Dickson
At 3,292 residents packed into 1.58 km2, Dickson runs at a density of 2,086 people per km2, making it one of the most compact suburbs in the ACT. The median age of 30 sits 10 years below the national figure, which explains the apartment-dominant housing stock (49.1% of dwellings) and the 46.6% renter share. University qualifications reach 69.7%, some 39.6 percentage points above national, and household income places the suburb in the 87.5th percentile nationally. Apartments, young professionals and Public Administration employment (40.1% of workers) define the character here.
Population
3,292
Median Age
30.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,277/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
17
Median House
$628K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price is estimated at $628,000, derived from the $500 weekly rent against ACT market conditions. Separate houses account for only 29.5% of the stock, while apartments make up 49.1% and semi-detached homes 21.5%, so competition for freestanding dwellings is concentrated in scarce supply. The bedroom mix skews toward 2- and 3-bedroom dwellings (31.3% and 32.4% respectively), with just 14.1% at 4 bedrooms or more. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,904, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.3%, below the 30% stress threshold and well lower than comparable inner-city markets nationally. Outright owners stand at 19.8%, reflecting the suburb's younger, more mobile population rather than long-held wealth.
For Buyers
The median house price is estimated at $628,000, derived from the $500 weekly rent against ACT market conditions. Separate houses account for only 29.5% of the stock, while apartments make up 49.1% and semi-detached homes 21.5%, so competition for freestanding dwellings is concentrated in scarce supply. The bedroom mix skews toward 2- and 3-bedroom dwellings (31.3% and 32.4% respectively), with just 14.1% at 4 bedrooms or more. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,904, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.3%, below the 30% stress threshold and well lower than comparable inner-city markets nationally. Outright owners stand at 19.8%, reflecting the suburb's younger, more mobile population rather than long-held wealth.
For Investors
With 46.6% of residents renting, Dickson carries one of the higher renter concentrations in the ACT, supporting consistent tenant demand. Weekly rent averages $500, and the vacancy rate is 8.6%, somewhat elevated compared to tighter ACT markets, which signals the apartment supply pipeline is active. Internal migration drives net arrivals of 129 people per year, backed by overseas net migration of 64. Development activity shows 18 applications in the past 12 months, including lease variations to add health and recreation uses, pointing to ongoing mixed-use intensification. The student-heavy and young-professional profile means turnover is high at 48.5%, which keeps vacancies cycling but also ensures a ready pool of incoming tenants.
Development Activity
Total DAs
74
Last 12 Months
17
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+41.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Dickson iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Emmaus Christian School
K-10 · 590 students
Daramalan College
7-12 · 1498 students
Dickson College
7-12 · 899 students
Demographics
The median age of 30 is 10 years below the national figure, driven by the concentration of university-educated young professionals. Overseas-born residents account for 31.1%, which is 9.5 percentage points above national. Ancestry is led by English (1,071), followed by Irish (488), Chinese (356) and Scottish (355). The top non-English language is Mandarin, spoken by 104 residents. Average household size of 2.2 is 0.3 below national, consistent with the large number of singles and couples without children; couples with no children account for 40.0% of families. The volunteering rate of 22.6% is notable for such a mobile, transient-leaning suburb and suggests strong civic engagement despite the 48.5% annual resident turnover.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
29.5%
Houses
21.5%
Townhouse
49.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure divides into 46.6% renters, 33.7% with mortgages and 19.8% owning outright, an unusually renter-heavy split compared to the national average. The stock is apartment-dominant at 49.1%, with semi-detached homes at 21.5% and separate houses at just 29.5%. Two- and three-bedroom configurations each account for roughly 31 to 32% of dwellings, while 4-plus bedroom homes represent only 14.1%, reflecting the density and younger demographic. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,904 produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.3%, comfortably below the stress level. Rent-to-income sits at 22.0%, also manageable. The combination of a low stress ratio and high renter share points to a market where affordability is reasonable relative to incomes in the 87.5th income percentile nationally.
Mortgage / mo
$1,904
Rent / wk
$500
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$1,303
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.6%
Unoccupied
135
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
40.0%
Couples, no children
1,994
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public Administration dominates employment at 40.1% (689 workers), which is far higher than in most Australian suburbs and reflects Canberra's function as the national capital. Professional and Technical services follow at 14.2% (244 workers), Education at 10.4% (179) and Healthcare at 8.5% (146). By occupation, Professionals (869) and Managers (405) are the top two groups. The unemployment rate of 4.2% is moderate, and the full-time employment rate of 68.7% and participation rate of 74.3% are both healthy. SEIFA scores show a strong IEO decile 10 (education and occupation advantage) and IRSAD decile 10, yet the IER decile of 3 reflects that renting and apartment-living households carry fewer economic resources such as property equity despite high incomes.
Unemployment
3.6%
Labour Force
2,842
Unemployed
102
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
68.7%
Part-time
27.1%
Participation
74.3%
Employed
2,039
Occupations
Top Industries
University
69.7%
Postgraduate
27.2%
Born Overseas
31.1%
Dwellings
1,435
Transport to Work
Walking and cycling account for 21.1% of commutes, well above the national average, reflecting the suburb's compact 1.58 km2 footprint and proximity to Canberra's city core. Car use at 67.0% is moderate by ACT standards. Public transport use at 4.2% is low but expected for Canberra's car-oriented road network. The IRSAD decile 10 rating places Dickson among the least-disadvantaged suburbs nationally. The need-for-assistance rate of 3.4% (107 people) is low relative to the population. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families depend on institutions in neighbouring suburbs. Rent-to-income at 22.0% and mortgage-to-income at 19.3% both sit below the national stress benchmarks, keeping housing costs manageable for most residents.
Drive
67.0%
Public Transport
4.2%
Walk / Cycle
21.1%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+3.18%/yr
(+133 people/yr)
High GrowthPopulation grew 53.6% over the decade and is forecast to continue rising at 3.18% annually, adding roughly 133 residents per year. The medium scenario projects the population reaching 4,736 by 2031, up from around 4,179 in 2025. Internal migration is the primary engine, averaging 129 net arrivals per year, with overseas migration contributing a further 64. The gentrification score of 59 and stage of Active signals accelerating change: real incomes grew 30.6% over the period, rent climbed 25%, and affordability improved from 49.3% in 2011 to 38.4% in 2021. These combined trends, rising incomes and improving affordability relative to rent, point to a suburb still in an upward trajectory rather than a plateau.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+64
Net Internal / yr
+129
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Net internal migration +129/yr, Accelerating: 3% → 85%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Dickson compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dickson a good suburb to live in?
Dickson ranks in decile 10 on IRSAD and IEO nationally, the top advantage tier, with household income in the 87.5th percentile. The compact 1.58 km2 area supports a walkable lifestyle, with 21.1% of residents commuting on foot or by bike. The main trade-off is a high 46.6% renter share and elevated apartment density, which suits young professionals more than families seeking larger homes.
What is the median house price in Dickson?
The median house price is estimated at $628,000 based on 2025 rent data. Weekly rent averages $500 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,904, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.3%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold given household incomes in the 87.5th percentile nationally.
What schools are in Dickson?
No schools are recorded inside the Dickson suburb boundary. Families rely on schools in neighbouring ACT suburbs. The local population is highly educated regardless, with 69.7% of residents holding university qualifications, which is 39.6 percentage points above the national figure.
Is Dickson safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Dickson in this dataset. As an indirect measure, the suburb scores decile 9 on IRSD, placing it among the lower-disadvantage areas nationally, and only 3.4% of its 3,292 residents (107 people) require daily assistance, both consistent with a low-disadvantage, well-resourced community.
Is Dickson good for property investment?
A 46.6% renter share and $500 weekly rent provide a stable tenant base, and internal migration of 129 net arrivals per year sustains demand. Population grew 53.6% over the decade and is forecast to grow a further 3.18% annually to 2031. The 8.6% vacancy rate is worth monitoring as a signal of apartment supply pressure in this high-density suburb.
How is Dickson's population changing?
Population grew 53.6% over the past decade and increased from 3,792 in 2023 to approximately 4,179 by 2025. The medium forecast projects 4,736 residents by 2031, driven mainly by internal migration averaging 129 net arrivals per year. The gentrification stage is Active, with real incomes up 30.6% and affordability improving since 2011.
What languages are spoken in Dickson?
About 31.1% of residents were born overseas, which is 9.5 percentage points above the national figure. Mandarin is the most common non-English language with 104 speakers, followed by Cantonese (28), Nepali (18), French (12) and Croatian (11), reflecting a small but internationally diverse resident base.
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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