Palmerston (ACT)

An assessment of population growth drivers in Palmerston reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, as of November 2025, the estimated population of Palmerston (ACT) is around 179,240. This reflects an increase of 318 people since the Census in 2021, which reported a population of 178,922. The change was inferred from the resident population estimate of 5,491 by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS on June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 91,917 persons per square kilometer, placing Palmerston in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth was primarily driven by natural growth during recent periods, with overseas migration and interstate migration playing minimal roles.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, age group growth rates from the ACT Government's SA2 area projections are adopted post-2032. Projections indicate a decline in overall population by 552 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts are expected to grow, notably the 75 to 84 age group, projected to increase by 1,785 people.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Palmerston according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Palmerston had approximately 207 dwelling approvals annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 1,036 homes were approved, with another 18 in FY-26 so far. This results in an average of 3.6 people moving to the area per dwelling built over the past five financial years.

Commercial approvals totalled $187.3 million this year. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Palmerston has significantly lower building activity (78.0% below regional average per person). New homes are being constructed at an average value of $343,000. The area's new building activity comprises 25.0% detached dwellings and 75.0% attached dwellings, indicating a shift from the existing housing stock (currently 159.0% houses). Palmerston has around 2780 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an established market with stable or declining population projections.

With population projections showing stability or decline, Palmerston should see reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

Palmerston has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

No changes can significantly affect a region's performance like alterations to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that are expected to impact this area. Notable projects include the Gungahlin Community Centre, Gold Creek Homestead Precinct, Gungahlin Town Centre Improvements, and Raya Gungahlin. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

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Employment conditions in Palmerston demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Palmerston has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. The unemployment rate was 4.5% as of June 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 1.9%. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Palmerston's unemployment rate is higher by 1.1%, while its workforce participation rate is significantly higher at 135.8% compared to ACT's 69.6%. Major employment industries include public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and construction.

The area has a particular specialization in public administration & safety, with an employment share twice the regional level. While local employment opportunities exist, many residents commute elsewhere for work. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 1.9% while labour force grew by 1.6%, leading to a decrease in unemployment of 0.3 percentage points. These trends mirror those seen in the ACT. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Palmerston's industry mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, although this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

AreaSearch aggregated the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2022. Palmerston had a median income among taxpayers of $133,334 and an average income of $151,040. Nationally, these figures are exceptionally high compared to the Australian Capital Territory's median income of $68,678 and average income of $83,634. By September 2025, estimates suggest Palmerston's median income will be approximately $151,467 and average income around $171,581, based on a 13.6% growth in the Wage Price Index since financial year ended June 2022. Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Palmerston rank highly nationally, between the 174th and 178th percentiles. Income analysis shows that the largest segment consists of 69.2% of residents earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (124,034 residents), which aligns with the broader area where this cohort also represents 34.3%. The district exhibits considerable affluence, with 71.4% of residents earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. After housing costs, residents retain 173.4% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 14th decile.

Palmerston is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Palmerston, as per the latest Census, 159.2% of dwellings were houses and 40.8% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, or 'other' dwellings. This compares to the Australian Capital Territory's 66.3% houses and 33.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Palmerston stood at 63.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 94.4% and rented ones at 42.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $4,000, surpassing the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,123. The median weekly rent in Palmerston was $850, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's $462. Nationally, Palmerston's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Palmerston features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 150.2 percent of all households, including 69.4 percent couples with children, 53.8 percent couples without children, and 25.0 percent single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining -50.2 percent, with lone person households at 45.4 percent and group households comprising 4.4 percent of the total. The median household size is 5.2 people, larger than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.9.

Palmerston demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Palmerston's educational attainment is notably high, with 62.2% of residents aged 15 and above holding university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and the SA3 area's 46.3%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 39.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (15.0%) and graduate diplomas (7.8%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 67.0% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas (24.6%) and certificates (42.4%). Educational participation is high, with 56.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 19.8% in primary, 15.2% in secondary, and 9.0% in tertiary education.

Palmerston District Primary School serves the area, enrolling 655 students as of a recent report. The school's ICSEA score is 1066, indicating above-average socio-educational conditions. There is one primary school in the area, with secondary options available nearby. Palmerston functions as an education hub, offering 29.8 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 14.7. This attracts students from surrounding communities.

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

Palmerston has 1,120 active public transport stops. These are served by 68 bus routes that provide a total of 8,886 weekly passenger trips. The average distance from residents to the nearest stop is 440 meters.

On average, there are 1,269 trips per day across all routes, which translates to about 7 weekly trips per stop.

Palmerston's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Palmerston shows excellent health outcomes across all age groups, with very low prevalence of common health conditions. Its private health cover rate stands at approximately 114%, covering 205,122 people, compared to ACT's 58.6% and Australia's average of 55.3%. Mental health issues affect 18.8% of residents, while asthma impacts 17.6%.

Notably, 132.2% claim to be free from medical ailments, higher than ACT's 76.4%. The area has a larger senior population, with 35.1% aged 65 and over (62,984 people), compared to ACT's 8.3%. Health outcomes among seniors align well with the general population's profile.

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

Palmerston has a population where 43.6% were born overseas, with 32.8% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Palmerston, accounting for 95.8% of its population. Islam makes up 4.8%, higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 6.4%.

The top three ancestry groups are Australian (52.6%), English (51.6%), and Other (18.2%). Notably, Spanish (1.4%) and Croatian (1.6%) are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.5% and 1.3%, respectively. Serbian also shows higher representation at 0.8%.

Palmerston hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Palmerston's median age is 76, which is significantly higher than the Australian Capital Territory figure of 35 and substantially exceeds the Australian median of 38. The population distribution by age matches regional norms for the Australian Capital Territory, with a concentration in the 55-64 age group that is well above the national average of 11.2%. According to the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 8.6% to 11.0% of the population, while the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 27.2% to 28.7%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 26.2% to 24.7%, and the 55 to 64 group dropped from 26.2% to 24.9%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Palmerston, with the 85+ cohort showing the strongest projected growth at -60%, adding approximately -3,691 residents to reach around 2,474. In contrast, both the 85+ and 75 to 84 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.