Suburb / Locality · Area profile
Watson
4 km²
A young and highly educated population defines Watson, where the typical resident is just 34. It is a growing community of young professionals and families, with a noticeably higher share of children and de facto couples than most areas. This professional character is reflected in the high number of university degrees and strong weekly incomes, making it a relatively affluent pocket of the Australian Capital Territory.
An affluent area whose schools serve an equally well-off community.
A family-heavy area that's short on schools per child.
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The area is much younger than the national average, with 20% of residents being children under 15 and only 9.7% aged 65 and over. De facto relationships are also much more common here than in most other areas.
People born overseas make up 26.2% of the population, which is much higher than most areas. English, Australian, and Irish are the most common ancestries reported.
Around 19.7% of residents use a language other than English at home, a figure much higher than most areas, though this is still well below the ACT average.
A large majority of the community reports no religion at 57.0%, a figure that is far above both the state and national averages.
The community is exceptionally well-qualified, with 55.6% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, far above the national figure of 26.3%. Year 12 completion is also among the highest at this level.
Typical incomes are very high, with the usual weekly household income reaching $2,414. This is well above the national figure of $1,746, and 37.5% of households earn $3,000 or more per week.
Mental health conditions are reported at 11.8%, which is well above the national average. However, the rate of people needing help with daily activities is a little below the national figure.
Volunteering is higher than most areas at 23.8%, and there is a strong presence of people caring for children unpaid. About 5.7% of residents have served in the Defence Force.
First Nations residents in Watson have a much higher typical personal income than most areas and an unemployment rate of 0.0%, which is far below the national figure.
Families with children are common, though there is also a higher than usual proportion of people living alone at 27.5%.
Renting is much more common here than in most areas, and homes owned outright are much less frequent. Separate houses are also less common than the national average, with more townhouses and flats.
Public transport use for commuting is among the highest at this level. Most homes are well connected, with 99.9% within a 10-minute walk of a stop.
The population is quite mobile, with 53.4% having moved in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals are also much more common than in most areas.
Employment is strong, with 75.2% of adults working or looking for work. Many residents work in public administration and safety, while 12.9% work from home.
Recorded offences per 100,000 people are higher than most areas, with theft and property damage being the most common crimes. Robbery rates are among the lowest at this level.
The area is very walkable, especially for groceries, with 95.7% of homes within a 15-minute walk of a store. However, access to health services and schools by foot is far below the state average.