Downer vs Lyneham

In Downer, most households own their home and most homes are detached houses. In Lyneham, about half of households rent and about half of households are people living alone. Downer is closer to the city centre: 5.5 km, against 6.3 km. On these figures, Lyneham tends to suit renters, young adults, and people living alone.

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

They split

one each way, out of the 6 things we measure here

  • Downer has more separate houses rather than flats (67% vs 27%)
  • Lyneham has more parks and reserves (6 vs 0)

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

First-home buyers

Too close to call

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

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Lyneham

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (50% vs 37%)

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

Commuting to the city

Downer

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (77/100 vs 63/100)

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

Downsizers and retirees

They split

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

  • Downer carries lower crime risk (55/100 vs 80/100)
  • Lyneham has more GPs (2 vs 0)

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

Investors

Lyneham

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • returns a higher gross yield on units (5.4% vs 4.0%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (4.1% vs 3.3%)
  • But Downer is growing faster (17.3% vs 11.6%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Downer Lyneham
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.

Downer Lyneham
Walkability 77 / 63
Downer — Walkability: 77/100 Lyneham — Walkability: 63/100
Safety 45 / 20
Downer — Safety: 45/100 Lyneham — Safety: 20/100
Low fire risk 100 / 61
Downer — Low fire risk: 100/100 Lyneham — Low fire risk: 61/100
Low flood risk 83 / 55
Downer — Low flood risk: 83/100 Lyneham — Low flood risk: 55/100

Demographics

Lyneham has more residents (5,703 vs 4,296).

Downer Lyneham
Population 4,296 5,703
+33% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +17.3% +11.6%
Median age 35
same for both
Median household income $117,884/yr
+8% vs other
 $108,368/yr
Median weekly rent $420/wk $425/wk
+1% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Downer Lyneham
0-4 6.3% / 3.9%
Downer — 0-4: 6.3% Lyneham — 0-4: 3.9%
5-14 11.5% / 7.4%
Downer — 5-14: 11.5% Lyneham — 5-14: 7.4%
15-19 4.5% / 3.4%
Downer — 15-19: 4.5% Lyneham — 15-19: 3.4%
20-24 8.7% / 10.4%
Downer — 20-24: 8.7% Lyneham — 20-24: 10.4%
25-34 17.5% / 24.0%
Downer — 25-34: 17.5% Lyneham — 25-34: 24.0%
35-44 18.0% / 14.5%
Downer — 35-44: 18.0% Lyneham — 35-44: 14.5%
45-54 12.1% / 10.7%
Downer — 45-54: 12.1% Lyneham — 45-54: 10.7%
55-64 8.7% / 9.0%
Downer — 55-64: 8.7% Lyneham — 55-64: 9.0%
65-74 6.8% / 7.8%
Downer — 65-74: 6.8% Lyneham — 65-74: 7.8%
75-84 4.2% / 5.0%
Downer — 75-84: 4.2% Lyneham — 75-84: 5.0%
85+ 1.7% / 3.7%
Downer — 85+: 1.7% Lyneham — 85+: 3.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (24.0%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Downer 35.5% lone person
Downer — Lone Person: 35.5% Downer — Couple Families: 38.1% Downer — Group Household: 12.2% Downer — One Parent Families: 12.3% Downer — Other Families: 1.9%
Lyneham 51.7% lone person
Lyneham — Lone Person: 51.7% Lyneham — Couple Families: 23.3% Lyneham — Group Household: 12.9% Lyneham — One Parent Families: 10.0% Lyneham — Other Families: 2.1%
Lone Person Couple Families Group Household One Parent Families Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Downer 37.0% renting
Downer — Owned Outright: 27.6% Downer — Mortgage: 35.4% Downer — Renting: 37.0%
Lyneham 49.7% renting
Lyneham — Owned Outright: 23.7% Lyneham — Mortgage: 26.6% Lyneham — Renting: 49.7%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

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.

Downer Lyneham
England 3.0% / 3.6%
Downer — England: 3.0% Lyneham — England: 3.6%
China 2.7% / 3.4%
Downer — China: 2.7% Lyneham — China: 3.4%
India 1.9% / 2.8%
Downer — India: 1.9% Lyneham — India: 2.8%
Vietnam 1.5% / 1.5%
Downer — Vietnam: 1.5% Lyneham — Vietnam: 1.5%
New Zealand 1.1% / 1.2%
Downer — New Zealand: 1.1% Lyneham — New Zealand: 1.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (3.6%).

Qualifications

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

Downer Lyneham
Bachelor Degree 22.8% / 25.2%
Downer — Bachelor Degree: 22.8% Lyneham — Bachelor Degree: 25.2%
Postgraduate Degree 15.6% / 18.1%
Downer — Postgraduate Degree: 15.6% Lyneham — Postgraduate Degree: 18.1%
Certificate III & IV 6.6% / 5.5%
Downer — Certificate III & IV: 6.6% Lyneham — Certificate III & IV: 5.5%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 5.4% / 5.8%
Downer — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 5.4% Lyneham — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 5.8%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 4.3% / 4.8%
Downer — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 4.3% Lyneham — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 4.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (25.2%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Downer 67.2% houses
Downer — Houses: 67.2% Downer — Flats / Apartments: 16.8% Downer — Townhouses: 16.1%
Lyneham 26.8% houses
Lyneham — Houses: 26.8% Lyneham — Flats / Apartments: 37.2% Lyneham — Townhouses: 35.9%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Downer Lyneham
Median house price $1,190,000 $1,145,000
Median unit price $492,500 $495,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 20 days
from 50 sales
 36 days
from 36 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.

Downer Lyneham
3 bed $1.15M / $1.06M
Downer — 3 bed: $1.15M (52 sales) Lyneham — 3 bed: $1.06M (22 sales)

52 vs 22 sales

4 bed $1.32M / $1.41M
Downer — 4 bed: $1.32M (20 sales) Lyneham — 4 bed: $1.41M (14 sales)

20 vs 14 sales

Unit price by bedroom count

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

Downer Lyneham
1 bed $453K / $414K
Downer — 1 bed: $453K (6 sales) Lyneham — 1 bed: $414K (38 sales)

6 vs 38 sales

2 bed $632K / $555K
Downer — 2 bed: $632K (7 sales) Lyneham — 2 bed: $555K (63 sales)

7 vs 63 sales

Development activity

Downer Lyneham
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.

Downer Lyneham
Houses 3.3%
$710/wk on $1.12M
 4.1%
$695/wk on $878K
Units 4.0%
$455/wk on $594K
 5.4%
$550/wk on $525K

Ranking within ACT

Downer Lyneham
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 35% of ACT Higher than 17% of ACT
Schools — Higher than 18% of ACT
Walkability Higher than 79% of ACT Higher than 52% of ACT
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 83% of ACT
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 37% of ACT Higher than 46% of ACT
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 11% of ACT Higher than 39% of ACT
Rental yield (units) Higher than 7% of ACT Higher than 27% of ACT

Liveability

Downer scores higher overall (72 vs 38); Downer is more walkable (77 vs 63).

Downer Lyneham
Grade A C
Score 72/100 38/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
same for both

Risk profile

Lyneham carries more bushfire risk (39 vs 0); Lyneham carries more flood risk (45 vs 17).

Downer Lyneham
Bushfire None
0/100
 Low
39/100
Crime Moderate
55/100
 High
80/100
Flood Low
17/100
 Moderate
45/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 6
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

Downer Lyneham
Inside the suburb 0 3
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 0 1
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 3
Australian National University, 4.4 km
 3
UC - Canberra, Bruce, 3.6 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 4.2% 4.7%

Schools in Downer

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

Schools in Lyneham

  • Lyneham Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • Brindabella Christian College Independent · Combined
  • Lyneham High School Government · Secondary

Amenities in the suburb

Downer Lyneham
Supermarkets 0 1
Cafes & restaurants 1 5
Parks & reserves 0 6
Childcare 1 4
GPs 0 2
Pharmacies 0 1
EV chargers 0 2

Mobility

Downer Lyneham
Walkability score 77/100 63/100
Distance to Canberra 5.5 km 6.3 km
+15% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 12 min 15 min
Public transport score 78/100
Bus
 95/100
Tram · Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 51.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 220.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
 0 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 4.3%
postcode 2602
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 30
postcode 2602
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.

Downer Lyneham
Car (driver) 60.2% / 54.0%
Downer — Car (driver): 60.2% Lyneham — Car (driver): 54.0%
Worked from Home 13.9% / 12.7%
Downer — Worked from Home: 13.9% Lyneham — Worked from Home: 12.7%
Bicycle 8.4% / 9.8%
Downer — Bicycle: 8.4% Lyneham — Bicycle: 9.8%
Bus 4.8% / 8.7%
Downer — Bus: 4.8% Lyneham — Bus: 8.7%
Tram / Light Rail 5.4% / 6.0%
Downer — Tram / Light Rail: 5.4% Lyneham — Tram / Light Rail: 6.0%
Car (passenger) 5.4% / 5.1%
Downer — Car (passenger): 5.4% Lyneham — Car (passenger): 5.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (60.2%).

Setting

Downer Lyneham
Elevation 588 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 575 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre

NBN connectivity

Downer Lyneham
Connectivity score 50/100 53/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 10%
1,880 premises
 11%
3,294 premises

Climate

Downer Lyneham
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)

Downer Lyneham
PM2.5 5.4 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 14.1 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

Downer Lyneham
Average residential rate $3,105/yr
same for both
Council Unincorporated ACT
same for both

Federal electorate

Downer Lyneham
Division Canberra
same for both
Member Alicia Payne
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Downer Lyneham
Grant amount Not offered
same for both
Property price cap —
same for both
Eligibility None
same for both

Tags

Downer

Inner Professionals

Lyneham

Apartments Easy Commute Inner Professionals Townhouses Trams Transport Hub

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Downer

Downer vs Watson Downer vs Dickson Downer vs Hackett

Other comparisons with Lyneham

Lyneham vs Kaleen Lyneham vs Bruce Lyneham vs Watson Lyneham vs Braddon Lyneham vs O'Connor Lyneham vs Turner
Full data on Downer Full data on Lyneham
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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