ACT · Unincorporated ACT Council

Theodore, 2905

Est. population · Jun 2025

3,656

Growth (1 yr)

-0.9%

Growth (5 yr)

-0.4%

Median age

36

Median income

$2,588/wk

Employment rate

71.4%

Languages at home

13.1%non-English

Most common: Spanish, Hindi, Vietnamese

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

50.6/100
Average

92nd in ACT

Verified 70% confidence

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

Suburb profile

Theodore is a practical mid-sized suburb in Unincorporated ACT, well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Everyday cafés are limited locally, with the wider metro area covering the bigger food and entertainment trips.

Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area. Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs.

Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. 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, plus schools and education remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Theodore snapshot

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

Median house price

No data available

Median rent

No data available

Population (ERP)

3,656

-0.9% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

5.0%

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

#57

among Metro Canberra · Established

Safety

36th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

5th

percentile in ACT

Advantage (IRSAD)

9/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

44th

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
50.6/100 — Average
National rank
2096th in Australia
State rank
92nd in ACT
Peer rank
#57 among Metro Canberra · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#92 among Metro Canberra suburbs
Data confidence
70%

Data sources & freshness

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

Population

Estimated resident population

3,656(June 2025)

-0.9% annual · -0.4% over 5 years · 5th percentile in ACT

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
-0.9%
5-year growth
-0.4%
Change in 1 year
-32
Change in 5 years
-14
Growth rank in ACT
5th 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 (~3,500), extrapolated at -0.8% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
3,798
Median age
36
Median household income / week
$2,588
Dwelling vacancy
5%
Unoccupied private dwellings
69 of 1,384
Median monthly mortgage
$2,002
Employment rate
71.4%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
1,252 / 64 / 0

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)
50
Against the person
13
Against property
16
Rate per 1,000 residents
13.7
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 292 residents
State safety percentile
36.3th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-54%

Most common offence types

  • Assault - Fv6
  • Assault - Non-Fv4
  • Other Offences21
  • Property Damage9
  • 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
4
Median school ICSEA (4 schools)
992
Median ICSEA percentile
44th
School list
  • Theodore Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 974 · 35th percentile · LBOTE 12% · 206 students · Top SEA quarter 9% · 0.4 km awayView on My School →
  • Calwell High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 972 · 34th percentile · LBOTE 20% · 371 students · Top SEA quarter 8% · 1.0 km awayView on My School →
  • St Francis of Assisi Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1055 · 70th percentile · LBOTE 10% · 516 students · Top SEA quarter 23% · 1.0 km awayView on My School →
  • Calwell Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1010 · 52th percentile · LBOTE 17% · 201 students · Top SEA quarter 15% · 1.6 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

37 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

5 playgrounds

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Limited walkable amenities nearby
  • Great for outdoor family life8 parks mapped in suburb, 5 playgrounds nearby
  • Well connected by public transport19 public transport stops
Walkability proxy
29/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
2.11
Community(1)
  • Theodore Primary SchoolSchool
Sport & outdoors(15)
  • Park (8)
  • Chippindall Circuit Neighbourhood PlaygroundPlayground
  • Dyett Circuit Neighbourhood PlaygroundPlayground
  • Lawrence Wackett Crescent Neighbourhood PlaygroundPlayground
  • Louis Loder Street Neighbourhood PlaygroundPlayground
  • Scantlebury Crescent Neighbourhood PlaygroundPlayground
  • Sports field
  • Theodore Neighbourhood OvalSports field
Transport(19)

19 bus stops

Other(1)
  • Parking (2)

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)
13
Parks (OSM)
8

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
Canberra Hospital (11.6 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)
107
Participants per 1,000 residents
29.3

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
25° / 10°
Rainfall
168 mm · ~21 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
19° / 5°
Rainfall
142 mm · ~18 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
11° / -2°
Rainfall
105 mm · ~13 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
18° / 4°
Rainfall
161 mm · ~20 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
  • June 2026

  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
  • April 2026

  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
  • January 2026

  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
2025· 2 proposals
  • June 2025

  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
  • February 2025

  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
2024· 2 proposals
  • November 2024

  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
  • August 2024

  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
2023· 4 proposals
  • December 2023

  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
  • September 2023

  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
  • June 2023

  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
  • March 2023

  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
2022· 8 proposals
  • December 2022

  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
  • July 2022

  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
  • June 2022

  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
  • May 2022

  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
  • April 2022

  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
  • March 2022

  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
  • February 2022

  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
2021· 5 proposals
  • November 2021

  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
  • October 2021

  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
  • June 2021

  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
  • March 2021

  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
2020· 2 proposals
  • May 2020

  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted
  • SUBC
    THEODORE · TUGGERANONGCompleted

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

  • Active & completed development applicationsACT Planning · 2026 · Updated

Heritage

16 heritage places

  • Aboriginal Places along Urban and Rural Bushfire Containment LinesCLB6T3 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Aboriginal Places along Urban and Rural Bushfire Containment LinesTUG123 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Aboriginal Places along Urban and Rural Bushfire Containment LinesTUG143 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Aboriginal Places along Urban and Rural Bushfire Containment LinesTUG133 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Aboriginal Places in Canberra Nature Park Fire TrailsTHFT 13 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Aboriginal Places in Canberra Nature Park Fire TrailsRRF28 and PAD3 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Aboriginal Places in the District of Tuggeranong and the Murrumbidgee River CorridorCT-33 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Aboriginal Places in the District of Tuggeranong and the Murrumbidgee River CorridorCT-73 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Aboriginal Places in the District of Tuggeranong and the Murrumbidgee River CorridorCT-23 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Aboriginal Places in the District of Tuggeranong and the Murrumbidgee River CorridorCT-53 - 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
Bean
Member of Parliament
David SMITH (Australian Labor Party)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
113,876
Turnout (2025)
92.5%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+6.3 pp toward Labor

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 30.7%Labor 69.3%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 3.5 km away).

Coalition 34.6%Labor 65.4%

3.9 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +4.3 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • TheodoreLabor 65.1% · Coalition 34.9% TPP (2025)0.4 km away
  • CalwellLabor 67.9% · Coalition 32.1% TPP (2025)1.0 km away
  • Conder NorthLabor 64.1% · Coalition 35.9% TPP (2025)2.3 km away
  • RichardsonLabor 64.1% · Coalition 35.9% TPP (2025)2.3 km away
  • ConderLabor 70.3% · Coalition 29.7% TPP (2025)2.6 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.