Statistical Area 2 (SA2) · Area profile
Macarthur
1 km²
High household incomes and a strong rate of home ownership define Macarthur. This is an affluent community where nearly half of all households earn more than $3,000 a week. It is a family-oriented area with a significant number of children and large, detached homes. While the population has shrunk slightly to 1,405 people, the area remains a prestigious pocket of the ACT with a highly qualified and well-paid workforce.
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The area is noticeably older than the national figure, with a typical resident aged 39. It is also a place for families, as the proportion of children under 15 is well above the territory and national averages.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the area has a far lower proportion of overseas-born people than both the ACT and the rest of the country.
English is the primary language here, with only 8.9% of people using another language at home, which is far below the national and territory figures.
About 40.7% of residents have no religion, a figure that has risen by 19 points since 2011. This is a little above the national average, though well below the ACT figure.
The community is highly educated, with 36.3% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. This is far above the national average, and 77.6% of residents have completed Year 12.
Weekly incomes are among the highest in the region, with a typical family earning $3,232. This is well above the national figure, and 26.9% of people earn $2,000 or more each week.
A higher than average 30.1% of people have a long-term health condition, though the rate of people needing help with daily activities is much lower than in most areas.
Community involvement is high, with 19.4% of people volunteering. There is also a very strong presence of unpaid caregivers, particularly those looking after children.
The First Nations community is small, numbering 26 people. This group is far younger than the national average, with a typical age of just 12.
Homes here are larger than usual, with an average of 2.9 people per household. This is consistent with the high number of couples with children, who make up 66.5% of families.
Housing is dominated by large, separate houses, with 97.3% of homes having three or more bedrooms. A far above average 42.4% of these homes are owned outright.
The area relies heavily on cars, with 66.7% of people driving to work. Very few people use public transport to commute, and 51% of homes have two vehicles.
Residents tend to stay put, as the proportion of people who moved in the last five years is much lower than in most other areas.
The workforce is strong, with 69.6% of adults working or looking for work and a very low unemployment rate of 2.7%. Public administration and safety is the most common industry.
Macarthur is ranked among the most advantaged areas in the country, scoring a perfect 10 for access to money and resources.
The area experiences a typical climate for the region, though average minimum temperatures are among the lowest compared to similar areas.
While every home is within a 15-minute walk of a park, the overall walkability is lower than the territory average due to a lack of nearby groceries and health services.