Forrest · Statistical Area 2 (SA2)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
Among the most advantaged areas in the country, Forrest is a high-status suburb where residents enjoy exceptional access to wealth and education. The area ranks among the highest in Australia for overall advantage, with a score of 1,185 and an education and job skills rating of 10 out of 10.
All statistical area 2 (sa2) areas, 2021. The marker is Forrest — higher than 99% of areas.
| Forrest | 10 |
|---|---|
| 2603, ACT | 10 |
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
Residents here have a huge advantage over most other areas, scoring 10 out of 10 for overall advantage and minimal disadvantage. This is backed by a top rating for education and job skills, as well as high access to money and resources.
10
Higher than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
10
Higher than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
9
Higher than 86% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
10
Higher than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
1,185
Higher than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
The population is small at 1,944 people, but it has grown by 6.6% since 2021. This increase is higher than most areas and is about the same as the 7.1% growth seen across the ACT.
1,944
Lower than 93% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
6.6%
Higher than 66% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
There are 392 businesses operating in the area, which is a smaller number than about 82% of similar places.
392
Lower than 82% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Forrest [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/801061063/forrest/topic/economy-advantage
