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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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Rivett has an estimated 3,441 residents, up from 3,354 at the 2021 Census — a change of 87 people, or 2.6%. Growth has averaged 0.8% a year over five years, slower than 76% of areas nationally. That puts 2,137 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
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of Rivett has an estimated population of approximately 3,441, determined through AreaSearch's evaluation of broader ABS demographic releases alongside post-Census address validations. This represents an addition of 87 people (2.6%) above the 3,354 people recorded in the 2021 Census. Such adjustments stem from an estimated resident population of 3,431 derived from the June 2025 ABS ERP figures, complemented by 7 validated new addresses identified following the Census. Consequently, population density stands at 2,137 persons per square kilometer, outperforming the benchmark across nationwide locations monitored by AreaSearch.
Furthermore, the 2.6% expansion achieved since the 2021 census positioned the suburb of Rivett ahead of the wider SA3 area (1.9%) as a regional growth leader, with overseas migration serving as the primary demographic driver by delivering roughly 53.0% of recent population additions. Projections for the suburb of Rivett incorporate ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 modeling published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, supplemented post-2032 or for unmapped SA2 localities by ACT Government age cohort projections also benchmarked to 2022. Under this framework, long-term demographic modeling points toward a contraction, with the suburb of Rivett projected to shed 89 persons by 2041. In contrast to this aggregate decline, certain age segments are set to expand, most notably the 55 to 64 age group with a forecast gain of 93 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
30 new dwellings have been approved in Rivett over the past five years, an average of 6 a year. That is 1.7 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 6, 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 statistical area building approval figures compiled by AreaSearch, residential development in Rivett averages approximately 6 dwellings annually, with 30 homes approved throughout the preceding 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 6 recorded during FY-25 to date. With an influx of 4.4 new residents per year for every home built over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), local housing demand heavily outstrips incoming supply, creating upward pressure on prices and intensifying buyer competition, even as building activity reflects an average expected construction value of $221,000—a figure below regional benchmarks that highlights relatively attainable new housing.
Residential building volumes in Rivett remain substantially subdued compared to Australian Capital Territory, tracking 55.0% below the per-capita territory benchmark. Such constrained additions typically bolster pricing power and demand for established dwellings, while matching national trends that indicate market maturity alongside potential development bottlenecks. Approvals comprise 83.0% detached dwellings alongside 17.0% townhouses or apartments, reinforcing an established low-density setting tailored to families desiring spacious accommodation. Currently, the market registers approximately 524 people per dwelling approval, underscoring its developed footprint. Given that demographic levels are projected to plateau or shrink, demand pressures across Rivett's residential landscape should soften, potentially opening up favorable conditions for prospective purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Rivett
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 18 current infrastructure and development projects close to Rivett, worth an estimated $1.37 billion. 2 are already under construction and 4 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
Infrastructure investments and urban development programs play a critical role in local growth. AreaSearch has identified no direct active initiatives within the area itself, though relevant regional projects include Molonglo Group Centre to Town Centre Transition, Fetherston Weston, Canberra Hospital Master Plan, and Deakin Private Hospital.
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
Heysen Street Weston Residential Development (Block 7 Section 96)
Sale and planned development of a 13,130 sqm RZ4 medium density residential parcel at Block 7 Section 96 Heysen Street in Weston. The site permits medium density residential multi-unit development such as townhouses and apartments, capitalizing on elevated vistas towards the Brindabella Ranges. Planning controls allow for substantial new infill housing capacity within the established Molonglo Valley and Weston Creek corridor.
Weston Creek Aged Care Facility
Development of a dedicated aged care and supportive living facility across Blocks 1151 and 864 in the District of Weston Creek. Works include residential care accommodation, specialist communal amenities, car parking, and civil infrastructure connections accessed via Cotter Road. Planning and works approval oversight is administered under the National Capital Authority framework.
Fetherston Weston
Village Building Co is delivering a masterplanned residential precinct on the former Australian Federal Police site in Weston. The development comprises 337 energy-efficient dwellings across three-storey apartment buildings, walk-ups, and two-storey townhouses with extensive solar PV, EV charging infrastructure, and landscaped communal open spaces. The ACT planning authority approved the multi-unit estate development application with basement parking and associated civil infrastructure works.
Cooleman Court Shopping Precinct Upgrades
Public realm and commercial precinct revitalisation project undertaken by Transport Canberra and City Services around the Cooleman Court shopping area. Works focused on Brierly Street and Liardet Street, delivering widened pedestrian pavements, community open spaces, new lighting, landscaping, and improved parking configurations.
Woolworths Weston Creek Supermarket Expansion and Refurbishment
Expansion and comprehensive internal refurbishment of the Woolworths supermarket at Cooleman Court in Weston Creek. The upgrade modernised the supermarket layout to Woolworths' latest standard and expanded back-of-house operations to improve direct-to-boot online fulfillment services.
Molonglo Town Centre
Canberra's sixth town centre, formally reclassified under National Capital Plan Amendment 99 (September 2024). The Suburban Land Agency is master-planning a 97-hectare precinct along the Molonglo River to serve as the primary commercial and community hub for the Molonglo Valley district, expected to house around 70,000 residents by 2050. The centre will include a main shopping precinct, homemakers and service trades precinct, district library and community centre, indoor sport and recreation facility, high school and college, transport interchange, town park, and approximately 10,000 dwellings within the town centre itself.Delivery is planned in four stages over 8-10 years, with retail core construction commencing in 2026.
Fetherston Ridge
Located on an elevated site in Weston, offering views across Fetherston Gardens to the Brindabella Ranges. Defence Housing Australia built 50 properties, and remaining land lots were sold. Will feature 120 residences.
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.
1,690 residents of Rivett are employed, from a labour force of 1,803. Unemployment sits at 6.3%, with participation at 65.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,650, about 77% 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
Aggregated statistical area metrics from AreaSearch show that Rivett maintains an unemployment rate of 6.3% alongside an educated workforce with notable representation across essential service industries. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 1,690, while local joblessness exceeded Australian Capital Territory's benchmark of 4.1% by 2.2%, and the participation rate trailed broader standards at 65.7% compared to Australian Capital Territory's 70.6%. Census data also revealed that 13.8% of workers operated from home, though this figure was likely shaped by Covid-19 restrictions. Local workers are heavily engaged across public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training.
The workforce demonstrates a clear concentration in health care & social assistance, generating an employment concentration 1.2 times the territory norm. Conversely, accommodation & food accounts for only 4.7% of resident employment, falling short of the 6.5% recorded across Australian Capital Territory. A comparison between Census resident numbers and working population counts indicates that this predominantly residential suburb generates limited local employment opportunities. AreaSearch assessment of regional ABS and SALM releases shows that over a 12-month period, the local labour force expanded by 1.2% while total employment dipped by 0.8%, lifting the unemployment rate by 1.9 percentage points. Across Australian Capital Territory, overall employment climbed by 0.3%, the labour force rose by 1.1%, and unemployment increased by 0.7 percentage points. Looking ahead, national forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide context for future workforce trajectory. Nationally, employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though industry growth varies widely. When these sectoral projections are mapped onto Rivett's employment profile, local job numbers are estimated to rise by 6.7% over five years and 13.6% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Rivett is $2,207 a week (about $115,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,113 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $62,997 a year against an average of $74,944. 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
Based on ATO postcode data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, Rivett recorded a median taxpayer income of $62,997 and an average of $74,944, standing well above national figures while comparing to $72,206 and $85,981 across Australian Capital Territory. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since financial year 2023, March 2026 estimates indicate a median of $69,574 and an average of $82,768. The 2021 Census placed personal, family, and household earnings between the 78th and 86th percentiles nationwide. The primary earning band encompasses 30.5% of residents (1,049 people) earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, close to the 34.3% regional benchmark, while 34.2% earn above $3,000 each week.
Residents retain 86.9% of their income after housing costs, placing the area in the 8th decile on the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Rivett had 1,278 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 87% detached houses and 0% apartments. 42% are owned with a mortgage, 25% rented and 33% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $322 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,140 a month. Rent absorbs 14.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, standalone houses made up 86.8% of residential stock in Rivett, with semi-detached houses, apartments, and other dwellings comprising 13.2%, compared to 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings across Australian Capital Territory. Outright home ownership stood at 32.8%, well above territory levels, while 41.8% of homes were mortgaged and 25.4% were rented. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,140 compared to Australian Capital Territory's $2,080 and the national average of $1,863. Weekly median rent was recorded at $322, substantially lower than both the territory figure of $450 and the Australian average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Rivett counted 1,278 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.5 people each. 32% are couples with children, against 27% couples without children. 26% 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 72.3% of local households, consisting of couples with children (31.9%), couples without children (26.7%), and single parent families (12.6%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 27.7%, made up of lone person households at 25.7% and group households at 1.9%. The median household size of 2.5 people equals the overall Australian Capital Territory figure.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
41.7% of adults in Rivett hold a university qualification, including 24.0% with a bachelor degree and 11.6% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 99% of areas nationally. A further 16.3% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Tertiary educational attainment in Rivett is elevated, with 41.7% of residents aged 15+ holding a higher education qualification, well above the 30.4% recorded across Australia. Bachelor degrees form the largest segment at 24.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 11.6% and graduate diplomas at 6.1%. Vocational qualifications are held by 26.9% of residents aged 15+, consisting of 16.3% with certificates and 10.6% holding advanced diplomas. Student participation is substantial across the suburb, with 29.7% of the community undertaking formal studies. Primary schooling accounts for 11.4% of residents, 6.8% attend secondary institutions, and 5.0% are engaged in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Rivett reaches 16 stops on 59 routes, timetabled for about 3,700 services a week. The typical home sits about 170 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.3 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 Rivett is supported by 16 active stops accommodating bus networks, serviced across 59 individual routes that provide 3,717 weekly passenger trips. Access to transit is convenient, with residents located an average of 169 meters from the closest stop. Given the suburb's residential focus, outward travel is typical, with private vehicle commuting accounting for 88% and bus transit taking 8%. Dwellings average 1.3 vehicles each, while 13.8% of workers worked from home according to the 2021 Census. Across all operating routes, transit frequency stands at 531 trips per day, delivering approximately 232 weekly trips per transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
64.9% of residents in Rivett report no long-term health condition. 5.6% need daily assistance with core activities, and 56.8% 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
AreaSearch evaluations of mortality metrics and chronic illness rates point to health outcomes that fall below broader averages, with common conditions present across younger and older demographics. Meanwhile, private health insurance coverage is extensive, encompassing roughly 57% of the population (~1,954 people), compared to 62.4% across Australian Capital Territory. Mental health concerns and arthritis represent the leading recorded conditions, affecting 9.3 and 9.1% of residents respectively, while 64.9% reported no long-term medical ailments compared to 70.2% across Australian Capital Territory. Chronic conditions show elevated rates among working-age individuals. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 19.3% of the community (664 people), higher than the 14.2% territory share, with health metrics for older residents mirroring wider population patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Rivett is largely Australian-born, at 78.3% of residents, with 14.9% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (26.5%) and English (25.2%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Rivett tracks above standard benchmarks, with 21.7% of residents born abroad and 14.9% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the predominant faith, practiced by 42.5% of residents. Judaism shows a distinct presence, representing 0.1% of the population compared to 0.2% across Australian Capital Territory. The primary reported ancestral backgrounds among residents are Australian at 26.5%, English at 25.2%, and Irish at 10.1%. Other specific European heritages also show higher local concentrations than the broader territory, including Dutch at 1.8% (vs 1.3%), French at 0.9% (vs 0.5%), and Welsh at 0.8% (vs 0.6%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Rivett is 39. 21.9% 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
Rivett exhibits an older demographic distribution relative to Australian Capital Territory. Residents aged 65+ make up 19.3% of the population as at August 2026 compared to 14.2% territory-wide, while young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) account for 26.9% against 32.8% regionally. The estimated median age sits at 39 as at August 2026, identical to the 2021 Census and 4 years older than the territory median of 35 recorded at that time. The 65 to 74 cohort decreased from 10.5% to an estimated 8.1%, while the 75 to 84 cohort expanded from 6.4% to 8.9%.
Forecasts to 2041 anticipate the largest gain in the 45 - 64 bracket, rising by 61 residents (8%) to 866, whereas younger age groups and children are expected to decline.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Rivett
9 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 9 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. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months 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 May 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 2 sections | ||
| 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 — 7 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,354 at the 2021 Census → 3,441 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 (SAL80115). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.