Chisholm (ACT)

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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the suburb of Chisholm's population is estimated at around 5,255 as of Feb 2026. This reflects a decrease of 13 people (0.2%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,268 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 5,221 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 15 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,695 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. While Chisholm experienced a 0.2% decline since census, the SA3 area achieved 0.1% growth, highlighting divergent population trends. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by natural growth that contributed approximately 66.0% of overall 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, over this period, projections indicate a decline in overall population, with the suburb of Chisholm's population expected to shrink by 325 persons by 2041 according to this methodology. However, growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, led by the 75 to 84 age group, which is projected to increase by 125 people.

The level of residential development activity in Chisholm is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data indicates approximately 8 new homes approved annually in Chisholm over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 42 homes. As of FY-26, 5 approvals have been recorded. The average annual increase in residents per dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25 is 0.4, suggesting new supply meets or exceeds demand, providing ample buyer choice and capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. New properties are constructed at an average value of $291,000.

In FY-26, commercial development approvals totalled $337,000, indicating minimal commercial development activity. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Chisholm shows around 69% of construction activity per person and ranks in the 19th percentile nationally for assessed areas, suggesting somewhat limited buyer options while strengthening demand for established homes. This activity is below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New building activity comprises 56.0% detached houses and 44.0% attached dwellings, offering a blend of housing types across price ranges from spacious family homes to compact options. This shift indicates reduced availability of development sites and addresses changing lifestyle demands and affordability requirements, differing significantly from the current housing mix of 96.0% houses.

Chisholm has approximately 803 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market. Given stable or declining population forecasts, the area may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Chisholm has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified two projects expected to affect the area: Calwell Retirement Living Precinct, begun in 2019; and Canberra Light Rail Stage 4 - Woden to Tuggeranong, starting in 2021. Other notable projects include Calwell Public Housing Development, commenced in 2018, and Erindale Group Centre Master Plan Implementation - Stage 1, initiated in 2020.

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Employment conditions in Chisholm remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Chisholm's workforce is skilled with well-represented essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 4.4% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.8%. As of September 2025, 2,819 residents were employed, while the unemployment rate was 0.8% higher than Australian Capital Territory's rate of 3.6%.

Workforce participation was similar to Australian Capital Territory's 72.5%. According to Census responses, 9.3% of residents worked from home, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Key industries for employment among residents were public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and construction, with notable concentration in construction at 1.7 times the regional average. However, professional & technical services were under-represented at 7.4% compared to Australian Capital Territory's 11.1%.

The predominantly residential area offered limited local employment opportunities, indicated by Census working population vs resident population count. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 2.8%, labour force by 1.1%, reducing the unemployment rate by 1.6 percentage points. In Australian Capital Territory, employment grew by 1.4%, labour force expanded by 1.2%, and unemployment fell by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Chisholm's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released on 1st July 2023 for financial year 2023, the suburb of Chisholm's median income among taxpayers is $64,238. The average income was $71,194 during this period. This is above the national average. In comparison, the Australian Capital Territory had a median income of $72,206 and an average income of $85,981 in financial year 2023. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.26% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $70,186 (median) and $77,787 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Chisholm rank highly nationally, between the 83rd and 85th percentiles. Income distribution shows that the $1,500 - $2,999 earnings band captures 38.1% of the community (2,002 individuals). This reflects patterns seen in the region where 34.3% similarly occupy this range. Economic strength is evident through 33.9% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. Housing accounts for 13.8% of income while strong earnings rank residents within the 84th percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

According to the latest Census evaluation, dwelling structures in Chisholm consisted of 95.9% houses and 4.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Australian Capital Territory had 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Chisholm was at 29.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 50.7% and rented ones at 20.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,000, lower than the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,080. The median weekly rent figure in Chisholm was $410, compared to Australian Capital Territory's $450. Nationally, Chisholm's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher than the national figure of $375.

Chisholm has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 76.6% of all households, including 36.9% couples with children, 26.4% couples without children, and 12.4% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 23.4%, with lone person households at 20.9% and group households comprising 2.1%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.

Educational attainment in Chisholm aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 25.6%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 46.8%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 15.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.2%) and graduate diplomas (3.8%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 36.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them – advanced diplomas at 12.4% and certificates at 24.3%. Educational participation is high, with 28.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.2% in primary education, 8.0% in secondary education, and 3.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Chisholm has 38 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 84 individual routes that together facilitate 5,450 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport in Chisholm is rated as excellent, with residents typically living within 175 meters of the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward from this primarily residential area, with cars being the dominant mode of transportation at 93%. On average, there are 1.7 vehicles per dwelling, which is above the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, only 9.3% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency averages 778 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 143 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Chisholm is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Chisholm faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

Private health cover is very high at approximately 55% of the total population (~2,907 people), compared to 62.4% in Australian Capital Territory. The most common medical conditions are mental health issues (impacting 9.5% of residents) and asthma (8.8%). 66.4% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 70.2% across Australian Capital Territory. Working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 17.5% of residents aged 65 and over (919 people), higher than the 14.3% in Australian Capital Territory. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Chisholm's cultural diversity was found to be above average, with 19.0% of its population born overseas and 14.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Chisholm, comprising 50.0% of its population. However, Islam showed an overrepresentation in Chisholm compared to Australian Capital Territory, with 2.4% versus 3.4%.

The top three ancestry groups were Australian (27.5%), English (26.5%), and Irish (8.2%). Notably, Hungarian was overrepresented at 0.4%, Serbian at 0.5%, and Macedonian at 0.4%, compared to their regional percentages of 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.2% respectively.

Chisholm's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Chisholm's median age is 37 years, slightly older than Australian Capital Territory's 35 but aligned with Australia's national average of 38 years. The 65-74 age group makes up 11.8% of Chisholm's population compared to the Australian Capital Territory, while the 25-34 cohort constitutes 10.7%. Between 2021 and the present, the 65-74 age group has increased from 9.4% to 11.8%, and the 35-44 cohort has risen from 13.5% to 15.2%. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort has decreased from 13.6% to 10.7%, and the 55-64 group has fallen from 15.1% to 12.8%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes in Chisholm, with the 75-84 age cohort projected to increase by 99 people (42%), from 236 to 336. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 94% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Conversely, both the 65-74 and 15-24 age groups are expected to decrease in numbers.