Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
Palmerston suburb profile
Palmerston, ACT · Postcode 2913
This Palmerston suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for Palmerston, ACT (postcode 2913). 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 Palmerston with nearby suburbs.
Palmerston at a glance
Population
5,579
Median rent
$450/wk
Household income
$2,316/wk
Median age
36
Palmerston 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
-1.8% over 10 years
Population
5,579
was 5,525 in 2016
+54 · +1%
Median rent
$450/wk
was $380/wk in 2016
+$70 · +18.4%
Household income
$2,316/wk
was $2,005/wk in 2016
+$311 · +15.5%
Median age
36
was 35 in 2016
+1 · +2.9%
Dig deeper: Palmerston population growth · Palmerston then and now
Palmerston vs nearby & ACT
Median Census 2021 figures for Palmerston, nearby suburbs (8), and the ACT state median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
0% vs area
- Palmerston$450/wk
- Nearby$455/wk
- ACT$450/wk
Household income
-3.6% vs area
- Palmerston$2,316/wk
- Nearby$2,645.5/wk
- ACT$2,403.5/wk
Median age
-4% vs area
- Palmerston36
- Nearby31
- ACT37.5
Personal income
-5% vs area
- Palmerston$1,134/wk
- Nearby$1,153.5/wk
- ACT$1,193.5/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in ACT.
Socio-economic profile
How Palmerston compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
Palmerston ranks among Australia's most advantaged suburbs. It shows high education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 81,051.4
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 91,063
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 61,028.6
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 101,079.2
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
Palmerston on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for Palmerston, ACT.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
Palmerston people
- Population
- 5,579
- Median age
- 36
- Born overseas
- 31.3%
- Average household size
- 2.6
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
Palmerston income
- Median household income
- $2,316/wk
- Median personal income
- $1,134/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
Palmerston housing
- Median rent
- $450/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $1,940/mo
- Separate houses
- 58%
- Flats & apartments
- 0%
- Owned outright
- 27.3%
- Mortgaged
- 40.5%
- Rented
- 27.3%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 3.8%
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
Palmerston work
- Employment to population
- 67.5%
- Unemployment rate
- 3.8%
- Year 12 or above
- 73.9%
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 2913)
Compare Palmerston with nearby suburbs
Palmerston in numbers
Palmerston had 5,579 residents at the 2021 Census, making it the 27th most populous suburb or locality in ACT out of 127. The median age is 36, 4% below the typical ACT suburb. The average household has 2.6 people. 31.3% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 27.3% own their home outright, 40.5% are paying a mortgage, 27.3% rent. Separate houses make up 58% of dwellings, with 0% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $450/wk, close to the typical ACT suburb.
Median household income was $2,316/wk, 4% below the typical ACT suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 3.8%. 73.9% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 8 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 1% (from 5,525 to 5,579). Median rent moved from $380/wk to $450/wk (+18.4%).
Palmerston suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in Palmerston, ACT?
- The median weekly rent in Palmerston was $450/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in Palmerston, ACT?
- Palmerston had 5,579 residents at the 2021 Census, up 1% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in Palmerston?
- Median household income in Palmerston was $2,316/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in Palmerston?
- 27.3% of occupied homes in Palmerston were rented, 27.3% were owned outright and 40.5% were owned with a mortgage.
About this Palmerston suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching Palmerston (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