Watson, ACT: suburb profile

The population of Watson ACT is 6,727 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Watson is $1,354 per week ($70,408 per year). Median rent in Watson is $437 per week ($1,894 per month). Watson has a median age of 34 years, younger than the national median of 38. Watson has a population density of 1,831 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Watson is England. The most common religion is No religion (56.1% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Mandarin. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Watson is $2,067.

Population
6,727
Census 2021
Median income
$1,354/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$437/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
34years
Census 2021

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

Watson vs the typical ACT suburb

The median personal income in Watson is $1,354 a week, 14% above the typical ACT suburb ($1,192). That ranks 21st of 109 ACT suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $437 a week, $13 less than the typical ACT suburb. Rent takes 18.1% of the median household income here, against 18.2% in the typical ACT suburb. The median resident is 34, 4 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.
MeasureWatsonTypical ACTDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$1,354/wk$1,192/wk +14%$766/wk
Household income$2,414/wk$2,414/wk 0%$1,637/wk
Rent$437/wk$450/wk −3%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,067/mo$2,154/mo −4%$1,733/mo
Median age3438 −4 yrs42
Rent share of household income18.1%18.2% −0.1 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 Watson, the typical ACT suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Watson Population

6,727 residents at the 2021 Census.

Watson Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$1,354/wk
$70,408 per year
Ranked 220 of 14,663
Median Rent
$437/wk
$1,894 per month
Ranked 1,323 of 14,663
Median Age
34years
4 years younger than the national median
Mortgage
$2,067/mo
Avg household size: 2.4 · 0.8 per bedroom

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

Watson Rent Prices & Affordability

18% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $2,414/wk
Median rent $437/wk
Rent to income 18.1%

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

Median rent in Watson against your income

About $10,461 a month
Median rent $437/wk
Left after rent $1,977/wk
Rent share 18.1%

Watson Schools

9
schools nearby
5
government
1127
avg ICSEA score
5,969
total students
Blue Gum Community School Independent
Combined · K-10 · 167 students
1164
ICSEA
North Ainslie Primary School Government
Primary · K-6 · 527 students
1145
ICSEA
Emmaus Christian School Independent
Combined · K-10 · 590 students
1138
ICSEA
Majura Primary School Government
Primary · K-6 · 675 students
1135
ICSEA
Lyneham High School Government
Secondary · 7-10 · 1,034 students
1132
ICSEA
Daramalan College Independent
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,498 students
1127
ICSEA
Rosary Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 369 students
1121
ICSEA
Dickson College Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 899 students
1101
ICSEA
Shirley Smith High School Government
Secondary · 7-8 · 210 students
1078
ICSEA

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

All schools near Watson, with a map

Watson Map

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

Watson, Australian Capital Territory: 35.2348°S, 149.1582°E

Watson Schools (9)

People in Watson

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 48.4% (3,259) Female 51.6% (3,471)

Population Density

1,831
people per km²
6,727 people · 3.7 km²

Households

2.4
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$3,066
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

England
2.8%
India
2.0%
China
1.7%
New Zealand
1.4%
United States of America
1.1%
Vietnam
1.0%
Nepal
0.8%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Mandarin
2.2%
Vietnamese
1.3%
Spanish
1.1%
Nepali
1.1%
German
0.9%
Cantonese
0.7%
French
0.7%

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

Ancestry

English
35.4%
Australian
34.7%
Irish
14.0%
Scottish
10.9%
German
5.2%
Chinese
4.6%
Italian
3.8%
Indian
2.5%
Dutch
2.1%
Australian Aboriginal
1.7%
Vietnamese
1.5%

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
56.1%
Catholic
14.6%
Anglican
5.9%
Not stated
5.1%
Buddhism
4.2%
Hinduism
2.9%
Christian (other)
1.7%
Uniting Church
1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

1.8%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
42.3% 2,278
Separated
2.7% 144
Divorced
8.3% 448
Widowed
2.6% 140
Never married
44.2% 2,381

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
49.9%
Couple: no children
27.3%
Couple: no children under 15
10.1%
One parent: children under 15
7.5%
One parent: no children under 15
5.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
27.5%
2 persons
32.9%
3 persons
17.1%
4 persons
16.7%
5 persons
4.7%
6+ persons
1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Watson

Housing Tenure

Of the 2,658 occupied private dwellings in Watson at the 2021 Census, 33.4% were rented, 22.6% owned outright and 42.4% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
0.7% 19 dwellings
Owned outright
22.6% 601 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
42.4% 1,128 dwellings
Rented
33.4% 887 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
0.8% 21 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
66.3%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
30.7%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
3.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
6.7%
2 bedrooms
23.5%
3 bedrooms
46.5%
4 bedrooms
20.2%
5 bedrooms
2.9%
6+ bedrooms
0.3%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
3.8%
$300-$449/mo
1.7%
$450-$599/mo
0.7%
$600-$799/mo
1.4%
$800-$999/mo
3.6%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
13.0%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
17.8%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
25.7%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
17.6%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
14.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
5.3%
1 vehicle
45.9%
2 vehicles
38.2%
3 vehicles
7.1%
4+ vehicles
3.4%

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

Work, income and education in Watson

Employment

Employed full-time
50.7% 2,522 people
Employed part-time
24.0% 1,193 people
Unemployed
2.3% 114 people
Not in labour force
23.0% 1,144 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
43.6%
Managers
22.7%
Clerical & Administrative
10.5%
Community & Personal Service
7.6%
Technicians & Trade Workers
7.2%
Labourers
4.3%
Sales Workers
3.1%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
0.9%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
0.4%
$1-$149/wk
0.1%
$150-$299/wk
1.1%
$300-$399/wk
1.4%
$400-$499/wk
3.0%
$500-$649/wk
2.5%
$650-$799/wk
2.7%
$800-$999/wk
3.9%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
5.1%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
5.7%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.6%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.5%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
14.6%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
8.2%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
9.7%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
5.8%
$4,000+/wk
23.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
5.8%
$1-$149/wk
3.2%
$150-$299/wk
3.8%
$300-$399/wk
1.8%
$400-$499/wk
1.7%
$500-$649/wk
2.8%
$650-$799/wk
5.8%
$800-$999/wk
8.0%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
8.7%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
9.1%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
10.1%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
9.3%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
20.2%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
3.8%
$3,500+/wk
6.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
64.4%
Did not go to work
14.3%
Bicycle
6.9%
Car (passenger)
5.1%
Tram/Light Rail
3.2%
Bus
2.8%
Walked only
1.2%
Motorbike/Scooter
1.1%
Other
0.4%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.4%
Truck
0.2%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
88.7%
Year 10 or equivalent
7.2%
Year 11 or equivalent
3.0%
Year 9 or equivalent
1.1%

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
39.5%
Postgraduate Degree
29.2%
Certificate III/IV
11.2%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
10.8%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
8.7%
Certificate I/II
0.6%

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

Field of Study

Society & Culture
28.7%
Management & Commerce
17.7%
Engineering
8.1%
Education
7.8%
Creative Arts
7.7%
Natural & Physical Sciences
7.6%
Information Technology
7.2%
Health
6.7%
Architecture & Building
3.6%
Agriculture & Environment
2.9%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
2.0%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
36.7%
Secondary: Government
19.9%
Vocational Education
13.2%
Pre-school
11.0%
Secondary: Catholic
5.8%
Primary: Catholic
5.4%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
4.5%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
3.4%

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
92.4%
Has need for assistance
4.1%
Need for assistance not stated
3.5%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
798
Asthma
299
Arthritis
157
Diabetes
100
Heart disease
83
Lung condition
79
Cancer
69
Kidney disease
39
Stroke
33
Dementia
7

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
12.4% 639
Did not provide
87.6% 4,535

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
24.8% 1,283
Not a volunteer
75.2% 3,895

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
1.9% 97
Current ADF: Reserves
0.7% 39
Previously served
3.3% 171
Never served
94.1% 4,894

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
45.5%
1 child
15.5%
2 children
26.4%
3 children
9.9%
4 children
2.4%
5+ children
0.3%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
14
1951: 1960
54
1961: 1970
114
1971: 1980
129
1981: 1990
171
1991: 2000
179
2001: 2010
332
2011: 2015
323
2016
80
2017
75
2018
106
2019
101
2020
47
2021
3

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

Population Mobility

22.9%
moved in the last year
55.4%
moved in the last 5 years
2.8%
unemployment rate (Census)
75.2%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
4,949
Moved from ACT
770
Moved from NSW
259
Moved: same area (SA2)
192
Moved from overseas
89
Moved from VIC
61
Moved from QLD
41
Moved from SA
25
Moved from WA
9
Moved from NT
5
Moved from TAS
3

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
24.3%
5: 14 hours
38.5%
15: 29 hours
15.2%
30+ hours
6.7%
Did not do domestic work
15.3%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
91.0%
Step family: no other children
4.9%
Blended family: no other children
2.9%
Other couple: children only
0.8%
Intact family: other children present
0.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Downer
Income: $1,125/wk Rent: $420/wk $17/wk less rent
Banks
Income: $1,168/wk Rent: $424/wk $13/wk less rent
Lyneham
Income: $1,200/wk Rent: $425/wk $12/wk less rent
Lyons (ACT)
Income: $1,097/wk Rent: $360/wk $77/wk less rent
Theodore (ACT)
Income: $1,195/wk Rent: $430/wk $7/wk less rent
Throsby
Income: $1,342/wk Rent: $375/wk $62/wk less rent
Conder
Income: $1,179/wk Rent: $390/wk $47/wk less rent
Chisholm (ACT)
Income: $1,088/wk Rent: $410/wk $27/wk less rent

Suburbs near Watson

The closest suburb to Watson is Downer, 1.5 km away.

Downer
1.5 km away · income $1,125/wk · rent $420/wk
Hackett
1.7 km away · income $1,361/wk · rent $374/wk
Lyneham
2.5 km away · income $1,200/wk · rent $425/wk
Dickson
2.5 km away · income $1,303/wk · rent $500/wk
Ainslie
3.3 km away · income $1,236/wk · rent $367/wk
Harrison
4.2 km away · income $1,207/wk · rent $450/wk

Compare Watson

Frequently Asked Questions About Watson

What is the population of Watson ACT?

The population of Watson ACT is 6,727 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 1,831 people per km². Watson is ranked #1,125 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Watson?

The median personal income in Watson ACT is $1,354 per week, or $70,408 per year. The median household income is $2,414 per week. Family income is $3,066 per week. Watson is ranked #220 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Watson?

Median rent in Watson ACT is $437 per week ($1,894 per month). Rent represents 18.1% of household income, which is considered affordable. Watson ranks #1,323 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Watson?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Watson ACT is $2,067. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Watson?

The median age in Watson ACT is 34 years. This is younger than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Watson a good suburb to live in?

Watson is a suburb in Australian Capital Territory with a population of 6,727. The median income is $1,354/wk, which is above the typical ACT suburb ($1,192/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (18.1% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Explore More

Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Canberra Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 80131. All dollar figures in AUD.