Acton (ACT)

Acton lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the population of Acton (ACT) is estimated at around 3,616 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 768 people (27.0%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,848 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 3,616, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025) and address validation since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 600 persons per square kilometer. Acton's 27.0% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the state's growth rate of 8.3%. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, which was essentially the sole driver of population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and for years post-2032, age group growth rates from the ACT Government's SA2 area projections, with 2022 as a base, are adopted. Considering the projected demographic shifts, a significant population increase in the top quartile of national areas is forecast for Acton (ACT), with the area expected to increase by 1,095 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 30.3% in total over the 16 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Acton according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Acton has had minimal residential development with just two approvals over five years. Despite its established nature, the area has seen virtually no new residential development during this period. This limited supply of new housing typically supports values for existing properties, though it may reflect factors such as planning constraints or limited market activity in the area.

Acton has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

The performance of an area is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 32 projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable projects include ACT Light Rail Stage 2A (City to Commonwealth Park), Canberra Lyric Theatre (Theatre Centre Transformation Stage 1), Light Rail Stage 2A: City to Commonwealth Park, and City Hill Mixed-Use Precinct. The following list details those projects likely to be most relevant.

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

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AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Acton performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Acton has a highly educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 0.8% in the past year, reflecting an estimated employment growth of 1.7%. As of December 2025, 2,243 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.0%, lower than the Australian Capital Territory's rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation was at 64.1%, lagging behind the Australian Capital Territory's 70.5%. According to Census responses, 18.4% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Dominant employment sectors include accommodation & food, education & training, and retail trade, with a notable specialization in accommodation & food (4.4 times the regional level). Conversely, public administration & safety employed only 4.5% of local workers, lower than the Australian Capital Territory's 30.4%.

The area functioned as an employment hub with 2.6 workers per resident as at the Census, hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 1.7% and labour force grew by 1.7%, maintaining a stable unemployment rate. In comparison, Australian Capital Territory saw employment grow by 0.9%, labour force expand by 1.2%, and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with variations across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Acton's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.9% over five years and 12.3% over ten years, assuming constant population projections for illustrative purposes.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2023 indicates that the median income in Acton is $17,264 and the average income stands at $24,701. In comparison, the Australian Capital Territory's median income is $72,206 and the average income is $85,981. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% from financial year ending June 2023 to March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $19,066 (median) and $27,280 (average). According to census data, household incomes rank at the 100th percentile ($0 weekly), while personal income ranks at the 0th percentile. The data shows that 0% of Acton's community falls within the $0 - 399 earnings band, contrasting with the metropolitan region where the leading bracket is $1,500 - 2,999 at 34.3%.

Acton displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Acton's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted entirely of houses (0.0%) with no other dwellings reported. This contrasted with the Australian Capital Territory's mix of 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Acton stood at 0.0%, with all other dwellings either mortgaged (0.0%) or rented (0.0%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $0, significantly lower than the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,080 and the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent in Acton was $9, substantially below the Australian Capital Territory figure of $450 and the national average of $375.

Acton features high concentrations of family households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 0.0% of all households, including 0.0% couples with children, 0.0% couples without children, and 0.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 100.0%, with lone person households at 0.0% and group households comprising 0.0%. The median household size is 1.0 people, which is smaller than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.

Acton performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

The area's university qualification rate is 30.7%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 46.8%. Bachelor degrees are the most common (18.5%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (11.4%) and graduate diplomas (0.8%). Technical qualifications make up 7.1% of educational achievements for residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 2.1% and certificates at 5.0%. Educational participation is high, with 97.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 97.2% in tertiary education, 0.0% in primary education, and 0.0% pursuing secondary education.

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

Acton has ten operational public transport stops, all of which serve buses. These stops are served by sixty-seven unique routes that collectively facilitate five thousand twenty-seven weekly passenger trips. Most residents in this primarily residential area commute outward. Walking is the most common mode of travel at 34%, followed by bus at 15%. The average vehicle ownership per dwelling is zero, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 18.4% of Acton residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. On average, there are seven hundred forty-three trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately five hundred twenty weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Acton is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Acton faces significant health challenges, according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantial across both younger and older age groups. Only approximately 37% (~1,336 people) have private health cover, compared to 62.4% in Australian Capital Territory (ACT), and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues affect 15.6% of residents, while asthma impacts 9.9%. Conversely, 74.9% claim to be completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 70.2% in ACT. Health outcomes among working-age individuals are typical. The area has only 0.1% (3 people) aged 65 and over, lower than the ACT's 14.3%. However, health outcomes among seniors are above average, ranking even higher than the general population nationally.

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

Acton was found to have a higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 31.6% of its population born overseas and 24.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Acton, comprising 23.1% of the population. However, Judaism is significantly overrepresented, making up 1.8% of Acton's population compared to the Australian Capital Territory's average of 0.2%.

The top three ancestry groups in Acton are Australian (25.2%), English (21.7%), and Other (10.6%). Notably, Hungarian (0.5%) is overrepresented compared to the regional average of 0.3%, as are Russian (0.5% vs 0.3%) and South Australian (0.8% vs 0.3%) groups.

Acton hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Acton's median age is 24 years, which is significantly lower than the Australian Capital Territory average of 35 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Acton has a higher proportion of residents aged 15-24 (82.5%) but fewer residents aged 35-44 (2.7%). This concentration of 15-24 year-olds is well above the national average of 12.7%. Between the 2021 Census and the present day, Acton's median age has increased by 4.6 years from 19 to 24, indicating an aging population. Key changes in age distribution show that the 25-34 age group has grown from 9.4% to 11.2%, while the 5-14 cohort has increased from 0.0% to 1.2%. Conversely, the 15-24 cohort has declined from 88.1% to 82.5%. Demographic modeling suggests that by 2041, Acton's age profile will evolve significantly. The 15-24 cohort is projected to grow by 29%, adding 857 residents to reach a total of 3,841. The 85+ group, however, shows no projected growth, with zero additional residents expected.