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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Cooloongup has an estimated 7,182 residents, up from 6,696 at the 2021 Census — a change of 486 people, or 7.3%. Growth has averaged 0.8% a year over five years. Overseas migration accounts for 93.0% of that increase. That puts 604 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of Cooloongup has an estimated population of approximately 7,182, based on AreaSearch assessments of broader ABS updates and new validated addresses. Compared to the 6,696 residents recorded in the 2021 Census, this marks an expansion of 486 people (7.3%). This overall figure is drawn from an estimated resident count of 7,180 following ABS ERP figures from June 2025 alongside 2 post-Census validated new addresses. With 604 persons per square kilometer, the locality maintains generous open space alongside capacity for upcoming development. The suburb of Cooloongup trails the national growth rate of 9.5% by only 2.2 percentage points, highlighting solid local momentum.
Recent population gains were predominantly driven by overseas arrivals, accounting for roughly 93.0% of the net increase. Projections published by ABS/Geoscience Australia in 2024 (using 2022 as the base year) form the foundation of AreaSearch's SA2-level demographic modelling. Where data gaps exist or for trajectories extending past 2032, models incorporate age-cohort growth rates from the ABS Greater Capital Region release from 2023 (benchmarked to 2022 data). Looking forward, the suburb of Cooloongup is anticipated to experience growth slightly beneath national median levels, expanding by 784 persons to 2041 across aggregated SA2 estimates, which equates to a 10.9% overall rise across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
36 new dwellings have been approved in Cooloongup over the past five years, an average of 7 a year. That is 1.2 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 8, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Analysis of ABS building approvals by AreaSearch indicates that Cooloongup averages around 7 approved residential dwellings each year, with 36 approvals recorded across the 5 financial years between FY-21 and FY-25, including 8 in FY-25 to date. An average inflow of 6.9 people per newly built home occurred over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), meaning demand continues to outpace new building activity and exert upward pressure on local pricing. New homes show an average construction value of $312,000, sitting beneath broader regional benchmarks to offer cost-effective options for buyers.
Meanwhile, commercial approvals registered $5.6 million in the current financial year, underscoring the predominantly residential focus of the locality. Residential building volumes in Cooloongup sit 87.0% below the Greater Perth per-capita baseline, reflecting a constrained development landscape. A restricted supply of additions generally reinforces values and competition across established stock. Building rates also trail national figures, illustrating market maturity alongside potential planning hurdles. All recent building approvals have centered on detached homes, preserving low-density living environments tailored to space-conscious purchasers. A high ratio of 715 people per approved dwelling highlights this subdued pace of construction. Longer-term forecasts project that Cooloongup will gain 782 residents by 2041 according to the most recent AreaSearch quarterly release. If current construction levels continue, housing delivery may face challenges keeping up with demographic expansion, potentially driving buyer competition and supporting local property values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Cooloongup
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 2 current infrastructure and development projects inside Cooloongup, worth an estimated $163 million. A further 59 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $31.8 billion. 22 are already under construction and 24 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and communities. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Infrastructure upgrades, major planning schemes, and local projects play a vital role in shaping community outcomes. AreaSearch has pinpointed 17 key projects with the potential to influence the district. Prominent developments include The Rivergums Baldivis, Rockingham General Hospital Redevelopment, Parkland Heights Baldivis, and Seaside Estate Madora Bay, with key initiatives outlined below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
The Rivergums Baldivis
Established masterplanned residential estate by Cedar Woods in Baldivis with schools, parks, lakes and childcare on-site. Final stages are in progress with land and house-and-land packages still selling.
Parkland Heights Baldivis
Masterplanned residential estate of approximately 1,200 dwellings with Pine View Primary School on-site, over 20ha of open space including Peckham Reserve (2.4ha oval) and the Baldivis South Sports Pavilion. Ongoing land releases, with a planned local shopping centre within the estate.
Rockingham General Hospital Redevelopment
A multi-phase transformation of Rockingham General Hospital, significantly expanding its capacity and service range. The initial major redevelopment (2007-2010) converted the facility into a 229-bed general hospital with a new emergency department, ICU, and maternity services. More recent expansions include the 'Moordibirdup' modular ward (opened August 2022) adding 30 beds for low-to-medium acuity patients. By early 2026, the hospital integrated advanced VELYS robotic technology for surgical precision and continues to enhance mental health facilities including a Mental Health Emergency Centre.
Seaside Estate Madora Bay
Seaside Estate is a beachside masterplanned residential community in Madora Bay developed by Satterley Property Group. It features direct beach access, sustainable coastal design, parks, walking trails, a new display village on Maspalomas Drive, and proximity to schools, Mandurah, and transport links.
The Strand at Safety Bay
The Strand at Safety Bay is a premium coastal land estate delivering 48 beachside lots directly opposite the Safety Bay foreshore. Many homesites offer ocean views and all are within walking distance of the beach, yacht club and local cafes, providing a low-rise coastal neighbourhood focused on lifestyle and beach access.
Baldivis Grove
Baldivis Grove is a residential house and land estate community by Frasers Property offering family-friendly housing options, modern amenities, and beautifully landscaped parklands. The final stages of open space are currently under construction.
Schools Upgrade Fund - Rockingham and Kwinana Schools
Commonwealth-funded upgrades to public schools in the Rockingham and Kwinana area under Round 2 of the Schools Upgrade Fund (SUF), a $284.3 million national program administered by the Australian Government Department of Education. WA recipients under this round include Gilmore College (Orelia) and Koorana Education Support Centre (Warnbro), each receiving at least $250,000 for capital works such as administration block upgrades, food technology and home economics classroom improvements, new playground equipment, and sporting facility resurfacing.Delivery is coordinated with the WA Department of Education, with the national funding agreement running through to 31 December 2027.
Rockingham Strategic Centre Precinct Structure Plan
Approved planning framework for the 534 hectare Rockingham Strategic Centre, spanning the Rockingham train station to the foreshore. The plan guides long term mixed use growth across five precincts, supporting higher density housing, employment, transport connections, public spaces, retail, entertainment, education and defence industry activity.
3,049 residents of Cooloongup are employed, from a labour force of 3,541. Unemployment sits at 13.9%, with participation at 59.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.8% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 6,309, about 88% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Cooloongup maintains a balanced workforce across blue- and white-collar roles, with a substantial footprint in manufacturing and industry alongside an unemployment rate of 13.9%, according to AreaSearch aggregated data. As of March 2026, employed residents number 3,049, while the jobless rate sits 9.7% higher than the Greater Perth benchmark of 4.2%. Participation in the labour market is comparatively subdued at 59.1%, well below the 69.9% seen across Greater Perth. Census records show just 4.4% of workers based at home, though this figure was collected during Covid-19 lockdown measures. The primary employment sectors for local residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction.
Manufacturing employment is especially prominent, tracking at 1.6 times the broader metropolitan average. Conversely, professional & technical roles account for only 3.6% of local workers compared to 8.2% across Greater Perth. Comparing Census resident workers to locally based employment points to limited commercial opportunities situated directly within the area. According to AreaSearch analysis combining SALM and ABS datasets, the 12-month period saw the workforce shrink by 1.0% and total jobs contract by 1.4%, lifting the unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. Over the identical timeframe, Greater Perth saw employment rise by 2.0% and the labour force expand by 2.5%, alongside a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 outline broader industry trajectories over five and ten-year horizons. Nationally, jobs are projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying by sector. Weighting these projections against the local industry profile indicates employment growth of 5.8% over five years and 12.5% over ten years for Cooloongup, assuming a simple weighting model without localized population inputs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Cooloongup is $1,207 a week (about $63,000 a year), with median personal income at $596 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $48,357 a year against an average of $58,454. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to AreaSearch's evaluation of ATO statistics for financial year 2023, the suburb of Cooloongup exhibits income levels lower than national benchmarks. Taxpayers recorded a median income of $48,357 and an average income of $58,454, compared with Greater Perth figures of $60,748 and $80,248 respectively. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since financial year 2023, modern income benchmarks sit at approximately $53,642 (median) and $64,843 (average) as of March 2026. Across personal, family, and household measures, Census figures place the suburb of Cooloongup between the 11th and 13th percentiles nationally.
Around 30.1% of residents (2,161 individuals) earn within the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, aligning closely with the 32.0% regional proportion. Housing affordability presents notable strain, with retained income at 82.9%, ranking in the 13th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Cooloongup had 2,587 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 92% detached houses and 1% apartments. 40% are owned with a mortgage, 28% rented and 32% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $300 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,313 a month. Rent absorbs 24.9% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, Cooloongup's housing stock consists of 91.6% houses and 8.4% other dwellings (incorporating apartments, semi-detached properties, and 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Perth metro's composition of 77.8% houses and 22.1% other dwellings. Outright ownership sits at 31.8%, outpacing the metropolitan rate, with mortgaged properties representing 40.0% and rentals accounting for 28.3%. Median monthly mortgage costs are comparatively affordable at $1,313 compared to $1,907 across Perth metro, while median weekly rent is $300 versus $350 regionally. Relative to the Australian medians of $1,863 for mortgages and $375 for rent, Cooloongup remains significantly more accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Cooloongup counted 2,587 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 2,775 today, averaging 2.4 people each. 23% are couples with children, fewer than in 78% of areas nationally, against 27% couples without children. 30% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 67.1%, consisting of 26.8% couples without children, 22.7% couples with children, and 15.9% single parent families. Non-family arrangements account for the remaining 32.9%, comprising 29.9% lone person households and 3.0% group households. The median household size stands at 2.4 people, slightly below the 2.6 average observed across Greater Perth.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
9.1% of adults in Cooloongup hold a university qualification, including 6.4% with a bachelor degree and 1.3% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 90% of areas nationally. A further 34.5% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 721 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 919 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
University attainment levels in the area stand at 9.1%, trailing the Australian benchmark of 30.4% and highlighting space for educational growth. Higher education qualifications comprise bachelor degrees at 6.4%, graduate diplomas at 1.4%, and postgraduate qualifications at 1.3%. Vocational and technical pathways are heavily favored, with 44.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including 34.5% with certificates and 9.6% holding advanced diplomas. Active learning engagement remains strong, with 26.6% of the local population participating in formal education. Primary school students represent 10.3% of the community, 7.8% attend secondary institutions, and 2.6% are enrolled in tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Cooloongup reaches 38 stops on 11 routes, timetabled for about 2,700 services a week. The typical home sits about 180 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.3 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Cooloongup is served by 38 active public transport stops, incorporating both bus and train infrastructure across 11 routes that deliver 2,727 weekly passenger trips. Stop proximity is strong, with typical walking distances to the nearest stop averaging 176 meters. Given the suburban setting, most commuters travel outward, with private vehicles accounting for 80% of travel, followed by 10% by train and 5% by bus. Vehicle ownership sits at an average of 1.3 per dwelling, below broader metropolitan levels. Only 4.4% of residents worked from home during the 2021 Census, which coincided with pandemic conditions.
Transport services run at a frequency of 389 trips per day across the network, providing an average of roughly 71 weekly trips for each stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
59.4% of residents in Cooloongup report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 91% of areas nationally. 9.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Mortality and chronic condition data compiled by AreaSearch reveal noticeable health challenges in Cooloongup across younger and older demographics alike. Private health insurance uptake is comparatively low, with approximately 50% of the population (~3,620 people) holding cover. This sits below the Greater Perth level of 59.0% as well as the national rate of 55.7%. Mental health conditions and arthritis rank as the most prevalent health issues locally, affecting 10.6 and 10.5% of the population respectively. Meanwhile, 59.4% of residents report no chronic health concerns, compared to 71.9% across Greater Perth.
The working-age group exhibits elevated rates of chronic illness. Seniors aged 65 and over comprise 21.1% of the community (1,515 people), exceeding the Greater Perth proportion of 15.9%, with health outcomes among older residents broadly matching wider national patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
31.8% of Cooloongup residents were born overseas and 9.7% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (34.0%) and Australian (25.3%). 3.4% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Cooloongup sits above average benchmarks, with 31.8% of the community born abroad and 9.7% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity represents the primary religious affiliation, encompassing 41.0% of residents. The category of Other accounts for 0.9% of the population, compared to 1.4% recorded across Greater Perth. Looking at parental country of birth, the three most common ancestries in Cooloongup are English at 34.0% (surpassing the 28.0% regional figure), Australian at 25.3%, and Scottish at 7.8%. Other notable representations include Welsh at 1.1% (compared to 0.7% regionally), Maori at 2.5% (against 0.9%), and New Zealand at 1.1% (versus 0.8%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Cooloongup is 42. 25.8% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Cooloongup maintains an older age distribution compared to Greater Perth. Updated estimates to August 2026 indicate that retirees and seniors (65+) represent 21.1% of the locality versus 15.9% regionally, while residents aged 25 - 44 account for 25.5% compared to 30.9% across Greater Perth. The median age remains steady at 42 from the 2021 Census, exceeding the Greater Perth Census median of 37 by 5 years. Middle-aged and younger retiree groups (45 - 64) have decreased from 27.1% at the Census to 24.6%. Projections to 2041 indicate senior cohorts will drive future growth, rising by 716 residents (47%) to 2,231, while youth and younger adult cohorts are expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Cooloongup
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jun 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 last month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 last month all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 2 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (6,696 at the 2021 Census → 7,182 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL50329). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.