🔍

Dickson

ACT 2602 • Australian Capital Territory

3,292
Population (2021)
$118,404
Median Household Income
1.58 km²
Area
$500/wk
Median Rent
Café CultureMulticulturalCBD-AdjacentUp-and-Coming

About Dickson

Dickson is a vibrant inner-north suburb of Canberra, postcode 2602, within the ACT Unincorporated area. With a 2021 Census population of 3,292 — significantly up from 2,149 in 2016 — Dickson has seen rapid growth driven by apartment development and urban infill. Situated approximately 4 kilometres north of the Canberra CBD at an elevation of 583 metres, Dickson covers 1.6 square kilometres and is particularly known for its diverse restaurant and café scene, especially along Woolley Street, which is often called Canberra's 'Chinatown' precinct.

Dickson's commercial heart along Dickson Place and Woolley Street offers a wide variety of Asian restaurants, cafes, specialty grocers, and the popular Dickson Tradies Club. The suburb benefits from excellent public transport via Transport Canberra bus routes and is on the Canberra Light Rail corridor, with the Dickson light rail stop providing fast connections to the CBD and Gungahlin. Dickson Park and the Dickson Swimming Pool serve local residents, and a Woolworths and specialty stores cater to daily needs.

Dickson falls under postcode 2602 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

State
Australian Capital Territory
Postcode
2602
Urban Area
Braddon - Kowen
LGA / Council
Unincorporated
Federal Electorate
Canberra
State Electorate
Kurrajong
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-35.25°, 149.14°
Statistical Area
Australian Capital Territory
Area
1.58 km²
Elevation
583m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$500
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,904
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
30 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
5.2%

66 state housing + 8 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Dickson (Light Rail)
0.4 km
5 min

Bus Services

  • Transport Canberra Route 51, 54, 56 — Canberra City / Gungahlin 8-15 min

Commute to Canberra CBD (Civic)

Distance
4 km
By Train
8-10 min via light rail from Dickson stop
By Car (Peak)
8-15 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
5-10 min

🛣️ Excellent light rail connection; Northbourne Avenue provides direct arterial access to the CBD

Walkability Very Walkable

Most daily errands can be done on foot; excellent restaurant strip, supermarket, and light rail at walking distance

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    1 Dickson Place Dickson 2602 ACT

🎓 Schools

🌳 Parks & Reserves

There is 1 park or reserve in Dickson.

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,149
Census 2021
3,292
▲ 53.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$46,592
Personal Income 2021
$67,756
▲ 45.4% 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
$67,756 / yr
$1303/wk
Household
$118,404 / yr
$2277/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 2,189
Born Overseas 989

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. China 191
  • 2. England 87
  • 3. Vietnam 43
  • 4. India 41
  • 5. United States 40
  • 6. Nepal 38
  • 7. New Zealand 34
  • 8. South Korea 22
  • 9. Malaysia 22
  • 10. Indonesia 21

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,071
Australian 942
Irish 488
Chinese 356
Scottish 355
German 191
Italian 124
Indian 73
Vietnamese 68
Dutch 66

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,415
Both parents born in Australia
1,239
Both parents born overseas
527
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
61.5%
Christianity
23.6%
Buddhism
4.6%
Hinduism
2.2%
Islam
1.8%
Judaism
0.6%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
146 (4.4%)
5-14 years
278 (8.4%)
15-19 years
103 (3.1%)
20-24 years
503 (15.3%)
25-34 years
935 (28.4%)
35-44 years
485 (14.7%)
45-54 years
341 (10.4%)
55-64 years
251 (7.6%)
65-74 years
128 (3.9%)
75-84 years
80 (2.4%)
85+ years
35 (1.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dickson known for? +

Dickson is known for its vibrant dining and café scene, particularly along Woolley Street with its concentration of Asian restaurants, specialty grocers, and eateries that have earned it the informal title of Canberra's dining hub.

How far is Dickson from Canberra CBD? +

Dickson is approximately 4 kilometres north of the Canberra CBD (Civic), about an 8–15 minute drive or just 8–10 minutes via the Canberra Light Rail.

Does Dickson have public transport? +

Excellent public transport. Dickson has its own light rail stop on the Canberra Light Rail (Civic–Gungahlin line), plus multiple Transport Canberra bus routes.

What is the population of Dickson? +

Dickson's population reached 3,292 in the 2021 Census, up sharply from 2,149 in 2016, reflecting significant apartment development and urban renewal in the suburb.

Is Dickson a good place to live? +

Dickson is highly regarded for its location, dining scene, walkability, and direct light rail connection to the CBD, making it popular with young professionals and couples who enjoy an active urban lifestyle.

What is the postcode for Dickson? +

The postcode for Dickson is 2602.

What is the average income in Dickson? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Dickson is about $1,303 per week (around $67,800 per year). The median household income is $2,277 per week and the median family income is $2,895 per week.

What is the age profile of Dickson? +

The median age in Dickson is 30. The largest age group is 25–34 (935 residents, around 28%). Around 16% of residents are under 20 and about 7% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

How much is rent in Dickson? +

In Dickson, the median weekly rent is $500, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,904 (2021 Census).