Forrest (ACT)

Population growth drivers in Forrest are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population for the Forrest (ACT) statistical area (Lv2) is around 1,961 people. This reflects an increase of 134 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,827 people. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and five validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,127 persons per square kilometer. Forrest's growth rate of 7.3% since the 2021 census exceeded the state average of 6.4%. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 84.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, age group growth rates from the ACT Government's SA2 area projections are adopted. Future population trends project an above median growth for Australian statistical areas, with the Forrest (ACT) (SA2) expected to expand by 295 persons to reach a total of 2,156 by 2041, reflecting an increase of 15.4% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Forrest recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Forrest has received approximately 8 dwelling approvals annually over the past 5 financial years ending FY26. This totals an estimated 40 homes. As of FY26, 3 approvals have been recorded. On average, around 3 people move to Forrest per new home constructed each year between FY21 and FY25.

The average construction cost value for new homes is $946,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment. In FY26, Forrest has seen $21.1 million in commercial approvals. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Forrest's building activity is 53.0% below the regional average per person. Recent construction comprises 44.0% standalone homes and 56.0% townhouses or apartments. Forrest currently has around 302 people per dwelling approval.

According to AreaSearch quarterly estimates, Forrest is projected to add approximately 302 residents by 2041. Building activity appears to be keeping pace with population growth projections.

Forrest has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 48thth percentile nationally

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. Two projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to impact the area. Key projects include Kingston Arts Precinct, Griffith-Narrabundah Community Centre & Oval Upgrade, Yarra Rossa, and Cromwell Office Building Development. The following list details those projects likely to be most relevant:.

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

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AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Forrest performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Forrest has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation. Its unemployment rate was 0.7% in the past year, showing a 0.9% employment growth based on AreaSearch data aggregation.

As of September 2025, 1,231 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.8% lower than Australian Capital Territory's (ACT) rate of 3.6%. Workforce participation in Forrest is similar to ACT's 69.6%. Major employment industries include public administration & safety, professional & technical services, and health care & social assistance. Notably, professional & technical services have employment levels at 1.4 times the regional average, while accommodation & food employs only 2.7% of local workers compared to ACT's 6.5%.

With a resident-to-worker ratio of 0.4 as per the Census, Forrest acts as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from nearby areas. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 0.9% while labour force grew by 1.2%, leading to a slight rise in unemployment (0.2 percentage points). In contrast, ACT saw employment grow by 1.4% with a simultaneous fall in unemployment (-0.2 percentage points). State-level data from 25-Nov-25 shows ACT's year-on-year employment growth at 1.19% (adding 710 jobs) and an unemployment rate of 4.5%, slightly higher than the national rate of 4.3%. Job and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Forrest's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.0% over ten years.

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 for financial year 2023 shows that Forrest suburb has a top percentile national income ranking. The median assessed income is $98,598 and the average income stands at $160,235. This contrasts with Australian Capital Territory's figures of a median income of $72,206 and an average income of $85,981. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.26% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $107,728 (median) and $175,073 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, Forrest's household, family, and personal incomes all rank highly nationally, between the 99th and 99th percentiles. The earnings profile shows that 42.0% of the population (823 individuals) fall within the $4000+ income range, differing from the broader area where the $1,500 - 2,999 category predominates at 34.3%. A substantial proportion of high earners (54.2% above $3,000/week) indicates strong economic capacity throughout the suburb. After housing costs, residents retain 89.4% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

Forrest features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The dwelling structure in Forrest, as per the latest Census, consisted of 36.5% houses and 63.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to the Australian Capital Territory's figures of 40.7% houses and 59.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Forrest stood at 38.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.3% and rented dwellings at 30.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,520, higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,275. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $570, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's $500. Nationally, Forrest's median monthly mortgage repayments are significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while median weekly rents are substantially above the national figure of $375.

Forrest features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 67.2% of all households, including 23.7% couples with children, 37.0% couples without children, and 4.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 32.8%, consisting of 29.2% lone person households and 4.3% group households. The median household size is 2.2 people, which aligns with the Australian Capital Territory average.

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

Forrest has an educational attainment that exceeds national averages. Among residents aged 15 and above, 64.6% have university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and the SA4 region's 46.8%. This high level of education positions Forrest favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 32.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (25.3%) and graduate diplomas (7.2%).

Technical qualifications make up 14.4% of educational achievements, with advanced diplomas accounting for 7.9% and certificates for 6.5%. Educational participation is high in Forrest, with 25.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.6% in tertiary education, 7.4% in secondary education, and 6.2% pursuing primary education.

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

Forrest has 13 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 36 different routes that together facilitate 2,679 weekly passenger trips. The transport accessibility in Forrest is rated as good, with residents on average located 301 meters from the nearest transport stop.

On average, there are 382 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 206 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Forrest is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Forrest demonstrates above-average health outcomes with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 90% of the total population (1,773 people), compared to 78.3% across Australian Capital Territory and a national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, impacting 7.8 and 7.8% of residents respectively, while 68.9% declare themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 69.8% across Australian Capital Territory.

The area has 26.0% of residents aged 65 and over (509 people), which is higher than the 19.9% in Australian Capital Territory. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing even better than the general population in health metrics.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Forrest was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Forrest's population showed high cultural diversity, with 25.9% born overseas and 20.0% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the primary religion in Forrest, representing 49.0%. While Judaism comprised only 0.8%, it was higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 0.6%.

The top three ancestral groups were English (23.7%), Australian (20.2%), and Irish (10.5%). Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Polish at 1.4% in Forrest compared to 1.0% regionally, French at 1.1% versus 0.9%, and Scottish at 9.6% versus 8.5%.

Forrest hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Forrest has a median age of 47 years, which is significantly higher than the Australian Capital Territory's average of 35 years, and considerably older than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Forrest has a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64 (16.0%), but fewer residents aged 35-44 (10.2%). According to the 2021 Census, the proportion of Forrest's population aged 75-84 increased from 8.1% to 10.2%, while the proportion aged 55-64 rose from 14.7% to 16.0%. Conversely, the proportion aged 45-54 declined from 15.4% to 12.7%, and the proportion aged 5-14 decreased from 8.9% to 7.2%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Forrest's age structure. The 65-74 age group is expected to grow by 58% (148 people), reaching 403 from 254. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 68% of total population growth, reflecting Forrest's aging demographic profile. In contrast, both the 0-4 and 5-14 age groups are projected to decrease in number.