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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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Garran has an estimated 3,740 residents, up from 3,706 at the 2021 Census. That puts 1,385 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 evaluations of ABS demographic releases for the wider region and new locations verified by AreaSearch since the Census, the resident count in the suburb of Garran is projected to be approximately 3,740 in May 2026. This represents an addition of 34 individuals (0.9%) from the 2021 Census, which documented 3,706 residents. The shift is calculated using a baseline resident figure of 3,732, calculated by AreaSearch using the latest ABS ERP release from June 2025 alongside 19 validated new addresses added after the Census. This population size results in a density of 1,385 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds typical figures across the country.
Demographic expansion in this locality was almost exclusively driven by net arrivals from abroad, which served as the sole source of population increases in recent quarters. Projections developed by the ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024 with a 2022 baseline are applied to SA2 districts. For locations without these figures, and for horizons past 2032, age cohort projections from the ACT Government utilizing a 2022 baseline are employed. Looking ahead, these models point to a shrinking local population, with a projected loss of 133 persons by 2041. Conversely, expansion is anticipated within particular age cohorts, led by residents aged 65 to 74, whose numbers are expected to rise by 98 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
42 new dwellings have been approved in Garran over the past five years, an average of 8 a year. That is 2.3 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 162, running ahead of 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
Analysis of building approval statistics allocated from wider statistical areas indicates that the suburb of Garran averages roughly 8 new residential permits annually, with a total of 42 homes approved over the prior 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26149 permits have been documented. With local population numbers shrinking, housing additions have kept pace with demand, sustaining a balanced marketplace with sufficient options for purchasers, while newly approved dwellings carry an average build cost of $437,000, pointing to developer activity focused on upscale projects. Furthermore, commercial permits totaling $580.3 million have been logged during the current financial year, signaling significant non-residential development.
In comparison to the broader Australian Capital Territory, the suburb of Garran displays a low volume of building permits, sitting 86.0% below the territory average on a per-capita basis. This restricted level of building generally supports valuations and demand for existing houses. Permit volumes also trail the national benchmark, reflecting the established state of the local market and possible planning constraints. Of the approved residential works, detached houses account for 88.0%, with medium and high-density formats making up 12.0%, which helps preserve the traditional low-density feel favored by families. This construction mix leans more heavily toward detached structures than the Census distribution (61.0% at Census), showing that demand for single-family residences remains strong despite density trends. With a ratio of 676 people for each building permit, the suburb of Garran displays the features of an established community. As demographic numbers are projected to remain static or contract, the suburb of Garran is likely to experience less pressure on residential stock, which could benefit prospective purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Garran
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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 3 current infrastructure and development projects inside Garran, worth an estimated $2.8 billion. A further 41 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $5.58 billion. 8 are already under construction and 9 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and health & medical. 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 infrastructure projects, major developments, and urban planning changes are key drivers of regional growth. AreaSearch has identified 22 projects expected to influence the local area. Principal works include the Canberra Hospital Master Plan, the Garran Primary School Modernisation and Expansion, the Woden Town Square Precinct Redevelopment, and Skye by Trilogy (Section 117 Phillip), with details on the most relevant works provided below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Canberra Hospital Master Plan
A 20-year strategic transformation (2021-2041) of the Canberra Hospital campus to modernize clinical facilities and improve campus integration. Following the 2024 completion of the $640 million Critical Services Building (Building 5), current works focus on the demolition of Buildings 6 and 23 to facilitate the new Pathology and Clinical Support Building. The plan ultimately organizes the campus into seven distinct clinical precincts, including new inpatient buildings and expanded parking infrastructure to support long-term regional health demand.
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.
The Oaks - Yamba Sports Club Redevelopment
Redevelopment of community sports club facilities with modern amenities and expanded capacity for recreational activities.
Garran Primary School Modernisation and Expansion
A complete modernisation and expansion of Garran Primary School to increase capacity to 975 students. The project includes new learning and administration facilities, a new gymnasium, hard courts, green spaces, and improved parking and school access. The new facilities will be modern, sustainable, and inclusive.
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.
Ivy by Morris (Section 54 Phillip)
A premium 18-storey residential tower offering 212 apartments with rooftop amenities, ground-floor retail and direct connection to the redeveloped Woden Town Square.
Woden Pool Project (Phillip Swimming and Ice-Skating Centre Redevelopment)
Staged redevelopment of the Phillip Swimming and Ice-Skating Centre site in Woden by Geocon. Stage one, approved by the ACT Territory Planning Authority on 16 December 2025, comprises two 13-storey residential towers with 286 apartments above a new public aquatic centre featuring a 25-metre, eight-lane indoor lap pool, warm water program pool, splash pad, learn-to-swim and toddler areas, cafe, and steam and sauna facilities. The existing outdoor 50-metre pool and the ice-skating rink will remain operational during stage one construction, with their future considered in later stages.Geocon intends to eventually deliver around 696 to 700 apartments across five buildings in three stages on the 1.29 hectare site. Minor structural amendments to the approved stage one design remain under assessment.
The Centenary Hospital for Women and Children Expansion Project
The $50.05 million Centenary Hospital for Women and Children Expansion Project will deliver 20 additional inpatient beds for children and adolescents, four additional birthing suites, 16 additional special care nursery cots, and four additional maternity beds. To meet the growing health service demand from the Canberra community as our population continues to rapidly increase over coming years.
1,864 residents of Garran are employed, from a labour force of 1,905. Unemployment sits at 2.2%, with participation at 64.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 6,615, about 177% of the resident population, so the area draws in more workers than it sends out. 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 analysis reveals a highly qualified labor pool with a strong concentration of professionals, a jobless rate of only 2.2%, and an estimated job growth rate of 0.9% over the prior year, compiled from regional statistics. As of March 2026, 1,864 residents are employed, and the local jobless rate is 1.9% lower than the Australian Capital Territory average of 4.1%, while workforce participation is considerably lower at 64.0% compared to the territory level of 70.8%. Census returns show a moderate 15.9% of the local workforce worked from home, though this may reflect pandemic-era conditions.
The primary sectors employing local residents are public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and professional & technical. The suburb of Garran shows a distinct concentration in health care & social assistance, with its employment share reaching 1.8 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, construction has a minor presence at 4.1% compared to 6.8% across the territory. With 2.0 local jobs for every working-age resident recorded at the Census, the area acts as a regional employment center, drawing commuters from neighboring suburbs. Based on SALM and ABS figures aggregated across broader geographic divisions, local employment rose by 0.9% and the labor force grew by 1.2% over the 12 months ending March 2026, leading to a rise in the jobless rate of 0.3 percentage points. Over the same timeframe, the Australian Capital Territory experienced a 0.3% rise in employment, a 1.1% increase in the labor force, and a 0.7 percentage point rise in unemployment. Long-term national employment projections from May-25 published by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce mix to estimate future patterns. Nationally, jobs are projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary by sector. Applying these trends to the local industry mix suggests employment within the suburb of Garran would grow by 7.3% over five years and 14.9% over ten years, assuming a weighted extrapolation that does not account for local population changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Garran is $2,985 a week (about $155,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,349 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $77,505 a year against an average of $107,845. 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 taxpayer statistics from the 2023 financial year, the suburb of Garran registered a median taxpayer income of $77,505 and an average income of $107,845. These figures are highly elevated nationally and stand above the Australian Capital Territory benchmarks of $72,206 and $85,981 respectively. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.44% since the 2023 financial year, projected estimates for March 2026 are approximately $85,597 for the median and $119,104 for the average. Census records show that household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Garran rank between the 95th and 96th percentiles across Australia.
Income distribution statistics show that 36.6% of residents (1,368 people) fall into the $4000+ weekly earnings bracket, contrasting with the wider territory where the $1,500 - 2,999 range is the most common at 34.3%. Financial capacity is highlighted by 49.4% of households earning more than $3,000 weekly. After housing expenditures are paid, households retain 87.8% of their earnings, indicating substantial discretionary spending power and placing the area in the 9th decile of the SEIFA index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Garran had 1,257 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 61% detached houses and 17% apartments. 33% are owned with a mortgage, 31% rented and 37% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $550 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,600 a month, a total housing cost higher than 85% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 18.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 20.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, the housing mix in the suburb of Garran consisted of 61.0% single-family houses and 39.0% alternative options like semi-detached dwellings, townhouses, and apartments, compared to the Australian Capital Territory average of 63.3% houses and 36.7% alternative dwellings. Outright home ownership in the suburb of Garran reached 36.8%, which was higher than the territory average, with the remaining properties either mortgaged (32.7%) or rented (30.5%). The median monthly home loan payment was $2,600, while the median weekly rental cost was $550, compared to territory averages of $2,080 and $450.
In comparison with national benchmarks, mortgage costs are higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and rents exceed the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Garran counted 1,257 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.7 people each. 39% are couples with children, more than in 76% of areas nationally, against 26% couples without children. 24% 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 make up the majority of households at 74.1%, consisting of couples with children at 38.9%, couples without children at 26.0%, and single-parent households at 8.1%. Non-family households represent 25.9%, including single-person households at 23.7% and group homes at 2.3%. The median household size of 2.7 residents exceeds the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
58.7% of adults in Garran hold a university qualification, including 31.3% with a bachelor degree and 21.8% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 88% of areas nationally. A further 9.1% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 945 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,104 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
Academic credentials in the suburb of Garran are highly elevated, with 58.7% of residents aged 15 and older holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% nationally and 46.8% across the SA4 region. This qualification profile positions the community well for professional services roles. Undergraduate degrees are held by 31.3% of the cohort, followed by postgraduate degrees at 21.8% and graduate diplomas at 5.6%. Technical and vocational credentials represent 18.1% of qualifications for those aged 15 and over, split between advanced diplomas (9.0%) and certificates (9.1%). Enrolment rates are high, with 33.2% of the local population engaged in formal study.
This comprises 13.1% attending primary school, 7.7% in high school, and 6.8% enrolled in university or vocational training.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Garran reaches 27 stops on 69 routes, timetabled for about 5,700 services a week. The typical home sits about 250 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.4 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 infrastructure includes 27 active stops within the suburb of Garran, offering bus and rail services. These stops support 69 routes, carrying a total of 5,691 weekly passenger journeys. Accessibility is good, with residents living an average of 246 meters from a transit stop. The area is predominantly residential, and most workers commute out of the suburb, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel at 80%, while 11% of residents walk and 2% cycle. Car ownership averages 1.4 vehicles per household. Census data from 2021 indicates 15.9% of residents worked from home, which may reflect public health restrictions.
Transit service frequency averages 813 daily trips across all routes, which corresponds to roughly 210 weekly departures from each stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
70.6% of residents in Garran report no long-term health condition. 6.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 69.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.3 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators in the suburb of Garran are favorable, with low rates of chronic conditions across both younger and older cohorts, and private health insurance enrollment is high, covering roughly 70% of the population (2,609 people). This compares to 62.4% across the Australian Capital Territory and a national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent chronic conditions among residents are arthritis and asthma, affecting 8.2% and 7.0% of the population, respectively, while 70.6% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 70.2% across the Australian Capital Territory. Health outcomes for residents under the age of 65 are above average.
The suburb of Garran has 21.4% of its population aged 65 and older (800 people), which exceeds the territory average of 14.3%. Senior health outcomes are positive, with national comparative rankings aligned with the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
35.5% of Garran residents were born overseas and 30.1% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 77% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are English (22.0%) and Australian (20.6%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity measures show that 35.5% of residents were born overseas, and 30.1% speak a non-English language at home. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, represented by 42.9% of residents. However, Hinduism shows a distinct local concentration, accounting for 9.2% of the population compared to 4.8% across the Australian Capital Territory. Regarding family ancestry, the three largest groups are English at 22.0%, Australian at 20.6%, and Other at 12.9%. In terms of specific backgrounds, there is a higher concentration of residents of Indian origin at 7.0% (compared to 3.3% regionally), Russian background at 0.5% (compared to 0.3%), and Polish background at 0.9% (compared to 0.8%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Garran is 41. 17.5% 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 the suburb of Garran is 41 years, which is higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 35 and the national median of 38. Children aged 5 to 14 represent a high share of the population at 16.0%, while young adults aged 25 to 34 are less represented at 7.0%. Since the 2021 Census, the 55 to 64 age bracket has risen from 10.5% to 11.7% of the population, and the 15 to 24 cohort has increased from 9.4% to 10.5%, whereas the 25 to 34 group fell from 9.4% to 7.0%.
Long-range projections for 2041 suggest shifting demographics, with the 65 to 74 cohort expected to grow by 22% (78 people), rising from 347 to 426. Residents aged 65 and over are projected to account for 70% of the area's population growth, while the 15 to 24 and 0 to 4 groups are forecast to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Garran
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) | May 2026 3 months ago all 13 measures |
| 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 | May 2026 3 months ago all 3 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 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) | Jul 2026 last 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 — 19 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,706 at the 2021 Census → 3,740 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 (SAL80061). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.