Balga

Population growth drivers in Balga are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, as of November 2025, Balga's estimated population is around 16,024. This reflects an increase of 2,160 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 13,864. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 15,606 residents following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release in June 2024 and an additional 61 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 3,052 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Balga's growth of 15.6% since the 2021 census exceeded the national average of 9.7%. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 71.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and to estimate growth post-2032, AreaSearch uses the growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Looking at population projections moving forward, a population increase just below the median of national statistical areas is expected, with the area projected to expand by 1,704 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 6.3% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Balga among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Balga has received approximately 87 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling around 438 homes. As of FY-26, 62 approvals have been recorded. On average, 2.9 people moved to Balga per new home constructed between FY-21 and FY-25. The average construction cost value for new homes was $289,000 during this period.

In FY-26, commercial approvals amounted to $3.1 million. Detached dwellings accounted for 71.0% of new building activity, while townhouses or apartments comprised 29.0%.

Balga's population growth is projected to add around 171 people per dwelling approval. By 2041, the area is expected to gain approximately 1,017 residents based on AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate. Current development patterns indicate that new housing supply should meet demand, fostering favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating further population growth beyond current projections.

Balga has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Local infrastructure changes significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified nine projects potentially affecting the region. Notable projects include Perth Active Transport Network, TAFE Balga Campus Skills Hub, Girrawheen Hub Precinct Redevelopment, and The Amble Estate (Former Hainsworth Primary School Site Redevelopment). Relevant projects are detailed below.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment drivers in Balga are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Balga has a skilled workforce with diverse sector representation. The unemployment rate was 10.1% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 6.3% over the past year.

There are 7,721 residents currently in work, while the unemployment rate is 6.1% higher than Greater Perth's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation is lower at 61.0%, compared to Greater Perth's 65.2%. The dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food. Health care & social assistance shows strong specialization with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, education & training has lower representation at 5.7% compared to the regional average of 9.2%. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 6.3%, while labour force increased by 3.6%, resulting in a decrease in unemployment by 2.3 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Perth experienced employment growth of 2.9% and labour force growth of 3.0%. State-level data to 25-Nov shows WA employment contracted by 0.27%, with the state unemployment rate at 4.6%, compared to the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest a potential future demand within Balga, with national employment projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Balga's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.5% over ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 2023, the suburb of Balga's median income among taxpayers is $49,848. The average income in Balga was $55,988 during this period. This is lower than national averages, with Greater Perth having a median income of $60,748 and an average of $80,248 for the same year. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% from financial year ending June 2023 to September 2025, current estimates would be approximately $54,643 (median) and $61,374 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household incomes rank in the 20th percentile, family incomes in the 28th percentile, and personal incomes in the 29th percentile for Balga. Income distribution shows that 31.8% of residents earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually (5,095 people), which is similar to regional levels where this cohort also represents 32.0%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Balga, with only 79.0% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 16th percentile.

Balga displays a diverse mix of dwelling types

Balga's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census findings, consisted of 67.6% houses and 32.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Home ownership in Balga stood at 15.7%, with 34.7% of dwellings mortgaged and 49.6% rented. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,482, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded as $310. Nationally, Balga's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, with rents substantially below the national figure of $375.

Balga features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a median household size of 2.4 people

Family households constitute 61.5% of all households, including 24.3% couples with children, 19.5% couples without children, and 15.7% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 38.5%, with lone person households at 32.4% and group households making up 6.1%. The median household size is 2.4 people.

Educational outcomes in Balga fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

Balga Trail's residents aged 15 and above have 23.0% with university degrees, compared to Australia's 30.4%. This indicates potential for educational development. Bachelor degrees are most common at 16.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Vocational credentials are held by 36.9% of residents aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 12.3% and certificates at 24.6%.

Educational participation is high, with 34.2% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.1% in primary, 6.5% in secondary, and 5.9% in tertiary education.

Transport servicing is good compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Balga has 74 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 13 different routes that together facilitate 2,450 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as excellent, with residents on average being located 161 meters from the nearest stop.

On a daily basis, there are an average of 350 trips across all routes, which equates to approximately 33 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Balga is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Balga shows above-average health outcomes with a low prevalence of common health conditions among its general population compared to national averages. However, this is higher in older, at-risk cohorts.

Approximately 49% (~7,920 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.7%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 7.5% and 6.4% of residents respectively. About 75.3% report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 0% in Greater Perth. As of 2018 data, 13.1% (2,099 people) are aged 65 and over. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

Balga is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Balga has high cultural diversity, with 49.4% speaking a language other than English at home and 51.0% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Balga, accounting for 44.8%. Islam, however, is overrepresented at 11.5%, compared to None% across Greater Perth.

The top three ancestry groups are Other (29.3%), English (17.9%), and Australian (15.6%). Notably, Macedonian (1.8%) Vietnamese (3.2%) and Serbian (0.7%) ethnicities are overrepresented in Balga compared to None% regionally.

Balga hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Balga's median age at 32 years is notably younger than Greater Perth's average of 37 years and also significantly lower than Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Perth, Balga has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (20.7%) but fewer residents aged 55-64 (7.9%). This concentration of 25-34-year-olds is well above the national average of 14.5%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 3.8% to 4.7% of Balga's population, while the 25 to 34 cohort has decreased from 21.6% to 20.7%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Balga's age profile. The 75 to 84 age group is projected to grow by 67%, adding 502 residents to reach a total of 1,256. Residents aged 65 and older are expected to represent 70% of the population growth during this period. Meanwhile, population declines are anticipated for the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 age groups.