Amaroo vs Jacka

Jacka is the younger of the two, with a median age of 30 against 35 in Amaroo. In both, most households own their home and most households are couple families. In Amaroo, the large majority of homes are detached houses. Houses cost more in Jacka: a median of $1.25 million, against $1 million in Amaroo. Amaroo is closer to the city centre: 15.8 km, against 19.1 km. On these figures, Amaroo tends to suit buyers on a tighter budget, while Jacka suits families with children.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

Amaroo

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more childcare (4 vs 0)
  • has more schools inside the suburb (2 vs 0)
  • has more separate houses rather than flats (79% vs 45%)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

They split

one each way, out of the 3 things we measure here

  • Amaroo has cheaper houses ($1,000,000 vs $1,250,000)
  • Jacka has cheaper units ($611,000 vs $750,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Too close to call

Nothing among the 3 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

Amaroo

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • is more walkable (71/100 vs 19/100)
  • sits closer to the CBD (15.8 km vs 19.1 km)

Weighs distance, drive time, rail access, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Amaroo

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • is more walkable (71/100 vs 19/100)
  • has more residents already 65 and over (8% vs 3%)
  • But Jacka has more units and townhouses to downsize into (55% vs 21%)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

Too close to call

Nothing among the 2 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

Amaroo and Jacka drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Amaroo Jacka
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Amaroo Jacka
Walkability 71 / 19
Amaroo — Walkability: 71/100 Jacka — Walkability: 19/100
Safety 59 / 50
Amaroo — Safety: 59/100 Jacka — Safety: 50/100
Low fire risk 7 / 8
Amaroo — Low fire risk: 7/100 Jacka — Low fire risk: 8/100
Low flood risk 42 / 100
Amaroo — Low flood risk: 42/100 Jacka — Low flood risk: 100/100

Demographics

Amaroo has more residents (6,129 vs 712); Amaroo has higher household incomes ($143,988 vs $112,320).

Amaroo Jacka
Population 6,129
+88% vs other
 712
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +7.3% +6.3%
Median age 35 30
Median household income $143,988/yr
+22% vs other
 $112,320/yr
Median weekly rent $460/wk
+2% vs other
 $450/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Amaroo Jacka
0-4 6.1% / 10.1%
Amaroo — 0-4: 6.1% Jacka — 0-4: 10.1%
5-14 16.5% / 20.9%
Amaroo — 5-14: 16.5% Jacka — 5-14: 20.9%
15-19 8.0% / 5.6%
Amaroo — 15-19: 8.0% Jacka — 15-19: 5.6%
20-24 6.5% / 5.3%
Amaroo — 20-24: 6.5% Jacka — 20-24: 5.3%
25-34 12.8% / 18.8%
Amaroo — 25-34: 12.8% Jacka — 25-34: 18.8%
35-44 15.6% / 23.5%
Amaroo — 35-44: 15.6% Jacka — 35-44: 23.5%
45-54 17.3% / 10.8%
Amaroo — 45-54: 17.3% Jacka — 45-54: 10.8%
55-64 9.2% / 2.4%
Amaroo — 55-64: 9.2% Jacka — 55-64: 2.4%
65-74 5.2% / 2.1%
Amaroo — 65-74: 5.2% Jacka — 65-74: 2.1%
75-84 2.3% / 0.6%
Amaroo — 75-84: 2.3% Jacka — 75-84: 0.6%
85+ 0.6% / —
Amaroo — 85+: 0.6% Jacka — 85+: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (23.5%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Amaroo 61.2% couple families
Amaroo — Couple Families: 61.2% Amaroo — Lone Person: 21.5% Amaroo — One Parent Families: 13.7% Amaroo — Group Household: 2.6% Amaroo — Other Families: 1.0%
Jacka 55.6% couple families
Jacka — Couple Families: 55.6% Jacka — Lone Person: 22.7% Jacka — One Parent Families: 15.7% Jacka — Group Household: 4.5% Jacka — Other Families: 1.5%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Amaroo 28.1% renting
Amaroo — Owned Outright: 22.1% Amaroo — Mortgage: 49.8% Amaroo — Renting: 28.1%
Jacka 34.3% renting
Jacka — Owned Outright: 4.7% Jacka — Mortgage: 61.0% Jacka — Renting: 34.3%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Amaroo Jacka
Bachelor Degree 15.6% / 16.6%
Amaroo — Bachelor Degree: 15.6% Jacka — Bachelor Degree: 16.6%
Certificate III & IV 10.3% / 8.8%
Amaroo — Certificate III & IV: 10.3% Jacka — Certificate III & IV: 8.8%
Postgraduate Degree 8.7% / 10.0%
Amaroo — Postgraduate Degree: 8.7% Jacka — Postgraduate Degree: 10.0%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.7% / 7.0%
Amaroo — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.7% Jacka — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.0%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 3.5% / 1.4%
Amaroo — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.5% Jacka — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.6%).

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Amaroo Jacka
India 4.0% / 14.3%
Amaroo — India: 4.0% Jacka — India: 14.3%
China 1.8% / 2.9%
Amaroo — China: 1.8% Jacka — China: 2.9%
Philippines 0.9% / 2.7%
Amaroo — Philippines: 0.9% Jacka — Philippines: 2.7%
Nepal — / 2.9%
Amaroo — Nepal: not among its largest Jacka — Nepal: 2.9%
England 2.3% / —
Amaroo — England: 2.3% Jacka — England: not among its largest
New Zealand 1.1% / 1.1%
Amaroo — New Zealand: 1.1% Jacka — New Zealand: 1.1%
South Africa — / 2.1%
Amaroo — South Africa: not among its largest Jacka — South Africa: 2.1%
Sri Lanka 1.0% / —
Amaroo — Sri Lanka: 1.0% Jacka — Sri Lanka: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (14.3%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Amaroo 78.7% houses
Amaroo — Houses: 78.7% Amaroo — Townhouses: 13.1% Amaroo — Flats / Apartments: 8.2%
Jacka 44.7% houses
Jacka — Houses: 44.7% Jacka — Townhouses: 54.4% Jacka — Flats / Apartments: 0.8%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Amaroo Jacka
Median house price $1,000,000 $1,250,000
Median unit price $750,000 $611,000
Median land price — $650,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 22 days
from 61 sales
 47 days
from 20 sales

House price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Amaroo Jacka
3 bed $837K / $791K
Amaroo — 3 bed: $837K (30 sales) Jacka — 3 bed: $791K (6 sales)

30 vs 6 sales

4 bed $1.05M / $1.27M
Amaroo — 4 bed: $1.05M (56 sales) Jacka — 4 bed: $1.27M (24 sales)

56 vs 24 sales

Development activity

Amaroo Jacka
New dwellings approved 3,750
across Unincorporated ACT
same for both
Approvals change year on year -48%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Amaroo Jacka
Houses 4.3%
$725/wk on $872K
 3.9%
$970/wk on $1.3M
Units —
same for both

Ranking within ACT

Amaroo Jacka
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 80% of ACT Higher than 21% of ACT
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 67% of ACT Higher than 13% of ACT
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 56% of ACT
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 91% of ACT Higher than 89% of ACT
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 52% of ACT Higher than 26% of ACT

Liveability

Amaroo is more walkable (71 vs 19); Amaroo scores higher overall (37 vs 19).

Amaroo Jacka
Grade C D
Score 37/100 19/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
 advantaged area
decile 8/10

Risk profile

Amaroo carries more flood risk (58 vs 0).

Amaroo Jacka
Bushfire High
93/100
 High
92/100
Crime Moderate
41/100
 Moderate
50/100
Flood Moderate
58/100
 None
0/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 1
within 5 km
 0
within 5 km

Schools

Amaroo Jacka
Inside the suburb 2 0
Rated above peers 1 0
Rated at peers 0
same for both
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 1
UC - Canberra, Bruce, 9.1 km
 None

Schools in Amaroo

  • Good Shepherd Primary School Catholic · Primary above peers
  • Amaroo School Government · Combined

Schools in Jacka

No schools recorded inside this suburb's boundary. Children here will be zoned to schools nearby.

Amenities in the suburb

Amaroo Jacka
Supermarkets 3 0
Cafes & restaurants 7 0
Parks & reserves 1 0
Childcare 4 0
Pharmacies 1 0
Fuel stations 1 0
EV chargers 1 0
Waterways 0 1

Mobility

Jacka sits further from the CBD (19.1 km vs 15.8 km).

Amaroo Jacka
Walkability score 71/100 19/100
Distance to Canberra 15.8 km 19.1 km
+21% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 24 min 28 min
Public transport score 78/100
Bus
 31/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 42.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
 3.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
 10 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 3.7%
postcode 2914
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 47
postcode 2914
same for both

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Amaroo Jacka
Car (driver) 74.6% / 75.7%
Amaroo — Car (driver): 74.6% Jacka — Car (driver): 75.7%
Worked from Home 13.3% / 10.2%
Amaroo — Worked from Home: 13.3% Jacka — Worked from Home: 10.2%
Car (passenger) 5.7% / 7.1%
Amaroo — Car (passenger): 5.7% Jacka — Car (passenger): 7.1%
Bus 2.9% / 5.2%
Amaroo — Bus: 2.9% Jacka — Bus: 5.2%
Tram / Light Rail 1.4% / 1.8%
Amaroo — Tram / Light Rail: 1.4% Jacka — Tram / Light Rail: 1.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (75.7%).

Setting

Amaroo Jacka
Elevation 626 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 645 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre

NBN connectivity

Amaroo Jacka
Connectivity score 100/100
same for both
Most common technology Fibre to the premises
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 100%
2,214 premises
 100%
255 premises

Climate

Amaroo Jacka
Annual rainfall 622 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 28.5°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 0.8°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Amaroo Jacka
PM2.5 6.6 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 11.0 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.41 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Amaroo Jacka
Average residential rate $3,105/yr
same for both
Council Unincorporated ACT
same for both

Federal electorate

Amaroo Jacka
Division Fenner
same for both
Member Andrew Leigh
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Amaroo Jacka
Grant amount Not offered
same for both
Property price cap —
same for both
Eligibility None
same for both

Tags

Amaroo

Family Middle-Ring

Jacka

Family Middle-Ring Multicultural Townhouses Young Families

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Amaroo

Amaroo vs Ngunnawal Amaroo vs Gungahlin Amaroo vs Bonner Amaroo vs Moncrieff Amaroo vs Forde

Other comparisons with Jacka

Jacka vs Bonner Jacka vs Moncrieff Jacka vs Taylor
Full data on Amaroo Full data on Jacka
Unlock full address-level data — $29/month

Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

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