Suburb / Locality · Area profile
Richardson
2 km²
Higher than most similar areas in population size, Richardson is a family-oriented community with a notably young feel. The typical resident is just 36, which helps explain why 20.1% of the population are children. This young demographic is mirrored in the housing, where large, detached homes are the norm. It is a predominantly residential area in the ACT, characterized by a high proportion of full-time workers and a strong presence of young families.
Richardson's schools draw a community as advantaged as its high household incomes suggest.
Richardson has many young families but fewer schools per child than most areas.
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The community is younger than the national average, with a higher proportion of children and far fewer seniors than most similar areas. About 4.5% of residents are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, which is a little above the ACT figure.
People born overseas make up 21.1% of the population, a figure that is much higher than most similar areas but well below the ACT and national averages. The most common ancestries are Australian, English, Irish, and Scottish.
While 16.8% of residents use a language other than English at home—much higher than most similar areas—this is well below the state and national figures. English remains the primary language for nearly 80% of the community.
Religious patterns align closely with the territory, as 43.2% of people report having no religion. This is about the same as the ACT average and well above the national figure.
The area has a high number of people who completed Year 12, although the proportion of adults with a bachelor degree or higher is far below the ACT average. Residents are well-served by schools, with 17 within 3km.
Typical personal and household incomes are much higher than in most similar areas and sit a little above the national figure. However, the proportion of high earners is far below the ACT average.
More people here report long-term health or mental health conditions compared to most similar areas. About 6% of residents need help with daily activities, which is a little above the territory average.
Unpaid childcare is much more common here than in most similar areas, which is consistent with the high number of children. However, volunteering rates are well below both the state and national figures.
The First Nations community is larger than in 90% of similar areas and is noticeably younger, with a typical age of 17. Unemployment among First Nations residents is far above the territory average.
Family sizes are larger than usual, with 2.6 people per home and a much higher rate of one-parent families than in most similar areas. More than half of all households consist of couples with children.
The area is almost entirely made up of separate houses, with 94.5% having three or more bedrooms. This is far above the ACT and national averages, though typical monthly mortgage payments remain high.
Public transport infrastructure is excellent, with 30 stops and a very high number of departures compared to the state. Despite this, only 3.4% of people use it to commute, and working from home is far less common than nationally.
The community is relatively stable, as the proportion of people who moved in the last five years is well below the territory and national figures. Recent overseas arrivals make up 10.1% of the population.
Full-time employment is much higher here than in most similar areas and sits a little above the ACT average. Many residents work in public administration, construction, or health care.
The area is quite safe, with burglary and theft rates among the lowest or much lower than most similar areas. Recorded offences have fallen by 37% over the last five years.
Every home is within a 10-minute walk of public transport and a 15-minute walk of a park. However, the area is far less walkable for groceries and health services than the rest of the ACT.