Harrison, ACT: suburb profile

The population of Harrison ACT is 8,244 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Harrison is $1,207 per week ($62,764 per year). Median rent in Harrison is $450 per week ($1,950 per month). Harrison has a median age of 31 years, younger than the national median of 38. Harrison has a population density of 2,826 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Harrison is India. The most common religion is No religion (39.5% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Mandarin. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Harrison is $2,000.

Population
8,244
Census 2021
Median income
$1,207/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$450/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
31years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021.

Harrison vs the typical ACT suburb

The median personal income in Harrison is $1,207 a week, in line with the typical ACT suburb ($1,192). That ranks 47th of 109 ACT suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $450 a week, the same as the typical ACT suburb. Rent takes 17.1% of the median household income here, against 18.2% in the typical ACT suburb. The median resident is 31, 7 years younger than in the typical ACT suburb (38).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureHarrisonTypical ACTDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$1,207/wk$1,192/wk +1%$766/wk
Household income$2,636/wk$2,414/wk +9%$1,637/wk
Rent$450/wk$450/wk 0%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,000/mo$2,154/mo −7%$1,733/mo
Median age3138 −7 yrs42
Rent share of household income17.1%18.2% −1.1 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Harrison, the typical ACT suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Harrison Population

8,244 residents at the 2021 Census.

Harrison Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$1,207/wk
$62,764 per year
Ranked 403 of 14,663
Median Rent
$450/wk
$1,950 per month
Ranked 1,049 of 14,663
Median Age
31years
7 years younger than the national median
Mortgage
$2,000/mo
Avg household size: 2.9 · 1 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Harrison Rent Prices & Affordability

17% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $2,636/wk
Median rent $450/wk
Rent to income 17.1%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Harrison against your income

About $11,423 a month
Median rent $450/wk
Left after rent $2,186/wk
Rent share 17.1%

Harrison Schools

7
schools nearby
5
government
1082
avg ICSEA score
4,154
total students
Mother Teresa School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 716 students
1102
ICSEA
Franklin School Government
Primary · K-6 · 477 students
1098
ICSEA
Throsby School Government
Primary · K-6 · 316 students
1096
ICSEA
Shirley Smith High School Government
Secondary · 7-8 · 210 students
1078
ICSEA
Gungahlin College Government
Secondary · 10-12 · 1,070 students
1061
ICSEA
Harrison School Government
Combined · K-10 · 1,365 students
1058
ICSEA
Burgmann Anglican School - Forde Campus Independent
Combined

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Harrison, with a map

Harrison Map

Harrison, Australian Capital Territory Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

People in Harrison

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 50.5% (4,163) Female 49.5% (4,081)

Population Density

2,826
people per km²
8,244 people · 2.9 km²

Households

2.9
Avg household size
1
Persons per bedroom
$2,878
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

India
7.4%
China
7.3%
Nepal
2.8%
South Korea
2.0%
England
1.9%
Vietnam
1.7%
Pakistan
1.4%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Mandarin
8.3%
Nepali
2.9%
Cantonese
2.4%
Korean
2.3%
Vietnamese
2.2%
Bengali
1.9%
Hindi
1.9%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

Australian
25.6%
English
23.5%
Chinese
12.6%
Indian
8.2%
Scottish
6.5%
Irish
6.2%
Italian
2.8%
German
2.5%
Korean
2.5%
Vietnamese
2.5%
Filipino
1.8%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
39.5%
Catholic
16.2%
Hinduism
10.7%
Islam
5.8%
Anglican
5.6%
Not stated
5.2%
Buddhism
4.5%
Christian (other)
2.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

1.1%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
51.6% 3,281
Separated
2.6% 167
Divorced
5.6% 359
Widowed
1.2% 76
Never married
38.9% 2,473

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
57.8%
Couple: no children
20.9%
Couple: no children under 15
11.4%
One parent: children under 15
6.2%
One parent: no children under 15
3.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
18.8%
2 persons
26.0%
3 persons
19.0%
4 persons
22.6%
5 persons
9.5%
6+ persons
4.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Harrison

Housing Tenure

Of the 2,768 occupied private dwellings in Harrison at the 2021 Census, 45.4% were rented, 10.7% owned outright and 41.9% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
0.7% 20 dwellings
Owned outright
10.7% 296 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
41.9% 1,161 dwellings
Rented
45.4% 1,257 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.1% 30 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
78.6%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
18.1%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
3.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
13.4%
2 bedrooms
14.5%
3 bedrooms
19.6%
4 bedrooms
45.7%
5 bedrooms
6.2%
6+ bedrooms
0.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
2.6%
$300-$449/mo
0.8%
$450-$599/mo
1.2%
$600-$799/mo
2.6%
$800-$999/mo
4.2%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
14.9%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
19.6%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
25.3%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
14.5%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
14.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
3.8%
1 vehicle
37.5%
2 vehicles
44.1%
3 vehicles
9.8%
4+ vehicles
4.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Harrison

Employment

Employed full-time
56.8% 3,339 people
Employed part-time
21.9% 1,288 people
Unemployed
3.3% 194 people
Not in labour force
18.0% 1,055 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
37.0%
Managers
20.4%
Clerical & Administrative
13.0%
Community & Personal Service
10.8%
Technicians & Trade Workers
8.9%
Sales Workers
4.7%
Labourers
3.5%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
1.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.0%
$1-$149/wk
0.3%
$150-$299/wk
0.3%
$300-$399/wk
0.5%
$400-$499/wk
1.3%
$500-$649/wk
2.0%
$650-$799/wk
2.2%
$800-$999/wk
2.9%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
5.0%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
5.8%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.9%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.6%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
15.0%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
9.3%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
9.5%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
7.7%
$4,000+/wk
25.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
10.7%
$1-$149/wk
2.9%
$150-$299/wk
3.7%
$300-$399/wk
1.4%
$400-$499/wk
1.4%
$500-$649/wk
2.4%
$650-$799/wk
5.8%
$800-$999/wk
9.0%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
10.6%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
9.5%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
8.5%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
8.5%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
16.8%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
3.6%
$3,500+/wk
5.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
71.0%
Did not go to work
9.3%
Tram/Light Rail
8.4%
Car (passenger)
6.5%
Walked only
1.0%
Bus
1.0%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.9%
Other
0.7%
Bicycle
0.6%
Truck
0.3%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.2%
Train
0.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
88.4%
Year 10 or equivalent
6.8%
Year 11 or equivalent
3.8%
Year 9 or equivalent
1.0%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Bachelor Degree
37.5%
Postgraduate Degree
28.4%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
15.0%
Certificate III/IV
13.1%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
4.7%
Certificate I/II
1.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
28.4%
Society & Culture
17.8%
Information Technology
13.5%
Engineering
9.7%
Health
7.7%
Natural & Physical Sciences
5.4%
Education
4.8%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
4.3%
Creative Arts
4.0%
Architecture & Building
3.1%
Agriculture & Environment
1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
25.3%
Secondary: Government
18.0%
Primary: Catholic
15.3%
Vocational Education
13.9%
Pre-school
9.6%
Secondary: Catholic
7.1%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
6.0%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
4.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
94.1%
Has need for assistance
2.3%
Need for assistance not stated
3.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
612
Asthma
266
Diabetes
128
Arthritis
124
Heart disease
67
Cancer
41
Stroke
30
Kidney disease
27
Lung condition
26
Dementia
6

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
8.7% 531
Did not provide
91.3% 5,553

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
15.4% 941
Not a volunteer
84.6% 5,165

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
4.8% 297
Current ADF: Reserves
0.8% 50
Previously served
3.0% 186
Never served
91.3% 5,593

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
44.0%
1 child
16.3%
2 children
25.7%
3 children
10.5%
4 children
3.0%
5+ children
0.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
8
1951: 1960
22
1961: 1970
51
1971: 1980
85
1981: 1990
188
1991: 2000
355
2001: 2010
1,034
2011: 2015
684
2016
178
2017
245
2018
205
2019
188
2020
70
2021
14

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

21.5%
moved in the last year
56.1%
moved in the last 5 years
3.9%
unemployment rate (Census)
79.9%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
6,207
Moved from ACT
842
Moved from NSW
305
Moved: same area (SA2)
131
Moved from overseas
124
Moved from QLD
99
Moved from VIC
93
Moved from NT
37
Moved from SA
24
Moved from TAS
9
Moved from WA
8

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
23.8%
5: 14 hours
31.9%
15: 29 hours
11.9%
30+ hours
6.6%
Did not do domestic work
25.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
92.0%
Step family: no other children
4.2%
Blended family: no other children
3.1%
Intact family: other children present
0.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Suburbs near Harrison

The closest suburb to Harrison is Throsby, 0.8 km away.

Throsby
0.8 km away · income $1,342/wk · rent $375/wk
Franklin (ACT)
1.3 km away · income $1,121/wk · rent $460/wk
Gungahlin
2.0 km away · income $1,049/wk · rent $450/wk
Palmerston (ACT)
3.4 km away · income $1,134/wk · rent $450/wk
Forde
3.4 km away · income $1,548/wk · rent $590/wk
Amaroo (ACT)
4.1 km away · income $1,207/wk · rent $460/wk

Frequently Asked Questions About Harrison

What is the population of Harrison ACT?

The population of Harrison ACT is 8,244 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 2,826 people per km². Harrison is ranked #853 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Harrison?

The median personal income in Harrison ACT is $1,207 per week, or $62,764 per year. The median household income is $2,636 per week. Family income is $2,878 per week. Harrison is ranked #403 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Harrison?

Median rent in Harrison ACT is $450 per week ($1,950 per month). Rent represents 17.1% of household income, which is considered affordable. Harrison ranks #1,049 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Harrison?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Harrison ACT is $2,000. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Harrison?

The median age in Harrison ACT is 31 years. This is younger than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Harrison a good suburb to live in?

Harrison is a suburb in Australian Capital Territory with a population of 8,244. The median income is $1,207/wk, which is above the typical ACT suburb ($1,192/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (17.1% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 80071. All dollar figures in AUD.