Farrer
Household income in Farrer sits at the 92.8th percentile nationally, and every SEIFA index ranks the suburb at decile 10, the top advantage tier in Australia. That picture is backed by an unusually high owner-occupancy rate: 40.9% own their home outright and a further 41.5% are paying it off, leaving only 17.7% renting, well below state and national averages. The population of 3,787 is distributed across just 2.07 square kilometres, with 73.5% of dwellings being separate houses, and 54.6% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 24.5 percentage points above the national figure.
Population
3,787
Median Age
43.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,540/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
4
Median House
$667K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price in Farrer is estimated at $667,000, which is well below the ACT capital-region benchmark and reflects the suburb's established, low-turnover character. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,600, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.6%, below the 30% stress threshold despite income at the 92.8th percentile. The dwelling stock is dominated by larger homes: 52.6% have 4 or more bedrooms and only 4.8% are studios or 1-bedroom, which means buyers are competing for family-sized houses rather than apartments. Separate houses account for 73.5% of stock, with semi-detached at 15.3% and apartments at 11.2%, keeping genuine house supply tighter than the overall vacancy rate of 5.3% suggests.
For Buyers
The median house price in Farrer is estimated at $667,000, which is well below the ACT capital-region benchmark and reflects the suburb's established, low-turnover character. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,600, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.6%, below the 30% stress threshold despite income at the 92.8th percentile. The dwelling stock is dominated by larger homes: 52.6% have 4 or more bedrooms and only 4.8% are studios or 1-bedroom, which means buyers are competing for family-sized houses rather than apartments. Separate houses account for 73.5% of stock, with semi-detached at 15.3% and apartments at 11.2%, keeping genuine house supply tighter than the overall vacancy rate of 5.3% suggests.
For Investors
With only 17.7% of dwellings rented, Farrer is owner-dominated, which limits the depth of the tenant pool compared to higher-density ACT suburbs. Weekly rent averages $450, and the rent-to-income ratio of 17.7% sits comfortably below stress levels for existing tenants, suggesting stable tenancy but low yield pressure on landlords. The vacancy rate of 5.3% is above typical investment thresholds, pointing to moderate oversupply risk in the rental segment. Development activity is minimal at 4 applications in the past 12 months, consistent with a fully built-out, low-supply suburb. Net overseas migration adds around 30 residents a year, balanced by internal movement, so demand growth is steady rather than rapid.
Development Activity
Total DAs
28
Last 12 Months
4
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-20.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Farrer iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Farrer Primary School
K-6 · 252 students
Demographics
The median age is 43, which is 3.0 years above the national figure, and the suburb shows a clear aging trajectory with the senior share rising 3.3 percentage points over the decade. University qualifications reach 54.6%, which is 24.5 points above national, one of the higher rates in the ACT. Overseas-born residents make up 26.9%, which is 5.3 points above national. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,378 residents), Irish (499) and Scottish (471). Top non-English languages are Mandarin (29 speakers), Nepali (27) and Hindi (22), reflecting a small but growing South Asian presence. Average household size of 2.6 is marginally above national, consistent with a couples-with-children profile: 43.3% of families are couples with children and 26.5% are couples without.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
73.5%
Houses
15.3%
Townhouse
11.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Outright owners (40.9%) outnumber mortgage holders (41.5%), an unusual near-parity that signals long-term residents progressively paying off debt rather than a churn of new buyers. Only 17.7% rent, far lower than the ACT average, which reflects the established, wealth-holding character of the suburb. Over half of all dwellings (52.6%) have 4 or more bedrooms, making Farrer one of the more family-home-oriented suburbs in the territory. Separate houses comprise 73.5% of stock, with semi-detached at 15.3% and apartments at 11.2%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,600 against a median house price of $667,000, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.6% places households well below the 30% financial stress benchmark.
Mortgage / mo
$2,600
Rent / wk
$450
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$1,223
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.3%
Unoccupied
77
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.6%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
26.5%
Couples, no children
3,051
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public Admin dominates the local employment base at 36.1% of workers (479 people), which is typical for Canberra suburbs and reflects proximity to federal government departments. Healthcare follows at 15.2% (202 workers) and Professional/Technical services at 13.4% (178 workers), with Education accounting for 9.6%. By occupation, Professionals (577) and Managers (402) together represent the two largest groups, consistent with the decile 10 IEO score for education and occupational advantage. The unemployment rate is 4.0% with a full-time employment rate of 66.8%. All four SEIFA indexes place Farrer at decile 10, meaning it ranks in the top 10% nationally on advantage, education, occupation and economic resources simultaneously. Real income growth over the decade was 6.9%.
Unemployment
2.7%
Labour Force
1,950
Unemployed
52
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
66.8%
Part-time
29.2%
Participation
57.8%
Employed
1,725
Occupations
Top Industries
University
54.6%
Postgraduate
20.5%
Born Overseas
26.9%
Dwellings
1,363
Transport to Work
Private car use is dominant, with 83.3% of residents driving to work, which is above the national average and reflects limited public transport options in this part of south Canberra. Only 5.8% use public transport and 3.5% walk or cycle. The suburb scores decile 10 on IRSAD, the highest advantage tier nationally, meaning residents face very low levels of deprivation. Volunteering runs at 24.2%, above the national rate, pointing to a civically engaged population. Rent-to-income at 17.7% is comfortable for tenants, and mortgage-to-income at 23.6% is below stress thresholds. No schools are recorded inside the Farrer boundary in this dataset, so families rely on nearby institutions in adjacent suburbs. Only 6.6% of residents need daily assistance, consistent with the younger-elderly population profile at median age 43.
Drive
83.3%
Public Transport
5.8%
Walk / Cycle
3.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.66%/yr
(+25 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 12.6% over 10 years, tracking at an annual rate of 0.66%, which adds roughly 25 residents per year. The medium forecast puts the population at 3,944 by 2031, modest expansion from the current 3,787. Migration is balanced between overseas arrivals averaging 30 per year and internal movement averaging a net 17 inbound, preventing the stagnation seen in some ACT suburbs. The gentrification score of 19 is classified as not gentrifying, which is expected given the suburb is already at decile 10 advantage with no further upward trajectory. Rents grew 18.4% over the measured period, indicating housing demand has firmed even as population growth remains gradual. The aging trajectory (senior share up 3.3 points) will shift the household profile further toward retirees over the next decade.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+30
Net Internal / yr
+17
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +11% since 2011, Accelerating: -5% → 16%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Farrer compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Farrer a good suburb to live in?
Farrer ranks at decile 10 on all four SEIFA indexes, the top advantage tier in Australia, with household income at the 92.8nd percentile nationally. University qualifications reach 54.6% of residents, which is 24.5 points above the national figure. Owner-occupancy is high at 82.4% combined outright and mortgage holders, reflecting a stable, long-term resident base.
What is the median house price in Farrer?
The median house price in Farrer is estimated at $667,000, based on 2025 rental yield data. Weekly rent averages $450 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $2,600, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.6%, below the 30% financial stress threshold.
What schools are in Farrer?
No schools are recorded inside the Farrer boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring ACT suburbs. The resident population is highly educated, with 54.6% holding university qualifications, which is 24.5 percentage points above the national average.
Is Farrer safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Farrer in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 10 on the IRSD index of relative socioeconomic disadvantage, the highest national tier, and only 6.6% of residents (238 people) need daily assistance. Both measures are consistent with a low-disadvantage, low-risk area.
Is Farrer good for property investment?
Farrer presents a low-yield, low-supply investment profile. Only 17.7% of dwellings are rented, limiting tenant demand, and a 5.3% vacancy rate indicates moderate oversupply in the rental segment. Weekly rent of $450 against a $667,000 median house price implies a gross yield around 3.5%. Capital growth is the more likely return driver, with rents growing 18.4% over the measured period.
How is Farrer's population changing?
Population grew 12.6% over 10 years and is tracking at 0.66% annual growth, adding about 25 residents per year. The medium forecast projects 3,944 residents by 2031. The profile is aging, with the senior share rising 3.3 percentage points over the decade, which will gradually shift demand toward smaller, lower-maintenance dwellings.
What industries employ Farrer residents?
Public Administration is the dominant employer at 36.1% of local workers, typical for a Canberra suburb near federal government precinct. Healthcare accounts for 15.2%, Professional and Technical services 13.4%, and Education 9.6%. Professionals (577 workers) and Managers (402) are the top two occupational groups, consistent with the decile 10 education and income advantage.
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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