Calwell, ACT: suburb profile

The population of Calwell ACT is 5,730 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Calwell is $1,192 per week ($61,984 per year). Median rent in Calwell is $448 per week ($1,941 per month). Calwell has a median age of 37 years, younger than the national median of 38. Calwell has a population density of 1,472 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Calwell is England. The most common religion is No religion (41.6% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Arabic. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Calwell is $2,000.

Population
5,730
Census 2021
Median income
$1,192/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$448/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
37years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021.

Calwell vs the typical ACT suburb

The median personal income in Calwell is $1,192 a week, in line with the typical ACT suburb ($1,192). That ranks 54th of 109 ACT suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $448 a week, $2 less than the typical ACT suburb. Rent takes 18.2% of the median household income here, against 18.2% in the typical ACT suburb. The median resident is 37, 1 year younger than in the typical ACT suburb (38).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureCalwellTypical ACTDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$1,192/wk$1,192/wk 0%$766/wk
Household income$2,460/wk$2,414/wk +2%$1,637/wk
Rent$448/wk$450/wk −0%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,000/mo$2,154/mo −7%$1,733/mo
Median age3738 −1 yrs42
Rent share of household income18.2%18.2% +0.0 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Calwell, the typical ACT suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Calwell Population

5,730 residents at the 2021 Census.

Calwell Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$1,192/wk
$61,984 per year
Ranked 440 of 14,663
Median Rent
$448/wk
$1,941 per month
Ranked 1,215 of 14,663
Median Age
37years
1 years younger than the national median
Mortgage
$2,000/mo
Avg household size: 2.7 · 0.8 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Calwell Rent Prices & Affordability

18% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $2,460/wk
Median rent $448/wk
Rent to income 18.2%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Calwell against your income

About $10,660 a month
Median rent $448/wk
Left after rent $2,012/wk
Rent share 18.2%

Calwell Schools

18
schools nearby
14
government
1020
avg ICSEA score
7,425
total students
Covenant Christian School Independent
Combined · K-10 · 320 students
1090
ICSEA
St Mary MacKillop College Catholic
Secondary · 7-12 · 2,088 students
1068
ICSEA
Monash Primary School Government
Primary · K-6 · 414 students
1063
ICSEA
St Francis of Assisi Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 516 students
1055
ICSEA
Isabella Plains Early Childhood School Government
Primary · K-2 · 69 students
1052
ICSEA
St Clare of Assisi Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 483 students
1044
ICSEA
Gowrie Primary School Government
Primary · K-6 · 228 students
1043
ICSEA
Bonython Primary School Government
Primary · K-6 · 341 students
1034
ICSEA
Calwell Primary School Government
Primary · K-6 · 201 students
1010
ICSEA
Lanyon High School Government
Secondary · 7-10 · 524 students
1005
ICSEA
Gordon Primary School Government
Primary · K-6 · 407 students
1005
ICSEA
Charles Conder Primary School Government
Primary · K-6 · 431 students
1002
ICSEA
Caroline Chisholm School Government
Secondary · K-10 · 571 students
989
ICSEA
Gilmore Primary School Government
Primary · K-6 · 113 students
981
ICSEA
Theodore Primary School Government
Primary · K-6 · 206 students
974
ICSEA

Showing 15 of 18 schools.

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Calwell, with a map

Calwell Map

Calwell, Australian Capital Territory Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Calwell, Australian Capital Territory: 35.4428°S, 149.1079°E

Calwell Schools (18)

People in Calwell

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 48.7% (2,788) Female 51.3% (2,941)

Population Density

1,472
people per km²
5,730 people · 3.9 km²

Households

2.7
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$2,842
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
3.1%
India
2.1%
New Zealand
1.0%
Philippines
1.0%
Scotland
0.5%
Vietnam
0.5%
Sri Lanka
0.5%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Arabic
1.0%
Malayalam
0.8%
Spanish
0.8%
Hindi
0.7%
Punjabi
0.7%
Vietnamese
0.7%
Cantonese
0.5%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

Australian
38.9%
English
36.9%
Irish
11.8%
Scottish
10.7%
German
4.1%
Italian
2.7%
Australian Aboriginal
2.7%
Indian
2.4%
Dutch
2.2%
Chinese
1.8%
Spanish
1.5%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
41.6%
Catholic
25.2%
Anglican
10.2%
Not stated
5.1%
Christian (other)
2.5%
Hinduism
2.1%
Islam
2.0%
Presbyterian and Reformed
1.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

2.6%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
49.0% 2,257
Separated
2.8% 128
Divorced
9.7% 448
Widowed
4.3% 200
Never married
34.2% 1,575

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
44.3%
Couple: no children
23.3%
Couple: no children under 15
19.1%
One parent: children under 15
6.8%
One parent: no children under 15
6.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
19.0%
2 persons
33.0%
3 persons
18.8%
4 persons
18.5%
5 persons
7.7%
6+ persons
2.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Calwell

Housing Tenure

Of the 2,018 occupied private dwellings in Calwell at the 2021 Census, 14.9% were rented, 29.7% owned outright and 53.8% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
0.7% 14 dwellings
Owned outright
29.7% 600 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
53.8% 1,085 dwellings
Rented
14.9% 301 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.0% 20 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
89.3%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
10.1%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
0.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
0.2%
2 bedrooms
3.7%
3 bedrooms
51.2%
4 bedrooms
35.1%
5 bedrooms
8.3%
6+ bedrooms
1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
4.3%
$300-$449/mo
1.9%
$450-$599/mo
1.0%
$600-$799/mo
1.7%
$800-$999/mo
2.9%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
11.3%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
17.8%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
32.7%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
14.2%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
12.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
2.2%
1 vehicle
28.2%
2 vehicles
42.7%
3 vehicles
17.9%
4+ vehicles
8.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Calwell

Employment

Employed full-time
48.6% 2,072 people
Employed part-time
21.4% 910 people
Unemployed
2.4% 101 people
Not in labour force
27.6% 1,178 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
29.4%
Managers
17.9%
Clerical & Administrative
17.3%
Technicians & Trade Workers
15.2%
Community & Personal Service
11.1%
Sales Workers
3.5%
Labourers
3.4%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
2.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
0.4%
$1-$149/wk
0.2%
$150-$299/wk
0.2%
$300-$399/wk
1.2%
$400-$499/wk
2.6%
$500-$649/wk
2.0%
$650-$799/wk
2.4%
$800-$999/wk
3.2%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
5.0%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
6.1%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.9%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.0%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
14.8%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
9.4%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
9.9%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
7.3%
$4,000+/wk
22.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
7.7%
$1-$149/wk
3.6%
$150-$299/wk
3.7%
$300-$399/wk
1.9%
$400-$499/wk
2.5%
$500-$649/wk
1.7%
$650-$799/wk
6.2%
$800-$999/wk
9.1%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
10.5%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
10.2%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
11.3%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
8.8%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
16.3%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
2.8%
$3,500+/wk
3.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
76.3%
Did not go to work
12.6%
Car (passenger)
5.1%
Bus
3.3%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.7%
Walked only
0.6%
Truck
0.6%
Other
0.4%
Bicycle
0.4%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
73.0%
Year 10 or equivalent
18.6%
Year 11 or equivalent
5.4%
Year 9 or equivalent
3.0%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
30.8%
Bachelor Degree
30.7%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
20.7%
Postgraduate Degree
9.8%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
5.8%
Certificate I/II
2.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
24.2%
Society & Culture
16.5%
Engineering
12.0%
Health
9.3%
Education
8.2%
Architecture & Building
7.2%
Information Technology
7.1%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
5.4%
Natural & Physical Sciences
4.3%
Creative Arts
4.0%
Agriculture & Environment
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
24.6%
Secondary: Government
17.6%
Primary: Catholic
16.0%
Vocational Education
13.8%
Secondary: Catholic
11.6%
Pre-school
10.1%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
3.2%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
3.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
91.2%
Has need for assistance
5.1%
Need for assistance not stated
3.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
602
Asthma
251
Arthritis
179
Diabetes
137
Heart disease
114
Cancer
91
Lung condition
87
Kidney disease
52
Stroke
37
Dementia
19

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
13.8% 613
Did not provide
86.2% 3,815

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
14.3% 635
Not a volunteer
85.7% 3,800

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.2% 11
Current ADF: Reserves
0.8% 34
Previously served
4.6% 205
Never served
94.4% 4,184

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
31.2%
1 child
11.7%
2 children
32.1%
3 children
17.7%
4 children
5.1%
5+ children
2.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
11
1951: 1960
52
1961: 1970
127
1971: 1980
150
1981: 1990
167
1991: 2000
123
2001: 2010
171
2011: 2015
122
2016
29
2017
14
2018
19
2019
19
2020
12
2021
5

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

10.9%
moved in the last year
32.8%
moved in the last 5 years
3.2%
unemployment rate (Census)
71.2%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
4,878
Moved from ACT
395
Moved from NSW
85
Moved: same area (SA2)
48
Moved from overseas
28
Moved from QLD
11
Moved from VIC
10
Moved from TAS
7
Moved from SA
3
Moved from WA
3

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
23.8%
5: 14 hours
35.3%
15: 29 hours
12.9%
30+ hours
7.7%
Did not do domestic work
20.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
86.7%
Step family: no other children
7.6%
Blended family: no other children
4.9%
Intact family: other children present
0.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Conder
Income: $1,179/wk Rent: $390/wk $58/wk less rent
Macquarie
Income: $1,078/wk Rent: $400/wk $48/wk less rent
Chisholm (ACT)
Income: $1,088/wk Rent: $410/wk $38/wk less rent
Gilmore (ACT)
Income: $1,164/wk Rent: $430/wk $18/wk less rent
Lyons (ACT)
Income: $1,097/wk Rent: $360/wk $88/wk less rent
Spence (ACT)
Income: $1,125/wk Rent: $375/wk $73/wk less rent
Waramanga
Income: $1,179/wk Rent: $379/wk $69/wk less rent
Richardson
Income: $1,012/wk Rent: $391/wk $57/wk less rent

Suburbs near Calwell

The closest suburb to Calwell is Theodore (ACT), 1.2 km away.

Theodore (ACT)
1.2 km away · income $1,195/wk · rent $430/wk
Conder
1.7 km away · income $1,179/wk · rent $390/wk
Richardson
2.0 km away · income $1,012/wk · rent $391/wk
Isabella Plains
2.1 km away · income $1,084/wk · rent $450/wk
Gordon (ACT)
2.7 km away · income $1,157/wk · rent $420/wk
Chisholm (ACT)
2.9 km away · income $1,088/wk · rent $410/wk

Compare Calwell

Frequently Asked Questions About Calwell

What is the population of Calwell ACT?

The population of Calwell ACT is 5,730 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 1,472 people per km². Calwell is ranked #1,372 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Calwell?

The median personal income in Calwell ACT is $1,192 per week, or $61,984 per year. The median household income is $2,460 per week. Family income is $2,842 per week. Calwell is ranked #440 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Calwell?

Median rent in Calwell ACT is $448 per week ($1,941 per month). Rent represents 18.2% of household income, which is considered affordable. Calwell ranks #1,215 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Calwell?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Calwell ACT is $2,000. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Calwell?

The median age in Calwell ACT is 37 years. This is younger than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Calwell a good suburb to live in?

Calwell is a suburb in Australian Capital Territory with a population of 5,730. The median income is $1,192/wk, which is below the typical ACT suburb ($1,192/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (18.2% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Explore More

Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Canberra Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 80029. All dollar figures in AUD.