Cannington

Cannington lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

The population of Cannington is estimated at around 9,057 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 2,182 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,875. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of the resident population at 8,086 following examination of ABS ERP data release in June 2024 and an additional 222 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,253 persons per square kilometer. Cannington's growth rate of 31.7% since the 2021 census exceeded the national average (9.9%). Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 76.0%.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, AreaSearch utilises ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Future population trends project an above median growth for the suburb by 2041, with an expected increase of 2,023 persons reflecting a gain of 11.1% over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Cannington shows an average of approximately 49 new dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling around 247 homes. As of FY-26, there have been 11 approvals recorded so far. The average number of new residents arriving per dwelling constructed has been about 5.1 per year between FY-21 and FY-25. This demand exceeds new supply, which typically leads to price growth and increased buyer competition.

The average construction value for new properties is around $368,000, slightly above the regional average, indicating a focus on quality developments. In this financial year, there have been approximately $9.2 million in commercial approvals, reflecting Cannington's primarily residential nature. Compared to Greater Perth, Cannington has had slightly more development activity over the past five years, with 33.0% above the regional average per person.

This balance supports buyer choice while maintaining current property values. However, development activity has moderated in recent periods. The new development consists of approximately 78.0% detached houses and 22.0% medium to high-density housing, preserving Cannington's traditional suburban character with a focus on family homes. With around 192 people per approval, Cannington reflects an area experiencing growth. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Cannington is forecasted to gain approximately 1,009 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Cannington has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

AreaSearch has identified 26 projects that could impact the area, with key ones including the Canning City Centre Regeneration Program, Wharf Street Mixed-Use Development, Aura Cannington, and Canning City Centre Activity Centre Plan - Private Residential Precincts. The following list details those most likely to be 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 Cannington remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Cannington has a highly educated workforce. The tourism and hospitality sectors are prominent. The unemployment rate is 4.5%.

Employment growth over the past year is estimated at 2.8%. This is based on AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data. As of September 2025, 4978 residents are employed. The unemployment rate is 0.6% higher than Greater Perth's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation is standard at 75.7%, compared to Greater Perth's 71.6%. According to Census responses, only 3.7% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Employment among residents is concentrated in accommodation & food, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. The area has a notably high concentration in accommodation & food, with employment levels at 2.1 times the regional average. Education & training has limited presence, with only 5.5% of employment compared to the regional average of 9.2%. There are 1.3 workers for every resident, indicating that Cannington functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. During the year to September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.8% and labour force grew by 2.6%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.2 percentage points. This contrasts with Greater Perth where employment rose by 2.9%, the labour force grew by 3.0%, and unemployment rose marginally. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offer further insight into potential future demand within Cannington. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. National employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. However, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Cannington's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.0% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The suburb of Cannington has an income level below the national average according to the latest Australian Taxation Office (ATO) data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Cannington is $51,106 and the average income stands at $59,710. This compares to figures for Greater Perth of $60,748 and $80,248 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $56,022 (median) and $65,454 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes all rank modestly in Cannington, between the 38th and 45th percentiles. Looking at income distribution, 36.8% of the population (3,332 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, consistent with broader trends across the surrounding region showing 32.0% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 81.8% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 37th percentile. The area's Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

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

Cannington's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 46.4% houses and 53.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In contrast, Perth metro had 77.8% houses and 22.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cannington stood at 18.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 22.5% and rented ones at 58.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,512, lower than Perth metro's average of $1,907. The median weekly rent in Cannington was $350, matching Perth metro's figure but lower than the national average of $375. Nationally, Cannington's mortgage repayments were significantly below the Australian average of $1,863.

Cannington features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 63.0% of all households, including 25.8% couples with children, 25.9% couples without children, and 7.8% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 37.0%, with lone person households at 27.3% and group households comprising 9.8%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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

Cannington's educational attainment significantly exceeds broader standards. Among residents aged 15 and above, 40.1% possess university qualifications, compared to 27.9% in Western Australia (WA) and 29.9% in the SA4 region. This notable educational advantage positions the area favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 26.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%).

Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 29.7% of residents aged 15 and above holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (13.8%) and certificates (15.9%). Educational participation is notably high, with 34.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.3% in tertiary education, 6.5% in primary education, and 4.2% pursuing secondary education.

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

Cannington has 38 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are serviced by 30 different routes, collectively providing 5,191 weekly passenger trips. The average distance from residents to the nearest transport stop is 280 meters, indicating good transport accessibility. Most residents commute outward from Cannington, with cars being the dominant mode of transport at 74%. Train use stands at 11%, and bus use at 10%. On average, there are 1.1 vehicles per dwelling in Cannington, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 3.7% of residents work from home, a figure that may reflect COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 741 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 136 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Cannington shows better-than-average health outcomes, as determined by AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The prevalence of common health conditions is low among the general population but closer to the national average for older, at-risk cohorts.

Approximately 51% (~4610 people) have private health cover, lower than Greater Perth's 59%. Mental health issues affect 5.5%, and arthritis impacts 4.2% of residents; 82.8% report no medical ailments, compared to 71.9% in Greater Perth. The area has 10.0% (905 people) aged 65 and over, lower than Greater Perth's 16.3%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average but rank lower nationally than the broader population.

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

Cannington has a high level of cultural diversity, with 64.6% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 66.5% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Cannington, comprising 32.1% of the population. However, the most significant overrepresentation is seen in the 'Other' category, which makes up 12.0% of the population, substantially higher than the Greater Perth average of 1.4%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three represented groups are Other at 31.1%, Chinese at 14.3%, and English at 13.6%. These percentages are notably different from regional averages: Other is substantially higher (31.1% vs 11.2%), Chinese is significantly higher (14.3% vs 4.0%), and English is notably lower (13.6% vs 28.0%). There are also notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Indian is overrepresented at 9.8%, Filipino at 4.0%, and Korean at 1.4%.

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

Cannington's median age at 30 years is younger than Greater Perth's average of 37 years and Australia's median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Perth, Cannington has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (29.8%) but fewer residents aged 45-54 (7.8%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly above the national average of 14.4%. According to post-2021 Census data, the proportion of Cannington's population aged 5-14 has increased from 7.8% to 9.0%, while the proportion aged 0-4 has decreased from 7.7% to 6.3%. Demographic projections suggest that by 2041, Cannington's age profile will change significantly. The number of residents aged 25-34 is projected to grow steadily, increasing by 219 people (8%) from 2,698 to 2,918. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 5-14 and 35-44 age groups.