Butler (WA)

Butler has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

As of November 2025, the estimated population of Butler (WA) is around 14,501. This reflects a growth of 1,028 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 13,473. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 14,494 residents following examination of the ABS ERP data release in June 2024 and an additional 28 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,730 persons per square kilometer, placing Butler in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's growth rate of 7.6% since the census is within 1.3 percentage points of the national average (8.9%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 67.0% of overall population gains during recent periods in Butler.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and uses growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) to estimate future population trends. By 2041, Butler is expected to increase by 1,284 persons, reflecting an overall gain of 8.6% over the 17-year period.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data indicates Butler has received approximately 15 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 76 homes. In FY26 so far, three approvals have been recorded. The average new resident growth rate for every home built between FY21 and FY25 is around 6.4 residents per year.

This suggests supply is lagging demand, potentially leading to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. The average construction cost of new dwellings in Butler is approximately $323,000, which is below regional norms, indicating more affordable housing options for purchasers. Compared to Greater Perth, Butler has significantly less development activity, with 90.0% fewer approvals per person than the regional average. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings. The current level of development activity is also lower than national averages, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints.

Recent building activity in Butler consists entirely of detached dwellings, maintaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. With around 958 people per approval, Butler shows signs of being a mature, established area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Butler is projected to add approximately 1,246 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth in the area.

Butler has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 39thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 21 projects that may affect the area. Notable projects include Brighton Estate Master Planned Community, Butler District Planning Scheme Amendment No. 212, Butler Central Shopping Centre, and Connolly Drive Medical Centre. The following list details those most relevant.

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 conditions in Butler remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Butler has a balanced workforce spanning white and blue collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are strongly represented.

The unemployment rate was 6.8% in the past year. Employment growth was estimated at 4.7%. As of June 2025, 7,970 residents were employed with an unemployment rate of 3.0%, higher than Greater Perth's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation was 69.5%, close to Greater Perth's 65.2%.

Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Retail trade is particularly strong, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level. Professional & technical services are under-represented at 4.7% compared to Greater Perth's 8.2%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 4.7%, labour force by 3.9%, reducing unemployment by 0.7 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Perth had employment growth of 3.7% and a slight increase in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Butler's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Butler's median income among taxpayers was $60,424 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $75,872 during the same period. These figures compare to those for Greater Perth, which were $58,380 and $78,020 respectively. By September 2025, estimates suggest Butler's median income will be approximately $69,004 and average income will be around $86,646, based on a Wage Price Index growth of 14.2% since financial year 2022. According to Census 2021 data, incomes in Butler rank modestly, between the 46th and 47th percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. The earnings profile shows that 36.9% of Butler's community (5,350 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 earnings band, which is similar to regional levels where 32.0% occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Butler, with only 80.8% of income remaining, ranking at the 45th percentile.

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

Butler's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 96.1% houses and 3.9% other dwellings. In contrast, Perth metro had 92.2% houses and 7.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Butler was at 12.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 52.2% and rented ones at 35.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Butler was $1,733, below Perth metro's $1,898. The median weekly rent in Butler was $340, compared to Perth metro's $350. Nationally, Butler's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Butler has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 75.9 percent of all households, including 37.1 percent couples with children, 19.9 percent couples without children, and 17.9 percent single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 24.1 percent, with lone person households at 21.4 percent and group households comprising 2.6 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.8 people, which aligns with the Greater Perth average.

Educational attainment in Butler aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 16.4%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.7%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 41.6% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 11.4% and certificates at 30.2%. Educational participation is high, with 34.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 12.3% in primary, 10.3% in secondary, and 4.5% in tertiary education.

Butler has a robust network of six schools educating approximately 3,393 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 993) and balanced educational opportunities. The area functions as an education hub with 23.4 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 15.2, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Butler has 65 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 11 routes that collectively facilitate 3,369 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 199 meters to the nearest stop.

Service frequency across all routes averages 481 trips per day, translating to approximately 51 weekly trips per individual stop.

Butler's residents are extremely healthy with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Analysis shows Butler's health metrics are strong. Common health conditions' prevalence is low among its general population but higher than national averages in older, at-risk cohorts.

Private health cover rate is high at approximately 57% of total population (~8311 people), compared to Greater Perth's 53.8%. Mental health issues and asthma are most common, affecting 9.6% and 8.1% respectively, with 72.6% reporting no medical ailments, similar to Greater Perth's 73.0%. Butler has 10.4% of residents aged 65 and over (1508 people), lower than Greater Perth's 13.6%.

Butler 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

Butler has a higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 15.3% of its residents speaking a language other than English at home and 45.1% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Butler, making up 43.3% of the population. However, Judaism is overrepresented compared to Greater Perth, comprising 0.1% of Butler's population.

The top three ancestry groups are English (34.6%), Australian (19.7%), and Other (9.9%). Notably, South African, Maori, and Welsh ethnicities have higher representation in Butler compared to regional averages.

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

Butler's median age is 32 years, which is younger than Greater Perth's average of 37 years and lower than Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Perth, Butler has a higher proportion of residents aged 15-24 (16.1%) but fewer residents aged 75-84 (3.1%). According to data from the 2021 Census, the percentage of residents aged 55-64 increased from 8.4% to 10.1%, while the percentage of those aged 5-14 decreased from 16.4% to 15.0%. By 2041, Butler's age profile is projected to change significantly. The number of residents aged 65-74 is expected to grow by 49%, adding 456 residents to reach 1,385. Residents aged 65 and older are anticipated to represent 52% of the population growth, while declines are projected for those aged 0-4 and 5-14.