Chifley
Household incomes place Chifley at the 89.2 percentile nationally, a notable marker for a 1.59 sq km suburb of 2,680 residents. Density is 1,686.7 people per sq km, while university attainment is 57.1%, 27 percentage points above national. The overseas-born share is 30.9%, 9.3 points above national. Compared with nearby Pearce and Lyons, buyers encounter the same Woden Valley setting but a notably compact footprint, established housing and a gradually ageing population.
Local council: Unincorporated ACT
Population
2,680
Median Age
37.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,347/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
10
A home purchase in Chifley needs a carrying-cost lens because the suburb combines relatively high household incomes with established housing stock. The monthly mortgage benchmark is $2,383, while weekly rent is $450. Mortgage-to-income is 23.4%, higher than rent-to-income at 19.2%, although neither measure is flagged as housing stress. Separate houses account for 67.7% of dwellings, semi-detached homes for 26.6% and apartments for 5.7%. Three-bedroom homes make up 43.6%, higher than the 19.9% share of two-bedroom homes, which suits buyers seeking conventional family layouts.
For Buyers
A home purchase in Chifley needs a carrying-cost lens because the suburb combines relatively high household incomes with established housing stock. The monthly mortgage benchmark is $2,383, while weekly rent is $450. Mortgage-to-income is 23.4%, higher than rent-to-income at 19.2%, although neither measure is flagged as housing stress. Separate houses account for 67.7% of dwellings, semi-detached homes for 26.6% and apartments for 5.7%. Three-bedroom homes make up 43.6%, higher than the 19.9% share of two-bedroom homes, which suits buyers seeking conventional family layouts.
For Investors
Chifley has a meaningful rental base, with 32.3% of households renting, slightly higher than the 31.9% owning outright but below the 34.3% with a mortgage. Weekly rent is $450 and vacancy is 8.8%, so leasing conditions may be more sensitive to tenant demand than in a tighter market. Eleven development applications were recorded over 12 months, including proposals for dual occupancy and secondary residences, which could gradually add competing rental stock. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, supporting demand, but investors should allow for the suburb's established profile and moderate 0.65% annual growth trend.
Development Activity
Total DAs
42
Last 12 Months
10
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+25.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Chifley's median age is 37, three years below the national comparison, while 57.1% of residents hold a university qualification, 27 percentage points above national. The overseas-born share is 30.9%, 9.3 points above national, with Nepali recorded for 64 residents and Mandarin for 20. English ancestry is reported for 884 people, followed by Other at 535 and Irish at 368. Average household size is 2.4, 0.1 below national, and couples with children represent 43.3% of families versus 40.9% for couples without children. The mix helps explain a professional, family-oriented suburb with some international influence.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
67.7%
Houses
26.6%
Townhouse
5.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Chifley's built form is weighted toward conventional houses, with separate dwellings accounting for 67.7%, semi-detached homes 26.6% and apartments 5.7%. Three-bedroom dwellings are the largest bedroom category at 43.6%, higher than four-plus-bedroom homes at 31.1% and well above two-bedroom homes at 19.9%. Tenure is relatively evenly divided: 34.3% have a mortgage, 31.9% own outright and 32.3% rent. The mortgage share is higher than outright ownership, while renting is only slightly higher than outright ownership. This established mix gives Chifley a broader housing profile than a suburb dominated by one dwelling type.
Mortgage / mo
$2,383
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$450
Census 2021
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$1,191
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.8%
Unoccupied
102
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.4%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
43.3%
Couples with children
40.9%
Couples, no children
13.5%
Single parent
697
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public administration is Chifley's leading employment industry at 33.5%, or 401 workers, substantially higher than healthcare at 14.9% and professional and technical services at 12.7%. The concentration is consistent with Canberra's government employment base and helps explain the strong professional profile: 489 residents are Professionals and 268 are Managers, compared with 181 in Clerical and Administration. Unemployment is 3.0%, participation is 68.7% and full-time employment accounts for 65.9%. Household income is $2,347 per week, at the 89.2 percentile. Education and occupation advantage reaches decile 9, while economic resources are lower at decile 6, an important contrast within the overall profile.
Unemployment
3.0%
Labour Force
1,545
Unemployed
46
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.9%
Part-time
28.7%
Participation
68.7%
Employed
1,499
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
57.1%
Postgraduate
20.5%
Born Overseas
30.9%
Dwellings
1,062
Transport to Work
Chifley's compact 1.59 sq km footprint and density of 1,686.7 people per sq km support short local trips, although daily travel remains car-oriented. Car drivers account for 66.4%, higher than public transport at 5.9% and walking or cycling at 6.3%; working from home is 13.5%. The IRSAD score is 1,093 at decile 9, above the national midpoint, while volunteering is 17.8% and the need-assistance rate is 4.8%. Families should check school enrolment zones, current sector options and travel routes against the exact address, since local boundaries can differ from suburb boundaries. Nearby Pearce, Lyons and other Woden Valley destinations are practical comparison points for services and commuting.
Drive
66.4%
Public Transport
5.9%
Walk / Cycle
6.3%
Work from Home
13.5%
Growth Outlook
Chifley's growth outlook is steady rather than rapid. The annual trend is 0.65%, lower than the 7.6% population change recorded across the wider area over 10 years, while overseas migration is the primary driver. The shift trajectory is labelled "Declining young", with the young share down 3.5% and the senior share up 1.6%, pointing to gradual ageing. Signals around neighbourhood change are mixed: the shift profile records a gentrification score of 36 and stage "Early signs", while the separate gentrification measure is 15 and stage "Not gentrifying". Together, these indicators suggest incremental change without a clear high-pressure redevelopment cycle.
Population trend: Unincorporated ACT council area
Chifley sits in the Unincorporated ACT council area. These are the council area's residents, not Chifley's.
Residents 2025
484,630
Growth, 5 yr average
+1.7%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.3%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Chifley compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chifley a good suburb to live in?
Chifley suits households seeking an established Woden Valley setting with relatively strong incomes and a compact footprint. Household income sits at the 89.2 percentile, university attainment is 57.1%, and IRSAD is decile 9. The trade-off is car dependence, with 66.4% driving compared with 5.9% using public transport.
What is the median house price in Chifley?
A current median should be checked against the latest settled sales because individual transactions can move faster than suburb summaries. Chifley's housing profile is 67.7% separate houses, with three-bedroom dwellings at 43.6%. A monthly mortgage benchmark of $2,383 and weekly rent of $450 provide useful affordability comparisons.
What schools are in Chifley?
School choices associated with Chifley should be checked by exact address, because ACT enrolment zones and travel routes can cross local boundaries. Confirm whether government, Catholic or independent options suit the household before buying. The suburb covers 1.59 sq km, so comparing walking, cycling, driving and public transport access can materially change the practical choice.
Is Chifley safe?
Safety should be assessed at street level and at the times a household will actually travel. Check recent ACT Police incident information, lighting and pedestrian routes before committing. Chifley's compact 1.59 sq km area makes an in-person inspection practical, while the 4.8% need-assistance rate and IRSAD decile 9 provide broader social context rather than a substitute for a local safety check.
Is Chifley good for property investment?
Chifley can suit an established-suburb investment strategy, but returns should be tested against vacancy and future supply. Renting accounts for 32.3%, below the 34.3% mortgage share but above the 31.9% outright-ownership share. Weekly rent is $450, vacancy is 8.8%, and 11 development applications in 12 months indicate some potential for additional competing stock.
How is Chifley's population changing?
Population change is gradual, with an annual growth trend of 0.65% and 7.6% change across the wider area over 10 years. Overseas migration is the primary driver. The trajectory is labelled "Declining young": the young share fell 3.5% while the senior share rose 1.6%, so ageing is more apparent than rapid expansion.
What languages are spoken in Chifley?
The recorded language mix includes Nepali for 64 residents, Mandarin for 20, Greek for 15, Croatian for 12 and Hindi for 12. With 30.9% of residents born overseas, language needs may be more varied than in a lower overseas-born area. Local service providers and schools should be contacted directly about interpretation or translated information.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
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