📈 Suburbs With the Fastest-Growing Incomes in Australian Capital Territory
Incomes across Australia rose sharply between the 2019-20 and 2023-24 financial years, driven by wage growth, inflation and a tight labour market. But the gains were far from even — some postcodes saw median taxable incomes climb by more than 40%, while others barely moved. This ranking lists the 24 postcodes in Australian Capital Territory where median taxable income grew the fastest, using the ATO's Taxation Statistics 2023-24 (Individuals — Table 8).
Macquarie leads with median taxable income rising 23.5% — from $60,024 in 2019-20 to $74,106 in 2023-24. Across the top 24, the midpoint suburb still grew 19.0%. Fast growth tends to cluster in sea-change and tree-change areas that attracted higher earners over the period, resource-town postcodes riding a commodities cycle, and outer-metro suburbs where new higher-income households moved in.
ATO figures are reported by postcode and cover every individual who lodged a tax return, so they describe the whole postcode rather than a single suburb. Only postcodes with a representative suburb of at least 200 residents are included, and the ATO suppresses any postcode with fewer than 200 lodgments. Taxable income differs from ABS Census household and personal income, which can rank areas differently.
Macquarie ACT 2614
Macquarie is an established residential suburb in Canberra's Belconnen district, postcode 2614, within the ACT Unincorporated area. With a 2021 Census population of 3,104 — up from 2,700 in 2016 — Macquarie is a mid-sized suburb at 610 metres elevation covering approximately 1.7 square kilometres. Located approximately 10 kilometres north-west of the Canberra CBD, Macquarie was developed during the 1960s and 1970s and offers well-established streetscapes with mature trees and a settled community feel.
Gungahlin ACT 2912
Gungahlin is the town centre suburb of Canberra's northernmost and fastest-growing district, situated approximately 13 kilometres north of the Canberra CBD (Civic). The suburb itself had a population of 8,586 at the 2021 census, while the broader Gungahlin district is home to over 87,000 residents across 16 suburbs. Established in 1998, Gungahlin has grown into a modern, vibrant hub anchored by Hibberson Street — the district's main commercial precinct. The suburb has a young median age of 31 and a highly multicultural population, with nearly half of residents born overseas.
Watson ACT 2602
Watson is an established inner-north suburb of Canberra, located approximately 5 kilometres from the CBD in the North Canberra district. With a population of around 5,860 residents, it has a younger demographic profile with an average age of 20-39 and a significant renter population at 41%. The suburb is characterised by a mix of original 1960s homes, townhouses, and newer apartment developments.
Belconnen ACT 2617
Belconnen is a major district in the Australian Capital Territory, located approximately 7 kilometres north-west of the Canberra CBD. As the most populous district in the ACT with over 106,000 residents spread across 27 suburbs, it is essentially a self-contained satellite city. The district surrounds Lake Ginninderra, an ornamental lake created by damming Ginninderra Creek, which serves as its recreational centrepiece.
Kambah ACT 2902
Kambah is one of Canberra's largest and most established residential suburbs, located in the Tuggeranong district, postcode 2902. With a 2021 Census population of 15,670 — up from 14,900 in 2016 — Kambah is a substantial family community at 593 metres elevation, covering approximately 11.3 square kilometres in the ACT Unincorporated area. Situated around 14 kilometres south of the Canberra CBD, the suburb was developed during the 1970s and 1980s and is characterised by its large blocks, abundant green space, and strong community character.
Farrer ACT 2607
Farrer is a well-established residential suburb in Canberra's south, located approximately 8 kilometres from the city centre (Civic) in the Woden Valley district. Situated at an elevation of 650 metres across 2.1 square kilometres, it is part of the ACT's unincorporated territory and falls within the Australian Capital Territory statistical area. The suburb's 2021 population of 3,787 has grown modestly from 3,231 in 2016, with a median age of 43 and above-average household incomes — the median household income of $2,540 per week reflects Canberra's concentration of public sector and professional workers.
Coombs ACT 2611
Coombs is a modern suburb in the Molonglo Valley district of Canberra, approximately 10 kilometres southwest of the CBD. Named after economist H.C. "Nugget" Coombs, it has been under development since 2011 and has grown rapidly to a population of around 4,850. The suburb features contemporary housing with a mix of detached homes, townhouses, and apartments, attracting young families and professionals with its modern infrastructure.
Campbell ACT 2612
Campbell is an inner suburb of Canberra located approximately 2 kilometres east of Civic, within the Australian Capital Territory. With a population of 6,564 and a notably young median age of 28, the suburb has a vibrant, professional character shaped by its proximity to government institutions and defence establishments. Median household incomes of around $3,052 per week reflect the highly educated and well-employed residents drawn to this sought-after inner-city location.
Calwell ACT 2905
Calwell is an established suburb in Canberra's Tuggeranong district, around 20 km south of the city centre. It has a relatively large population and a family-oriented demographic profile, with detached homes and well-planned residential streets. Developed in the late 20th century, the suburb forms part of Canberra's structured town-centre and neighbourhood model. Its character is suburban, practical and community-focused, with easy connections to nearby employment and services.
Hume ACT 2620
Hume is a light-industrial suburb of Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory, located approximately 15 kilometres south-south-east of the Canberra CBD (Civic) in the Jerrabomberra district. Gazetted in 1982 and named after the explorer Hamilton Hume, the suburb spans 8.6 square kilometres at an elevation of 595 metres. At the 2021 Census, Hume had a population of 395, though this figure is heavily influenced by the Alexander Maconochie Centre — the ACT's prison facility — which accounts for the suburb's distinctive population profile.
Dunlop ACT 2615
Dunlop is a well-planned suburban community in Canberra's Belconnen district, home to approximately 7,265 residents across 3.6 square kilometers. Located at the northwestern edge of Canberra near the New South Wales border, this suburb was established in 1993 and named after Lieutenant Colonel Sir Ernest 'Weary' Dunlop. The community features a relatively young demographic with a median age of 33 years and is characterized by modern residential estates, abundant parkland, and family-oriented amenities.
Gordon ACT 2906
Gordon is a well-established suburb in the Tuggeranong district of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, located approximately 25 kilometres south of the Canberra CBD. With a population of around 7,892 (2021 Census), it is one of the larger suburbs in the Tuggeranong valley. Situated at an elevation of 573 metres, Gordon has a predominantly family-oriented demographic with higher-than-average household incomes reflecting its public service workforce.
Wanniassa ACT 2903
Wanniassa is an established suburb in the Tuggeranong district of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, located approximately 15 kilometres south of the CBD. With a population of 7,885 at the 2021 census and a median age of 39, it covers 5.4 square kilometres at 617 metres elevation. Established in 1975, the suburb is a well-planned residential area typical of Canberra's satellite town design, with curving streets, generous open spaces, and mature native plantings.
Curtin ACT 2605
Curtin is an established inner-south suburb in the Woden Valley district of Canberra, located approximately 8 kilometres southwest of the CBD. With a population of 5,569, this leafy suburb was developed in the 1960s and named after Prime Minister John Curtin. It features generous block sizes and mature trees, giving it a distinctly settled character.
Kingston ACT 2604
Kingston is a vibrant inner suburb of Canberra, postcode 2604, located approximately 3 kilometres south-east of the Canberra CBD. With a 2021 Census population of 6,579 — a remarkable jump from 4,424 in 2016 — Kingston has undergone significant urban renewal and apartment development, making it one of the fastest-growing inner suburbs in the ACT. Covering 1.4 square kilometres at an elevation of 564 metres within the ACT Unincorporated area, Kingston offers an active lifestyle precinct that is highly sought after by young professionals and established couples. The median household income is notably high, reflecting the area's premium inner-city appeal.
Phillip ACT 2606
Phillip is the commercial heart of Canberra's Woden Valley district, located 9 kilometres south of the city centre. With around 5,200 residents and a strong median income of approximately $64,000, it's notable for having 67% of its population living in apartments—unusually high for Canberra. The suburb centres on Woden Town Centre, one of Canberra's major regional shopping destinations.
Ngunnawal ACT 2913
Ngunnawal is a large established residential suburb in Canberra's Gungahlin district, postcode 2913, within the ACT Unincorporated area. With a 2021 Census population of 10,957 — growing from 10,486 in 2016 — Ngunnawal is one of the Gungahlin district's most significant residential communities at 631 metres elevation, covering approximately 4.2 square kilometres. Located approximately 14 kilometres north of the Canberra CBD, the suburb was developed from the 1990s onwards and named in recognition of the Ngunnawal people, the Traditional Custodians of the ACT region. Median household income is near the broader ACT average.
Harrison ACT 2914
Harrison is a modern, master-planned suburb in the Gungahlin district of Canberra, located approximately 10 kilometres north of the Canberra CBD. With a population of around 8,244 (2021 Census), it is one of the newer suburbs in the ACT, with most development occurring from the mid-2000s. The suburb features contemporary housing, a high proportion of young families, and a notably higher median income than the national average, reflecting Canberra's public service workforce.
Greenway ACT 2900
Greenway is a suburb in the Tuggeranong district of Canberra, situated approximately 15 kilometres south of the city centre (Civic) at an elevation of 579 metres within the Australian Capital Territory. Named after the colonial architect Francis Greenway and gazetted in 1986, the suburb covers around 5.3 square kilometres and had a population of 4,129 at the 2021 Census. With a notably young median age of 36 and a strong concentration of residents in the 25–34 age bracket, Greenway attracts young professionals, public servants, and families drawn to its urban amenities. The median household income of around $1,855 per week reflects Canberra's generally higher wage base, driven in part by proximity to the federal public service.
Deakin ACT 2600
Deakin is an established inner-south suburb of Canberra, located approximately 6 kilometres south-west of the CBD in the South Canberra district. With a population of around 3,120, the suburb covers 3.58 square kilometres at an elevation of 593 metres. First developed in the 1920s with most construction occurring after 1945, Deakin is one of Canberra's most prestigious residential areas. The suburb is home to The Lodge, the official residence of the Prime Minister of Australia.
Monash ACT 2904
Monash is a well-established residential suburb in Canberra's Tuggeranong district, postcode 2904, within the ACT Unincorporated area. With a 2021 Census population of 5,644 — up from 5,431 in 2016 — Monash is a stable, family-oriented community at 589 metres elevation, covering approximately 3.4 square kilometres. Located approximately 17 kilometres south of the Canberra CBD, the suburb was developed in the 1980s and is characterised by larger-than-average residential blocks, mature plantings, and a quiet neighbourhood feel.
Crace ACT 2911
Crace is a modern, planned residential suburb in Canberra's Gungahlin district, established in 2009 and named after pioneer settler Edward Kendall Crace. With a population of approximately 4,800, it is one of Gungahlin's more mature newer suburbs and has grown rapidly with a strong emphasis on sustainable urban design. The suburb features an attractive town pond, open green corridors, and diverse housing stock including detached homes, townhouses, and apartments.
Griffith ACT 2603
Griffith is one of Canberra's oldest and most prestigious inner-south suburbs, located 7 kilometres south of the CBD in the South Canberra district. With a population of 5,328 at the 2021 census and a median age of 38, it attracts a mix of established families, professionals and public servants. The suburb was established in 1927 and features streets designed according to Walter Burley Griffin's original plans for the national capital. Griffith is named after Sir Samuel Griffith, Australia's first Chief Justice of the High Court.
City ACT 2601
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.
📊 Methodology
Rankings use the growth in median taxable income between the 2019-20 and 2023-24 financial years, from the ATO Taxation Statistics 2023-24 (Individuals — Table 8, median and average taxable income by postcode). ATO income is reported by postcode, so figures are de-duplicated to one entry per postcode, using the highest-population suburb in Australian Capital Territory as the representative (linked above). Only postcodes with a representative suburb of at least 200 residents are included, and the ATO suppresses any postcode with fewer than 200 lodgments. Ties are broken by population (larger first). Taxable income differs from ABS Census household and personal income.