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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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Farrer has an estimated 3,816 residents, up from 3,787 at the 2021 Census. Growth has averaged 0.7% a year over five years, slower than 88% of areas nationally. That puts 1,844 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's evaluation of ABS updates for the surrounding region alongside post-Census address validations, the suburb of Farrer has a population estimated at 3,816 as of Aug 2026. This indicates a modest addition of 29 people (0.8%) compared to the 2021 Census tally of 3,787 people. This updated figure builds on the ABS Estimated Resident Population release from June 2025 as well as 17 validated new addresses identified following the Census. Consequently, population density stands at 1,843 persons per square kilometer, placing the suburb of Farrer above the benchmark across national locations assessed by AreaSearch.
Inbound overseas migration served as the primary growth driver, accounting for roughly 83.0% of all recent population gains. Projections utilize the 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia dataset featuring 2022 as its baseline, supplemented by ACT Government SA2 projections (also benchmarked to 2022) for subsequent years after 2032 or areas without coverage. Under this forecasting model, the overall population in the suburb of Farrer is slated to decrease by 284 persons by 2041. In contrast to this broader reduction, older demographics are set to expand, headlined by the 85 and over age group which is expected to gain 99 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
37 new dwellings have been approved in Farrer over the past five years, an average of 7 a year. That is 1.8 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 5, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Examining ABS residential approval statistics aggregated by AreaSearch, building activity in Farrer has registered roughly 7 new dwelling approvals per year, totaling 37 homes approved over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), with 5 recorded so far in FY-25. Given that an average of 3.8 people per year have arrived per newly constructed dwelling over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), local housing demand heavily outstrips added supply, typically driving up competition and pricing. The construction value for new dwellings averages $527,000, signaling a sustained emphasis on upscale residential builds.
On the commercial front, approvals amount to $68,000 this financial year, underscoring subdued commercial construction. Per capita residential development in Farrer trails the broader Australian Capital Territory benchmark substantially, sitting 90.0% below regional average per person. Such restrained supply additions commonly support property valuations across existing stock, while tracking below the national average to highlight the established character and potential zoning constraints of the neighborhood. The pipeline of new builds comprises 57.0% detached houses alongside 43.0% townhouses or apartments, delivering greater architectural diversity spanning entry-level attached options to expansive family residences. This composition departs from current neighborhood inventory (currently 74.0% houses), reflecting both limited remaining greenfield space and shifting resident preferences toward lower-maintenance living. With roughly 688 people per dwelling approval, the market demonstrates considerable maturity. Given expectations of an unchanging or contracting population count, future residential demand pressures in Farrer may soften, potentially opening up opportunities for incoming purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Farrer
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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 37 current infrastructure and development projects close to Farrer, worth an estimated $3.61 billion. 5 are already under construction and 13 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and sports & recreation. 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 upgrades, planning frameworks, and major civic works play an essential role in local property dynamics. At present, no major initiatives have been earmarked by AreaSearch as having a direct localized impact on the area, though relevant regional projects encompass the Mixed-Use Complex In Mawson, Canberra Hospital Master Plan, The Centenary Hospital for Women and Children Expansion Project, and Canberra Light Rail Stage 4 - Woden to Tuggeranong.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Wanniassa Hills Primary School Modernisation
ACT Government modernisation project at Wanniassa Hills Primary School delivering a preschool upgrade and replacement of existing gas boilers with fully electric heat pumps to improve energy efficiency, thermal comfort and learning environments. The works build on the school's earlier major modernisation program including new learning communities, administration refurbishment, hall improvements and expanded parking. Electrical supply upgrade works were tendered in 2025 to support the new HVAC system.
The Valley Ponds - Wanniassa
Proposed medium-density residential estate of approximately 120-150 townhouses and apartments on former open space land between Wanniassa Hills and the Erindale Centre, part of the broader Indicative Land Release Program.
Kambah Group Centre Expansion
A $20 million private redevelopment led by Exempla Group to revitalize the Kambah Village precinct. The project involves doubling the existing Woolworths supermarket footprint to approximately 3,475 square metres to create a full-line store. The expansion includes a new BWS, additional specialty retail units ranging from 50 to 300 square metres, new food outlets, and medical services. The design features a new covered northern entry and integrated landscaping designed to complement ACT Government public realm upgrades.Current planning focus includes lease variations to accommodate indoor recreation and personal services.
Erindale Group Centre Master Plan Implementation - Stage 1
A long-term revitalisation of the Erindale Group Centre focused on transforming public spaces, improving pedestrian and active travel links, and upgrading community infrastructure. The 2025-26 ACT Budget specifically funded the Erindale shops upgrade, with concept designs for public space improvements, including new lighting, paving, and furniture, expected for community feedback in 2026. The broader master plan facilitates future mixed-use development and roughly 800 new dwellings to support Tuggeranong growth.
Woden Community Services Hub
A new four-storey facility in Woden Town Centre that will centralise community and government services under one roof, bringing together services currently operating from multiple buildings in the region. It will include child and family services, meeting rooms, a multi-purpose hall, and workshop spaces. Construction is expected to commence in 2026-27.
Athllon Drive Duplication
The Athllon Drive Duplication upgrades a key arterial road linking Woden to Tuggeranong in the ACT. The primary southern section duplicates 2.4 km between Sulwood Drive and Drakeford Drive in Kambah and Wanniassa, with a smaller 600 m northern section between Hindmarsh Drive and Melrose Drive. Works include lane duplication, new traffic signals at multiple intersections, upgraded bus stops, active travel paths for cyclists and pedestrians, water quality improvements for Lake Tuggeranong, and a new underpass under Sulwood Drive.Jointly funded by the ACT and Australian governments at $98.55 million, the Development Application for the southern section was approved in early 2026 following completion of enabling works. A tender for main construction is expected to be issued in 2026, with the northern section design ongoing and its timeline less certain due to future light rail corridor planning.
Mixed-Use Complex In Mawson
Development of 92 apartments with commercial components, designed by Oztal Architects, includes two buildings and basement parking.
Skye by Trilogy (Section 117 Phillip)
A landmark 20-storey mixed-use residential tower comprising 188 luxury apartments with ground-floor retail and commercial space, located directly opposite Westfield Woden in the Phillip town centre. Developed by Zapari, the project forms part of the broader high-rise transformation of the Woden Town Centre precinct.
1,904 residents of Farrer are employed, from a labour force of 1,958. Unemployment sits at 2.8%, with participation at 61.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.6% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 3,081, about 81% 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
Workforce metrics compiled by AreaSearch reveal a highly qualified resident base with strong participation in public and community services, low joblessness at 2.8%, and steady labor conditions over the previous year. By March 2026, employed locals reached 1,904 residents, and the local jobless rate sat 1.3% below the Australian Capital Territory mark of 4.1%, even as the participation rate of 61.2% remained well under the territory's 70.6%. Furthermore, 14.0% of workers indicated working remotely at the Census, a figure subject to the prevailing Covid-19 restrictions of that period. Resident employment centers primarily around public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, alongside professional & technical roles.
Conversely, construction employment is comparatively subdued, engaging 5.8% of local workers relative to 6.8% across the Australian Capital Territory. As a largely residential community, the local area provides relatively few on-site jobs based on resident-to-workplace comparisons from Census records. AreaSearch assessment of ABS and SALM figures indicates that over the twelve months to March 2026, the local workforce grew by 1.1% while total jobs fell by 0.3%, elevating the unemployment rate by 1.3 percentage points. Across the Australian Capital Territory, by comparison, job growth recorded 0.3% against a 1.1% labor force expansion, raising unemployment by 0.7 percentage points. Looking ahead, Jobs and Skills Australia nationwide occupational projections from Mar-26 outline broader employment trajectories. Across Australia, workforce numbers are projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with distinct variance across individual sectors. Applying these broader industry trends to the resident occupational profile suggests local employment expansion of 6.6% over five years and 13.6% over ten years (calculated as an illustrative weighted extrapolation without incorporating local demographic forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Farrer is $2,540 a week (about $132,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,223 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $69,379 a year against an average of $92,775. 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
According to ATO postcode figures released by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, taxpayers in the suburb of Farrer earned a median income of $69,379 and an average income of $92,775, standing exceptionally high on a national scale compared with the 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 reach roughly $76,622 (median) and $102,461 (average). Census 2021 results place individual, household, and family earnings between the 91st and 92nd percentiles nationwide.
In terms of earnings brackets, the largest segment represents 31.2% of locals (1,190 people) earning in the $4000+ category, differing from the wider metropolitan area where 34.3% fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 category. Local affluence is further reflected by 43.0% of households generating weekly incomes topping $3,000, underpinning strong consumer capacity. After accounting for mortgage or rental payments, households retain 87.2% of income, placing the suburb in the 9th decile on the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Farrer had 1,368 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 74% detached houses and 11% apartments. 41% are owned with a mortgage, 18% rented and 41% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $450 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,600 a month. Rent absorbs 17.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to Census findings, the residential profile of Farrer consists of 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with the Australian Capital Territory breakdown of 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings. Outright home ownership is elevated at 41.1%, significantly outpacing the territory rate, while mortgaged properties represent 40.6% and rented homes account for 18.3%. Typical monthly mortgage costs stand at $2,600, exceeding the Australian Capital Territory figure of $2,080, while median weekly rent is $450, matching the territory's $450. Across the broader nation, local mortgage obligations sit well above the Australian median of $1,863, and rents remain higher than the national standard of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Farrer counted 1,368 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.6 people each. 37% are couples with children, against 28% couples without children. 25% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute 73.2% of all households in the area, comprising 36.6% couples with children, 28.4% couples without children, and 8.0% single parent families. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 26.8%, led by lone person households at 24.5% alongside group households at 1.7%. The typical household size sits at 2.6 people, slightly exceeding the Australian Capital Territory benchmark of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
48.7% of adults in Farrer hold a university qualification, including 26.7% with a bachelor degree and 16.1% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 95% of areas nationally. A further 11.3% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 261 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,107 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
Tertiary attainment among residents aged 15+ in Farrer is particularly pronounced at 48.7%, outpacing the nationwide proportion of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees form the primary credential at 26.7%, accompanied by postgraduate qualifications at 16.1% and graduate diplomas at 5.9%. Technical and vocational training encompasses 22.5% of residents aged 15+, divided between advanced diplomas (11.2%) and certificates (11.3%). Engagement in formal study is substantial, with 30.8% of the community actively participating in education. This cohort includes 10.4% in primary education, 8.7% in secondary education, and 6.4% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Farrer reaches 14 stops on 40 routes, timetabled for about 3,600 services a week. The typical home sits about 240 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.5 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
Farrer is equipped with 14 active public transport stops accommodating local bus services. These locations are connected by 40 individual routes that collectively deliver 3,613 weekly passenger trips, providing solid access with residents situated an average of 236 meters from the nearest boarding point. As an established suburban enclave, outward commuting is standard, with private vehicles accounting for 88% of travel and bus transit taking an 8% share. Vehicle ownership stands at an above-average 1.5 per dwelling. At the 2021 Census, 14.0% of workers operated from home, reflecting pandemic circumstances at the time.
Transit schedules across all servicing routes generate an average of 516 trips per day, translating to roughly 258 weekly trips for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
67.4% of residents in Farrer report no long-term health condition. 6.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 63.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Mortality metrics and chronic illness patterns compiled by AreaSearch indicate positive health outcomes among Farrer residents that align closely with national standards across all age groups, while private health insurance coverage is notably broad at approximately 64% of the total population (2,436 people), outstripping the national rate of 55.7%. Arthritis and asthma represent the most widespread chronic diagnoses, affecting 8.9 and 7.4% of residents, respectively, while 67.4% reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 70.2% across the Australian Capital Territory. Residents under 65 exhibit favorable overall health indicators. Seniors aged 65 and over account for 23.1% of residents (881 people), exceeding the territory proportion of 14.2%, with older cohorts maintaining above-average health standards and nationwide rankings consistent with the wider population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
26.9% of Farrer residents were born overseas and 18.5% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (26.2%) and Australian (23.2%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Farrer is comparatively high, with 26.9% of residents born abroad and 18.5% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity forms the predominant religious affiliation, representing 47.3% of residents, while Judaism displays a notable local concentration at 0.6% compared to 0.2% across the Australian Capital Territory. Looking at parental heritage, the leading reported ancestries are English at 26.2%, Australian at 23.2%, and Irish at 9.5%. Specific European backgrounds also show higher local representation than across the wider territory, including Scottish at 9.0% (vs 7.3%), Polish at 0.9% (vs 0.8%), and Hungarian at 0.4% (vs 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Farrer is 43. 22.1% 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 demographic profile clearly highlights Farrer's lifestyle and retirement appeal. AreaSearch estimates for August 2026 show that 23.1% of residents belong to retiree and elderly cohorts (65+), substantially exceeding the 14.2% share recorded across the Australian Capital Territory, whereas young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) comprise 21.9% locally versus 32.8% territory-wide. The median age is estimated at 43, matching the 2021 Census baseline, which was 8 years above the Australian Capital Territory median of 35 and higher than the national Census benchmark of 38. By 2041, the senior age brackets are projected to experience the greatest growth, increasing by 63 residents (7%) to 944, whereas younger adult and child cohorts are expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Farrer
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, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 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 May 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 — 17 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,787 at the 2021 Census → 3,816 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 (SAL80052). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.