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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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Forde has an estimated 4,457 residents. That puts 2,262 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 regional ABS updates alongside post-Census validated addresses, the population of the suburb of Forde stands at roughly 4,457 as of Aug 2026. This indicates an addition of 22 people (0.5%) relative to the 2021 Census tally of 4,435 people. The demographic estimate of 4,457 residents was determined following analysis of the ABS June 2025 ERP release combined with post-Census address verification. This resident count translates to a density of 2,262 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the nationwide average across locations evaluated by AreaSearch. Inflow from overseas migration served as the primary contributor to demographic expansion, accounting for roughly 59.0% of recent population gains.
Projections for each SA2 district utilise the 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia dataset with a 2022 baseline, while ACT Government SA2 projections (2022 base) cover unlisted areas and periods past 2032. Demographic modeling indicates a general contraction for the suburb of Forde, with the total count projected to drop by 39 persons by 2041. In contrast, specific age brackets are slated for expansion, most notably the 55 to 64 age group with an anticipated increase of 114 people. <i>See the age section for more details.</i>
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
ABS building approvals data compiled by AreaSearch indicates that residential construction activity in Forde has been virtually non-existent, recording an estimated 4 homes approved over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and no dwellings approved so far in FY-25. Given local population decreases, incoming housing volume has likely matched market requirements, providing prospective purchasers with adequate choices. Commercial approvals totaling $67,000 have also been recorded during this financial year, underscoring the predominantly residential focus of the locality. Development volume in Forde is considerably lower when compared to Australian Capital Territory.
This restricted addition of new housing stock typically underpins stronger pricing and heightened interest in existing dwellings. Activity is likewise below national benchmarks, pointing toward building constraints and an established, mature real estate environment. With demographic forecasts pointing to a stable or decreasing resident base, Forde is likely to encounter reduced housing pressure, offering favorable conditions to prospective purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Forde
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 79 current infrastructure and development projects close to Forde, worth an estimated $5.41 billion. 10 are already under construction and 24 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation 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
Local growth and performance are substantially shaped by planning initiatives, major projects, and public infrastructure investments. AreaSearch has pinpointed 9 specific undertakings expected to affect the community, including Moncrieff East Residential Estate, Gungahlin Tennis Facility (Amaroo Tennis Centre), Amaroo Village Development - Block 9 Section 111, and Gungahlin Community Centre, with key details provided below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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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
Gungahlin Tennis Facility (Amaroo Tennis Centre)
New regional tennis hub featuring 10 full-size ITF standard courts, 2 Hot Shots courts for junior development, a hitting wall, pavilion with female-friendly change rooms, LED lighting for night play, accessible pathways, and a 33-vehicle carpark. The facility supports diverse programs including Hot Shots, cardio tennis, school programs, and competitive leagues for all ages and abilities. Joint funding of $9.934 million from the ACT Government and $400,000 from Tennis ACT and Tennis Australia. Construction commenced September 2025 by Complex Co.Tennis ACT and affiliated clubs will operate and maintain the facility.
Moncrieff East Residential Estate
Large greenfield residential release delivering over 850 dwellings, new local parks, and community facilities. The Moncrieff East Estate development plan aims for approximately 1250 dwellings, public open space, and includes master planning and detailed design for a subdivision in the eastern part of Moncrieff. Civil works contracts have been awarded to Group 1 and Canberra Contractors.
Amaroo Village Development - Block 9 Section 111
DA approved 3-storey development comprising 8 residential units on upper floors with 2 including ground floor multi-purpose space and undercroft parking. 580sqm site zoned CZ2 Business Zone adjacent to Amaroo Village Precinct.
Gungahlin Community Centre
A new 25 million AUD multipurpose facility designed to serve the growing Gungahlin community. The two-storey center includes a youth hub, art workshops, a large community hall for dance and judo, and a commercial-grade kitchen. It features secure outdoor green spaces centered around a preserved 100-year-old Blakelys Redgum tree, alongside public parking and end-of-trip facilities for commuters.
Gungahlin Town Centre Improvements
A comprehensive urban renewal program by the ACT Government to enhance the Gungahlin Town Centre. Key components include a major active travel project with 13 new community paths to improve walking and cycling connections, significant intersection safety upgrades at Hinder Street and Anthony Rolfe Avenue, and the Gungahlin Town Centre East Design and Place Framework for a new urban village.
Franklin Residential Development
New residential development in Franklin offering mixed housing typologies including apartments, townhouses and detached homes. Planned community with parks, walking trails and local retail amenities.
Olea Gungahlin Townhouses
Approved medium-density project branded Olea by Dish Developments. Original DA 202038102 approved on 5 Jul 2021 for 99 dwellings (70 townhouses, 29 units), later amended in Dec 2021 to a total of 109 dwellings with a single level basement (approx. 189 car spaces). Site fronts Camilleri Way and Kate Crace Street near Gungahlin Marketplace and the light rail, with outlook to Mulanggari Grasslands Nature Reserve.
Franklin Cycleway Extension
Extension of existing cycleway network connecting Franklin to Gungahlin Town Centre and surrounding suburbs with dedicated bike lanes and pedestrian paths.
2,707 residents of Forde are employed, from a labour force of 2,764. Unemployment sits at 2.1%, with participation at 79.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 3,262, about 73% 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
Statistical aggregations by AreaSearch show that Forde features a highly educated labor pool with substantial professional services representation, an unemployment rate of merely 2.1%, and an estimated annual employment growth rate of 0.9%. As of March 2026, 2,707 residents are employed, the local unemployment rate sits 2.0% beneath the Australian Capital Territory figure of 4.1%, and labor force participation reaches an elevated 79.7% compared to 70.6% across Australian Capital Territory. Census figures indicate that 14.0% of local workers operated from home, though Covid-19 lockdown circumstances should be factored in. Local resident employment is heavily clustered in public administration & safety, professional & technical, and education & training.
By comparison, health care & social assistance accounts for only 8.4% of the employed base, trailing the Australian Capital Territory level of 11.7%. The comparison between resident numbers and the Census working population indicates that this largely residential enclave provides limited commercial employment within its borders. SALM and ABS data aggregations reviewed by AreaSearch indicate that over the year to March 2026, local employment grew by 0.9% while the labor force expanded by 1.1%, leading to an unemployment rate increase of 0.2 percentage points. In Australian Capital Territory, employment increased by 0.3%, the labor force rose by 1.1%, and unemployment climbed 0.7 percentage points. Longer-term employment expectations from Jobs and Skills Australia's Mar-26 projections provide additional perspectives on potential labor needs in Forde. Across Australia, workforce expansion is projected at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying across sectors. Applying these industry forecasts to the local job distribution indicates projected local employment growth of 6.3% over five years and 12.9% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Forde is $3,553 a week (about $185,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,548 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $86,222 a year against an average of $98,659. 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 AreaSearch's review of ATO data for financial year 2023 at the postcode level, incomes in the suburb of Forde place it within the top national percentile, recording a median of $86,222 and an average of $98,659. Across Australian Capital Territory, the corresponding figures stand at a median of $72,206 and an average of $85,981. Factoring in Wage Price Index expansion of 10.44% since financial year 2023, modeled figures reach roughly $95,224 (median) and $108,959 (average) as of March 2026. In the Census, personal, family, and household earnings all placed between the 98th and 99th percentiles across Australia.
Among residents, 41.7% (1,858 individuals) earn in the $4000+ category, compared to regional trends where 34.3% earn between $1,500 - 2,999. Local affluence is demonstrated by 61.6% of households earning more than $3,000 weekly, fostering robust purchasing capacity. Housing costs represent 13.6% of earnings, disposable income ranks in the 99th percentile, and the SEIFA income metric sits in the 10th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Forde had 1,373 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 85% detached houses and 2% apartments. 60% are owned with a mortgage, 23% rented and 16% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $590 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,481 a month, a total housing cost higher than 97% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 16.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 16.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census data shows that the housing composition in Forde consisted of 84.9% houses and 15.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with the Australian Capital Territory distribution of 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings. Outright home ownership in Forde stood at 16.4%, trailing Australian Capital Territory, while the remaining homes were subject to a mortgage (60.2%) or leased by tenants (23.3%). Typical monthly mortgage commitments reached $2,481, surpassing the Australian Capital Territory benchmark of $2,080, while median weekly rental payments were $590 compared to $450 in Australian Capital Territory.
Relative to nationwide benchmarks of $1,863 for mortgages and $375 for rents, local housing expenses remain significantly elevated.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Forde counted 1,373 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 3.2 people each. 56% are couples with children, more than in 98% of areas nationally, against 21% couples without children. 11% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.4 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute 87.0% of all households in the locality, made up of couples with children (56.3%), couples without children (20.9%), and single parent families (8.9%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 13.0%, with lone person households representing 11.2% and group households comprising 1.9%. The area registers a median household size of 3.2 people, surpassing the Australian Capital Territory benchmark of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
51.2% of adults in Forde hold a university qualification, including 28.1% with a bachelor degree and 18.0% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 100% of areas nationally. A further 12.1% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Higher education qualifications in Forde exceed broader standards, as 51.2% of residents aged 15+ hold tertiary degrees compared to 30.4% across Australia, positioning the local workforce favorably for knowledge-intensive sectors. Bachelor degrees represent the largest category at 28.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 18.0% and graduate diplomas at 5.1%. Technical and vocational credentials represent 22.8% of qualifications among residents aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (12.1%). A substantial 37.4% of the population is engaged in structured learning. Enrolment comprises 14.5% in primary schools, 10.6% in secondary schools, and 6.1% in tertiary educational programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Forde reaches 21 stops on 37 routes, timetabled for about 2,000 services a week. The typical home sits about 190 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.8 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
There are 21 bus stops operating throughout Forde across 37 separate routes, delivering 1,974 weekly passenger trips. Commuter access is rated as excellent, with typical walk distances measuring 186 meters to the nearest transit facility. With outward travel standard for the residential community, private vehicles remain the primary transit mode at 91%, supported by an average ownership of 1.8 vehicles per dwelling. In addition, 14.0% of workers worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may incorporate COVID-19 related conditions. Transit route frequency averages 282 trips per day across the collective network, which translates to roughly 94 weekly trips for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
77.0% of residents in Forde report no long-term health condition. 2.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 66.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Evaluations by AreaSearch regarding condition prevalence and mortality demonstrate strong health metrics in Forde across both younger and older residents, alongside an elevated private health insurance coverage rate of roughly 66% of the population (2,948 people). This exceeds the Australian Capital Territory level of 62.4% as well as the national proportion of 55.7%. Asthma and mental health issues represent the most prevalent health conditions, affecting 8.0 and 6.7% of residents, while 77.0% of the population reported no chronic ailments, exceeding the 70.2% mark across Australian Capital Territory. Working-age cohorts display favorable vitality and low chronic disease rates.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 7.9% of the populace (352 people), beneath the 14.2% figure for Australian Capital Territory, with senior health indicators matching general national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
31.9% of Forde residents were born overseas and 31.8% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (22.8%) and English (20.3%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Forde sits well above general market norms, with 31.9% of the population born outside Australia and 31.8% utilizing a non-English language in their homes. Christianity is the primary reported faith at 48.8% of residents, while Hinduism shows a notable local presence at 7.6% of the population compared to 4.8% across Australian Capital Territory. Regarding ancestral background (based on parents' birth countries), the three primary heritage groups in Forde are Australian (22.8%), English (20.3%), and Other (11.9%). Higher local concentrations are also evident across several other backgrounds, including Croatian at 2.2% (against 0.9% across the broader region), Spanish at 0.8% (against 0.5%), and Korean at 1.0% (against 0.6%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Forde is 36, younger than 76% of areas nationally. That is 1 year older than at the 2021 Census. 24.6% 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 demographic profile of Forde features a blend of younger individuals alongside middle-aged mature families. Cohorts aged 45 - 64 make up 27.8% of the local population as at August 2026, compared to 21.5% across Australian Capital Territory, while those in the 65+ category represent 7.9% versus 14.2% regionally. AreaSearch assesses the median age at 36 as at August 2026, rising from 35 at the 2021 Census and exceeding the Australian Capital Territory 2021 Census baseline of 35 by 1 year. The most notable shift since the Census occurred in the 25 - 44 cohort, declining from 30.9% to an estimated 27.1%.
Concurrently, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 19.5% to an estimated 17.4% while the 15 to 24 group increased from 12.5% to 15.0%, reflecting an ageing resident base with limited replacement by younger households. By 2041, senior brackets are forecast to represent the bulk of net expansion, adding 150 residents (43%) to reach 502, whereas cohorts comprising children, young adults, and young to middle aged adults are expected to decline.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Forde
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) | Aug 2026 last month 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 last month 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 last month headline measures · Jun 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 last 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, Local governments Daily | May 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 May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 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 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago 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 Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (4,435 at the 2021 Census → 4,457 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 (SAL80056). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.