Strathnairn

Strathnairn lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, the suburb of Strathnairn's population is estimated at around 2,072 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 1,358 people (190.2%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 714 people. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimated resident population of 1,890 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 211 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 499 persons per square kilometer. Strathnairn's growth since the 2021 census, at 190.2%, exceeded that of the SA3 area (4.2%) and the state, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 91.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including natural growth and overseas migration were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, 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, with 2022 as a base, are adopted. Looking ahead, exceptional growth is predicted over the period, placing Strathnairn in the top 10 percent of Australian statistical areas. The suburb is expected to expand by 2,664 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 119.8% in total over the 16 years.

The level of residential development activity in Strathnairn was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates Strathnairn recorded around 149 residential properties granted approval annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 746 homes. As of FY-26, 45 approvals have been recorded. On average, 2 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were reported between FY-21 and FY-25, suggesting balanced supply and demand. However, recent data shows this has intensified to 8.7 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating growing popularity and potential undersupply.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $326,000, slightly above the regional average. Compared to Australian Capital Territory, Strathnairn records 5576.0% more new home approvals per person, offering buyers greater choice. Building activity has slowed in recent years, with 63.0% standalone homes and 37.0% medium and high-density housing. This represents a shift from the area's existing housing composition of 84.0% houses, indicating decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles. With around 35 people per dwelling approval, Strathnairn exhibits characteristics of a growth area. Future projections estimate Strathnairn adding 2,482 residents by 2041, with current construction levels expected to adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Future projections show Strathnairn adding 2,482 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Strathnairn has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 43rdth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified one major project expected to affect this region: Territory Battery. Other notable projects include Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre Upgrades, Ginninderry Estate - Strathnairn & Macnamara (Stages 1-7+), and Parkwood Urban Release.

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AreaSearch analysis reveals Strathnairn significantly outperforming the majority of regions assessed nationwide

Strathnairn has an educated workforce. Professional services are well represented. The unemployment rate is 2.8%.

Employment grew by 3.0% in the past year (AreaSearch data). As of December 2025983 residents are employed with a 1.0% lower unemployment rate than the Australian Capital Territory's 3.8%. Workforce participation is 73.5%, slightly higher than the ACT's 70.5%. Home working is low at 9.9% (Census data).

Key industries include health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, professional & technical services. Health care has strong specialization with an employment share of 1.7 times the regional level. Public administration & safety shows lower representation at 20.1%, compared to the regional average of 30.4%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 3.0% and labour force grew by 2.0%, reducing unemployment by 1.0 percentage points (AreaSearch analysis). In contrast, ACT's employment rose by 0.9%, labour force grew by 1.2%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Strathnairn's industry mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.3% over five years and 14.7% over ten years (simple weighting extrapolation).

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 indicates that Strathnairn's median income among taxpayers is $72,536. The average income in the suburb is $81,992. Nationally, these figures are extremely high compared to the Australian Capital Territory's median of $72,206 and average of $85,981. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Strathnairn would be approximately $80,109 (median) and $90,552 (average) as of March 2026. Census 2021 income data shows that household, family and personal incomes in Strathnairn all rank highly nationally, between the 92nd and 93rd percentiles. Income distribution reveals that the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 50.2% of residents (1,040 people). This pattern is similar to the surrounding region where 34.3% occupy this income range. Economic strength in Strathnairn is evident through 41.0% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, which supports elevated consumer spending. High housing costs consume 17.7% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 91st percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Strathnairn is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

In Strathnairn, as per the latest Census, 83.6% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 16.4% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. In contrast, the Australian Capital Territory had 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Strathnairn stood at 8.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 86.4% and rented ones at 5.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,191, higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,080. Median weekly rent in Strathnairn was $515, compared to $450 in the Australian Capital Territory. Nationally, Strathnairn's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,191 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 78.2% of all households, including 43.1% couples with children, 27.6% couples without children, and 7.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 21.8%, with lone person households at 18.4% and group households comprising 3.3%. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.

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

Strathnairn's educational attainment is notably high, with 52.0% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications, exceeding Australia's 30.4% and the SA3 area's 43.8%. University graduates comprise 27.3%, postgraduates 21.0%, and graduate diplomas 3.7%. Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 28.6% of residents holding such qualifications: advanced diplomas at 14.1% and certificates at 14.5%. Educational participation is high, with 34.2% currently enrolled in formal education, including 11.1% in tertiary, 10.0% in primary, and 4.8% in secondary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 34.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.1% in tertiary education, 10.0% in primary education, and 4.8% pursuing secondary education.

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

Strathnairn has five active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 24 different routes that together facilitate 1,148 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents living an average of 287 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards from Strathnairn, with cars being the primary mode of transportation at 94%. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling, which is higher than the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, only 9.9% of residents work from home, a figure that might be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 164 trips per day, equating to approximately 229 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Strathnairn's health outcomes show excellent results according to AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 60% of the total population (1,234 people), compared to 62.4% in Australian Capital Territory.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, impacting 7.7% and 5.4% of residents respectively. A total of 81.2% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 70.2% across Australian Capital Territory. The area has 3.1% of residents aged 65 and over (64 people), lower than the 14.3% in Australian Capital Territory. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings even higher than those of the general population.

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

Strathnairn has a high level of cultural diversity, with 55.8% of its residents speaking a language other than English at home and 51.5% having been born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Strathnairn, comprising 38.3% of the population. Notably, the category 'Other' makes up 9.6%, significantly higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 1.4%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are Other (31.3%), Australian (16.2%), and English (14.1%). The representation of Other is substantially higher compared to the regional average of 12.2%, while Australian and English are notably lower than their respective averages of 23.0% and 23.3%. Certain ethnic groups show notable differences in representation: Sri Lankan at 2.3% (regional average 0.4%), Filipino at 4.8% (1.2%), and Polish at 1.4% (0.8%).

Strathnairn hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Strathnairn's median age of 30 is lower than the Australian Capital Territory's figure of 35 and the Australian median of 38. The age profile shows that individuals aged 25-34 are particularly prominent, comprising 26.9% of the population, while those aged 55-64 make up only 3.7%. This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.6%. According to post-2021 Census data, the age group of 5 to 14 has grown from 13.0% to 17.7%, while the 45 to 54 cohort increased from 7.9% to 9.0%. Conversely, the 15 to 24 age group has decreased from 11.6% to 8.7%, and the 0 to 4 age group has dropped from 11.6% to 9.6%. By the year 2041, Strathnairn's population is projected to experience notable shifts in its age composition, with the 25-34 age cohort expected to grow significantly, expanding by 585 people (105%) from 557 to 1,143.