Bedford

Population growth drivers in Bedford are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on demographic evaluations from the ABS for the surrounding region, combined with fresh addresses verified by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Bedford has a projected residency of approximately 6,103 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 387 people (6.8%) relative to the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 5,716 people. The figures are calculated from a resident base of 6,084, calculated by AreaSearch using the most recent ABS ERP release (June 2025) plus an extra 17 validated new addresses identified post-Census. Such a population count translates to a density of 2,724 persons per square kilometer, placing the suburb of Bedford in the top quartile of all locations evaluated by AreaSearch. The 6.8% expansion rate of the suburb of Bedford post-Census is within 2.5 percentage points of the nationwide figure (9.3%), indicating solid local growth trends. The primary driver of this demographic growth was overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 79.0% of the total population gains in recent times.

Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline are applied by AreaSearch for each SA2 region. In cases where SA2 data is unavailable, or to model trends after 2032, AreaSearch uses cohort-specific growth rates from the latest ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023, utilizing 2022 statistics). Looking ahead, the suburb of Bedford is projected to experience growth slightly below the median of all locations monitored by AreaSearch, with the suburb of Bedford adding 653 persons by 2041 under consolidated SA2 models, marking a 10.4% total rise over the 16 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Bedford according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

According to AreaSearch's review of ABS building approvals allocated from regional statistics, Bedford typically averages about 17 dwellings approved annually, amounting to a total of 87 homes over the last 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 12 approvals have been documented. An average of 2.5 people moved to the area for each new dwelling built over the past 5 financial years (spanning FY-21 to FY-25), indicating steady demand that helps sustain real estate values, with new builds averaging a construction cost of $460,000, pointing to developer interest in higher-end, premium properties. Furthermore, commercial approvals have reached $24.4 million this financial year, showing a moderate scale of non-residential construction.

Relative to Greater Perth, the pace of new home approvals per capita in Bedford is roughly three-quarters of the regional rate, ranking in the 19th percentile of areas evaluated nationwide, which limits choice for buyers and sustains demand for established properties. This level of activity also falls below the national benchmark, highlighting the established suburban character of the area and suggesting potential constraints in local planning. Additionally, recent construction has consisted entirely of standalone homes, preserving the classic suburban feel of the neighborhood with a focus on spacious family residences. With roughly 809 people per single residential approval, Bedford displays a highly mature property market.

Future projections indicate Bedford will add 634 residents by 2041 (derived from the most recent quarterly estimates by AreaSearch). While construction activity matches these growth forecasts, prospective buyers may face increased competition as the population expands.

Bedford has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 43rdth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure, major construction works, and planning policies significantly affect real estate trends. AreaSearch has identified 4 key projects likely to impact the locality. These main developments include the Morley Galleria Shopping Centre Redevelopment, the Chester Avenue Apartment Development Proposal - DA23/0883, the John Forrest Secondary College - Redevelopment, and the Morley Drive-Bath Road Intersection Upgrade, with the details of the most significant projects outlined below.

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

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Bedford ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Bedford features an educated labor pool with a high proportion of professional services, a low unemployment rate of 2.8%, and an estimated job growth of 3.3% over the prior year, according to AreaSearch data compiled from statistical areas. As of March 2026, 3,635 residents are employed, with the local unemployment rate sitting 1.4% below the Greater Perth average of 4.2%, and labor force participation is typical at 75.2% compared to 70.2% across Greater Perth. Census data indicates that a modest 9.9% of residents worked from home, although this may have been influenced by COVID-19 restriction periods.

The primary employment sectors for local residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical. The locality demonstrates a clear specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share that is 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, manufacturing accounts for only 3.4% of the workforce, which is lower than the Greater Perth level of 5.5%. Because the locality is mostly residential, local job opportunities appear limited, as shown by comparing the number of locally employed workers against the resident labor force.

AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from regional data shows that in the year ending March 2026, employment figures grew by 3.3% and the total labor force expanded by 3.3%, keeping the unemployment rate steady. By comparison, Greater Perth recorded a 2.0% rise in employment and a 2.5% expansion in the labor force, resulting in a 0.4 percentage point increase. Further context regarding future labor demand in Bedford is available from the national employment projections released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25. These five and ten-year forecasts have been combined with the local workforce structure to model future patterns. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary widely by sector. Applying these industry projections to Bedford's occupational distribution suggests a local employment rise of 6.7% over five years and 13.8% over ten years (note that this is a basic weighted projection for illustration and does not incorporate local population forecasts).

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

The most recent postcode-level ATO data compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year indicates that incomes in Bedford are considerably above the national median, with the median recorded at $61,280 and the average at $75,572. This compares to a median of $60,748 and an average of $80,248 across Greater Perth. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to approximately $67,978 (median) and $83,832 (average) as of March 2026. Based on 2021 Census data, household, family, and individual earnings in Bedford place around the 72nd percentile nationally. The local earnings distribution shows that 27.6% of residents (1,684 individuals) earn between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the wider region where 32.0% fall into this bracket. A significant share of high-income earners (33.0% earning more than $3,000/week) shows strong financial capacity in the community. Housing costs consume 14.8% of income, while solid earnings place residents in the 72nd percentile for disposable income, and the local SEIFA index for income sits in the 7th decile.

Bedford is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The housing stock in Bedford at the time of the last Census consisted of 89.0% separate houses and 11.0% alternative housing options (such as townhouses, apartments, or other structures), compared to 77.8% separate houses and 22.1% alternative dwellings across metropolitan Perth. Home ownership rates in Bedford exceeded the metropolitan average at 30.8%, with the remaining properties either mortgaged (40.3%) or rented (28.9%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,167 was higher than the Perth metropolitan median of $1,907, while median weekly rent was $360, compared to $350 in the wider metro area. On a national level, mortgage costs in Bedford are higher than the Australian median of $1,863, whereas rental costs are lower than the national median of $375.

Bedford has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Families make up 72.1% of all households in the area, consisting of 33.5% couples with children, 25.4% couples without children, and 11.8% single parent households. The remaining 27.9% are non-family households, with single-person households representing 24.1% and group houses accounting for 3.7%. The median household size of 2.5 residents is slightly below the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

Bedford shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Educational qualifications in Bedford are notably higher than regional benchmarks, with 37.5% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 24.3% in the SA4 region and 27.9% across WA. This educational pattern positions the local population well for professional and knowledge-based roles. Bachelor degrees are the most common credential at 25.8%, followed by postgraduate degrees (7.6%) and graduate diplomas (4.1%). Technical and vocational skills are also common, with 29.1% of the population aged 15+ holding vocational qualifications, including advanced diplomas (11.3%) and certificates (17.8%).

The rate of educational enrollment is high, with 27.9% of the population currently engaged in study. This includes 9.0% attending primary school, 6.8% in high school, and 6.6% enrolled in higher education.

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

Public transit options in Bedford include 36 active bus stops serviced by 11 routes, which together provide 2,300 passenger journeys every week. Accessibility is strong, with residents living an average of 167 meters from the nearest stop. Since the suburb is mostly residential, the majority of workers travel elsewhere for employment; cars remain the main mode of travel at 78%, followed by buses at 13%. Car ownership averages 1.3 vehicles per household, which is lower than the metropolitan average. A relatively low 9.9% of residents work from home, based on 2021 Census data that may reflect pandemic conditions.

Transit services average 328 daily trips across all routes, which translates to about 63 weekly services for each individual stop.

The level of general health in Bedford is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

According to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality data and the prevalence of chronic illnesses, Bedford exhibits strong health outcomes, with low rates of common conditions among both younger and older cohorts, and private health insurance coverage is high at approximately 57% of the community (~3,490 people).

Mental health conditions and asthma are the most common medical diagnoses, affecting 8.8 and 7.4% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 71.0% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 71.9% for Greater Perth. Health outcomes for the working-age population align with wider trends. Residents aged 65 and over make up 15.9% of the population (970 people). Senior health indicators are exceptionally strong, achieving higher national rankings than the general population in the area.

Bedford was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Bedford has a higher level of cultural diversity than most local property markets, with 23.3% of residents speaking a language other than English at home and 34.0% born outside of Australia. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 47.2% of the local population. However, the most pronounced religious variation is in Judaism, which accounts for 0.5% of residents compared to 0.3% across Greater Perth.

Looking at ancestral background, the three largest groups in Bedford are English at 23.0% (below the metropolitan average of 28.0%), Australian at 20.0%, and Other at 12.1%. There are also distinct cultural differences in other groups: Italian ancestry is highly represented at 8.4% of Bedford (compared to 4.2% regionally), Polish at 1.1% (compared to 0.7%), and Serbian at 0.7% (compared to 0.3%).

Bedford's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Bedford is 39 years, slightly above the Greater Perth median of 37 and very close to the Australian median of 38. The 35 - 44 age cohort is notably larger than the regional average (16.8% locally), while the 25 - 34 cohort is smaller (12.6%). Post-2021 Census figures show the 15 to 24 age bracket rose from 10.6% to 11.7% of the population, while the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 13.8% to 13.0%. Projections for 2041 show notable demographic shifts, led by a 57% expansion in the 75 to 84 age group (an increase of 191 people, growing from 335 to 527). The aging trend continues with residents aged 65 and older representing 53% of all projected population growth. Conversely, the cohorts aged 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 are expected to decrease in size.