Ainslie

Ainslie is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Ainslie is around 5,473. This figure reflects an increase from the 2021 Census count of 5,376 people, marking a growth of 97 individuals (1.8%). AreaSearch's analysis, based on validated new addresses and latest ERP data released by the ABS in June 2025, suggests this population equates to a density ratio of 1,546 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration was the primary driver behind this growth. AreaSearch's projections for Ainslie's population are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia figures released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered and years post-2032, ACT Government's SA2 area projections using the same base year are adopted. According to these projections, Ainslie's population is expected to decline by 2 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts like the 65 to 74 group are projected to grow, with an anticipated increase of 100 people during this period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Ainslie, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data shows Ainslie experienced around 17 dwelling approvals per year. Between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 89 homes were approved, with 15 more in FY-26 so far. Despite population decline, development activity has been adequate relative to population changes, benefiting buyers.

Developers target the premium market segment, with average dwelling values of $402,000. This year, $2.0 million in commercial development approvals were recorded, indicating minimal commercial development activity. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Ainslie has significantly lower building activity, 76.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Recent construction comprises 75.0% detached houses and 25.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space.

With around 345 people per approval, Ainslie indicates a mature market. Population stability or decline is expected, potentially reducing pressure on housing and creating opportunities for buyers.

Ainslie has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Thirty-two infrastructure projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Key projects include The Foothills - Campbell (Former CSIRO Site), 220 Northbourne Avenue, Northbourne Flats Redevelopment, and AHLEI by Liebke + Co.

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

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.

AreaSearch analysis reveals Ainslie recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Ainslie's workforce is highly educated with strong representation in professional services. The unemployment rate was 5.1% as of December 2025, showing relative employment stability over the past year according to AreaSearch data aggregation. As of that date, 2,760 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 1.3% higher than the Australian Capital Territory's rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation in Ainslie lagged at 62.4%, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's 70.5%. Moderate home working was observed, with 16.6% of residents working from home, although Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Leading employment industries were public administration & safety, professional & technical, and education & training.

Health care & social assistance was under-represented at 7.8%, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's 11.7%. Limited local employment opportunities were indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 0.0% while the labour force grew by 1.2%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.1 percentage points in Ainslie. In contrast, Australian Capital Territory saw employment rise by 0.9%, labour force grow by 1.2%, and unemployment increase by 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, issued in May-25, project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Ainslie's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's data for financial year 2023 shows Ainslie suburb has high incomes. The median is $69,523 and average is $85,943. This contrasts with ACT's median of $72,206 and average of $85,981. By March 2026, estimated incomes are approximately $76,781 (median) and $94,915 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.44%. Census 2021 data ranks Ainslie's household, family, and personal incomes highly, between the 88th and 92nd percentiles nationally. The largest income segment is $4000+ weekly (32.9%, 1,800 residents), differing from metropolitan regions where $1,500 - 2,999 dominates at 34.3%. High earners above $3,000/week comprise 43.9%, indicating strong economic capacity. After housing costs, residents retain 86.8% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking is in the 9th decile.

Ainslie is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure in Ainslie, as per the latest Census, consisted of 72.9% houses and 27.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Australian Capital Territory had 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ainslie was at 33.1%, with the rest either mortgaged (32.0%) or rented (34.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Ainslie was $2,600, above the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,080. Median weekly rent in Ainslie was $367, compared to Australian Capital Territory's $450. Nationally, Ainslie's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower than the national figure of $375.

Ainslie features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 63.3% of all households, including 29.6% couples with children, 23.4% couples without children, and 9.4% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 36.7%, with lone person households at 29.9% and group households making up 6.7%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which aligns with the Australian Capital Territory average.

Ainslie shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Ainslie's educational attainment exceeds broader standards significantly. Among residents aged 15+, 59.1% hold university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and the SA4 region's 46.8%. This high level positions Ainslie favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are most common at 29.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (21.9%) and graduate diplomas (7.4%).

Vocational pathways account for 15.7% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 7.0% and certificates at 8.7%. Educational participation is notably high, with 31.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.2% in tertiary education, 9.4% in primary education, and 6.8% pursuing secondary education.

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

Ainslie has 35 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 95 different routes that collectively facilitate 7,517 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 179 meters from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport at 70%, while 12% cycle and 8% walk. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, 16.6% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 1,073 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 214 weekly trips per stop.

Health outcomes in Ainslie are marginally below the national average with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Ainslie's health indicators show below-average outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The level of common health conditions among the general population is somewhat typical but higher than the national average among older cohorts.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 11.1% and 8.3% of residents respectively. 64.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 70.2% across Australian Capital Territory. Working-age residents show an above-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 22.1% of residents aged 65 and over (1,209 people), higher than the 14.3% in Australian Capital Territory. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but rank lower nationally than those of the broader population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Ainslie records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Ainslie's population showed above-average cultural diversity, with 22.7% born overseas and 13.1% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Ainslie, comprising 33.8%. Notably, Judaism had an overrepresentation of 0.8%, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's average of 0.2%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (27.4%), Australian (23.6%), and Irish (11.2%). Some ethnic groups showed notable variations: Hungarian at 0.5% in Ainslie versus 0.3% regionally, Welsh at 0.8% versus 0.6%, and Scottish at 9.5% versus 7.3%.

Ainslie's median age exceeds the national pattern

Ainslie has a median age of 42, which is higher than the Australian Capital Territory figure of 35 and also significantly higher than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory average, the 65-74 cohort is notably over-represented in Ainslie at 10.7%, while the 25-34 year-olds are under-represented at 11.9%. Between 2021 and present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 5.8% to 7.3%, and the 65 to 74 cohort increased from 9.6% to 10.7%. Conversely, the 0 to 4 cohort has declined from 4.8% to 3.9%. Demographic modeling suggests that Ainslie's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 85+ age cohort is projected to expand by 89 people (40%) from 224 to 314. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 83% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Meanwhile, the 0 to 4 and 55 to 64 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.