Chifley
At 57.1% university-qualified, Chifley, ACT sits 27 points above the national figure, placing it firmly among Canberra's professional-class suburbs. Household income reaches the 89.2nd percentile nationally, and the SEIFA IRSD and IRSAD both score decile 9, confirming very low disadvantage. The suburb covers just 1.59 km2 and holds 2,680 residents, making it compact and stable rather than fast-growing. Public administration dominates employment at 33.5% of the local workforce, which is typical for ACT but striking compared to national averages. Rents climbed 23.3% over the measured period, outpacing real income growth of 12.2% and signalling tightening affordability for the roughly one-third of households who rent.
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
13
Median House
$642K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price is estimated at $642,000, which is lower than many comparable Canberra suburbs and sits at a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.4%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses make up 67.7% of stock, with semi-detached dwellings contributing 26.6% and apartments only 5.7%. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 43.6%, and four-plus bedroom properties reach 31.1%, reflecting a family-oriented housing mix. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,383. Outright ownership at 32.4% nearly matches mortgage holders at 34.8%, indicating a well-established owner base compared to higher-stress suburbs. Buyers benefit from an affordability trend that improved from 42.3% in 2011 to 37.8% in 2021.
For Buyers
The median house price is estimated at $642,000, which is lower than many comparable Canberra suburbs and sits at a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.4%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses make up 67.7% of stock, with semi-detached dwellings contributing 26.6% and apartments only 5.7%. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 43.6%, and four-plus bedroom properties reach 31.1%, reflecting a family-oriented housing mix. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,383. Outright ownership at 32.4% nearly matches mortgage holders at 34.8%, indicating a well-established owner base compared to higher-stress suburbs. Buyers benefit from an affordability trend that improved from 42.3% in 2011 to 37.8% in 2021.
For Investors
The rental market shows genuine tension. A vacancy rate of 8.8% is elevated and warrants caution, yet weekly rent of $450 against a $642,000 median gives a gross yield near 3.6%, better than many premium ACT postcodes. The renter share of 32.8% provides a broad tenant pool. Net overseas migration averages 43 residents a year, the primary population driver, while net internal migration runs at negative 29, meaning the suburb loses more local movers than it gains. Rent growth of 23.3% over the period signals sustained demand pressure despite the headline vacancy figure. Development activity shows 13 applications in the past 12 months, including dual-occupancy and lease variation proposals, suggesting measured infill activity rather than large-scale supply additions.
Development Activity
Total DAs
42
Last 12 Months
13
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+85.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age is 37, which is 3 years below the national figure, pointing to a working-age concentration rather than a retiree profile. Overseas-born residents reach 30.9%, about 9.3 points above national. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (884 residents), Irish (368) and Scottish (266), with German (136) also represented. The top non-English language is Nepali (64 speakers), followed by Mandarin (20) and Greek (15). University qualifications at 57.1% are 27 points above the national average, the highest of any credential category. Volunteering runs at 17.8% of the population, and average household size is 2.4, marginally below the national figure. Couples with children make up the largest family type (831 families), while couples without children account for 28.9%.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
67.7%
Houses
26.6%
Townhouse
5.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits almost evenly across three groups: 32.4% own outright, 34.8% carry a mortgage and 32.8% rent. This balance, with owners slightly outnumbering renters, is typical of established Canberra suburbs rather than either investment-heavy or social-housing dominated areas. The stock leans heavily to separate houses at 67.7%, with semi-detached at 26.6% and apartments at only 5.7%, making the suburb far less dense than inner-city ACT alternatives. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 43.6% and four-plus at 31.1%, confirming a family-size dwelling profile. Rent-to-income at 19.2% and mortgage-to-income at 23.4% both sit below commonly used stress thresholds, which is a healthier position than many comparable suburbs nationally. Median house price is $642,000, estimated from 2025 rent data.
Mortgage / mo
$2,383
Rent / wk
$450
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
28.9%
Couples, no children
1,983
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public administration dominates at 33.5% (401 workers), reflecting Chifley's position within the ACT public sector corridor, well above the national industry share. Healthcare follows at 14.9% (178 workers) and Professional/Tech at 12.7% (152), together forming a knowledge-economy majority. By occupation, Professionals account for 489 workers and Managers 268, consistent with the decile 9 IEO score for education and occupation advantage. Unemployment is low at 3.1% and the full-time employment rate reaches 69.7%. Real income growth of 12.2% over the decade confirms genuine wage gains, though rent growth of 23.3% has outpaced it. The SEIFA IRSD and IRSAD deciles both score 9, placing Chifley in the top quintile nationally for low disadvantage.
Unemployment
3.7%
Labour Force
1,603
Unemployed
59
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
69.7%
Part-time
27.2%
Participation
65.1%
Employed
1,418
Occupations
Top Industries
University
57.1%
Postgraduate
20.5%
Born Overseas
30.9%
Dwellings
1,062
Transport to Work
Car use remains dominant at 76.8% of commuters driving, which is above most ACT suburbs closer to the city centre. Walking and cycling account for 7.3%, and public transport for 6.8%, both low by comparison to inner Canberra. The IRSAD decile of 9 places Chifley in the top quintile nationally for relative advantage. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families rely on nearby institutions. The need-for-assistance rate is 4.8% (124 residents), consistent with the relatively young median age of 37. Volunteering at 17.8% reflects high community participation relative to national rates. Housing stress is well-managed, with both rent-to-income at 19.2% and mortgage-to-income at 23.4% below standard 30% thresholds.
Drive
76.8%
Public Transport
6.8%
Walk / Cycle
7.3%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.65%/yr
(+18 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 7.6% over the past decade, adding roughly 189 residents, and the annual trend runs at 0.65% or 18 persons per year. Medium forecasts project the population reaching 2,838 by 2031 from the current 2,680, a modest continuation of the existing trajectory. The suburb did not experience a COVID dip, suggesting stable underlying demand through the pandemic period. Overseas migration is the primary driver at a net positive 43 per year, while internal migration runs at negative 29, indicating the suburb is a net exporter of residents to other parts of Australia. The gentrification score is classified as not gentrifying, which makes sense given SEIFA already sits at decile 9. The young resident share fell 3.5 points over the decade as the working-age and senior shares grew.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+43
Net Internal / yr
-29
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Accelerating: -5% → 13%
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 ranks at SEIFA decile 9 on IRSD and IRSAD, placing it in the top quintile nationally for low disadvantage. Household income is in the 89.2nd percentile nationally, and 57.1% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 27 points above the national figure. Housing affordability is sound, with mortgage-to-income at 23.4%, below the 30% stress threshold.
What is the median house price in Chifley?
The median house price in Chifley is estimated at $642,000 based on 2025 rent data. Weekly rent averages $450 and monthly mortgage repayments are around $2,383. The rent-to-income ratio is 19.2% and mortgage-to-income is 23.4%, both well below common stress benchmarks.
What schools are in Chifley?
No schools are recorded inside the Chifley suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in surrounding ACT suburbs. The local population is highly educated, with 57.1% holding university qualifications, which is 27 points above the national average.
Is Chifley safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Chifley in this dataset. As a proxy measure, the suburb scores SEIFA decile 9 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage, placing it in the top quintile nationally. Only 4.8% of residents (124 people) require daily assistance, consistent with a low-disadvantage, working-age community.
Is Chifley good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $450 against a $642,000 median house price implies a gross yield near 3.6%. The renter share is 32.8% and rent grew 23.3% over the measured period. The vacancy rate of 8.8% warrants monitoring. Net overseas migration of 43 per year is the primary demand driver, and 13 development applications in 12 months indicate modest but active infill.
How is Chifley's population changing?
Chifley's population grew 7.6% over the past decade and is forecast to reach 2,838 by 2031, up from 2,680 currently. Annual growth runs at 0.65% or 18 persons per year. Overseas migration adds a net 43 residents per year, while internal migration removes 29, making international arrivals the dominant growth source.
What languages are spoken in Chifley?
About 30.9% of Chifley residents were born overseas, which is 9.3 points above the national figure. The most common non-English language is Nepali (64 speakers), followed by Mandarin (20), Greek (15), Croatian (12) and Hindi (12). English remains dominant, reflecting the suburb's predominantly Anglo-Celtic ancestry base.
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 Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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