Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
Forrest suburb profile
Forrest, ACT · Postcode 2603
This Forrest suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for Forrest, ACT (postcode 2603). Use it as a free suburb report covering population, median rent, household income, age, housing tenure and employment, plus how those figures changed since Census 2016— then compare Forrest with nearby suburbs.
Forrest at a glance
Population
1,827
Median rent
$570/wk
Household income
$3,363/wk
Median age
47
Forrest trends (2016 → 2021)
Change since the previous Census. Historical figures are mapped from State Suburbs (SSC) to today's suburb boundaries.
Population
Census 2011 → 2016 → 2021
+24.5% over 10 years
Population
1,827
was 1,615 in 2016
+212 · +13.1%
Median rent
$570/wk
was $500/wk in 2016
+$70 · +14%
Household income
$3,363/wk
was $3,145/wk in 2016
+$218 · +6.9%
Median age
47
was 44 in 2016
+3 · +6.8%
Dig deeper: Forrest population growth · Forrest then and now
Forrest vs nearby & Greater Canberra
Median Census 2021 figures for Forrest, nearby suburbs (8), and the Canberra metro median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
+26.7% vs area
- Forrest$570/wk
- Nearby$445.5/wk
- Canberra$450/wk
Household income
+42.5% vs area
- Forrest$3,363/wk
- Nearby$2,451.5/wk
- Canberra$2,359.5/wk
Median age
+23.7% vs area
- Forrest47
- Nearby36.5
- Canberra38
Personal income
+48.5% vs area
- Forrest$1,816/wk
- Nearby$1,307.5/wk
- Canberra$1,222.5/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in ACT. See Canberra rankings.
Socio-economic profile
How Forrest compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
Forrest ranks among Australia's most advantaged suburbs. It shows strong access to economic resources and high education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 101,134.9
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 101,184.7
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 91,088
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 101,199.9
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
Forrest on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for Forrest, ACT.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
Forrest people
- Population
- 1,827
- Median age
- 47
- Born overseas
- 25.2%
- Average household size
- 2.2
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
Forrest income
- Median household income
- $3,363/wk
- Median personal income
- $1,816/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
Forrest housing
- Median rent
- $570/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $2,520/mo
- Separate houses
- 29.3%
- Flats & apartments
- 37.3%
- Owned outright
- 30.2%
- Mortgaged
- 23.4%
- Rented
- 24.5%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 19.1%
Median weekly rent for rented dwellings
Median monthly mortgage repayment
Percentage of dwellings that are separate houses
Percentage of dwellings that are flats or apartments
Percentage of dwellings owned without a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings with a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings rented
Percentage of private dwellings unoccupied on Census night
Forrest work
- Employment to population
- 66.2%
- Unemployment rate
- 3%
- Year 12 or above
- 87.2%
Employed persons as a percentage of population aged 15+
Unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force
Percentage with Year 12 or equivalent as highest school level
Nearby suburb profiles (near 2603)
Compare Forrest with nearby suburbs
Forrest in numbers
Forrest had 1,827 residents at the 2021 Census, making it the 97th most populous suburb or locality in ACT out of 127. The median age is 47, 25% above the typical ACT suburb. The average household has 2.2 people. 25.2% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 30.2% own their home outright, 23.4% are paying a mortgage, 24.5% rent. Flats and apartments make up 37.3% of dwellings, with 29.3% separate houses. Median rent was $570/wk, 27% above the typical ACT suburb.
Median household income was $3,363/wk, 40% above the typical ACT suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 3%. 87.2% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 10 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 13.1% (from 1,615 to 1,827). Median rent moved from $500/wk to $570/wk (+14%).
Forrest suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in Forrest, ACT?
- The median weekly rent in Forrest was $570/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in Forrest, ACT?
- Forrest had 1,827 residents at the 2021 Census, up 13.1% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in Forrest?
- Median household income in Forrest was $3,363/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in Forrest?
- 24.5% of occupied homes in Forrest were rented, 30.2% were owned outright and 23.4% were owned with a mortgage.
About this Forrest suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching Forrest (ACT). Where shown, 2016 values come from the 2016 State Suburbs (SSC) profile, linked via ABS geographic correspondence — boundaries are not always identical. Medians may be suppressed for very small areas. This is not financial or relocation advice — use it alongside current market data.
Source: ABS Census 2021. Methodology · Richest suburbs in Canberra