capital Territory. The gap between the working population counted in the Census and the resident population suggests that this largely residential suburb has few local jobs to offer. An analysis of SALM and ABS data by AreaSearch reveals that over the 12-month period, the labor force expanded by 1.2% while total employment fell by 0.8%, causing the unemployment rate to climb by 1.9 percentage points. During the same timeframe, Australian Capital Territory experienced a 0.3% rise in employment and a 1.1% increase in the labor force, with its unemployment rate increasing by 0.7 percentage points. Future labor demand in Rivett can be evaluated using national employment projections from May-25 published by Jobs and Skills Australia. These five-year and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential expansion. Although nationwide employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary widely across different fields. Aligning these national sectoral trends with the local job distribution indicates that employment in Rivett could grow by 6.7% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, though this calculation is a basic weighted projection that does not factor in local demographic changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Rivett is $2,207 a week (about $115,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,113 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $65,151 a year against an average of $75,857. 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
According to the most recent postcode level ATO statistics released for financial year 2023, taxpaying residents in the Rivett SA2 earn a median income of $65,151 and an average income of $75,857. These amounts are significantly higher than the national figures, while the median and average incomes for Australian Capital Territory are $72,206 and $85,981 respectively. Adjusting these figures for a 10.44% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of $71,953 for the median and $83,776 for the average as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census places the area's household, family, and individual incomes between the 78th and 86th percentiles across the country.
The largest income bracket contains 30.5% of residents (1,047 people) who earn between $1,500 - 2,999, which aligns with regional patterns where 34.3% of the population falls into this group. High-income earners making above $3,000/week account for 34.2% of the population, showing solid financial capacity in the community. Residents keep 86.9% of their earnings after paying for housing, and the suburb is positioned in the 8th decile of the SEIFA index for income.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Rivett had 1,278 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 87% detached houses and 0% apartments. 42% are owned with a mortgage, 25% rented and 33% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $322 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,140 a month. Rent absorbs 14.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the most recent Census, the housing stock in Rivett consisted of 86.8% separate houses and 13.2% alternative housing types such as apartments and semi-detached properties, compared to 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings in Australian Capital Territory. Fully owned homes made up 32.8% of the local market, exceeding the rate in Australian Capital Territory, with mortgaged properties representing 41.8% and rental homes accounting for 25.4%. The median mortgage cost for residents stood at $2,140 per month, which was higher than the Australian Capital Territory median of $2,080, while median weekly rent was $322, compared to the territory average of $450.
On a national level, monthly mortgage payments in Rivett are higher than the countrywide average of $1,863, whereas rental prices remain well below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Rivett counted 1,278 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.5 people each. 32% are couples with children, against 27% couples without children. 26% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Most households in the suburb are family units, making up 72.3% of the total, which includes 31.9% couples with children, 26.7% couples without children, and 12.6% single-parent homes. The other 27.7% consists of non-family arrangements, with single-person households representing 25.7% and group houses accounting for 1.9%. The typical household size is 2.5 residents, which is identical to the average across Australian Capital Territory.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
41.7% of adults in Rivett hold a university qualification, including 24.0% with a bachelor degree and 11.6% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 16.3% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The level of academic qualifications in Rivett is notably high, with 41.7% of individuals aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to the national average of 30.4%. This strong educational profile supports engagement in professional and knowledge-intensive sectors. Among tertiary graduates, 24.0% have completed a bachelor degree, 11.6% have obtained postgraduate qualifications, and 6.1% hold graduate diplomas. Additionally, vocational and technical qualifications are common, with 26.9% of the population aged 15+ holding credentials such as advanced diplomas (10.6%) or certificate-level qualifications (16.3%). A high proportion of the community is engaged in study, with 29.7% of residents enrolled in an educational program.
This student cohort comprises 11.4% in primary schools, 6.8% in secondary schools, and 5.0% enrolled in higher education programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Rivett reaches 18 stops on 68 routes, timetabled for about 4,300 services a week. The typical home sits about 170 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.3 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
An assessment of public transit shows 18 operational stops in Rivett, which consist of bus services. A network of 68 separate routes connects these stops, generating 4,321 passenger trips each week. Transit access is classified as outstanding, with the average distance from a home to the closest stop being 166 meters. Given the residential nature of the suburb, the majority of working residents travel elsewhere, with private vehicles remaining the primary choice at 88% and buses carrying 8%. Dwellings have a mean vehicle ownership rate of 1.3. A total of 13.8% of workers performed their duties from home, as recorded in the 2021 Census, which could have been shaped by COVID-19 environments.
Transit routes run an average of 617 trips daily, which represents roughly 240 services per week at each transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
64.9% of residents in Rivett report no long-term health condition. 5.6% need daily assistance with core activities, and 56.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators in Rivett generally align with national standards in terms of mortality and chronic disease rates, showing typical levels of illness in the broad community, though rates are elevated among the elderly compared to national averages. Furthermore, private health insurance uptake is high, with approximately 57% of residents (~1,944 people) having coverage, compared to 62.4% of the population throughout Australian Capital Territory. Mental health concerns and arthritis represent the most prevalent diagnoses locally, affecting 9.3% and 9.1% of the population respectively, whereas 64.9% of individuals reported no chronic health issues compared to 70.2% in Australian Capital Territory.
Locals of working age experience higher rates of chronic illness than is typical. Older residents aged 65 and over constitute 19.8% of the community (681 people), which exceeds the territory-wide average of 14.3%. While health outcomes for these seniors present certain difficulties, their national health rankings are lower than the local population as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Rivett is largely Australian-born, at 78.3% of residents, with 14.9% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (26.5%) and English (25.2%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Rivett is higher than typical benchmarks, with 21.7% of the population having been born outside Australia and 14.9% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, accounting for 42.5% of the local population. However, the most notable difference in religious distribution is for Hinduism, which is practiced by 2.2% of residents, compared to a higher rate of 4.8% across Australian Capital Territory. Regarding ancestral background, the three most common heritages reported by residents are Australian at 26.5%, English at 25.2%, and Irish at 10.1%.
There are also distinct variations in several other groups, with French ancestry recorded for 0.9% of residents (compared to 0.5% in the region), Welsh heritage at 0.8% (compared to 0.6%), and Dutch background at 1.8% (compared to 1.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Rivett is 39. 21.9% 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 of 39 in Rivett makes the suburb older than the Australian Capital Territory median of 35, and similar to the national figure of 38 years. The 75 - 84 age group is highly represented at 9.2% relative to Australian Capital Territory, while the 25 - 34 bracket is less common at 11.9%. In the years since 2021, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 rose from 6.4% to 9.2%, and those aged 35 to 44 increased from 14.7% to 15.8%. In contrast, the 65 to 74 demographic decreased from 10.5% to 8.4%, and the 0 to 4 group declined from 7.2% to 5.9%.
Looking forward to 2041, forecasts point to major changes in the age profile of Rivett. This shift is led by the 55 to 64 bracket, which is expected to expand by 24% (80 people) to reach 416 from 335. This aging trend is further highlighted by the fact that residents aged 65+ will account for 54% of the projected increase, while the 45 to 54 and 0 to 4 cohorts are anticipated to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Rivett
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) | May 2026 3 months ago all 13 measures |
| 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) | Jul 2026 last 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 — 5 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,354 at the 2021 Census → 3,436 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 (801081095). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.