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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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Theodore (ACT) has an estimated 3,726 residents, down from 3,798 at the 2021 Census — a change of 72 people, or 1.9%. That puts 1,187 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's evaluation of regional ABS releases alongside verified post-Census address additions, the suburb of Theodore (ACT) has an estimated resident count of 3,726 as of Aug 2026. Relative to the 3,798 individuals recorded in the 2021 Census, this represents a contraction of 72 people (1.9%). This estimate incorporates the ABS ERP release from June 2025 together with 5 validated new addresses identified following the Census. The suburb's density stands at 1,186 persons per square kilometer, aligning closely with broader benchmarks across AreaSearch locations. Natural increase served as the primary contributor to demographic gains, generating roughly 74.0% of recent population additions.
Population modeling applies 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 projections using 2022 as the base, supplemented after 2032 or where unavailable by ACT Government SA2 cohort projections anchored to 2022. Under these projections, the suburb of Theodore (ACT) is anticipated to experience an overall contraction of 194 persons by 2041. In contrast to the broader downward trend, specific demographics are set to expand, particularly the 65 to 74 age bracket, which is slated to add 82 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Analysis of ABS building approvals mapped by AreaSearch indicates that residential authorizations in Theodore average approximately 1 property annually, totaling an estimated 7 homes across the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), including 1 during FY-25 to date. Against a backdrop of population decline, dwelling availability has comfortably met local demand to maintain an evenly matched market. Approved homes have registered an average construction cost of $125,000—sitting below regional averages to offer accessible housing opportunities. Additionally, commercial approvals reached $481,000 this financial year, underscoring the suburb's residential orientation.
Per-capita building activity in Theodore trails the wider Australian Capital Territory by 71.0%, an undersupply that bolsters demand and asset values across established dwellings. This below-average rate relative to national levels highlights the suburb's established character alongside potential planning limitations. Furthermore, recent building approvals have consisted entirely of detached houses, maintaining a low-density family setting with generous allotments. An established market structure is reflected in a ratio of around 2485 people per dwelling approval. Projected demographic stagnation or decline is expected to ease residential demand across Theodore, creating favorable conditions for prospective purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Theodore (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 10 current infrastructure and development projects close to Theodore (ACT), worth an estimated $1.93 billion. 1 are already under construction and 3 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation and telecommunications. 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 economic momentum and community development are heavily shaped by strategic planning and capital works. AreaSearch has pinpointed 4 significant projects influencing the district: Banks Gateway Estate, Calwell Retirement Living Precinct, Calwell Public Housing Development, and the EV Fast Charging Infrastructure - Calwell situated at Calwell Shopping Centre.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Banks Gateway Estate
New residential subdivision by the Suburban Land Agency delivering approximately 220 new homes in Banks, directly adjacent to northern Gordon and within the same primary school catchment. The project is focused on creating a thriving local community.
Calwell Retirement Living Precinct
A retirement living precinct proposal by KBDC, featuring 30 one-storey townhouses alongside the Calwell shopping strip.
Tuggeranong Multi-Unit Development - Gordon
Multiple 24-unit developments and supportive housing projects including six single storey supportive housing dwellings with carports, and childcare centre construction for 90 places.
EV Fast Charging Infrastructure - Calwell (Calwell Shopping Centre)
Public DC fast EV charging delivered at Calwell Shopping Centre and operated by Evie Networks, supported by ACT Government grants and ARENA funding to expand Canberra's charging network.
Calwell Public Housing Development
30 new public housing townhouses (2 and 3 bedroom) built to Class C Adaptable standards. Features evaporative heating/cooling, 6-star energy rating hot water systems, double-glazed windows, and sustainable design.
Lanyon Marketplace Improvements
Public space improvements completed in late 2023 at Lanyon Marketplace in Conder. The project, led by the ACT Government, included new seating and landscaping, improved pedestrian access (paths, pram ramps, safe crossings), a new raised intersection at Balcombe and Sidney Nolan Streets, and additional parking spaces on Sidney Nolan Street. The original record's mention of new Coles/Aldi/specialty stores appears to refer to an expected private sector expansion/refurbishment or is based on speculation, as the public works completed focused on the community space and access, with the Marketplace being anchored by Woolworths and 18 specialty shops.There is an ALDI store located at 9 Sidney Nolan Street nearby.
Calwell Group Centre improvements
Public space upgrades at local shops including new seating, playground with nature play elements, accessible parking bays, improved pedestrian access, upgraded lighting, and enhanced landscaping. Features nest swing, trampolines, slide, steppers and new shade sail.
Canberra Light Rail Stage 4 - Woden to Tuggeranong
Proposed southern extension of the Canberra light rail network connecting Woden Town Centre to Tuggeranong Town Centre via the Athllon Drive corridor. Recent 2026 updates indicate the ACT Government is developing a transit-oriented development (ToD) plan for the Athllon Drive corridor, with conceptual integrated bus and light rail network options for Canberra South expected by June 2026. The project remains part of the long-term City-wide Light Rail Network plan to support a population of 500,000.
2,183 residents of Theodore (ACT) are employed, from a labour force of 2,328. Unemployment sits at 6.2%, with participation at 75.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,659, about 71% 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
The local labour market features a skilled workforce with strong representation across essential services, an unemployment rate of 6.2%, and consistent annual stability based on AreaSearch statistical aggregations. Employed residents totaled 2,183 as of March 2026. While the local jobless rate sits 2.2% higher than the Australian Capital Territory mark of 4.1%, workforce participation remains healthy at 75.6%, compared with 70.6% across the Australian Capital Territory. Remote work was recorded by only 9.4% of workers at the Census, although historical Covid-19 restrictions may have influenced this figure. Key sectors employing local residents comprise public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and construction.
Construction shows pronounced local concentration, capturing an employment share 1.6 times that of the regional benchmark. Conversely, professional & technical roles account for only 6.7% of the workforce, trailing the Australian Capital Territory level of 11.1%. Comparing resident worker counts with local employment reveals limited commercial job opportunities within the immediate suburb. Over the 12 months to March 2026, AreaSearch evaluation of ABS and SALM figures shows local employment grew by 0.1% while the labour force expanded by 1.1%, lifting unemployment by 1.0 percentage points. Across the wider Australian Capital Territory over the same timeframe, employment rose by 0.3%, the labour pool increased by 1.1%, and unemployment climbed by 0.7 percentage points. Looking forward, Jobs and Skills Australia's Mar-26 national projections anticipate employment gains of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years across Australia. When mapped to Theodore's sectoral composition via weighted extrapolation, local employment is estimated to expand by 6.2% over five years and 12.7% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Theodore (ACT) is $2,588 a week (about $135,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,195 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $70,556 a year against an average of $78,196. 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
Taxation statistics from the ATO compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 place Theodore's earnings well above the national benchmark. Median taxpayer income reached $70,556 and average earnings stood at $78,196, as compared to $72,206 and $85,981 across the Australian Capital Territory. Factoring in 10.44% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, modeled figures rise to approximately $77,922 (median) and $86,360 (average) as of March 2026. Nationwide, Census metrics place Theodore's individual, household, and family earnings between the 90th and 92nd percentiles. A weekly income of $1,500 - 2,999 is the most common tier, capturing 34.7% of residents (1,292 people) in line with the regional proportion of 34.3%.
High earners generating over $3,000 weekly constitute 40.8% of households, and after servicing shelter costs, residents keep 87.0% of their income, supporting a SEIFA income position in the 7th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Theodore (ACT) had 1,320 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 95% detached houses and 0% apartments. 56% are owned with a mortgage, 18% rented and 26% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $430 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,002 a month, a total housing cost higher than 78% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 16.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 17.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census records show Theodore's housing stock is heavily tilted toward separate houses at 95.1%, with remaining formats (apartments, semi-detached, and 'other' dwellings) comprising 4.9%, whereas the broader Australian Capital Territory records 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings. Outright home ownership matches the Australian Capital Territory level at 26.1%, with mortgaged properties accounting for 55.7% and rental accommodation making up 18.2%. The typical monthly mortgage cost was $2,002 and median weekly rent stood at $430, both tracking below respective Australian Capital Territory benchmarks of $2,080 and $450. Across Australia as a whole, Theodore's monthly mortgage commitments exceed the $1,863 average, while local rent is notably higher than the $375 national figure.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Theodore (ACT) counted 1,320 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.8 people each. 40% are couples with children, more than in 80% of areas nationally, against 26% couples without children. 18% 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
Families make up the overwhelming majority of households at 79.6%, consisting of couples with children (40.4%), couples without children (25.5%), and single parent arrangements (12.9%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 20.4%, split between single-person dwellings at 18.4% and shared group households at 2.0%. The median household contains 2.8 people, higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
24.8% of adults in Theodore (ACT) hold a university qualification, including 16.3% with a bachelor degree and 5.8% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 23.0% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 212 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 998 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
Attainment of higher education qualifications in the area is comparatively subdued, with university degree holders at 24.8% versus the SA4 regional benchmark of 46.8%. Bachelor degrees represent the largest tertiary cohort at 16.3%, followed by postgraduate credentials at 5.8% and graduate diplomas at 2.7%. Vocational education forms a cornerstone of local qualifications, as 36.1% of individuals aged 15+ hold trade credentials, divided between certificates (23.0%) and advanced diplomas (13.1%). A significant 28.1% of local residents participate in education programs. This cohort includes 9.5% attending primary schools, 8.0% in secondary education, and 4.2% enrolled in tertiary courses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Theodore (ACT) reaches 16 stops on 43 routes, timetabled for about 2,700 services a week. The typical home sits about 250 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.8 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
Theodore is served by 16 active public transport stops providing bus connections across 43 discrete routes, combining to deliver 2,736 weekly passenger trips. Local accessibility is convenient, with properties averaging a 254 meters walk to the closest stop. Reflecting its suburban character, outbound commuting is widespread, with private vehicle travel serving as the dominant mode for 96% of trips. Car ownership stands above the regional norm at an average of 1.8 vehicles per household, while 9.4% worked remotely during the 2021 Census under potential pandemic restrictions. Public transport operations provide an average frequency of 390 daily services across the entire network, translating to roughly 171 weekly departures per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
67.3% of residents in Theodore (ACT) report no long-term health condition. 4.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 58.1% 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
Community wellness metrics in Theodore compare favorably to national standards according to AreaSearch morbidity and mortality records, showing typical incidence of common ailments across age groups. Private health insurance coverage is extensive, held by approximately 58% of all residents (~2,164 people), compared to 62.4% throughout the Australian Capital Territory. Asthma and mental health conditions are the most prevalent diagnosed concerns, affecting 9.8% and 10.2% of residents respectively, whereas 67.3% of the community reported no long-term health conditions (against 70.2% across the Australian Capital Territory). The core working-age cohort demonstrates heightened vulnerability to chronic health issues.
Among the 543 residents aged 65 and over (14.6% of the population), overall health metrics are exceptional and exceed national elderly benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Theodore (ACT) is largely Australian-born, at 81.9% of residents, with 13.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (28.2%) and English (26.4%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Demographic composition aligns with regional multicultural benchmarks, as 81.9% of residents were born in Australia, 94.2% hold Australian citizenship, and 86.9% speak only English at home. Christianity forms the predominant faith, practiced by 46.1% of the community. Judaism accounts for 0.2% of the populace, matching the Australian Capital Territory proportion of 0.2%. Looking at parental lineage, Australian ancestry is the leading heritage at 28.2% (exceeding the regional share of 23.0%), followed by English at 26.4% and Irish at 8.6%. Distinct local concentrations are also present among other communities, including Dutch at 1.9% (vs 1.3% regionally), Croatian at 1.0% (vs 0.9%), and Hungarian at 0.4% (vs 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Theodore (ACT) is 36. 28.9% 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
The age distribution closely reflects territory-wide demographics, with no individual age cohort differing by more than 5.3 percentage points from the Australian Capital Territory profile. The median age is estimated at 36, identical to the 2021 Census result and 1 year older than the Australian Capital Territory median of 35 recorded at that Census. Seniors and retirees aged 65+ have increased their demographic share from 9.6% at the Census to an estimated 14.6%. Projections to 2041 indicate this senior cohort will register the largest expansion, adding 133 residents (24%) to total 677, whereas numbers of children, young adults, and middle-aged residents are projected to shrink.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Theodore (ACT)
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 — 5 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,798 at the 2021 Census → 3,726 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 (SAL80124). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.