Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
Watson suburb profile
Watson, ACT · Postcode 2602
This Watson suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for Watson, ACT (postcode 2602). Use it as a free suburb report covering population, median rent, household income, age, housing tenure and employment, plus how those figures changed since Census 2016— then compare Watson with nearby suburbs.
Watson at a glance
Population
6,727
Median rent
$437/wk
Household income
$2,414/wk
Median age
34
Watson trends (2016 → 2021)
Change since the previous Census. Historical figures are mapped from State Suburbs (SSC) to today's suburb boundaries.
Population
Census 2011 → 2016 → 2021
+31.3% over 10 years
Population
6,727
was 5,862 in 2016
+865 · +14.8%
Median rent
$437/wk
was $370/wk in 2016
+$67 · +18.1%
Household income
$2,414/wk
was $1,962/wk in 2016
+$452 · +23%
Median age
34
was 34 in 2016
0 · 0%
Dig deeper: Watson population growth · Watson then and now
Watson vs nearby & Greater Canberra
Median Census 2021 figures for Watson, nearby suburbs (8), and the Canberra metro median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
-2.9% vs area
- Watson$437/wk
- Nearby$438/wk
- Canberra$450/wk
Household income
+2.3% vs area
- Watson$2,414/wk
- Nearby$2,355.5/wk
- Canberra$2,359.5/wk
Median age
-10.5% vs area
- Watson34
- Nearby35
- Canberra38
Personal income
+10.8% vs area
- Watson$1,354/wk
- Nearby$1,248.5/wk
- Canberra$1,222.5/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in ACT. See Canberra rankings.
Socio-economic profile
How Watson compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
Watson ranks among Australia's most advantaged suburbs. It shows high education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 101,083
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 101,110.2
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 51,025.6
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 101,157
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
Watson on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for Watson, ACT.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
Watson people
- Population
- 6,727
- Median age
- 34
- Born overseas
- 26.2%
- Average household size
- 2.4
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
Watson income
- Median household income
- $2,414/wk
- Median personal income
- $1,354/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
Watson housing
- Median rent
- $437/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $2,067/mo
- Separate houses
- 54.2%
- Flats & apartments
- 11.5%
- Owned outright
- 21.2%
- Mortgaged
- 39.7%
- Rented
- 31.2%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 6.5%
Median weekly rent for rented dwellings
Median monthly mortgage repayment
Percentage of dwellings that are separate houses
Percentage of dwellings that are flats or apartments
Percentage of dwellings owned without a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings with a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings rented
Percentage of private dwellings unoccupied on Census night
Watson work
- Employment to population
- 73.1%
- Unemployment rate
- 2.8%
- Year 12 or above
- 83.6%
Employed persons as a percentage of population aged 15+
Unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force
Percentage with Year 12 or equivalent as highest school level
Nearby suburb profiles (near 2602)
Compare Watson with nearby suburbs
Watson in numbers
Watson had 6,727 residents at the 2021 Census, making it the 14th most populous suburb or locality in ACT out of 127. The median age is 34, 9% below the typical ACT suburb. The average household has 2.4 people. 26.2% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 21.2% own their home outright, 39.7% are paying a mortgage, 31.2% rent. Separate houses make up 54.2% of dwellings, with 11.5% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $437/wk, 3% below the typical ACT suburb.
Median household income was $2,414/wk, close to the typical ACT suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 2.8%. 83.6% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 10 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 14.8% (from 5,862 to 6,727). Median rent moved from $370/wk to $437/wk (+18.1%).
Watson suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in Watson, ACT?
- The median weekly rent in Watson was $437/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in Watson, ACT?
- Watson had 6,727 residents at the 2021 Census, up 14.8% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in Watson?
- Median household income in Watson was $2,414/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in Watson?
- 31.2% of occupied homes in Watson were rented, 21.2% were owned outright and 39.7% were owned with a mortgage.
About this Watson suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching Watson. Where shown, 2016 values come from the 2016 State Suburbs (SSC) profile, linked via ABS geographic correspondence — boundaries are not always identical. Medians may be suppressed for very small areas. This is not financial or relocation advice — use it alongside current market data.
Source: ABS Census 2021. Methodology · Richest suburbs in Canberra