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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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Lyons (ACT) has an estimated 3,312 residents, up from 3,271 at the 2021 Census — a change of 41 people, or 1.3%. That puts 1,466 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
Drawing from ABS population statistics for the surrounding region and subsequent address validations by AreaSearch following the Census, the population of the suburb of Lyons (ACT) is calculated to be approximately 3,312 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 41 people (1.3%) relative to the 2021 Census, when the count was 3,271 people. The figure is derived from an estimated resident count of 3,310 calculated by AreaSearch using the ABS ERP release from June 2025, combined with 37 validated new addresses identified since the Census. This population level corresponds to a density of 1,465 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the national average for areas evaluated by AreaSearch.
The primary driver of this demographic expansion was overseas migration, which accounted for approximately 77.0% of the overall population growth during recent periods. AreaSearch utilizes the 2024 population projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia, which use 2022 as their starting point. In instances where SA2 areas lack this coverage, or for periods extending beyond 2032, growth rate projections by age bracket from the ACT Government (anchored to a 2022 baseline) are applied. Looking at future trends for the suburb of Lyons (ACT), demographic growth is projected to track slightly below the national median, with aggregated SA2 projections indicating an increase of 274 persons to 2041, representing a total expansion of 8.2% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
46 new dwellings have been approved in Lyons (ACT) over the past five years, an average of 9 a year. That is 2.8 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 10, broadly in line with 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
According to AreaSearch evaluations of ABS building approvals allocated from statistical areas, Lyons averages approximately 9 approved dwellings annually, with 46 residential builds authorized during the last 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) alongside 10 approvals recorded in FY-26 to date. With an average of only 0.7 additional occupants per new residence registered over the 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), the incoming supply is keeping pace with or outpacing demand, yielding broad options for buyers and generating capacity for growth beyond current estimates, with the average construction cost of these new properties standing at $269,000.
Relative to the Australian Capital Territory, the volume of building approvals in Lyons is substantially lower, sitting 83.0% below the territory average on a per-capita basis. This constrained volume of new supply generally helps maintain demand and property values for existing homes. The rate of construction is also lower than the national average, indicating a mature market and potential developmental barriers. Residential approvals comprise 57.0% detached houses and 43.0% multi-dwelling options such as townhouses or apartments, with this diverse product mix offering options across various budget levels, from family homes to more affordable compact living. A ratio of approximately 470 residents for every single dwelling approval underscores the mature state of the local market. Projections indicate that Lyons will add 272 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch. The volume of new construction is progressing at a pace that aligns reasonably with this anticipated growth, though home buyers could experience heightened competition as the population climbs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Lyons (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 7 current infrastructure and development projects inside Lyons (ACT), worth an estimated $595 million. A further 37 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $6.03 billion. 9 are already under construction and 8 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, planning choices, and development schemes are primary drivers of neighborhood change. AreaSearch has tracked 22 active projects that are expected to influence the local area. Principal developments include Woden Town Square Precinct Redevelopment, Ivy by Morris (Section 54 Phillip), The Hunter, and CIT Woden Campus, with details provided below for those of greatest local significance.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
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.
WOVA Residential Precinct
Four distinctive residential towers with 802 apartments, 54 Abode Hotel rooms, and 22 commercial tenancies. Features resort-style amenities including lap pool, fitness studio, private cinema, and rooftop terraces. Completed 2024.
The Hunter
The final stage of Canberra developer Doma Group's 670-apartment masterplan. It includes two new buildings of 16 and 18 storeys, comprising 189 apartments with basement and podium level car parking, communal areas, and a pool.
Oaks Arbour Apartments
Modern apartment complex with landscaped courtyards and community facilities. Focus on livability and environmental sustainability.
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.
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.
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.
Public Housing Renewal - Ulverstone Street
A proposal to replace four ageing dwellings with up to six new, modern, and energy-efficient homes. The new homes will be purpose-built for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans and will be built to Class C Adaptable standards, allowing them to be modified to meet changing needs.
1,840 residents of Lyons (ACT) are employed, from a labour force of 1,930. Unemployment sits at 4.7%, with participation at 68.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.6% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,452, about 74% 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 educated with a strong representation of workers in essential services, showing an unemployment rate of 4.7% and stable overall employment figures over the prior year, according to AreaSearch aggregations of regional data. As of March 2026, there are 1,840 employed residents, representing an unemployment rate 0.6% higher than the Australian Capital Territory rate of 4.1%, while workforce participation is slightly lower than the territory average (68.4% compared to 70.8%). Census data shows that a relatively low proportion of residents, 10.8%, worked from home, although this may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
The major employment industries for local residents are public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The workforce exhibits a notable concentration in health care & social assistance, employing residents at 1.4 times the territory rate. Conversely, professional & technical roles account for only 8.3% of the local workforce, which is lower than the Australian Capital Territory average of 11.1%. The area is predominantly residential and seems to offer few jobs within its borders, as shown by the comparison of Census working population counts to resident counts. Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from broader statistical regions, the local labor force expanded by 1.1% in the year to March 2026, while the number of employed residents contracted by 0.3%, leading to an increase of 1.4 percentage points in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, the Australian Capital Territory saw employment rise by 0.3% and the labor force expand by 1.1%, while its unemployment rate rose by 0.7 percentage points. Projections from Jobs and Skills Australia issued in May-25 offer additional perspective on potential future demand in Lyons. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future opportunities. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though these rates vary by sector. Applying these industry projections to the local employment profile indicates that local employment should rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, representing a simple weighted extrapolation based on industry mix that does not account for local population changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Lyons (ACT) is $2,062 a week (about $107,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,097 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $59,200 a year against an average of $73,935. 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
The suburb of Lyons records income levels that exceed the national average according to the latest ATO statistics aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. Taxpayers in the suburb have a median income of $59,200 and an average income of $73,935, compared to territory figures of $72,206 and $85,981 respectively. Adjusting these figures for Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of approximately $65,380 for median income and $81,654 for average income as of March 2026. According to the Census, individual weekly earnings are high, placing at the 85th percentile nationwide with $1,097.
Looking at income distributions, the largest group comprises 30.9% of residents (1,023 people) who earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, which is consistent with the broader metropolitan area where this group accounts for 34.3%. High earners are also prominent, with 32.7% of the population earning more than $3,000 weekly, demonstrating strong household purchasing power. Residential costs absorb 15.2% of income, yet robust earnings help maintain disposable income at the 71st percentile, placing the area in the 8th decile of the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Lyons (ACT) had 1,342 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 52% detached houses and 28% apartments. 27% are owned with a mortgage, 45% rented and 28% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $360 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,383 a month. Rent absorbs 17.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 26.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The housing stock in Lyons at the time of the latest Census consisted of 51.7% detached houses and 48.3% other dwelling types such as townhouses and apartments, compared to 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings across the Australian Capital Territory. Home ownership rates matched the territory average of 27.5%, with the remaining properties being purchased under a mortgage (27.1%) or rented (45.4%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $2,383, which is higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,080, whereas the median weekly rent was $360, compared to the territory average of $450.
On a national level, mortgage repayments in Lyons are notably higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while weekly rents are lower than the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Lyons (ACT) counted 1,342 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 26% are couples with children, against 25% couples without children. 35% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.3 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 61.2% of all households, consisting of 26.2% couples with children, 25.3% couples without children, and 8.5% single parents. The remaining 38.8% are non-family households, which include lone person households at 35.1% and group households at 3.9%. The median household size is 2.3 individuals, which is slightly smaller than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
51.4% of adults in Lyons (ACT) hold a university qualification, including 26.4% with a bachelor degree and 19.3% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 98% of areas nationally. A further 11.7% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 99 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,129 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
Levels of educational attainment in Lyons are significantly higher than national benchmarks, with 51.4% of residents aged 15 and over holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% across Australia. This educational profile positions the community well for professional opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 26.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 19.3% and graduate diplomas at 5.7%. Vocational training represents 22.8% of qualifications for those aged 15 and over, split between advanced diplomas at 11.1% and certificates at 11.7%. Participation in study is high, with 29.7% of local residents enrolled in formal education.
This group includes 8.2% in primary schools, 7.1% in tertiary institutions, and 6.8% attending secondary schools.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Lyons (ACT) reaches 17 stops on 51 routes, timetabled for about 3,400 services a week. The typical home sits about 210 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.0 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 services include 17 active stops within Lyons, which are serviced by buses. These stops accommodate 51 routes that run 3,383 weekly passenger trips. Transport convenience is rated favorably, with residents living an average of 210 meters from the nearest stop. The neighborhood is largely residential, and most workers commute to outer areas, with cars being the primary mode of travel for 74% of commuters, followed by 14% using buses and 7% walking. The average number of vehicles per household is 1.0, which is below the territory average. Working from home was recorded at a relatively low rate of 10.8% of residents, based on 2021 Census data that may reflect pandemic conditions.
The average daily frequency of public transport trips is 483 across all routes, which corresponds to approximately 199 trips per week for each stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
70.5% of residents in Lyons (ACT) report no long-term health condition. 5.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 56.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.9 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health outcomes for residents of Lyons are generally positive, with AreaSearch evaluations of mortality rates and chronic conditions showing results that align with national averages. The incidence of common health conditions is standard across both younger and older demographics, and the proportion of residents with private health insurance is high, covering approximately 56% of the population (~1,867 people). This compares to a rate of 62.4% across the Australian Capital Territory. The most prevalent health issues in the area are mental health conditions and arthritis, which affect 8.1% and 7.4% of residents respectively.
Meanwhile, 70.5% of the population reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 70.2% for the Australian Capital Territory. Residents under the age of 65 experience better health outcomes than average. Individuals aged 65 and over make up 18.6% of the local population (616 people), which exceeds the territory average of 14.3%, with national health rankings for this group remaining consistent with the wider population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
36.8% of Lyons (ACT) residents were born overseas and 30.6% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 78% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are English (23.2%) and Australian (21.0%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Lyons displays high levels of cultural diversity, with 36.8% of the population born outside of Australia and 30.6% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 36.2% of residents. The most notable religious variance is in Buddhism, which is practiced by 6.7% of the local population compared to 3.0% across the Australian Capital Territory. Regarding ancestral backgrounds based on parents' country of birth, the three largest groups in Lyons are English at 23.2%, Australian at 21.0%, and Other at 17.3%, with the latter being significantly higher than the territory average of 12.2%.
There are also specific differences in other ancestries, with French background represented at 0.8% (compared to 0.5% across the territory), Polish at 1.0% (compared to 0.8%), and Sri Lankan at 0.7% (compared to 0.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Lyons (ACT) is 37. That is 1 year older than at the 2021 Census. 28.3% 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 37 years in Lyons is slightly higher than the Australian Capital Territory median of 35, and closely matches the national average of 38 years. The cohort aged 85 and over is highly represented at 4.4% compared to the territory, while the 5 to 14 age group is less common at 9.8%. Since 2021, the cohort aged 55 to 64 has increased from 9.0% to 10.3% of the population, and the group aged 85 and over has risen from 3.3% to 4.4%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 cohort has decreased from 19.0% to 16.6%, and the 5 to 14 group has declined from 11.0% to 9.8%.
Demographic projections for 2041 suggest changes for the local population, with the 65 to 74 age group expected to grow by 85 people (37%), rising from 235 to 321, while population declines are anticipated for the 5 to 14 and 0 to 4 age brackets.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Lyons (ACT)
8 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 8 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. | ||
| 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 3 sections | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2025 about a year ago all 7 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 Jul 2025. | ||
| 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 — 37 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,271 at the 2021 Census → 3,312 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 (SAL80087). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.