Median house price
—
No data available
ACT · Unincorporated ACT Council
Acton, 2601
Est. population · Jun 2025
3,386
Growth (1 yr)
+5.6%
Growth (5 yr)
+31.3%
Median age
19
Median income
$0/wk
Employment rate
47.9%
Languages at home
24.3%non-English
Most common: Mandarin, Hindi, Cantonese
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Education hub
- Café precinct
- Green suburb
- High desirability
- Cycling
Suburb profile
Acton is a practical mid-sized suburb in Unincorporated ACT, well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. Young professionals and new households shape much of the local mix, with plenty of support for parents with young children. The suburb has a clear multicultural mix alongside longer-term local households.
Schooling is a clear local strength compared with many peer areas. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Most routine trips are on foot, while buses cover longer journeys across the metro area.
Housing sits in the middle of the local market: neither cheap nor premium. Reported crime has been falling recently.
Local dining and lifestyle amenities push the suburb to a good desirability read, even as growth momentum look more ordinary among similar metro suburbs.
At a glance
Acton snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
3,386
+5.6% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
—
No data available
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#4
among Metro Canberra · Growth area
Safety
85th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
91st
percentile in ACT
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 66.9/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 17% of Australian Capital Territory's suburbs
- National rank
- 415th in Australia
- State rank
- 18th in ACT
- Peer rank
- #4 among Metro Canberra · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #18 among Metro Canberra suburbs
- Data confidence
- 64%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Population
Estimated resident population
3,386(June 2025)
+5.6% annual · +31.3% over 5 years · 91th percentile in ACT
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +5.6%
- 5-year growth
- +31.3%
- Change in 1 year
- +180
- Change in 5 years
- +807
- Growth rank in ACT
- 91th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~4,100), extrapolated at +3.9% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 2,848
- Median age
- 19
- Median household income / week
- $0
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 0 of 0
- Median monthly mortgage
- $0
- Employment rate
- 47.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 0 / 0 / 0
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 187
- Against the person
- 6
- Against property
- 133
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 55.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 475 residents
- State safety percentile
- 85th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -53.5%
Most common offence types
- Assault - Non-Fv4
- Motor Vehicle Theft6
- Other Offences48
- Property Damage19
- Theft (Excluding Motor Vehicles)104
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- ACT crime statistics by suburb (quarterly) — ACT Policing / dataACT · Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated · Quarterly XLSX release
Family & Lifestyle
Childcare
7 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- ANU Preschool & Childcare Centrekindergarten
- Acton Early Childhood Centre - 1BBalmain Crescentkindergarten
- Acton Early Childhood Centre - 1CBalmain Crescentkindergarten
- CSIROCare Black MountainClunies Ross Streetchildcare
- Cubby House on Campuschildcare
- Goodstart Early Learning - 147childcare
- Heritage Early Childhood Centrekindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Amenities
620 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
13 restaurants · 10 cafes · 2 bars · 1 supermarkets · 1 pharmacies · 2 fast food · 6 libraries · 3 sports centres
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Highly walkable for everyday errands
- Good local dining options — 27 food & drink venues nearby
- Great for outdoor family life — 13 parks mapped in suburb
- Reasonable bus and transport access — 9 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 9 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 84/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 3.51
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 9.48
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 4.56
Food & drink(27)
- Badger & CoBar
- Fellows Bar & CafeBar
- Ambi's ChaiCafe
- ChatimeCafe
- Coffee LabCafe
- Little PickleCafe
- Museum CafeCafe
- NFSA CafeCafe
- Rex EspressoCafe
- Tasa Coffee HouseCafe
- The Gods Cafe, Hedley BullCafe
- The Licensed Grocer on BalmainCafe
- Ballistic BurritosFast food
- SubwayFast food
- Azure DragonRestaurant
- BoffinsRestaurant
- BrogerRestaurant
- Fellows BarRestaurant
- Gangnam LaneRestaurant
- Hot-Star ChickenRestaurant
Joplin Lane
- KebabaRestaurant
- Spice SizzleRestaurant
- Sushi SmithRestaurant
- SymposiumRestaurant
- Urban TigerRestaurant
- What the PhoRestaurant
- YoriRestaurant
Shopping(3)
- Licensed Grocer on Balmain - 64BConvenience store
- Daily Market GroceriesSupermarket
Community(11)
- Cubby House on CampusChildcare
- Acton Early Childhood Centre - 1BKindergarten
20 Balmain Crescent
- Acton Early Childhood Centre - 1CKindergarten
24 Balmain Crescent
- ANU Preschool & Childcare CentreKindergarten
- Heritage Early Childhood CentreKindergarten
- ANU Law LibraryLibrary
- Hancock Library East WingLibrary
- Hancock Library West WingLibrary
- JB Chifley BuildingLibrary
- R.G. Menzies LibraryLibrary
- Research Library of the National Museum of AustraliaLibrary
Health & services(3)
- National Health CooperativeMedical clinic
- University Health Service and Counselling CentreMedical clinic
- University PharmacyPharmacy
Unit 156-B2 156 Joplin Lane
Sport & outdoors(24)
- Club LimeGym
- Black Mountain Peninsula District ParkPark
- Henry Rolland ParkPark
- Park (8)
- Spinnaker IslandPark
- Springbank IslandPark
- Yukeembruk Village GreenPark
- Black Mountain Peninsula District ParkPicnic area
- Picnic area
- Red Shed Rowing ClubSports centre
- Sport and Recreation Centre - 18Sports centre
- Sports centre
- Fellows OvalSports field
- Old Canberra House Tennis CourtSports field
- South OvalSports field
- Sports field
- Club Lime PoolSwimming pool
Entertainment(6)
- ARC CinemaCinema
- Kambri CinemaCinema
- Manning Clark HallTheatre
- Theatre
- Viewpoint (2)
Transport(9)
9 bus stops
Other(52)
- Game OnAmusement Arcade
Jopline Lane
- Liversidge Court ApartmentsApartment
- Arch of the SunArtwork
- Artwork (3)
- Black Sun IIArtwork
- Common FoodArtwork
- Frank Fenner (1914 - 2010)Artwork
- Garden of Australia DreamsArtwork
- Ngaraka: Shrine for the Lost KooriArtwork
- Spirit LevelsArtwork
- The Bogong MothsArtwork
- Winston ChurchillArtwork
- WitnessArtwork
- National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA)Attraction
- National Museum of AustraliaAttraction
Lawson Crescent
- Bbq (14)
- Bench (135)
- Bicycle Parking (44)
- Bicycle Repair Station
- Shop ANUClothes
- Drinking water (16)
- Fire station
- Firepit
- Chin upFitness Station
- Fitness Station (4)
- Collector's ColosseumGames
Unit 1 25 Joplin Lane
- Garden (99)
- University HouseHotel
- Information (8)
- Laundry
- VodafoneMobile Phone
- Australia Post Parcel LockerParcel Locker
- Acton Underhill parkingParking
- Entrance underground parkingParking
- Parking (96)
- Parking Entrance (2)
- Parking Space (2)
- Picnic Table (50)
- ACT TAMSPublic toilets
- Black Mountain Peninsula District ParkPublic toilets
- Public toilets
- Recycling (2)
- Char CharRestaurant;Cafe
Unit 154 B2 Joplin Lane
- Shelter (15)
- Two external showersShower
- Slipway (3)
- National Capital AuthorityTourist Bus Parking
- STA TravelTravel Agency
- Australian National UniversityUniversity
- Vacant
- Vending machine (4)
- Waste Basket (6)
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Parks & reserves
5 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Black Mountain Peninsula District ParkPark
- Henry Rolland ParkPark
- Spinnaker IslandPark
- Springbank IslandPark
- Yukeembruk Village GreenPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 40
- Parks (OSM)
- 13
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 3
- Nearest hospital
- Barton Private Hospital (3.4 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- University Health Service and Counselling CentreDoctor
- National Health CooperativeDoctor
- University PharmacyJoplin LanePharmacy
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 13
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 3.8
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 27° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 171 mm · ~21 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 7°
- Rainfall
- 169 mm · ~21 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 12° / 1°
- Rainfall
- 183 mm · ~23 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 19° / 6°
- Rainfall
- 212 mm · ~26 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from ACT planning register (lodged 2020–2026).
2 planning-related records
2024· 1 proposal
December 2024
- SUBCACTON · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
2021· 1 proposal
April 2021
- SUBCACTON · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Active & completed development applications — ACT Planning · 2020–2026 · Updated
Roadworks & transport
6 active roadworks / incidents
- City Feeder ProjectWatson Street - both directions: between Barry Drive and McKay Lane.Will be closed for approximately 1 week during the nominated timeframe.Moore Street - both directions: will be closed at Barry Drive.8 pm - 6 am (nightly) Sunday through to Thursday night / Friday morning.Mort Street - both directions: between the McDonalds Braddon driveway and Cooyong Street.8 pm - 6 am (nightly) Sunday through to Thursday night / Friday morning.Lonsdale Street - both directions: between the BP Braddon service station driveway and Cooyong Street.8 pm - 6 am (nightly) Sunday through to Thursday night / Friday morning.28 Jun 2026 – 27 Nov 2026
- Ext3 TTE22-NMA-2151 RevB NationalMuseumofAustralia, Special Event, ACTON PeninsulaLawson Cres intersection to NMA car park.11 Mar 2026 – 10 Dec 2026
- The Golden Oar 2026John Cardiff Close - Northbound and southbound from the designated carpark adjacent to the Red Shed Rowing Club.29 Oct 2026 – 01 Nov 2026
- TTE24-CLREW-7405 - CMC - CLR2A - Compounds C1 & C2, Barrine Dr, ActonPublic car park located on the northern side of Corkhill Street (Block 24, Section 33 Canberra Central. Former Futsal Soccer Ground).Public car park located on the southern side of Corkhill Street. (Block 1, Section 95 Canberra Central).13 Oct 2024 – 28 May 2027
- TTE24-CMC-OP2-01- 12 - CMC - LR2a - Phase 01 Section 2 - Operational Road Closure Albert St WestAlbert Street (western entrance) (both directions): between Barrine Drive and Commonwealth Avenue.8 pm - 6 am (nightly as required) Monday to Sunday.02 Apr 2025 – 04 Feb 2027
- TTM 26060 CED - Weston Creek Half MarathonGarry Owen Drive: from Lady Denman Drive.20 Mar 2027 – 20 Mar 2027
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Heritage
5 heritage places
- Aboriginal Places in Canberra Nature Park Fire TrailsBMF 93 - Registered Places or Objects
- Aboriginal RecordingsBMPAD14 - Aboriginal Place or Object (not registered but protected under Heritage Act 2004)
- Aboriginal RecordingsCRS14 - Aboriginal Place or Object (not registered but protected under Heritage Act 2004)
- Lennox HouseLennox House Complex3 - Registered Places or Objects
- Lennox HouseLennox House Complex3 - Registered Places or Objects
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via ACT Bushfire Prone Area (SBMP) mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Canberra
- Member of Parliament
- Alicia PAYNE (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 102,942
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.7%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +4.0 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 23.6%Labor 76.4%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 3.2 km away).
Coalition 20.6%Labor 79.4%
3.0 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -0.7 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- City (Canberra)Labor 81.4% · Coalition 18.6% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
- City North (Canberra)Labor 79.5% · Coalition 20.5% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
- TurnerLabor 85.6% · Coalition 14.4% TPP (2025)2.3 km away
- Parkes (Canberra)Labor 87.9% · Coalition 12.1% TPP (2025)2.5 km away
- BraddonLabor 83.8% · Coalition 16.2% TPP (2025)2.6 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
This suburb ranks highly for
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Unincorporated ACT Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile elsewhere in Australian Capital Territory or interstate.