Gungahlin

Gungahlin lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Gungahlin is around 10,201. This figure reflects an increase of 1,615 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8,586. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of the resident population at 9,193 following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release (June 2024), and an additional 910 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2,237 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's growth rate of 18.8% since the 2021 census exceeded both the state (6.7%) and its SA4 region, positioning it as a growth leader in the area. Overseas migration contributed approximately 64.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, age group growth rates from ACT Government's SA2 area projections are adopted. Considering these projections, exceptional growth is predicted over the period, with the suburb expected to increase by 6,484 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 53.7% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Gungahlin among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, Gungahlin averaged around 313 new dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 1,568 homes. So far in FY-26, one approval has been recorded. With an average of one person moving to the area for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, supply and demand appear balanced, creating stable market conditions. New properties are constructed at an average value of $249,000.

This financial year has seen $31.1 million in commercial approvals, indicating robust local business investment. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Gungahlin records 261.0% more development activity per person, offering greater choice for buyers and reflecting strong developer confidence in the area. Recent development has been entirely comprised of attached dwellings, promoting higher-density living which creates more affordable entry points and suits downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This shift reflects reduced availability of development sites and addresses shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements, marking a considerable change from the current housing mix (currently 36.0% houses). With around 27 people per dwelling approval, Gungahlin shows characteristics of a growth area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Gungahlin is expected to grow by 5,475 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Looking ahead, Gungahlin is expected to grow by 5,475 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Gungahlin has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 57 projects potentially impacting the region. Notable projects include Gungahlin Community Centre, Gungahlin Marketplace Expansion, Moncrieff East Residential Estate, and Raya Gungahlin. The following list details those most likely relevant.

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

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.

The labour market in Gungahlin demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Gungahlin has a highly educated workforce. Essential services sectors are well represented in the area. The unemployment rate was 4.5% as of September 2021.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 1.5%. As of September 2025, 5920 residents were employed with an unemployment rate of 4.6%, which is 0.9% higher than the Australian Capital Territory's rate of 3.6%. Workforce participation in Gungahlin was 79.1%, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's 72.5%. According to Census responses, 9.7% of residents worked from home.

Employment is concentrated in public administration & safety, accommodation & food, and health care & social assistance sectors. The area has a particularly strong specialization in accommodation & food with an employment share of 1.7 times the regional level. However, public administration & safety shows lower representation at 23.4% compared to the regional average of 30.4%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 1.5%, while labour force increased by 1.5%, leaving unemployment broadly flat in Gungahlin. In comparison, Australian Capital Territory recorded employment growth of 1.4% and labour force growth of 1.2%, with a decrease in unemployment by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Gungahlin. These projections estimate national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Gungahlin's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.1% over ten years.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Gungahlin suburb's income level aligns with national averages, per latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. Median income among taxpayers is $56,805, average income stands at $67,291. ACT's figures are $72,206 and $85,981 respectively. By September 2025, estimated median and average incomes would be approximately $62,065 and $73,522, considering a 9.26% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes rank highly in Gungahlin, between the 78th and 82nd percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that 38.7% earn $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (3,947 residents), consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing 34.3% in the same category. The district demonstrates affluence with 31.3% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. High housing costs consume 17.1% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 76th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Gungahlin features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Gungahlin, as per the latest Census, houses accounted for 35.7% of dwellings, with the remaining 64.3% being semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. In comparison, across the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), houses comprised 63.3%, and other dwellings made up 36.7%. Home ownership in Gungahlin stood at 13.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 32.9% and rented ones at 53.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,801, lower than the ACT average of $2,080. Weekly rent in Gungahlin was recorded at $450, matching the ACT figure. Nationally, Gungahlin's mortgage repayments were below the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially higher than the national figure of $375.

Gungahlin features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 68.0% of all households, including 29.6% couples with children, 28.2% couples without children, and 8.7% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 32.0%, with lone person households at 25.1% and group households comprising 6.9%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is larger than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.

Educational achievement in Gungahlin places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Educational attainment in Gungahlin is notably higher than the national average, with 48.3% of residents aged 15 years and above holding university qualifications compared to Australia's 30.4%. This significant educational advantage places the area favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 26.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (18.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.5%). Vocational pathways account for 23.2% of qualifications among those aged 15 years and above, with advanced diplomas making up 10.8% and certificates 12.4%.

Educational participation is notably high in Gungahlin, with 32.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.3% in tertiary education, 7.0% in primary education, and 6.1% pursuing secondary education.

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

Public transport analysis shows 35 active stops operating in Gungahlin, offering a mix of light rail and bus services. These stops are served by 68 individual routes, collectively providing 5,119 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 184 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to the area's residential nature. Car remains the dominant mode at 74%, with 8% using buses and 5% walking. Vehicle ownership averages 1.1 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 9.7% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 731 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 146 weekly trips per stop.

Gungahlin's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Gungahlin based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were low across both young and old age cohorts.

Private health cover was at approximately 54% of the total population (~5,486 people), leading the average SA2 area but lower than Australian Capital Territory's 62.4%. The most common medical conditions were mental health issues impacting 8.4% of residents and asthma affecting 6.5%. A total of 78.4% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 70.2% across Australian Capital Territory. Working-age residents showed low chronic condition prevalence. The area had 8.5% of residents aged 65 and over (867 people), lower than the Australian Capital Territory's 14.3%. Health outcomes among seniors were particularly strong, broadly in line with national rankings.

Gungahlin is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Gungahlin's cultural diversity is notable, with 49.4% speaking a language other than English at home and 49.8% born overseas. Christianity is the dominant religion, comprising 32.4%. Hinduism is overrepresented at 11.4%, compared to the Australian Capital Territory average of 4.8%.

The top three ancestry groups are Other (19.9%), English (17.2%), and Australian (17.1%). Korean, Indian, and Vietnamese ethnicities are notably overrepresented in Gungahlin compared to regional averages.

Gungahlin hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Gungahlin's median age in 2021 was 32 years, which is younger than the Australian Capital Territory average of 35 and substantially under the Australian median of 38. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Gungahlin had a higher concentration of residents aged 25-34 (25.2%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (8.5%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds was well above the national average of 14.4%. Post-2021 Census data showed that the 65 to 74 age group had grown from 4.2% to 5.7% of the population, while the 55 to 64 cohort increased from 7.3% to 8.7%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 age cohort declined from 27.8% to 25.2%. Demographic modeling suggests that Gungahlin's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041, with the 35 to 44 age cohort projected to expand considerably, increasing by 959 people (53%) from 1,795 to 2,755.