Brentwood (WA)

Population growth drivers in Brentwood are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

According to the analysis of demographic updates from the ABS for the broader region and new physical addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Brentwood (WA) has an estimated population of 2,251 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 98 people (4.6%) since the Census in 2021, when 2,153 individuals were recorded. The estimate is derived from a resident headcount of 2,248 computed by AreaSearch using the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) and an additional 1 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population size corresponds to a density of 2,529 persons per square kilometer, placing the suburb of Brentwood (WA) in the top quartile of all Australian locations analyzed by AreaSearch. This growth was mostly fueled by arrivals from overseas, who made up about 77.0% of the total demographic gains lately, though interstate migration, natural growth, and all other contributing factors remained positive.

AreaSearch implements demographic projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia for individual SA2 regions, published in 2024 with a baseline year of 2022. For SA2 territories lacking this coverage, and to calculate expansion in the years after 2032, AreaSearch utilizes cohort-specific growth rates from the latest ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023 utilizing 2022 figures). Based on these anticipated demographic transitions, the suburb of Brentwood (WA) is expected to grow at a rate above the national median, with projections at the SA2 level indicating an increase of 283 persons by 2041, representing a total rise of 12.4% across the 16 years.

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

Analysis by AreaSearch of building approvals from the ABS allocated from statistical area records shows that Brentwood has averaged about 2 residential approvals annually. This equates to an estimated 10 homes approved during the past 5 financial years (spanning FY-21 to FY-25), with 1 approval recorded so far in FY-26. With an average of 3.5 new residents added for each completed home during those 5 financial years (spanning FY-21 to FY-25), local supply is trailing demand by a wide margin, which typically intensifies buyer rivalry and creates upward price pressures. The new units carry an average construction value of $1,023,000, indicating that builders are targeting the premium segment with upscale projects. Furthermore, commercial building approvals worth $256,000 have been logged this financial year, highlighting the predominantly residential character of the neighborhood.

Compared to the broader Greater Perth area, Brentwood exhibits a very low rate of construction, falling 86.0% below the regional per capita average. While this lack of new supply generally bolsters demand and values for existing housing stock, local building activity has picked up of late. This rate also sits below the national average, reflecting the maturity of the suburb and suggesting the presence of planning restrictions. Recent builds consist of 67.0% detached houses and 33.0% medium to high-density dwellings, with a broadening selection of townhouses and apartments offering choices at multiple price levels, ranging from traditional family residences to more economical compact spaces. The suburb has roughly 497 residents for every single dwelling approval, indicating an established community.

Future forecasts indicate that Brentwood will add 280 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly calculations by AreaSearch. If the current pace of construction persists, the supply of housing may fail to match population growth, potentially heightening competition among home buyers and underpinning robust price appreciation.

Brentwood has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 47thth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure projects, major works, and planning developments exert a significant influence on property market performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 2 key projects that are expected to impact the local area. Principal undertakings include the Karoonda Reserve Sports Changeroom Upgrade, the Len Shearer Change Room Renewal, the Westfield Booragoon Redevelopment, and the Westfield Booragoon Shopping Centre Expansion, with the details of the most significant projects listed 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.

The employment landscape in Brentwood shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Brentwood possesses a highly educated labor force with a significant concentration of professionals and an unemployment rate of 4.8%, according to AreaSearch aggregations of statistical area datasets. As of March 2026, there are 1,141 working residents. The unemployment rate is 0.6% higher than the Greater Perth benchmark of 4.2%, and labor force participation is somewhat soft, sitting at 65.8% compared to 70.2% across Greater Perth. Census records show that a modest 9.6% of the workforce worked from home, though this figure should be viewed in light of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

The primary employment sectors for local residents are health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training. The neighborhood displays a particularly high concentration of technical and professional workers, with employment in this category reaching 1.4 times the regional average. Conversely, construction has a smaller footprint, employing 7.1% of residents compared to 9.3% across the region. This mostly residential locality offers few local jobs, as shown by the imbalance between the Census working population and the resident workforce.

According to AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from wider geographic zones, the labor force contracted by 3.7% and total employment fell by 4.7% over the 12 months ending March 2026, leading to a 1.0 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. In contrast, Greater Perth experienced employment growth of 2.0%, labor force growth of 2.5%, and a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia dated May-25 offer additional perspective on prospective labor demand in Brentwood. These five-year and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future growth trends. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary widely by industry. Projecting these industry-specific trends onto the local workforce mix suggests Brentwood employment should grow by 6.8% over five years and 14.2% over ten years (this represents a basic weighted extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not incorporate localized population forecasts).

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode-level ATO data released for financial year 2023, Brentwood taxpayers recorded a median income of $51,403 and an average income of $86,570. These statistics place the area among the top tiers in Australia, comparing to $60,748 (median) and $80,248 (average) across Greater Perth. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 stand at roughly $57,021 for the median and $96,032 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes in Brentwood were modest, positioning between the 46th and 47th percentiles. The weekly earnings distribution is dominated by the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, which accounts for 26.9% of residents (605 people), mirroring the wider region where this same cohort represents 32.0%. Housing cost pressures are highly pronounced, with only 82.8% of income remaining after housing costs, placing the area in the 46th percentile, while the SEIFA index ranks the area in the 6th income decile.

Brentwood displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Residential property types in Brentwood at the time of the latest Census consisted of 68.9% separate houses and 31.1% other housing types (including semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative dwellings), compared to the Perth metropolitan averages of 77.8% houses and 22.1% other dwellings. The rate of home ownership in Brentwood trailed the Perth metro average slightly at 27.8%, with the remaining properties either encumbered by a mortgage (30.6%) or occupied by tenants (41.6%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,100 was considerably higher than the Perth metro average of $1,907, whereas the median weekly rent was recorded at $350, matching the Perth metro average of $350. Nationally, mortgage payments in Brentwood are notably above the Australian average of $1,863, while weekly rents are lower than the national figure of $375.

Brentwood features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Families make up the majority of local households at 64.8%, consisting of couples with children (31.3%), couples without children (19.2%), and single parent families (12.4%). The remaining 35.2% are non-family households, which are dominated by lone person households at 30.6%, with group households accounting for 4.0% of the total. The median household size is 2.5 residents, which is slightly smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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

Academic credentials in Brentwood are substantially higher than wider geographic benchmarks, with 40.1% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 27.9% across WA and 28.6% in the SA4 region. This high concentration of tertiary education positions the local workforce well for knowledge-intensive roles. Bachelor degrees are the most common credential at 26.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees (10.9%) and graduate diplomas (3.1%). Vocational and technical training is also well represented, with 25.4% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications such as advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (16.0%).

Engagement in learning is high, with 32.2% of the population enrolled in an educational institution. This includes 10.1% attending primary schools, 9.2% in secondary education, and 7.6% enrolled in tertiary programs.

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

Public transport networks in the area include 11 active transit stops operating within Brentwood, which are serviced by a variety of buses. These stops support 7 distinct routes that collectively cater to 1,151 passenger journeys every week. Transit accessibility is categorized as excellent, with local residents living an average of 159 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the residential nature of the suburb, the majority of workers commute to other areas, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel at 77%, and trains accounting for 16%. Car ownership averages 1.3 vehicles per household, which is below the metropolitan average. A relatively modest 9.6% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era patterns.

Service frequency across all local transit routes averages 164 trips daily, which translates to approximately 104 weekly departures from each transit stop.

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

Brentwood exhibits favorable health profiles based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality data and the prevalence of chronic illnesses, with low rates of common health conditions observed across both younger and older cohorts, and private health insurance membership is exceptionally high at roughly 62% of the population (1,385 people). This compares to 59.0% for Greater Perth and a national benchmark of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical diagnoses in the suburb were mental health conditions and arthritis, affecting 8.1% and 6.6% of the population, respectively, while 73.4% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 71.9% in Greater Perth. The working-age population is exceptionally healthy, with a low incidence of chronic illnesses. Residents aged 65 and over make up 17.6% of the population (396 people), exceeding the Greater Perth average of 16.1%. The health status of seniors is above average, with national rankings aligning closely with the broader community.

Brentwood 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

Brentwood displays a higher level of cultural diversity than most property markets, with 24.7% of the population using a language other than English at home and 35.5% of residents born overseas. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 43.6% of local residents. The most pronounced religious overrepresentation is seen in Judaism, which accounts for 0.3% of the local population, matching the 0.3% average across Greater Perth.

Looking at ancestral background (based on parent country of birth), the three most common heritages in Brentwood are English (25.6%), Australian (21.4%), and Chinese (12.3%), with the Chinese share standing substantially above the regional average of 4.0%. Other ethnic backgrounds show notable local variations: Korean heritage is overrepresented at 0.8% of the population (compared to 0.3% regionally), Croatian is at 0.8% (compared to 0.8% regionally), and Dutch represents 1.6% (compared to 1.5% regionally).

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

The median age of 38 years in Brentwood is similar to the Greater Perth average of 37 and matches the national median of 38. Compared to Greater Perth, Brentwood has a larger share of residents aged 45 - 54 (13.9%) but a smaller share of those aged 35 - 44 (12.3%). Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has risen from 4.2% to 5.6%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 age group has contracted from 11.0% to 10.1%. By 2041, significant changes in the local age profile are anticipated. The 75 to 84 cohort is projected to expand by 62% (77 people), growing from 126 to 204 residents. This aging trend is evident as residents aged 65+ account for 64% of the projected population growth. In contrast, population declines are expected among children aged 0 to 4 and adults aged 35 to 44.