Median house price
—
No data available
ACT · Unincorporated ACT Council
Forrest, 2603
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,971
Growth (1 yr)
+1.6%
Growth (5 yr)
+7.9%
Median age
47
Median income
$3,363/wk
Employment rate
66.2%
Languages at home
20%non-English
Most common: Italian, Greek, Mandarin
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Heritage area
- Education hub
- Excellent transport
- Café precinct
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Forrest is a lively inner smaller community with dining, shopping and leisure options right on the doorstep. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with plenty of young families in the mix. Sport and recreation are easy to access, with local venues supporting active weekends and after-work routines.
Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many metro suburbs, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses still link the suburb further afield. Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers.
Reported crime has been falling recently. Period homes and heritage streetscapes give the area a character that newer suburbs rarely match.
The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer growth momentum compared with similar metro suburbs, though community and employment, plus schools and education remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Forrest snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
1,971
+1.6% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
19.1%
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
#4
among Metro Canberra · Mature
Safety
23rd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
77th
percentile in ACT
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
96th
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
- 52.7/100 — Average
- National rank
- 1839th in Australia
- State rank
- 82nd in ACT
- Peer rank
- #4 among Metro Canberra · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #82 among Metro Canberra suburbs
- Data confidence
- 77%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Population
Estimated resident population
1,971(June 2025)
+1.6% annual · +7.9% over 5 years · 77th percentile in ACT
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.6%
- 5-year growth
- +7.9%
- Change in 1 year
- +31
- Change in 5 years
- +145
- Growth rank in ACT
- 77th 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 (~2,150), extrapolated at +1.8% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,827
- Median age
- 47
- Median household income / week
- $3,363
- Dwelling vacancy
- 19.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 187 of 981
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,520
- Employment rate
- 66.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 287 / 133 / 366
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian 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 Profile — Australian 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)
- 23
- Against the person
- 3
- Against property
- 13
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 11.7
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 609 residents
- State safety percentile
- 23th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -62.2%
Most common offence types
- Assault - Fv3
- Burglary Dwellings4
- Other Offences7
- Property Damage3
- Theft (Excluding Motor Vehicles)5
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
- 5
- Median school ICSEA (5 schools)
- 1,153
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 96th
School list
- Forrest Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1145 · 94th percentile · LBOTE 46% · 479 students · Top SEA quarter 62% · 0.3 km awayView on My School →
- Canberra Girls Grammar SchoolCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1177 · 98th percentile · LBOTE 32% · 1,203 students · Top SEA quarter 72% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
- Telopea Park SchoolCombined · Government · ICSEA 1153 · 96th percentile · LBOTE 65% · 1,586 students · Top SEA quarter 65% · 1.0 km awayView on My School →
- Canberra Grammar SchoolCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1187 · 99th percentile · LBOTE 19% · 2,116 students · Top SEA quarter 77% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- St Edmund's College CanberraCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1080 · 79th percentile · LBOTE 6% · 935 students · Top SEA quarter 32% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Forrest Early Childhood Centrekindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Amenities
115 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
3 cafes · 6 places of worship · 2 sports centres · 40 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Great for outdoor family life — 14 parks mapped in suburb
- Reasonable bus and transport access — 10 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 43 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 21/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 1.64
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 1.64
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 7.66
Food & drink(3)
- 1 on One EspressoCafe
- Brew and BrewCafe
25 National Circuit
- The CornerCafe
Community(2)
- Forrest Early Childhood CentreKindergarten
- Forrest PrimarySchool
Sport & outdoors(57)
- Collins ParkPark
- Park (13)
- Canberra Bowling ClubSports centre
- Forrest Tennis ClubSports centre
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (40)
Entertainment(2)
- Canberra Fire MuseumMuseum
- Wesley Music CentreTheatre
Transport(10)
10 bus stops
Other(15)
- David Ben-Gurion GardenGarden
- Garden (3)
- Hot Tub
- Forrest Hotel and ApartmentsHotel
- Rydges Capital HillHotel
- Parking (9)
- Parking Space (17)
- ACT Jewish CommunityPlace of worship
31 National Circuit
- Free Serbian Orthodox Church of St. GeorgePlace of worship
32 National Circuit
- Lakeside Christian ChurchPlace of worship
- Presbyterian Church of Saint AndrewPlace of worship
1 State Circle
- St Christopher’s CathedralPlace of worship
- Wesley Uniting ChurchPlace of worship
- Italian Cultural CentreSocial Facility
- The National Jewish Memorial CentreSocial Facility
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 insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Parks & reserves
1 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Collins ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 14
- Parks (OSM)
- 14
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
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Places of worship
6 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- ACT Jewish Community
31 National Circuit
- Free Serbian Orthodox Church of St. George
32 National Circuit
- Lakeside Christian Church
- Presbyterian Church of Saint Andrew
1 State Circle
- St Christopher’s Cathedral
- Wesley Uniting Church
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Barton Private Hospital (0.9 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 28
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 14.2
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
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
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 normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from ACT planning register.
2026· 6 proposals
August 2026
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALActive
June 2026
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
April 2026
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
March 2026
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALActive
February 2026
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALActive
2025· 4 proposals
November 2025
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALActive
June 2025
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
April 2025
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
2024· 4 proposals
November 2024
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
October 2024
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
July 2024
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
2023· 7 proposals
September 2023
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
August 2023
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
April 2023
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
March 2023
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
February 2023
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
January 2023
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
2022· 8 proposals
December 2022
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
November 2022
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
October 2022
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
September 2022
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
June 2022
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
May 2022
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
February 2022
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
2021· 3 proposals
December 2021
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
November 2021
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
October 2021
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
2020· 4 proposals
October 2020
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
September 2020
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
August 2020
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
January 2020
- SUBCFORREST · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Active & completed development applications — ACT Planning · 2026 · Updated
Heritage
289 heritage places
- 3 Wilmot Crescent 1 - Nomination to the Heritage Register
- 3 Wilmot Crescent 1 - Nomination to the Heritage Register
- 43 Melbourne Avenue 1 - Nomination to the Heritage Register
- 43 Melbourne Avenue 1 - Nomination to the Heritage Register
- Blandfordia 4 Precinct 3 - Registered Places or Objects
- Blandfordia 4 Precinct 3 - Registered Places or Objects
- Blandfordia 4 Precinct 3 - Registered Places or Objects
- Blandfordia 4 Precinct 3 - Registered Places or Objects
- Blandfordia 4 Precinct 3 - Registered Places or Objects
- Blandfordia 4 Precinct 3 - Registered Places or Objects
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State 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 overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Canberra
- Member of Parliament
- Alicia PAYNE (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 102,942
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.7%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +4.0 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 23.6%Labor 76.4%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 2.8 km away).
Coalition 26.6%Labor 73.4%
3.0 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +4.9 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- BartonLabor 77.3% · Coalition 22.7% TPP (2025)1.0 km away
- DeakinLabor 58.6% · Coalition 41.4% TPP (2025)1.4 km away
- Parkes (Canberra)Labor 87.9% · Coalition 12.1% TPP (2025)1.7 km away
- GriffithLabor 72.3% · Coalition 27.7% TPP (2025)2.1 km away
- YarralumlaLabor 67.8% · Coalition 32.2% TPP (2025)2.3 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
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 10/10
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
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
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.