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Watson, ACT 2602
Suburb profile: median house and unit prices, rental yield, capital growth, vacancy and demographics
Data updated
Median House
$1,175,000
market range $1.1M-$1.3M
Median Unit
$560,000
market range $525K-$600K
Gross Yield (units)
5.6%
1yr Growth (houses)
+5.7%
market range +0.0% to +12.5%
Investment snapshot for Watson
Watson has enough public data for first-pass screening across yield, vacancy, price and supply signals.
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Watson market and investor summary
Watson (ACT 2602) runs a median house price of $1.2M. House prices have moved +5.7% over the past year and +9.7% over three years. At 1.9% vacancy, it is a tight rental market that favours landlords.
Rental demand looks steady, with vacancy at 1.9% and a resident base that is not shrinking.
Living in Watson: people, income and schools
Watson is home to around 6,727 people, and the area has been growing steadily, up about 8% over five years. The median age is 34, broadly working-age, and families account for 66% of households.
Households here earn a median of about $126,000 a year, or roughly $2,410 a week. On socio-economic measures it ranks among the most advantaged in the country (10 out of 10 on the ABS advantage index). At current prices a median house runs to a steep 9.4 times local household income, so affordability is a genuine constraint on local buyers. Incomes have risen about 16% over five years, which tends to underpin what local buyers can pay.
There are 23 schools within about 5km, and they test well above the national school average on ICSEA, a draw for education-focused families. It is roughly 5.8 km from the CBD. It is fairly car-dependent; the suburb scores 18 for walkability and 7 for transit out of 100. Fixed broadband is delivered over the NBN's Fibre to the Premises.
- Population
- 6,727
- +8% over 5yr
- Median age
- 34 years
- Median household income
- $126,000/yr
- Households renting
- 33%
- Family households
- 66%
- Socio-economic rank
- 10/10
- ABS advantage index
- Schools within 5km
- 23
- avg ICSEA 1117
- Unemployment
- 4.2%
- Distance to CBD
- 5.8 km
- Walk score
- 18/100
Demographic, school and socio-economic figures are sourced from the ABS Census, SEIFA and ACARA. Property metrics reflect PropRadar's latest data.
Properties in Watson
View all →Frequently asked questions about Watson
What should I check before investing in Watson?
Watson has enough public data for first-pass screening across yield, vacancy, price and supply signals. Solid unit gross rental yield of 5.6%, giving a stronger rent-to-price starting point than many suburbs. Capital growth of +5.7% in the past year shows positive recent price momentum. Compare those signals with nearby suburbs and individual listings before relying on the suburb-level view.
What are typical property prices in Watson?
The median property price in Watson, ACT 2602 is $1.2M for houses and $560K for units.
What rental yield does Watson show?
The gross rental yield in Watson is 5.6% for units. Gross yield is calculated as annual rent divided by property price, and it doesn't account for expenses or tax.
What does recent house price growth show for Watson?
House prices in Watson are up 5.7% over the past year and up 9.7% over three years. Capital growth is a key driver of total investment return, so pair it with rental yield to get a full picture.
How tight is the rental market in Watson?
The current vacancy rate in Watson is 1.9%. A rate under 2% generally signals a tight rental market. This suburb's rental market is very tight, with landlords typically holding strong bargaining power and low rental downtime.
How many people live in Watson?
Watson has a population of approximately 6,727 residents, with a median age of 34.
What schools are near Watson?
There are 23 schools within roughly 5km of Watson. Their average ICSEA sits well above the national mean of 1000, which points to a more advantaged school catchment. ICSEA is the ABS measure of a school community's socio-educational advantage.
Is Watson affordable to buy in?
A median house in Watson costs about 9.4 times the median local household income (a high multiple that makes the suburb a stretch for median local earners). The ratio compares the median house price with annual household income; it is a rough affordability gauge, not a substitute for your own borrowing assessment.
Is Watson's population growing?
The population of Watson has grown about 8% over the past five years, an above-average pace. Population growth feeds underlying housing demand, so it is worth weighing alongside price and yield.
How far is Watson from the CBD?
Watson is about 5.8 km from the CBD.
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