Theodore (ACT)

Theodore has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Theodore's population is estimated at 3,726 as of Feb 2026, reflecting a decrease of 72 people since the 2021 Census. This decrease represents a 1.9% change from the previous population count of 3,798. AreaSearch validated this estimate using ERP data released by the ABS in Jun 2024 and five additional addresses confirmed since the Census date. The population density is calculated at 1,186 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages seen across other locations assessed by AreaSearch. While Theodore experienced a 1.9% decline since the census, the SA3 area achieved 0.1% growth, indicating divergent trends within the broader region. Natural growth contributed approximately 74.0% of overall population gains during recent periods in the suburb of Theodore (ACT).

AreaSearch adopts 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 are used, also based on 2022. Future population trends indicate an overall decline in Theodore's population, with a projected contraction of 199 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts are expected to grow, notably the 65 to 74 age group, which is projected to expand by 101 people over this period.

The level of residential development activity in Theodore is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data indicates Theodore averaged around 1 new dwelling approval per year. Over the past five financial years, between FY21 and FY25, an estimated 7 homes were approved, with no approvals recorded so far in FY26. This limited supply has likely kept up with demand given population decline, offering good choice to buyers.

The average value of new homes being built is $329,000, higher than regional norms, reflecting quality-focused development. In the current financial year, there have been $481,000 in commercial approvals, demonstrating Theodore's residential nature. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Theodore records markedly lower building activity, 84.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established homes, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. Recent development has been entirely comprised of detached dwellings, preserving Theodore's suburban nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers.

The location has approximately 3740 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market. With population projections showing stability or decline, Theodore should see reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

Theodore has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects potentially impacting the region: Banks Gateway Estate, Calwell Retirement Living Precinct, Calwell Public Housing Development, and EV Fast Charging Infrastructure at Calwell Shopping Centre. The following details these key projects:.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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.

Theodore has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Theodore's workforce comprises skilled individuals with notable representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate stood at 6.0% as of an unspecified past year, indicating relative employment stability. As of September 2025, Theodore's unemployment rate was 2.4% higher than the Australian Capital Territory's rate of 3.6%, while workforce participation was slightly higher at 75.4%.

According to Census responses, a low 9.4% of residents worked from home in Theodore. The dominant employment sectors were public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and construction. Construction stood out with employment levels at 1.6 times the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical services were under-represented, with only 6.7% of Theodore's workforce compared to 11.1% in Australian Capital Territory.

The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 0.0%, while labour force grew by 0.8%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate of 0.7 percentage points. This contrasted with Australian Capital Territory's growth rates of 1.4% for employment and 1.2% for labour force, resulting in a fall in unemployment rate of 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 projected an expansion of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years nationally. Applying these projections to Theodore's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 12.7% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized population projections.

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

The suburb of Theodore has a median income among taxpayers of $70,556 and an average income of $78,196, according to the latest Australian Taxation Office data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. These figures compare with those for the Australian Capital Territory, which are $72,206 and $85,981 respectively. By September 2025, estimates based on a 9.26% increase from the financial year 2023 suggest median income will be approximately $77,089 and average income will be around $85,437. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Theodore rank highly nationally, with household, family, and personal incomes all between the 90th and 92nd percentiles. In terms of income distribution, 34.7% of Theodore's population (1,292 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, consistent with broader regional trends where 34.3% are in the same category. Notably, 40.8% of residents earn above $3,000 per week, indicating strong economic capacity throughout the suburb. After housing costs, residents retain 87.0% of their income, reflecting robust purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

Theodore's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 95.1% houses and 4.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Australian Capital Territory's 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Theodore was at 26.1%, similar to the Australian Capital Territory rate, with mortgaged dwellings at 55.7% and rented ones at 18.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Theodore was $2,002, below the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,080. The median weekly rent figure was $430, compared to Australian Capital Territory's $450. Nationally, Theodore's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 79.6% of all households, including 40.4% couples with children, 25.5% couples without children, and 12.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 20.4%, with lone person households at 18.4% and group households comprising 2.0%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.

Educational attainment in Theodore aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 24.8%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 46.8%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 16.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational credentials are held by 36.1% of residents aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 13.1% and certificates at 23.0%. Educational participation is high, with 28.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 9.5% in primary education, 8.0% in secondary education, and 4.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Theodore has 18 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 47 different routes that collectively facilitate 2,850 weekly passenger trips. Residents have good access to these stops, with an average distance of 226 meters from their homes to the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards due to Theodore's primarily residential nature. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport, used by 96% of residents. On average, there are 1.8 vehicles per dwelling in Theodore, which is higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 9.4% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, an average of 407 trips are made daily, equating to about 158 weekly trips per individual stop.

Theodore's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Theodore's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks, as assessed by AreaSearch through mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are seen at a fairly standard level across both young and old age cohorts in the area.

Private health cover is found to be very high, at approximately 58% of the total population (around 2,164 people), compared to 62.4% in the Australian Capital Territory. The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 10.2 and 9.8% of residents respectively. Around 67.3% of residents claim to be completely free from medical ailments, compared to 70.2% across the Australian Capital Territory. The working-age population faces significant health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 15.0% of residents aged 65 and over (558 people), with strong health outcomes among seniors, ranking even higher than the general population nationally.

In terms of cultural diversity, Theodore records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Theodore's cultural diversity aligns with the broader regional average. Its population is composed of 81.9% Australian-born individuals, 94.2% citizens, and 86.9% English-only speakers at home. Christianity dominates Theodore's religious landscape, accounting for 46.1% of its population.

While Judaism constitutes only 0.2% of Theodore's population, it is proportionally similar to the Australian Capital Territory average. The top three ancestral groups in Theodore are Australian (28.2%), English (26.4%), and Irish (8.6%). Notably, Hungarian (0.4%) and Dutch (1.9%) ethnicities are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.3% and 1.3%, respectively. Additionally, Croatian ethnicity is slightly overrepresented at 1.0%.

Theodore's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Theodore's median age is nearly 36 years, close to the Australian Capital Territory average of 35 but younger than Australia's median age of 38. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Theodore has a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64 (13.9%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (14.0%). Between the 2021 Census and the present, the proportion of residents aged 65-74 has grown from 6.9% to 10.7%, while those aged 75-84 increased from 2.1% to 3.2%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 5-14 has declined from 13.1% to 10.8%, and the 45-54 age group has dropped from 14.2% to 12.5%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes in Theodore. The 65-74 age cohort is projected to grow by 15%, adding 61 residents to reach 460. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive all population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 45-54 and 0-4 age cohorts.