Carey Park

An assessment of population growth drivers in Carey Park reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Drawing on census data and subsequent residential address tracking by AreaSearch, the suburb of Carey Park has an estimated population of 5,678 as of May 2026. This represents a gain of 523 individuals (10.1%) since the 2021 Census, when the headcount stood at 5,155. This calculation builds on a baseline resident count of 5,670 calculated from the ABS June 2025 estimated resident population release, combined with 11 validated new addresses registered after the census. The suburb's density is calculated at 1,395 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds typical ratios across the country. Expanding by 10.1% since the 2021 census, the suburb of Carey Park outpaced the national growth metric of 9.3% to emerge as a local leader in expansion. The primary catalyst for this growth was international migration, which accounted for roughly 59.0% of the overall population rise, even though interstate relocations and natural increases also registered positive results.

Future projections rely on ABS and Geoscience Australia models released in 2024 using 2022 baseline records. Where regional coverage is absent, or to estimate changes beyond 2032, calculations apply age-cohort growth rates published in the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections, which were modeled on 2022 data. Anticipating future shifts, regional locations nationwide are expected to expand at an above-median pace, with the suburb of Carey Park forecast to add 945 residents by 2041 under consolidated SA2 projections, representing a total increase of 16.5% over the 16 years.

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

A local breakdown of building approval statistics shows the suburb of Carey Park averaging approximately 9 new dwelling approvals yearly, representing 45 homes in total over the last 5 financial years. Thus far during FY-26, there have been 18 approvals registered. With an average of 7.6 new residents added for each completed home between FY-21 and FY-25, construction has fallen well short of demand, driving up competition and placing upward pressure on home prices. The average expected construction value of these new dwellings is $348,000. Furthermore, commercial approvals have reached $79,000 this financial year, underscoring the predominantly residential layout of the area.

Residential building activity in the suburb of Carey Park is significantly lower than Regional WA standards, tracking 72.0% below the regional per capita average. This lack of new inventory generally supports the value and demand for existing houses. It is also lower than the national benchmark, reflecting a fully developed suburb with potential regulatory restrictions on new projects. Additionally, recent residential construction has been comprised entirely of separate houses, reinforcing a low-density suburban character of spacious family homes. Developers are focusing on single-family houses more than historical proportions would suggest, with separate houses making up 80.0% of homes at the Census, indicating continued demand for space despite broader trends toward density. A highly mature market is evident, with about 702 people for each building approval.

Looking ahead, the suburb of Carey Park is projected to grow by 937 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly calculations. If the current pace of construction persists, the supply of homes may fall short of population gains, which could intensify competition among buyers and foster stronger price appreciation.

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

Local capital projects and planning updates have a strong influence on neighborhood development, with AreaSearch tracking 9 projects likely to affect the area. Notable infrastructure works include the SWAMS Health Hub and Community Centre, the Glen Iris Commercial & Retail Development, the Carey Park Football Club Upgrades, and the Hay Park Netball Courts Refurbishment, with key details provided in the listings below.

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

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Employment conditions in Carey Park face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Carey Park presents a diverse job landscape that includes both manual and office positions, with manufacturing and industrial fields playing a major role. The area reports an unemployment rate of 7.3% and an estimated employment growth of 1.1% from the previous year, according to data compiled by AreaSearch from statistical area sources. As of March 2026, there are 2,597 working residents, and the local unemployment rate stands at 3.8%, which exceeds the Regional WA average of 3.5%, indicating potential for enhancement. At the same time, the workforce participation rate in Carey Park is notably lower, at 58.9%, whereas Regional WA reaches 65.6%. Census data also shows that only 2.3% of residents worked from home, although the lingering effects of Covid-19 lockdowns should be taken into account when interpreting this figure.

The major employment sectors for residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. The health care & social assistance sector has a particularly strong local footprint, representing 1.4 times the employment share seen regionally. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is underrepresented, employing just 1.3% of workers compared to 9.3% across the wider region. Comparing census work locations against resident population totals suggests that the suburb of Carey Park itself offers limited local job options.

Analysis of combined SALM and ABS figures indicates that for the year ending March 2026, the count of employed residents rose by 1.1%, the workforce expanded by 1.0%, and unemployment remained stable. In comparison, Regional WA saw employment fall by 0.1%, the labor force expand by 0.3%, and the unemployment rate rise by 0.4 percentage points. National forecasts released in May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context regarding future local employment trends. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future opportunities. Nationally, employment is expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though industry-specific rates vary widely. Extrapolating these national trends based on the local industry mix suggests employment among residents could rise by 5.9% over five years and 12.7% over ten years, assuming no localized population adjustments.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

Tax statistics from the ATO for the 2023 financial year show that taxpayers in the suburb of Carey Park recorded a median income of $41,698 and an average income of $53,600. These figures are below the national benchmarks and compare to median and average levels of $59,973 and $74,392 across Regional WA. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since the 2023 financial year, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be approximately $46,256 for the median and $59,458 for the average. Census data places household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Carey Park between the 4th and 10th percentiles nationally. The largest income bracket contains 28.2% of residents (1,601 people) earning between $800 and $1,499, differing from the regional trend where 31.1% of taxpayers earn between $1,500 and $2,999. Housing costs consume a large share of earnings, leaving only 79.5% of income remaining, which ranks in the 4th percentile nationally.

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

Census data reveals that separate houses constitute 79.7% of the housing stock in the suburb of Carey Park, with the remaining 20.3% consisting of medium or high-density dwellings, compared to a regional split of 88.5% houses and 11.6% other dwellings. Homeownership rates are lower than the Regional WA average, sitting at 24.9%, while mortgaged properties account for 28.2% and rental properties make up 46.9% of local dwellings. The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,261, and the median weekly rent was $270, compared to regional medians of $1,560 and $265. Locally, mortgage costs are much lower than the national average of $1,863, and rents also track well below the Australian average of $375.

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

Families make up 54.8% of local households, comprising 15.4% couples with children, 21.5% couples without children, and 16.9% single-parent households. The remaining 45.2% are non-family households, with single-person households representing 40.1% and group households making up 4.8%. The average household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Regional WA average of 2.5.

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

The suburb of Carey Park experiences educational gaps, with university graduation rates at 10.7%, well below the national rate of 30.4%. This highlights a clear opportunity for educational development campaigns. Among degree holders, bachelor qualifications are most common at 8.1%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.4% and postgraduate degrees at 1.2%. Vocational and technical training is common, with 42.5% of residents aged 15 and over holding trade qualifications, comprising 8.2% with advanced diplomas and 34.3% holding certificates.

A high proportion of the population is engaged in study, with 26.6% of residents enrolled in an educational institution. This population is divided between primary school pupils at 9.8%, secondary school students at 7.8%, and higher education students at 2.1%.

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

Public transit infrastructure in the suburb of Carey Park includes 50 active bus stops. These stops are served by 12 distinct routes, which combine to offer 411 passenger services weekly. Transit access is high, with residents living an average of 158 meters from their nearest stop. Because the suburb is primarily residential, most workers travel to other areas for employment, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode for 91% of workers. Vehicle ownership averages 1.0 car per household, which is below regional levels. A low 2.3% of the workforce worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which occurred during pandemic conditions.

Transit services average 58 runs daily across all routes, which translates to roughly 8 weekly departures from each individual stop.

Health performance in Carey Park is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Local health assessments indicate notable challenges in the suburb of Carey Park, based on calculations of mortality and chronic disease rates that impact multiple age groups. The rate of private health insurance coverage is low, with only about 48% of the population (~2,752 people) holding policies, compared to regional and national averages of 56.4% and 55.7%.

Psychological conditions and arthritis are the most common diagnoses, affecting 13.3% and 10.7% of residents. In comparison, 57.4% of residents reported having no chronic conditions, lower than the 69.3% recorded across Regional WA. Chronic conditions are also elevated among working-age individuals. Seniors aged 65 and over represent 18.2% of the local population (1,033 people), slightly below the regional proportion of 19.2%. Senior health profiles present challenges, with national rankings aligning with the overall local demographic trends.

Carey Park ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

The suburb of Carey Park has a lower level of cultural diversity than average, with citizens making up 83.5% of the population, Australian-born residents accounting for 80.8%, and monolingual English speakers representing 90.9% of households. Christianity is the main religious affiliation, representing 41.9% of the population. The most pronounced overrepresentation is in the Other category, which accounts for 0.9% of residents compared to 0.7% across Regional WA.

English ancestry is claimed by 33.1% of the population, followed by Australian ancestry at 28.4% and Scottish ancestry at 7.1%. There are also distinct local proportions for other heritages, with Maori residents representing 1.5% of the population (compared to 1.0% regionally), Filipino residents at 1.9% (compared to 1.2% regionally), and Australian Aboriginal residents at 4.5% (compared to 6.1% regionally).

Carey Park's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age of residents is 39 years, which is close to the Regional WA average of 40 and the national median of 38. Young adults aged 25 to 34 represent 15.0% of the population, showing strong representation relative to the region, whereas children aged 5 to 14 are less common at 10.4%. Post-census tracking shows that the 35 to 44 age cohort increased from 11.8% to 14.1% of the population, while the 55 to 64 group decreased from 13.5% to 12.3% and the 85+ cohort fell from 3.4% to 2.3%. Projections to 2041 indicate shifting demographics, led by a 41% expansion of the 25 to 34 group, adding 352 people to reach 1,204 from a base of 851, while the 75 to 84 and 85+ cohorts are projected to contract.