ACT · Unincorporated ACT Council

Higgins, 2615

Est. population · Jun 2025

3,283

Growth (1 yr)

+1.6%

Growth (5 yr)

+3.9%

Median age

38

Median income

$2,248/wk

Employment rate

62.8%

Languages at home

17.6%non-English

Most common: Vietnamese, Mandarin, Spanish

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

65.9/100
Good

Top 23% of Australian Capital Territory's suburbs

Verified 75% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Education hub
  • Green suburb
  • High desirability
  • Excellent transport
What Higgins is known for: Education hub, Green suburb, High desirability, Excellent transport

Suburb profile

Higgins is a well-connected mid-sized suburb in Unincorporated ACT with everyday amenities close at hand. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Schooling is a clear local strength compared with many peer areas.

Green space punches above what many metro suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Residents can rely on buses for getting around locally and across the city. Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers.

Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. Tree-lined streets and established homes set the tone, with little pressure to reinvent the neighbourhood.

Community and employment, plus growth momentum push the suburb to a good desirability read, even as local dining and lifestyle amenities look more ordinary among similar metro suburbs.

At a glance

Higgins snapshot

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

Median house price

No data available

Median rent

No data available

Population (ERP)

3,283

+1.6% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

5.1%

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

#16

among Metro Canberra · Established

Safety

56th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

80th

percentile in ACT

Advantage (IRSAD)

9/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

75th

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
65.9/100 — Good
State standing
Top 23% of Australian Capital Territory's suburbs
National rank
485th in Australia
State rank
24th in ACT
Peer rank
#16 among Metro Canberra · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#24 among Metro Canberra suburbs
Data confidence
75%

Data sources & freshness

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

Population

Estimated resident population

3,283(June 2025)

+1.6% annual · +3.9% over 5 years · 80th percentile in ACT

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+1.6%
5-year growth
+3.9%
Change in 1 year
+53
Change in 5 years
+123
Growth rank in ACT
80th 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 (~3,350), extrapolated at +0.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
3,321
Median age
38
Median household income / week
$2,248
Dwelling vacancy
5.1%
Unoccupied private dwellings
66 of 1,303
Median monthly mortgage
$2,000
Employment rate
62.8%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
1,189 / 30 / 23

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)
62
Against the person
13
Against property
25
Rate per 1,000 residents
18.9
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 255 residents
State safety percentile
55.8th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-49%

Most common offence types

  • Assault - Fv8
  • Burglary Dwellings7
  • Motor Vehicle Theft5
  • Other Offences24
  • Theft (Excluding Motor Vehicles)8

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
9
Median school ICSEA (9 schools)
1,070
Median ICSEA percentile
75th
School list
  • Cranleigh SchoolSpecial · Government · ICSEA 1036 · 62th percentile · LBOTE 53% · 88 students · Top SEA quarter 27% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
  • Kingsford Smith SchoolCombined · Government · ICSEA 991 · 43th percentile · LBOTE 35% · 742 students · Top SEA quarter 12% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
  • Southern Cross Early Childhood SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1088 · 81th percentile · LBOTE 31% · 115 students · Top SEA quarter 42% · 1.0 km awayView on My School →
  • Hawker CollegeSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1073 · 76th percentile · LBOTE 24% · 605 students · Top SEA quarter 34% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
  • Latham Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1038 · 63th percentile · LBOTE 14% · 298 students · Top SEA quarter 24% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
  • St Francis Xavier CollegeSecondary · Catholic · ICSEA 1070 · 75th percentile · LBOTE 13% · 1,323 students · Top SEA quarter 27% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
  • St John the Apostle Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1077 · 78th percentile · LBOTE 30% · 368 students · Top SEA quarter 30% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
  • St Matthew's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1085 · 80th percentile · LBOTE 26% · 332 students · Top SEA quarter 35% · 1.6 km awayView on My School →
  • Belconnen High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1066 · 74th percentile · LBOTE 27% · 636 students · Top SEA quarter 32% · 2.0 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

94 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

1 cafes · 1 pharmacies · 1 places of worship · 4 playgrounds · 19 swimming pools

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • A car helps for daily errands
  • Great for outdoor family life7 parks mapped in suburb, 4 playgrounds nearby
  • Well connected by public transport37 public transport stops
  • Strong local sport and recreation24 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
Walkability proxy
47/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0.3
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0.3
Parks per 1,000 residents
2.11
Food & drink(1)
  • Hudson CateringCafe
Shopping(1)

No named venues listed.

Health & services(4)
  • Higgins DentalDentist
  • Belconnen Medical and Skin ClinicMedical clinic

    9 Higgins Place

  • Higgins SurgeryMedical clinic
  • TerryWhite ChemmartPharmacy
Sport & outdoors(31)
  • Park (6)
  • Tester ParkPark
  • Hudson Street Neighbourhood PlaygroundPlayground
  • Playground
  • Rich Street Neighbourhood PlaygroundPlayground
  • Tester ParkPlayground
  • Sports field
  • Swimming pool (19)
Transport(37)

37 bus stops

Other(12)
  • CARM TherapiesAlternative
  • Bench (3)
  • Bicycle Parking (3)
  • Drinking water
  • Salon by AmieHairdresser
  • Parking (5)
  • Picnic Table
  • Emmanuel Independent Baptist ChurchPlace of worship
  • Post Box
  • The HenrySocial Facility
  • Telephone
  • Track (2)

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

1 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Tester ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
53
Parks (OSM)
7

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

  • Emmanuel Independent Baptist Church

From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
5
Nearest hospital
University of Canberra Hospital (4.9 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
Not in suburb
  • Belconnen Medical and Skin ClinicHiggins PlaceDoctor
  • CARM TherapiesAlternative
  • Higgins DentalDentist
  • Higgins SurgeryDoctor
  • TerryWhite ChemmartPharmacy

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
123
Participants per 1,000 residents
37.5

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
  • August 2026

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENActive
2025· 6 proposals
  • December 2025

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • November 2025

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • April 2025

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • March 2025

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
2024· 6 proposals
  • December 2024

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • June 2024

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • April 2024

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • February 2024

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
2023· 6 proposals
  • December 2023

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • November 2023

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • October 2023

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • September 2023

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • April 2023

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • March 2023

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
2022· 12 proposals
  • December 2022

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • September 2022

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • August 2022

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • July 2022

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • May 2022

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • April 2022

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • March 2022

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • January 2022

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
2021· 5 proposals
  • November 2021

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • July 2021

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • April 2021

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • March 2021

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
2020· 5 proposals
  • June 2020

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • May 2020

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • April 2020

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • March 2020

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted
  • January 2020

  • SUBC
    HIGGINS · BELCONNENCompleted

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

  • Active & completed development applicationsACT Planning · 2026 · Updated

Roadworks & transport

2 active roadworks / incidents

  • TTE25-PBG-8171 Projex Building Group, The Henry Stage 4, Fullagar Cres, HigginsVarious internal roads within The Henry Retirement Village.19 Aug 2025 – 03 Sep 2027
  • TTE26-WHDD-DB1-04 / 05 / 06 -Drake Brockman Dr - Phase 1 - Daily PlansDrake Brockman Drive westbound direction between Kingsford Smith Drive and Kinsella Street.9 am - 4 pm (daily) Monday to Friday.6 am - 5 pm (daily) Saturday / Sunday.09 Aug 2026 – 29 Sep 2028

Data sources & freshness

  • Road incidents & closuresState road authority open-data feeds · 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
Fenner
Member of Parliament
Andrew LEIGH (Australian Labor Party)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
105,428
Turnout (2025)
92.0%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+6.4 pp toward Labor

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 27.9%Labor 72.1%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 2.8 km away).

Coalition 22.3%Labor 77.7%

5.6 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +5.9 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • HoltLabor 74.3% · Coalition 25.6% TPP (2025)0.8 km away
  • ScullinLabor 83.5% · Coalition 16.5% TPP (2025)1.0 km away
  • FloreyLabor 77.6% · Coalition 22.4% TPP (2025)1.5 km away
  • LathamLabor 75.5% · Coalition 24.4% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
  • Page (Fenner)Labor 76.8% · Coalition 23.2% TPP (2025)1.7 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)
9/10
IRSD decile (2021)
8/10

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

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.