Como (WA)

Population growth drivers in Como are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

According to investigations of ABS demographic updates for the wider region and recent address validations conducted by AreaSearch since the Census, the resident population of the suburb of Como (WA) is calculated at approximately 16,501 in May 2026. This represents an addition of 1,715 individuals (11.6%) from the 2021 Census, which counted 14,786 residents. The shift is calculated from a resident base of 16,453, determined by AreaSearch through analyzing the June 2025 ABS ERP figures, alongside 185 validated new addresses added since the Census. This population level translates to a density of 2,566 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality in the top quartile of Australian settings analyzed by AreaSearch. The 11.6% expansion rate in the suburb of Como (WA) since the 2021 census outpaced the national benchmark (9.3%), making it a key growth area in the territory. This population rise was mostly fueled by arrivals from abroad, who accounted for roughly 97.0% of the total demographic increase in recent times.

AreaSearch implements ABS and Geoscience Australia demographic forecasts for each SA2 unit, published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. For SA2 territories lacking this coverage, and to calculate trends past 2032, AreaSearch applies growth trends by age cohort from the latest ABS Greater Capital Region forecasts published in 2023 using 2022 data. Anticipating these changing demographic patterns, the suburb of Como (WA) is projected to experience population expansion above the national median, gaining 2,734 residents by 2041 based on compiled SA2 forecasts, which represents a total increase of 16.3% over the 16 years.

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

Based on AreaSearch research into ABS building approvals mapped from statistical zones, Como has seen approximately 88 residential dwellings approved each year, summing to about 440 residences over the last 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26142 approvals have been logged. With an average of 2.8 additional residents per year for each home during the last 5 financial years spanning FY-21 to FY-25, pointing to healthy demand that underpins property markets, new residences carry an average building cost of $642,000, showing that builders are concentrating on the upper-tier market with higher-specification properties. Furthermore, commercial approvals worth $14.9 million have been registered during this financial year, indicating steady non-residential development.

Compared to Greater Perth, Como registers 11.0% less residential construction per capita, placing in the 62nd percentile of all locations analyzed across the country. Construction activity is split between 37.0% standalone houses and 63.0% medium to high-density projects. This emphasis on denser housing options offers more accessible purchase points and attracts downsizers, property investors, and first-time buyers. With approximately 238 people for each approved dwelling, Como shows signs of a transforming property sector.

Future forecasts indicate Como will add 2,686 citizens by 2041, derived from the most recent quarterly estimates by AreaSearch. Building activity is keeping a reasonable pace with the expected demographic expansion, though purchasers may face intensifying competition as the number of residents increases.

Como has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 40thth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure projects, major developments, and rezoning decisions have a significant effect on regional performance. AreaSearch has tracked 10 projects that are expected to influence this locality. Prominent developments include Coterie, Chapel Hill Stage 1 The Promontory, Henley Rise, and Como Central, with the compiled list showing the most significant local projects.

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

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Employment conditions in Como demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Como features a highly qualified labor force, with strong numbers working in professional services, an unemployment rate of only 2.4%, and an estimated job growth of 1.9% over the preceding year, aggregated by AreaSearch from local statistical sources. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 10,030, while the local unemployment rate stood 1.8% below the Greater Perth mark of 4.2%, and labor force participation matched the regional benchmark of 70.2%. Census records show a modest 10.1% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic containment measures.

The primary employment fields for local workers are health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training. The locality exhibits a standout concentration in professional & technical fields, employing residents at 1.6 times the metropolitan average. Conversely, construction is less represented, employing just 6.5% of Como's workforce compared to 9.3% in Greater Perth. The heavily residential suburb seems to provide few local employment options, as shown by comparing the count of local jobs to the size of the resident workforce.

AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics compiled from regional datasets shows that during the 12-month window, employment expanded by 1.9% and the labor force grew by 2.0%, leading to a 0.1 percentage point rise in unemployment. In comparison, Greater Perth experienced 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 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide context on potential future labor demand in Como. These projections, spanning five and ten-year horizons, are mapped to the local industry mix to calculate potential trends. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary by sector. Projecting these industry trends onto Como's employment base suggests local employment could expand by 6.9% over five years and 14.3% over ten years, representing a simple weighted model for illustration that excludes local population adjustments.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

According to the latest postcode level ATO statistics released for the financial year 2023, taxpayers in Como earn a median income of $65,647 and an average of $93,471. This represents a very high level nationally, compared to the Greater Perth median of $60,748 and average of $80,248. Accounting for a Wage Price Index rise of 10.93% since financial year 2023, current estimates correspond to approximately $72,822 for the median and $103,687 for the average as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census places individual income in the 78th percentile ($1,001 weekly), while household earnings sit in the 51st percentile. In terms of earnings brackets, the $1,500 - 2,999 range includes 29.7% of the local population (4,900 individuals), mirroring the broader region where 32.0% fall into this bracket. Expensive housing accounts for 16.0% of earnings, yet healthy incomes keep net disposable funds in the 52nd percentile, with the area ranking in the 8th decile on the SEIFA income index.

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

The local housing stock at the latest Census consisted of 32.9% detached houses and 67.1% other residences such as townhouses and apartments, compared to the Perth metropolitan breakdown of 77.8% detached houses and 22.1% other residences. The rate of home ownership in Como was identical to the Perth metropolitan average at 28.8%, with the remaining properties being purchased under a mortgage (29.0%) or occupied by tenants (42.1%). The median monthly home loan repayment of $2,041 was higher than the Perth metropolitan median of $1,907, while the median weekly rent was identical at $350. Nationwide, Como's mortgage repayments exceed the Australian median of $1,863, whereas weekly rents fall below the national average of $375.

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

Families make up 57.3% of all local households, consisting of 20.1% couples with offspring, 27.8% couples without children, and 7.0% single parent arrangements. The remaining 42.7% are non-family households, with single person dwellings making up 36.6% and shared group households accounting for 6.1%. The average household size of 2.1 persons is smaller than the Greater Perth metric of 2.6.

Como shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Level of education in Como is substantially higher than regional benchmarks, with 48.7% of citizens aged 15+ holding a tertiary degree, compared to 27.9% across WA and 29.9% in the SA4 area. This educational profile positions the local community well for knowledge-intensive employment. Undergraduates comprise 32.6% of this group, followed by postgraduate degree holders at 11.6% and graduate diploma holders at 4.5%. Vocational training accounts for 24.3% of qualifications among residents aged 15+ consisting of advanced diplomas (10.4%) and certificates (13.9%).

A high proportion of the community participates in education, with 28.1% of residents enrolled in study. This population includes 10.4% studying at tertiary institutions, 6.5% attending primary school, and 5.5% enrolled in secondary education.

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

Analysis of transit options shows 104 active transport stops in Como, offering a combination of rail and bus services. These locations are connected by 22 different routes, which support 6,124 passenger journeys weekly. Accessibility is rated as excellent, with homes located an average of 134 meters from the nearest stop. Given the residential nature of the suburb, most workers travel out of the area, with private vehicles being the primary choice at 76%, followed by buses at 12% and trains at 7%. Dwellings average 1.1 cars, which is lower than the metropolitan average. A modest 10.1% of the workforce worked from home, recorded during the 2021 Census when pandemic rules were active.

Transit schedules provide an average of 874 services daily across the network, translating to about 58 weekly services at each individual stop. The maps display the 100 closest transit stops to the central coordinate.

Como's residents are extremely healthy with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population and nearer the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Health indicators show favorable outcomes across Como, according to AreaSearch research into mortality statistics and chronic disease trends, with diagnostic rates low among the general population and matching national baselines in older, higher-risk brackets, while the level of private health insurance is very high at approximately 64% of the population (10,611 people). This compares to 59.0% in Greater Perth and a national benchmark of 55.7%.

The most prevalent health issues reported locally were mental health challenges and arthritis, affecting 8.6% and 6.9% of the population. Meanwhile, 71.2% of residents reported having no long-term health issues, compared to 71.9% across Greater Perth. The working-age cohort exhibits strong health profiles with low rates of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and older make up 19.9% of the local population (3,283 people), exceeding the 16.1% average in Greater Perth. Health measures for seniors are positive, though they rank lower nationally than the overall local population.

Como 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

Como exhibits a higher level of cultural diversity than most suburban markets, with 22.0% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 36.4% born outside Australia. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 45.0% of the community. However, the most distinct religious concentration relative to wider benchmarks is Judaism, which accounts for 0.2% of the local population compared to 0.3% across Greater Perth.

Regarding ancestral backgrounds based on parental birthplaces, the three largest groups in Como are English at 26.8%, Australian at 21.1%, and Other at 11.7%. There are also distinct concentrations for other ethnicities, with South Australian backgrounds at 0.8% of Como (compared to 1.0% across the region), French at 0.7% (compared to 0.5%), and Welsh at 0.7% (compared to 0.7%).

Como's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age of 38 years in Como aligns closely with the Greater Perth average of 37 and matches the Australian median of 38. Compared to the capital city, Como shows a higher share of residents aged 25 - 34 (19.2%) but a lower share of children aged 5 - 14 (8.4%). Since the 2021 Census, residents aged 75 to 84 increased from 6.1% to 7.0% of the total population, while the group aged 85+ decreased from 4.2% to 3.0%. By 2041, demographic shifts will alter the local age profile, led by the 75 to 84 cohort which is projected to grow by 66% (764 people), expanding from 1,155 to 1,920. This aging trend is prominent, with seniors aged 65+ accounting for 55% of the overall projected growth. Conversely, population contractions are expected within the 5 to 14 and 35 to 44 age brackets.