State / Territory · Area profile
Australian Capital Territory
2,358 km²
Far more affluent and educated than most other areas, the Australian Capital Territory is a high-earning hub. The typical resident is noticeably younger than the national figure, with a population that grew by 27% since 2011. This is a highly qualified community where university degrees are common, which helps explain why personal and household incomes are well above the national average. It is a dynamic place where many people have moved recently, creating a professional and mobile atmosphere.
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The typical resident is 35, making the territory noticeably younger than the rest of Australia. While the population of seniors is well below the national figure, the number of children under 15 is slightly higher than most other areas.
About 28.7% of people were born overseas, a figure that rose 4.6 points since 2011. The most common ancestries are English and Australian, followed by Irish and Scottish.
The number of people using another language at home rose 6.5 points since 2011 to 24.6%, which is a little above the national figure. Most people speak only English, while Mandarin is the most common other language.
A large proportion of the community has no religion, at 44.2%. This is well above the national figure and represents a rise of 15 points since 2011.
This is one of the most qualified areas in the country, with 42.9% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Year 12 completion is also far above the national figure at 77.0%.
Incomes are among the highest in the nation; the typical weekly family income is $2,872, which is well above the national figure of $2,120. Those earning $2,000 or more per week make up 22.1% of the population.
Mental health conditions are much more common here than in most other areas, affecting 10.0% of people. However, the proportion of people needing help with daily activities is a little below the national average.
Volunteer rates are well above the national figure at 18.4%, and 6.0% of residents have served in the Defence Force. Unpaid care for children is also much higher than in most other areas.
First Nations people make up a much lower proportion of the population than in most areas. However, they have a far higher Year 12 completion rate and much higher typical incomes than the national figures.
Families with children are common, with 59.8% of households fitting this group. About 25.7% of people live alone, which is about the same as the national figure.
Rent is a little above the national figure at $450 a week, and typical monthly mortgage payments are also much higher than in most areas. Detached houses are much less common here than across Australia.
Public transport use is much higher than in most other areas, with 4.6% of people using it to commute. This is supported by a very high number of public transport departures per 1,000 people.
The population is very mobile, with 46.1% of people having moved in the last five years. This is well above the national figure.
Employment is very strong, with 69.6% of adults working or looking for work. Nearly 30% of the workforce is employed in public administration and safety.
The population was estimated at 484,630 and has grown by 7.1% since 2021, a rate higher than most similar areas.
The area is among the rainiest in its group but has much lower average maximum and minimum temperatures than most other areas.
The territory is very walkable, ranking first for street connectivity and the proportion of homes within a 15-minute walk of parks, schools, and groceries.