Harrison
Harrison grew 85.6% over the past decade, the fastest rate in this cohort by a wide margin, yet the population actually declined from 8,619 pre-COVID to 8,023 by 2025, a reversal that has not recovered. University attainment at 60.4% sits 30.3 pp above the national average, the highest in this dataset, driven by Canberra's public-service workforce. Public Admin employs 34.7% of workers, more than triple the next sector. Household income ranks in the 94th percentile nationally. SEIFA IRSAD decile 10 places Harrison in the top 10% nationally, yet real income actually declined 15.6% over the decade.
Population
8,244
Median Age
31.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,636/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
3
Median House
$598K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated median house price of $598,000 is remarkably affordable given the 94th-percentile incomes, creating a price-to-income ratio that is among the best in the ACT. Detached houses at 55.4% slightly outnumber apartments (29.6%) and semi-detached (15.1%). The bedroom split is polarised: 52.5% have 4+ bedrooms while 13.4% are studio/1-bed, reflecting separate family-home and apartment markets. Mortgage stress at 17.5% of income is very low, well below the 30% threshold. Only 10.9% own outright (consistent with a young suburb where residents are early in their mortgage cycle), while 42.8% carry mortgages and 46.3% rent.
For Buyers
The estimated median house price of $598,000 is remarkably affordable given the 94th-percentile incomes, creating a price-to-income ratio that is among the best in the ACT. Detached houses at 55.4% slightly outnumber apartments (29.6%) and semi-detached (15.1%). The bedroom split is polarised: 52.5% have 4+ bedrooms while 13.4% are studio/1-bed, reflecting separate family-home and apartment markets. Mortgage stress at 17.5% of income is very low, well below the 30% threshold. Only 10.9% own outright (consistent with a young suburb where residents are early in their mortgage cycle), while 42.8% carry mortgages and 46.3% rent.
For Investors
Renter share at 46.3% is very high for a suburban ACT location, providing deep tenant demand. Weekly rent at $450 on a $598K estimated median gives a gross yield around 3.9%, above most Canberra averages. Vacancy at 5.2% is moderate. Rent stress is low at 17.1%, so tenants have capacity for increases. However, population is declining (down from 8,619 to 8,023 between pre-COVID and 2025), and net internal outflows of -359/year suggest families leaving for cheaper or newer suburbs. Only 3 DAs in 12 months means minimal new supply competition. Overseas migration at +199/year provides partial demand replacement.
Development Activity
Total DAs
9
Last 12 Months
3
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Harrison iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Mother Teresa School
K-6 · 716 students
Harrison School
K-10 · 1365 students
Demographics
English ancestry (1,939) is closely followed by Other (1,854) and Chinese (1,037), with Indian (680) and Scottish (532) completing the top 5. Mandarin (342 speakers), Nepali (130), Korean (99), Cantonese (84), and Hindi (84) reflect the multicultural public-service workforce. Overseas-born at 42.6% is 21.0 pp above national. University attainment at 60.4% is 30.3 pp above national, the highest in this cohort. Median age of 31 sits 9 years below national. Hinduism (883 adherents) and Islam (476) sit alongside Christianity (2,661), reflecting the South Asian and Middle Eastern diaspora. Household size of 2.9 is above national.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
55.4%
Houses
15.1%
Townhouse
29.6%
Apartment
Tenure
The estimated median of $598,000 is affordable by ACT standards, especially given 94th-percentile incomes. Ownership splits show just 10.9% own outright (young suburb), 42.8% mortgage, and 46.3% rent. Detached houses at 55.4% are the largest type, but apartments (29.6%) and semi-detached (15.1%) provide variety. Bedrooms are polarised: 52.5% at 4+ and 13.4% at studio/1-bed. Mortgage stress at 17.5% and rent stress at 17.1% are both very low, well below the 30% threshold. Affordability has slightly worsened (33.2% to 37.3% between 2011 and 2021), but remains excellent by national standards.
Mortgage / mo
$2,000
Rent / wk
$450
HH Size
2.9
Personal Income / wk
$1,207
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.2%
Unoccupied
151
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.5%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
20.7%
Couples, no children
6,607
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public Admin dominates at 34.7% (1,306 workers), reflecting Harrison's position in Canberra's Gungahlin district near major government offices. Professional/Tech (12.2%), Healthcare (10.6%), Education (9.1%), and Hospitality (7.1%) follow. Professionals (1,485) and Managers (883) account for over half of all occupations. Full-time employment at 72.2% is one of the highest in the ACT. Unemployment at 4.1% is close to national. SEIFA IRSAD decile 10 and IRSD decile 10 are both maximum scores. However, real income declined 15.6% over the decade, suggesting the suburb's income advantage is eroding compared to newer Canberra developments.
Unemployment
2.2%
Labour Force
5,245
Unemployed
114
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
72.2%
Part-time
23.7%
Participation
75.8%
Employed
4,621
Occupations
Top Industries
University
60.4%
Postgraduate
26.2%
Born Overseas
42.6%
Dwellings
2,773
Transport to Work
Public transport captures just 1.4% of commuters despite Canberra's light rail expansion, and 88.4% drive. Walking/cycling at 2.0% is low. Harrison has 2 schools: Mother Teresa School (Catholic, ICSEA 1102, 716 students) and Harrison School (Government combined, ICSEA 1058, 1,365 students). Both score well above the 1000 benchmark. Need-for-assistance at 2.4% is low, consistent with the young median age. SEIFA IRSAD decile 10 is the highest possible. Volunteering at 15.4% is above the national average. Turnover at 32.3% is elevated, reflecting the rental-heavy, transient population.
Drive
88.4%
Public Transport
1.4%
Walk / Cycle
2.0%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+3.42%/yr
(+274 people/yr)
High GrowthHistorical growth of 85.6% over the decade was extraordinary, driven by the suburb's greenfield development phase. However, the COVID dip of -4.0% has not recovered (population 8,023 in 2025, still below 8,619 pre-COVID). Net internal outflows of -359/year are significant, suggesting families are moving to newer Canberra suburbs. Overseas migration at +199/year partially offsets this. The trend projection of 3.42% annual growth appears optimistic given recent declines. The young-adult share fell 6.1 pp, indicating the initial cohort of young families is aging faster than new arrivals replace them.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+199
Net Internal / yr
-359
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -359/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Harrison compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Harrison a good suburb to live in?
Harrison scores SEIFA IRSAD decile 10, the highest nationally. Household incomes sit in the 94th percentile, and both schools exceed ICSEA 1058. Mortgage stress at 17.5% is very low. The main drawbacks are limited public transport (1.4%), high residential turnover (32.3%), and a population that has not recovered from its COVID dip.
What is the median house price in Harrison?
The estimated median house price is $598,000, exceptionally affordable given the 94th-percentile household incomes. Mortgage repayments average $2,000/month, consuming just 17.5% of income. Detached houses (55.4%) slightly outnumber apartments (29.6%), and 52.5% of homes have 4+ bedrooms.
What schools are in Harrison?
Harrison has 2 schools: Mother Teresa School (Catholic, ICSEA 1102, 716 students) and Harrison School (Government combined, ICSEA 1058, 1,365 students). Both score above the national ICSEA benchmark of 1000, with the combined Harrison School providing primary through secondary education.
Is Harrison safe?
Crime data is not reported at the suburb level for Harrison. SEIFA IRSD decile 10 indicates minimal disadvantage, and unemployment at 4.1% tracks close to the national average. Both indicators correlate with lower crime rates. The young median age of 31 and family orientation (3,782 couples with children) suggest a stable community.
Is Harrison good for property investment?
Gross yield at ~3.9% ($450/week on $598K) is above most Canberra averages. The 46.3% renter share provides deep tenant demand with rent stress at just 17.1%. However, the population has declined since COVID (down to 8,023 from 8,619 pre-pandemic), and net internal outflows of -359/year signal families leaving for newer suburbs.
How is Harrison's population changing?
After growing 85.6% over the decade during its greenfield phase, Harrison's population has declined post-COVID from 8,619 to 8,023 by 2025, a drop that has not recovered. Net internal outflows of -359/year exceed overseas inflows of +199/year. The young-adult share fell 6.1 pp as the original cohort aged.
What languages are spoken in Harrison?
Mandarin (342 speakers), Nepali (130), Korean (99), Cantonese (84), and Hindi (84) are the top non-English languages. With 42.6% born overseas (21.0 pp above national), Harrison reflects Canberra's diverse public-service workforce, with Chinese (1,037) and Indian (680) as the 3rd and 4th largest ancestry groups.
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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