Dickson

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

As of November 2025, the estimated population of Dickson is around 4,060. This reflects a growth of 768 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 3,292. The latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, combined with an additional 607 validated new addresses since the Census date, resulted in this estimated resident population of 4,056 by AreaSearch. This equates to a density ratio of 2,569 persons per square kilometer, placing Dickson in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch assessments. Dickson's growth rate of 23.3% since the 2021 Census exceeds both the state average of 5.9% and the SA4 region, making it a growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 54.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth being positive factors.

Based on ABS/Geoscience Australia projections adopted by AreaSearch for each SA2 area as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year, Dickson is predicted to experience exceptional growth over the next years, placing it in the top 10 percent of national statistical areas. By 2041, the suburb's population is expected to increase by 2,590 persons, reflecting a gain of 62.0% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Dickson among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Dickson averaged approximately 248 new dwelling approvals per year. Between FY-21 and FY-25, about 1,243 homes were approved, with none yet in FY-26. On average, 0.8 new residents arrived per new home over the past five financial years.

This indicates that new construction is meeting or exceeding demand, providing more options for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections. The average value of new dwellings is around $274,000, aligning with broader regional development trends. In FY-26, there have been approximately $10.3 million in commercial approvals, indicating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Dickson has about 460.0% more building activity per person. This high level of activity reflects strong developer confidence in the area and offers buyers greater choice, although construction activity has eased recently. New development in Dickson primarily consists of townhouses or apartments (97.0%), with standalone homes making up only 3.0%. This shift towards denser development provides accessible entry options for downsizers, investors, and first-time buyers, marking a significant change from the current housing mix of 30.0% houses.

With around 20 people per dwelling approval, Dickson exhibits characteristics of a growth area. Population forecasts indicate that Dickson will gain approximately 2,519 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, creating favorable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Dickson has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 11 projects that may impact this region. Notable ones are Vermillion, Calypso, Stockdale Street Apartments, and Watson Solar Farm. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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The employment environment in Dickson shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Dickson has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. The unemployment rate was 3.5% over the past year, showing an estimated employment growth of 1.0%.

As of June 2025, 2,588 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.6%, which is 0.1% above the Australian Capital Territory's rate of 3.4%. Workforce participation in Dickson was 78.2%, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's 69.6%. Key industries of employment among residents were public administration & safety, professional & technical, and education & training, while health care & social assistance showed lower representation at 7.9% versus the regional average of 11.7%.

The area functioned as an employment hub with 1.3 workers per resident as at the Census. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 1.0%, while labour force increased by 1.6%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Australian Capital Territory saw employment rise by 1.9% and unemployment fall by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest that Dickson's employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to Dickson's employment mix.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022 shows Dickson's median income among taxpayers is $73,291. The average income is $90,602. Nationally, these figures are extremely high. In the Australian Capital Territory, the median income is $68,678 and the average is $83,634. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.6% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Dickson would be approximately $83,259 (median) and $102,924 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census figures, incomes in Dickson rank highly nationally, between the 82nd and 94th percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 captures 36.8% of the community (1,494 individuals). Higher earners make up a substantial presence with 34.2% exceeding $3,000 weekly. High housing costs consume 16.8% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 80th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Dickson features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Dickson, as per the latest Census evaluation, 29.5% of dwellings were houses while 70.6% consisted of other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This differs from the Australian Capital Territory's figures which stood at 39.3% for houses and 60.7% for other dwellings. Home ownership in Dickson was recorded at 19.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.5% and rented ones at 46.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,904, lower than the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,080. The median weekly rent figure for Dickson was $500, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's $476. Nationally, Dickson's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,904 against the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 53.3% of all households, including 17.5% couples with children, 27.3% couples without children, and 6.8% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 46.7%, with lone person households at 33.3% and group households making up 13.7%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which aligns with the Australian Capital Territory average.

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

Dickson has a notably high level of educational attainment among its residents aged 15 and above, with 62.9% holding university qualifications. This figure is significantly higher than the national average of 30.4% and the SA4 region's average of 46.8%. The area's residents have a substantial advantage in education, with bachelor degrees being the most common at 34.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 22.4% and graduate diplomas at 5.6%. Technical qualifications make up 14.0% of educational achievements, with advanced diplomas accounting for 6.3% and certificates for 7.7%.

Educational participation in Dickson is notably high, with 34.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 17.3% in tertiary education, 6.4% in primary education, and 4.4% pursuing secondary education. The area's three schools have a combined enrollment of 2,843 students. Dickson demonstrates significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement, with an ICSEA score of 1125. The educational mix includes two secondary schools and one K-12 school. As an education hub, Dickson has 70.0 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 15.4, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Dickson has 26 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 29 different routes that together facilitate 2,393 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of public transport in Dickson is rated as excellent, with residents on average being located 180 meters from the nearest stop.

Across all routes, there are an average of 341 daily trips, which amounts to approximately 92 weekly trips per individual stop.

Dickson's residents are extremely healthy with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Dickson with younger cohorts seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover was found to be exceptionally high at approximately 63% of the total population (2,556 people), compared to 65.3% across Australian Capital Territory and a national average of 55.3%. The most common medical conditions in the area were mental health issues impacting 12.0% of residents and asthma affecting 8.7%, while 71.5% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 70.8% across Australian Capital Territory.

The area has 6.7% of residents aged 65 and over (272 people), which is lower than the 11.4% in Australian Capital Territory.

Dickson was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Dickson's population showed high cultural diversity, with 31.1% born overseas and 26.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Dickson, accounting for 25.3%. Judaism was overrepresented compared to the Australian Capital Territory, comprising 0.7% of Dickson's population.

The top three ancestry groups were English (22.4%), Australian (19.7%), and Other (11.8%). Notably, Croatian (1.0%) Russian (0.5%) and Korean (0.8%) ethnicities were overrepresented in Dickson compared to regional averages of 0.7%, 0.4%, and 0.7% respectively.

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

Dickson's median age is 29 years, which is notably lower than the Australian Capital Territory average of 35 and substantially lower than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Dickson has a higher concentration of residents aged 25-34 (30.7%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (7.9%). This 25-34 concentration is well above the national average of 14.5%. According to the 2021 Census, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 28.5% to 30.7%, while the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 14.8% to 16.7%. Conversely, the 15 to 24 cohort has declined from 18.4% to 16.8%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Dickson. Leading this demographic shift, the 25 to 34 age group is projected to grow by 48%, adding 593 people and reaching a total of 1,840 from its current figure of 1,246.