Scullin
At a median house price of $543,000, Scullin sits well below the ACT's overall price level, yet its household income ranks in the 75.8th percentile nationally, making it one of the more affordable entry points into the territory for working families. Professionals and public servants dominate the workforce, with 29.8% employed in Public Administration, and university qualifications reach 49.3%, a full 19.2 percentage points above the national average. The suburb is overwhelmingly detached houses at 79.9% of stock, and 76.5% of residents stayed in the same address over the five years to the last Census, signalling a stable, rooted community rather than a transient one.
Population
3,069
Median Age
35.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,025/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
6
Median House
$543K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The $543,000 median house price is well below the ACT median, placing Scullin among the territory's more accessible buying options for owner-occupiers. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,950, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 22.2%, which is below the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers at this price point are not financially stretched by ACT standards. Separate houses make up 79.9% of the stock, with semi-detached at 14.1% and apartments at just 5.9%, so the suburb genuinely delivers the standalone home buyers are seeking. Three-bedroom dwellings are the dominant configuration at 52.5%, followed by four-plus bedrooms at 28.2%, which suits families. About 39.9% of households are paying off a mortgage and 27.3% own outright, indicating a settled ownership base.
For Buyers
The $543,000 median house price is well below the ACT median, placing Scullin among the territory's more accessible buying options for owner-occupiers. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,950, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 22.2%, which is below the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers at this price point are not financially stretched by ACT standards. Separate houses make up 79.9% of the stock, with semi-detached at 14.1% and apartments at just 5.9%, so the suburb genuinely delivers the standalone home buyers are seeking. Three-bedroom dwellings are the dominant configuration at 52.5%, followed by four-plus bedrooms at 28.2%, which suits families. About 39.9% of households are paying off a mortgage and 27.3% own outright, indicating a settled ownership base.
For Investors
A rental vacancy rate of 7.0% is elevated compared to tight ACT norms, suggesting that the rental market in Scullin carries more supply-side risk than nearby suburbs. Weekly rent averages $390 against a $543,000 median, implying a gross yield around 3.7%. The renter share stands at 32.7%, providing a reasonable tenant pool for landlords. Overseas migration is the primary population driver, adding roughly 44 residents per year, which partially offsets internal migration losses of about 73 per year. Development activity is modest, with only 5 applications in the past 12 months, including one dual-occupancy proposal, suggesting limited new supply pressure but also limited regeneration momentum. The rent-to-income ratio of 19.3% is below the stress level, keeping existing tenants financially stable.
Development Activity
Total DAs
40
Last 12 Months
6
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 Scullin iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Southern Cross Early Childhood School
K-2 · 115 students
Demographics
The median age of 35 is five years below the national figure, reflecting a younger resident base than the ACT average. Overseas-born residents account for 27.1% of the population, which is 5.5 percentage points above the national rate. Ancestry is dominated by English heritage (999 residents), followed by Scottish and Irish. Non-English languages include Mandarin (29 speakers), Nepali (24) and Urdu (20), consistent with a modest but growing international component. University qualifications reach 49.3%, which is 19.2 points above the national average, driven by the high proportion working in Public Administration and professional services. Average household size is 2.6, slightly above the national average, and the household composition skews toward couples with children (1,186 families) relative to couples without children (559).
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
79.9%
Houses
14.1%
Townhouse
5.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Scullin's housing stock is heavily weighted toward detached dwellings at 79.9%, with semi-detached at 14.1% and apartments at only 5.9%, a profile that is more suburban than most ACT localities. Tenure splits into 39.9% mortgagors, 32.7% renters and 27.3% outright owners. The 27.3% outright ownership share suggests a cohort of long-term residents who bought when prices were lower relative to incomes. Three-bedroom homes lead at 52.5% of all dwellings, and four-plus bedroom properties account for 28.2%, indicating families are the primary market. The rental vacancy rate of 7.0% is above comfortable levels, which may reflect some softness in demand or a mismatch between dwelling size and renter preferences. Rent at $390 per week produces a rent-to-income ratio of 19.3%, below the 30% stress threshold nationally.
Mortgage / mo
$1,950
Rent / wk
$390
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$1,041
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.0%
Unoccupied
87
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
23.4%
Couples, no children
2,392
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public Administration is the dominant employer at 29.8% of the local workforce, nearly double the 14.3% share in Education and 13.4% in Healthcare, reflecting the suburb's position within the ACT public service belt. Professional and Technical services follow at 12.3%. By occupation, Professionals (456 workers) and Managers (233) lead the workforce composition, consistent with government and white-collar employment. The unemployment rate is 4.6% and full-time employment reaches 66.2% of employed residents. The suburb scores decile 7 on IRSAD (index of relative socioeconomic advantage and disadvantage) and decile 8 on IEO (education and occupation), placing it in the upper third nationally on both measures. Household income sits in the 75.8th percentile nationally, above average but not at the top tier found elsewhere in the ACT.
Unemployment
7.0%
Labour Force
1,653
Unemployed
115
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
66.2%
Part-time
29.2%
Participation
62.0%
Employed
1,436
Occupations
Top Industries
University
49.3%
Postgraduate
16.8%
Born Overseas
27.1%
Dwellings
1,147
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high at 82.0% of residents driving to work, compared to a much lower national average, with public transport use at just 6.7% and walking or cycling at 3.2%. This is typical for Canberra suburbs given limited public transport frequency. Scullin scores decile 7 on the IRSAD advantage index, placing it in the upper-mid tier nationally, and decile 8 on IEO, indicating strong education and occupation outcomes. The housing stress measures are comfortable: rent-to-income is 19.3% and mortgage-to-income is 22.2%, both well below stress thresholds. Volunteering runs at 19.6% of residents, above many comparable suburbs. The need-assistance rate is 4.6% (136 residents), a low figure that aligns with the younger-than-national median age of 35. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring Belconnen area suburbs.
Drive
82.0%
Public Transport
6.7%
Walk / Cycle
3.2%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.29%/yr
(+9 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth is modest but positive, with a forecast trend of 0.29% annually, equivalent to roughly 9 additional residents per year. The 10-year population change of 9.1% indicates steady rather than rapid expansion. Historical data shows a slight dip from 3,105 in 2023 to 3,052 in 2025, and medium forecasts project a gradual recovery to around 3,133 by 2031. The primary growth driver is overseas migration at a net 44 per year, partially offset by internal migration losses of 73 per year, meaning the suburb attracts international arrivals but loses residents to other parts of Australia. The gentrification score of 26 registers as early signs, driven by rent growth of 23.8% over the measured period and real income growth of 8.8%. Affordability improved slightly, with the ratio falling from 40.5% in 2011 to 37.5% in 2021.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+44
Net Internal / yr
-73
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Scullin compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Scullin a good suburb to live in?
Scullin ranks in SEIFA decile 7 on IRSAD and decile 8 on IEO, placing it in the upper-mid tier nationally for advantage and education outcomes. Household income sits in the 75.8th percentile nationally. The main practical consideration is high car dependency, with 82.0% of residents driving to work due to limited public transport frequency in the area.
What is the median house price in Scullin?
The median house price is $543,000, estimated from 2025 rent data. This is well below the broader ACT market, making Scullin one of the more accessible territories for buyers. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,950, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 22.2%, below the 30% financial stress threshold.
What schools are in Scullin?
No schools are recorded inside the Scullin boundary in this dataset. Families in the suburb draw on schools in the surrounding Belconnen area. Despite that, the suburb has a well-educated resident base, with 49.3% holding university qualifications, which is 19.2 percentage points above the national figure.
Is Scullin safe?
Specific crime rate data is not available for Scullin in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 7 on IRSAD and decile 8 on IEO, both above average nationally, and only 4.6% of residents (136 people) need daily assistance, consistent with a stable, low-disadvantage area.
Is Scullin good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $390 against a $543,000 median implies a gross yield around 3.7%, moderate by ACT standards. However, the rental vacancy rate of 7.0% is elevated, signalling some supply-side softness. Overseas migration adds about 44 residents per year, providing a baseline demand floor. Rent grew 23.8% over the measured period, which supports future rental upside.
How is Scullin's population changing?
Population grew 9.1% over 10 years, and medium forecasts project a rise from around 3,069 today to about 3,133 by 2031. Annual growth of 0.29% is slow but positive. Overseas migration, at a net 44 arrivals per year, is the primary driver, partially offset by net internal migration losses of 73 per year to other parts of Australia.
What is the main industry employing Scullin residents?
Public Administration employs 29.8% of the local workforce (338 workers), nearly double the next largest sector, Education at 14.3%. Healthcare follows at 13.4% and Professional and Technical services at 12.3%. This heavy public service concentration reflects the ACT economy and is why the suburb scores decile 8 on the IEO index nationally.
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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