Watson
ACT 2602 · Unincorporated ACT
6,727 (2021) → 7,399 est. (2025) · High Growth
Based on transport, liveability & education. Safety is scored separately below.
Watson is a high growth suburb in Unincorporated ACT, ACT 2602, about 6km from Canberra CBD. Recent property sales in Watson are too limited to report a reliable median price. The suburb has 2 schools, a transport score of 53/100, and is about 106km inland. Watson has an overall score of 67/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 56/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
ATO 2023-24, postcode 2602 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
Top countries of birth: England (2.84%), India (1.96%), China (1.65%), New Zealand (1.4%), USA (1.1%)
Top languages: Mandarin (2.19%), Vietnamese (1.26%), Spanish (1.09%), Nepali (1.06%), German (0.86%)
Source: ABS Census 2021
Residential Safety
Recorded residential incidents (latest year), with rate per 100,000 residents:
Includes street and public-place assaults — supplementary context, not part of the safety score.
Residential incidents over time
Sum of the five residential categories above — not all recorded crime.
Area crime context
An independent score — crime data quality varies by state, so safety is shown separately and is not part of the overall score.
Source: ACT Policing (suburb-level) · Updated 2024
Schools
Strong school options
Well above average — good-quality schools within reach and a healthy range of options to choose from.
Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 1123 (above the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- Majura Primary SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 1135
- Rosary Primary SchoolPrimary · CatholicICSEA 1121
Nearby (within 10km)
- Dickson CollegeSecondary · Government · 1.6kmICSEA 1101
- Blue Gum Community SchoolCombined · Independent · 1.8kmICSEA 1164
- North Ainslie Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.6kmICSEA 1145
- Emmaus Christian SchoolCombined · Independent · 2.6kmICSEA 1138
- Daramalan CollegeSecondary · Independent · 2.8kmICSEA 1127
- Shirley Smith High SchoolSecondary · Government · 2.8kmICSEA 1078
- Lyneham High SchoolSecondary · Government · 3.3kmICSEA 1132
- Brindabella Christian CollegeCombined · Independent · 3.3kmICSEA 1154
- Lyneham Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · 3.6kmICSEA 1135
- Merici CollegeSecondary · Catholic · 4.1kmICSEA 1138
- St Joseph's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 4.1kmICSEA 1130
- Harrison SchoolCombined · Government · 4.2kmICSEA 1058
Source: ACARA MySchool · Updated 2025
Transport
Source: TfNSW GTFS
Employment & Economy
Top local industries
Source: DEWR SALM / ABS Census 2021 · Updated SALM Mar 2026 / 2021 Census
Liveability
Amenities within 2–3km
Counted within a short distance of the suburb centre (so nearby facilities count), with the in-boundary count shown beneath.
In this suburb
Source: Bureau of Meteorology · OpenStreetMap · Healthdirect NHSD (via Geoscience Australia)
Fitness
Plenty of options
Well above average — a good spread of gyms and sports facilities within easy reach.
Facilities within 3km of the suburb centre. The Fitness Score is a national percentile of these counts per resident.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Outdoors
Great outdoor access
Well above average — plenty of parkland and outdoor recreation within easy reach.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Outdoor Score is a national percentile led by parks and green space.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Culture
Some cultural venues
Around the national average — a handful of cultural venues, with more on offer a short trip away.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Culture Score is a national percentile weighting theatres, museums, galleries, libraries and arts centres most heavily.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Entertainment Scene
Quiet area
Pretty light on licensed venues. Good for peace and quiet; less so for spontaneous nights out.
Government liquor register data is not yet available for ACT. Venue counts are estimated from OpenStreetMap within 2km of the suburb centre.
View nearby venues on the Entertainment Map →
Source: OpenStreetMap
Childcare
Limited options
Below average for childcare access — fewer services nearby, and families may need to travel further for preferred options.
View childcare centres on the map →
Source: ACECQA National Quality Framework Register · Updated July 2026
Places of Worship
Mapped places of worship within 3km of the suburb centre, grouped by religion where recorded. Community mapping may not capture every congregation.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Population & Growth
High GrowthSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Unincorporated ACT
Compare Watson with another suburb
Compare two suburbs
Frequently asked questions about Watson
Is Watson safe?
Watson has a residential safety score of 56/100, based on residential crime (break-ins, theft from dwellings, vehicle theft, domestic assault and robbery) per resident relative to the NSW median. Its total recorded incident rate is 4,148 per 100,000 across all categories.
How far is Watson from Canberra CBD?
Watson is about 5.8 km from Canberra CBD, an estimated 29 minutes by public transport.
What schools are in Watson?
Watson has 2 schools, with an average ICSEA of 1128 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Watson?
Watson has a transport score of 53/100 and 33 bus stops.