Hughes

ACT 2605 • Australian Capital Territory

3,210
Population (2021)
$145,444
Median Household Income
1.79 km²
Area
$400/wk
Median Rent
AffluentFamily-FriendlyEstablishedInner SuburbGovernment Precinct

About Hughes

Hughes is an established residential suburb in the Woden Valley district of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, located about 10 kilometres south of the city centre. Named after William Morris Hughes, Australia's seventh Prime Minister, the suburb has a population of approximately 3,210 with a median age of 43. It is an affluent area with a median household income of ,797 per week, reflecting its appeal to professionals and public servants working in nearby government offices.

Hughes offers a leafy, well-planned suburban environment with tree-lined streets, generous block sizes, and easy access to the Woden Town Centre for shopping and services. The suburb is home to Hughes Primary School and is close to several quality secondary schools. Garran Oval and surrounding parks provide green space for recreation, while the nearby Canberra Hospital makes it popular with medical professionals. The suburb's quiet streets, mature gardens, and proximity to Parliament House attract established families and downsizers seeking a premium inner-south location.

Hughes falls under postcode 2605 and is governed by Unincorporated Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Murrumbidgee electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Australian Capital Territory Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission💰 Top 50 Suburbs in Australian Capital Territory by Median Household Income

📍 Location

Postcode
2605
Urban Area
Narrabundah - Weston
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-35.33°, 149.10°
Statistical Area
Australian Capital Territory
Area
1.79 km²
Elevation
599m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$400
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,700
Avg Household Size
2.6 people
Median Age
43 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
5.9%

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

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • R4, R5 — Woden Town Centre & Civic (City) 5-20 min
  • 2, 3 — Woden interchange 5 min
  • Express services — Parliament House & City 15-25 min

Commute to Canberra City (Civic)

Distance
10 km
By Bus
25 min (Rapid bus)
By Car (Peak)
20 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
12 min

🛣️ Well-served by ACTION bus network via Woden interchange. Light rail extension to Woden planned.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Walkable to local shops and schools. Woden Town Centre is a short drive or bus ride for major shopping.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,990
Census 2021
3,210
7.4% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$58,864
Personal Income 2021
$67,496
14.7% 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
$67,496 / yr
$1298/wk
Household
$145,444 / yr
$2797/wk
Family
$190,788 / yr
$3669/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,287
Born Overseas 819

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 121
  • 2. India 82
  • 3. New Zealand 64
  • 4. Nepal 40
  • 5. United States 36
  • 6. China 34
  • 7. Canada 22
  • 8. Scotland 19
  • 9. Germany 17
  • 10. Philippines 16

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,169
English 1,148
Irish 489
Scottish 396
German 123
Italian 120
Chinese 100
Indian 82
Welsh 61
Dutch 55

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,620
Both parents born in Australia
909
Both parents born overseas
541
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
45.7%
Christianity
41.0%
Hinduism
3.4%
Buddhism
3.0%
Islam
1.1%
Judaism
0.5%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
147 (4.6%)
5-14 years
448 (14.0%)
15-19 years
190 (5.9%)
20-24 years
164 (5.1%)
25-34 years
321 (10.0%)
35-44 years
417 (13.0%)
45-54 years
426 (13.3%)
55-64 years
384 (12.0%)
65-74 years
290 (9.0%)
75-84 years
214 (6.7%)
85+ years
207 (6.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hughes known for? +

Hughes offers a leafy, well-planned suburban environment with tree-lined streets, generous block sizes, and easy access to the Woden Town Centre for shopping and services.

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

Hughes is approximately 10 kilometres from Canberra CBD (Civic). The drive takes approximately 20 min in peak hour and 12 min off-peak.

Does Hughes have public transport? +

Bus services include R4, R5, running to Woden Town Centre & Civic (City) in approximately 5-20 min.

What is the population of Hughes? +

According to the 2021 Census, Hughes has a population of 3,210 residents. The suburb is part of the broader Australian Capital Territory metropolitan area.

Is Hughes a good place to live? +

Hughes is well-suited to families and those seeking an upmarket lifestyle, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in Canberra. The suburb is home to Hughes Primary School and is close to several quality secondary schools.

What is the postcode for Hughes? +

The postcode for Hughes is 2605. It is located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

What is the average income in Hughes? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Hughes is about $1,298 per week (around $67,500 per year). The median household income is $2,797 per week and the median family income is $3,669 per week.

What is the age profile of Hughes? +

The median age in Hughes is 43. The largest age group is 5–14 (448 residents, around 14%). Around 24% of residents are under 20 and about 22% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

How much is rent in Hughes? +

In Hughes, the median weekly rent is $400, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,700 (2021 Census).