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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 3,441 residents, up from 3,354 at the 2021 Census — a change of 87 people, or 2.6%. Growth has averaged 0.8% a year over five years, slower than 76% of areas nationally. That puts 2,137 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 by AreaSearch, Rivett had an estimated population of approximately 3,441 as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 87 people (2.6%) following the 2021 Census, when 3,354 people were counted. This figure is derived from the ABS estimated resident population figure of 3,431 as of June 2025 alongside 7 validated new addresses identified after the Census. The suburb's density stands at 2,137 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical level across national locations evaluated by AreaSearch. Outpacing the broader SA3 area (1.9%), Rivett's 2.6% increase made it a local growth leader.
Inflow from abroad served as the primary demographic driver, accounting for roughly 56.7% of total recent population gains. AreaSearch utilizes ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 projections published in 2024 using 2022 as the base year, while drawing on ACT Government SA2 projections (base year 2022) for non-covered areas and dates beyond post-2032. Looking ahead under this framework, Rivett's overall headcount is projected to contract by 89 persons by 2041. In contrast, several individual age brackets are set to expand, most notably the 55 to 64 age group, which is forecast to gain 91 people. Additional details can be found in the age section.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
29 new dwellings have been approved in Rivett over the past five years, an average of 5 a year. That is 1.7 approvals per 1,000 residents. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals in Rivett have tracked at roughly 5 dwellings annually, amounting to 29 homes across the past 5 financial years. Between FY-22 and FY-26 over the past 5 financial years, roughly 4.3 new residents arrived for every dwelling built, causing demand to substantially outpace additions. This shortfall generally heightens buyer competition and drives prices upward, with newly approved dwellings carrying an average building cost of $334,000. Relative to Australian Capital Territory, per-capita residential construction in Rivett is substantially subdued (55.0% below regional average per person). Constrained additions of new housing typically reinforce buyer demand and pricing for existing stock.
This subdued building volume is likewise below the nationwide benchmark, pointing to physical limits on development and a mature residential fabric. Detached houses accounted for 83.0% of recent construction while attached dwellings made up 17.0%, preserving the traditional low-density suburban landscape favored by families seeking spacious living. With roughly 528 people per dwelling approval, Rivett displays clear indicators of an established housing market. With demographic forecasts pointing to flat or falling resident numbers, housing demand in Rivett could moderate, offering advantageous conditions for prospective purchasers.
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 $1.37 billion. 1 are already under construction and 4 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal 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
Infrastructure enhancements, major developments, and civic planning exert a profound influence on suburban performance. AreaSearch has identified no major projects likely to directly impact the immediate area. Surrounding regional developments of note include Molonglo Group Centre to Town Centre Transition, Fetherston Weston, Canberra Hospital Master Plan, and Deakin Private Hospital, as outlined in the detailed summary below.
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
Heysen Street Weston Residential Development (Block 7 Section 96)
Sale and planned development of a 13,130 sqm RZ4 medium density residential parcel at Block 7 Section 96 Heysen Street in Weston. The site permits medium density residential multi-unit development such as townhouses and apartments, capitalizing on elevated vistas towards the Brindabella Ranges. Planning controls allow for substantial new infill housing capacity within the established Molonglo Valley and Weston Creek corridor.
Weston Creek Aged Care Facility
Development of a dedicated aged care and supportive living facility across Blocks 1151 and 864 in the District of Weston Creek. Works include residential care accommodation, specialist communal amenities, car parking, and civil infrastructure connections accessed via Cotter Road. Planning and works approval oversight is administered under the National Capital Authority framework.
Fetherston Weston
Village Building Co is delivering a masterplanned residential precinct on the former Australian Federal Police site in Weston. The development comprises 337 energy-efficient dwellings across three-storey apartment buildings, walk-ups, and two-storey townhouses with extensive solar PV, EV charging infrastructure, and landscaped communal open spaces. The ACT planning authority approved the multi-unit estate development application with basement parking and associated civil infrastructure works.
Cooleman Court Shopping Precinct Upgrades
Public realm and commercial precinct revitalisation project undertaken by Transport Canberra and City Services around the Cooleman Court shopping area. Works focused on Brierly Street and Liardet Street, delivering widened pedestrian pavements, community open spaces, new lighting, landscaping, and improved parking configurations.
Woolworths Weston Creek Supermarket Expansion and Refurbishment
Expansion and comprehensive internal refurbishment of the Woolworths supermarket at Cooleman Court in Weston Creek. The upgrade modernised the supermarket layout to Woolworths' latest standard and expanded back-of-house operations to improve direct-to-boot online fulfillment services.
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 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.
The Hunter
The final stage of Canberra developer Doma Group's 670-apartment masterplan. It includes two new buildings of 16 and 18 storeys, comprising 189 apartments with basement and podium level car parking, communal areas, and a pool.
1,690 residents of Rivett are employed, from a labour force of 1,803. Unemployment sits at 6.3%, with participation at 66.1%. 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 2,651, 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
Rivett features a workforce with strong qualification levels and heavy involvement in vital public sectors, alongside an unemployment rate of 6.3%. As of March 2026, employed residents numbered 1,690, while the local jobless rate sits 2.2% above Australian Capital Territory's 4.1% mark. Labor force participation stands at 66.1%, trailing Australian Capital Territory's 70.6%. Census figures indicated that 13.8% of workers operated from home, though pandemic-related lockdown measures during that period should be noted. The primary employment sectors among local workers are public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training.
Specialization is particularly pronounced in health care & social assistance, which employs workers at 1.2 times the wider regional concentration. Conversely, accommodation & food services accounts for merely 4.7% of Rivett's workforce compared to 6.5% across Australian Capital Territory. Comparison between Census local worker numbers and resident worker counts highlights that this largely residential community provides relatively few jobs internally. AreaSearch's evaluation of ABS and SALM figures shows that during the 12 months to March 2026, Rivett's workforce expanded by 1.2% while total employment fell by 0.8%, resulting in an increase of 1.9 percentage points in the unemployment rate. Over the identical timeframe, Australian Capital Territory saw employment rise by 0.3%, the labor force expand by 1.1%, and unemployment climb by 0.7 percentage points. Long-term industry outlooks from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide a perspective on potential employment shifts for the suburb. Nationwide employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with distinct differences across sectors. When these broader trends are applied to Rivett's existing industry distribution, projected local employment increases by 6.7% over five years and 13.6% over ten years (serving as an illustrative weighted model without adjusting for specific local population 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
ATO records at the postcode level compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 place Rivett SA2 incomes well above countrywide norms, showing a median of $65,151 and an average of $75,857. In Australian Capital Territory, the corresponding figures were a median of $72,206 and an average of $85,981. Accounting for a 10.44% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated estimates reach roughly $71,953 (median) and $83,776 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the Census 2021 indicates personal, family, and household earnings in Rivett sit between the 78th and 86th percentiles across Australia.
Among local residents, 30.5% (1,049 individuals) earn within the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket, closely tracking the broader regional share of 34.3%. Financial capacity is highlighted by the 34.2% of households generating over $3,000 per week, supporting substantial retail capacity. Households retain 86.9% of income once shelter expenses are met, underscoring strong disposable earnings and a SEIFA income position in the 8th decile.
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 latest Census, Rivett's housing stock consisted of 86.8% separate houses and 13.2% other dwellings (incorporating apartments, semi-detached properties, and other categories), differing from Australian Capital Territory where houses made up 63.3% and other dwellings 36.7%. Outright home ownership stood at 32.8%, well above the territory level, while remaining properties were mortgaged (41.8%) or rented (25.4%). The median monthly mortgage repayment reached $2,140 compared to $2,080 across Australian Capital Territory, while median weekly rent was $322 against $450 territory-wide. Nationally, local mortgage costs exceed the Australian average of $1,863, whereas rental payments sit well below the nationwide 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
Families constitute 72.3% of households in Rivett, broken down into couples with children (31.9%), couples without children (26.7%), and one-parent families (12.6%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 27.7%, primarily consisting of single-person homes (25.7%) alongside group residences (1.9%). The area's median household size of 2.5 people aligns exactly with the benchmark 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
Rivett demonstrates high levels of education, with 41.7% of residents aged 15+ holding tertiary degrees compared to 30.4% nationally, providing a solid foundation for professional and knowledge-intensive industries. Bachelor degrees are held by 24.0% of this population, postgraduate qualifications by 11.6%, and graduate diplomas by 6.1%. Vocational and technical qualifications are also widely held, with 26.9% of residents aged 15+ possessing trade credentials, comprising advanced diplomas (10.6%) and certificates (16.3%). Formal study engagement is substantial throughout the suburb, with 29.7% of the population currently enrolled in education. This proportion encompasses 11.4% attending primary school, 6.8% in secondary schooling, and 5.0% enrolled in higher education programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Rivett reaches 16 stops on 59 routes, timetabled for about 3,700 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
Local public transit infrastructure in Rivett includes 16 active stops accommodating bus services. These stops are connected by 59 separate routes, generating 3,717 passenger departures each week. Public transit convenience is rated as excellent, with typical walking distances to the closest boarding point measuring 169 meters. As an established residential suburb, most workers commute out of the area, with private vehicles accounting for 88% of travel and bus transit taking an 8% share. Households maintain an average of 1.3 vehicles per dwelling. Meanwhile, 13.8% of workers worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect prevailing COVID-19 conditions.
Bus services run at an overall average of 531 trips per day across all active routes, providing around 232 departures weekly at each individual 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 broadly track nationwide levels, with AreaSearch analysis of mortality statistics and chronic illnesses showing typical rates of common medical conditions across the wider community, albeit higher than national averages among older residents. Private health insurance coverage is notably strong, held by approximately 57% of the population (~1,947 people), compared to 62.4% throughout Australian Capital Territory. Mental health conditions and arthritis represent the most prevalent diagnoses locally, reported by 9.3% and 9.1% of residents respectively, while 64.9% stated they had no long-term health conditions, compared to 70.2% in Australian Capital Territory.
Chronic condition rates among working-age individuals are higher than average. Residents aged 65 and over make up 19.2% of the community (660 people), surpassing the 14.2% proportion across Australian Capital Territory. While health metrics for seniors present certain difficulties, their national standing is more favorable than that of the general local population.
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 background indicators show Rivett having above-average diversity, with 21.7% of the populace born overseas and 14.9% using a language other than English in their households. Christianity is the predominant religious faith, practiced by 42.5% of residents. In relative terms, Hinduism is the most noticeably overrepresented faith locally at 2.2%, compared to 4.8% across Australian Capital Territory. Regarding parental heritage, the most frequently reported ancestries in Rivett are Australian (26.5%), English (25.2%), and Irish (10.1%). Notable variations are also evident across several other backgrounds, with French ancestry comprising 0.9% of the local population (compared to 0.5% regionally), Welsh accounting for 0.8% (against 0.6%), and Dutch standing at 1.8% (versus 1.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Rivett is 39. 21.7% 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
Rivett exhibits an older demographic balance relative to Australian Capital Territory, with seniors and retirees aged 65+ making up 19.2% of the population as at August 2026, compared to 14.2% across the wider territory. Conversely, adults aged 25 - 44 represent 26.8% locally versus 32.8% territory-wide. The median age stands at an estimated 39 as at August 2026, remaining stable since the 2021 Census and sitting 4 years higher than the territory median of 35 recorded at that Census. Within older cohorts, the 65 to 74 demographic decreased from 10.5% to an estimated 8.0%, while the 75 to 84 bracket expanded from 6.4% to 8.9%, reflecting an ageing resident base with limited replacement by younger families.
Looking forward to 2041, the largest population gain is forecast within the 45 - 64 age bracket, adding 64 residents (8%) to reach 864, whereas cohorts of children, young adults, and young-to-middle-aged adults are all expected 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 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 — 7 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,354 at the 2021 Census → 3,441 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 (801081095). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.