Palmerston (ACT)

Palmerston has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

As of Feb 2026, the population of the suburb of Palmerston (ACT) is estimated to be around 5,491 people. This figure reflects a decrease of 88 individuals from the 2021 Census count of 5,579 people, indicating a 1.6% decline in population over this period. AreaSearch's estimation, based on examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and address validation since the Census date, suggests this resident population equates to a density ratio of 2,815 persons per square kilometer, placing Palmerston in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 62.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth in the area's population. AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, age group growth rates from the ACT Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, using 2022 as the base year. Looking ahead to 2041, projections indicate an overall decline in Palmerston's population, with a decrease of 13 persons anticipated. However, specific age cohorts are expected to grow; notably, the 45 to 54 age group is projected to increase by 89 people over this period.

Residential dwelling approval activity has been practically non-existent in Palmerston

Palmerston has seen only two residential development approvals in the past five years. This indicates a mature, established suburb where available land for new construction is limited. For buyers, this scarcity of new housing stock typically supports property values and means competition may primarily be among existing homes.

Relative to the Australian Capital Territory, Palmerston has significantly less development activity. This scarcity of new dwellings typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties, though development activity has picked up in recent periods. This is similarly under the national average, indicating the area's established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations.

Given stable or declining population forecasts, Palmerston may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Palmerston has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

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

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

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Palmerston has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Palmerston has a highly educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate was 4.4% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 0.9%. As of September 2025, 3,083 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 0.9% higher than the Australian Capital Territory's rate of 3.6%.

Workforce participation was broadly similar to the ACT's 72.5%. Only 11.6% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Key industries for employment among residents were public administration & safety, professional & technical, and education & training.

However, public administration & safety employed only 27.7% of local workers, below the ACT's 30.4%. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 0.9%, labour force by 1.1%, leading to a slight rise in unemployment (0.2 percentage points). In comparison, the ACT saw employment growth of 1.4% and a reduction in unemployment (0.2 percentage points). Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall expansion of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Palmerston's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

The suburb of Palmerston had a higher income level than the national average according to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest ATO data for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers was $63,494 and the average income stood at $73,526, compared to figures for Australian Capital Territory which were $72,206 and $85,981 respectively. By September 2025, current estimates suggest approximately $69,374 (median) and $80,335 (average), based on a Wage Price Index growth of 9.26% since financial year 2023. In the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Palmerston ranked highly nationally, between the 84th and 87th percentiles. The largest income segment comprised 34.5% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (1,894 residents), aligning with the regional figure of 34.3%. Economic strength was evident with 35.7% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. Housing accounted for 13.8% of income, while strong earnings placed residents within the 85th percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 8th decile.

Palmerston displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Palmerston, as recorded in the latest Census, 60.3% of dwellings were houses while 39.7% consisted of other types such as semi-detached homes and apartments. This differs slightly from the Australian Capital Territory's ratio of 63.3% houses to 36.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Palmerston stood at 28.6%, closely aligned with the ACT's figure, with mortgaged properties accounting for 42.5% and rented dwellings making up 28.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Palmerston was $1,940, lower than the ACT average of $2,080 but higher than the national average of $1,863. Meanwhile, the median weekly rent in Palmerston was $450, matching the ACT's figure but significantly higher than the national average of $375.

Palmerston has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 74.7% of all households, including 35.2% couples with children, 25.6% couples without children, and 13.0% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 25.3%, with lone person households at 21.8% and group households making up 3.2%. The median household size is 2.6 people, larger than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.

Palmerston shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Palmerston's educational attainment notably exceeds national averages. Among residents aged 15 and above, 41.5% hold university qualifications, surpassing Australia's 30.4%. This educational advantage is driven by bachelor degrees (23.8%), postgraduate qualifications (13.1%), and graduate diplomas (4.6%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 27.3% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (16.6%).

Educational participation is high, with 31.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 10.6% in primary, 6.9% in secondary, and 6.8% in tertiary education.

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

Palmerston has 23 active public transport stops, served by 62 routes offering 2,692 weekly passenger trips. Residents are typically 184 meters from the nearest stop. Most commute outward, with cars used by 85% and buses by 7%. Average vehicle ownership is 1.4 per dwelling. In 2021 Census data, 11.6% of residents worked from home. Service frequency averages 384 trips daily across all routes, or about 117 weekly trips per stop.

Service frequency averages 384 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 117 weekly trips per individual stop.

Palmerston's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Palmerston's health data shows positive outcomes, aligning with national benchmarks for mortality rates and health conditions. Common health conditions are low across both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover is high at 56% of the total population (~3,088 people), compared to 62.4% in Australian Capital Territory. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 9.4 and 8.6% respectively. 69.6% of residents declare no medical ailments, similar to the 70.2% across Australian Capital Territory. Health outcomes among working-age individuals are typical. The area has 13.6% seniors (746 people), with health outcomes above average and national rankings in line with the general population.

Palmerston was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Palmerston's population shows high cultural diversity, with 32.2% born overseas and 32.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Palmerston, accounting for 42.9%. Buddhism, at 4.9%, is overrepresented compared to the Australian Capital Territory's average of 3.0%.

The top three ancestry groups are Australian (22.8%), English (21.5%), and Other (13.3%). Notably, Croatian (1.4% vs regional 0.9%), Vietnamese (2.3% vs 1.0%), and Korean (1.0% vs 0.6%) ethnicities are overrepresented in Palmerston compared to the regional averages.

Palmerston's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Palmerston's median age is nearly 36 years, close to the Australian Capital Territory average of 35, but younger than Australia's 38 years. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Palmerston has a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64 (11.8%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (13.6%). Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the proportion of residents aged 75-84 has grown from 3.0% to 4.2%, while the proportion of residents aged 25-34 has declined from 15.3% to 13.6%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes in Palmerston. The 45-54 age group is projected to grow by 10%, adding 76 residents to reach a total of 818. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 0-4 and 35-44 age groups.