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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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Lawson (ACT) has an estimated 2,967 residents, up from 2,739 at the 2021 Census — a change of 228 people, or 8.3%. Growth has averaged 2.7% a year over five years. Natural increase accounts for 65.0% of that increase. That puts 963 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
Based on demographic evaluations from the ABS, alongside updated addresses verified by AreaSearch subsequent to the Census, the suburb of Lawson (ACT) has a resident count of approximately 2,967 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 228 people (8.3%) relative to the 2021 Census, when the population stood at 2,739 people. This shift is calculated from a base population of 2,913 estimated by AreaSearch using the ABS ERP release from June 2025, combined with 18 validated new addresses detected post-census. The resulting density sits at 963 persons per square kilometer, which aligns with typical benchmarks across AreaSearch's reviewed locations.
This 8.3% expansion since the 2021 census outpaced the broader SA3 area (4.2%), positioning the suburb of Lawson (ACT) as a regional leader in population growth. The expansion was primarily fueled by natural increase, which accounted for roughly 65.0% of the population gains in recent times. Projections developed by the ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024 using 2022 as a base year are applied to each SA2 region. In instances where these are unavailable, or for periods past 2032, population trends utilize ACT Government SA2 projections with a 2022 baseline. Looking ahead, these models project a demographic contraction for the suburb of Lawson (ACT), with a forecast reduction of 300 persons by 2041. Despite the overall downward trend, specific age brackets are set to expand, particularly the 45 to 54 group, which is anticipated to add 57 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Analysis of ABS building approvals by AreaSearch indicates that Lawson averages about 1 residential property approval annually, translating to a total of 6 homes over the past 5 financial years. Throughout FY-26 so far, no approvals have been recorded. With an average of 61.3 new residents per constructed dwelling between FY-21 and FY-25, residential demand far outpaces new completions, a trend that typically drives up property prices and heightens competition among buyers. Furthermore, commercial building approvals worth $27,000 have been logged during the current financial year, highlighting the primary residential character of the locality.
Building activity in Lawson is exceptionally quiet compared to the broader Australian Capital Territory, running 92.0% below the territory's per-capita average. This minimal supply of new housing generally underpins the value and demand for established homes. The rate of construction also falls short of the national benchmark, reflecting a mature residential landscape and potential planning restrictions. Faced with projections of a flat or contracting population, housing demand in Lawson could ease, offering advantageous conditions for prospective purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Lawson (ACT)
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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 54 current infrastructure and development projects close to Lawson (ACT), worth an estimated $21.1 billion. 14 are already under construction and 22 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and communities. 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
Regional development is heavily influenced by local infrastructure improvements, key planning schemes, and major projects. AreaSearch has identified 19 projects expected to impact the local area. Principal works of interest include the AIS Podium Project, the Bruce Innovation District, the Bruce Sports, Health and Education Precinct, and the Mona Tait Gardens & Bullecourt Retirement Village Expansion.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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
Bruce Sporting Complex Upgrade
Progressive upgrade of sporting facilities in Bruce including playing fields, lighting, pavilions, changerooms and supporting infrastructure. The works form part of the ACT Government's ongoing sportsground improvement program to improve community and competition sporting facilities.
Radford College Master Plan Implementation
Ongoing implementation of the Radford College Master Plan at the Bruce campus. Major recent works include the completed Collegians Centre (multi-purpose hall) and the Boorer Family Cricket Centre. As of mid-2025 the College Board confirmed the final stage of works was progressing, comprising the completion of the school ovals, presentation upgrades to the Haydon Drive and College Street boundaries, a new Foundation Walk, and a feature pedestrian entrance and path linking College Street to the Collegians Centre with shelter, seating, lighting and an avenue of trees.The College anticipated the design becoming visible by the end of Term 3 2025 following earthworks and landscaping across multiple worksites.
Bruce Precinct
A masterplanned mixed-use urban precinct and residential land release located centrally in Bruce. Aligning with the Bruce Sports, Health and Education Precinct masterplan, it aims to deliver 250-500 new dwellings alongside commercial, hospitality, innovation hubs, and retail opportunities.
Mona Tait Gardens & Bullecourt Retirement Village Expansion
Expansion of the Bullecourt Retirement Village within the Mona Tait Gardens seniors living precinct. Stage 1 comprising 20 independent living units has been completed. The revised Stage 2 development is now under construction and will deliver 83 additional retirement homes (72 apartments and 11 townhouses), a community hub, landscaped open space and associated infrastructure following a redesign that reduced building heights along Warrego Circuit after community consultation.
New Northside Hospital (North Canberra Hospital Redevelopment)
The New Northside Hospital is a landmark $1.1 billion health infrastructure project located on the existing North Canberra Hospital campus. As of May 2026, the project has transitioned into the early works phase, which includes the establishment of site compounds, utility upgrades, and the staged demolition of existing campus buildings following a Development Application lodged in April 2026. This state-of-the-art facility will feature an expanded emergency department with a dedicated ambulance entry, modern inpatient units, and integrated spaces for medical research and training.Main hospital construction is scheduled to follow in 2027 while existing hospital services remain fully operational.
AIS Podium Project
A 249.7 million dollar redevelopment of the Australian Institute of Sport campus to modernize infrastructure for the Brisbane 2032 Games. The project includes a new High Performance Testing and Training Centre, a multi-sport indoor dome, and a 200-bed accessible athlete residence. As of May 2026, the project is in a critical planning and procurement phase with major works tenders closing this month and demolition of the original 1985 Athletes Village scheduled for June 2026.
Ethos Belconnen
Ethos is the second stage of Per Se Developments' Cirrus lakeside precinct at Belconnen. The project comprises 88 premium apartments with ground floor commercial tenancies overlooking Lake Ginninderra. Construction is well advanced with display apartments open and commercial space being marketed ahead of expected completion in 2026.
University of Canberra Sports Precinct
Major expansion of University of Canberra sports facilities, including the development of Sports Hub 2, new aquatic centre, indoor sports courts, outdoor playing fields, gymnasium upgrades, and athlete training facilities. It focuses on community access programs and elite athlete development.
2,160 residents of Lawson (ACT) are employed, from a labour force of 2,192. Unemployment sits at 1.5%, with participation at 86.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.8% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,912, about 64% 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
The local workforce is highly qualified, with a prominent share working in professional fields. The unemployment rate sits at a low 1.5%, while employment growth reached 0.7% over the last year, according to aggregated statistical area data from AreaSearch. There were 2,160 employed residents in March 2026, and the jobless rate was 2.6% lower than the 4.1% recorded across the Australian Capital Territory. Labor force participation is exceptionally high at 86.0%, compared to the territory average of 70.8%. Census data indicates that only a minor share of the workforce (8.9%) operated from home, though this figure was likely influenced by past pandemic restrictions.
Public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and professional & technical roles represent the major industries for local workers. Accommodation & food services shows a strong local concentration, employing staff at 1.5 times the wider regional rate. Conversely, public administration & safety is underrepresented, making up 20.9% of the local workforce compared to 30.4% territory-wide. A comparison of the Census working population against resident workers suggests that local employment opportunities within the immediate area are relatively sparse. Aggregate data from SALM and the ABS indicates that during the 12 months leading to March 2026, the employed population grew by 0.7% while the overall labor force expanded by 1.0%, resulting in a 0.3 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, the Australian Capital Territory saw employment rise by 0.3% and the labor force grow by 1.1%, leading to a 0.7 percentage point increase in unemployment. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia as of May-25 suggest future workforce trends. These projections, spanning five and ten years, have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential changes. Nationally, employment is expected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary by sector. Projecting these industry trends onto the local workforce composition yields an estimated growth of 6.8% over five years and 13.8% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Lawson (ACT) is $2,492 a week (about $130,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,190 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $66,556 a year against an average of $80,376. 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 the latest postcode-level ATO data released for financial year 2023, taxpayers in Lawson have a median income of $66,556 and an average income of $80,376. These figures are highly competitive on a national scale, compared to 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, estimated values for March 2026 rise to approximately $73,504 for the median and $88,767 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes all placed in the 90th percentile nationally.
The most common weekly income bracket is $1,500 - 2,999, accounting for 40.7% of residents (1,207 people), similar to the broader territory rate of 34.3%. Financial capacity is evident with 40.3% of households earning weekly incomes above $3,000, supporting strong local spending. High housing expenses demand 18.6% of household income, yet strong earnings keep disposable income at the 87th percentile, and the SEIFA index places the area in the 10th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Lawson (ACT) had 990 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 20% detached houses and 17% apartments. 46% are owned with a mortgage, 46% rented and 8% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $548 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,000 a month, a total housing cost higher than 97% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 22.0% of household income here and mortgage repayments 18.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential architecture in Lawson at the time of the latest Census consisted of 19.7% separate houses and 80.3% multi-unit dwellings like townhouses and apartments, differing from the Australian Capital Territory breakdown of 63.3% houses and 36.7% alternative dwellings. The home ownership rate stood at 8.1%, with the rest of the market divided between mortgaged properties (45.8%) and rental housing (46.0%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $2,000, which is below the territory average of $2,080, whereas the median weekly rent was $548, compared to the territory average of $450. When compared nationally, Lawson's median mortgage costs exceed the Australian benchmark of $1,863, and weekly rents are considerably higher than the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Lawson (ACT) counted 990 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,072 today, averaging 2.6 people each. 22% are couples with children, fewer than in 82% of areas nationally, against 32% couples without children. 20% of households are people living alone, and families average 0.6 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 62.4%, consisting of couples without children at 31.5%, couples with children at 21.5%, and single parents at 5.9%. Single person homes account for 19.6% of the area, and group households represent 17.5%, bringing the total non-family household share to 37.6%. The typical household size is 2.6 residents, slightly above the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
62.7% of adults in Lawson (ACT) hold a university qualification, including 35.5% with a bachelor degree and 23.1% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 96% of areas nationally. A further 9.1% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Residents of Lawson demonstrate exceptionally high levels of education, with 62.7% of those aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to national and regional rates of 30.4% in Australia and 43.8% in the SA3 region. This educational profile positions the community well for professional services and knowledge-based roles. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 35.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 23.1% and graduate diplomas at 4.1%. Vocational qualifications are held by 16.6% of residents aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas (7.5%) and certificates (9.1%). Learning engagement is high, with 38.4% of the population enrolled in an educational program.
This student group includes 20.1% attending university, 5.6% in primary school, and 3.6% in secondary school.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Lawson (ACT) reaches 9 stops on 40 routes, timetabled for about 2,600 services a week. The typical home sits about 170 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 transit options in the area include 9 active bus stops. These locations are connected to 40 distinct transit routes, which support 2,601 passenger trips per week. Transit access is highly convenient, with the typical resident living within 168 meters of a stop. Given the residential focus of the neighborhood, most workers commute out of the suburb, with private cars representing 88% of transport choices and buses accounting for 8%. Households own an average of 1.4 vehicles. Working from home was recorded for 8.9% of the workforce during the 2021 Census, which was likely affected by pandemic conditions.
Across all transit lines, services average 371 daily trips, which translates to roughly 289 weekly services for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
84.0% of residents in Lawson (ACT) report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 84% of areas nationally. 1.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 58.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.8 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 for the local population are strong, showing low rates of mortality and chronic illnesses across all age brackets. Private health insurance coverage is highly prevalent, held by approximately 59% of the population (1,748 people), compared to 62.4% across the Australian Capital Territory. The most prevalent medical conditions reported among local residents are mental health conditions and asthma, affecting 6.7 and 6.5% of the population, respectively. A high share of residents (84.0%) reported no chronic health issues, compared to 70.2% across the Australian Capital Territory. Residents aged 65 and older represent 3.4% of the population (100 people), which is lower than the territory average of 14.3%.
Senior citizens in the area record especially positive health metrics, ranking highly against national comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
53.0% of Lawson (ACT) residents were born overseas and 54.0% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 92% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are Chinese (17.6%) and English (15.2%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The local population displays high cultural diversity, with 53.0% of residents born outside Australia and 54.0% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, represented by 25.4% of the population. There is a notable presence of Hinduism at 11.3%, which is significantly higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 4.8%. Ancestry details reveal that the most common heritage categories are Other at 18.6% (above the territory average of 12.2%), Chinese at 17.6% (above the territory average of 4.2%), and English at 15.2% (below the territory average of 23.3%).
There are also notable concentrations of other background groups, including Indian at 7.7% (compared to 3.3% territory-wide), Vietnamese at 2.8% (compared to 1.0%), and Korean at 1.6% (compared to 0.6%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Lawson (ACT) is 29, younger than 99% of areas nationally. That is 1 year older than at the 2021 Census. 52.0% 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 of residents is 29 years, which is younger than the Australian Capital Territory average of 35 and the Australian average of 38 years. The local age distribution features a large concentration of 25 - 34 year-olds (37.6%), well above the national figure of 14.6%, but has a smaller share of 55 - 64 year-olds (3.5%). Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 35 to 44 grew from 16.0% to 19.7%, and the 45 to 54 cohort increased from 6.4% to 9.0%. In contrast, the 15 to 24 cohort shrank from 21.0% to 14.4%, and the 0 to 4 group declined from 5.8% to 4.0%.
Long-term projections for 2041 forecast significant demographic shifts. The cohort aged 85 and over is projected to grow by 226% (40 people), increasing from 17 to 58. Overall aging trends show that residents aged 65 and older will represent 55% of the projected population growth, whereas population declines are expected within the 65 to 74 and 0 to 4 age brackets.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Lawson (ACT)
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) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| 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, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 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 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) | Aug 2026 this 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 — 18 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,739 at the 2021 Census → 2,967 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 (SAL80085). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.