# South Canberra

Sub-region (SA3) · Area profile

Located in: Australian Capital Territory › Australian Capital Territory

Area: 44 km²

A diverse mix of professionals and retirees defines South Canberra, where the typical resident is 40. This community has grown by 31% since 2011 and is marked by high levels of education and wealth. Many residents are born overseas or work in public administration, contributing to a sophisticated, high-earning population. The area is exceptionally walkable and well-connected, making it a convenient place for people who live alone or in small families.

## Demographics & Identity

The population is noticeably older than the territory average, with 18.5% aged 65 and over. Children under 15 make up only 13.7%, which is well below the national figure.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total population | 31,592 | +30.8% since 2011 |
| Median age | 40 yrs | +2.6% since 2011 |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander population | 1.3% | -10.7% since 2011 |
| People aged 65 and over | 18.5% | +24.1% since 2011 |
| Children under 15 | 13.7% | -7.3% since 2011 |
| People in a de facto relationship | 13.3% | +20.1% since 2011 |

**Age structure** — Young adults (25–44) 31.1%, Older adults (45–64) 25.7%, Seniors (65+) 18.5%, Children (0–14) 13.7%, Youth (15–24) 11.0%

**Marital status** — Married 45.2%, Never married 39.6%, Divorced 8.2%, Widowed 4.7%, Separated 2.4%

## Ancestry & Birthplace

English and Australian are the most common ancestries. About 26.7% of residents were born overseas, a figure that has risen since 2011.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People born overseas | 26.7% | +10.5% since 2011 |

**Country of birth** — Australia 67.6%, England 4.0%, India 2.1%, China 1.6%, New Zealand 1.3%, Nepal 0.7%, Philippines 0.6%, South Africa 0.6%, Italy 0.6%, Vietnam 0.5%

**Ancestry** — English 35.0%, Australian 29.0%, Irish 14.3%, Scottish 11.8%, Chinese 4.9%, German 4.6%, Italian 4.4%, Indian 3.1%, Greek 2.0%, Dutch 1.7%, Filipino 1.0%, Vietnamese 0.8%

## Language

People using another language at home make up 19.4% of the population, which is higher than in most similar areas. However, this is still well below the territory average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People using another language at home | 19.4% | +22.4% since 2011 |
| People who speak little or no English | 1.3% | -24.1% since 2016 |

**Language used at home** — English only 74.5%, Mandarin 2.3%, Italian 1.0%, Greek 0.9%, Hindi 0.9%, Cantonese 0.8%, Arabic 0.6%, Vietnamese 0.6%, Punjabi 0.3%, Tagalog 0.2%

## Religion

A large proportion of the community—46.6%—reports having no religion. This figure has risen by 16 points since 2011 and is well above the national average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with no religion | 46.6% | +51.0% since 2011 |

**Religious affiliation** — No religion 46.6%, Christianity 38.0%, Not stated 7.3%, Hinduism 2.8%, Islam 2.1%, Buddhism 1.9%, Other religions 0.7%, Judaism 0.6%

## Education & Qualifications

Education levels are far above the national average, with 57.7% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. This high level of qualification is reflected in the professional workforce.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Completed Year 12 | 81.7% | +8.7% since 2011 |
| Adults with a bachelor degree or higher | 57.7% | +17.9% since 2011 |
| Schools | 14 | — |
| Schools per 1,000 children | 3.23 | — |
| School enrolments | 10,669 | — |
| Average school size | 762 | — |
| Average school ICSEA | 1,141 | — |

**Highest year of school** — Year 12 81.7%, Year 10 6.4%, Year 11 2.6%, Year 9 or below 2.6%

**Highest qualification level** — Bachelor degree 38.3%, Postgraduate degree 26.5%, Advanced diploma / diploma 9.2%, Graduate diploma / certificate 7.5%, Certificate III / IV 6.9%, Certificate I / II 0.6%

**Field of qualification** — Society & culture 27.9%, Management & commerce 19.1%, Health 9.5%, Engineering & related 5.8%, Natural & physical sciences 5.7%, Education 5.7%, Information technology 4.8%, Creative arts 4.5%, Architecture & building 2.9%, Food, hospitality & personal services 1.7%, Agriculture & environment 1.3%

## Income

Incomes are among the highest in the country, with 44.3% of households earning $3,000 or more per week. The typical family income is $3,726, which is far above the national figure.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median personal income (weekly) | $1,600 | +36.5% since 2011 |
| Median household income (weekly) | $2,711 | +13.8% since 2011 |
| Median family income (weekly) | $3,726 | +29.8% since 2011 |
| People earning $2,000+ a week | 34.7% | — |
| Households earning $3,000+ a week | 44.3% | — |

**Household income distribution** — $4,000 or more 31.9%, $1,500–$2,999 31.2%, $650–$1,499 12.8%, $3,000–$3,999 12.5%, Under $650 7.0%

**Personal income distribution** — $1,500–$2,999 32.7%, $650–$1,499 22.6%, Under $650 20.8%, $3,000 or more 17.2%

## Health & Disability

Health outcomes are generally positive, as only 4.2% of people need help with daily activities. This is much lower than in most similar areas.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with a long-term health condition | 27.9% | — |
| People with a mental health condition | 8.9% | — |
| People needing help with daily activities | 4.2% | -4.2% since 2011 |

**Long-term health conditions reported** — Other condition 9.9%, Mental health 8.9%, Asthma 8.2%, Arthritis 8.0%, Heart disease 3.4%, Cancer 3.4%, Diabetes 2.8%, Lung condition 1.2%, Dementia 1.1%, Stroke 0.7%

**Number of long-term health conditions** — None 64.5%, One condition 20.2%, Two conditions 5.6%, Three or more 2.1%

## Community Participation

Volunteering is very common here, with 22.1% of people pitching in, well above the national average. There is also a strong presence of former Defence Force members at 8.1%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Volunteers | 22.1% | -10.5% since 2011 |
| People providing unpaid care | 12.0% | +10.8% since 2011 |
| People caring for children unpaid | 23.2% | -0.5% since 2011 |
| People who served in the Defence Force | 8.1% | — |
| People doing 15+ hours of unpaid housework | 18.1% | -3.8% since 2011 |

## First Nations

First Nations residents in this area have a typical personal income of $1,065, which is far above the national figure. Year 12 completion is also much higher than in most similar areas.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people | 418 | — |
| First Nations median age | 27 yrs | — |
| First Nations Year 12 completion | 61.6% | — |
| First Nations unemployment rate | 9.1% | — |
| First Nations median personal income | $1,065 | — |
| First Nations household income | $2,065 | — |
| Speaks a First Nations language | 10.5% | — |

## Family & Households

Homes are smaller than usual, with just 2.2 people per dwelling. A high number of residents—34.5%—live alone, which is well above the territory average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Average household size | 2.2 | -4.3% since 2011 |
| One-parent families | 10.1% | -10.5% since 2011 |
| People living alone | 34.5% | +12.8% since 2011 |

**Family composition** — Couples with children 52.9%, Couples without children 36.0%, One-parent families 10.1%, Other families 0.9%

**Household size** — 2 people 36.4%, 1 person 34.5%, 3 people 12.8%, 4 people 11.3%, 5 people 3.8%, 6 or more 1.3%

## Housing & Dwellings

The area has many apartments, and 37.3% of households rent. Typical weekly rents are $500, which is well above the national figure.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median rent (weekly) | $500 | +16.3% since 2011 |
| Median mortgage repayment (monthly) | $2,275 | -10.6% since 2011 |
| Average people per bedroom | 0.90 | -18.2% since 2011 |
| Households renting | 37.3% | -8.0% since 2011 |
| Homes owned outright | 28.9% | -4.2% since 2011 |
| Separate (detached) houses | 40.6% | -26.0% since 2011 |
| Homes with three or more bedrooms | 51.1% | -15.3% since 2011 |

**How homes are owned or rented** — Rented 37.3%, Owned with a mortgage 30.9%, Owned outright 28.9%, Other tenure 2.1%, Not stated 0.7%

**Types of homes** — Flat or apartment 47.6%, Separate house 40.6%, Townhouse / semi-detached 11.7%

**Bedrooms per home** — 2 bedrooms 33.3%, 3 bedrooms 27.1%, 4 bedrooms 17.5%, 1 bedroom 14.6%, 5 or more 6.5%, Studio / none 0.3%

**Weekly rent distribution** — $350–$549 43.3%, $550–$749 26.5%, $750 or more 11.4%, Under $200 8.6%, $200–$349 7.6%

**Monthly mortgage distribution** — $3,000 or more 36.1%, $1,800–$2,999 27.0%, $1,000–$1,799 21.5%, Under $1,000 10.8%

## Transport & Vehicles

Public transport is highly accessible, with a typical two-minute walk to the nearest stop. This helps explain why 4.6% of people commute by public transport, much higher than in most similar areas.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Homes with no motor vehicle | 6.2% | -29.6% since 2011 |
| People working from home | 13.8% | +201.3% since 2011 |
| Commuting by public transport | 4.6% | -7.4% since 2011 |
| Public transport stops | 242 | — |
| PT stops per 1,000 people | 7.66 | — |
| Weekly PT departures per 1,000 people | 1,904.6 | — |
| Public transport routes | 40 | — |
| Walk to nearest stop (min) | 2 | — |
| Drive time to the city (min) | 7 | — |

**How people get to work** — Car (driver) 52.1%, Worked at home 13.8%, Walked 8.0%, Car (passenger) 5.4%, Bus 4.6%, Bicycle 3.7%, Train 0.0%

**Motor vehicles per home** — 1 vehicle 48.3%, 2 vehicles 34.5%, 3 vehicles 7.5%, No vehicle 6.2%, 4 or more 3.5%

## Migration & Movement

The community is quite mobile, as 54.1% of residents moved in the last five years. This is far above the national average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People who moved in the last 5 years | 54.1% | +10.1% since 2011 |
| Recent arrivals from overseas | 14.5% | -20.0% since 2011 |

## Jobs & Industry

Employment is strong, with a low unemployment rate of 2.9%. Many people work in public administration and safety, making up 37.0% of jobs.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9% | -13.9% since 2011 |
| Labour-force participation | 67.4% | +0.4% since 2011 |
| Employed full-time | 70.8% | +0.4% since 2011 |

**Industries people work in** — Public administration & safety 37.0%, Professional & technical 14.8%, Health care & social assistance 10.3%, Education & training 7.9%, Accommodation & food 4.7%, Retail trade 4.4%, Construction 4.1%, Other services 2.3%, Rental & real estate 1.9%, Finance & insurance 1.8%, Administrative & support 1.7%, Arts & recreation 1.7%, Media & telecommunications 1.6%, Manufacturing 1.3%, Transport & warehousing 1.2%, Wholesale trade 0.7%, Electricity, gas & water 0.5%, Agriculture, forestry & fishing 0.4%, Mining 0.1%

**Occupations people work in** — Professionals 41.8%, Managers 23.9%, Clerical & administrative 11.6%, Community & personal service 7.7%, Sales workers 4.7%, Technicians & trades 4.6%, Labourers 2.5%, Machinery operators & drivers 1.0%

## Economy & Advantage

The area has seen significant growth, with the population increasing by 9.5% since 2021, which is a little above the territory average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Population estimate | 34,483 | — |
| Population growth since 2021 | 9.5% | — |

## Environment & Climate

The local climate is slightly cooler and drier than the rest of the territory, with average annual rainfall of 755mm.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Average annual rainfall | 755 | — |
| Average maximum temperature | 21.1 | — |
| Average minimum temperature | 6.8 | — |

## Walkability

South Canberra is very walkable, with 97.7% of homes within a 15-minute walk of key amenities. Most residents can easily reach health services and groceries on foot.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Walkability score | 7.9 | — |
| Amenity types within a 15-minute walk | 7.3 | — |
| Homes with a 15-minute-city walkshed | 97.7% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of groceries | 89.6% | — |
| Homes within 10 min walk of public transport | 98.8% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a school | 79.7% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a park | 100.0% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of health services | 78.7% | — |
| Walkable amenities per 1,000 residents | 34.5 | — |
| Street connectivity (intersections/km²) | 225 | — |
| Mean terrain slope | 4.8% | — |

## Schools serving South Canberra

14 schools, 10,669 students, average ICSEA 1,141.

By sector: Government 8, Independent 3, Catholic 3

By type: Secondary 6, Primary 6, Combined 2

Nearest 10 shown:

| School | Sector | Type | Distance | Students |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Canberra Grammar School | Independent | Secondary | — | 2,116 |
| Telopea Park School | Government | Combined | — | 1,586 |
| Canberra Girls Grammar School | Independent | Secondary | — | 1,203 |
| Narrabundah College | Government | Secondary | — | 977 |
| St Edmund's College Canberra | Independent | Combined | — | 935 |
| St Clare's College | Catholic | Secondary | — | 887 |
| Alfred Deakin High School | Government | Secondary | — | 881 |
| Red Hill Primary School | Government | Primary | — | 720 |
| Forrest Primary School | Government | Primary | — | 479 |
| Yarralumla Primary School | Government | Primary | — | 313 |

## Areas within South Canberra

[Barton](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/801061129/barton) · [Deakin](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/801061062/deakin) · [Forrest](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/801061063/forrest) · [Fyshwick](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/801061130/fyshwick) · [Griffith](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/801061064/griffith) · [Kingston](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/801061131/kingston) · [Lake Burley Griffin](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/801061066/lake-burley-griffin) · [Narrabundah](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/801061067/narrabundah) · [Parkes (ACT) - South](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/801061068/parkes-south) · [Red Hill](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/801061069/red-hill) · [Yarralumla](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/801061070/yarralumla)

## Nearby areas

[Woden Valley](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/80109/woden-valley) · [North Canberra](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/80105/north-canberra) · [Weston Creek](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/80108/weston-creek) · [Canberra East](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/80103/canberra-east) · [Molonglo](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/80110/molonglo) · [Belconnen](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/80101/belconnen) · [Gungahlin](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/80104/gungahlin) · [Tuggeranong](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/80107/tuggeranong)

Interactive profile: https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/80106/south-canberra