Chart Color Schemes
This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Hawker (ACT) 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 investigations of ABS population revisions for the broader district and address validations by AreaSearch following the census, the suburb of Hawker (ACT) has a residency of approximately 3,007 as of May 2026. This represents a reduction of 1 people (0.0%) from the 2021 Census, which registered 3,008 individuals. The shift is calculated from the resident headcount of 3,007, computed by AreaSearch via checking the most recent ERP statistics from the ABS (June 2025) and subsequent address tracking. This population count yields a density of 1,534 persons per square kilometer, a figure that exceeds the typical level observed across locations nationally evaluated by AreaSearch.
Inward migration from abroad drove local growth, accounting for roughly 84.0% of total demographic increases in recent times. AreaSearch utilizes ABS/Geoscience Australia demographic forecasts for each SA2 territory, published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. For any SA2 zones lacking this coverage, and for the years after 2032, growth rates by age category from the ACT Government's SA2 projections starting from a 2022 baseline are employed. Looking ahead at demographic patterns, calculations suggest a contraction in the overall population, with a projected loss of 220 residents in the suburb of Hawker (ACT) by 2041 under this approach. Conversely, expansion is expected within particular age cohorts, led by those aged 85 and over, which is set to increase by 27 individuals. Refer to the age section for further details.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Based on AreaSearch's evaluation of building approvals from the ABS, distributed from statistical zone records, Hawker has averaged approximately 3 new residential approvals per year, totaling a calculated 17 homes over the preceding 5 financial years. Thus far during FY-26, 2 approvals have been documented. Given the recent population shrinkage, the rate of building has been relatively sufficient, which benefits buyers, and these new properties carry an average construction value of $467,000, signaling that developers are targeting the high-end tier with premium dwellings. Additionally, $46,000 in commercial building permits have been logged during this financial year, showing very quiet commercial construction activity.
Compared against the Australian Capital Territory, building activity in Hawker is dramatically lower, standing at 80.0% below the territory average on a per-capita basis. This restricted rate of construction typically bolsters demand and supports valuations for established homes. This volume is also lower than the national benchmark, reflecting a mature housing market and potential barriers to development. At the same time, recent residential approvals have consisted entirely of standalone houses, preserving the classic low-density suburban aesthetic focused on spacious homes for families. Interestingly, builders are generating a higher proportion of detached homes than the historical baseline indicates (67.0% at the Census), matching ongoing demand for family houses. With roughly 1499 residents for every single home approval, the local market is highly mature. Faced with flat or shrinking population projections, Hawker might experience reduced housing demand pressures, which could create advantageous buying opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Hawker (ACT)
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 24 current infrastructure and development projects close to Hawker (ACT), worth an estimated $5.96 billion. 4 are already under construction and 11 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
Nothing shapes local market performance like modifications to regional infrastructure, key developments, and urban planning changes. In total, no projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Notable initiatives include the Kippax Fair Expansion and Redevelopment, the Belconnen Town Centre East Precinct, the New Northside Hospital, and stages 1 to 7+ of the Ginninderry Estate - Strathnairn & Macnamara, with details of the most relevant projects provided 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.
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.
Belconnen Central by JW Land
A $520 million mixed-use town centre precinct comprising 550 for-sale apartments and 325 build-to-rent units across two towers (20 and 24 storeys) over a central podium with ground-floor commercial activation and basement parking. The all-electric precinct includes EV charging for each dwelling and improved pedestrian links between Emu Bank, Margaret Timpson Park and the Belconnen Bus Interchange. Site is bounded by Swanson Court, Chandler Street and the Cohen Street bus station.
1,535 residents of Hawker (ACT) are employed, from a labour force of 1,614. Unemployment sits at 4.9%, with participation at 63.4%. 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 2,541, 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
Hawker possesses a workforce characterized by high levels of education, with considerable representation in essential service fields and an unemployment rate of 4.9%, derived from AreaSearch's compilation of regional datasets. As of March 2026, 1,535 local residents are employed, which is paired with an unemployment rate 0.8% higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 4.1%, while labor force participation is notably lower at 63.4% compared to the Australian Capital Territory rate of 70.8%. Census data indicates a moderate 14.4% of workers performed their duties from home, though this may have been influenced by COVID-19 restrictions.
Local employment is heavily centered within public administration & safety, education & training, and health care & social assistance. The community displays a distinct focus in education & training, which has an employment share 1.4 times higher than the territory average. Conversely, public administration & safety is underrepresented, making up only 26.2% of the local workforce compared to 30.4% across the Australian Capital Territory. This highly residential locality seems to present few job opportunities within its own borders, as shown by comparing the count of Census workers to the resident population. According to AreaSearch's analysis of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from regional levels, the latest 12-month window experienced a 1.1% expansion of the labor pool alongside a 1.0% drop in employment, pushing the unemployment rate up by 2.0 percentage points. This diverges from the broader Australian Capital Territory trend, which saw employment grow by 0.3%, the labor force expand by 1.1%, and unemployment rise by 0.7 percentage points. Long-term national employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 offer additional perspective on prospective hiring trends in Hawker. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce makeup to project potential hiring trajectories. Although national employment is predicted to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the expected growth rates vary widely by industry. Projecting these industry-level forecasts onto the local jobs profile yields an estimated local employment increase of 6.6% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, assuming a basic weighted model for illustration that does not account for specific local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Hawker (ACT) 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 $65,318 a year against an average of $81,969. 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 the latest postcode-level ATO data released for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in Hawker have a median income of $65,318 and an average income of $81,969. This sits among the upper tiers nationally, and compares to the Australian Capital Territory median of $72,206 and average of $85,981. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates would stand at roughly $72,137 for the median and $90,527 for the average as of March 2026. Census figures from 2021 reveal that household, family, and individual incomes are all elevated, placing between the 81st and 89th percentiles across the country.
Weekly earnings between $1,500 - 2,999 are the most common, accounting for 32.6% of residents (980 people), which mirrors the wider region where this bracket makes up 34.3%. High earners are also prominent, with 35.4% receiving more than $3,000 weekly, pointing to substantial spending capacity. After paying for housing, occupants keep 89.7% of their earnings, showing solid discretionary capacity and placing the area in the 8th decile of the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Hawker (ACT) 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 last Census, the housing mix in Hawker consisted of 67.3% standalone houses and 32.7% semi-detached, apartment, or other dwelling types, compared to 63.3% houses and 36.7% alternative dwellings across the Australian Capital Territory. Home ownership rates were notably higher than the territory average at 45.3%, with the remaining properties occupied by those with a mortgage (31.4%) or tenants (23.2%). The median monthly mortgage payment was below the Australian Capital Territory standard at $2,000, while the median weekly rent stood at $375, contrasting with territory statistics of $2,080 and $450.
On a national level, mortgage costs in Hawker exceed the Australian average of $1,863, whereas weekly rents align exactly with the country-wide figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Hawker (ACT) 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 make up the vast majority of households at 70.2%, consisting of couples with children at 30.9%, couples without children at 28.8%, and single parents at 9.7%. The remaining 29.8% consist of non-family households, which are mostly individuals living alone at 26.2% and share houses at 3.3%. The median household size is 2.5 people, matching the average for the Australian Capital Territory.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
52.1% of adults in Hawker (ACT) hold a university qualification, including 29.4% with a bachelor degree and 16.4% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 84% 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
Academic credentials in Hawker are highly elevated compared to wider benchmarks, with 52.1% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% across Australia and 43.8% in the SA3 area. This major academic edge sets the suburb up well for professional, knowledge-based industries. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 29.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees (16.4%) and graduate diplomas (6.3%). Vocational paths represent 20.8% of qualifications among residents aged 15 and over, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.6%) and certificates (11.2%). Academic enrollment is notably strong, with 29.8% of the local population currently undertaking formal studies.
This cohort includes 8.6% in high schools, 8.4% in primary schools, and 7.3% enrolled in higher education programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Hawker (ACT) 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 transit data shows 22 active bus stops situated within Hawker. These locations are served by 65 distinct routes, delivering 3,210 passenger services weekly. Transit proximity is excellent, with residents living an average of 157 meters from their nearest stop. Given the residential nature of the suburb, most workers commute out of the area; private cars are the primary mode of travel at 88%, with 7% taking the bus. Households own an average of 1.4 vehicles. About 14.4% of employees worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era arrangements.
Daily bus services average 458 runs across all routes, which corresponds to roughly 145 weekly departures from each transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
65.8% of residents in Hawker (ACT) report no long-term health condition. 5.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 59.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.6 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 point to favorable trends for Hawker residents, as AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality data and medical conditions shows outcomes that align closely with national averages, showing typical rates of common ailments in both younger and older cohorts, alongside an exceptionally high rate of private health insurance at roughly 60% of the population (1,791 people). This compares with 62.4% across the Australian Capital Territory. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent diagnoses, affecting 9.1 and 8.4% of residents, while 65.8% reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 70.2% across the Australian Capital Territory.
Health profiles for working-age residents are typical. The population includes 21.4% of residents aged 65 and over (643 people), which exceeds the 14.3% share seen across the Australian Capital Territory, with national health rankings matching the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
26.4% of Hawker (ACT) 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 exhibits greater cultural diversity than most local property markets, with 26.4% of its residents born in other countries and 18.8% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 39.2% of individuals. The most distinct relative overrepresentation is found in Hinduism, which represents 3.7% of the community, compared to 4.8% across the Australian Capital Territory. Looking at ancestral backgrounds, the three largest groups are English at 25.9%, Australian at 23.4%, and Other at 11.3%. There are also distinct variations in other backgrounds: Welsh ancestry is overrepresented at 1.0% in Hawker (versus 0.6% in the region), Hungarian at 0.5% (versus 0.3%), and Scottish at 9.3% (versus 7.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Hawker (ACT) 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
The median age of 42 in Hawker is higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 35 and also exceeds the national figure of 38 years. Compared to territory averages, the 75 - 84 cohort is highly represented at 9.4% locally, whereas young adults aged 25 - 34 are underrepresented at 12.3%. Since 2021, youth aged 15 to 24 have grown from 12.4% to 14.5% of the population, while those aged 65 to 74 dropped from 11.2% to 9.0%. Projections indicate the age profile will shift substantially by 2041. The group aged 85 and over is set to grow by 28 people (32%), increasing from 90 to 119.
Combined cohorts aged 65 and over are expected to make up 79% of total population growth, showing the aging trend. Meanwhile, the cohorts aged 0 to 4 and 45 to 54 are projected to shrink.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Hawker (ACT)
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 Suburb (SAL) 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 (SAL80072). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.