ACT · Unincorporated ACT Council

Dunlop, 2615

Est. population · Jun 2025

7,263

Growth (1 yr)

-0.7%

Growth (5 yr)

+0.6%

Median age

36

Median income

$2,503/wk

Employment rate

71.2%

Languages at home

20.4%non-English

Most common: Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

54.8/100
Average

76th in ACT

Verified 70% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Heritage area
  • Education hub
  • High desirability
What Dunlop is known for: Heritage area, Education hub, High desirability

Suburb profile

Dunlop is a practical mid-sized suburb in Unincorporated ACT, well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Dining is thinner on the ground than in busier metro pockets, so many residents head to neighbouring suburbs for a night out.

Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Buses serve the suburb. Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers.

Reported crime has been falling recently. The built character feels settled, with heritage streetscapes lending the area a sense of history.

The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer growth momentum compared with similar metro suburbs, though community and employment remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Dunlop snapshot

A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk

Median house price

No data available

Median rent

No data available

Population (ERP)

7,263

-0.7% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

3.0%

Census unoccupied dwellings

Livability profile

Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)

How it compares

Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles

Desirability

#48

among Metro Canberra · Established

Safety

26th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

6th

percentile in ACT

Advantage (IRSAD)

9/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

54th

percentile among schools with ICSEA

Population growth

Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years

Housing mix

Dwelling types from the 2021 Census

Risks & flags

Quick scan — open a section below for full context

Living here

Desirability

Ranks & confidence
Desirability score
54.8/100 — Average
National rank
1583rd in Australia
State rank
76th in ACT
Peer rank
#48 among Metro Canberra · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#76 among Metro Canberra suburbs
Data confidence
70%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability indexSuburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated

Population

Estimated resident population

7,263(June 2025)

-0.7% annual · +0.6% over 5 years · 6th percentile in ACT

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
-0.7%
5-year growth
+0.6%
Change in 1 year
-54
Change in 5 years
+40
Growth rank in ACT
6th percentile

ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.

Methodology

Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.

The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~7,250), extrapolated at +0.0% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
7,265
Median age
36
Median household income / week
$2,503
Dwelling vacancy
3%
Unoccupied private dwellings
74 of 2,500
Median monthly mortgage
$2,000
Employment rate
71.2%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
2,233 / 168 / 28

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community ProfileAustralian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

  • Estimated Resident PopulationAustralian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries

Community & culture

No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community ProfileAustralian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

Crime & safety

Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.

Offence counts & rates
Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
86
Against the person
19
Against property
36
Rate per 1,000 residents
11.8
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 382 residents
State safety percentile
25.7th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-55.8%

Most common offence types

  • Assault - Fv11
  • Assault - Non-Fv4
  • Other Offences31
  • Property Damage20
  • Theft (Excluding Motor Vehicles)12

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

  • ACT crime statistics by suburb (quarterly)ACT Policing / dataACT · Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated · Quarterly XLSX release

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
2
Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
1,016
Median ICSEA percentile
54th
School list
  • St Thomas Aquinas Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1045 · 66th percentile · LBOTE 23% · 374 students · Top SEA quarter 19% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
  • Charnwood-Dunlop SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 987 · 41th percentile · LBOTE 36% · 308 students · Top SEA quarter 13% · 1.6 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

131 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

1 cafes · 8 playgrounds · 4 swimming pools

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • A car helps for daily errands
  • Great for outdoor family life3 parks mapped in suburb, 8 playgrounds nearby
  • Well connected by public transport24 public transport stops
  • Strong local sport and recreation13 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
Walkability proxy
32/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0.14
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0.14
Parks per 1,000 residents
0.41
Food & drink(1)
  • Coffee ScrollCafe
Sport & outdoors(17)
  • Park (3)
  • Picnic area
  • Archdall Street Neighbourhood PlaygroundPlayground
  • Evelyn Owen Crescent Neighbourhood PlaygroundPlayground
  • Gouldsmith Street Neighbourhood PlaygroundPlayground
  • Hanrahan Crescent Neighbourhood PlaygroundPlayground
  • James Harrison Street Central Community PlaygroundPlayground
  • Percy Pegg Circuit Neighbourhood PlaygroundPlayground
  • Quinlivan Crescent Neighbourhood PlaygroundPlayground
  • Shoobridge Circuit Neighbourhood PlaygroundPlayground
  • Percy Begg Circuit Neighbourhood Park Half CourtSports field
  • Swimming pool (4)
Transport(24)

24 bus stops

Other(11)
  • BWSAlcohol
  • Artwork
  • Bbq
  • Bench (24)
  • Garden (26)
  • Outdoor Seating
  • Parking (11)
  • Parking Space (17)
  • Picnic Table
  • Shelter (5)
  • Waste Basket

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)

Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

  • Local amenity insightsSuburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
  • OpenStreetMap amenitiesOpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
60
Parks (OSM)
3

OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.

Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)

Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Nearest hospital
University of Canberra Hospital (7.0 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
284
Participants per 1,000 residents
39.1

Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.

For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.

Data sources & freshness

Weather

Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.

Summer (Dec–Feb)

Usual max / min
27° / 12°
Rainfall
171 mm · ~21 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
21° / 7°
Rainfall
169 mm · ~21 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
12° / 1°
Rainfall
183 mm · ~23 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
19° / 6°
Rainfall
212 mm · ~26 rainy days

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)

Temperature and humidity comfort

Data sources & freshness

  • Seasonal climate normalsWorldClim 2.1 · Updated

Future & Planning

Planning & development

Development applications from ACT planning register.

2026· 3 proposals
  • August 2026

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENActive
  • May 2026

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • January 2026

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
2025· 2 proposals
  • November 2025

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • June 2025

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENActive
2024· 3 proposals
  • November 2024

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • April 2024

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
2023· 7 proposals
  • December 2023

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • November 2023

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • September 2023

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • August 2023

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • July 2023

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • May 2023

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • March 2023

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
2022· 5 proposals
  • December 2022

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • October 2022

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • June 2022

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • May 2022

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • March 2022

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
2021· 9 proposals
  • October 2021

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • September 2021

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • July 2021

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • May 2021

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • March 2021

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
2020· 6 proposals
  • December 2020

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • October 2020

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • August 2020

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • June 2020

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • May 2020

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted
  • February 2020

  • SUBC
    DUNLOP · BELCONNENCompleted

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

  • Active & completed development applicationsACT Planning · 2026 · Updated

Heritage

18 heritage places

  • Aboriginal Places along Urban and Rural Bushfire Containment LinesCLWB103 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Aboriginal Places along Urban and Rural Bushfire Containment LinesCLWB43 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Aboriginal Places along Urban and Rural Bushfire Containment LinesCLWB63 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Aboriginal Places along Urban and Rural Bushfire Containment LinesCLWB93 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Aboriginal Places along Urban and Rural Bushfire Containment LinesCLWB123 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Aboriginal Places along Urban and Rural Bushfire Containment LinesCLWB133 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Aboriginal Places along Urban and Rural Bushfire Containment LinesCLWB53 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Aboriginal Places in the District of BelconnenWB-C-C1/13 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Aboriginal Places in the District of BelconnenBELC 93 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Aboriginal Places in the District of BelconnenWB-C-C1/93 - Registered Places or Objects

Data sources & freshness

  • State heritage registerState heritage authority · current · Updated

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via ACT Bushfire Prone Area (SBMP) mapping.

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Bushfire hazard overlays

Data sources & freshness

  • Hazard planning overlaysState government hazard layers · current · Updated

Politics & representation

Federal electorate
Fenner
Member of Parliament
Andrew LEIGH (Australian Labor Party)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
105,428
Turnout (2025)
92.0%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+6.4 pp toward Labor

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 27.9%Labor 72.1%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 3.6 km away).

Coalition 26.9%Labor 73.2%

1.1 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +4.0 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • CharnwoodLabor 70.4% · Coalition 29.6% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
  • Charnwood EastLabor 71.1% · Coalition 28.9% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
  • MacgregorLabor 77.0% · Coalition 23.0% TPP (2025)2.1 km away
  • Fraser CentralLabor 74.3% · Coalition 25.7% TPP (2025)2.2 km away
  • LathamLabor 75.5% · Coalition 24.4% TPP (2025)3.1 km away

Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic

IRSAD decile (2021)
9/10
IRSD decile (2021)
8/10

ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).

What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?

IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.

IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.

A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)

Data sources & freshness

Compare with

Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.

More in Unincorporated ACT Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

Similar population and socio-economic profile elsewhere in Australian Capital Territory or interstate.