Hackett
Household income in the 93.8th percentile nationally, 64.8% of residents holding university qualifications (34.7 points above national), and every SEIFA index in decile 9 or 10 make Hackett one of Canberra's most advantaged inner suburbs. The population of 3,227 occupies 1.95 km2 at a density of 1,655 per km2, compact by ACT standards. Owner-occupiers dominate at 76.3%, split between outright owners (37.8%) and mortgage holders (38.5%), while renters account for just 23.7%. Public admin employs 39.3% of the workforce, grounding the suburb's prosperity in Canberra's government sector rather than private enterprise.
Population
3,227
Median Age
40.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,623/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
5
Median House
$593K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated median house price of $593,000 sits below the broader ACT median, making Hackett one of the more accessible inner-north options for buyers. Dwellings skew toward larger homes: 41.4% have 4 or more bedrooms and 38.5% have 3, with smaller 2-bedroom homes at only 13.2%. Separate houses account for 76.3% of stock, compared to 9.2% apartments and 14.4% semi-detached. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,500, representing 22.0% of household income, well below the 30% stress threshold and lower than many comparable Canberra suburbs. Outright owners (37.8%) nearly match mortgage holders (38.5%), reflecting an established base of long-tenure residents rather than a suburb driven by recent upgrader purchases.
For Buyers
The estimated median house price of $593,000 sits below the broader ACT median, making Hackett one of the more accessible inner-north options for buyers. Dwellings skew toward larger homes: 41.4% have 4 or more bedrooms and 38.5% have 3, with smaller 2-bedroom homes at only 13.2%. Separate houses account for 76.3% of stock, compared to 9.2% apartments and 14.4% semi-detached. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,500, representing 22.0% of household income, well below the 30% stress threshold and lower than many comparable Canberra suburbs. Outright owners (37.8%) nearly match mortgage holders (38.5%), reflecting an established base of long-tenure residents rather than a suburb driven by recent upgrader purchases.
For Investors
A 23.7% renter share and median weekly rent of $374 define the landlord opportunity here. Against a $593,000 median, that rent implies a gross yield near 3.3%, modest but reasonable for an inner-ACT suburb with a stable professional tenant base. The vacancy rate of 6.3% is elevated, suggesting softer rental demand than some Canberra markets, and investors should factor that into cashflow assumptions. Development activity is light at 4 applications in 12 months, mostly secondary residence and dwelling amendment work, so new supply pressure is minimal. Migration dynamics favour modest growth: overseas migration adds an average of 42 residents per year while internal migration removes 19, producing slow but positive net demand.
Development Activity
Total DAs
35
Last 12 Months
5
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 Hackett iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Blue Gum Community School
K-10 · 167 students
Demographics
The median age of 40 matches the national figure, but the composition underneath diverges sharply. University qualifications reach 64.8%, which is 34.7 percentage points above the national rate, placing Hackett among the most highly educated suburbs in Australia. Overseas-born residents at 21.2% sit roughly at the national average (0.4 points below). Ancestry skews strongly Anglo-Celtic: English (1,308), Irish (558) and Scottish (450) lead the count. Average household size of 2.6 is marginally above national, consistent with the family-oriented stock where 4-plus bedroom homes make up 41.4% of dwellings. Couples with children (1,340 families) far outnumber couples without children (543), and the volunteering rate of 28.4% is high, pointing to a civically engaged resident profile.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
76.3%
Houses
14.4%
Townhouse
9.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is skewed toward ownership: 37.8% own outright, 38.5% carry a mortgage and only 23.7% rent, which is well below the national renter share. The stock is predominantly separate houses at 76.3%, with semi-detached at 14.4% and apartments at just 9.2%. Bedroom distribution favours larger dwellings: 41.4% have 4 or more bedrooms and 38.5% have 3, while 1-bedroom and studio stock is minimal at 6.8%. The estimated median house price of $593,000 is based on 2025 rent data, so treat it as directional. Mortgage-to-income at 22.0% and rent-to-income at 14.3% both sit below stress thresholds, indicating that housing costs are manageable relative to Hackett's above-average income base. The 6.3% vacancy rate is the main cautionary note for the rental segment.
Mortgage / mo
$2,500
Rent / wk
$374
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$1,361
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.3%
Unoccupied
79
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
14.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.0%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
21.4%
Couples, no children
2,543
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public administration dominates at 39.3% of workers (524 people), more than double the next largest sector, Education at 14.3% (191). Professional and Technical services follow at 12.9% (172) and Healthcare at 9.2% (123). By occupation, Professionals (631) and Managers (422) together account for about two-thirds of employed residents, consistent with the decile 10 IEO score for education and occupation advantage. Full-time employment runs at 64.3% and the unemployment rate is 4.0%, roughly in line with national. Real incomes grew 17.0% over the decade. All four SEIFA indexes rank in decile 9 or 10: IRSAD decile 10, IRSD decile 10, IEO decile 10 and IER decile 9, confirming that economic advantage is broad-based rather than concentrated in one dimension.
Unemployment
4.0%
Labour Force
1,842
Unemployed
73
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
64.3%
Part-time
31.7%
Participation
62.9%
Employed
1,545
Occupations
Top Industries
University
64.8%
Postgraduate
27.8%
Born Overseas
21.2%
Dwellings
1,179
Transport to Work
Walking and cycling are notably high: 16.5% of residents commute by active transport, well above the national average, reflecting Hackett's inner-north location and flat terrain. Public transport use at 4.0% is modest and car reliance at 72.6% remains the norm, consistent with broader ACT patterns. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families use institutions in adjacent suburbs. SEIFA scores place Hackett in the decile 10 tier on both IRSAD (advantage) and IRSD (relative disadvantage), nationally the top category. Only 5.0% of residents (156 people) need daily assistance. Crime data is not available for this suburb in the dataset, though a decile 10 IRSD score is associated with low disadvantage conditions across the ACT.
Drive
72.6%
Public Transport
4.0%
Walk / Cycle
16.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.69%/yr
(+23 people/yr)
EstablishedAnnual population growth is 0.69%, adding roughly 23 residents per year, and the suburb grew 10.9% over the decade. Historical population moved from 3,289 in 2023 to 3,345 in 2025. The medium forecast projects steady expansion from 3,337 in 2026 to 3,451 by 2031, underpinned by net overseas migration of 42 per year offsetting net internal outflow of 19. Affordability improved from 35.9% of income in 2011 to 27.5% in 2021, a meaningful trend compared to most capitals where affordability worsened. Rent growth registered 10.0% over the same period. The gentrification score of 19 (not gentrifying) fits a suburb already in the top advantage tier with a stable, long-tenured population (79.1% stayed in the same dwelling over five years).
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+42
Net Internal / yr
-19
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +11% since 2011, Accelerating: -0% → 11%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Hackett compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hackett a good suburb to live in?
Hackett ranks in decile 10 on IRSAD, IRSD and IEO, the top advantage tier nationally. Household income sits in the 93.8th percentile and 64.8% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 34.7 points above the national figure. Mortgage-to-income at 22.0% and rent-to-income at 14.3% both sit below stress levels.
What is the median house price in Hackett?
The estimated median house price is $593,000, based on 2025 rent data. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,500, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.0%, well below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $374 with a 6.3% vacancy rate.
What schools are in Hackett?
No schools are recorded inside the Hackett suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring inner-north ACT suburbs. The local population is highly educated, with 64.8% of residents holding university qualifications, which is 34.7 percentage points above the national rate.
Is Hackett safe?
Crime statistics are not available for Hackett in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 10 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage, the highest tier nationally. Only 5.0% of the 3,227 residents need daily assistance, and housing stress indicators (mortgage 22.0%, rent 14.3% of income) are well below national stress thresholds.
Is Hackett good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $374 against a $593,000 median implies a gross yield near 3.3%, reasonable for an inner-ACT suburb. The 6.3% vacancy rate is elevated and warrants caution. Net overseas migration of 42 per year supports gradual demand growth, and the population is forecast to reach 3,451 by 2031 from 3,227 today.
How is Hackett's population changing?
Population grew 10.9% over the decade and is rising at 0.69% per year, adding about 23 residents annually. The medium forecast projects growth from 3,337 in 2026 to 3,451 by 2031. Overseas migration (net 42 per year) drives the gain, partially offset by internal outflow of 19 per year.
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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