🔍

Calwell

ACT 2905 • Australian Capital Territory

5,730
Population (2021)
$127,920
Median Household Income
3.89 km²
Area
$448/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlyCanberra SouthEstablished SuburbParks & Recreation

About Calwell

Calwell is an established suburb in Canberra's Tuggeranong district, around 20 km south of the city centre. It has a relatively large population and a family-oriented demographic profile, with detached homes and well-planned residential streets. Developed in the late 20th century, the suburb forms part of Canberra's structured town-centre and neighbourhood model. Its character is suburban, practical and community-focused, with easy connections to nearby employment and services.

Lifestyle in Calwell is convenient for families, with local schools, parks, sporting spaces and shopping options in and around the Tuggeranong area. Residents can access larger retail, health and leisure facilities at South.Point Tuggeranong and surrounding centres. Public transport links are available by bus, though many households also rely on cars for commuting. The suburb suits families, public-sector workers and long-term Canberra residents seeking affordability and amenity in the south.

Calwell falls under postcode 2905 and is governed by Unincorporated Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Brindabella electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Australian Capital Territory Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission💰 Top 50 Suburbs in Australian Capital Territory by Median Household Income

📍 Location

State
Australian Capital Territory
Postcode
2905
Urban Area
Tuggeranong
LGA / Council
Unincorporated
Federal Electorate
Bean
State Electorate
Brindabella
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-35.44°, 149.11°
Statistical Area
Australian Capital Territory
Area
3.89 km²
Elevation
684m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$448
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,000
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
37 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.7%

51 state housing + 4 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Canberra Railway Station (Kingston)
17 km
Not practical

Bus Services

  • ACTION local and rapid bus services — Tuggeranong Interchange / Woden / City 10-20 min to Tuggeranong, ~45-60 min to City
  • School and inter-town connectors — South Canberra and district hubs Varies by route

Commute to Canberra City

Distance
20 km
By Train
No metro/train network for daily city commute
By Bus
~45-60 min (service dependent)
By Car (Peak)
30-40 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
25-35 min

🛣️ Bus links are solid via Tuggeranong interchange; car travel remains common.

Walkability Moderate

Local schools, parks and shops are reasonably accessible, though many trips to major centres are by bus or car.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
5,758
Census 2021
5,730
▼ 0.5% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$51,948
Personal Income 2021
$61,984
▲ 19.3% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$61,984 / yr
$1192/wk
Household
$127,920 / yr
$2460/wk
Family
$147,784 / yr
$2842/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 4,489
Born Overseas 1,060

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 176
  • 2. India 121
  • 3. New Zealand 59
  • 4. Philippines 56
  • 5. Scotland 31
  • 6. Vietnam 30
  • 7. Sri Lanka 29
  • 8. China 26
  • 9. Malaysia 25
  • 10. Germany 24

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 2,227
English 2,113
Irish 675
Scottish 614
German 236
Italian 153
Australian Aboriginal 152
Indian 136
Dutch 127
Chinese 101

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,294
Both parents born in Australia
1,482
Both parents born overseas
767
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
46.4%
No Religion
42.0%
Hinduism
2.1%
Islam
2.0%
Buddhism
1.7%
Sikhism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
378 (6.6%)
5-14 years
745 (13.0%)
15-19 years
335 (5.8%)
20-24 years
370 (6.5%)
25-34 years
810 (14.1%)
35-44 years
734 (12.8%)
45-54 years
759 (13.2%)
55-64 years
835 (14.6%)
65-74 years
465 (8.1%)
75-84 years
197 (3.4%)
85+ years
101 (1.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Calwell known for? +

Lifestyle in Calwell is convenient for families, with local schools, parks, sporting spaces and shopping options in and around the Tuggeranong area.

How far is Calwell from Canberra CBD (Civic)? +

Calwell is approximately 20 kilometres from Canberra CBD (Civic). The drive takes approximately 30-40 min in peak hour and 25-35 min off-peak.

Does Calwell have public transport? +

The nearest train station is Canberra Railway Station (Kingston) (17 km away, approximately Not practical walk) on the NSW TrainLink regional rail (Canberra-Sydney via coach/rail connections). Bus services include ACTION local and rapid bus services, running to Tuggeranong Interchange / Woden / City in approximately 10-20 min to Tuggeranong, ~45-60 min to City.

What is the population of Calwell? +

According to the 2021 Census, Calwell has a population of 5,730 residents. The suburb is part of the broader Australian Capital Territory metropolitan area.

Is Calwell a good place to live? +

Calwell is well-suited to families, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in Canberra. Residents can access larger retail, health and leisure facilities at South.Point Tuggeranong and surrounding centres.

What is the postcode for Calwell? +

The postcode for Calwell is 2905. It is located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

What is the average income in Calwell? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Calwell is about $1,192 per week (around $62,000 per year). The median household income is $2,460 per week and the median family income is $2,842 per week.

What is the age profile of Calwell? +

The median age in Calwell is 37. The largest age group is 55–64 (835 residents, around 15%). Around 25% of residents are under 20 and about 13% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

How much is rent in Calwell? +

In Calwell, the median weekly rent is $448, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,000 (2021 Census).