Barton
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Barton, ACT 2600.
About Barton
Welcome to Barton
Barton sits just south of Lake Burley Griffin, a short walk from Parliament House and the heart of Canberra's parliamentary triangle. Best known as the home of Commonwealth government departments, it's a suburb of striking modernist blocks, tree-lined streets and a surprising amount of quiet given its proximity to the nation's political nerve centre.
With a population of just 1,946 and a median age of 39, Barton has a small, settled community feel that belies its central location. It suits professionals working nearby in the public service, downsizers after a low-maintenance apartment, and anyone who wants to be minutes from Kingston, Manuka and the lake without the noise of inner-city living.
Lifestyle & dining
Barton itself is fairly low-key when it comes to cafes and restaurants, but that's largely because residents don't need to go far. Kingston and its foreshore precinct are a quick walk or drive away, offering waterside dining, bars and the popular Old Bus Depot Markets, while Manuka in neighbouring Griffith brings boutique shopping, cinemas and a long-standing dining strip. For those who work in Barton's government buildings, the suburb's own cafes cater well to the weekday lunch crowd, even if evenings and weekends are noticeably quieter.
Shopping
Everyday shopping needs are best met just over the border in Kingston and Manuka, both an easy stroll from most Barton addresses. Manuka in particular offers a well-regarded mix of fashion, specialty grocers and homewares stores, while Kingston's Green Square precinct has become one of Canberra's more fashionable shopping and lifestyle hubs. This arrangement suits Barton's apartment-heavy population, who trade a big local shopping strip for easy access to several nearby ones.
Getting around
Barton's location just south of the lake and close to the parliamentary triangle makes it one of the more walkable and well-connected suburbs in Canberra. Regular bus services link the suburb to the city, Woden and surrounding areas, and its proximity to Kings Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue makes for straightforward driving access to the CBD, Parliament House and beyond. Many residents who work in Barton's government precincts walk or cycle to the office, helped by flat terrain and dedicated paths around the lake foreshore.
Schools & families
Barton is not a suburb built around family homes, but Telopea Park School, just across the border, is a well-regarded option offering both primary and secondary schooling, including a bilingual French program, and draws families from across the surrounding suburbs. Combined with its neighbours Forrest, Deakin and Yarralumla, all leafy, established areas, Barton sits within a pocket of Canberra that offers reasonable schooling options despite the suburb itself being dominated by apartments and government buildings rather than family housing.
Housing & architecture
The dwelling stock in Barton is overwhelmingly apartments, with current listings showing 98% apartment or unit stock against just 3% houses. Architecturally this ranges from mid-century low-rise blocks to more recent developments, many taking advantage of the suburb's elevated outlook towards the lake and parliamentary triangle. It's a suburb built for low-maintenance living, appealing to public servants, diplomats and professionals who want a central address without the upkeep of a freestanding home.
The property market
With a median unit price of $810,000, Barton sits toward the premium end of Canberra's apartment market, reflecting its rare combination of lakeside proximity, government-precinct convenience and genuinely inner-city walkability. Given the suburb's dwelling mix is almost entirely apartments, buyers and renters here are typically weighing Barton against similarly apartment-focused pockets of Kingston, Griffith and Deakin rather than the house-and-garden markets of Forrest or Yarralumla nearby. It's a market defined by lifestyle and location rather than land size, making it a strong fit for those prioritising proximity to work and the lake over square metres.
Market snapshot
Barton property market
Median sale price
$810k
Unit · 2 bed
Median rent
$750
per week
Gross rental yield
4.8%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$650k
Median
$810k
Premium
$993k
Days on market
53
Auction clearance
36%
Sold this year
35
Median sold price trend · Unit 2 bed
Compound growth -0.5% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · Unit
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Barton by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Barton, ACT 2600.
Population
1,946
residents (2021)
Median age
39
years
Household income
$2,462
median, per week
Median rent
$525
per week
Median mortgage
$2,015
per month
Mortgage / income
19%
comfortable
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Barton
Government school catchment
Recent results
Recently sold in Barton
$793k
109/46 Macquarie Street
Sold ~July 2026
$829k
40/3 Burbury Close
Sold ~July 2026
$605k
37/5 Sydney Avenue
Sold ~July 2026
$670k
129/46 Macquarie Street
Sold ~June 2026
$595k
41/45 Blackall Street
Sold ~June 2026
Sold prices as published on the original listing; some may reflect the last advertised price. Dates are approximate.
Explore the area
Properties & amenities in Barton
Compare the area
Price map around Barton
Every listing for sale near Barton, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
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Nearby suburbs
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Common questions
Barton suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Barton?
The median unit price in Barton, ACT is $810k for a 2-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have risen about 0.6%.
How much is rent in Barton?
The median weekly rent in Barton is around $750 per week.
Is Barton a good place to live?
Barton is a suburb of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. Barton is an established residential suburb in ACT, with a population of around 1,946 and 1 school in the area.
What is the population of Barton?
Barton has a population of 1,946 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 39.
What schools are in Barton?
There is 1 school in or near Barton, including Telopea Park School.
How long do homes take to sell in Barton?
Properties in Barton take around 53 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 36%.
How much do you need to buy in Barton?
Entry-level properties in Barton start around $650k, while premium homes reach $993k.
What suburbs are near Barton?
Suburbs near Barton include Forrest, Kingston, Deakin, Griffith and Yarralumla.
Fresh to market
New this week in Barton
Elevated Dual-Level Living in Prestigious Barton
Elevated Executive Living in the Heart of the Parliamentary Triangle
Enjoy the lifestyle of the Inner South
Available now
Properties in Barton
Views That Impress, Living That Inspires
Private Courtyard Living
Sophisticated Living in the Heart of the Realm Precinct
Live In or Lease Out - Premium Inner-South Opportunity in Barton
Uninterrupted Views. Oversized Living. Blue-Chip Barton Address
Luxury Ground-Floor Apartment at 'The National'
