Denman Prospect
Household income in the 98.2nd percentile nationally sets Denman Prospect apart as one of Canberra's wealthiest new suburbs, yet the median house price of $683,000 is far lower than inner-city ACT peers, making the income-to-price ratio unusually favourable. With a median age of 31, which is 9 years below the national average, the suburb draws a young, highly educated workforce: 66.8% of residents hold university qualifications, compared to a national figure of 30.1%. The population has grown 12.8% over a decade, driven primarily by overseas migration adding around 313 new residents per year, while net internal outflow runs at 138 per year.
Population
2,759
Median Age
31.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$3,219/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
22
Median House
$683K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $683,000, the median house price is well below the ACT median for comparable family-sized homes, a gap that reflects the suburb's outer-fringe position in the Molonglo Valley rather than any shortage of amenity. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,400, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 17.2%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold and notably lower than national norms. Separate houses account for 48.6% of dwellings and 4-plus bedroom homes represent 50.6% of the stock, the highest share in the mix, which suits the suburb's dominant profile of couples with children (1,470 families). Semi-detached dwellings at 25.8% and apartments at 25.5% round out a housing supply that is more balanced than most Canberra greenfield suburbs.
For Buyers
At $683,000, the median house price is well below the ACT median for comparable family-sized homes, a gap that reflects the suburb's outer-fringe position in the Molonglo Valley rather than any shortage of amenity. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,400, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 17.2%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold and notably lower than national norms. Separate houses account for 48.6% of dwellings and 4-plus bedroom homes represent 50.6% of the stock, the highest share in the mix, which suits the suburb's dominant profile of couples with children (1,470 families). Semi-detached dwellings at 25.8% and apartments at 25.5% round out a housing supply that is more balanced than most Canberra greenfield suburbs.
For Investors
Renters make up 14.6% of households, lower than the national average, reflecting a suburb where mortgage-holders dominate at 78.8%. Weekly rent of $498 against a $683,000 median implies a gross yield near 3.8%, modest but stable given the low vacancy risk in a professional enclave. The vacancy rate stands at 6.9%, higher than the ACT average, partly because development is still ongoing with 22 applications lodged in the past 12 months. Overseas migration of 313 residents per year underpins long-term demand, and the medium population forecast for the broader Molonglo corridor reaches 17,738 by 2031. The 60.2% turnover rate signals a suburb still maturing rather than one with locked-in long-term residents.
Development Activity
Total DAs
90
Last 12 Months
22
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+4.8%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Denman Prospect iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Evelyn Scott School
K-10 · 717 students
Demographics
The median age of 31 is 9 years below the national figure of 40, consistent with a suburb that attracted families and younger professionals in its first decade. University qualifications reach 66.8%, which is 36.7 percentage points above the national rate and among the highest in Australia. Overseas-born residents account for 42.8% of the population, 21.2 points above national. The largest ancestry groups are English (567), Indian (403) and Chinese (348), and the top non-English languages spoken at home are Mandarin (112 speakers), Hindi (44) and Bengali (34). Couples with children dominate household structure at 1,470 families vs 509 couples without children, and the average household size of 2.8 is 0.3 above national, driven by larger family units.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
48.6%
Houses
25.8%
Townhouse
25.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Ownership via mortgage is the defining tenure at 78.8% of households, the signature of a mortgage-belt suburb where residents are recent buyers rather than established owners, with outright ownership at just 6.6%. The stock tilts toward large family homes: 50.6% have 4 or more bedrooms, while only 8.3% are studios or 1-bedroom. Separate houses make up 48.6% and semi-detached dwellings 25.8%, giving buyers more detached-home options than most comparable greenfield developments. The median house price of $683,000 carries monthly repayments of $2,400, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 17.2% places residents well below stress levels compared to national norms. Rent-to-income sits at 15.5%, also low, reflecting high household incomes rather than cheap rents.
Mortgage / mo
$2,400
Rent / wk
$498
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$1,655
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.9%
Unoccupied
72
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
15.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
21.7%
Couples, no children
2,344
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public administration dominates local employment at 33.6% (468 workers), typical for a Canberra suburb where federal government jobs drive the economy. Professional and technical services follow at 16.2% (226 workers) and healthcare at 15.8% (220 workers), creating a workforce concentrated in high-income, knowledge-intensive roles. By occupation, Professionals number 718 and Managers 320, the top two groups. The unemployment rate is 2.5%, well below the national average, and the full-time employment rate of 81.0% is high. All four SEIFA indexes rank at decile 10, the top tier nationally, meaning Denman Prospect scores at the top for education, economic resources, relative advantage and relative disadvantage. Personal weekly income averages $1,655 and real incomes grew 21.1% over the decade.
Unemployment
2.7%
Labour Force
10,671
Unemployed
290
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
81.0%
Part-time
16.5%
Participation
79.4%
Employed
1,574
Occupations
Top Industries
University
66.8%
Postgraduate
27.2%
Born Overseas
42.8%
Dwellings
975
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high at 87.0% commuting by car, above national averages, because the suburb's outer location in the Molonglo Valley predates full public transport integration, with only 5.0% using public transport. The IRSAD decile of 10 places Denman Prospect in the top tier nationally for advantage, and the IRSD decile of 10 reflects very low disadvantage. Only 1.9% of residents (52 people) need daily assistance, a low figure consistent with the young median age of 31. Volunteering sits at 12.7%. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families currently rely on nearby Molonglo Valley institutions. Housing stress indicators are favourable: rent-to-income at 15.5% and mortgage-to-income at 17.2% are both well below stress thresholds.
Drive
87.0%
Public Transport
5.0%
Walk / Cycle
1.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.98%/yr
(+166 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth runs at 0.98% per year, adding roughly 166 residents annually, and the 10-year increase is 12.8%. Overseas migration is the dominant driver at a net 313 per year, while net internal migration runs negative at minus 138 per year, meaning the suburb attracts international arrivals but loses residents to other parts of Australia over time. The medium forecast for the broader corridor reaches 17,738 by 2031. Rent growth of 29.6% over the period reflects sustained demand, and real income growth of 21.1% means affordability has actually improved from 41.8% in 2011 to 36.4% in 2021. The gentrification score is 30, classified as early signs, supported by the accelerating overseas migration share and strong income growth.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+313
Net Internal / yr
-138
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +16% since 2011, Net internal outflow -138/yr, Strong overseas inflow +313/yr, Accelerating: 2% → 14%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Denman Prospect compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Denman Prospect a good suburb to live in?
Denman Prospect ranks at decile 10 on all four SEIFA indexes, the top advantage tier nationally, and household income sits at the 98.2nd percentile. The median age is 31, which is 9 years below national. Trade-offs include high car dependence at 87.0% of commuters and a 6.9% vacancy rate while development continues.
What is the median house price in Denman Prospect?
The median house price is estimated at $683,000, with monthly mortgage repayments averaging $2,400. That gives a mortgage-to-income ratio of 17.2%, well below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $498 and rent-to-income sits at just 15.5%, reflecting the suburb's high household incomes.
What schools are in Denman Prospect?
No schools are recorded inside the Denman Prospect boundary in this dataset. Families rely on nearby Molonglo Valley schools in adjacent suburbs. Education levels locally are high: 66.8% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 36.7 percentage points above the national figure.
Is Denman Prospect safe?
Detailed suburb-level crime statistics are not available for Denman Prospect in this dataset. As a proxy, the suburb scores decile 10 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage, the top tier nationally, and only 1.9% of the 2,759 residents need daily assistance, both consistent with a low-disadvantage area.
Is Denman Prospect good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $498 against a $683,000 median gives a gross yield near 3.8%. Overseas migration of 313 per year supports long-term demand, and the medium population forecast reaches 17,738 by 2031. The 6.9% vacancy rate warrants monitoring while new supply from 22 recent development applications settles.
How is Denman Prospect's population changing?
The suburb grew 12.8% over the past decade and is adding about 166 residents per year, a 0.98% annual rate. Overseas migration of 313 per year is the primary growth driver, while net internal migration runs at minus 138 per year. The medium forecast for the broader corridor reaches 17,738 by 2031.
What languages are spoken in Denman Prospect?
About 42.8% of residents were born overseas, which is 21.2 percentage points above the national figure. The most common non-English languages spoken at home are Mandarin (112 speakers), Hindi (44) and Bengali (34). Indian and Chinese ancestry groups together account for over 750 residents.
How much development is happening in Denman Prospect?
There were 22 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, predominantly two-storey dwelling constructions with attached garages. This reflects the suburb's continued greenfield build-out. The 60.2% residential turnover rate also points to a suburb still maturing, with many households less than 5 years established.
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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