Collie (WA)

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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, Collie's population is estimated at around 8,093 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 494 people (6.5%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,599 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 8,038 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 24 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 153 persons per square kilometer. Population growth for Collie was primarily driven by interstate migration, contributing approximately 49.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, AreaSearch utilises 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, an above median population growth is projected for non-metropolitan areas nationally, with Collie expected to grow by 1,199 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 15.2% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Collie shows approximately 23 new homes approved annually. Between financial years FY-21 to FY-25, around 116 homes were approved, with 16 more approved by June 2026. This results in an average of 3.6 people moving to the area per dwelling built over these five years.

Commercial development approvals totalled $14.1 million in FY-26. Compared to Rest of WA, Collie has significantly less development activity, being 50.0% below the regional average per person. New construction is predominantly detached houses (82.0%) and medium-high density housing (18.0%), maintaining the area's traditional low-density character. As of current rates, there are approximately 367 people in Collie per dwelling approval. Population forecasts indicate a growth of 1,232 residents by 2041.

If development rates remain constant, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth.

Collie has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 16thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects that may impact this region. Key projects are: Collie Micronising Facility, Collie Magnesium Plant, Quantum Filtration Medium Manufacturing Plant, and Collie to Mumballup Road Upgrade. Details about these projects can be found below.

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 assessment indicates Collie faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Collie has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are prominent.

The unemployment rate was 6.2% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 6.6%. As of September 2025, there were 3,726 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 3.0%, higher than Rest of WA's 3.3%. Workforce participation is lower at 49.9% compared to Rest of WA's 59.4%. Leading industries include mining, health care & social assistance, and retail trade.

Mining has a strong presence with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing, however, shows lower representation at 1.1% versus the regional average of 9.3%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 6.6%, labour force by 5.7%, reducing unemployment by 0.8 percentage points. This compares to Rest of WA's employment growth of 1.4% and unemployment fall of 0.2 percentage points. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Collie's employment mix, local employment could grow by 5.2% in five years and 11.9% in ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2023 shows that median income in Collie is $48,368 and average income stands at $63,591. This contrasts with Rest of WA's median income of $59,973 and average income of $74,392. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% from July 2023 to September 2025, estimated median income in Collie would be approximately $53,021 and average income $69,708 by the latter date. According to Census 2021 data, household, family and personal incomes in Collie fall between the 9th and 11th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that 27.3% of individuals in Collie earn between $400 - $799, compared to metropolitan regions where 31.1% earn between $1,500 - $2,999. After housing costs, 86.4% of income remains, ranking at the 15th percentile nationally.

Collie is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The dwelling structure in Collie, as per the latest Census, consisted of 92.3% houses and 7.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compared to Non-Metro WA's 88.1% houses and 11.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Collie was at 41.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.2% and rented ones at 22.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,263, below Non-Metro WA's average of $1,616. The median weekly rent in Collie was $250, compared to Non-Metro WA's $300. Nationally, Collie's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Collie features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 65.1% of all households, including 23.5% couples with children, 29.1% couples without children, and 11.7% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 34.9%, with lone person households at 32.5% and group households making up 2.2%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of WA average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 7.0%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 5.3%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.1%) and postgraduate qualifications (0.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent among residents aged 15+, with 44.2% holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (6.4%) and certificates (37.8%).

Educational participation is high, with 27.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 11.1% in primary, 8.8% in secondary, and 1.2% in tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis shows one active public transport stop operating in Collie, offering a mix of bus services. This stop is served by three distinct routes, collectively providing thirteen weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 1439 meters from the nearest transport stop.

Service frequency averages one trip per day across all routes, equating to approximately thirteen weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Collie is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data shows significant issues affecting Collie, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. The rate of private health cover in Collie is approximately 52%, covering around 4,244 people, compared to 55.4% across the rest of WA.

Arthritis and mental health issues are the most common medical conditions, affecting 11.2% and 9.3% of residents respectively. About 61.3% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 66.4% in the rest of WA. Collie has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 22.7% (1,837 people), than the rest of WA at 17.6%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but perform better than the general population in health metrics.

Collie is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Collie's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 88.6% of its population being citizens born in Australia who speak English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Collie, comprising 41.2% of the population. However, Judaism is not represented in Collie, mirroring the regional percentage of 0%.

The top three ancestral groups are English (34.2%), Australian (32.9%), and Scottish (7.1%). Notably, Welsh (1.1%) and Polish (1.3%) populations are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.6% and 0.7%, respectively. Maori representation is also slightly higher at 0.8%.

Collie hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

The median age in Collie is 43 years, which is slightly higher than the average for the Rest of WA at 40 years and also above the Australian median of 38 years. The proportion of residents aged 65-74 in Collie is notably higher at 13.4%, compared to the Rest of WA average. Conversely, the percentage of people aged 35-44 is lower at 10.9%. According to the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 10.7% to 11.5% of Collie's population, while the 45 to 54 cohort has decreased from 12.2% to 11.4%. Population projections for 2041 suggest significant demographic shifts in Collie. The 25 to 34 age group is expected to grow by 405 people (an increase of 44%) from 930 to 1,336. However, the 15 to 24 cohort is projected to decrease by 44 people.