Chart Color Schemes
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
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Pearce has an estimated 2,723 residents, up from 2,687 at the 2021 Census — a change of 36 people, or 1.3%. That puts 1,602 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
According to AreaSearch evaluations combining broader ABS population figures with validated address additions post-Census, the suburb of Pearce has an estimated population of approximately 2,723 as of Aug 2026. This represents a gain of 36 people (1.3%) compared to the 2,687 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. The calculation is based on an Estimated Resident Population figure of 2,713 identified in the June 2025 ABS ERP release, supplemented by 35 new validated addresses added since the Census. Pearce maintains a population density of 1,601 persons per square kilometer, tracking higher than the national benchmark across AreaSearch locations.
Net overseas migration has served as the core demographic driver, accounting for roughly 62.0% of recent population additions. Projections utilize ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 modeling published in 2024 (using 2022 as a base), supplemented by ACT Government SA2 projections (2022 base) for post-2032 periods and non-covered areas. Under this framework, the suburb of Pearce is projected to experience a slight population contraction, decreasing by 173 persons by 2041. In contrast to this overall decline, select demographic segments are set to expand, most notably the 65 to 74 demographic, which is forecast to gain 29 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
45 new dwellings have been approved in Pearce over the past five years, an average of 9 a year. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Analysis of ABS residential approval statistics by AreaSearch shows that Pearce averages roughly 9 approved dwellings annually, totaling an estimated 45 residential approvals across the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25). With dwelling construction generating an average of only 0.1 new residents per year per home over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), building activity is tracking in line with or ahead of local demand, expanding buyer choice and accommodating prospective population growth. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have totaled $269,000 this financial year, reflecting subdued commercial development volumes.
Recent residential building activity comprises 67.0% detached houses alongside 33.0% townhouses or apartments, delivering a diverse mix of low-density and medium-density options catering to different budgets, from family residences to compact homes. With approximately 451 people per residential approval, the local construction sector reflects an established, mature market. Given that demographic projections point toward a steady or contracting population base, Pearce is likely to experience easing housing demand pressures, which may present favourable conditions for prospective purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Pearce
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 2 current infrastructure and development projects inside Pearce. A further 40 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $4.62 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 sports & recreation. 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 capital works, master plans, and infrastructure developments play a pivotal role in shaping community amenity and growth. AreaSearch has identified 1 key project of notable relevance to the surrounding area, with major regional initiatives encompassing the Mawson Group Centre Upgrade, Woden Town Square Precinct Redevelopment, Athllon Drive Duplication, and Canberra Hospital Master Plan.
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.
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.
Mawson Shops 'Shop Top' Housing and Supermarket Development
Release of land for a supermarket at Mawson shops as part of a 'shop top' housing development, providing more affordable homes.
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.
Mawson Group Centre Upgrade
A revitalization of the Mawson Group Centre as outlined in the Master Plan. The project aims to create a more attractive and convenient centre with a diverse range of goods, services, and transport and housing options. Key features include establishing five distinct precincts, creating a new public transport hub, and encouraging mixed-use development to boost day and night activity.
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.
Woden Town Centre Public Realm Upgrades
ACT Government public realm improvements to Woden Town Square and surrounding streets in Phillip, delivered in stages as part of the broader Woden renewal program. Works include new landscaping and tree planting, street furniture, wayfinding signage, improved pedestrian connectivity and active travel links around the CIT Woden Campus and town centre. The initial Woden Experiment placemaking activation (2019) informed subsequent permanent upgrades. The new Woden Public Transport Interchange became operational in April 2026, completing the active travel connectivity precinct.
Canberra Hospital Master Plan
The Canberra Hospital Master Plan is a 20-year strategic development blueprint prepared by Canberra Health Services and the ACT Government to guide campus expansion through 2041. Organized into seven specialized clinical and research precincts, the plan builds upon the recent $660 million Critical Services Building (Building 5) and Yamba Drive entrance upgrades. Future stages focus on a new pathology and clinical support facility, mental health precinct enhancements, and consolidated parking infrastructure.
Detail
AreaSearch data indicates that Pearce features a well-educated labor force with strong representation across core service industries, supported by a low unemployment rate of 2.6% and consistent job market conditions over the past year. As of March 2026, no residents are recorded as actively working, and the local labor force participation rate of 65.0% trails the wider Australian Capital Territory figure of 70.6%. Census figures show that 13.9% of local workers operated from home, though this metric was influenced by prevailing Covid-19 restrictions. Local employment is predominantly clustered in public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and professional & technical services.
Specialization is particularly elevated in health care & social assistance, where Pearce holds a concentration 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, retail trade accounts for only 4.8% of resident employment, falling short of the Australian Capital Territory mark of 6.6%. The comparison between resident numbers and local Census work counts highlights the predominantly suburban nature of the area, with fewer jobs located within the suburb itself. Longitudinal employment tracking for Pearce is presently being assembled. Broader context is provided by Jobs and Skills Australia national projections from Mar-26 across five- and ten-year horizons, mapped against the local industry profile. Nationally, total employment is projected to expand by 6.6% across five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual sector trajectories vary. Applying national industry weightings to the existing Pearce workforce mix points to an implied growth of 6.8% over five years and 13.9% over ten years (representing an illustrative weighting model that excludes localized demographic projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Pearce is $2,362 a week (about $123,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,222 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $69,322 a year against an average of $92,699. 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 statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 place Pearce among the highest-earning areas nationally, recording a median taxable income of $69,322 and an average of $92,699, compared to the broader Australian Capital Territory benchmarks of $72,206 (median) and $85,981 (average). Factoring in 10.44% Wage Price Index movement since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of approximately $76,559 for median earnings and $102,377 on average as of March 2026. Across personal, family, and household tiers in the Census, local earnings place between the 86th and 92nd percentiles across Australia.
High-income earners are strongly represented, with 28.9% (786 individuals) generating $4000+ weekly—diverging from the territory pattern where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 34.3%. Overall, 41.1% of residents earn above $3,000 weekly, driving local purchasing capacity and leaving households with 86.9% of income after servicing housing costs, aligning with a 9th decile SEIFA income position.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Pearce had 1,055 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 63% detached houses and 4% apartments. 36% are owned with a mortgage, 26% rented and 38% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $430 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,383 a month. Rent absorbs 18.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.3%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the most recent Census, the housing composition in Pearce stood at 63.1% separate houses and 36.9% other dwellings (including semi-detached dwellings and apartments), closely mirroring the Australian Capital Territory profile of 63.3% houses and 36.7% alternative dwelling types. Outright ownership reached 37.9%, notably higher than the territory baseline, while mortgaged properties accounted for 36.3% and rental accommodation made up 25.8%. Typical mortgage payments averaged $2,383 per month, exceeding the Australian Capital Territory median of $2,080, whereas median weekly rent was $430, slightly below the territory level of $450.
On a national scale, Pearce mortgage costs significantly exceed the Australian benchmark of $1,863, and rents remain substantially higher than the nationwide figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Pearce counted 1,055 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.5 people each. 32% are couples with children, against 25% couples without children. 30% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute the predominant living arrangement in the area at 67.6% of households, comprising couples with children (32.2%), couples without children (25.1%), and single parent families (9.2%). The remaining 32.4% consists of non-family living arrangements, primarily lone person dwellings at 30.1% alongside group households at 2.4%. Pearce records an average household size of 2.5 people, aligning exactly with the Australian Capital Territory figure.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
50.0% of adults in Pearce hold a university qualification, including 28.4% with a bachelor degree and 15.3% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 98% of areas nationally. A further 12.5% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 2,831 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,113 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
Educational attainment levels in Pearce are notably elevated, with 50.0% of residents aged 15+ possessing a higher education degree, compared to 30.4% across Australia overall. In terms of tertiary qualifications, bachelor degrees represent 28.4%, postgraduate degrees comprise 15.3%, and graduate diplomas make up 6.3%. Meanwhile, vocational education accounts for 23.9% of qualifications among residents aged 15+, divided between advanced diplomas (11.4%) and certificates (12.5%). Formal study engagement is substantial across the community, with 30.2% of the population enrolled in an educational course. Breaking down current enrolments, primary schooling represents 9.5%, secondary education accounts for 8.5%, and tertiary courses engage 6.5% of residents.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Pearce reaches 9 stops on 38 routes, timetabled for about 2,000 services a week. The typical home sits about 220 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
Pearce contains 9 operating public transport stops providing bus connectivity across the suburb. These locations are integrated across 38 distinct bus routes, delivering 1,998 weekly passenger services in total. Local transit access is solid, with properties sitting an average of 221 meters from their closest stop. Reflecting the area's residential profile, outward commuting is standard, with private vehicles serving as the primary method for 86% of commuters, while 8% utilize bus transit. Households maintain an average of 1.4 vehicles, and 13.9% of residents worked remotely according to 2021 Census records during pandemic conditions.
Public transport services across the combined network average 285 trips per day, which translates to roughly 222 scheduled weekly departures per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
68.2% of residents in Pearce report no long-term health condition. 4.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 63.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.6 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 across Pearce show solid outcomes, with AreaSearch metrics for mortality and long-term health issues aligning well with national standards and showing minimal disease prevalence across age brackets. Furthermore, private healthcare coverage is exceptionally widespread, encompassing approximately 64% of the population (1,737 people), well above the Australian average of 55.7%. Arthritis (9.6%) and asthma (7.5%) represent the most prevalent diagnosed conditions locally, while 68.2% of residents report having no chronic medical conditions, slightly below the Australian Capital Territory level of 70.2%. Health measures across prime working-age demographics remain standard.
Residents aged 65 and over represent 19.3% of the community (525 people), outpacing the 14.2% share recorded across Australian Capital Territory, with senior health indicators rating above average and tracking consistent with broader national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
25.3% of Pearce residents were born overseas and 18.7% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (24.5%) and Australian (22.5%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Pearce displays considerable cultural diversity relative to surrounding benchmarks, with 25.3% of residents born abroad and 18.7% utilizing a non-English language at home. Christianity stands as the primary religious affiliation, representing 52.8% of the community. In proportional terms, Judaism demonstrates the most distinct concentration locally, representing 0.4% of the population relative to 0.2% across the Australian Capital Territory. Looking at parental lineage, the most prominent ancestries reported in Pearce are English (24.5%), Australian (22.5%), and Irish (11.5%). Furthermore, specific European ancestries show elevated local shares compared to the wider region, including Croatian at 1.1% (vs 0.9%), Spanish at 0.8% (vs 0.5%), and Hungarian at 0.6% (vs 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Pearce is 43. 23.7% 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 demographic structure in Pearce skews older relative to the wider Australian Capital Territory. As of August 2026, AreaSearch estimates indicate that 28.0% of the local population falls into the 45 - 64 bracket, compared to 21.5% territory-wide, while younger adults aged 25 - 44 account for 23.1%, beneath the ACT proportion of 32.8%. The suburb maintains an estimated median age of 43, mirroring its 2021 Census baseline and sitting 8 years above the Australian Capital Territory Census figure of 35, as well as exceeding the national Census median of 38.
The most prominent post-Census shift occurred among residents aged 65+, who moved from 20.8% to an estimated 19.3%. Over the horizon to 2041, the 65+ demographic is forecast to register the largest numerical increase, adding 12 (2%) to reach 538 residents, while younger adult, child, and youth cohorts are expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Pearce
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 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 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 (2,687 at the 2021 Census → 2,723 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 (SAL80109). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.