Chart Color Schemes
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.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Theodore has an estimated 3,726 residents, down from 3,798 at the 2021 Census — a change of 72 people, or 1.9%. That puts 1,187 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 the analysis conducted by AreaSearch, Theodore has a population of approximately 3,726 as of May 2026. This represents a decline of 72 individuals (1.9%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 3,798 residents. This population shift is deduced from the ABS estimated resident population of 3,726 for June 2025 combined with 5 confirmed new addresses registered since the Census. With these numbers, the local population density stands at 1,186 persons per square kilometer, a figure that aligns closely with typical averages across locations evaluated by AreaSearch. Natural growth was the primary driver of demographic increases, accounting for roughly 63.3% of the overall population gains in recent times.
AreaSearch utilizes the ABS/Geoscience Australia population projections for each SA2 region, which were published in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 regions lacking this coverage, and for the years after 2032, age cohort growth rates from the ACT Government's SA2 projections (using a 2022 baseline) are applied. Evaluating future population dynamics using this methodology points to a downward trend, with the total population of the area projected to decrease by 190 individuals by 2041. In contrast, specific age brackets are expected to expand, particularly the 65 to 74 demographic, which is forecast to increase by 84 people. Refer to the age section for further information.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Theodore averages approximately 1 home approval annually, totaling 7 residential properties over the last 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 1 approval has been logged. Because the population has been contracting, this new housing volume has likely matched local demand, providing suitable options for buyers while new structures are built at an average cost of $250,000. Additionally, commercial development approvals reached $481,000 this financial year, pointing to a market that is overwhelmingly residential in nature. Theodore exhibits a major deficit in construction activity compared to the Australian Capital Territory, tracking 84.0% below the regional average per capita.
This restricted volume of new builds generally underpins demand and supports valuations for existing properties. This rate is also below the national benchmark, indicating a mature market and suggesting potential constraints on development. Furthermore, all recent development has consisted of detached houses, maintaining the suburban character of the neighborhood with a supply of family homes geared toward buyers wanting space. Given that the population is projected to stabilize or decrease, Theodore is likely to see reduced pressure on its housing market, which may open up favorable conditions for prospective purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Theodore
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 9 current infrastructure and development projects close to Theodore, worth an estimated $1.48 billion. 1 are already under construction and 2 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 performance is heavily impacted by modifications to infrastructure, major developments, and urban planning schemes. AreaSearch has identified a total of 4 projects that are expected to influence the local area. Key developments include the Banks Gateway Estate, the Calwell Retirement Living Precinct, the Calwell Public Housing Development, and the EV Fast Charging Infrastructure - Calwell at the Calwell Shopping Centre, with details on the most relevant schemes provided below.
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
Banks Gateway Estate
New residential subdivision by the Suburban Land Agency delivering approximately 220 new homes in Banks, directly adjacent to northern Gordon and within the same primary school catchment. The project is focused on creating a thriving local community.
Calwell Retirement Living Precinct
A retirement living precinct proposal by KBDC, featuring 30 one-storey townhouses alongside the Calwell shopping strip.
Tuggeranong Multi-Unit Development - Gordon
Multiple 24-unit developments and supportive housing projects including six single storey supportive housing dwellings with carports, and childcare centre construction for 90 places.
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 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.
Lanyon Marketplace Improvements
Public space improvements completed in late 2023 at Lanyon Marketplace in Conder. The project, led by the ACT Government, included new seating and landscaping, improved pedestrian access (paths, pram ramps, safe crossings), a new raised intersection at Balcombe and Sidney Nolan Streets, and additional parking spaces on Sidney Nolan Street. The original record's mention of new Coles/Aldi/specialty stores appears to refer to an expected private sector expansion/refurbishment or is based on speculation, as the public works completed focused on the community space and access, with the Marketplace being anchored by Woolworths and 18 specialty shops.There is an ALDI store located at 9 Sidney Nolan Street nearby.
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.
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.
2,183 residents of Theodore are employed, from a labour force of 2,328. Unemployment sits at 6.2%, with participation at 75.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,659, about 71% 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 workforce in Theodore is highly skilled, with strong representation in vital services, an unemployment rate of 6.2%, and steady employment conditions over the preceding year. As of March 2026, there are 2,183 employed residents, while the unemployment rate sits 2.2% higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 4.1%. Workforce participation is standard at 75.6%, compared to the Australian Capital Territory average of 70.8%. Census data indicates a low proportion of residents working from home at 9.4%, though this figure may be influenced by Covid-19 restrictions. Resident employment is heavily concentrated in public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and construction.
The local concentration in construction is particularly high, running at 1.6 times the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical services are underrepresented, accounting for only 6.7% of Theodore's workforce compared to 11.1% across the Australian Capital Territory. This mostly residential locality appears to provide few jobs internally, as shown by the discrepancy between the Census working population and resident population counts. An analysis of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch shows that employment grew by 0.1% over the 12-month period, while the labor force expanded by 1.1%, resulting in a 1.0 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate. In comparison, the Australian Capital Territory saw employment growth of 0.3%, a labor force expansion of 1.1%, and an increase in unemployment of 0.7 percentage points. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia dated May-25 offer additional perspective on potential future demand in Theodore. These projections, spanning five and ten-year horizons, have been applied to the local employment profile to estimate future trends. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary widely by industry. Weighting these industry-specific projections against Theodore's employment distribution suggests local jobs could grow by 6.2% over five years and 12.7% 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 Theodore is $2,588 a week (about $135,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,195 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $74,042 a year against an average of $80,785. 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 latest postcode-level ATO statistics for the 2023 financial year show that incomes in the Theodore SA2 are among the highest nationwide, with a median of $74,042 and an average of $80,785. For comparison, the median and average incomes across the Australian Capital Territory are $72,206 and $85,981, respectively. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since the 2023 financial year, estimated figures as of March 2026 would stand at roughly $81,772 for the median and $89,219 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes in Theodore all ranked highly, falling between the 90th and 92nd percentiles nationally.
The largest income bracket contains 34.7% of residents (1,292 people) earning between $1,500 and $2,999, mirroring the broader region where 34.3% fall into this range. A substantial 40.8% of the population earns more than $3,000 per week, pointing to pockets of wealth that support local businesses. Residents retain 87.0% of their earnings after housing costs, showing high purchasing power, and the area is positioned in the 7th decile for the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Theodore had 1,320 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 95% detached houses and 0% apartments. 56% are owned with a mortgage, 18% rented and 26% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $430 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,002 a month, a total housing cost higher than 77% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 16.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 17.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The dwelling mix in Theodore at the time of the latest Census consisted of 95.1% standalone houses and 4.9% other types of housing, including semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative dwellings, compared to the Australian Capital Territory distribution of 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Theodore matched the Australian Capital Territory average of 26.1%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (55.7%) or rented (18.2%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was lower than the Australian Capital Territory average at $2,002, and the median weekly rent was $430, compared to regional averages of $2,080 and $450, respectively.
Nationally, Theodore's mortgage payments exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are also significantly higher than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Theodore counted 1,320 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.8 people each. 40% are couples with children, more than in 80% of areas nationally, against 26% couples without children. 18% 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 make up the vast majority of households at 79.6%, consisting of 40.4% couples with children, 25.5% couples without children, and 12.9% single-parent households. Non-family living arrangements constitute the remaining 20.4%, with single-person households at 18.4% and group homes at 2.0%. The median household occupancy of 2.8 people is higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
24.8% of adults in Theodore hold a university qualification, including 16.3% with a bachelor degree and 5.8% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 23.0% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 212 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 998 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
The locality displays educational disparities, with university graduation rates at 24.8%, which is far below the SA4 regional average of 46.8%. This represents a key challenge as well as a target for focused educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 16.3%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 5.8% and graduate diplomas at 2.7%. Vocational and technical training is highly prevalent, with 36.1% of residents aged 15 and over holding vocational qualifications, split between advanced diplomas (13.1%) and certificates (23.0%). Student enrollment is particularly strong, with 28.1% of the population currently undertaking formal studies.
This includes 9.5% in primary school, 8.0% in high school, and 4.2% enrolled in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Theodore reaches 18 stops on 47 routes, timetabled for about 2,900 services a week. The typical home sits about 230 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.8 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 analysis of public transit indicates there are 18 active transport stops in Theodore, consisting of various bus options. These stops service 47 unique routes that provide a total of 2,850 passenger trips each week. Transit accessibility is good, with residents living an average of 226 meters from the nearest stop. Because Theodore is primarily residential, most workers commute out of the area, and private vehicles remain the main transport choice for 96% of commuters. Average vehicle ownership is 1.8 cars per home, which exceeds the regional average. A small proportion of residents (9.4%) worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been impacted by pandemic conditions.
The average service frequency across all routes is 407 journeys per day, translating to roughly 158 weekly journeys for each individual transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
67.3% of residents in Theodore report no long-term health condition. 4.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 59.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
The health profile of Theodore is aligned with national standards, based on mortality statistics and the rate of chronic illnesses analyzed by AreaSearch. Common health conditions are distributed normally across young and old age brackets, while the level of private health insurance is remarkably high, covering approximately 60% of the population (2,216 people). This compares to a rate of 62.4% across the Australian Capital Territory. Mental health difficulties and asthma are the most prevalent medical issues in the area, affecting 10.2% and 9.8% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 67.3% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 70.2% in the Australian Capital Territory.
The working-age population exhibits elevated rates of chronic health issues. Seniors aged 65 and older make up 14.8% of the population (551 people), and health outcomes for this older cohort are especially strong, ranking higher nationally than the general local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Theodore is largely Australian-born, at 81.9% of residents, with 13.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (28.2%) and English (26.4%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Theodore is generally consistent with the broader region's averages for cultural diversity, with 81.9% of residents born in Australia, 94.2% holding citizenship, and 86.9% using only English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, followed by 46.1% of the population. The most visible statistical overrepresentation is among followers of Judaism, who make up 0.2% of residents, compared to 0.2% across the Australian Capital Territory. Regarding ethnic ancestry based on parents' birthplaces, the three largest groups in Theodore are Australian at 28.2% of the population (which is notably higher than the regional average of 23.0%), English at 26.4%, and Irish at 8.6%.
There are also distinct differences in other ancestral backgrounds, with Dutch heritage overrepresented at 1.9% of the population (compared to 1.3% in the wider region), Croatian at 1.0% (compared to 0.9%), and Hungarian at 0.4% (compared to 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Theodore is 36. 28.4% 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 Theodore is 36 years, which is close to the Australian Capital Territory average of 35 years and slightly younger than the national median of 38 years. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Theodore has a higher proportion of residents in the 55 to 64 age bracket (14.2%) and a lower percentage of people aged 25 to 34 (14.2%). Since the 2021 Census, the 65 to 74 age group has risen from 6.9% to 10.5% of the population, and the 75 to 84 cohort has grown from 2.1% to 3.2%.
On the other hand, the 5 to 14 age group has dropped from 13.1% to 10.9%, and the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 14.2% to 12.4%. Projections for 2041 indicate significant demographic shifts, with the 65 to 74 bracket expected to see the largest growth at 16%, adding 63 residents to reach 456. Older residents aged 65 and above are projected to account for 100% of the population growth, highlighting a clear aging trend, while declines are forecast for the 45 to 54 and 0 to 4 age groups.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Theodore
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 — 5 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,798 at the 2021 Census → 3,726 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 (801071088). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.