🔍

McKellar

ACT 2617 • Australian Capital Territory

2,740
Population (2021)
$139,724
Median Household Income
1.41 km²
Area
$438/wk
Median Rent
EstablishedFamily-FriendlyLeafyQuietSuburban

About McKellar

McKellar is a quiet residential suburb in Canberra's Belconnen district, located about 10 km northwest of the city centre in the Australian Capital Territory. With a population of approximately 2,740 and a median age of 43, it is an established suburb with a mature demographic profile. Sitting at an elevation of 593 metres, the suburb covers 1.4 square kilometres and is named after the Scottish-Australian poet Dorothea McKellar.

McKellar offers a peaceful, leafy environment with well-maintained parks and easy access to the Belconnen Town Centre for major shopping and services. The suburb is popular with established families and professionals drawn to its quiet streets, good schools, and proximity to Lake Ginninderra. Higher household incomes reflect its appeal as a comfortable, well-located Canberra suburb.

McKellar falls under postcode 2617 and is governed by Unincorporated Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Ginninderra 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
2617
Urban Area
Belconnen
LGA / Council
Unincorporated
Federal Electorate
Fenner
State Electorate
Ginninderra
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-35.22°, 149.08°
Statistical Area
Australian Capital Territory
Area
1.41 km²
Elevation
593m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$438
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,167
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
43 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
8.2%

74 state housing + 5 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Belconnen Community Bus Station
2.5 km
30 min

Bus Services

  • R4, 44 — Belconnen Town Centre 8-10 min
  • R4 — Canberra City Centre 25-30 min
  • 44 — Evatt / Spence 10 min

Commute to Canberra City Centre

Distance
10 km
By Bus
25-30 min
By Car (Peak)
18-25 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
15 min

🛣️ Canberra has no suburban rail; Rapid bus routes provide frequent CBD connections

Walkability Car-Dependent

A quiet residential suburb with limited local shops; most errands require driving to Belconnen Town Centre.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,746
Census 2021
2,740
▼ 0.2% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$47,892
Personal Income 2021
$60,320
▲ 26.0% 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
$60,320 / yr
$1160/wk
Household
$139,724 / yr
$2687/wk
Family
$158,652 / yr
$3051/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,823
Born Overseas 819

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. China 71
  • 2. England 65
  • 3. India 58
  • 4. Italy 40
  • 5. Vietnam 40
  • 6. Croatia 34
  • 7. Philippines 28
  • 8. Greece 27
  • 9. New Zealand 24
  • 10. Sri Lanka 24

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 834
English 786
Irish 270
Scottish 225
Italian 185
Chinese 161
German 108
Croatian 88
Greek 73
Indian 69

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,204
Both parents born in Australia
1,080
Both parents born overseas
354
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
47.6%
No Religion
37.2%
Buddhism
3.4%
Hinduism
2.6%
Islam
2.3%
Sikhism
0.2%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
130 (4.7%)
5-14 years
321 (11.7%)
15-19 years
158 (5.8%)
20-24 years
166 (6.1%)
25-34 years
325 (11.9%)
35-44 years
324 (11.8%)
45-54 years
351 (12.8%)
55-64 years
414 (15.1%)
65-74 years
369 (13.5%)
75-84 years
132 (4.8%)
85+ years
45 (1.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is McKellar known for? +

McKellar offers a peaceful, leafy environment with well-maintained parks and easy access to the Belconnen Town Centre for major shopping and services.

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

McKellar is approximately 10 kilometres from Canberra CBD (Civic). The drive takes approximately 18-25 min in peak hour and 15 min off-peak.

Does McKellar have public transport? +

The nearest train station is Belconnen Community Bus Station (2.5 km away, approximately 30 min walk) on the Major bus interchange. Bus services include R4, 44, running to Belconnen Town Centre in approximately 8-10 min.

What is the population of McKellar? +

According to the 2021 Census, McKellar has a population of 2,740 residents. The suburb is part of the broader Australian Capital Territory metropolitan area.

Is McKellar a good place to live? +

McKellar is well-suited to families, offering a leafy, nature-connected lifestyle in Canberra. The suburb is popular with established families and professionals drawn to its quiet streets, good schools, and proximity to Lake Ginninderra.

What is the postcode for McKellar? +

The postcode for McKellar is 2617. It is located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

What is the average income in McKellar? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in McKellar is about $1,160 per week (around $60,300 per year). The median household income is $2,687 per week and the median family income is $3,051 per week.

What is the age profile of McKellar? +

The median age in McKellar is 43. The largest age group is 55–64 (414 residents, around 15%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 20% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

How much is rent in McKellar? +

In McKellar, the median weekly rent is $438, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,167 (2021 Census).