Macgregor vs Strathnairn

Strathnairn is the younger of the two, with a median age of 30 against 34 in Macgregor. In both, the large majority of households own their home and the large majority of homes are detached houses. In Macgregor, about half of households are couple families. In Strathnairn, most households are couple families. Houses cost more in Strathnairn: a median of $990,000, against $840,000 in Macgregor, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, Macgregor tends to suit buyers on a tighter budget, while Strathnairn suits young adults.

Macgregor and Strathnairn are equidistant from Canberra's CBD at 16.4 km, but differ significantly on safety and liveability. Macgregor scores 32 on the liveability index versus Strathnairn's 24, and has substantially lower bushfire risk (40 versus 98) and crime risk (28 versus 81). Macgregor also offers a higher rental yield of 4.4% compared to Strathnairn's 3.9%. Macgregor appears better suited to buyers prioritising safety and community amenity, while both suburbs carry zero flood risk.

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

They split

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

  • Macgregor carries lower crime risk (29/100 vs 83/100)
  • Strathnairn has more parks and reserves (5 vs 1)

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

First-home buyers

Macgregor

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper houses ($840,000 vs $990,000)

Weighs house prices and mortgage stress.

Renters

Macgregor

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (21% vs 6%)
  • has cheaper rent ($464/wk vs $515/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Too close to call

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

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Macgregor

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more residents already 65 and over (10% vs 2%)
  • carries lower crime risk (29/100 vs 83/100)

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

Investors

Too close to call

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

Weighs house yield.

Where they sit

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

Macgregor Strathnairn
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.

Macgregor Strathnairn
Walkability 39 / 34
Macgregor — Walkability: 39/100 Strathnairn — Walkability: 34/100
Safety 71 / 17
Macgregor — Safety: 71/100 Strathnairn — Safety: 17/100
Low fire risk 70 / 2
Macgregor — Low fire risk: 70/100 Strathnairn — Low fire risk: 2/100
Low flood risk 53 / 100
Macgregor — Low flood risk: 53/100 Strathnairn — Low flood risk: 100/100

Demographics

Macgregor has more residents (7,049 vs 714); Macgregor skews older (34 vs 30).

Macgregor Strathnairn
Population 7,049
+90% vs other
 714
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +3.7% —
Median age 34 30
Median household income $121,888/yr $136,708/yr
+12% vs other
Median weekly rent $464/wk $515/wk
+11% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Macgregor Strathnairn
0-4 7.8% / 11.5%
Macgregor — 0-4: 7.8% Strathnairn — 0-4: 11.5%
5-14 16.4% / 12.9%
Macgregor — 5-14: 16.4% Strathnairn — 5-14: 12.9%
15-19 4.9% / 3.9%
Macgregor — 15-19: 4.9% Strathnairn — 15-19: 3.9%
20-24 5.1% / 7.7%
Macgregor — 20-24: 5.1% Strathnairn — 20-24: 7.7%
25-34 16.0% / 28.3%
Macgregor — 25-34: 16.0% Strathnairn — 25-34: 28.3%
35-44 19.8% / 21.6%
Macgregor — 35-44: 19.8% Strathnairn — 35-44: 21.6%
45-54 11.8% / 7.8%
Macgregor — 45-54: 11.8% Strathnairn — 45-54: 7.8%
55-64 8.0% / 2.8%
Macgregor — 55-64: 8.0% Strathnairn — 55-64: 2.8%
65-74 7.0% / 2.2%
Macgregor — 65-74: 7.0% Strathnairn — 65-74: 2.2%
75-84 2.8% / —
Macgregor — 75-84: 2.8% Strathnairn — 75-84: not among its largest
85+ 0.5% / —
Macgregor — 85+: 0.5% Strathnairn — 85+: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (28.3%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Macgregor 51.6% couple families
Macgregor — Couple Families: 51.6% Macgregor — Lone Person: 26.5% Macgregor — One Parent Families: 17.0% Macgregor — Group Household: 3.5% Macgregor — Other Families: 1.4%
Strathnairn 59.2% couple families
Strathnairn — Couple Families: 59.2% Strathnairn — Lone Person: 24.6% Strathnairn — One Parent Families: 10.1% Strathnairn — Group Household: 4.5% Strathnairn — Other Families: 1.7%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Macgregor 20.6% renting
Macgregor — Owned Outright: 21.0% Macgregor — Mortgage: 58.4% Macgregor — Renting: 20.6%
Strathnairn 5.9% renting
Strathnairn — Owned Outright: 8.0% Strathnairn — Mortgage: 86.1% Strathnairn — Renting: 5.9%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Macgregor Strathnairn
Bachelor Degree 15.3% / 19.5%
Macgregor — Bachelor Degree: 15.3% Strathnairn — Bachelor Degree: 19.5%
Postgraduate Degree 6.9% / 15.0%
Macgregor — Postgraduate Degree: 6.9% Strathnairn — Postgraduate Degree: 15.0%
Certificate III & IV 12.2% / 9.2%
Macgregor — Certificate III & IV: 12.2% Strathnairn — Certificate III & IV: 9.2%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 9.0% / 10.1%
Macgregor — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.0% Strathnairn — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 10.1%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.8% / 2.7%
Macgregor — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.8% Strathnairn — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (19.5%).

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.

Macgregor Strathnairn
India 4.3% / 13.7%
Macgregor — India: 4.3% Strathnairn — India: 13.7%
Philippines 1.9% / 4.2%
Macgregor — Philippines: 1.9% Strathnairn — Philippines: 4.2%
Nepal 0.9% / 3.6%
Macgregor — Nepal: 0.9% Strathnairn — Nepal: 3.6%
England 2.8% / 1.5%
Macgregor — England: 2.8% Strathnairn — England: 1.5%
Bangladesh 0.8% / 3.1%
Macgregor — Bangladesh: 0.8% Strathnairn — Bangladesh: 3.1%
Sri Lanka — / 3.8%
Macgregor — Sri Lanka: not among its largest Strathnairn — Sri Lanka: 3.8%
China 1.2% / 2.0%
Macgregor — China: 1.2% Strathnairn — China: 2.0%
New Zealand 1.2% / —
Macgregor — New Zealand: 1.2% Strathnairn — New Zealand: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (13.7%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Macgregor 90.6% houses
Macgregor — Houses: 90.6% Macgregor — Townhouses: 9.0% Macgregor — Flats / Apartments: 0.4%
Strathnairn 83.3% houses
Strathnairn — Houses: 83.3% Strathnairn — Townhouses: 16.3% Strathnairn — Flats / Apartments: 0.4%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Macgregor Strathnairn
Median house price $840,000 $990,000
Median unit price $616,000 —
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 20 days
from 81 sales
 —

Development activity

Macgregor Strathnairn
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.

Macgregor Strathnairn
Houses 4.3%
$650/wk on $785K
 4.6%
$690/wk on $788K
Units —
same for both

Ranking within ACT

Macgregor Strathnairn
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 46% of ACT —
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 25% of ACT Higher than 19% of ACT
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 10% of ACT Higher than 13% of ACT
NBN connectivity Higher than 61% of ACT Higher than 85% of ACT
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 50% of ACT Higher than 73% of ACT

Liveability

Macgregor scores higher overall (35 vs 28).

Macgregor Strathnairn
Grade C D
Score 35/100 28/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 9/10
 very advantaged area
decile 10/10

Risk profile

Macgregor carries more flood risk (47 vs 0); Strathnairn carries more bushfire risk (98 vs 30).

Macgregor Strathnairn
Bushfire Low
30/100
 High
98/100
Crime Low
29/100
 High
83/100
Flood Moderate
47/100
 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
 2
within 5 km

Schools

Macgregor Strathnairn
Inside the suburb 1
same for both
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 0
same for both
Rated below peers 1 0
Universities within 10 km 1
UC - Canberra, Bruce, 8.3 km
 1
UC - Canberra, Bruce, 9.6 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 1.5% 3.6%

Schools in Macgregor

  • Macgregor Primary School Government · Primary below peers

Schools in Strathnairn

  • Strathnairn School Government · Primary

Amenities in the suburb

Macgregor Strathnairn
Cafes & restaurants 0 1
Parks & reserves 1 5
Childcare 3
same for both
EV chargers 1 2
Waterways 0 4

Mobility

Macgregor Strathnairn
Walkability score 39/100 34/100
Distance to Canberra 16.4 km
same for both
Drive time (normal traffic) 24 min
same for both
Public transport score 79/100
Bus
 66/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 105.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 26.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
 1 min
scheduled, not actual
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.

Macgregor Strathnairn
Car (driver) 79.1% / 78.7%
Macgregor — Car (driver): 79.1% Strathnairn — Car (driver): 78.7%
Worked from Home 10.7% / 10.5%
Macgregor — Worked from Home: 10.7% Strathnairn — Worked from Home: 10.5%
Car (passenger) 5.3% / 7.2%
Macgregor — Car (passenger): 5.3% Strathnairn — Car (passenger): 7.2%
Bus 4.1% / 3.6%
Macgregor — Bus: 4.1% Strathnairn — Bus: 3.6%
Walked Only 0.5% / —
Macgregor — Walked Only: 0.5% Strathnairn — Walked Only: not among its largest

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

Setting

Macgregor Strathnairn
Elevation 553 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 572 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre

NBN connectivity

Macgregor Strathnairn
Connectivity score 65/100 100/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node Fibre to the premises
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 36%
2,793 premises
 100%
1,018 premises

Climate

Macgregor Strathnairn
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)

Macgregor Strathnairn
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

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

Federal electorate

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

First Home Owner Grant

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

Tags

Macgregor

Affordable Family Large Blocks Middle-Ring

Strathnairn

Family Middle-Ring Multicultural Quiet River Young Families

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Macgregor

Macgregor vs Belconnen Macgregor vs Dunlop Macgregor vs Holt Macgregor vs Latham Macgregor vs Charnwood

Other comparisons with Strathnairn

Strathnairn vs Belconnen Strathnairn vs Holt
Full data on Macgregor Full data on Strathnairn
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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