suburb.guide

ACT · Unincorporated ACT Council

Parkes, 2600

Median land value · 2026

$89,391

Housing snapshot

Median land value
$89,391
  • Beach
  • Arts precinct
  • Green suburb
  • Café precinct
  • Cycling
What Parkes is known for: Beach, Arts precinct, Green suburb, Café precinct, Cycling

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Parkes, ACT suburb snapshot — Suburb Guide

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Suburb Guide, “Parkes, ACT Suburb Guide”, updated 2 October 2026, https://suburb.guide/act/parkes-act

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Suburb profile

Parkes is a major regional centre in the Australian Capital Territory, in Unincorporated ACT. Notable landmarks include National Rose Gardens.

Local amenities is an exceptional strength, well above typical levels for major regional centres. Local school ICSEA scores sit well above the peer median, and open-space access is better than in most comparable places. Green cover is an exceptional strength, and population has been growing faster than in comparable places. Employment rates sit below those of comparable places, with employment 100% below the peer median.

Overall, Parkes suits people prioritising school quality and open space over employment.

Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.

Strengths and weaknesses

Major regional centre · compared with major regional centres in Australian Capital Territory (10)

Strengths

  • Local school ICSEA scores sit well above the peer median
  • Open-space access is better than in most comparable places
  • Local amenity access is stronger than in most comparable places
  • Green cover is stronger than in comparable places
  • Population has been growing faster than in comparable places

Weaknesses

  • Employment rates sit below those of comparable places

What stands out

  • Parkes Beach
  • National Rose Gardens

Housing, growth and risk

How Parkes compares

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

Median land value

$89k

0.0% unimproved value

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

—

No data available

Dwelling vacancy

—

No data available

How it compares

Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles

Crime rate

94th

percentile in state (higher = more crime)

School ICSEA

96th

percentile among schools with ICSEA

Risks & flags

Quick scan — open a section below for full context

Living here

Housing

Median unimproved land value (2026)
$89,391
Land value change
0%
Valued parcels
626

Median unimproved land value is the statutory land valuation, not a house or unit sale price. ACT does not publish open suburb-level median sales.

Contributes to desirability score · Housing (10%) · Future Growth (6%)

Household crowding and healthy vacancy — not cheapness Modest price change as a healthy-growth band

Data sources & freshness

  • ACT unimproved land values (no open suburb-level rent or sales) — ACT Government — dataACT / Valuation · 2026 · Updated · Annual unimproved land values by parcel, median by suburb

Population

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
0
Median age
32
Median household income / week
$0
Unoccupied private dwellings
0 of 0
Median monthly mortgage
$0
Employment rate
0%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
0 / 0 / 0

Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%) · Accessibility (12%) · Future Growth (6%)

Employment, household income and owned-outright tenure (2021 Census) Work-from-home and public-transport commute shares (2021 Census) Five-year population change as a healthy-growth band, not a boom bonus

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

    The 2026 Census was conducted 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

Tax & income

Median taxable income (2023–24)
$92,327

96th percentile in ACT · +57% vs Australia

Median salary / wages (2023–24)
$96,402

100th percentile in ACT · +48% vs Australia

Residents with rental investments
25.0%

96th percentile in ACT · +81% vs Australia

Median super balance (2023–24)
$230,470

100th percentile in ACT · +264% vs Australia

Residents with business income
7.0%

32nd percentile in ACT · -33% vs Australia

Australian Taxation Office Taxation Statistics 2023–24, individuals Table 25. Figures describe taxpayers who live in postcode 2600 — not a suburb-level official statistic. Rental investment is the share of local taxpayers reporting rental income or loss, not the share of local properties owned by investors.

Counts, net rent & state comparison
Taxpayers in this postcode
6,280
Taxpayers reporting net rent
1,591
Median net rent
-$1,876
Taxpayers reporting business income
470
Taxable income vs state median
+23%
Salary / wages vs state median
+18%
Rental investment vs state median
+56%
Super vs state median
+121%
Business income vs state median
0%

Percentiles rank this postcode among unique postcodes in ACT, so suburbs that share a postcode are not counted twice. Dollar figures are compared with Australia-wide ATO medians from the same release. Median net rent is among taxpayers who reported the rent label and can be negative.

Data sources & freshness

  • Taxation Statistics 2023–24 — individuals by postcode (Table 25) — Australian Taxation Office · Updated · Annual release; taxpayer residential postcode, not suburb boundary

Community & culture

No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

    The 2026 Census was conducted 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)
49
Against the person
6
Against property
26
Rate per 1,000 residents
129.3
State crime-rate percentile
93.8th (higher = more crime)
Decrease (daily rate)
-48.3%
Recorded road crashes (in suburb)
8
Crash rate per 1,000 residents (state rank)
21.11

Most common offence types

  • Assault - Non-Fv5
  • Burglary Other2
  • Other Offences17
  • Property Damage7
  • Theft (Excluding Motor Vehicles)14

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)

Crime rate, offences against the person, year-on-year trend and recorded road crash rates

Data sources & freshness

  • ACT road crash data — ACT Government / AFP crash reports · 2020–latest · Updated · Reported crash points from 2020 onward
  • 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
1
Median school ICSEA
1,153
Median ICSEA percentile
96th
School list
  • Telopea Park SchoolCombined · Government · ICSEA 1153 · 96th percentile · LBOTE 65% · 1,586 students · Top SEA quarter 65% · 2.0 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (14%)

Median school ICSEA first, then school and catchment counts

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

1,402 mapped amenities

5 restaurants · 14 cafes · 1 pubs · 1 bars · 1 fast food · 1 libraries · 4 playgrounds · 1 beaches

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Reasonably walkable — many shops and services reachable on foot or by bus
  • Good local dining options — 22 food & drink venues nearby
  • Great for outdoor family life — 22 parks mapped in suburb, 4 playgrounds nearby
  • Well connected by public transport — 20 public transport stops
  • Strong local sport and recreation — 11 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
Walkability proxy
60/100
Food & drink(22)
  • The JettyBar

    Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes

  • BookplateCafe

    Parkes Place West

  • Cafe ConstitutionCafe

    Kings Avenue

  • Catbird CafeCafe
  • Chambers CafeCafe
  • CoffersCafe
  • Curio Press Espresso BarCafe

    Wendouree Drive, Parkes

  • Heritage CafeCafe

    21 Queen Victoria Terrace, Parkes

  • Lava CoffeeCafe
  • Margot Espresso BarCafe

    Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes

  • Mega Bites CafeCafe
  • Portrait CafeCafe
  • The Griff Coffee BarCafe
  • The Jetty CafeCafe

    Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes

  • The Street CafeCafe
  • Silceria CampellFast food
  • Lager House by Capital Brewing CoPub

    62 Constitution Avenue, Parkes

  • Gandel HallRestaurant
  • KOTORestaurant

    1 King George Terrace

  • Sculpture Garden RestaurantRestaurant
  • Waters Edge RestaurantRestaurant
  • WORLDRestaurant

    Unit 4 62 Constitution Avenue, Parkes

Community(1)
  • National Library of AustraliaLibrary
Sport & outdoors(79)
  • BBQ (6)
  • Beach
  • C8Cycling route
  • CBR Cycle Route C2Cycling route
  • CBR Cycle Route C4Cycling route
  • CBR Cycle Route C8Cycling route
  • CBR Cycle Route C9Cycling route
  • CBR Cycle Route LBGCycling route
  • Commonwealth Park shared bike pathCycling route
  • Lake Burley Griffin Central LoopCycling route
  • Lake Burley Griffin Eastern LoopCycling route
  • Lake Burley Griffin Western LoopCycling route
  • LBGCycling route
  • Parliment HouseCycling route
  • RG Menzies WalkCycling route
  • Wendouree DriveCycling route
  • Drinking water (20)
  • Canberra Peace ParkPark
  • Commonwealth ParkPark
  • Constitution PlacePark
  • Fern GardenPark
  • John Dunmore Lang PlacePark
  • Kings ParkPark
  • Lawns of Old Parliament HousePark
  • Magna Carta PlacePark
  • Marsh GardenPark
  • Park (8)
  • Patrick White LawnsPark
  • Patrick White TerracePark
  • Queen Elizabeth II IslandPark
  • Reconciliation PlacePark
  • Sculpture GardenPark
  • Picnic area
  • BoundlessPlayground
  • Playground (2)
  • Stone FortPlayground
  • Public toilets
  • Bowling GreenSports field
  • House of Representatives CourtsSports field

    18 King George Terrace

  • Senate Tennis CourtsSports field
  • Sports field
  • Tennis Court 1Sports field
  • Tennis Court 2Sports field
  • Tennis Court 3Sports field
  • alternate Centenary trailWalking trail
  • Canberra Centenary Trail - HikingWalking trail
  • RG Menzies WalkWalking trail
Entertainment(11)
  • Canberra Contemporary Arts SpaceArts centre

    44 Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes

  • National Gallery of AustraliaArts centre

    Parkes Place

  • National Portrait GalleryArts centre
  • Museum of Australian DemocracyMuseum
  • National Archives of AustraliaMuseum

    Kings Avenue, Parkes

  • National Capital ExhibitionMuseum
  • Theatre
  • Anzac Parade LookoutViewpoint
  • King's Avenue Bridge LookoutViewpoint
  • Regatta Point LookoutViewpoint
  • Viewpoint
Transport(20)

20 bus stops

Other(95)
  • Angel of the NorthArtwork
  • Artwork (12)
  • Australian Citizenship AffirmationArtwork
  • Burghers of CalaisArtwork
  • Centenary of Women’s SuffrageArtwork
  • ConesArtwork
  • Dance of the SecateursArtwork
  • DiamondsArtwork
  • Domestic TurfArtwork
  • EarthworkArtwork
  • EinsteinArtwork
  • Fire and WaterArtwork
  • Floating FigureArtwork
  • Fog SculptureArtwork
  • Group of eight bronzesArtwork
  • Gurindiji ManArtwork
  • HeadArtwork
  • Heads from the NorthArtwork
  • Hill ArchesArtwork
  • Ik ookArtwork
  • John Curtin and Ben Chifley StatueArtwork
  • KangaroosArtwork
  • Mobius StripArtwork
  • Number 751Artwork
  • On the beach againArtwork
  • Orangutan FootArtwork
  • OuroborosArtwork
  • PenelopeArtwork
  • Pukumani tutini [funerary posts]Artwork
  • Robert MenziesArtwork
  • Rock MusicArtwork
  • Rock XylophoneArtwork
  • Seated LadyArtwork
  • Slit drumsArtwork
  • Smooth SailingArtwork
  • Sound PillarArtwork
  • Speaker’s SquareArtwork
  • SteelArtwork
  • Szilassi PolyhedronArtwork
  • Temple GateArtwork
  • The AstronomerArtwork
  • The MountainArtwork
  • Two FiguresArtwork
  • Two Piece Reclining Figure - No. 9Artwork
  • VirginiaArtwork
  • Walter Burley Griffin TerrazzoArtwork
  • Within WithoutArtwork
  • Aboriginal Tent EmbassyAttraction
  • Australians of the Year WalkAttraction
  • National CarillonAttraction
  • National Gallery of AustraliaAttraction
  • National Portrait GalleryAttraction
  • QuestaconAttraction

    King Edward Terrace

  • Reconciliation PlaceAttraction
  • Bench (109)
  • Pioneer Women of AustraliaBench
  • Bicycle Parking (16)
  • National Gallery of AustraliaBicycle Parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Bleachers
  • Paddle boatBoat Rental
  • Common (4)
  • High Court of AustraliaCourthouse

    31 Parkes Place

  • Captain Cook Memorial JetFountain
  • Centenary of Women's Suffrage FountainFountain
  • Fountain (4)
  • Treasury FountainFountain
  • Broinowski Rose GardenGarden
  • Garden (190)
  • House of Representatives GardenGarden
  • National Rose GardensGarden
  • Rex Hazlewood Rose GardenGarden
  • Canberra and Region Visitors CentreInformation
  • Information (7)
  • Parkes mapInformation
  • Sculpture GardenInformation
  • The Ram PaddockInformation
  • Loading Dock
  • Motorcycle Parking
  • BookplateOutdoor Seating
  • ACT GovernmentParking
  • John Gorton Building East Multi-Level Car Park`Parking
  • Old Parliament HouseParking
  • Parking (38)
  • Rond Terrace Short Stay Car Park (A05)Parking
  • National Gallery of Australia Underground Car Park (P1)Parking Entrance
  • Parking Entrance (7)
  • Parking Space (720)
  • Picnic Table (24)
  • Shelter (16)
  • Sybil Howy IrvingShelter
  • Shower
  • Stage 88Stadium
  • Vending machine (29)
  • Waste Basket (12)

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually. Campgrounds, beaches, wineries and local trails are included when they sit inside the suburb boundary.

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)

Food, shopping, recreation and sport per 1,000 residents (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

  • Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated

Parks & reserves

13 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Canberra Peace ParkPark
  • Commonwealth ParkPark
  • Constitution PlacePark
  • Fern GardenPark
  • John Dunmore Lang PlacePark
  • Kings ParkPark
  • Lawns of Old Parliament HousePark
  • Magna Carta PlacePark
  • Marsh GardenPark
  • Patrick White LawnsPark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Green cover of suburb area
26.9%
Woodland / forest cover
1.9%
Parks & woodland features (OSM)
33
Parks (OSM)
22
Typical summer maximum
27°C

Green cover is the share of this suburb's boundary overlapping OpenStreetMap parks, woodland and forest polygons — not a satellite tree-canopy product. Summer maximum is the WorldClim / Open-Meteo seasonal normal already collected for Weather.

Contributes to desirability score · Environment (12%)

Tree canopy first, then green-cover area and parks per 1,000

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap green cover and tree canopy — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated · Park/woodland polygons intersected with suburb boundaries

Health access

Nearest hospital
Barton Private Hospital (1.9 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
GP clinics in suburb
0

GP clinic counts from OpenStreetMap. Bulk-billing figures only include clinics tagged in OSM (sparse and unofficial — not a Medicare list).

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (12%)

Hospitals, GPs and aged care

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
1
Participants per 1,000 residents
2.6

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 (12%)

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).

1 planning-related records

2022· 1 proposal

  • July 2022

  • SUBC
    PARKES · CANBERRA CENTRALCompleted

Data sources & freshness

  • Active & completed development applications — ACT Planning · 2020–2026 · Updated

Roadworks & transport

17 active roadworks / incidents

  • 26065 TCCS - Merchant Navy War Memorial Annual CommemorationWendouree Drive: from Kings Avenue - on Sunday, 18/10/26 from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM (Authorised Vehicles Excepted).17 Oct 2026 – 18 Oct 2026
  • Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Upgrade Stage 1Commonwealth Avenue (northbound direction): from the Flynn Drive entry ramp to Albert Street.Flynn Drive entry ramp onto Commonwealth Avenue (northbund) will be closed to all vehicles except Transport Canberra buses and emergency vehicles.06 Jan 2026 – 12 Mar 2027
  • Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Upgrade Stage 1Barrine Drive - will be closed in one direction: from Albert Street West / Henry Rolland Park to Albert Street East. 7am Monday 20 April 2026 - 7pm Friday 29 October 2027.19 Apr 2026 – 29 Oct 2027
  • Resub - TTE24-CLREW-7291 - CMC - CLR2A - Early Works - King Edward Terrace, ParkesKing Edward Terrace (westbound): between Parkes Place East and Parkes Place West.9:30am - 4pm Monday to Friday as required.8pm - 6am (nightly) Sunday to Friday as required.King Edward Terrace (westbound): between Parkes Place West and Langton Crescent.9:30am - 4pm Monday to Friday as required.8pm - 6am (nightly) Sunday to Friday as required.27 Jan 2025 – 05 Feb 2027
  • Rev TTE24-CMC-CB2-01-1-RevD - CMC - LR2a - Phase 01 Section 2 - Commonwealth Ave / Parkes WayCorkhill Street: between Barrine Drive and Commonwealth Avenue.28 Apr 2025 – 05 Feb 2027
  • The Little Burley MarketsQueen Elizabeth Terrace - both directions: from Parkes Place West to Parkes Place East.06 Feb 2026 – 06 Feb 2027
  • TTE24-CMC-CB2-01-1-RevA - CMC - LR2a - Phase 01 Section 2 - Commonwealth Ave / Parkes WayCorkhill Street: between Barrine Drive and Commonwealth Avenue.16 Feb 2025 – 05 Feb 2027
  • TTE24-CMC-CB2-01-1-RevB - CMC - LR2a - Phase 01 Section 2 - Commonwealth Ave / Parkes WayCorkhill Street: between Barrine Drive and Commonwealth Avenue.16 Feb 2025 – 05 Feb 2027
  • TTE24-CMC-OP2-01- 11 - CMC - LR2a - Phase 01 Section 2 - Operational Outbound Road Closure Albert St EastAlbert Street (eastern entrance): between Regatta Place and Commonwealth Avenue.8 pm - 6 am (nightly as required) Monday to Sunday.02 Apr 2025 – 04 Feb 2027
  • TTE24-CMC-OP2-01- 9 - CMC - LR2a - Phase 01 Section 2 - Operational Inbound Road Closure Albert StAlbert Street (eastbound): between Commonwealth Avenue and Barrine Drive.8 pm - 6 am (nightly) Monday to Sunday as required.21 Mar 2025 – 04 Feb 2027

Data sources & freshness

  • Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated

Heritage

6 heritage places

  • Aboriginal RecordingsKP PAD4 - Aboriginal Place or Object (not registered but protected under Heritage Act 2004)
  • Aboriginal RecordingsB14 - Aboriginal Place or Object (not registered but protected under Heritage Act 2004)
  • National Rose Gardens 3 - Registered Places or Objects
  • National Rose Gardens 3 - Registered Places or Objects
  • National Rose Gardens 3 - Registered Places or Objects
  • West Portal Cafeteria 3 - Registered Places or Objects

Contributes to desirability score · Environment (12%)

Heritage listings as established streetscape

Data sources & freshness

  • State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid
Flood / inundation overlay
33.7% of suburb boundary

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via ACT Bushfire Prone Area (SBMP 2026) mapping. Flood cover uses the 1% AEP flood extent against the suburb boundary.

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)

Bushfire and flood hazard overlays

Data sources & freshness

  • Bushfire and flood 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 2.9 km away).

Coalition 18.8%Labor 81.2%

4.8 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +2.3 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • Parkes (Canberra)Labor 87.9% · Coalition 12.1% TPP (2025)0.9 km away
  • CampbellLabor 69.3% · Coalition 30.7% TPP (2025)1.9 km away
  • BartonLabor 77.3% · Coalition 22.7% TPP (2025)2.1 km away
  • Campbell NorthLabor 73.7% · Coalition 26.3% TPP (2025)2.2 km away
  • City (Canberra)Labor 81.4% · Coalition 18.6% TPP (2025)2.3 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

This suburb ranks highly for

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