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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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Dunlop has an estimated 7,282 residents. That puts 2,017 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 ABS population releases for the wider region and address checks conducted by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Dunlop is estimated to have a population of approximately 7,282 as of May 2026. This represents a minor rise of 17 people (0.2%) from the 2021 Census, which documented 7,265 residents. This population shift is determined from the resident total of 7,282, calculated by AreaSearch using the ABS ERP release from June 2025 alongside address verification following the Census date. The suburb has a population density of 2,017 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the national average calculated by AreaSearch.
Natural growth was the primary contributor to local expansion, accounting for roughly 69.0% of the population increase in recent times. AreaSearch incorporates projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia for individual SA2 sectors, which were published in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 regions lacking this coverage, and for years after 2032, growth rates by age group from ACT Government SA2 projections with a 2022 baseline are utilized. Future forecasts indicate a population contraction, with the suburb of Dunlop projected to shrink by 983 persons by 2041 using this approach. Conversely, specific age groups are set to expand, particularly the cohort aged 55 to 64, which is expected to rise by 107 people. More details can be found in the age section.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Property records show only 1 residential development approval in Dunlop over the last five years. This highlights the mature state of the suburb, which offers minimal scope for new building projects. This lack of incoming supply tends to reinforce demand for established housing and can help keep property values stable. Compared to the broader Australian Capital Territory, Dunlop exhibits substantially lower levels of construction activity. Even though building activity has risen lately, the low volume of incoming stock generally underpins demand and pricing for existing houses. This level also falls below the national benchmark, pointing to the mature nature of the area and potentially indicating planning constraints.
As population forecasts point to stability or contraction, Dunlop is likely to experience less pressure on housing demand, which should benefit buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Dunlop
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Dunlop, worth an estimated $950 million. A further 5 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $11 billion. 5 are already under construction and 2 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal and education & training. 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
Infrastructure updates, major works, and planning decisions are key drivers of local performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 3 projects that are expected to influence the local area. The primary developments include Kestral Rise - Macnamara, Macnamara Residential Estate, Ginninderry Estate - Strathnairn & Macnamara (Stages 1-7+), and Wallaroo Solar Farm, with details below on the most relevant schemes.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Macnamara Residential Estate
Macnamara is the second residential suburb in the Ginninderry Joint Venture, a 6 Star Green Star community on the western edge of Belconnen. Delivered by Suburban Land Agency and Riverview Developments, the suburb will deliver approximately 1,800 homes on land bordering the Ginninderry Conservation Corridor, with views to the Brindabella Mountains. Multiple land stages are actively selling as of 2025-2026, with blocks from 540sqm priced from $615,000. A local retail centre is planned for 2027 (subject to approval) and Strathnairn Early Childhood and Education Centre is partially opening in 2026.
Macgregor Primary School Expansion & Modernisation
Major upgrade and expansion of Macgregor Primary School at Hirschfeld Crescent, Macgregor ACT, delivering new learning hubs, additional classrooms, and improved playground facilities. The project is driven by growing enrolments from adjacent new residential developments including The Valley Ponds and the broader Ginninderry estate. The ACT Education Directorate and Infrastructure Canberra are delivering the works, with completion targeted for 2026.
The Valley Ponds - Stage 3 & Future Stages
Final residential stages of the established Macgregor suburb in Belconnen, delivering over 400 new homes in The Valley Ponds precinct. The estate is adjacent to Ginninderra Creek and the future Ginninderry conservation corridor and pond network, offering a mix of block sizes with connections to open space and green corridors.
Ginninderry Estate - Strathnairn & Macnamara (Stages 1-7+)
Canberra's largest master-planned community spanning the ACT-NSW border in West Belconnen, delivering approximately 11,500 dwellings across four suburbs over 30-40 years on a 1,600-hectare site. Over 37% of land is set aside as a conservation corridor along the Murrumbidgee River and Ginninderra Creek. Two suburbs are underway: Strathnairn (909 occupied dwellings as of early 2025) and Macnamara (13 occupied, 11 under construction). A primary school opens 2026, and the first local shopping centre is targeted for 2027.Certified as a 6-Star Green Star Community.
Kippax Fair Expansion and Redevelopment
Major redevelopment and expansion of Kippax Fair shopping centre in West Belconnen, delivering a completely new mixed-use precinct across two stages. The project will triple retail floor space, adding a new full-line Coles and expanded Woolworths alongside the existing Aldi. Plans include approximately 180 new dwellings (including 24 affordable and public housing units) built as shop-top housing, 450 underground car parks, a 6,000sqm park, a community hub, skate park, and indoor and outdoor dining. The ACT Government finalised a direct land sale agreement with owners the Christodoulou family in August 2024, with a $12 million community infrastructure commitment.A development application was expected to be publicly notified by mid-2025.
Ginninderry Masterplanned Community - Strathnairn & Macnamara
Ginninderry is a cross-border masterplanned community in West Belconnen delivered by the ACT Government and Riverview Group joint venture. Planned to accommodate 30,000 residents across approximately 11,500 dwellings over a 37-year period, the project spans the ACT and NSW border. The first suburb, Strathnairn, is substantially developed with over 2,700 residents as of early 2025. The second suburb, Macnamara, is actively under development with approximately 300-400 lots released annually. Key recent milestones include the opening of Strathnairn School (programmed for the 2026 school year), multi-unit site releases in Strathnairn Village adjacent to the future retail centre, and ongoing single residential lot releases.The community is forecast to reach approximately 5,000 residents by 2028. The project incorporates a 6 Star Green Star sustainability rating, conservation corridor management along the Murrumbidgee River and Ginninderra Creek, and the SPARK employment program.
4,178 residents of Dunlop are employed, from a labour force of 4,391. Unemployment sits at 4.9%, with participation at 75.9%. 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 5,216, about 72% 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
Data from AreaSearch covering statistical areas reveals that Dunlop has a well-educated labor force with strong representation in key service industries, an unemployment rate of 4.9%, and steady employment over the last year. In March 2026, 4,178 residents were employed. The local unemployment rate is 0.8% higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 4.1%, while workforce participation is notably high at 75.9% compared to 70.8% across the Australian Capital Territory. Census returns indicated that a modest 10.6% of workers worked from home, although this may have been influenced by COVID-19 restrictions.
Dunlop residents are heavily employed in the fields of public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The suburb exhibits a clear concentration in construction, with its employment share tracking at 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical roles are underrepresented, accounting for 8.6% of the local workforce compared to 11.1% in the Australian Capital Territory. The heavily residential nature of the suburb means local jobs are limited, as shown by the difference between the Census working population and resident counts. AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics for the broader region shows that the local labor force expanded by 1.0% while employment fell by 0.4% during the 12 months leading to March 2026, leading to a 1.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. Over the same period in the Australian Capital Territory, jobs grew by 0.3%, the labor force expanded by 1.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.7 percentage points. Projections from Jobs and Skills Australia issued in May-25 offer additional perspectives on prospective local job demand. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential employment trends. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rates of change vary widely by sector. Weighting these sectoral forecasts against Dunlop's current mix suggests local employment could grow by 6.4% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, noting this is a basic weighted extrapolation for illustration and excludes local population changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Dunlop is $2,503 a week (about $130,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,176 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $69,014 a year against an average of $78,012. 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
Based on AreaSearch processing of the financial year 2023 ATO statistics, Dunlop taxpayers recorded a median income of $69,014 and an average income of $78,012. These figures are highly competitive on a national scale, comparing to $72,206 and $85,981 in the wider Australian Capital Territory. Accounting for a 10.44% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated estimates suggest figures of roughly $76,219 (median) and $86,156 (average) by March 2026. The 2021 Census placed Dunlop's household, family, and individual incomes high up in the national rankings, between the 89th and 90th percentiles.
A portion of the population equivalent to 37.9% (2,759 individuals) earns weekly incomes between $1,500 and $2,999, mirroring the metropolitan trend where 34.3% of people are in this bracket. Affluence is notable, with 38.5% of residents earning weekly incomes above $3,000, which helps support higher-end retail and services. Housing costs consume 14.7% of income, while solid earnings place the suburb in the 90th percentile for disposable income, and the SEIFA index ranks the area in the 8th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Dunlop had 2,424 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 92% detached houses and 1% apartments. 61% are owned with a mortgage, 18% rented and 20% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $465 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,000 a month, a total housing cost higher than 86% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 18.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 18.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, the housing mix in Dunlop consisted of 91.9% separate houses and 8.1% semi-detached properties, apartments, or other housing formats, compared to the wider Australian Capital Territory mix of 63.3% separate houses and 36.7% other dwellings. Outright home ownership stood at 20.3%, which is lower than the ACT benchmark, with the remaining residences being mortgaged (61.4%) or rented (18.3%). The median mortgage payment was $2,000 per month, which sits below the ACT average of $2,080, whereas the median weekly rent of $465 was slightly higher than the ACT level of $450.
Across Australia, Dunlop's mortgage commitments exceed the national average of $1,863, and rents are notably higher than the Australian median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Dunlop counted 2,424 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.9 people each. 45% are couples with children, more than in 89% of areas nationally, against 23% couples without children. 17% 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 constitute the vast majority of households at 81.1%, which includes couples with children at 44.8%, couples without children at 22.5%, and single parent households at 12.9%. The remaining 18.9% are non-family households, with lone person households representing 16.7% and group houses accounting for 2.0% of the total. The median household size of 2.9 individuals exceeds the ACT average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
29.3% of adults in Dunlop hold a university qualification, including 18.1% with a bachelor degree and 7.4% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 100% of areas nationally. A further 22.0% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Educational attainment in the area is lower than regional benchmarks, with 29.3% of residents holding a university qualification compared to the SA4 average of 46.8%. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 18.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 7.4% and graduate diplomas at 3.8%. Vocational and technical skills are common, with 34.1% of the population aged 15+ possessing vocational qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (12.1%) and certificates (22.0%). A high proportion of residents are engaged in study, with 33.6% of the population enrolled in formal education. Primary school pupils make up 12.7% of residents, secondary students account for 9.4%, and tertiary students represent 4.4%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Dunlop reaches 22 stops on 115 routes, timetabled for about 8,400 services a week. The typical home sits about 230 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
Public transport networks in Dunlop include 22 active transit stops serviced by buses. These links support 115 distinct routes, delivering 8,423 weekly passenger journeys. Transport access is rated as good, with dwellings situated an average of 230 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is mostly residential, meaning most workers travel outside the area for employment, with cars remaining the dominant transit mode at 94%. Households own an average of 1.7 cars, which is higher than the regional average. A relatively low 10.6% of residents work from home, based on 2021 Census data which may reflect pandemic-related conditions.
Across all bus routes, service frequency averages 1,203 trips per day, which translates to approximately 382 weekly runs for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
67.6% of residents in Dunlop report no long-term health condition. 4.7% 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
AreaSearch evaluations of mortality and chronic illness rates suggest Dunlop faces noticeable health concerns, with common medical issues present across the community and appearing more frequently in older age groups. Private health insurance coverage is high, representing approximately 58% of the population (~4,224 people), compared to 62.4% across the Australian Capital Territory. Asthma and mental health conditions are the most prevalent health issues, affecting 10.3% and 9.5% of the population respectively, while 67.6% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions compared to 70.2% in the Australian Capital Territory. Chronic health conditions are more common than average among the working-age population.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 10.8% of the population (786 people), which is lower than the ACT proportion of 14.3%. Seniors face some health challenges, though these are less pronounced nationally than for the rest of the local cohort.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Dunlop is largely Australian-born, at 78.5% of residents, with 20.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (27.9%) and English (24.6%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Dunlop displays higher than average levels of cultural diversity, with 21.5% of residents born outside Australia and 20.4% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 48.8% of the population. The most distinct religious overrepresentation is Islam, which accounts for 3.8% of residents compared to 3.4% across the Australian Capital Territory. Ancestry details show that the top three heritage groups are Australian at 27.9%, English at 24.6%, and Other at 11.6%. Certain backgrounds show minor variations from regional averages, including Hungarian at 0.4% (compared to 0.3% regionally), Croatian at 0.9% (compared to 0.9%), and Polish at 0.9% (compared to 0.8%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Dunlop is 37. That is 1 year older than at the 2021 Census. 25.6% 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 median age in Dunlop is 37 years, slightly older than the ACT average of 35 and close to the national median of 38 years. Those aged 45 - 54 are highly represented at 15.8% compared to the ACT, while the 25 - 34 cohort is less common at 10.6%. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age bracket has risen from 13.0% to 15.0% of the population, and the 55 to 64 group has increased from 10.4% to 12.3%. In contrast, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 16.9% to 14.5%, and the 35 to 44 age bracket fell from 16.9% to 15.0%.
Population models for 2041 project significant demographic shifts. The cohort aged 65 to 74 is expected to grow by 61 people (13%) from 480 to 542. Combined age groups of 65 and over will account for 71% of total population growth, showing the aging profile of the area, while the 0 to 4 and 15 to 24 cohorts will see their numbers decline.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Dunlop
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Apr 2026 4 months ago all 2 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 Apr 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 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. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (7,265 at the 2021 Census → 7,282 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 May 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 (SAL80049). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.