Mawson
At 57.0% university-qualified residents, Mawson ranks 26.9 percentage points above the national average, one of the highest education concentrations in the ACT. Household income sits at the 83.7th percentile nationally, yet the estimated median house price is $576,000, well below what comparably educated suburbs command elsewhere. That affordability gap is partly explained by an aging population trajectory: the senior share grew 3.7 points over the decade while working-age residents declined 2.8 points, and net internal migration runs at negative 335 per year. Overseas migration of 470 arrivals annually offsets the outflow, sustaining population growth at 2.64% a year from a base of 3,440 residents.
Population
3,440
Median Age
38.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,204/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
11
Median House
$576K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated median house price of $576,000 sits below what most ACT inner suburbs charge, making Mawson accessible for high-income buyers priced out of closer-in locations. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 22.7%, below the 30% stress threshold, indicating genuine affordability for households in the 83.7th income percentile. Separate houses account for 54.2% of dwellings and semi-detached homes 26.3%, giving buyers a reasonable range of detached stock. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 38.3% and four-plus bedroom homes at 29.6%, skewing toward family-sized properties. Outright owners at 33.0% outnumber mortgage holders at 30.7%, a pattern more typical of long-settled owner-occupier suburbs than recent growth areas.
For Buyers
The estimated median house price of $576,000 sits below what most ACT inner suburbs charge, making Mawson accessible for high-income buyers priced out of closer-in locations. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 22.7%, below the 30% stress threshold, indicating genuine affordability for households in the 83.7th income percentile. Separate houses account for 54.2% of dwellings and semi-detached homes 26.3%, giving buyers a reasonable range of detached stock. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 38.3% and four-plus bedroom homes at 29.6%, skewing toward family-sized properties. Outright owners at 33.0% outnumber mortgage holders at 30.7%, a pattern more typical of long-settled owner-occupier suburbs than recent growth areas.
For Investors
Renters make up 36.3% of Mawson households, providing a solid tenant base. Weekly rent of $400 against the $576,000 median implies a gross yield near 3.6%, modest but higher than comparable inner-ACT addresses. The vacancy rate of 8.0% is elevated and warrants attention: it points to excess supply in the smaller-dwelling segment, since 11.7% of homes have zero to one bedroom and 20.4% have two bedrooms. Development activity shows 11 applications in the past 12 months, including multi-unit proposals and lease variations, signalling some intensification pressure. Overseas migration of 470 per year is the primary demand driver because net internal migration is negative 335, meaning population growth depends almost entirely on overseas arrivals continuing at current rates.
Development Activity
Total DAs
59
Last 12 Months
11
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+37.5%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Mawson iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Mawson Primary School
K-6 · 542 students
Canberra Christian School
K-6 · 228 students
Demographics
The median age of 38 is two years below the national figure, though the trajectory is aging rather than youthful: the senior share rose 3.7 points and the working-age share fell 2.8 points over the decade. University qualifications at 57.0% are 26.9 points above the national average, among the highest for any ACT suburb outside the inner-north precinct. Overseas-born residents reach 35.5%, which is 13.9 points above national, with English (967 residents), Irish (440) and Scottish (345) ancestries leading, alongside Indian (189). Non-English languages are led by Nepali (71 speakers), Mandarin (50) and Punjabi (41), reflecting a growing South Asian community. Average household size of 2.4 is marginally below the national figure of 2.5.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
54.2%
Houses
26.3%
Townhouse
19.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure in Mawson is broadly split between ownership and renting: 33.0% own outright, 30.7% carry a mortgage and 36.3% rent. Outright owners and mortgaged buyers together hold 63.7% of dwellings, above the national renter average, suggesting a stable owner base. Separate houses make up 54.2% of stock, semi-detached homes 26.3% and apartments 19.5%, a more diverse mix than purely detached suburbs. Three-bedroom homes account for 38.3% and four-plus bedrooms 29.6%, so family-sized stock dominates. Rent-to-income is 18.1%, below the 30% stress threshold, and monthly mortgage repayments of $2,167 produce a 22.7% repayment-to-income ratio, both well within manageable ranges for the local income level sitting at the 83.7th percentile nationally.
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wk
$400
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$1,158
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.0%
Unoccupied
120
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
31.9%
Couples, no children
2,649
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public Administration employs 30.4% of the local workforce (448 workers), reflecting Mawson's position in the ACT government services belt. Healthcare follows at 21.4% (315 workers) and Professional/Technical services at 10.3% (152 workers), together giving the suburb a high-skill, public-sector bias. By occupation, Professionals (538) and Managers (313) are the two largest groups, consistent with the decile 9 IEO score for education and occupation. The unemployment rate is 4.2%, close to the national average, and the full-time employment rate is 67.6% of employed residents. SEIFA tells a nuanced story: IRSD and IRSAD both score decile 9, placing Mawson in the top advantage tier, while the IER (economic resources) sits at decile 6, lower because the 36.3% renter share dilutes aggregate household wealth measures.
Unemployment
2.0%
Labour Force
9,363
Unemployed
185
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
67.6%
Part-time
28.2%
Participation
62.9%
Employed
1,708
Occupations
Top Industries
University
57.0%
Postgraduate
19.4%
Born Overseas
35.5%
Dwellings
1,374
Transport to Work
Transport in Mawson leans heavily on private cars: 81.2% of residents drive, compared to 67% nationally, and only 6.7% use public transport. Walking and cycling account for 4.5%. No schools are recorded within the Mawson boundary in this dataset, so families rely on nearby Woden Valley institutions. The IRSAD decile of 9 places Mawson in the top advantage tier nationally, and only 4.1% of residents (136 people) need daily assistance. The volunteering rate of 20.0% is high, suggesting strong community participation. Rent stress is absent at 18.1% rent-to-income, and mortgage stress is similarly low at 22.7%, making cost-of-living conditions considerably more manageable here than in higher-priced ACT suburbs.
Drive
81.2%
Public Transport
6.7%
Walk / Cycle
4.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+2.64%/yr
(+396 people/yr)
EstablishedMawson is growing at 2.64% per year, adding approximately 396 residents annually from its current 3,440 base. Over 10 years the population rose 29%, which is well above the national suburban average. Medium forecasts project the broader SA2 reaching 18,210 by 2031, driven almost entirely by overseas migration at 470 net arrivals per year since net internal migration is negative 335. The gentrification score stands at early signs: population grew 35% since 2011, overseas inflows are strong, but real incomes fell 8.3% over the decade, and affordability has been stable rather than improving. Rent growth of 8.8% over the period reflects tightening demand from overseas arrivals rather than income-led gentrification. The aging trajectory (senior share up 3.7 points) is a structural drag on the working-age cohort.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+470
Net Internal / yr
-335
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +35% since 2011, Net internal outflow -335/yr, Strong overseas inflow +470/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Mawson compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mawson a good suburb to live in?
Mawson ranks at IRSAD decile 9 nationally, the top advantage tier, with household incomes at the 83.7th percentile. University qualifications reach 57.0%, which is 26.9 points above the national average. Mortgage and rent stress are both low, and the suburb offers a mix of separate houses (54.2%) and smaller dwellings within easy reach of Woden Town Centre.
What is the median house price in Mawson?
The estimated median house price is $576,000, based on 2025 rental data. Weekly rent averages $400 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $2,167, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.7%, well below the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners (33.0%) and mortgage holders (30.7%) together hold 63.7% of dwellings.
What schools are in Mawson?
No schools are recorded within the Mawson suburb boundary in this dataset. Families typically access schools in the broader Woden Valley area. Despite this, 57.0% of Mawson residents hold university qualifications, which is 26.9 percentage points above the national average, reflecting a highly educated adult population.
Is Mawson safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Mawson in this dataset. As an indirect measure, the suburb scores IRSD decile 9, placing it in the top advantage tier for relative disadvantage nationally. Only 4.1% of residents (136 people) need daily assistance, and household incomes sit at the 83.7th percentile, both consistent with a low-disadvantage environment.
Is Mawson good for property investment?
Renters account for 36.3% of households and weekly rent averages $400, implying a gross yield near 3.6% against the $576,000 median. The vacancy rate of 8.0% is elevated, signalling some oversupply. Overseas migration of 470 net arrivals per year is the primary demand driver, but negative internal migration of 335 per year means growth depends on that overseas inflow continuing.
How is Mawson's population changing?
Mawson is growing at 2.64% per year, well above the national suburban average, with the population up 29% over 10 years to 3,440 residents. Overseas migration drives this at 470 net arrivals per year, offsetting internal outflow of 335. The profile is aging, with the senior share up 3.7 points and the working-age share down 2.8 points over the decade.
What languages are spoken in Mawson?
About 35.5% of residents were born overseas, which is 13.9 points above the national figure. Nepali (71 speakers), Mandarin (50), Punjabi (41), Urdu (19) and Hindi (18) are the leading non-English languages, reflecting a growing South Asian community. English remains dominant, with English (967), Irish (440) and Scottish (345) ancestries leading.
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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