Bonner
A 390% population increase over the decade tells the story: Bonner is a greenfield suburb that went from near-empty to 7,339 residents in under 10 years, and is forecast to add another 3,313 by 2031 at 5.05% annually. Household incomes at the 96th percentile nationally ($2,811/week) and 53.1% university attainment (23pp above the national average) reflect Canberra's public-sector salary structure. The 32.1% public administration employment share, more than triple the national average, creates a single-sector dependency that both stabilizes incomes and concentrates risk.
Population
7,339
Median Age
30.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,811/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
2
Median House
$675K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $675,000 estimated median, Bonner offers new housing at below the ACT median. Monthly mortgage payments of $2,167 consume just 17.8% of household income, the lowest stress ratio in this analysis, thanks to 96th-percentile earnings. Stock is 87.1% detached houses, and 57.2% have 4+ bedrooms, built for the growing families that dominate (62.6% couples with children). Mortgage holders at 57.5% dominate tenure, with only 9.4% owning outright, consistent with a new suburb where most buyers purchased in the last decade.
For Buyers
At $675,000 estimated median, Bonner offers new housing at below the ACT median. Monthly mortgage payments of $2,167 consume just 17.8% of household income, the lowest stress ratio in this analysis, thanks to 96th-percentile earnings. Stock is 87.1% detached houses, and 57.2% have 4+ bedrooms, built for the growing families that dominate (62.6% couples with children). Mortgage holders at 57.5% dominate tenure, with only 9.4% owning outright, consistent with a new suburb where most buyers purchased in the last decade.
For Investors
The 33.1% rental share offers a moderate tenant pool, and $520/week rent against $675,000 implies a gross yield of 4.0%. Vacancy at 2.9% is below the balanced benchmark, indicating tight supply. Population growth at 5.05% annually adds significant demand. The risk factor is sector concentration: 32.1% of residents work in Public Administration, so a Canberra-wide hiring freeze would disproportionately hit tenant demand. Only 2 DAs in 12 months reflect a suburb that is largely built out but still receiving new residents.
Development Activity
Total DAs
10
Last 12 Months
2
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
0.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Bonner iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Neville Bonner Primary School
K-6 · 606 students
Demographics
Indian ancestry (854) is the second-largest group after 'Other' (2,205) and English (1,495), reflecting Canberra's skilled migration pathway. Punjabi (179 speakers), Urdu (130), Hindi (109), Gujarati (84), and Arabic (79) are the top non-English languages. The 41.7% overseas-born share sits 20.1pp above the national average. Hinduism (921) and Islam (714) together nearly match Christianity (2,551). Median age of 30 is 10 years below the national figure. Average household size of 3.4 (0.9 above national) and 62.6% couples with children mark this as a young-family suburb.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
87.1%
Houses
12.7%
Townhouse
0.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Detached houses account for 87.1%, with semi-detached at 12.7% and apartments at just 0.2%. Over half (57.2%) have 4+ bedrooms, and 36.4% have 3 bedrooms. Mortgage holders dominate at 57.5%, reflecting the suburb's youth (most purchased within the last 10 years). Outright owners at 9.4% are rare. Renters at 33.1% represent a significant share, likely including public servants on temporary Canberra postings. Vacancy at 2.9% is tight. Mortgage stress at 17.8% and rent stress at 18.5% are both well below thresholds, the best affordability profile in this analysis.
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wk
$520
HH Size
3.4
Personal Income / wk
$1,183
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
2.9%
Unoccupied
63
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
13.3%
Couples, no children
6,476
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public Administration is overwhelmingly dominant at 32.1% (944 workers), more than triple the national average. Healthcare follows at 13.2% (389), then Professional/Tech at 12.2% (359). Professionals lead occupations at 1,119, with Clerical/Admin at 592 (many likely APS workers). Full-time employment at 71.1% exceeds the national average. Participation at 74.5% is among the highest in this analysis. Unemployment at 4.2% sits below the national figure. SEIFA IRSAD decile 9 confirms comprehensive advantage, though the heavy public-sector reliance creates systemic risk uncommon in diversified economies.
Unemployment
3.7%
Labour Force
4,378
Unemployed
164
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
71.1%
Part-time
24.7%
Participation
74.5%
Employed
3,711
Occupations
Top Industries
University
53.1%
Postgraduate
20.4%
Born Overseas
41.7%
Dwellings
2,113
Transport to Work
Neville Bonner Primary School (Government, ICSEA 1,058, 606 students) is the sole school, scoring above the national benchmark. Public transport at 2.4% is very low, with 90.3% driving, reflecting the suburban fringe location. Walking/cycling at 0.6% is the lowest in this analysis. Volunteering at 14.3% is near the national average. The 3.2% needing-assistance rate is low, consistent with the young population profile. SEIFA IRSAD decile 9 indicates comprehensive socioeconomic advantage across the suburb.
Drive
90.3%
Public Transport
2.4%
Walk / Cycle
0.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+5.05%/yr
(+376 people/yr)
High GrowthPopulation is forecast to grow from 7,448 (2025) to 10,761 by 2031, a 5.05% annual rate (376 persons/year), the fastest in this analysis. The 390% population increase over the decade reflects greenfield development rather than organic growth. Internal migration runs at -152/year (people leaving for other ACT suburbs or interstate), offset by overseas arrivals at +82/year. The negative internal flow suggests some residents treat Bonner as a stepping-stone to established Canberra suburbs once they can afford to move, a common pattern in new-build estates.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+82
Net Internal / yr
-152
Gentrification Signal
New development
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Bonner compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bonner a good suburb to live in?
Bonner suits young families seeking new housing with mortgage stress at just 17.8% (lowest in this analysis) and IRSAD decile 9. The 96th-percentile household income and 74.5% participation rate reflect Canberra's strong employment base. Trade-offs include 0.6% walking/cycling (lowest in this analysis), 2.4% public transport, and only 1 primary school.
What is the median house price in Bonner?
The estimated median house price is $675,000 (2025 rent-derived), with monthly mortgage repayments of $2,167 at 17.8% of household income, the lowest stress ratio in this analysis. This is below the ACT median, reflecting the outer-suburb location 15km north of Parliament.
What schools are in Bonner?
Bonner has 1 school: Neville Bonner Primary School (Government, ICSEA 1,058, 606 students), scoring 58 points above the national benchmark. Secondary students travel to Gungahlin or other nearby suburbs. The school serves a suburb where 62.6% of families are couples with children.
Is Bonner safe?
Suburb-level crime data is not available for Bonner. SEIFA IRSD decile 9 (low disadvantage), 4.2% unemployment, and 96th-percentile incomes are strong safety indicators. The young-family profile (median age 30, 62.6% couples with children) and 75.6% residential stability suggest an orderly community.
Is Bonner good for property investment?
Gross yield of 4.0% ($520/week on $675,000) is solid for the ACT, and 2.9% vacancy is tight. Population growth at 5.05%/year (fastest in this analysis) adds demand. Risk centres on the 32.1% public-sector employment concentration and -152/year internal outflow suggesting some residents eventually relocate.
How is Bonner's population changing?
Population is forecast to grow from 7,448 to 10,761 by 2031 at 5.05% annually, the fastest rate in this analysis. The 390% population increase over the decade reflects greenfield development. The median age of 30 (10 years below national) and 62.6% couples with children indicate a young-family suburb still in its formation phase.
What languages are spoken in Bonner?
With 41.7% born overseas (20.1pp above national average), Bonner is among Canberra's most diverse suburbs. Punjabi (179 speakers), Urdu (130), Hindi (109), Gujarati (84), and Arabic (79) are the main non-English languages. Indian ancestry (854 residents) is the largest identified non-Anglo group.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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