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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Hawker has an estimated 3,007 residents. That puts 1,534 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to calculations by AreaSearch, the population of Hawker stands at approximately 3,007 in May 2026. This represents a reduction of 1 residents (0.0%) from the 2021 Census, when 3,008 individuals were recorded. This shift is deduced from ABS estimates of resident population indicating 3,007 people in June 2025 alongside address verification processes completed after the Census. The resulting population density corresponds to 1,534 persons per square kilometer, a figure that exceeds the average of national locations evaluated by AreaSearch. Inward overseas migration served as the primary demographic driver, accounting for roughly 86.9% of total population increases in recent times.
Projections developed by the ABS and Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 using 2022 as a baseline, are utilized by AreaSearch for each SA2 unit. For areas without coverage in this dataset, and for any years after 2032, age cohort growth trends from the ACT Government's SA2 projections, referencing a 2022 baseline, are applied. Anticipating these changing age dynamics, projections indicate a contraction in the overall population, which is expected to drop by 220 residents by 2041 under this framework. Conversely, expansion is projected in certain age brackets, led by residents aged 85 and over, whose numbers are forecast to rise by 27 individuals. Detailed data is available in the section covering age profiles.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Hawker recorded an average of roughly 3 new residential building approvals each year, summing to 17 dwellings over the preceding 5 financial years. Thus far during FY-26, there have been 2 approvals registered. Given the recent population decline, this volume of new supply has likely matched local demand, providing options for purchasers while new homes are built with an average construction cost of $247,000. Commercial building approvals have reached $919,000 in the current financial year, highlighting a focus that remains mostly residential. Relative to the Australian Capital Territory, building approvals in Hawker are substantially lower, tracking 80.0% below the regional average per capita.
This restrained addition of new housing typically underpins stronger demand and pricing for existing homes. The volume is also below the national average, showcasing the established nature of the suburb and implying potential planning limitations. Meanwhile, recent construction approvals consist solely of detached houses, preserving the classic suburban feel with an emphasis on family residences that attract buyers seeking larger blocks. Developers are constructing detached houses at a higher rate than the current housing profile indicates (67.0% at the Census), reflecting persistent demand for standalone family properties. A ratio of approximately 1,995 residents for every approval highlights that Hawker is a mature and stable suburb. Since the population is projected to stabilize or decrease, Hawker is likely to experience less pressure on its housing stock, which may open up opportunities for prospective buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Hawker
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 23 current infrastructure and development projects close to Hawker, worth an estimated $10.5 billion. 4 are already under construction and 8 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and communities. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure upgrades, key projects, and planning changes have a significant influence on property market trajectories. AreaSearch has identified 0 major projects with the potential to affect the immediate area. Nearby developments of relevance include the Kippax Fair Expansion and Redevelopment, Belconnen Town Centre East Precinct, New Northside Hospital, and stages 1 to 7+ of the Ginninderry Estate - Strathnairn & Macnamara, with details of the most significant projects outlined below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Ethos Belconnen
Ethos is the second stage of Per Se Developments' Cirrus lakeside precinct at Belconnen. The project comprises 88 premium apartments with ground floor commercial tenancies overlooking Lake Ginninderra. Construction is well advanced with display apartments open and commercial space being marketed ahead of expected completion in 2026.
University of Canberra Sports Precinct
Major expansion of University of Canberra sports facilities, including the development of Sports Hub 2, new aquatic centre, indoor sports courts, outdoor playing fields, gymnasium upgrades, and athlete training facilities. It focuses on community access programs and elite athlete development.
Belconnen Community Hub Upgrade
Comprehensive upgrade of existing community facilities including expanded library services, community meeting spaces, youth programs area, seniors center, and childcare facilities. Improved accessibility and technology integration throughout.
Belconnen Arts Centre Redevelopment
Modernization of existing arts centre with expanded performance spaces, visual arts galleries, community workshop areas, and improved accessibility. Features flexible venue spaces for theater, music, and community events with enhanced acoustics and lighting.
West Belconnen Health Centre
Planned ACT Government community health centre for the growing West Belconnen and Ginninderry region. The facility is intended to provide integrated primary care, specialist outpatient services, allied health, mental health and community health services. As of 2026 the project remains in the planning phase with potential sites under review, land acquisition and concept design progressing ahead of future construction funding.
Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre Bioreactor Upgrade
Icon Water is renewing the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre by building new bioreactors and supporting infrastructure, including membrane bioreactor technology, fine screening, membrane tanks, chemical dosing, blowers, waste-activated sludge management and non-potable water systems. The upgrade will increase wastewater treatment capacity to 97 ML per day, support Canberra's population growth, and help protect the Molonglo River. As of April 2026, earthworks and excavation for the new bioreactor foundations are in progress, with concrete foundation pours expected from July 2026.
JWLand Belconnen Lathlain Street Development
Mixed-use precinct at Belconnen Town Centre comprising 435 apartments across buildings of 12 to 18 storeys, a 144-room hotel, ground-floor retail, cafes, restaurants, and commercial office suites. The project sits within the Lathlain Eat Street precinct opposite Westfield Belconnen and adjoins an ACT Government urban park. A podium park and rooftop terrace gardens are planned, with 583 basement car spaces across four levels. A development application was lodged in early 2025.
Belconnen Basketball Stadium Expansion
Expansion of existing basketball facilities to include additional courts, spectator seating for 2,000, improved accessibility features, and modernized amenities. Part of ACT Government's sports infrastructure investment program.
1,535 residents of Hawker are employed, from a labour force of 1,614. Unemployment sits at 4.9%, with participation at 63.5%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.6% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,540, about 84% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local workforce in Hawker is highly qualified, with strong representation in critical services industries and an unemployment rate of 4.9%. By March 2026, 1,535 residents are employed, representing an unemployment rate 0.8% higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 4.1%, while workforce participation is notably lower at 63.5% compared to the Australian Capital Territory figure of 70.8%. Census data indicates a moderate 14.4% of employed residents worked from home, though the influence of COVID-19 lockdowns should be taken into account. The resident workforce is mostly employed in public administration & safety, education & training, and health care & social assistance.
Specialization is particularly high in the education & training sector, where the employment proportion is 1.4 times the regional average. Conversely, public administration & safety is underrepresented locally at 26.2% compared to the regional benchmark of 30.4%. This predominantly residential suburb appears to provide few local jobs, as shown by comparing the count of Census workers to the resident population. Based on analysis of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch, the labor force expanded by 1.1% over the 12 months ending March 2026, while total employment fell by 1.0%, resulting in a 2.0 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, the Australian Capital Territory experienced employment growth of 0.3% and labor force growth of 1.1%, while its unemployment rate rose by 0.7 percentage points. Future employment trends in Hawker can be interpreted alongside Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment projections released in May-25. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to calculate potential growth trajectories. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though these growth trajectories vary widely by industry. Weighting these industry-specific national projections against the current employment structure of Hawker suggests local employment is on track to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, representing a basic weighting extrapolation that excludes localized population growth models.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Hawker is $2,251 a week (about $117,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,169 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $69,210 a year against an average of $85,137. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to aggregated ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year, taxpayer income levels in the Hawker SA2 are exceptionally high by national standards. The median taxpayer income is $69,210 and the average taxpayer income is $85,137, which contrasts with Australian Capital Territory values of $72,206 and $85,981 respectively. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index rise of 10.44% since the 2023 financial year yields estimated figures of approximately $76,436 for median income and $94,025 for average income in March 2026. Census statistics show household, family, and individual incomes are positioned high nationally, ranging between the 81st and 89th percentiles.
Weekly income brackets show the largest proportion is the 32.6% of residents earning $1,500 - 2,999 (980 residents), which matches the broader regional trend where 34.3% fall into this bracket. The affluent nature of the area is illustrated by the 35.4% of taxpayers earning more than $3,000 weekly, which underpins demand for high-end retail and services. After accounting for housing expenditure, households retain 89.7% of their income, indicating high disposable income levels that correspond to a SEIFA income ranking in the 8th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Hawker had 1,181 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 67% detached houses and 20% apartments. 31% are owned with a mortgage, 23% rented and 45% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $375 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,000 a month. Rent absorbs 16.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 20.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, the housing stock in Hawker was composed of 67.3% standalone houses and 32.7% other housing formats (including semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative structures), compared to 63.3% standalone houses and 36.7% other dwellings across the Australian Capital Territory. Home ownership rates in Hawker were substantially higher than the ACT average at 45.3%, while the remaining properties were either held with a mortgage (31.4%) or rented (23.2%). The median monthly mortgage payment was below the Australian Capital Territory average at $2,000, and the median weekly rent was recorded at $375, compared to territory figures of $2,080 and $450.
On a national level, mortgage repayments in Hawker exceed the Australian average of $1,863, while weekly rents align exactly with the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Hawker counted 1,181 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.5 people each. 31% are couples with children, against 29% couples without children. 26% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families represent the majority of households at 70.2%, consisting of couples with children at 30.9%, couples without children at 28.8%, and single parent households at 9.7%. Non-family households account for the remaining 29.8% of the total, with single person households representing 26.2% and group households making up 3.3%. The median household size of 2.5 residents is identical to the average recorded across the Australian Capital Territory.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
52.1% of adults in Hawker hold a university qualification, including 29.4% with a bachelor degree and 16.4% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 83% of areas nationally. A further 11.2% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 1,556 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,094 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment levels in Hawker are far higher than wider averages, with 52.1% of residents aged 15 and over holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% nationally and 43.8% across the broader SA3 area. This high level of qualifications positions local residents well for professional and knowledge-based careers. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 29.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 16.4% and graduate diplomas at 6.3%. Vocational qualifications are held by 20.8% of the population aged 15 and over, comprising advanced diplomas at 9.6% and certificates at 11.2%. Enrollment rates in education are elevated, with 29.8% of the population actively participating in academic courses.
This student cohort includes 8.6% in secondary schools, 8.4% in primary schools, and 7.3% enrolled in higher education programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Hawker reaches 22 stops on 65 routes, timetabled for about 3,200 services a week. The typical home sits about 160 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.4 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport connectivity includes 22 active transit stops in Hawker, consisting of bus services. These stops support 65 separate routes, providing 3,210 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is rated as excellent, with dwellings situated an average of 157 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is mostly residential, meaning the majority of residents travel elsewhere for work, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of transport at 88%, followed by buses at 7%. Households own an average of 1.4 cars. Approximately 14.4% of residents worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 safety measures.
Buses run at an average frequency of 458 services per day across all routes, which corresponds to roughly 145 departures per week from each individual transit stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
65.8% of residents in Hawker report no long-term health condition. 5.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 61.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators reflect positive trends for residents of Hawker, with an analysis of death rates and chronic illnesses by AreaSearch matching national benchmarks and showing average rates of health conditions across all age groups. Private health insurance coverage is high, with approximately 62% of the local population (1,852 people) holding private policies, compared to the Australian national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent health issues in the area, affecting 9.1 and 8.4% of individuals respectively, while 65.8% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions compared to 70.2% across the Australian Capital Territory.
Health profiles among working-age individuals are standard. Residents aged 65 and over represent 21.3% of the population (640 people), which is higher than the 14.3% average for the Australian Capital Territory, while national health benchmarks remain typical of the general public.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
26.4% of Hawker residents were born overseas and 18.8% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (25.9%) and Australian (23.4%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Hawker displays higher cultural diversity than most property markets, with 26.4% of residents born outside Australia and 18.8% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 39.2% of the population. Hinduism represents the most notable relative concentration at 3.7% of the population, compared to 4.8% across the Australian Capital Territory. Looking at ancestral backgrounds based on parents' place of birth, the three most common ancestries in Hawker are English at 25.9%, Australian at 23.4%, and Other at 11.3%. Specific ethnic representation shows notable deviations from regional averages: Welsh ancestry makes up 1.0% of Hawker compared to 0.6% across the region, Hungarian ancestry accounts for 0.5% compared to 0.3%, and Scottish ancestry stands at 9.3% compared to 7.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Hawker is 42. 26.8% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
With a median age of 42 years, Hawker's population is older than the Australian Capital Territory median of 35 years and the national median of 38 years. Relative to the Australian Capital Territory overall, there is an overrepresentation of residents in the 75 - 84 age cohort (9.4% locally) and an underrepresentation of people aged 25 - 34 (12.3%). Since 2021, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 grew from 12.4% to 14.4%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 group fell from 11.2% to 8.9% and the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 12.2% to 11.2%.
Demographic projections suggest the age structure of Hawker will change by 2041, with the 85+ cohort expected to grow by 28 people (32%), increasing from 90 to 119. Combined age cohorts over 65 are projected to account for 81% of net population growth, emphasizing the aging profile of the suburb. Over the same period, the 0 to 4 and 45 to 54 cohorts are projected to decrease in size.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Hawker
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | May 2026 3 months ago all 13 measures |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,008 at the 2021 Census → 3,007 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (801011013). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.