Brookdale (WA)

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

Brookdale's population, as of November 2025, is estimated at around 3,402 people. This figure reflects an increase of 434 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,968 people in the suburb of Brookdale (WA). The change was inferred from the resident population of 3,245 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS on June 2024 and an additional 48 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 2,835 persons per square kilometer, placing Brookdale in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's 14.6% growth since the 2021 census exceeded both the national average (8.9%) and state averages, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 56% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including natural growth and overseas migration were positive factors.

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, AreaSearch utilises the growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Moving forward with demographic trends, an above median population growth of national statistical areas is projected for Brookdale. The suburb is expected to increase by 861 persons to reach a total population of 4,263 by the year 2041, reflecting a 29.8% increase over the 17-year period.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates Brookdale has experienced around 20 dwelling approvals per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, approximately 102 homes were approved, with an additional 13 approved in FY-26 so far. Each dwelling built over these years attracted an average of 7.1 people to the area.

This high demand coupled with limited new supply has led to price growth and increased buyer competition. The average construction cost value for new homes was $361,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options. Commercial approvals this financial year totaled $301,000, reflecting Brookdale's residential nature.

Compared to Greater Perth, Brookdale records about 57% of building activity per person and ranks among the 84th percentile nationally in terms of construction activity. Recently, there has been an intensification of construction activity in the area. New building activity comprises 96.0% detached dwellings and 4.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining Brookdale's traditional suburban character focused on family homes. The location has approximately 118 people per dwelling approval, indicating a growing market. Future projections estimate Brookdale will add 1,015 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Building activity is keeping pace with growth projections, but buyers may face heightened competition as the population grows.

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

Area infrastructure significantly impacts local performance. AreaSearch identified two projects likely affecting the area: Forrestdale Business Park West and METRONET Armadale Line Transformation. Key projects also include Gwynne Park Pavilion Redevelopment and Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia Facility, with relevant details listed below.

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

Brookdale's workforce spans white and blue collar jobs, with manufacturing and industrial sectors prominent. Its unemployment rate was 11.0% in the past year, showing an estimated employment growth of 5.7%.

As of June 2025, 1,544 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 7.1%, above Greater Perth's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation stands at 59.6% compared to Greater Perth's 65.2%. Key industries include retail trade, health care & social assistance, and construction, with retail trade being particularly strong at 1.6 times the regional level. Professional & technical services have a limited presence at 2.9%, compared to 8.2% regionally.

The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities. In the year ending June 2025, employment increased by 5.7% alongside labour force growth of 4.0%, reducing unemployment by 1.5 percentage points. This contrasts with Greater Perth where employment grew by 3.7%, labour force expanded by 3.8%, and unemployment rose slightly. National employment forecasts from Sep-22 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Brookdale's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.7% over five years and 12.3% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that in Brookdale, median income is $53,462 and average income is $62,731. This contrasts with Greater Perth's median income of $58,380 and average income of $78,020. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 14.2% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Brookdale as of September 2025 would be approximately $61,054 (median) and $71,639 (average). Census data reveals that household, family and personal incomes in Brookdale fall between the 14th and 28th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that 36.0% of Brookdale's population (1,224 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, similar to the metropolitan region where this cohort also represents 32.0%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Brookdale, with only 80.2% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 23rd percentile nationally.

Brookdale is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Brookdale's housing structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 98.3% houses and 1.7% other dwellings. In contrast, Perth metro had 90.0% houses and 10.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Brookdale was at 14.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 56.3% and rented ones at 29.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,438, lower than Perth metro's $1,750. The median weekly rent figure in Brookdale was $300, compared to Perth metro's $305. Nationally, Brookdale's mortgage repayments were below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower than the national figure of $375.

Brookdale has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 76.2% of all households, including 33.8% couples with children, 17.9% couples without children, and 22.2% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 23.8%, with lone person households at 20.1% and group households at 3.3%. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Greater Perth average of 2.8.

Brookdale faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 11.0%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 8.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.1%) and graduate diplomas (0.5%). Vocational credentials are held by 42.1% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 9.4% and certificates at 32.7%. Educational participation is high, with 36.7% currently enrolled in formal education: 14.9% in primary, 9.7% in secondary, and 3.8% in tertiary education.

Gwynne Park Education Support Centre and Gwynne Park Primary School serve a total of 588 students. The area's educational conditions are varied (ICSEA: 922). Both schools focus on primary education, with secondary options available nearby.

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

Transport analysis shows 20 active transport stops in Brookdale, operated by buses. These stops are served by two routes, offering a total of 255 weekly passenger trips. Residents have excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 145 meters to the nearest stop.

Service frequency is 36 trips per day across all routes, which translates to about 12 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Brookdale is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts

Brookdale faces significant health challenges with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, particularly among older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is approximately 52%, higher than the average SA2 area (~1,772 people). Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 12.3% and 9.9% of residents respectively. However, 67.7% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 72.1% across Greater Perth. The area has 7.5% of residents aged 65 and over (255 people), lower than the 12.8% in Greater Perth. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those for the broader population.

Brookdale 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

Brookdale's population was found to be more linguistically diverse than most local markets, with 17.2% speaking a language other than English at home as of the latest data. Born overseas, 27.2% of Brookdale residents were recorded in the same period. Christianity was identified as the predominant religion in Brookdale, accounting for 38.4% of its population.

However, the category 'Other' showed an overrepresentation in Brookdale compared to Greater Perth, with 1.8% versus 3.0%. In terms of ancestry, English and Australian were the top two groups, comprising 28.9% and 26.5% respectively. The 'Other' category accounted for 13.0%. Notably, Maori (1.5%), New Zealand (1.1%), and Dutch (1.8%) groups showed higher representation in Brookdale compared to regional averages of 1.1%, 0.9%, and 2.4% respectively.

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

Brookdale's median age at 30 years is significantly younger than Greater Perth's average of 37 and Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Perth, Brookdale has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14, at 19.1%, which is well above the national average of 12.2%. However, it has fewer residents aged 75-84, at 2.1%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 35 to 44 age group has increased from 14.8% to 16.2% of Brookdale's population, while the 45 to 54 cohort has decreased from 11.8% to 11.0%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests that Brookdale's age profile will change significantly. The 45 to 54 age group is projected to grow steadily, increasing by 185 people (50%) from 374 to 560. Meanwhile, the 85+ cohort is projected to remain unchanged at 0% growth (0 people).