Torrens
At the 93.7th percentile for household income nationally, Torrens punches well above most ACT suburbs on wealth, yet its median house price of $675,000 remains moderate compared to inner Canberra. The suburb scores decile 10 on both IRSD and IRSAD, the top advantage tier, while also reaching decile 9 on IEO and IER. University qualifications reach 55.0%, which is 24.9 percentage points above the national average. With 84.8% separate houses and 49.2% of dwellings having 4 or more bedrooms, Torrens reads as a family-oriented, established suburb where detached housing dominates and residents have chosen to stay, with 76.0% of households living at the same address for at least a year.
Population
2,424
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,612/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
6
Median House
$675K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price of $675,000 sits below many comparable high-income ACT suburbs, making Torrens relatively accessible for buyers seeking a detached house in a top-decile area. Separate houses account for 84.8% of dwellings, and 49.2% have 4 or more bedrooms, signalling a genuine family market rather than an apartment-skewed one. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,470, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.8%, which is below the 30% stress threshold and comfortable against household incomes at the 93.7th percentile nationally. Outright owners make up 35.9% and mortgage holders 38.7%, a split typical of an established suburb with both long-term residents and active buyers. Semi-detached dwellings add 12.7% of supply, with apartments at only 2.5%, so buyer competition focuses almost entirely on detached stock.
For Buyers
The median house price of $675,000 sits below many comparable high-income ACT suburbs, making Torrens relatively accessible for buyers seeking a detached house in a top-decile area. Separate houses account for 84.8% of dwellings, and 49.2% have 4 or more bedrooms, signalling a genuine family market rather than an apartment-skewed one. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,470, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.8%, which is below the 30% stress threshold and comfortable against household incomes at the 93.7th percentile nationally. Outright owners make up 35.9% and mortgage holders 38.7%, a split typical of an established suburb with both long-term residents and active buyers. Semi-detached dwellings add 12.7% of supply, with apartments at only 2.5%, so buyer competition focuses almost entirely on detached stock.
For Investors
Torrens offers a 25.4% renter share and weekly rent of $478, producing a moderate yield against the $675,000 median. The vacancy rate at 5.1% is higher than the national norm, suggesting the rental market is not tight, which limits the ability to push rents. Development activity is low at only 6 applications in the past 12 months, mostly lease variations rather than new supply, so stock levels are stable. Migration dynamics are balanced: net overseas arrivals of 24 per year offset a net internal outflow of 20, producing thin but positive population growth. Annual population growth runs at 0.49%, adding roughly 12 persons per year, with medium forecasts projecting the population reaching 2,509 by 2031. The investment case depends more on capital stability in a top-decile suburb than on rental yield growth.
Development Activity
Total DAs
39
Last 12 Months
6
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-14.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Torrens iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Torrens Primary School
K-6 · 394 students
Demographics
Torrens has a median age of 39, one year below the national figure, and the age profile is broadly stable with a senior share change of only minus 0.1 points over the decade. University qualifications reach 55.0%, which is 24.9 percentage points above the national average, placing Torrens in the upper tier of educated suburbs nationally. Overseas-born residents account for 25.2%, which is 3.6 points above the national figure, with English (829), Irish (317) and Scottish (265) as the leading ancestries. Average household size is 2.7, which is 0.2 above the national figure, consistent with the high share of couples with children: 1,012 of 1,999 families fall into that category. Volunteering runs at 23.1%, above typical suburban rates, reflecting the high civic engagement of a professional, educated community.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
84.8%
Houses
12.7%
Townhouse
2.5%
Apartment
Tenure
The housing stock is heavily skewed toward large detached homes: 84.8% are separate houses and 49.2% have 4 or more bedrooms, while only 2.5% are apartments. This profile reflects a suburb built for families rather than singles or renters. Tenure splits into outright owners at 35.9%, mortgage holders at 38.7% and renters at 25.4%, with mortgage holders slightly dominant, which is typical for an established suburb still attracting buyers. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,470 and rent-to-income sits at 18.3%, both below stress thresholds, indicating residents are managing housing costs comfortably relative to their incomes. The vacancy rate of 5.1% is above average, suggesting rental supply is adequate and competition for tenancies is not extreme. Three-bedroom dwellings account for 38.3% and 2-bedroom homes for 8.8% of stock.
Mortgage / mo
$2,470
Rent / wk
$478
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$1,286
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.1%
Unoccupied
46
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
22.7%
Couples, no children
1,999
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public Administration dominates the local workforce at 33.4% (311 workers), which is unsurprising given proximity to the ACT government precinct, and it drives the suburb's high income base. Healthcare follows at 14.8% (138 workers) and Professional/Technical services at 14.2% (132), with Education at 10.1%. By occupation, Professionals number 412 and Managers 234, together making up the majority of employed residents. The full-time employment rate is 69.2% and unemployment is low at 3.7%, well below the national benchmark. Real incomes grew 13.9% over the decade, above typical suburban growth. The suburb scores decile 10 on IRSAD and IRSD, and decile 9 on IEO, consistent with a workforce concentrated in high-skill public sector and knowledge roles that generate above-average earnings.
Unemployment
2.9%
Labour Force
1,352
Unemployed
39
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
69.2%
Part-time
27.1%
Participation
63.1%
Employed
1,154
Occupations
Top Industries
University
55.0%
Postgraduate
17.8%
Born Overseas
25.2%
Dwellings
856
Transport to Work
Car use dominates transport at 81.1% of commuters, with public transport at 7.3% and walking or cycling at 3.6%, typical for a suburban ACT location. No schools are recorded inside the Torrens boundary in the available data, so families rely on institutions in surrounding suburbs. The suburb scores decile 10 on IRSAD, the top advantage tier nationally, and decile 10 on IRSD, indicating very low disadvantage. Only 4.7% of residents (110 people) require daily assistance, which is low relative to the population of 2,424. Rent-to-income at 18.3% and mortgage-to-income at 21.8% are both below stress levels, suggesting housing costs are manageable relative to local incomes at the 93.7th percentile nationally. Crime data is not available for this suburb from the source dataset.
Drive
81.1%
Public Transport
7.3%
Walk / Cycle
3.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.49%/yr
(+12 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth is slow but consistent, running at 0.49% annually and adding about 12 persons per year. Over the past 10 years the population grew 6.2%, which is stable rather than stagnant. Medium forecasts project growth from 2,424 today to 2,509 by 2031, a modest 3.5% increase over six years. Migration is balanced, with net overseas arrivals of 24 a year offsetting a net internal outflow of 20. Affordability has improved from 40.3% in 2011 to 37.2% in 2021, a positive trend compared to many ACT markets. The gentrification score reads at an early signs stage with a score of 32, and rent grew 29.2% over the period, above typical national levels. Resident turnover is low at 24.0%, with 76.0% staying put, which signals satisfaction and stability rather than a transient suburb.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+24
Net Internal / yr
-20
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Accelerating: -5% → 12%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Torrens compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Torrens a good suburb to live in?
Torrens ranks decile 10 on IRSAD and IRSD, the top advantage tier nationally, with household incomes at the 93.7th percentile. University qualifications reach 55.0%, which is 24.9 points above the national average. Mortgage and rent costs sit below stress thresholds, and 76.0% of residents choose to stay year on year.
What is the median house price in Torrens?
The median house price is estimated at $675,000 based on 2025 rental data. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,470, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.8% is below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $478, giving a rent-to-income ratio of 18.3%.
What schools are in Torrens?
No schools are recorded inside the Torrens boundary in the available dataset. The suburb's population is highly educated, with 55.0% holding university qualifications, which is 24.9 points above the national average, and families typically access schools in neighbouring ACT suburbs.
Is Torrens safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Torrens in this dataset. As an indirect measure, the suburb scores decile 10 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage, the highest tier nationally, and only 4.7% of its 2,424 residents require daily assistance, both consistent with a low-disadvantage environment.
Is Torrens good for property investment?
Torrens offers a 25.4% renter share and weekly rent of $478 against a $675,000 median. The vacancy rate of 5.1% is elevated, limiting rental pricing power. Annual population growth of 0.49% is steady rather than fast-rising, so the investment case centres on capital stability in a top-decile suburb rather than high yield.
How is Torrens's population changing?
The population has grown 6.2% over 10 years and is increasing at 0.49% annually, adding around 12 persons per year. Medium forecasts project the population reaching 2,509 by 2031. Migration is balanced, with net overseas arrivals of 24 a year and a net internal outflow of 20.
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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