Hackett
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Hackett reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Hackett's population, according to AreaSearch's analysis, was around 3,308 as of August 2025. This figure reflects an increase from the 2021 Census population of 3,227 people, marking a rise of 81 individuals (2.5%). This change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 3,295 reported by the ABS as of June 2024 and the addition of 13 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio stands at 1,696 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration accounted for approximately 83.5% of overall population gains in recent periods.

AreaSearch employs ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, age group growth rates from the ACT Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, using 2022 as the base year. Projected demographic shifts indicate overall population decline; the area's population is expected to grow by 0 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts like the 65 to 74 group are projected to increase, with an anticipated rise of 76 people.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Hackett recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Hackett has seen approximately 12 new homes approved annually. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 61 approvals across the past five financial years from FY20 to FY25, with one approval so far in FY26. On average, 2.4 people have moved to the area per new home constructed over these five years, indicating solid demand that supports property values. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $307,000.

This financial year has seen $144,000 in commercial approvals registered, demonstrating the area's residential nature. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Hackett has significantly less development activity, 74.0% below the regional average per person, which typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. New development consists of 58.0% standalone homes and 42.0% medium and high-density housing, with a growing mix of townhouses and apartments providing options across different price points. This represents a notable shift from the area's existing housing composition, which is currently 76.0% houses, indicating decreasing availability of developable sites and reflecting changing lifestyles and the need for more diverse, affordable housing options. The location has approximately 311 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market.

Given stable or declining population forecasts, Hackett may experience less housing pressure in the future, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Hackett has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Two projects, Watson Gasworks Arts Precinct and Majura Primary School Modernisation (Watson), are expected to impact the area. Key projects also include Watson Light Rail Extension and Braddon Terraces.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Hackett has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Hackett has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. The unemployment rate was 3.7% as of June 2025.

Over the past year, there was an estimated employment growth of 1.5%. As of June 2025, 1,772 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 0.3% higher than the Australian Capital Territory's rate of 3.4%. Workforce participation in Hackett was somewhat lower at 66.1%, compared to the ACT's 69.6%.

The dominant employment sectors among residents included public administration & safety, education & training, and professional & technical services. Conversely, health care & social assistance showed lower representation at 8.6% versus the regional average of 11.7%. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 1.5% while labour force increased by 1.6%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Australian Capital Territory experienced employment growth of 1.9% and labour force growth of 1.6%, with a drop in unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. As of Sep-25, ACT employment contracted by 0.33%, losing 1,480 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. This compares favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.5% and lags behind the national employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Hackett's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.3% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 2022 shows Hackett had a median taxpayer income of $76,554 and an average income of $94,635. Nationally, these figures place Hackett in the top percentile, compared to ACT's median and average incomes of $68,678 and $83,634 respectively. Using Wage Price Index growth of 10.78% since financial year ending June 2022, estimated current incomes for March 2025 would be approximately $84,807 (median) and $104,837 (average). The 2021 Census data ranks Hackett's household, family, and personal incomes between the 93rd and 96th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that 31.9% of residents (1,055 people) fall into the $4000+ bracket, unlike broader area trends where 34.3% fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. The high proportion of earners above $3,000/week indicates strong economic capacity in the locality. After housing costs, residents retain 88.2% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Hackett is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Hackett's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 76.3% houses and 23.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Australian Capital Territory's figures of 39.3% houses and 60.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Hackett stood at 38.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.0% and rented ones at 22.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,500, higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,080. The median weekly rent in Hackett was $374, lower than the national figure of $375 but higher than the Australian Capital Territory's $476. Nationally, Hackett's mortgage repayments are significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863.

Hackett features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 70.5% of all households, including 37.1% couples with children, 22.8% couples without children, and 9.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 29.5%, with lone person households at 25.7% and group households comprising 3.9%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is larger than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.2.

Hackett demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

In Hackett, educational attainment is notably high: 59.7% of residents aged 15+ have university qualifications, exceeding Australia's national average of 30.4% and the SA4 region's rate of 46.8%. This high level of attainment positions Hackett favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 29.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (22.4%) and graduate diplomas (7.5%). Vocational pathways account for 15.7% of qualifications among those aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 6.6% and certificates at 9.1%.

Educational participation is also high, with 34.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 11.0% in primary, 10.3% in secondary, and 7.4% pursuing tertiary education. Blue Gum Community School serves the local educational needs within Hackett, enrolling 154 students. The area's schools demonstrate strong performance (ICSEA score of 1158), placing them among the most advantaged nationally. All schools offer integrated K-12 education for academic continuity. However, limited local school capacity (4.7 places per 100 residents vs regional average of 15.4) means many families seek schooling in nearby areas.

Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Analysis of public transport in Hackett indicates 14 operational transport stops, all of which are bus services. These stops are served by 7 distinct routes, together facilitating 215 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport is deemed good, with residents on average situated 200 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 30 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 15 weekly trips per individual stop.

Hackett's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Hackett residents show relatively positive health outcomes, with common conditions evenly distributed across age groups. Private health cover stands at 69%, notably higher than the ACT average of 65.3% and Australia's national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues affect 10.0% and asthma impacts 7.6% of residents.

67.9% report no medical ailments, compared to 70.8% in the ACT. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 15.8%, higher than the ACT's 11.4%.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Hackett was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Hackett, surveyed in 2016, showed cultural diversity with 21.2% of its residents born overseas and 13.7% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 31.2%. Notably, Judaism was higher in Hackett at 0.9%, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's 0.5%.

For ancestry, the top groups were English (27.1%), Australian (23.9%), and Irish (11.6%). Other ethnicities showed variations: Scottish was overrepresented at 9.3% in Hackett versus 8.1% regionally, Welsh was evenly represented at 0.7%, and Croatian was slightly higher at 0.8%.

Hackett's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Hackett is 40 years, which exceeds the Australian Capital Territory's average of 35 years and is slightly higher than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to the ACT, Hackett has a larger proportion of residents aged 45-54 (15.9%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (10.6%). Between the 2021 Census and the present, the percentage of the population aged 15-24 has increased from 11.1% to 13.8%, while the percentages for those aged 5-14 have decreased from 15.3% to 13.4% and those aged 35-44 have dropped from 14.7% to 13.6%. By 2041, Hackett's age composition is expected to change significantly. The number of residents aged 65-74 is projected to grow by 26%, reaching 336 from 266. Those aged 65 and above are expected to comprise 73% of the population growth. Conversely, declines in population are projected for those aged 45-54 and 0-4 years.