Suburb / Locality · Area profile
Farrer
2 km²
A noticeably older population defines Farrer, where the typical resident is 43 and nearly a quarter of people are seniors. This is a high-earning community with a very well-qualified workforce and a high proportion of large, family-sized homes. Situated in the ACT, it is a safe and walkable area where many residents have strong ties to public service and professional roles. The neighbourhood is marked by its stability and relative affluence, though it has seen a fair amount of movement in recent years.
An affluent area whose schools serve an equally well-off community.
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The area is far older than the territory average, with 23.7% of people aged 65 and over, a figure well above the national average. Children under 15 make up 18.1% of the population, which is about the same as across Australia.
People born overseas make up 25.9% of the community, which is much higher than in most similar areas. English and Australian are the most common ancestries, followed by Irish and Scottish.
Around 17.7% of residents use a language other than English at home, a figure much higher than in most similar areas, though still well below the ACT average. Only 1.5% of people speak little or no English.
Religious affiliation is split, with 44.5% of people identifying as Christian and 41.0% reporting no religion, which is slightly above the national figure.
The community is highly qualified, with 44.3% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, far above the national average. Year 12 completion is also very high at 78.1%.
Farrer is a wealthy area where 41.0% of households earn $3,000 or more a week, far above the national figure. The typical family income is $3,226 weekly, which is among the highest for its level.
People needing help with daily activities make up 6.3% of the population, which is higher than most areas. About 30.6% of residents have a long-term health condition.
Volunteerism is high here, with 23.0% of people volunteering, well above the national figure. There is also a strong connection to the Defence Force, with 6.5% of residents having served.
First Nations residents in Farrer have a very high Year 12 completion rate of 78.1%, far above the national figure. They also record a much lower unemployment rate than most areas.
Families with children are common, making up 63.4% of households. Homes are slightly larger than usual, with an average of 2.6 people per household.
The area is dominated by separate houses, which make up 73.2% of homes. While 36.5% of homes are owned outright, typical monthly mortgage payments are very high at $2,600.
Public transport is well-integrated, with 98.2% of homes within a 10-minute walk of a stop. However, most people still rely on cars, with 62.0% driving to work.
The population is quite mobile, with 42.6% of people moving house in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals account for 11.9% of the community.
Full-time employment is high at 64.0%, well above the national figure. Many residents work in public administration and safety, which accounts for 30.8% of jobs.
Farrer is a very safe area with a recorded offence rate much lower than most areas. Crime has fallen sharply, with a 61.9% drop in the crime rate over five years.
The area is very walkable, with 100% of homes within a 15-minute walk of a park. Almost 90% of residents can reach groceries and 71.5% can reach health services on foot within 15 minutes.