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Macarthur

ACT 2904 • Australian Capital Territory

1,405
Population (2021)
$157,924
Median Household Income
1.30 km²
Area
$520/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlySuburbanCommuter BeltAffordableQuiet

About Macarthur

Macarthur is a quiet residential suburb in Canberra's Tuggeranong district, located approximately 15 kilometres south of the Canberra CBD (Civic) within the Australian Capital Territory. With a population of around 1,405 residents and a median age of 39, the suburb attracts a mix of families and working professionals who value affordable suburban living within the nation's capital. The median household income of approximately $3,037 per week reflects the strong public sector employment base common across greater Canberra, and the suburb's 1.3 square kilometre footprint comprises predominantly detached housing on quiet residential streets.

Residents enjoy close proximity to Tuggeranong Town Centre, offering a large shopping mall, supermarkets, medical services, and a cinema within a short drive or bus ride. Macarthur is connected to Canberra's bus network via the Tuggeranong interchange, providing regular services to the city centre. Green space is plentiful nearby, including the Isabella Plains wetlands and the open parklands of the Tuggeranong Valley, making the suburb an accessible and comfortable base for families seeking value-for-money living in the ACT.

Macarthur falls under postcode 2904 and is governed by Unincorporated Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Brindabella electorate.

📰 Featured In

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

📍 Location

State
Australian Capital Territory
Postcode
2904
Urban Area
Tuggeranong
LGA / Council
Unincorporated
Federal Electorate
Bean
State Electorate
Brindabella
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-35.40°, 149.13°
Statistical Area
Australian Capital Territory
Area
1.30 km²
Elevation
670m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$520
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,200
Avg Household Size
2.9 people
Median Age
39 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.8%

4 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Route 12, 13, 14 — Canberra City (Civic) via Tuggeranong Interchange 35-45 min

Commute to Canberra CBD (Civic)

Distance
15 km
By Train
No direct train service; bus via Tuggeranong Interchange
By Car (Peak)
20-35 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
15-22 min

🛣️ Well served by bus network; easy freeway access via Tuggeranong Parkway

Walkability Car-Dependent

Most daily errands require a car; Tuggeranong Town Centre is the nearest retail hub and is best accessed by vehicle or bus

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,427
Census 2021
1,405
▼ 1.5% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$58,916
Personal Income 2021
$69,368
▲ 17.7% 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
$69,368 / yr
$1334/wk
Household
$157,924 / yr
$3037/wk
Family
$168,064 / yr
$3232/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,161
Born Overseas 238

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 63
  • 2. India 24
  • 3. South Africa 13
  • 4. Sri Lanka 11
  • 5. New Zealand 10
  • 6. Philippines 10
  • 7. Singapore 9
  • 8. Germany 8
  • 9. United States 7
  • 10. Iraq 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 563
English 556
Irish 234
Scottish 201
German 72
Italian 43
Dutch 40
Greek 27
Australian Aboriginal 25
Croatian 23

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

857
Both parents born in Australia
309
Both parents born overseas
227
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
53.3%
No Religion
40.7%
Islam
0.9%
Hinduism
0.9%
Sikhism
0.6%
Buddhism
0.5%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
89 (6.3%)
5-14 years
215 (15.3%)
15-19 years
74 (5.3%)
20-24 years
64 (4.6%)
25-34 years
159 (11.3%)
35-44 years
198 (14.1%)
45-54 years
184 (13.1%)
55-64 years
198 (14.1%)
65-74 years
178 (12.7%)
75-84 years
35 (2.5%)
85+ years
14 (1.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Macarthur ACT known for? +

Macarthur is a quiet suburban neighbourhood in Canberra's Tuggeranong district, known for its family-friendly streets, proximity to Tuggeranong Town Centre, and the nearby Isabella Plains wetlands and valley parklands.

How far is Macarthur from Canberra CBD? +

Macarthur is approximately 15 kilometres south of the Canberra CBD (Civic), a drive of around 20–35 minutes depending on traffic, or 35–45 minutes by bus via Tuggeranong Interchange.

Does Macarthur have public transport? +

Macarthur is served by ACTION bus routes connecting it to Tuggeranong Interchange and the Canberra city centre. Canberra has no urban rail network, so bus is the primary public transport option.

What is the population of Macarthur ACT? +

According to the 2021 Census, Macarthur has a population of approximately 1,405 residents, with a relatively even gender split and a median age of 39.

Is Macarthur a good place to live? +

Macarthur offers affordable suburban living within the ACT, with good family amenities and easy access to Tuggeranong's shops, schools, and services. It suits families and public sector workers looking for a quieter lifestyle within Canberra.

What is the postcode for Macarthur ACT? +

The postcode for Macarthur in the Australian Capital Territory is 2904.

What is the average income in Macarthur? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Macarthur is about $1,334 per week (around $69,400 per year). The median household income is $3,037 per week and the median family income is $3,232 per week.

What is the age profile of Macarthur? +

The median age in Macarthur is 39. The largest age group is 5–14 (215 residents, around 15%). Around 27% of residents are under 20 and about 16% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

What is the population of Macarthur? +

Macarthur had a population of 1,405 at the 2021 Census, down 1.5% from 1,427 in 2016.

How much is rent in Macarthur? +

In Macarthur, the median weekly rent is $520, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,200 (2021 Census).