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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Calwell has an estimated 5,520 residents, down from 5,730 at the 2021 Census — a change of 210 people, or 3.7%. The population has thinned by an average 0.8% a year over five years, slower than 99% of areas nationally. That puts 1,419 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 AreaSearch evaluations combining broader regional ABS releases with address validations post-Census, the suburb of Calwell records a population of approximately 5,520 as of Aug 2026. Comparing this to the 2021 Census figure of 5,730 residents shows a contraction of 210 people (3.7%). This calculation incorporates the 5,520 resident estimate developed following the ABS ERP update (June 2025) alongside 30 validated new addresses identified after the Census. Consequently, population density stands at 1,419 persons per square kilometer, placing it above the national benchmark across AreaSearch study areas. Inward overseas migration served as the primary growth contributor, accounting for roughly 56.00000000000001% of recent population additions.
Projections applied by AreaSearch incorporate the 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia dataset using 2022 as a base year for individual SA2 zones. Where coverage is unavailable or extends past post-2032, age-specific growth projections supplied by the ACT Government with a 2022 baseline are utilised. Future projections suggest growth tracking within the lower quartile nationally, as combined SA2 modelling projects an addition of 215 persons to 2041, representing a 3.9% total expansion over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
34 new dwellings have been approved in Calwell over the past five years, an average of 6 a year. That is 1.2 approvals per 1,000 residents. Few approvals have been recorded in the most recent months, well below the longer-run average; the latest ABS periods are still being reported. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Analysis of ABS residential approval figures by AreaSearch indicates that Calwell averages approximately 6 approved residential dwellings per year, totaling an estimated 34 dwelling approvals across the preceding 5 financial years (from FY-21 through FY-25), with no approvals recorded to date in FY-25. The recent population decline has helped existing residential supply comfortably satisfy market requirements, maintaining a balanced environment and ample choices for purchasers. In addition, $80,000 in commercial development was authorized during the current financial year, highlighting the predominantly residential character of the suburb. Per-capita building activity in Calwell trails the Australian Capital Territory by 18.0% and ranks within the 4th percentile across the country, which constrains new buyer supply while supporting the established housing sector.
This subdued development volume, also tracking beneath nationwide figures, underscores the suburb's mature urban footprint and potential land constraints. Approved construction consists of 14.0% detached residences and 86.0% medium- to high-density projects. This shift toward higher-density stock offers affordable pathways for first-time buyers, investors, and those downsizing. Because current residential stock comprises 87.0% houses, this transition highlights a scarcity of greenfield sites, evolving lifestyle preferences, and rising requirements for varied and accessible housing typologies. Projections through to 2041 indicate an expansion of 215 residents in Calwell relative to the latest AreaSearch quarterly figures. Although current construction levels broadly match expected demographic gains, incoming purchasers could encounter heightened competition over time.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Calwell
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 5 current infrastructure and development projects inside Calwell, worth an estimated $137 million. A further 5 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $1.93 billion. 1 are already under construction and 3 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
Capital works, local planning programs, and major development projects exert a significant influence on neighborhood growth. AreaSearch has pinpointed 7 key initiatives with direct relevance to the area, including the Banks Gateway Estate, Calwell Retirement Living Precinct, Calwell Public Housing Development, and the EV Fast Charging Infrastructure - Calwell (Calwell Shopping Centre).
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
3,176 residents of Calwell are employed, from a labour force of 3,291. Unemployment sits at 3.5%, with participation at 74.3%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 4,289, 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
The local labour market features an educated resident profile with robust participation in essential services, an unemployment level of 3.5%, and an estimated annual employment rise of 1.3% according to AreaSearch statistical aggregations. By March 2026, employed residents totaled 3,176, with unemployment tracking 0.6% below the Australian Capital Territory mark of 4.1%, while workforce engagement reached 74.3% against 70.6% across the Australian Capital Territory. Remote work was recorded at a modest 9.6% at the Census, although pandemic-related lockdown measures at that time should be taken into account. Public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and construction represent the leading employment sectors for local workers.
Construction shows an especially prominent footprint, registering 1.6 times the regional average. Conversely, the professional & technical sector is underrepresented, employing only 7.9% of the local workforce compared with 11.1% regionally across the Australian Capital Territory. The heavily residential makeup of the area means internal commercial opportunities remain constrained, as shown by comparing the count of working residents against local operational positions. AreaSearch evaluations of ABS and SALM statistical data show that over the 12-month period, local employment expanded by 1.3% while the labour pool grew by 1.2%, driving a 0.2 percentage point decline in unemployment. By comparison, the broader Australian Capital Territory saw employment rise by 0.3% and the labour force increase by 1.1%, leading to an increase of 0.7 percentage points. Looking ahead, national forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 give insight into emerging employment trajectories. Across Australia, workforce growth is projected at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying widely across industries. Applying these baseline sectoral projections to the resident employment profile indicates anticipated growth of 6.4% over five years and 13.1% over ten years (noting this is a weighted baseline extrapolation that excludes localized demographic projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Calwell is $2,460 a week (about $128,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,192 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $70,379 a year against an average of $78,000. 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 postcode statistics for financial year 2023 compiled by AreaSearch demonstrate that earnings in the suburb of Calwell rank very high nationally, with a median of $70,379 and an average of $78,000. These figures compare with an Australian Capital Territory median of $72,206 and average of $85,981. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since financial year 2023, updated estimates as of March 2026 stand at roughly $77,727 (median) and $86,143 (average). The 2021 Census placed personal, family, and household earnings between the 89th and 90th percentiles nationally. Weekly individual earnings of $1,500 - 2,999 encompass 37.0% of residents (2,042 individuals), closely aligning with the broader territory share of 34.3%.
High earners making over $3,000 per week constitute 39.5%, demonstrating substantial discretionary capacity. Household income retention after housing expenses stands at 87.0%, and the community sits in the 7th decile for SEIFA economic advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Calwell had 2,018 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 87% detached houses and 3% apartments. 55% are owned with a mortgage, 15% rented and 30% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $448 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,000 a month. Rent absorbs 18.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 18.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the most recent Census, separate houses made up 86.8% of Calwell's residential fabric, while semi-detached homes, apartments, and other configurations accounted for 13.2%, contrasting with the Australian Capital Territory distribution of 63.3% houses and 36.7% alternative dwellings. Outright property ownership was substantially elevated relative to the territory at 30.2%, with 54.6% holding a mortgage and 15.2% occupying rental properties. Monthly mortgage repayments averaged a median of $2,000, under the territory mark of $2,080, while median weekly rent was $448 compared to $450 across the Australian Capital Territory. Relative to national figures, local mortgage servicing costs exceed the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents sit significantly above the national benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Calwell counted 2,018 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.7 people each. 39% are couples with children, more than in 75% of areas nationally, against 26% couples without children. 19% 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 78.1% of households in the area, consisting of couples with children (38.5%), couples without children (26.2%), and single parent families (12.2%). The remaining 21.9% of residences consist of non-family living arrangements, primarily lone-person dwellings (19.1%) alongside group households (2.5%). Average household occupancy sits at 2.7 people, outpacing the wider Australian Capital Territory metric of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
29.1% of adults in Calwell hold a university qualification, including 19.2% with a bachelor degree and 6.2% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 23.1% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 1,060 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,013 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
Attainment figures show that tertiary university qualification rates stand at 29.1%, tracking substantially beneath the broader SA4 territory average of 46.8%. Bachelor degrees account for the largest share at 19.2%, alongside postgraduate degrees at 6.2% and graduate diplomas at 3.7%. In contrast, vocational and technical credentials are held by 36.0% of individuals aged 15+, divided between certificates (23.1%) and advanced diplomas (12.9%). General academic enrollment is strong, with 28.7% of the population actively undertaking structured study. This cohort comprises 10.2% attending primary school, 7.7% in secondary education, and 4.2% enrolled in higher education programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Calwell reaches 33 stops on 65 routes, timetabled for about 4,200 services a week. The typical home sits about 200 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.7 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
The public transit network includes 33 active stops throughout Calwell operating bus connections. These stops link to 65 separate routes, providing 4,228 weekly passenger trips. Access to transit is rated as excellent, with typical walking distances of 199 meters to the nearest boarding point. Due to its residential character, outward commuting prevails, with private vehicles accounting for 92% of travel and buses used for 5%. Dwellings maintain an average of 1.7 motor vehicles, exceeding the regional figure. Working from home was recorded at 9.6% at the 2021 Census during pandemic conditions.
Transit services maintain an average frequency of 604 daily trips across all operational lines, generating roughly 128 weekly departures per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
66.9% of residents in Calwell report no long-term health condition. 5.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 58.0% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Evaluations of mortality and condition incidence by AreaSearch indicate health measures in Calwell sit below national averages, with long-term conditions evident across multiple age groups. Meanwhile, private health insurance coverage is notably broad, encompassing approximately 58% of residents (~3,201 people), compared with 62.4% throughout the Australian Capital Territory. Mental health conditions and asthma represent the most frequently reported diagnoses, affecting 9.4 and 9.0% of the population respectively. Across the community, 66.9% of residents reported having no diagnosed health conditions, compared to 70.2% across the Australian Capital Territory. Chronic ailments show elevated prevalence among working-age individuals.
Residents aged 65 and over comprise 15.4% of the population (850 people), exceeding the territory proportion of 14.2%, with senior health metrics broadly matching wider population benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Calwell is largely Australian-born, at 80.9% of residents, with 14.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (27.8%) and English (26.4%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural metrics place Calwell above average for background diversity, with 19.1% of the community born overseas and 14.0% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity forms the largest faith tradition, accounting for 49.1% of residents. Islamic identification represents 2.1% of the population, compared to 3.4% across the Australian Capital Territory. Looking at parental heritage, the most common reported ancestries are Australian at 27.8%, English at 26.4%, and Other backgrounds at 8.9%. Variations in other specific ancestries include Spanish representation at 1.1% (compared to 0.5% regionally), Serbian at 0.5% (against 0.4%), and Hungarian at 0.4% (against 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Calwell is 37. 24.1% 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 age distribution in Calwell aligns closely with broader Australian Capital Territory patterns, showing a maximum divergence of 5.0 percentage points across cohorts. The estimated median age remains at 37, matching the 2021 Census and sitting 2 years above the territory median of 35 from that period. Since the Census, the cohort aged 45 - 64 has decreased from 27.8% to an estimated 25.3%. Looking forward to 2041, the retiree and senior bracket (65+) is projected to see the largest growth, rising by 313 residents (37%) to reach 1,163, whereas contractions are anticipated across younger adults, children, and middle-aged groups.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Calwell
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) 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 2 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago 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 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| 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 Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 2 months ago all 5 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 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 — 30 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (5,730 at the 2021 Census → 5,520 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 (SAL80029). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.