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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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Stirling (ACT) has an estimated 2,169 residents. That puts 1,643 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
Based on evaluation of ABS demographic statistics for the surrounding region, combined with fresh locations verified by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Stirling (ACT) has a resident count projected at 2,169 in May 2026. This represents a reduction of 22 people (1.0%) compared to the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 2,191 people. This shift is derived from a local population of 2,167, calculated by AreaSearch using the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) along with 2 validated new addresses added after the Census. This population level translates to a density of 1,643 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical ratio observed among national areas analyzed by AreaSearch.
Although the suburb of Stirling (ACT) recorded a 1.0% contraction post-census, the broader SA3 territory posted a 1.9% expansion, showing contrasting regional dynamics. Overseas migration was the primary driver of demographic growth in the locality, representing roughly 52.0% of all population increases during recent timeframes. Projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024 with a 2022 baseline are applied by AreaSearch for each SA2 zone. Where this data is unavailable, or for years beyond 2032, age cohort expansion rates from ACT Government SA2 projections starting from a 2022 baseline are utilized. Assessing forward-looking demographic patterns in the suburb of Stirling (ACT), model outcomes suggest a contracting overall head count, with local residents projected to decrease by 137 persons by 2041 under this approach. Conversely, expansion is predicted for certain age brackets, led by the cohort aged 85 and over, which is expected to rise by 35 people. Refer to the age breakdown for further information.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
According to AreaSearch's review of ABS residential construction approvals distributed from statistical zones, Stirling typically averages about 1 building permit annually, representing a total of 6 homes over the course of the previous 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 4 permits have been logged. As local population numbers fell during the prior period, residential additions have remained sufficient to meet demand, supporting a balanced marketplace with reasonable options for buyers. When compared to Australian Capital Territory, Stirling exhibits a much lower volume of new builds, tracking 76.0% below the regional per capita average.
This limited supply of new dwellings generally underpins demand and values for pre-existing properties. Construction volume also tracks below the national benchmark, highlighting the mature state of the area and pointing to potential zoning limits. As demographic forecasts point to stable or contracting numbers, Stirling is anticipated to experience lighter pressure on dwelling demand, which should benefit prospective purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Stirling (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 18 current infrastructure and development projects close to Stirling (ACT), worth an estimated $1.1 billion. 4 are already under construction. The pipeline spans residential development, retail and communities, precincts & urban renewal. 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 infrastructure updates, major projects, and zoning plans have a strong influence on real estate performance. A total of no projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are expected to influence the local area. Significant initiatives in the wider region include the Molonglo Group Centre to Town Centre Transition, Fetherston Weston, the Canberra Hospital Master Plan, and the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children Expansion Project, with the listed items showing those of greatest relevance.
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
Cooleman Court Shopping Precinct Upgrades
Upgrades to the shopping precinct at Cooleman Court to revitalize and improve access.
Woolworths Weston Creek Supermarket Expansion and Refurbishment
Expansion of the supermarket and full refurbishment to Woolworth's latest standard. Supermarket to remain open during refurbishment.
Waramanga Oval and Stirling Playing Fields Upgrades
Lighting upgrades at Waramanga Oval and upgraded field lights at Stirling Playing fields to allow for night matches.
Heysen Street, Weston RZ4 Land Development Opportunity
Substantial 13,130my RZ4 (medium density residential) land parcel in established Weston, available for purchase for residential development. Elevated block with Brindabella views.
Weston Creek Aged Care Facility
Construction of an aged care facility and associated works on Blocks 1151 and 864 Weston Creek. Follows NCA Board approval in 2015 for a retirement village and 99-year lease.
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.
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.
Fetherston Weston
Village Building Company plans a medium-density development of 337 homes on former AFP site with sustainable features like solar panels and EV charging stations. Construction of 26 new buildings comprising 11 three-storey apartment buildings, 5 walk-up apartment buildings and 15 two-storey townhouses to accommodate a total of 337 new dwellings, with new basement car parking. Amendment for changes to the roof on building L, M, N, O, P and Z, and changes to building levels for buildings N and Z.
965 residents of Stirling (ACT) are employed, from a labour force of 1,009. Unemployment sits at 4.4%, with participation at 55.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,975, about 91% 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
Stirling has a highly qualified labor force with strong representation in critical services, showing a jobless rate of 4.4% and an estimated 2.2% job expansion over the previous year, according to AreaSearch calculations of regional data. In March 2026965 local residents were employed, while the jobless rate was 0.3% higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 4.1%, and labor force participation was notably lower (55.0% compared to 70.8% across Australian Capital Territory). Census responses indicated that a modest 14.0% of workers performed duties from home, though this may reflect temporary COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
The primary sectors employing local residents are public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training. In contrast, professional & technical services are less represented locally at 9.6% compared to the regional benchmark of 11.1%. Stirling is mostly residential and appears to provide a small number of local jobs, as shown by comparing the count of workers at Census time to the resident population. Based on AreaSearch calculations of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from regional levels, the year ending March 2026 saw employment levels rise by 2.2% and the total workforce expand by 1.0%, which helped the jobless rate drop by 1.1 percentage points. This performance differed from Australian Capital Territory, which recorded a 0.3% lift in employment, a 1.1% increase in the labor force, and a 0.7 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia issued in May-25 offer additional context on future demand patterns in Stirling. These forecasts, spanning five and ten-year horizons, have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future growth. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rates of change vary widely by industry. Projecting these trends onto Stirling's job distribution suggests local employment would rise by 6.5% over five years and 13.3% over ten years (this represents a basic weighted projection for illustration and does not incorporate local demographic forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Stirling (ACT) is $2,206 a week (about $115,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,020 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $57,733 a year against an average of $68,682. 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 AreaSearch processing of postcode-level ATO statistics from the financial year 2023 release, Stirling taxpayers recorded a median income of $57,733 alongside an average income of $68,682. This sits slightly above the national norm and compares to benchmarks of $72,206 and $85,981 throughout Australian Capital Territory. Adjusted for a 10.44% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, current estimates correspond to roughly $63,760 for the median and $75,852 for the average as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census places household, family, and individual earnings in Stirling in high brackets, ranking between the 78th and 80th percentiles nationally.
The income distribution reveals that the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket accounts for 31.5% of taxpayers (683 individuals), matching regional trends where 34.3% fall into the same bracket. A significant concentration of high earners (36.0% earning above $3,000/week) shows solid financial capacity in the area. Once housing costs are met, residents keep 87.6% of their earnings, indicating strong discretionary budget limits, and the area's SEIFA socio-economic ranking places it in the 8th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Stirling (ACT) had 770 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 82% detached houses and 1% apartments. 32% are owned with a mortgage, 24% rented and 45% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $460 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,258 a month. Rent absorbs 20.9% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.6%. 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 distribution of residential structures in Stirling consisted of 82.4% separate houses and 17.5% alternative dwellings (townhouses, flats, and other configurations), whereas Australian Capital Territory recorded 63.3% separate houses and 36.7% alternative housing options. Home ownership rates in Stirling stood significantly higher than the Australian Capital Territory average at 44.7%, with the remaining properties being purchased under a mortgage (31.5%) or occupied by tenants (23.8%). The median monthly home loan repayment locally was $2,258, which is above the Australian Capital Territory median of $2,080, while weekly rent was recorded at $460, compared to $450 across the wider territory.
Nationally, Stirling's mortgage payments sit well above the Australian median of $1,863, and rent levels are also notably higher than the country-wide figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Stirling (ACT) counted 770 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.6 people each. 34% are couples with children, against 28% couples without children. 24% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 73.6%, consisting of 33.6% couples with children, 28.0% couples without children, and 10.9% single parents. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 26.4%, which includes single person homes at 24.3% and shared group households at 2.2% of the total. The median household occupancy of 2.6 people is slightly larger than the Australian Capital Territory benchmark of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
40.0% of adults in Stirling (ACT) hold a university qualification, including 24.4% with a bachelor degree and 11.1% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 95% of areas nationally. A further 14.7% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local educational profile is distinguished within the region, with university degree holders representing 40.0% of residents aged 15+, which is higher than the national rate of 30.4% and shows a strong local focus on tertiary education. Bachelor qualifications are the most common at 24.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees (11.1%) and graduate diplomas (4.5%). Vocational training accounts for 24.9% of qualifications among residents aged 15 and over, comprising advanced diplomas (10.2%) and certificates (14.7%). Enrollment rates in educational programs are high, with 26.9% of the population currently undertaking formal studies.
This is made up of 9.5% of residents attending primary school, 7.0% in high school, and 4.7% enrolled in university or college courses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Stirling (ACT) reaches 19 stops on 52 routes, timetabled for about 3,800 services a week. The typical home sits about 190 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.5 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
Analysis of public transit options indicates there are 19 operational transit stops in Stirling, consisting of bus services. These locations are linked to 52 separate transit routes, which support 3,843 passenger journeys each week. Transit access is rated highly, with homes located an average of 192 meters from their closest stop. As a residential suburb, most workers commute to outer areas, and private vehicles remain the primary travel mode at 87%, followed by bus transit at 8%. Average vehicle ownership stands at 1.5 per household, which is higher than the regional average.
Around 14.0% of local workers conducted their duties from home, according to 2021 Census data, which may reflect the impact of pandemic lockdowns. The average frequency of transit services is 549 runs per day across all active routes, which translates to approximately 202 weekly runs for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
59.4% of residents in Stirling (ACT) report no long-term health condition. 10.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 54.3% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Stirling has notable health issues based on AreaSearch assessments of mortality figures and chronic disease incidence, with common health concerns present in both younger and older cohorts, while the proportion of residents with private health insurance is relatively high at around 54% of the population (~1,178 people). This compares to a rate of 62.4% across Australian Capital Territory. The most prevalent medical conditions reported locally were arthritis and mental health challenges, affecting 10.7 and 9.6% of the population, while 59.4% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 70.2% across Australian Capital Territory.
The working-age cohort exhibits notable health issues with higher rates of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and over represent 27.9% of the local population (605 people), which is significantly higher than the 14.3% share seen across Australian Capital Territory. Health outcomes for older residents present difficulties, with national performance metrics generally aligned with the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
26.0% of Stirling (ACT) residents were born overseas and 18.7% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (26.8%) and Australian (24.7%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Stirling displays a higher degree of cultural variety than most regional property markets, with 26.0% of local residents born outside of Australia and 18.7% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 49.9% of the population. The most prominent religious variance is found in Hinduism, which makes up 2.5% of the population, compared to 4.8% across Australian Capital Territory. Looking at ancestral backgrounds (parents' country of birth), the primary groups in Stirling are English at 26.8%, Australian at 24.7%, and Irish at 8.9%. Significant differences emerge in the proportions of other groups: Hungarian is notably overrepresented at 0.7% (compared to 0.3% across the region), Polish at 1.2% (compared to 0.8%), and French at 0.9% (compared to 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Stirling (ACT) is 46, older than 82% of areas nationally. 21.2% 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
Stirling has a median age of 46, which is higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 35 and sits well above the national median of 38. The 75 - 84 age cohort is highly represented at 11.7% compared to Australian Capital Territory, whereas the 25 - 34 bracket is less common at 9.5%. This concentration of residents aged 75 - 84 is significantly higher than the national share of 6.1%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has risen from 9.0% to 11.7% of the local population, and the 15 to 24 cohort expanded from 9.8% to 11.7%.
Conversely, the 5 to 14 age group contracted from 12.6% to 10.5% and the 65 to 74 bracket declined from 13.1% to 11.2%. Demographic projections suggest Stirling's age structure will change significantly by 2041. Leading this change, the 85+ cohort is expected to increase by 28% (30 people), growing from 108 to 139 residents. The trend toward an older population is clear, with those aged 65+ representing the entirety of projected growth, while the 55 to 64 and 0 to 4 groups are forecast to decrease in size.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Stirling (ACT)
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 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 5 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) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 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 — 2 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,191 at the 2021 Census → 2,169 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 May 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 (SAL80119). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.