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
Torrens has an estimated 2,472 residents, up from 2,424 at the 2021 Census — a change of 48 people, or 2.0%. Growth has averaged 1.0% a year over five years, slower than 80% of areas nationally. That puts 1,902 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 by AreaSearch, the population of Torrens is approximately 2,472 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 48 people (2.0%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 2,424 people. This adjustment is calculated using the estimated resident population of 2,470 from the ABS as of June 2025 and 9 validated new addresses registered since the Census. This population size results in a density of 1,901 persons per square kilometer, a figure that exceeds the average for national sites evaluated by AreaSearch. The population increase was mostly fueled by overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 66.7% of the total population gains in recent times.
AreaSearch utilizes ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 region, published in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For SA2 regions lacking this data, and for any years after 2032, age cohort growth rates from the ACT Government's SA2 projections, using 2022 as a base, are applied. Looking at future demographic trends, projections suggest a contraction in the overall population, with a projected loss of 165 persons by 2041 under this framework. Conversely, expansion is expected within particular age brackets, led by the 65 to 74 age group, which is forecasted to grow by 21 people. See the age section for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
51 new dwellings have been approved in Torrens over the past five years, an average of 10 a year. That is 4.3 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 9, 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
Torrens averages approximately 10 residential development approvals yearly, with 51 homes approved in the last 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 9 so far in FY-26. An average of 2.4 new residents per year was added for each constructed dwelling over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), indicating strong demand that bolsters local property values. Newly constructed homes average a value of $322,000—slightly above regional averages—pointing to a focus on high-quality builds. Furthermore, $132,000 in commercial development approvals was recorded in the current financial year, highlights the predominantly residential character of the area.
Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Torrens exhibits significantly lower construction activity (74.0% below regional average per person). This limited new supply typically supports demand and valuations for existing housing. The new builds comprise 88.0% standalone homes and 12.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving the classic suburban feel with a focus on family residences designed for those wanting more space. With roughly 448 people per approval, Torrens shows a mature market. As demographic projections indicate stability or decline, Torrens is anticipated to experience decreased housing demand pressures, which should benefit prospective buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Torrens
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 44 current infrastructure and development projects close to Torrens, worth an estimated $6.01 billion. 8 are already under construction and 13 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
Changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning policies can significantly impact an area's performance. In total, 0 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are expected to affect the area. Notable projects include the Athllon Drive Duplication, Mawson Group Centre Upgrade, Mixed-Use Complex In Mawson, and the Canberra Hospital Master Plan, with the following list detailing those of highest relevance.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Kambah Group Centre Expansion
A $20 million private redevelopment led by Exempla Group to revitalize the Kambah Village precinct. The project involves doubling the existing Woolworths supermarket footprint to approximately 3,475 square metres to create a full-line store. The expansion includes a new BWS, additional specialty retail units ranging from 50 to 300 square metres, new food outlets, and medical services. The design features a new covered northern entry and integrated landscaping designed to complement ACT Government public realm upgrades.Current planning focus includes lease variations to accommodate indoor recreation and personal services.
The Oaks - Yamba Sports Club Redevelopment
Redevelopment of community sports club facilities with modern amenities and expanded capacity for recreational activities.
The Valley Ponds - Wanniassa
Proposed medium-density residential estate of approximately 120-150 townhouses and apartments on former open space land between Wanniassa Hills and the Erindale Centre, part of the broader Indicative Land Release Program.
Woden Community Services Hub
A new four-storey facility in Woden Town Centre that will centralise community and government services under one roof, bringing together services currently operating from multiple buildings in the region. It will include child and family services, meeting rooms, a multi-purpose hall, and workshop spaces. Construction is expected to commence in 2026-27.
Athllon Drive Duplication
The Athllon Drive Duplication upgrades a key arterial road linking Woden to Tuggeranong in the ACT. The primary southern section duplicates 2.4 km between Sulwood Drive and Drakeford Drive in Kambah and Wanniassa, with a smaller 600 m northern section between Hindmarsh Drive and Melrose Drive. Works include lane duplication, new traffic signals at multiple intersections, upgraded bus stops, active travel paths for cyclists and pedestrians, water quality improvements for Lake Tuggeranong, and a new underpass under Sulwood Drive.Jointly funded by the ACT and Australian governments at $98.55 million, the Development Application for the southern section was approved in early 2026 following completion of enabling works. A tender for main construction is expected to be issued in 2026, with the northern section design ongoing and its timeline less certain due to future light rail corridor planning.
Wanniassa Hills Primary School Modernisation
ACT Government modernisation project at Wanniassa Hills Primary School delivering a preschool upgrade and replacement of existing gas boilers with fully electric heat pumps to improve energy efficiency, thermal comfort and learning environments. The works build on the school's earlier major modernisation program including new learning communities, administration refurbishment, hall improvements and expanded parking. Electrical supply upgrade works were tendered in 2025 to support the new HVAC system.
Ivy by Morris (Section 54 Phillip)
A premium 18-storey residential tower offering 212 apartments with rooftop amenities, ground-floor retail and direct connection to the redeveloped Woden Town Square.
Skye by Trilogy (Section 117 Phillip)
A landmark 20-storey mixed-use residential tower comprising 188 luxury apartments with ground-floor retail and commercial space, located directly opposite Westfield Woden in the Phillip town centre. Developed by Zapari, the project forms part of the broader high-rise transformation of the Woden Town Centre precinct.
1,315 residents of Torrens are employed, from a labour force of 1,357. Unemployment sits at 3.1%, with participation at 67.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.8% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,925, about 78% 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
Torrens is characterized by a highly educated workforce, with a strong presence in professional services, an unemployment rate of just 3.1%, and steady employment levels over the past year. As of March 2026, 1,315 residents are employed, and the unemployment rate sits 1.0% below the Australian Capital Territory average of 4.1%, while workforce participation is slightly below standard (67.9% compared to Australian Capital Territory's 70.8%). Census data indicates a moderate 13.6% of residents worked from home, although Covid-19 lockdown influences should be taken into account. The primary employment sectors for local residents are public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and professional & technical.
In contrast, accommodation & food has lower representation at 4.7% compared to the regional average of 6.5%. The area is mostly residential and appears to have limited local jobs, as shown by the comparison between the Census working population and resident population. AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data shows that over the 12-month period, employment rose by 0.2% and the labour force grew by 1.0%, leading to an increase of 0.8 percentage points in the unemployment rate. In comparison, the Australian Capital Territory saw employment growth of 0.3% and labour force growth of 1.1%, alongside a 0.7 percentage point increase. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia as of May-25 provide additional context on prospective demand in Torrens. These five and ten-year projections are mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary considerably by industry sector. Applying these sector-specific forecasts to the employment mix in Torrens suggests local employment is set to grow by 6.8% over five years and 13.8% over ten years (note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustration and does not incorporate local population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Torrens is $2,612 a week (about $136,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,286 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $75,737 a year against an average of $97,606. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
The most recent postcode level ATO data from AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicates that income in the Torrens SA2 is exceptionally high on a national scale, with a median of $75,737 and an average income of $97,606. This is higher than the Australian Capital Territory averages of a median income of $72,206 and an average income of $85,981. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since financial year 2023, current estimates stand at approximately $83,644 (median) and $107,796 (average) as of March 2026. According to Census data, household, family, and personal incomes in Torrens are positioned high nationally, ranking between the 92nd and 94th percentiles.
The income distribution shows that 30.6% of the population (756 individuals) earn in the $4000+ range, whereas the regional trend is led by the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket at 34.3%. Financial strength is demonstrated by the 45.6% of households with high weekly incomes exceeding $3,000, which supports elevated consumer spending. Residents keep 87.0% of their income after housing expenses, demonstrating strong purchasing power, and the area's SEIFA income ranking is in the 9th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Torrens had 858 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 85% detached houses and 3% apartments. 39% are owned with a mortgage, 25% rented and 36% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $478 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,470 a month, a total housing cost higher than 79% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 18.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Dwelling composition in Torrens at the time of the latest Census consisted of 84.8% houses and 15.2% other housing types (semi-detached, apartments, and 'other' dwellings), compared to the Australian Capital Territory average of 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings. The rate of home ownership in Torrens was significantly higher than the Australian Capital Territory average at 36.2%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (38.7%) or rented (25.1%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was significantly above the Australian Capital Territory average at $2,470, while the median weekly rent stood at $478, compared to Australian Capital Territory figures of $2,080 and $450.
Nationwide, mortgage payments in Torrens are notably higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are also well above the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Torrens counted 858 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.7 people each. 39% are couples with children, more than in 75% of areas nationally, against 25% couples without children. 22% 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
Family households make up the majority at 74.2% of all households, consisting of 38.5% couples with children, 24.5% couples without children, and 10.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 25.8%, with single person households representing 22.2% and group households representing 3.6% of the total. The median household size of 2.7 people is larger than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
48.6% of adults in Torrens hold a university qualification, including 29.3% with a bachelor degree and 13.9% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 85% of areas nationally. A further 14.7% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 397 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,092 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment in Torrens is significantly higher than broader benchmarks, with 48.6% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees, compared to 30.4% across Australia. This strong educational profile positions the community well for knowledge-intensive roles. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 29.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (13.9%) and graduate diplomas (5.4%). Vocational pathways account for 24.0% of qualifications among residents aged 15+—including advanced diplomas (9.3%) and certificates (14.7%). Participation in education is high, with 32.5% of the population currently undertaking formal studies. This comprises 11.3% in primary education, 9.4% in secondary education, and 6.1% in tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Torrens reaches 11 stops on 33 routes, timetabled for about 3,100 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 1.5 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Analysis of public transport options reveals 11 active transport stops operating in Torrens, consisting of various bus options. These stops are serviced by 33 unique routes, which combine to provide 3,085 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is classified as good, with residents typically living 229 meters from the nearest stop. As the area is mostly residential, most workers commute outside the suburb—cars remain the main transport mode at 86%, while 9% commute by bus. Vehicle ownership averages 1.5 per household, which is higher than the regional average. Around 13.6% of residents work from home (2021 Census; potentially reflecting COVID-19 settings).
Service frequency averages 440 runs per day across all routes, which translates to roughly 280 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
70.9% of residents in Torrens report no long-term health condition. 4.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 69.7% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Torrens shows above-average health characteristics based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic disease frequency, with the rate of common health issues being low in the general population and close to national averages for older, vulnerable groups. Private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high at approximately 70% of the population (1,722 people). This compares to 62.4% in the Australian Capital Territory and a national average of 55.7%. Asthma and mental health issues were the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 8.0 and 8.0% of residents, respectively, while 70.9% reported no medical conditions compared to 70.2% in the Australian Capital Territory.
The population under the age of 65 displays better than average health outcomes. Residents aged 65 and over make up 16.7% of the population (413 people), which is higher than the 14.3% average for the Australian Capital Territory. Health outcomes for seniors are above average, though they rank lower nationally than the broader local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
25.2% of Torrens residents were born overseas and 19.8% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (24.1%) and Australian (23.7%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Torrens displays higher levels of cultural diversity than most local markets, with 25.2% of its residents born overseas and 19.8% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religion in Torrens, accounting for 46.4% of the population. However, the most notable overrepresentation is in Hinduism, which represents 3.6% of the population, compared to 4.8% across the Australian Capital Territory. Regarding parental country of birth, the top three ancestries in Torrens are English, representing 24.1% of the population, Australian, representing 23.7%, and Other, representing 9.5%. There are also notable differences in the representation of other ethnic backgrounds: Polish is overrepresented at 1.1% of Torrens (compared to 0.8% regionally), French at 0.8% (compared to 0.5%), and Croatian at 1.0% (compared to 0.9%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Torrens is 39. 23.5% 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
With a median age of 39, Torrens is older than the Australian Capital Territory average of 35 and comparable to the national average of 38 years. The 55 - 64 age bracket has a strong presence at 12.2% compared to the Australian Capital Territory, while the 25 - 34 cohort is less common at 9.4%. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age group has expanded from 12.1% to 14.1% of the population, and the 55 to 64 group increased from 11.1% to 12.2%. In contrast, the 0 to 4 group decreased from 6.4% to 4.6% and the 45 to 54 group fell from 15.1% to 13.9%.
Looking forward to 2041, demographic projections indicate notable shifts in the age structure of Torrens. The 65 to 74 group will lead this trend, growing by 7% (15 people) to reach 229 from 213. The demographic aging is clear, with individuals aged 65+ accounting for 100% of the projected growth. Conversely, the 45 to 54 and 0 to 4 groups are projected to see population declines.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Torrens
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 — 9 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,424 at the 2021 Census → 2,472 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 (801091110). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.