Churchlands

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

According to municipal population updates analyzed by AreaSearch alongside newly confirmed addresses in the period since the Census, the suburb of Churchlands is calculated to have approximately 4,108 inhabitants in May 2026. This represents a growth of 470 residents (12.9%) from the 2021 Census, when the count stood at 3,638 individuals. The estimate is derived from a baseline of 4,087 residents calculated by AreaSearch using the June 2025 ABS ERP publication, supplemented by 14 new addresses verified since the Census. With this population level, the local density stands at 2,334 persons per square kilometer, which ranks in the top quartile of all Australian areas evaluated. The 12.9% population increase in the suburb of Churchlands outpaced the nationwide benchmark of 9.3%, establishing the locality as a key regional growth area. This expansion was mostly driven by international arrivals, which accounted for roughly 91.0% of the overall population rise, though interstate migration and natural increase also recorded positive contributions.

Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024 (using 2022 as a baseline) have been adopted for each SA2 region. For locations lacking this specific data, and to project demographic trends beyond 2032, growth rate projections by age bracket from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region release (based on 2022 data) are applied. Looking ahead, the suburb of Churchlands is projected to experience a population rise slightly below the national median, gaining 422 residents by 2041 under these consolidated SA2 models, which represents an overall growth of 9.8% over the 16 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Churchlands when compared nationally

An evaluation of building approvals data shows that the suburb of Churchlands typically sees about 10 residential approvals annually, with a total of approximately 52 homes approved over the preceding 5 financial years. In the current financial year of FY-26, 14 building approvals have been logged. Because an average of 6.9 net new residents moved to the locality for every completed dwelling between FY-21 and FY-25, demand remains well ahead of supply, a trend that typically drives up competition and values. Approved residential projects carry an average estimated construction cost of $874,000, showing that developers are focusing heavily on high-end, premium houses. Meanwhile, only $1,000 in commercial building approvals was registered during the current financial year, representing virtually no commercial development activity.

In comparison to the wider Greater Perth region, per capita construction activity in the suburb of Churchlands is at 62%, placing the locality in the 48th percentile nationally. This constrained supply limits purchasing options and funnels demand toward established properties. This rate is also below the national average, reflecting a mature market with possible planning or land constraints. Recent approvals consist of 86.0% detached houses and 14.0% semi-detached or multi-unit dwellings, reinforcing the local low-density character. Notably, developers are focusing on freestanding homes at a higher rate than the baseline census mix of 64.0%, indicating that demand for traditional family housing remains elevated. With a ratio of roughly 337 residents for each dwelling approval, the local building sector is active but constrained.

Long-term forecasts suggest the suburb of Churchlands will add 401 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly calculations. If building activity continues at its current pace, additions to the housing stock may fall short of population gains, which could intensify competition among buyers and put upward pressure on prices.

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

Local infrastructure projects, planning initiatives, and development policies play a major role in shaping property markets and community growth. AreaSearch has identified 2 active projects expected to influence the local area. Key projects include Glendalough Green, Glendalough Station Precinct Planning, Cambridge Forum Mixed-Use Development, and Empire Wembley Downs, with details provided on the most significant initiatives.

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.

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Churchlands performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

A highly qualified workforce characterizes the suburb of Churchlands, with professional services representing a major employment share. The local unemployment rate stands at 1.0%, and employment grew by an estimated 4.1% over the prior year. By March 2026, there were 2,408 employed residents, while the unemployment rate sat 3.2% below the Greater Perth mark of 4.2%. Participation in the labor force aligns closely with the metropolitan average of 70.2%. Census figures indicate that a modest 12.7% of the workforce worked from home, though this data reflects the influence of pandemic-era restrictions.

The main industries employing local residents are health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training. The suburb of Churchlands shows an exceptionally high concentration of professional & technical workers, at 1.7 times the metropolitan average. Conversely, construction workers are underrepresented, making up only 5.4% of the local workforce compared to 9.3% across Greater Perth. The area is highly residential and offers few local jobs relative to the size of its resident workforce.

Based on local labor market and census datasets, employment in the suburb of Churchlands expanded by 4.1% in the 12 months leading to March 2026, while the total labor force grew by 4.2%, keeping the overall unemployment rate steady. In contrast, Greater Perth recorded a 2.0% rise in employment, a 2.5% expansion in the labor force, and a 0.4 percentage point increase in unemployment. National employment projections from May-25 offer additional context on future local demand. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local industry mix to estimate growth. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary widely by sector. Applying these trends to the local workforce profile suggests employment for residents could rise by 7.0% over five years and 14.5% over ten years, assuming local shares remain constant.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

Based on taxpayer statistics from the 2023 financial year, the suburb of Churchlands recorded a median taxpayer income of $69,308 and an average income of $94,377. These figures are exceptionally high by national standards and compare to metropolitan averages of $60,748 and $80,248. Adjusted for WPI growth of 10.93% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates for March 2026 are approximately $76,883 for the median and $104,692 for the average. Census data places household, family, and personal incomes in the suburb of Churchlands in the 80th to 83rd percentiles nationally. The largest income bracket contains 28.9% of taxpayers (1,187 people) earning over $4,000 weekly, whereas the broader metropolitan area is dominated by the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket at 32.0%. High earnings are evident with 39.5% of residents earning weekly incomes above $3,000, which supports local premium retail and service sectors. Housing costs consume 13.5% of household income, leaving residents in the 85th percentile for disposable income, and the local SEIFA index ranks the area in the 9th decile.

Churchlands displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

At the time of the Census, the housing stock in the suburb of Churchlands consisted of 63.5% separate houses and 36.5% semi-detached, apartment, or other dwelling types, compared to metropolitan averages of 77.8% and 22.1% respectively. Home ownership was higher than the metropolitan average at 37.5%, while mortgaged properties accounted for 36.2% and rented dwellings made up 26.3% of the total. The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,600 was notably higher than the metropolitan median of $1,907, whereas the median weekly rent stood at $365 compared to the Perth metro figure of $350. Nationally, mortgage costs in the suburb of Churchlands are well above the Australian median of $1,863, while weekly rents are slightly below the national figure of $375.

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

Families make up the majority of local households at 75.2%, consisting of couples with children at 38.4%, couples without children at 25.9%, and single-parent households at 10.8%. The remaining 24.8% are non-family households, including lone-person households at 21.8% and group households at 2.8%. The median household size of 2.6 residents matches the average across Greater Perth.

Churchlands demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Educational qualifications in the suburb of Churchlands are exceptionally high, with 55.1% of residents aged 15 and over holding a university degree, compared to 27.9% across WA and 29.0% in the wider SA4 region. This qualification profile positions the local workforce well for professional opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 34.2%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 15.7% and graduate diplomas at 5.2%. Vocational training accounts for 19.8% of qualifications among residents aged 15 and over, comprising advanced diplomas at 10.7% and certificates at 9.1%.

School and university enrollment is high, with 33.5% of the local population engaged in formal studies. This cohort comprises 10.7% attending primary schools, 9.5% enrolled in secondary education, and 8.4% studying at tertiary institutions.

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

Public transport services in the suburb of Churchlands include 22 active transit stops, primarily consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 10 distinct routes, which accommodate 1,345 passenger trips each week. Transport accessibility is high, with residents living an average of 145 meters from their nearest stop. The suburb of Churchlands is mostly residential, with the majority of workers commuting to other areas. Private vehicles remain the main transit mode at 80%, followed by buses at 10% and trains at 6%. The average vehicle ownership rate is 1.4 cars per household. A relatively low 12.7% of residents worked from home at the time of the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic-related conditions.

Bus services run an average of 192 trips daily across all routes, which translates to approximately 61 weekly services at each individual stop.

Churchlands's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health indicators show excellent outcomes in the suburb of Churchlands, with low rates of chronic illness across all age cohorts and private health insurance coverage extending to approximately 65% of the population (2,656 residents). This coverage rate is higher than the Greater Perth average of 59.0% and the national rate of 55.7%.

Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most common diagnoses, each affecting 5.4% of the population, while 77.5% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 71.9% across Greater Perth. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 17.4% of the local population (714 people), which is slightly higher than the metropolitan average of 16.1%. Senior citizens in the area enjoy positive health outcomes, with national rankings aligning with the overall population.

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

The suburb of Churchlands has a diverse cultural profile, with 36.7% of residents speaking a language other than English at home and 47.5% born outside Australia. Christianity is the most common religion, representing 44.7% of the population. The most distinct religious overrepresentation is Judaism, which accounts for 0.5% of local residents compared to 0.3% across Greater Perth.

In terms of family ancestry, the three largest ethnic groups are English at 21.1% of the population (lower than the regional average of 28.0%), Chinese at 18.2% (significantly higher than the regional average of 4.0%), and Australian at 15.6% (lower than the regional average of 21.2%). Other groups include South Australian ancestry at 1.3% of the population (compared to 1.0% regionally), Polish at 1.0% (compared to 0.7%), and Welsh at 0.7% (matching the regional average of 0.7%).

Churchlands's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in the suburb of Churchlands is 41 years, which is higher than the Greater Perth average of 37 and the national median of 38. Compared to the wider metropolitan area, the 45 - 54 age bracket is overrepresented at 13.9%, while the 25 - 34 bracket is underrepresented at 10.8%. Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket has risen from 13.1% to 14.5% of the population, and the 85+ cohort has increased from 1.7% to 2.7%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 14.9% to 13.0%. Long-term modeling indicates that the local age profile will shift by 2041. The 85+ cohort is expected to grow by 101%, adding 112 residents to total 223. This aging trend is reflected in the fact that residents aged 65 and older are projected to account for 51% of all population growth, while declines are forecast for the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 age cohorts.