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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 on ABS population revisions for the surrounding region and 35 validated new addresses identified by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Lyons (ACT) is estimated to have a population of around 3,312 as of Aug 2026. This represents a gain of 41 people (1.3%) compared with the 2021 Census tally of 3,271 people. That adjustment stems from an Estimated Resident Population figure of 3,310 calculated by AreaSearch using the ABS June 2025 release alongside subsequent address verification. With this population base, the density stands at 1,465 persons per square kilometer, outpacing the national benchmark evaluated by AreaSearch.
Inflow from abroad served as the core growth engine, generating approximately 77.0% of all recent demographic expansion. Projections for the suburb of Lyons (ACT) utilize the 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia dataset based in 2022 across individual SA2 boundaries, supplemented after 2032 or where gaps exist by ACT Government SA2 age-cohort projections also anchored to 2022. Future demographic trends point to growth tracking marginally under the national median for statistical divisions, adding an estimated 269 persons through to 2041 across combined SA2 estimates, which translates to an overall rise of 8.1% 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 2.5 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 11, 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
ABS building consent records compiled by AreaSearch indicate that Lyons has averaged around 9 residential approvals annually, accumulating roughly 46 homes throughout the prior 5 financial years, with 11 approvals logged to date in FY-25. An average net intake of only 0.8 people per year per completed home between FY-21 and FY-25 demonstrates that residential supply has kept pace with or exceeded local requirements, offering broader options for purchasers and room for above-trend expansion. Furthermore, dwellings carry an average construction value of $461,000, marginally exceeding the broader regional figure and pointing toward premium build quality.
Building activity within Lyons tracks considerably behind the wider Australian Capital Territory, recording 86.0% below the per-capita regional benchmark. Such restrained development volume generally supports values and demand across established stock, even with the recent uptick in building rates. The subdued pace relative to national numbers highlights a mature urban footprint alongside probable planning constraints. New approvals split evenly between 50.0% standalone houses and 50.0% medium-to-high-density properties. This emphasis on denser formats fosters entry-level affordability that appeals to downsizers, first-time purchasers, and investors, with a metric of approximately 329 people per dwelling approval underscoring an established neighborhood. Projections indicate that Lyons will expand by 267 residents out to 2041 according to the most recent AreaSearch quarterly update. While ongoing construction tracks reasonably alongside this anticipated increase, prospective buyers may encounter heightened market competition as population numbers rise.
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 $4.5 billion. 6 are already under construction and 12 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 economic momentum and property performance are heavily shaped by public capital works and major urban projects. AreaSearch has identified 22 significant infrastructure developments with potential local influence, highlighted by the Woden Town Square Precinct Redevelopment, Ivy by Morris (Section 54 Phillip), The Hunter, and the CIT Woden Campus.
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
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 69.1%. 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
Workforce data synthesized by AreaSearch demonstrates that Lyons maintains a well-credentialed resident base with solid representation across key public services, an unemployment rate of 4.7%, and consistent labor conditions across the previous year. By March 2026, 1,840 local residents were employed. The jobless rate sits 0.6% higher than the Australian Capital Territory mark of 4.1%, whereas labor force participation aligns closely with the territory standard of 70.6%. Census figures indicated that a modest 10.8% of employed individuals worked from home, a metric subject to the prevailing Covid-19 restrictions of that period.
Locals are primarily engaged across public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The community exhibits a notable concentration in health care & social assistance, where representation reaches 1.4 times the territory proportion. In contrast, professional & technical roles account for a lesser share at 8.3%, below the regional benchmark of 11.1%. Comparing resident counts with workplace numbers recorded in the Census indicates that this predominantly residential district provides limited internal job openings. According to ABS and SALM metrics compiled across wider statistical areas by AreaSearch, the 12 months leading to March 2026 saw the local labor pool expand by 1.1% while resident employment decreased by 0.3%, elevating the unemployment rate by 1.4 percentage points. By comparison, the Australian Capital Territory saw employment rise by 0.3%, the workforce grow by 1.1%, and joblessness climb by 0.7 percentage points. Applying national industry projections from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26—which forecast economy-wide growth of 6.6% across five years and 13.7% over ten years—to the specific occupational footprint of Lyons suggests local employment could lift by 6.6% over five years and 13.6% over ten years (calculated via weighted industry extrapolation without factoring in localized population shifts).
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
ATO postcode figures aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 show Lyons recording a median taxpayer income of $59,200 alongside a mean of $73,935. These figures exceed national standards while trailing the Australian Capital Territory median of $72,206 and mean of $85,981. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% from financial year 2023, indexed values reach approximately $65,380 for median income and $81,654 for the average by March 2026. The 2021 Census placed individual earnings at the 85th percentile across Australia ($1,097 weekly). The primary earning cohort covers 30.9% of taxpayers receiving $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (1,023 residents), matching the 34.3% regional benchmark for that bracket, while 32.7% earn above $3,000 weekly to underpin local economic strength.
Despite housing costs absorbing 15.2% of earnings, solid remuneration maintains disposable income at the 71st percentile and places the suburb within the 8th decile for SEIFA income.
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
Dwelling structure within Lyons, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 51.7% houses and 48.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Australian Capital Territory's 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Lyons was in line with that of Australian Capital Territory, at 27.5%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (27.1%) or rented (45.4%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was well above the Australian Capital Territory average at $2,383, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $360, compared to Australian Capital Territory's $2,080 and $450.
Nationally, Lyons's mortgage repayments are significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are less than the national figure 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 constitute 61.2% of all households in the area, comprising couples with children at 26.2%, couples without children at 25.3%, and single-parent arrangements at 8.5%. Non-family living arrangements account for the other 38.8%, where single-person households represent 35.1% and group living represents 3.9%. The median occupancy of 2.3 people per residence sits slightly under the Australian Capital Territory standard 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
Academic credentials in Lyons exceed broader standards, with 51.4% of individuals aged 15+ holding tertiary degrees compared to 30.4% across Australia. This strong educational profile positions the community favorably for knowledge-intensive sectors. Bachelor degrees represent the largest share at 26.4%, with postgraduate degrees accounting for 19.3% and graduate diplomas making up 5.7%. Vocational education comprises 22.8% of qualifications among residents aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.1%) and certificate courses (11.7%). Active participation in study is prominent across the area, with 29.7% of the population enrolled in an educational course.
This enrollment includes 8.2% attending primary school, 7.1% engaged in tertiary study, and 6.8% undertaking secondary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Lyons (ACT) reaches 14 stops on 40 routes, timetabled for about 2,500 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 connectivity in Lyons includes 14 active bus stops. These locations are integrated into 40 distinct transit routes that generate 2,484 weekly passenger trips. Access across the suburb is strong, with residents situated an average of 212 meters from their closest boarding point. Commuters predominantly travel outside the suburb for work, with private motor vehicles serving as the primary choice at 74%, followed by bus travel at 14% and walking at 7%. Vehicle ownership sits at an average of 1.0 per household, below the regional standard. Census figures from 2021 showed a comparatively low 10.8% working remotely, which may reflect pandemic-related conditions.
Transit services maintain an average volume of 354 trips daily across all networks, translating to around 177 weekly departures for each individual 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 indicators for Lyons present a favorable overview, with AreaSearch evaluations of mortality and morbidity tracking in line with national averages across different demographics. Uptake of private health insurance is high, encompassing approximately 56% of the population (~1,867 people), compared with 62.4% across the Australian Capital Territory. Mental health conditions and arthritis represent the most prevalent diagnosed ailments, reported by 8.1% and 7.4% of residents, respectively, while 70.5% of the local population reported no long-term medical conditions, comparable to 70.2% across the Australian Capital Territory. Residents under 65 exhibit favorable health metrics.
Seniors aged 65 and over constitute 18.2% of the community (602 people), exceeding the 14.2% territory share, while broader national rankings remain consistent with wider trends.
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
Cultural diversity is pronounced in Lyons, where 36.8% of residents were born outside Australia and 30.6% communicate in a language other than English at home. Christianity stands as the leading reported faith at 36.2% of the local population. Buddhism shows a significant concentration, representing 6.7% of residents relative to the 3.0% recorded across the Australian Capital Territory. Evaluating parental country of birth, the leading ancestral backgrounds in Lyons comprise English at 23.2%, Australian at 21.0%, and Other at 17.3%, which sits noticeably above the territory proportion of 12.2%. Variations are also evident across other lineages, with French accounting for 0.8% locally (compared to 0.5% regionally), Polish at 1.0% (vs 0.8%), and Sri Lankan background at 0.7% (vs 0.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Lyons (ACT) is 36. 28.2% 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 age distribution in Lyons aligns closely with Australian Capital Territory standards, displaying a maximum variation of 4.2 percentage points across standard cohorts. The median age is estimated at 36, identical to the 2021 Census level and 1 year older than the territory median of 35 recorded at that Census. Since that time, individuals aged 25 - 44 have shifted from 33.6% of the population to an estimated 32.5%. Projections to 2041 anticipate the greatest increase among those aged 65+, expanding by 152 residents (25%) to reach 755, whereas young to middle-aged adult brackets are forecast to decrease.
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 Oct 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) | Aug 2026 2 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| 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 Oct 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 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 — 35 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 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 Aug 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.