How will demographic trends and land settlement patterns affect the future demand for services in your local area?
As Australia's largest independent population forecasting team, we can help you identify opportunities and reduce risk next time you're making an investment, planning or location decision.

We help Australian organisations plan for future demand
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What is forecast.id?
forecast.id are independent and detailed forecasts of population and dwellings from .id (informed decisions).
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Data attributesData attributes
The forecast.id population forecast data attributes are;
- Population by sex (Male/Female)
- Single-year-of age (0-85+ year olds)
- Total dwellings
Our population forecasts are underpinned by our Residential Development Forecasts, which are available as a separate dataset.
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GeographyGeography
forecast.id population forecasts provide a greater level of detail than any other forecasts in Australia, especially in the growth areas on our urban fringes.
forecast.id is available at the following geographies;
- Small Area Forecast information (SAFi) - SA1 derived proprietory geography.
- SA1
- SA2
- SA4
- LGA
Learn more here about how micro-geographic forecasts help you plan in detail, especially in growth areas.
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Time seriesTime series
forecast.id population forecasts are based on the 2021 Estimated Resident Population (ERP) - the official measure of the population for places in Australia. The forecasts are output for each year from 2021 to 2041 (single-year increments).
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CoverageCoverage
forecast.id is available nation-wide, providing detailed forecasts for local areas that make up every State and Territory in Australia.
Invest in the right place at the right time
Identify growth hotspots
Identify and compare opportunities for investment and growth in different suburbs, cities and states. See when and where growth is forecast to occur or apply our age filters to identify growth hotspots for a specific age cohort such as primary school students, aged care residents or first homebuyers.

Assess a known site or catchment
Do you already know the location you're assessing?
Whether you're planning for future school enrolments, updating a retail sales forecast or conducting due diligence on a proposed site or development opportunity, forecast.id provides a detailed, trusted and independent assessment of future demand for a catchment area that will neatly fit your project geography.

Why our clients trust forecast.id
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National contextNational context
Since the mid-2000s, overseas migration has driven population growth in Australia more than any other factor. This growth is forecast to continue well into the future, but this trend won't affect all parts of Australia equally.
As demographic forecasters, we help you understand the nuances of what drives population growth in your local area. Our population forecasts quantify the impact of macro-demographic factors on future demand for services in your local area.
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Local detailLocal detail
forecast.id provides the most granular population forecast for places available in Australia.
Learn more about 'micro-geography' and why it is important for planning in our FAQs below.
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Flexible geographyFlexible geography
Our population forecasts are produced for small geographic parcels that can be combined to create 'custom forecast catchments' that neatly match the area you are studying.
Most publicly-accessible population forecasts are produced at the National, State/Territory or, at best, suburb (SA2) level. As a result, anyone planning for local areas has to make assumptions about where and when population growth will occur within that suburb.
As you can see in this short video case study, those assumptions can lead to expensive mistakes.
.id's forecast team conducts detailed and extensive land-use research to identify future sources of housing. This research allows us to better understand when, where and how much growth is likely to occur within a local area.
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A consistent approachA consistent approach
One-off forecast reports prepared by independent consultants vary from project to project in their methodology, assumptions and reference geography. This inconsistent evidence base leads to confusion and introduces risk.
forecast.id provides a consistent evidence base for planning with forecasts that give you local area detail in a regional and national context.
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An independent viewAn independent view
SAFi is trusted as an independent and apolitical single-scenario forecast of population and dwellings for local areas.
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National coverageNational coverage
SAFi is available for every region of Australia.
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Regular updatesRegular updates
Like any forecast, SAFi is based on a number of transparent assumptions. We take an evidence-based position and are transparent about each of the assumptions that underpin our forecasts.
When we receive new information such as new Census data, changes in government policy about overseas migration, evidence of changes in land use or settlement patterns, or other information that materially impacts the results of our forecasts, we prioritise an update to the affected areas.
In this way, we can ensure that our clients have access to information that is up-to-date and provides a forecast for their area that reflects the most recent information available.
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Transparent assumptionsTransparent assumptions
Our forecasters publish their assumptions and a detailed analysis of what drives population change for each region where we publish our SAFi forecasts.
Read our Population Forecast analysis in the .id Demographic Resource Centre →
Supporting analysis from our experts
Forecast analysis by region
Get the all-important context that underpins our forecasts. From the big-picture demographic patterns to localised housing and development activity, our experts explain what's driving growth and change in your area.
Options for Local Government
Plan for the changing needs of your local community.
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forecast.idforecast.id
As part of the .id community digital information platform, forecast.id gives your council the confidence to plan for the future with a single-scenario forecast of population and housing, that uses local insights and a proven and transparent forecasting model.
Learn more about subscribing to forecast.id for local government →
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forecast.id catchmentsforecast.id catchments
Local government can now build custom catchments to better understand the future of places both within and beyond your Local Government Area boundary. A typical example is quantifying future demand for a sporting calitity that will be used by people living beyond the borders of your LGA.
Options for Industry
Identify opportunities, make location decisions, reduce risk and invest in the right place at the right time.
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forecast.id nationalforecast.id national
If you're planning networks of retail stores, schools, infrastructure or other services, forecast.id national lets you quickly and easily access detailed local area forecasts for entire regions, states or the nation.
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forecast.id hotspotsforecast.id hotspots
We can prepare a report identifying the geographic areas forecast to have a critical mass and growth in your target market (e.g. persons aged 60+ over the next 25 years.
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forecast.id catchmentsforecast.id catchments
Are you still developing population forecasts in-house? Spend less time number crunching and focus on high quality analysis for your clients.
forecast.id catchments gives you access to the trusted, detailed and consistent forecast.id evidence base. Access forecast.id data for a catchment that neatly fits your client's project in any part of Australia.
A one-time registration gives you access to our simple self-serve platform, partner pricing and preview prior to purchase.
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forecast.id reportsforecast.id reports
Whether you're checking future demand around a potential franchise location or you're preparing an investment prospectus that outlines the business case for investment, a forecast.id report gives you clear and compelling evidence for planning and investment.
Frequently asked questions
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What is 'micro-geography'?What is 'micro-geography'?
forecast.id is produced for small geographic parcels (our proprietory micro-geogrpahy is called Small Area Forecast information, or SAFi). These parcels are designed to be aggregated to create custom forecast catchments (for example, to fit a school's catchment area).
The other benefit of miro-geography is it gives a greater level of detail to forecasts in growth areas.
Watch: Johnny demonstrates micro-geography for a growth area in South East Queensland