Farrer vs Mawson

Mawson is the younger of the two, with a median age of 38 against 43 in Farrer. In both, most households own their home. In Farrer, most homes are detached houses and about half of households are couple families. On these figures, Farrer tends to suit couples.

Farrer and Mawson are both affluent ACT suburbs with similar socio-economic standing, but they suit different priorities. Farrer has a notably higher median household income ($132,080 versus $114,608) and liveability score (61 versus 41), though it carries significantly higher bushfire and flood risks. Mawson is more walkable (86 versus 65) and closer to the CBD, with substantially lower crime risk (74 versus 11) and flood risk (38 versus 0), though unit prices are considerably lower at $394,000 compared to Farrer's $875,000. Choose Farrer if you value a more established, affluent neighbourhood; choose Mawson if walkability, proximity to the city, and lower environmental risk matter more to you.

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

Farrer

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • carries lower crime risk (11/100 vs 74/100)
  • has more separate houses rather than flats (73% vs 54%)
  • is already more of a family suburb (62% vs 52%)
  • But Mawson has more childcare (6 vs 2)

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

First-home buyers

Mawson

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper units ($394,000 vs $875,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Mawson

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (36% vs 18%)
  • has cheaper rent ($400/wk vs $450/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Mawson

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (86/100 vs 65/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Mawson

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (3 vs 0)
  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (46% vs 27%)
  • is more walkable (86/100 vs 65/100)
  • But Farrer carries lower crime risk (11/100 vs 74/100)

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

Investors

Farrer

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (17.2% vs 5.8%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Farrer Mawson
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.

Farrer Mawson
Walkability 65 / 86
Farrer — Walkability: 65/100 Mawson — Walkability: 86/100
Safety 89 / 26
Farrer — Safety: 89/100 Mawson — Safety: 26/100
Low fire risk 1 / 10
Farrer — Low fire risk: 1/100 Mawson — Low fire risk: 10/100
Low flood risk 100 / 62
Farrer — Low flood risk: 100/100 Mawson — Low flood risk: 62/100

Demographics

Farrer has higher household incomes ($132,080 vs $114,608); Farrer skews older (43 vs 38).

Farrer Mawson
Population 3,787
+9% vs other
 3,440
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +17.2% +5.8%
Median age 43 38
Median household income $132,080/yr
+13% vs other
 $114,608/yr
Median weekly rent $450/wk
+11% vs other
 $400/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Farrer Mawson
0-4 4.6% / 5.2%
Farrer — 0-4: 4.6% Mawson — 0-4: 5.2%
5-14 13.4% / 12.6%
Farrer — 5-14: 13.4% Mawson — 5-14: 12.6%
15-19 6.5% / 4.7%
Farrer — 15-19: 6.5% Mawson — 15-19: 4.7%
20-24 5.1% / 5.2%
Farrer — 20-24: 5.1% Mawson — 20-24: 5.2%
25-34 9.8% / 16.6%
Farrer — 25-34: 9.8% Mawson — 25-34: 16.6%
35-44 12.0% / 15.0%
Farrer — 35-44: 12.0% Mawson — 35-44: 15.0%
45-54 13.5% / 11.5%
Farrer — 45-54: 13.5% Mawson — 45-54: 11.5%
55-64 11.4% / 11.5%
Farrer — 55-64: 11.4% Mawson — 55-64: 11.5%
65-74 8.8% / 8.5%
Farrer — 65-74: 8.8% Mawson — 65-74: 8.5%
75-84 9.7% / 7.1%
Farrer — 75-84: 9.7% Mawson — 75-84: 7.1%
85+ 5.0% / 2.2%
Farrer — 85+: 5.0% Mawson — 85+: 2.2%

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

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Farrer 51.4% couple families
Farrer — Couple Families: 51.4% Farrer — Lone Person: 34.2% Farrer — One Parent Families: 10.9% Farrer — Group Household: 2.3% Farrer — Other Families: 1.1%
Mawson 38.6% couple families
Mawson — Couple Families: 38.6% Mawson — Lone Person: 41.1% Mawson — One Parent Families: 13.1% Mawson — Group Household: 5.1% Mawson — Other Families: 2.0%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Farrer 17.7% renting
Farrer — Owned Outright: 40.9% Farrer — Mortgage: 41.5% Farrer — Renting: 17.7%
Mawson 36.3% renting
Mawson — Owned Outright: 33.0% Mawson — Mortgage: 30.7% Mawson — Renting: 36.3%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Farrer Mawson
Bachelor Degree 19.9% / 23.7%
Farrer — Bachelor Degree: 19.9% Mawson — Bachelor Degree: 23.7%
Postgraduate Degree 12.0% / 12.2%
Farrer — Postgraduate Degree: 12.0% Mawson — Postgraduate Degree: 12.2%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.3% / 8.7%
Farrer — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.3% Mawson — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.7%
Certificate III & IV 6.6% / 7.4%
Farrer — Certificate III & IV: 6.6% Mawson — Certificate III & IV: 7.4%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 4.4% / 4.4%
Farrer — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 4.4% Mawson — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 4.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (23.7%).

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.

Farrer Mawson
India 2.4% / 4.7%
Farrer — India: 2.4% Mawson — India: 4.7%
England 4.3% / 2.7%
Farrer — England: 4.3% Mawson — England: 2.7%
Nepal 1.2% / 4.2%
Farrer — Nepal: 1.2% Mawson — Nepal: 4.2%
China 1.3% / 1.7%
Farrer — China: 1.3% Mawson — China: 1.7%
New Zealand 1.4% / 0.9%
Farrer — New Zealand: 1.4% Mawson — New Zealand: 0.9%
Philippines — / 2.2%
Farrer — Philippines: not among its largest Mawson — Philippines: 2.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (4.7%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Farrer 73.2% houses
Farrer — Houses: 73.2% Farrer — Townhouses: 15.3% Farrer — Flats / Apartments: 11.5%
Mawson 54.2% houses
Mawson — Houses: 54.2% Mawson — Townhouses: 26.3% Mawson — Flats / Apartments: 19.6%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Farrer Mawson
Median house price $1,285,000 $1,200,000
Median unit price $875,000 $394,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 21 days
from 35 sales
 23 days
from 34 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.

Farrer Mawson
3 bed $1.11M / $1.1M
Farrer — 3 bed: $1.11M (32 sales) Mawson — 3 bed: $1.1M (23 sales)

32 vs 23 sales

4 bed $1.43M / $1.35M
Farrer — 4 bed: $1.43M (33 sales) Mawson — 4 bed: $1.35M (15 sales)

33 vs 15 sales

5 bed $1.56M / $1.5M
Farrer — 5 bed: $1.56M (10 sales) Mawson — 5 bed: $1.5M (6 sales)

10 vs 6 sales

Development activity

Farrer Mawson
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.

Farrer Mawson
Houses 4.7%
$900/wk on $1M
 4.4%
$875/wk on $1.03M
Units — 6.4%
$470/wk on $379K

Ranking within ACT

Farrer Mawson
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 63% of ACT Higher than 22% of ACT
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 56% of ACT Higher than 95% of ACT
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 41% of ACT Higher than 40% of ACT
NBN connectivity Higher than 43% of ACT Higher than 25% of ACT
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 78% of ACT Higher than 61% of ACT
Rental yield (units) — Higher than 73% of ACT

Liveability

Farrer scores higher overall (61 vs 41); Mawson is more walkable (86 vs 65).

Farrer Mawson
Grade B C
Score 61/100 41/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
same for both

Risk profile

Mawson carries more flood risk (38 vs 0); Mawson carries more crime risk (74 vs 11).

Farrer Mawson
Bushfire High
99/100
 High
90/100
Crime Low
11/100
 High
74/100
Flood None
0/100
 Low
38/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 5
within 5 km
 4
within 5 km

Schools

Farrer Mawson
Inside the suburb 1 2
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 0 2
Rated below peers 1 0
Universities within 10 km 1
UNSW Canberra, 8.4 km
 1
UNSW Canberra, 7.3 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 2.6% 1.9%

Schools in Farrer

  • Farrer Primary School Government · Primary below peers

Schools in Mawson

  • Canberra Christian School Independent · Primary at peers
  • Mawson Primary School Government · Primary at peers

Amenities in the suburb

Farrer Mawson
Supermarkets 1 3
Cafes & restaurants 3 18
Parks & reserves 1 2
Childcare 2 6
GPs 0 3
Pharmacies 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 0 2
Fuel stations 1 2
EV chargers 0 1

Mobility

Farrer Mawson
Walkability score 65/100 86/100
Distance to Canberra 16.4 km
+7% vs other
 15.2 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 23 min 22 min
Public transport score 78/100
Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 42.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 35.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 2.7%
postcode 2607
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 38
postcode 2607
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.

Farrer Mawson
Car (driver) 70.8% / 71.4%
Farrer — Car (driver): 70.8% Mawson — Car (driver): 71.4%
Worked from Home 14.3% / 10.4%
Farrer — Worked from Home: 14.3% Mawson — Worked from Home: 10.4%
Bus 5.6% / 7.6%
Farrer — Bus: 5.6% Mawson — Bus: 7.6%
Car (passenger) 6.3% / 6.7%
Farrer — Car (passenger): 6.3% Mawson — Car (passenger): 6.7%
Walked Only 1.3% / 2.3%
Farrer — Walked Only: 1.3% Mawson — Walked Only: 2.3%
Bicycle 1.7% / 1.7%
Farrer — Bicycle: 1.7% Mawson — Bicycle: 1.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (71.4%).

Setting

Farrer Mawson
Elevation 651 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 641 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre

NBN connectivity

Farrer Mawson
Connectivity score 52/100 46/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 14%
1,636 premises
 2%
1,718 premises

Climate

Farrer Mawson
Annual rainfall 686 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 28.2°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 0.9°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Farrer Mawson
PM2.5 7.3 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 11.9 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.32 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Farrer Mawson
Average residential rate $3,105/yr
same for both
Council Unincorporated ACT
same for both

Federal electorate

Farrer Mawson
Division Bean
same for both
Member David Smith
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Farrer Mawson
Grant amount Not offered
same for both
Property price cap —
same for both
Eligibility None
same for both

Tags

Farrer

Middle-Ring Professionals Quiet

Mawson

Middle-Ring Townhouses Village Feel

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Farrer

Farrer vs Torrens Farrer vs Isaacs

Other comparisons with Mawson

Mawson vs Phillip Mawson vs Pearce Mawson vs Torrens Mawson vs Isaacs Mawson vs O'Malley
Full data on Farrer Full data on Mawson
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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