ACT · Unincorporated ACT Council

Barton, 2600

Est. population · Jun 2025

2,411

Growth (1 yr)

+5.7%

Growth (5 yr)

+32.9%

Median age

39

Median income

$2,462/wk

Employment rate

68.4%

Languages at home

19.1%non-English

Most common: Mandarin, Greek, Spanish

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

55.2/100
Good

73rd in ACT

Verified 82% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Heritage area
  • Cycling
  • Café precinct
  • Education hub
  • High desirability
What Barton is known for: Heritage area, Cycling, Café precinct, Education hub, High desirability

Suburb profile

Barton is a lively inner smaller community with dining, shopping and leisure options right on the doorstep. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with schools and childcare nearby. Many residents were born overseas or speak a language other than English at home.

Green space punches above what many metro suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus, and buses help with longer trips. Housing is expensive relative to much of the state.

Reported crime has been falling recently. The built character feels historic and distinctive, with heritage detail visible throughout.

Against similar metro suburbs, community and employment stand out and the overall desirability rating is good, with growth momentum less decisive. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Barton snapshot

A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk

Median house price

No data available

Median rent

No data available

Population (ERP)

2,411

+5.7% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

7.5%

Census unoccupied dwellings

Livability profile

Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)

How it compares

Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles

Desirability

#7

among Metro Canberra · Emerging

Safety

33rd

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

92nd

percentile in ACT

Advantage (IRSAD)

10/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

88th

percentile among schools with ICSEA

Population growth

Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years

Housing mix

Dwelling types from the 2021 Census

Risks & flags

Quick scan — open a section below for full context

Living here

Desirability

Ranks & confidence
Desirability score
55.2/100 — Good
National rank
1540th in Australia
State rank
73rd in ACT
Peer rank
#7 among Metro Canberra · Emerging suburbs
Cohort rank
#73 among Metro Canberra suburbs
Data confidence
82%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability indexSuburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated

Population

Estimated resident population

2,411(June 2025)

+5.7% annual · +32.9% over 5 years · 92th percentile in ACT

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+5.7%
5-year growth
+32.9%
Change in 1 year
+129
Change in 5 years
+597
Growth rank in ACT
92th 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 (~3,050), extrapolated at +4.9% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
1,946
Median age
39
Median household income / week
$2,462
Dwelling vacancy
7.5%
Unoccupied private dwellings
77 of 1,020
Median monthly mortgage
$2,015
Employment rate
68.4%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
59 / 28 / 857

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community ProfileAustralian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

  • Estimated Resident PopulationAustralian 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 ProfileAustralian 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)
32
Against the person
4
Against property
12
Rate per 1,000 residents
13.3
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 486 residents
State safety percentile
32.7th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-68.2%

Most common offence types

  • Assault - Non-Fv2
  • Other Offences16
  • Property Damage3
  • Robbery - Other2
  • Theft (Excluding Motor Vehicles)6

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

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
4
Median school ICSEA (4 schools)
1,116
Median ICSEA percentile
88th
School list
  • Telopea Park SchoolCombined · Government · ICSEA 1153 · 96th percentile · LBOTE 65% · 1,586 students · Top SEA quarter 65% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
  • Forrest Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1145 · 94th percentile · LBOTE 46% · 479 students · Top SEA quarter 62% · 1.6 km awayView on My School →
  • St Edmund's College CanberraCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1080 · 79th percentile · LBOTE 6% · 935 students · Top SEA quarter 32% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
  • St Clare's CollegeSecondary · Catholic · ICSEA 1087 · 81th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 887 students · Top SEA quarter 35% · 2.0 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • Only About Childrenkindergarten
  • kindergartenkindergarten

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare servicesOpenStreetMap · current · Updated

Amenities

271 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

7 restaurants · 7 cafes · 1 pubs · 1 fast food · 1 places of worship · 1 sports centres · 8 swimming pools

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus
  • Great for outdoor family life8 parks mapped in suburb
  • Reasonable bus and transport access16 public transport stops
  • Strong local sport and recreation10 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
Walkability proxy
54/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
3.6
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
8.22
Parks per 1,000 residents
4.11
Food & drink(16)
  • Lachlan CafeCafe
  • Little BirdCafe
  • Maple+Clove CafeCafe
  • On Lake CafeCafe
  • Rise and Shine Canberra CafeCafe
  • The 'One' HubCafe
  • The Daily GrindCafe
  • Barton KebabFast food
  • Canberra ClubPub

    51 Blackall Street

  • Burger CraftRestaurant
  • Chairman YipRestaurant
  • Chifley's Bar and GrillRestaurant

    8 National Circuit

  • Double DrummerRestaurant

    2-4 National Circuit

  • LouisRestaurant
  • The Boat House by the LakeRestaurant
  • Yogi's KitchenRestaurant

    Unit 5 48

Community(3)
  • Kindergarten
  • Only About ChildrenKindergarten
  • Telopea Park SchoolSchool
Health & services(2)
  • Barton Private HospitalHospital

    9 Sydney Avenue

  • Barton Private HospitalHospital

    Unit 2 9 Sydney Avenue

Sport & outdoors(19)
  • Bowen ParkPark
  • Grevillea District ParkPark
  • Park (4)
  • Telopea ParkPark
  • York ParkPark
  • Picnic area
  • Barton Tennis ClubSports centre
  • Sports field
  • Swimming pool (8)
Entertainment(2)
  • Viewpoint (2)
Transport(16)

16 bus stops

Other(37)
  • Artwork (2)
  • BellArtwork
  • CrossArtwork
  • Edmund Barton StatueArtwork
  • Pilgrim PolesArtwork
  • Bbq (6)
  • Yogis Brows & BeautyBeauty salon
  • Bench (9)
  • Bicycle Parking
  • spinwayBicycle rental
  • Drinking water (4)
  • Water fountainDrinking water
  • Fountain
  • Bible Plants GardenGarden
  • Garden (20)
  • Great SpaceGarden
  • Kurrajong HotelGarden

    8 National Circuit

  • Clare Holland HouseHospice
  • Brassey HotelHotel
  • Hotel RealmHotel

    18 National Circuit

  • Little National HotelHotel

    21 National Circuit

  • Information (2)
  • 48 Macquarie St Car ParkParking
  • ACT GovernmentParking
  • Attorney-General's DepartmentParking
  • Parking

    7 National Circuit, Barton

  • Parking (31)
  • Parking Entrance (3)
  • Parking Space (96)
  • Picnic Table (9)
  • Outdoor ChapelPlace of worship
  • Public toilets
  • Shelter (5)
  • Slipway
  • Wisdom LearningTraining

    6 National Circuit

  • Charles Sturt UniversityUniversity
  • Waste Basket

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 insightsSuburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
  • OpenStreetMap amenitiesOpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated

Parks & reserves

4 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Bowen ParkPark
  • Grevillea District ParkPark
  • Telopea ParkPark
  • York ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
9
Parks (OSM)
8

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

Places of worship

1 places of worship within ~1.5 km

  • Outdoor Chapel

From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
3
Nearest hospital
Barton Private Hospital (0.9 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
On site
  • Barton Private HospitalSydney AvenueHospital
  • Barton Private HospitalSydney AvenueHospital
  • Clare Holland HouseHospice

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
15
Participants per 1,000 residents
6.2

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

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 normalsWorldClim 2.1 · Updated

Future & Planning

Planning & development

Development applications from ACT planning register.

2026· 1 proposal
  • April 2026

  • SUBC
    BARTON · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
2025· 2 proposals
  • December 2025

  • SUBC
    BARTON · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
  • August 2025

  • SUBC
    BARTON · CANBERRA CENTRALActive
2024· 4 proposals
  • November 2024

  • SUBC
    BARTON · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
  • July 2024

  • SUBC
    BARTON · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
  • SUBC
    BARTON · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
  • June 2024

  • SUBC
    BARTON · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
2023· 5 proposals
  • November 2023

  • SUBC
    BARTON · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
  • October 2023

  • SUBC
    BARTON · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
  • July 2023

  • SUBC
    BARTON · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
  • June 2023

  • SUBC
    BARTON · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
  • February 2023

  • SUBC
    BARTON · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
2022· 3 proposals
  • October 2022

  • SUBC
    BARTON · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
  • September 2022

  • SUBC
    BARTON · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
  • April 2022

  • SUBC
    BARTON · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
2021· 3 proposals
  • December 2021

  • SUBC
    BARTON · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
  • October 2021

  • SUBC
    BARTON · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
  • May 2021

  • SUBC
    BARTON · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
2020· 3 proposals
  • November 2020

  • SUBC
    BARTON · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
  • March 2020

  • SUBC
    BARTON · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted
  • January 2020

  • SUBC
    BARTON · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

  • Active & completed development applicationsACT Planning · 2026 · Updated

Roadworks & transport

5 active roadworks / incidents

  • National Security Office Precinct (NSOP)Windsor Walk will be closed at Blackall Street.13 Oct 2024 – 30 Dec 2029
  • TTM 26045 Downer - NCA Heavy Patching 25-26 TTM 7 Patch C3State Circle - southbound: from Kings Avenue to Brisbane Avenue.8 pm - 6 am (nightly) Sunday to Friday night / Saturday morning.19 Aug 2026 – 29 Sep 2026
  • TTM 26045 Downer - NCA Heavy Patching 25-26 TTM 8 Patch C4-C5State Circle - southbound: from Brisbane Avenue to Sydney Avenue.Brisbane Avenue - westbound: from John McEwen Crescent to State Circle.8 pm - 6 am (nightly) Sunday through to Friday night / Saturday morning.23 Aug 2026 – 29 Sep 2026
  • TTM 26049 CB Excavations - Telopea Park Crossings TTM 2Telopea Park (West) - both directions at New South Wales Crescent.9:30 am - 2:30 pm Monday to Friday.7 am - 10 pm Weekends.29 Jul 2026 – 15 Aug 2026
  • TTM 26049 CB Excavations - Telopea Park Crossings TTM 4New South Wales Crescent - both directions between Telopea Park East and Telopea Park West.9:30 am - 2:30 pm Monday to Friday.7 am - 10 pm weekends.29 Jul 2026 – 15 Aug 2026

Data sources & freshness

  • Road incidents & closuresState road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated

Heritage

81 heritage places

  • Barton Housing Precinct 3 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Barton Housing Precinct 3 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Barton Housing Precinct 3 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Barton Housing Precinct 3 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Barton Housing Precinct 3 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Barton Housing Precinct 3 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Barton Housing Precinct 3 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Barton Housing Precinct 3 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Barton Housing Precinct 3 - Registered Places or Objects
  • Barton Housing Precinct 3 - Registered Places or Objects

Data sources & freshness

  • State heritage registerState 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 overlaysState 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 3.3 km away).

Coalition 21.5%Labor 78.5%

2.1 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +4.9 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • BartonLabor 77.3% · Coalition 22.7% TPP (2025)0.8 km away
  • Parkes (Canberra)Labor 87.9% · Coalition 12.1% TPP (2025)0.9 km away
  • GriffithLabor 72.3% · Coalition 27.7% TPP (2025)1.9 km away
  • DeakinLabor 58.6% · Coalition 41.4% TPP (2025)2.4 km away
  • CampbellLabor 69.3% · Coalition 30.7% 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

Socio-economic

IRSAD decile (2021)
10/10
IRSD decile (2021)
10/10

ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).

What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?

IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.

IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.

A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)

Data sources & freshness

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.