City

ACT 2601 • Australian Capital Territory

4,835
Population (2021)
$116,064
Median Household Income
1.43 km²
Area
$550/wk
Median Rent
UrbanCBDNightlifeCultural HubHigh-Density

About City

City (also known as Civic) is the central business district of Canberra, the Australian capital, located within the district of Canberra Central. With a population of 4,835 (2021 census) and a notably young median age of 27, it is a dense urban hub covering just 1.5 km² at an elevation of 577 metres. Established in 1927, it sits at the heart of Canberra's planned urban layout, north of Lake Burley Griffin.

Civic is Canberra's primary commercial, entertainment, and cultural precinct, home to the Canberra Centre shopping mall, Canberra Theatre, restaurants, bars, and government offices. The area has seen significant apartment development in recent years, attracting young professionals, students, and public servants. Residents enjoy excellent walkability, vibrant nightlife, and proximity to the Australian National University and major cultural institutions.

City falls under postcode 2601 and is governed by Unincorporated Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Kurrajong electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Australian Capital Territory Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

Postcode
2601
Urban Area
Braddon - Kowen
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-35.28°, 149.13°
Statistical Area
Australian Capital Territory
Area
1.43 km²
Elevation
575m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$550
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,950
Avg Household Size
1.7 people
Median Age
27 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.6%

4 state housing + 7 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

City West Light Rail
0.2 km
3 min
Alinga Street Light Rail
0.3 km
4 min
City South Light Rail
0.5 km
6 min

Bus Services

  • R2, R3, R4, R5 — Rapid routes to Belconnen, Woden, Tuggeranong, Fyshwick 20-40 min
  • 300, 312, 314 — Queanbeyan and surrounding areas 25-35 min

Commute to Canberra CBD

Distance
0 km
By Train
N/A (this is the CBD)
By Bus
N/A
By Car (Peak)
N/A
By Car (Off-Peak)
N/A

🛣️ City is Canberra's CBD. Light rail connects to Gungahlin (24 min). Major bus interchange for all Canberra routes.

Walkability Walker's Paradise

Excellent walkability with shops, dining, entertainment, and services all within walking distance. Light rail and bus interchange provide easy access to the rest of Canberra.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

No schools listed for this postcode.

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
4,276
Census 2021
4,835
13.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$25,792
Personal Income 2021
$55,952
116.9% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$55,952 / yr
$1076/wk
Household
$116,064 / yr
$2232/wk
Family
$150,540 / yr
$2895/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,155
Born Overseas 2,144

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. China 781
  • 2. India 167
  • 3. England 112
  • 4. South Korea 82
  • 5. Malaysia 82
  • 6. Hong Kong 69
  • 7. New Zealand 68
  • 8. United States 56
  • 9. Singapore 43
  • 10. Thailand 37

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,125
Chinese 1,122
Australian 959
Irish 427
Scottish 375
Indian 218
German 168
Italian 129
Korean 108
Dutch 66

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,362
Both parents born in Australia
2,400
Both parents born overseas
531
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
56.3%
Christianity
19.9%
Buddhism
3.6%
Hinduism
3.4%
Islam
2.1%
Judaism
0.3%
Sikhism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
70 (1.4%)
5-14 years
76 (1.6%)
15-19 years
613 (12.7%)
20-24 years
1,196 (24.7%)
25-34 years
1,452 (30.0%)
35-44 years
525 (10.9%)
45-54 years
351 (7.3%)
55-64 years
275 (5.7%)
65-74 years
184 (3.8%)
75-84 years
71 (1.5%)
85+ years
23 (0.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is City known for? +

Civic is Canberra's primary commercial, entertainment, and cultural precinct, home to the Canberra Centre shopping mall, Canberra Theatre, restaurants, bars, and government offices.

How far is City from Canberra CBD (Civic)? +

City is 5 km from Canberra CBD (Civic). The drive takes approximately N/A in peak hour and N/A off-peak.

Does City have public transport? +

The nearest train station is City West Light Rail (0.2 km away, approximately 3 min walk) on the Canberra Light Rail (Gungahlin to City). Bus services include R2, R3, R4, R5, running to Rapid routes to Belconnen, Woden, Tuggeranong, Fyshwick in approximately 20-40 min.

What is the population of City? +

According to the 2021 Census, City has a population of 4,835 residents. The suburb is part of the broader Australian Capital Territory metropolitan area.

Is City a good place to live? +

City is well-suited to a range of residents, offering vibrant urban living in Canberra. The area has seen significant apartment development in recent years, attracting young professionals, students, and public servants.

What is the postcode for City? +

The postcode for City is 2601. It is located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

What is the average income in City? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in City is about $1,076 per week (around $56,000 per year). The median household income is $2,232 per week and the median family income is $2,895 per week.

What is the age profile of City? +

The median age in City is 27. The largest age group is 25–34 (1,452 residents, around 30%). Around 16% of residents are under 20 and about 6% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

How much is rent in City? +

In City, the median weekly rent is $550, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,950 (2021 Census).