Higgins (ACT)

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According to evaluations of ABS population updates for the wider region and new address information confirmed by Districts after the Census, the suburb of Higgins has an estimated residency of 3,365 as of May 2026. This represents an addition of 44 people (1.3%) relative to the 2021 Census, which counted 3,321 people. This shift is calculated from the local populace of 3,363, determined by Districts after analyzing the ABS Estimated Resident Population release from June 2025 alongside 3 validated new addresses since the Census date. The current population translates to a density of 2,015 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical figure for locations nationwide analyzed by Districts. The suburb of Higgins's 1.3% growth rate since the census is within 2.9 percentage points of the SA3 region (4.2%), showing competitive underlying expansion. Population increases in the area were mostly driven by natural increase, which accounted for approximately 54.0% of the total demographic growth in recent times.

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Higgins features a highly educated labor force with strong representation in essential services, an unemployment rate of 5.9%, and an estimated job growth rate of 1.0% over the last year, compiled by Districts from statistical area data. As of March 2026, there are 1,691 employed residents, though the unemployment rate is 1.8% higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 4.1%, and workforce participation is notably lower at 65.5% compared to the territory's 70.8%. Census data indicates that a low 12.3% of workers worked from home, although this may have been influenced by COVID-19 lockdowns.

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The most recent postcode-level ATO data from Districts for financial year 2023 indicates that incomes in Higgins are slightly above the national average, with a median of $61,796 and an average of $69,852. This is lower than the Australian Capital Territory median of $72,206 and average of $85,981. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since financial year 2023, current estimates correspond to approximately $68,248 (median) and $77,145 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census shows household, family, and individual incomes are high in Higgins, placing between the 80th and 82nd percentiles nationally. Income data shows that the weekly earnings bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 contains 33.0% of the community ( individuals), which aligns with the regional figure of in this bracket. The high proportion of high earners ( earning more than /week) shows substantial economic resources in Higgins. Housing costs consume of income, while strong earnings place residents in the nd percentile for disposable income, and the area's SEIFA income index ranks in the th decile.

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The mix of housing in Higgins at the latest Census consisted of 95.7% detached houses and 4.3% other dwellings like semi-detached homes, apartments, or alternative options, compared to Australian Capital Territory's mix of 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings. Furthermore, home ownership in Higgins was much higher than the territory's average, standing at 31.5%, while the remaining homes were mortgaged (45.5%) or rented (23.0%). The median monthly mortgage payment was below the Australian Capital Territory average at $2,000, and the median weekly rent was $400, compared to territory figures of $2,080 and $450. On a national level, Higgins's mortgage repayments exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are higher than the national median of $375.

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Family households make up the majority at 75.0% of all households, consisting of 34.0% couples with children, 28.5% couples without children, and 11.4% single parent families. The remaining 25.0% are non-family households, with lone person households representing 21.5% and group households accounting for 3.5% of the total. The median household size of 2.6 people exceeds the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.

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Educational attainment in the area presents challenges, as university qualification rates of 34.2% are significantly lower than the SA4 regional average of 46.8%. This highlights a gap as well as an opening for targeted educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education qualification at 20.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 9.1% and graduate diplomas at 4.6%. Vocational and technical skills are highly prevalent, with 31.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational qualifications, split between advanced diplomas (10.6%) and certificates (21.2%).

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Public transport analysis shows 29 active transit stops in Higgins, consisting of bus services. These stops support 71 distinct routes, which combine to deliver 5,086 passenger journeys every week. Accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents living an average of 138 meters from their nearest transit stop. Given the residential nature of the suburb, most workers commute out of the area; private cars are the primary method of travel at 89%, while buses carry 6%. Motor vehicle ownership averages 1.5 per household, which is above the regional average. A relatively low 12.3% of workers work from home, based on the 2021 Census, which may reflect the impact of COVID-19 restrictions.

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Higgins faces notable health issues, based on Districts' evaluation of mortality data and the prevalence of chronic illnesses, with general medical issues somewhat common, particularly among older residents, while the rate of private health insurance is relatively high at roughly 55% of the population (~1,843 people). This compares to 62.4% in the Australian Capital Territory.

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Higgins has higher than average cultural diversity, with 23.8% of the population born outside Australia and 17.6% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religion, representing 45.3% of the community. However, the most distinct religious deviation is in Hinduism, which represents 2.4% of the population compared to 4.8% across the Australian Capital Territory.

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The median age in Higgins is 38 years, which is older than the Australian Capital Territory average of 35 and matches the national median of 38. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Higgins has a larger proportion of residents aged 75 - 84 (8.7%) but a smaller share of people aged 25 - 34 (13.5%). Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age cohort has increased from 7.2% to 8.7% of the population, and the 15 to 24 cohort rose from 11.1% to 12.5%. On the other hand, the 65 to 74 group fell from 8.3% to 7.2% and the 55 to group decreased from to . Demographic modeling points to significant changes in Higgins's age structure by . The group aged + is expected to grow the most at , adding residents to reach . Seniors aged + will account for all population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends, while the to and to groups are expected to experience population declines.

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Higgins currently has an estimated 198 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 119 children aged 0-2 and 79 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 8% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 22% by 2041 (to approximately 155 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 341. Birth rates in the area have averaged 12.7 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a high rate (among the top 30% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.