Dickson (ACT)

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Dickson has a resident population estimated at approximately 4,959 in May 2026, calculated through Districts assessments of ABS population adjustments and validated new locations since the Census. Compared to the 3,292 individuals recorded during the 2021 Census, this indicates an expansion of 1,667 residents (50.6%). The calculation draws on a resident base of 4,530 from the ABS June 2025 ERP release, supplemented by 794 validated new addresses added after the Census date. Dickson features a population density of 3,138 persons per square kilometer, which places it in the top quartile of Australian locations analyzed by Districts. The 50.6% growth rate since the 2021 census outpaced the state (8.3%) and the broader SA4 region, positioning the suburb of Dickson as a regional growth leader. Interstate migration served as the primary growth contributor, accounting for roughly 54.0% of the overall population rise in recent times, though overseas migration and natural growth also registered positive results.

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The local workforce is highly educated, featuring a strong contingent of professional services, an unemployment rate of just 3.6%, and estimated annual employment growth of 0.7% according to compiled statistical area data from Districts. In March 2026, 2,752 residents were employed, while the local unemployment rate sat 0.5% below the Australian Capital Territory rate of 4.1%, and labor force participation closely matched the Australian Capital Territory level of 70.8%. Census data indicates that a low 13.1% of working residents performed their jobs from home, though this figure may have been affected by COVID-19 lockdowns.

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Taxpayers in Dickson recorded a median income of $73,291 and an average income of $90,602, according to postcode-level ATO data compiled by Districts for the 2023 financial year. These figures rank among the highest nationally, compared to a median of $72,206 and an average of $85,981 in the Australian Capital Territory. Adjusting for a 10.44% increase in the Wage Price Index since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to a median income of roughly $80,943 and an average of $100,061 as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual earnings in the suburb rank highly, placing between the 82nd and 94th percentiles across Australia. The weekly income band of $1,500 - $2,999 accounts for 36.8% of the population ( individuals), which is similar to the broader territory rate of . The suburb displays notable wealth, with of residents earning more than weekly, which supports high-end retail and services. Housing costs account for of household earnings, but strong incomes keep disposable funds in the th percentile, and the local SEIFA income score falls in the th decile.

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Residential structures in Dickson at the time of the latest Census consisted of 29.5% standalone houses and 70.6% other options (such as semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative dwellings), compared to 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings in the Australian Capital Territory. Home ownership rates in the suburb trailed the wider territory at 19.6%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (33.5%) or tenants (46.9%). The median monthly mortgage payment was below the Australian Capital Territory average at $1,904, whereas the median weekly rent stood at $500, compared to territory figures of $2,080 and $450 respectively. On a national level, Dickson's mortgage payments exceed the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are considerably higher than the national average of $375.

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Families make up 53.3% of all households, consisting of 17.5% couples with children, 27.3% couples without children, and 6.8% single parent households. Non-family living arrangements represent the remaining 46.7%, with single person households accounting for 33.3% and shared households representing 13.7%. The median household size of 2.2 individuals is below the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.

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Educational qualifications in Dickson are significantly higher than broader benchmarks, as 62.9% of residents aged 15+ have completed a university degree, compared to 30.4% nationally and 46.8% in the SA4 region. This educational profile positions the suburb well for knowledge-intensive industries. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 34.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees (22.4%) and graduate diplomas (5.6%). Vocational training accounts for 14.0% of qualifications among residents aged 15 and over, split between advanced diplomas (6.3%) and certificates (7.7%).

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Analysis of the public transport network shows 26 active stops operating in Dickson, consisting of bus services. These stops support 96 separate routes, which combine to deliver 7,104 passenger journeys each week. Transport access is rated as excellent, with residents living an average of 180 meters from their nearest stop. Because the suburb is mostly residential, a majority of commuters travel out of the area, with private cars remaining the primary transport mode at 57%, followed by buses at 13% and cycling at 10%. Average vehicle ownership stands at 0.8 per household, which is lower than the regional benchmark. A relatively low proportion of residents (13.1%) worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.

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Health indicators show generally positive outcomes for Dickson residents, with Districts' study of mortality rates and medical conditions matching national averages. Common health issues show standard distribution patterns across younger and older age brackets, and private health insurance rates are exceptionally high, covering approximately 63% of the population (3,123 people) compared to a national average of 55.7%.

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Dickson displays higher cultural diversity than most property markets, with 31.1% of residents born outside Australia and 26.4% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 25.3% of the population. The most prominent religious overrepresentation is Judaism, which accounts for 0.7% of residents compared to 0.2% across the Australian Capital Territory.

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The median age of 29 years in the suburb of Dickson is lower than the Australian Capital Territory median of 35 and the national median of 38 years. Relative to the Australian Capital Territory, the suburb of Dickson has a higher proportion of residents aged 25 - 34 (30.0%) but fewer children aged 5 - 14 (7.4%). This 25 - 34 cohort is substantially higher than the national figure of 14.6%. Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age bracket has risen from 14.8% to 17.5% of the population, and the 25 to 34 group increased from 28.5% to 30.0%. On the other hand, the to cohort decreased from to and the to bracket fell from to . Demographic projections to point to significant changes for the suburb of Dickson, led by the to cohort, which is expected to expand by ( people) to reach from .

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Dickson currently has an estimated 213 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 126 children aged 0-2 and 84 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 48% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 37% by 2041 (to approximately 291 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 294. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 11.8 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 30% of areas assessed nationally.