Belconnen vs Macgregor

Belconnen is the younger of the two, with a median age of 30 against 34 in Macgregor. In Belconnen, most households rent, most homes are flats or apartments, and most households are people living alone. In Macgregor, the large majority of households own their home, the large majority of homes are detached houses, and about half of households are couple families. Belconnen is closer to the city centre: 13.2 km, against 16.4 km. On these figures, Belconnen tends to suit renters, young adults, and people living alone, while Macgregor suits families with children and couples.

Belconnen and Macgregor differ most notably in household income and safety profile. Macgregor has a median household income of $121,888 compared to Belconnen's $92,352, and significantly lower crime risk at 28 versus 100. Belconnen is closer to the CBD at 13.2 km and has a younger population (median age 30), while Macgregor offers better walkability at 39 out of 100. Rent is slightly higher in Macgregor at $464 weekly versus $430. Belconnen may suit those prioritising proximity to the city centre, while Macgregor appeals to buyers seeking higher incomes, walkable neighbourhoods, and lower crime rates.

Written by an AI language model from the figures below. Every number in it is checked against those figures before it is published.

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

Macgregor

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more separate houses rather than flats (91% vs 0%)
  • carries lower crime risk (29/100 vs 90/100)
  • is already more of a family suburb (69% vs 25%)
  • But Belconnen has more parks and reserves (12 vs 1)

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

First-home buyers

Too close to call

Nothing among the 1 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs mortgage stress.

Renters

Belconnen

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (66% vs 21%)

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

Commuting to the city

They split

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

  • Belconnen sits closer to the CBD (13.2 km vs 16.4 km)
  • Macgregor is more walkable (39/100 vs 26/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

They split

one each way, out of the 5 things we measure here

  • Belconnen has more units and townhouses to downsize into (100% vs 9%)
  • Macgregor carries lower crime risk (29/100 vs 90/100)

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

Where they sit

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

Belconnen Macgregor
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.

Belconnen Macgregor
Walkability 26 / 39
Belconnen — Walkability: 26/100 Macgregor — Walkability: 39/100
Safety 10 / 71
Belconnen — Safety: 10/100 Macgregor — Safety: 71/100
Low fire risk 100 / 70
Belconnen — Low fire risk: 100/100 Macgregor — Low fire risk: 70/100
Low flood risk 24 / 53
Belconnen — Low flood risk: 24/100 Macgregor — Low flood risk: 53/100

Demographics

Macgregor has higher household incomes ($121,888 vs $92,352); Macgregor skews older (34 vs 30).

Belconnen Macgregor
Population 8,502
+17% vs other
 7,049
Population trend (2016 → 2021) — +3.7%
Median age 30 34
Median household income $92,352/yr $121,888/yr
+32% vs other
Median weekly rent $430/wk $464/wk
+8% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Belconnen Macgregor
0-4 4.5% / 7.8%
Belconnen — 0-4: 4.5% Macgregor — 0-4: 7.8%
5-14 4.2% / 16.4%
Belconnen — 5-14: 4.2% Macgregor — 5-14: 16.4%
15-19 2.7% / 4.9%
Belconnen — 15-19: 2.7% Macgregor — 15-19: 4.9%
20-24 15.6% / 5.1%
Belconnen — 20-24: 15.6% Macgregor — 20-24: 5.1%
25-34 37.8% / 16.0%
Belconnen — 25-34: 37.8% Macgregor — 25-34: 16.0%
35-44 14.2% / 19.8%
Belconnen — 35-44: 14.2% Macgregor — 35-44: 19.8%
45-54 7.0% / 11.8%
Belconnen — 45-54: 7.0% Macgregor — 45-54: 11.8%
55-64 4.8% / 8.0%
Belconnen — 55-64: 4.8% Macgregor — 55-64: 8.0%
65-74 3.8% / 7.0%
Belconnen — 65-74: 3.8% Macgregor — 65-74: 7.0%
75-84 3.2% / 2.8%
Belconnen — 75-84: 3.2% Macgregor — 75-84: 2.8%
85+ 2.2% / 0.5%
Belconnen — 85+: 2.2% Macgregor — 85+: 0.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (37.8%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Belconnen 58.2% lone person
Belconnen — Lone Person: 58.2% Belconnen — Couple Families: 15.8% Belconnen — One Parent Families: 9.1% Belconnen — Group Household: 14.4% Belconnen — Other Families: 2.5%
Macgregor 26.5% lone person
Macgregor — Lone Person: 26.5% Macgregor — Couple Families: 51.6% Macgregor — One Parent Families: 17.0% Macgregor — Group Household: 3.5% Macgregor — Other Families: 1.4%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Belconnen 66.2% renting
Belconnen — Owned Outright: 11.8% Belconnen — Mortgage: 22.0% Belconnen — Renting: 66.2%
Macgregor 20.6% renting
Macgregor — Owned Outright: 21.0% Macgregor — Mortgage: 58.4% Macgregor — Renting: 20.6%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Belconnen Macgregor
Bachelor Degree 27.5% / 15.3%
Belconnen — Bachelor Degree: 27.5% Macgregor — Bachelor Degree: 15.3%
Postgraduate Degree 18.7% / 6.9%
Belconnen — Postgraduate Degree: 18.7% Macgregor — Postgraduate Degree: 6.9%
Certificate III & IV 6.3% / 12.2%
Belconnen — Certificate III & IV: 6.3% Macgregor — Certificate III & IV: 12.2%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.6% / 9.0%
Belconnen — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.6% Macgregor — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.0%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 3.5% / 2.8%
Belconnen — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.5% Macgregor — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (27.5%).

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.

Belconnen Macgregor
China 11.1% / 1.2%
Belconnen — China: 11.1% Macgregor — China: 1.2%
India 6.2% / 4.3%
Belconnen — India: 6.2% Macgregor — India: 4.3%
Nepal 5.7% / 0.9%
Belconnen — Nepal: 5.7% Macgregor — Nepal: 0.9%
England 2.0% / 2.8%
Belconnen — England: 2.0% Macgregor — England: 2.8%
Philippines 2.4% / 1.9%
Belconnen — Philippines: 2.4% Macgregor — Philippines: 1.9%
New Zealand — / 1.2%
Belconnen — New Zealand: not among its largest Macgregor — New Zealand: 1.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (11.1%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Belconnen 0.5% houses
Belconnen — Houses: 0.5% Belconnen — Flats / Apartments: 74.8% Belconnen — Townhouses: 24.7%
Macgregor 90.6% houses
Macgregor — Houses: 90.6% Macgregor — Flats / Apartments: 0.4% Macgregor — Townhouses: 9.0%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Belconnen Macgregor
Median house price — $840,000
Median unit price — $616,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) — 20 days
from 81 sales

Development activity

Belconnen Macgregor
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.

Belconnen Macgregor
Houses — 4.3%
$650/wk on $785K
Units —
same for both

Ranking within ACT

Belconnen Macgregor
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 8% of ACT Higher than 46% of ACT
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 17% of ACT Higher than 25% of ACT
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 17% of ACT Higher than 10% of ACT
NBN connectivity Higher than 66% of ACT Higher than 61% of ACT
Rental yield (houses) — Higher than 50% of ACT

Liveability

Macgregor is more walkable (39 vs 26); Macgregor scores higher overall (35 vs 24).

Belconnen Macgregor
Grade D C
Score 24/100 35/100
Socio-economic band — very advantaged area
decile 9/10

Risk profile

Macgregor carries more bushfire risk (30 vs 0); Belconnen carries more crime risk (90 vs 29).

Belconnen Macgregor
Bushfire None
0/100
 Low
30/100
Crime High
90/100
 Low
29/100
Flood High
76/100
 Moderate
47/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 2
within 5 km
 1
within 5 km

Schools

Belconnen Macgregor
Inside the suburb 1
same for both
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 0
same for both
Rated below peers 0 1
Universities within 10 km 2
UC - Canberra, Bruce, 6.4 km
 1
UC - Canberra, Bruce, 8.3 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 7.6% 1.5%

Schools in Belconnen

  • University of Canberra Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra Government · Secondary

Schools in Macgregor

  • Macgregor Primary School Government · Primary below peers

Amenities in the suburb

Belconnen Macgregor
Supermarkets 18 0
Cafes & restaurants 87 0
Parks & reserves 12 1
Childcare 8 3
GPs 9 0
Pharmacies 5 0
Police stations 4 0
Banks & Bank@Post 9 0
Fuel stations 3 0
EV chargers 0 1
Beaches 6 0
Waterways 1 0

Mobility

Macgregor sits further from the CBD (16.4 km vs 13.2 km).

Belconnen Macgregor
Walkability score 26/100 39/100
Distance to Canberra 13.2 km 16.4 km
+24% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 25 min 24 min
Public transport score 79/100
Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 455.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
 105.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 2.1%
postcode 2615
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 40
postcode 2615
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.

Belconnen Macgregor
Car (driver) 52.8% / 79.1%
Belconnen — Car (driver): 52.8% Macgregor — Car (driver): 79.1%
Bus 18.2% / 4.1%
Belconnen — Bus: 18.2% Macgregor — Bus: 4.1%
Worked from Home 9.7% / 10.7%
Belconnen — Worked from Home: 9.7% Macgregor — Worked from Home: 10.7%
Walked Only 11.9% / 0.5%
Belconnen — Walked Only: 11.9% Macgregor — Walked Only: 0.5%
Car (passenger) 5.8% / 5.3%
Belconnen — Car (passenger): 5.8% Macgregor — Car (passenger): 5.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (79.1%).

Setting

Belconnen Macgregor
Elevation 613 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 553 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre

NBN connectivity

Belconnen Macgregor
Connectivity score 69/100 65/100
Most common technology Fibre to the building Fibre to the node
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 20%
5,370 premises
 36%
2,793 premises

Climate

Belconnen Macgregor
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)

Belconnen Macgregor
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

Belconnen Macgregor
Average residential rate $3,105/yr
same for both
Council Unincorporated ACT
same for both

Federal electorate

Belconnen Macgregor
Division Fenner
same for both
Member Andrew Leigh
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Belconnen Macgregor
Grant amount Not offered
same for both
Property price cap —
same for both
Eligibility None
same for both

Tags

Belconnen

Apartments Middle-Ring Multicultural Professionals Townhouses

Macgregor

Affordable Family Large Blocks Middle-Ring

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Belconnen

Belconnen vs Dunlop Belconnen vs Nicholls Belconnen vs Holt Belconnen vs Evatt Belconnen vs Crace Belconnen vs Giralang

Other comparisons with Macgregor

Macgregor vs Dunlop Macgregor vs Holt Macgregor vs Latham Macgregor vs Charnwood Macgregor vs Strathnairn
Full data on Belconnen Full data on Macgregor
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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