Dunlop (ACT)

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According to ABS population releases for the wider region and address checks conducted by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Dunlop is estimated to have a population of approximately 7,282 as of May 2026. This represents a minor rise of 17 people (0.2%) from the 2021 Census, which documented 7,265 residents. This population shift is determined from the resident total of 7,282, calculated by Districts using the ABS ERP release from June 2025 alongside address verification following the Census date. The suburb has a population density of 2,017 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the national average calculated by Districts. Natural growth was the primary contributor to local expansion, accounting for roughly 69.0% of the population increase in recent times.

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Data from Districts covering statistical areas reveals that Dunlop has a well-educated labor force with strong representation in key service industries, an unemployment rate of 4.9%, and steady employment over the last year. In March 2026, 4,178 residents were employed. The local unemployment rate is 0.8% higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 4.1%, while workforce participation is notably high at 75.9% compared to 70.8% across the Australian Capital Territory. Census returns indicated that a modest 10.6% of workers worked from home, although this may have been influenced by COVID-19 restrictions.

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Based on Districts processing of the financial year 2023 ATO statistics, Dunlop taxpayers recorded a median income of $69,014 and an average income of $78,012. These figures are highly competitive on a national scale, comparing to $72,206 and $85,981 in the wider Australian Capital Territory. Accounting for a 10.44% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated estimates suggest figures of roughly $76,219 (median) and $86,156 (average) by March 2026. The 2021 Census placed Dunlop's household, family, and individual incomes high up in the national rankings, between the 89th and 90th percentiles. A portion of the population equivalent to 37.9% (2,759 individuals) earns weekly incomes between $1,500 and mirroring the metropolitan trend where of people are in this bracket. Affluence is notable, with of residents earning weekly incomes above which helps support higher-end retail and services. Housing costs consume of income, while solid earnings place the suburb in the th percentile for disposable income, and the SEIFA index ranks the area in the th decile.

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At the time of the latest Census, the housing mix in Dunlop consisted of 91.9% separate houses and 8.1% semi-detached properties, apartments, or other housing formats, compared to the wider Australian Capital Territory mix of 63.3% separate houses and 36.7% other dwellings. Outright home ownership stood at 20.3%, which is lower than the ACT benchmark, with the remaining residences being mortgaged (61.4%) or rented (18.3%). The median mortgage payment was $2,000 per month, which sits below the ACT average of $2,080, whereas the median weekly rent of $465 was slightly higher than the ACT level of $450. Across Australia, Dunlop's mortgage commitments exceed the national average of $1,863, and rents are notably higher than the Australian median of $375.

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Families constitute the vast majority of households at 81.1%, which includes couples with children at 44.8%, couples without children at 22.5%, and single parent households at 12.9%. The remaining 18.9% are non-family households, with lone person households representing 16.7% and group houses accounting for 2.0% of the total. The median household size of 2.9 individuals exceeds the ACT average of 2.5.

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Educational attainment in the area is lower than regional benchmarks, with 29.3% of residents holding a university qualification compared to the SA4 average of 46.8%. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 18.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 7.4% and graduate diplomas at 3.8%. Vocational and technical skills are common, with 34.1% of the population aged 15+ possessing vocational qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (12.1%) and certificates (22.0%).

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Public transport networks in Dunlop include 22 active transit stops serviced by buses. These links support 115 distinct routes, delivering 8,423 weekly passenger journeys. Transport access is rated as good, with dwellings situated an average of 230 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is mostly residential, meaning most workers travel outside the area for employment, with cars remaining the dominant transit mode at 94%. Households own an average of 1.7 cars, which is higher than the regional average. A relatively low 10.6% of residents work from home, based on 2021 Census data which may reflect pandemic-related conditions.

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Districts evaluations of mortality and chronic illness rates suggest Dunlop faces noticeable health concerns, with common medical issues present across the community and appearing more frequently in older age groups. Private health insurance coverage is high, representing approximately 58% of the population (~4,224 people), compared to 62.4% across the Australian Capital Territory.

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Dunlop displays higher than average levels of cultural diversity, with 21.5% of residents born outside Australia and 20.4% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 48.8% of the population. The most distinct religious overrepresentation is Islam, which accounts for 3.8% of residents compared to 3.4% across the Australian Capital Territory.

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The median age in Dunlop is 37 years, slightly older than the ACT average of 35 and close to the national median of 38 years. Those aged 45 - 54 are highly represented at 15.8% compared to the ACT, while the 25 - 34 cohort is less common at 10.6%. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age bracket has risen from 13.0% to 15.0% of the population, and the 55 to 64 group has increased from 10.4% to 12.3%. In contrast, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 16.9% to 14.5%, and the 35 to 44 age bracket fell from to . Population models for project significant demographic shifts. The cohort aged to is expected to grow by people () from to . Combined age groups of and over will account for of total population growth, showing the aging profile of the area, while the to and to cohorts will see their numbers decline.

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Dunlop currently has an estimated 436 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 262 children aged 0-2 and 174 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 9% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 25% by 2041 (to approximately 328 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 844. Birth rates in the area have averaged 10.3 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a moderate rate (within the middle tier nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.