Craigie (WA)

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

Based on ABS population updates for the broader area and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, Craigie's population is estimated at around 7,406 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 950 people (14.7%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,456 people in the Craigie (WA) statistical area (Lv2). The change is inferred from the resident population of 7,193 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS on June 2024 and an additional 58 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,582 persons per square kilometer in Craigie (WA) (SA2), which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Craigie's growth rate of 14.7% since the 2021 census exceeded the national average of 9.7%. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by natural growth that contributed approximately 62.0% 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 by this data and to estimate growth post-2032, AreaSearch utilises the 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 with demographic trends, a population increase just below the median of national areas is expected. The Craigie (WA) (SA2) is expected to grow by 657 persons to reach 8,063 by 2041, reflecting an overall gain of 4.6% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Craigie has had approximately 49 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 248 homes. As of FY-26 so far, 16 approvals have been recorded. On average, each dwelling has accommodated around 2.6 new residents per year between FY-21 and FY-25. New homes are being built at an average construction cost value of $325,000.

This financial year has seen $4.8 million in commercial approvals, reflecting Craigie's primarily residential nature. Compared to Greater Perth, Craigie records 134% more new home approvals per person. Recent construction comprises 81% detached houses and 19% medium and high-density housing, preserving the area's suburban character with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The location has approximately 177 people per dwelling approval, indicating a growing market.

According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Craigie is expected to grow by 341 residents through to 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Craigie has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch identified ten projects potentially impacting the area. Notable projects include Ocean Reef Road Grade Separation, Whitfords Activity Centre Precinct (West) Redevelopment, Heathridge Park Masterplan, and Craigiebush Estate.

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.

Employment performance in Craigie exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Craigie's workforce is skilled with notable representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 3.5% as of September 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.6%. As of September 2025, 4,118 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.4% lower than Greater Perth's 4.0%. Workforce participation in Craigie was 70.3%, higher than Greater Perth's 65.2%. Employment is concentrated in construction, health care & social assistance, and education & training.

Construction employment levels were at 1.6 times the regional average while professional & technical employment was lower at 6.7% compared to the regional average of 8.2%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the Census working population vs resident population count. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 4.6% and labour force increased by 3.5%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.9 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Perth saw employment growth of 2.9%. State-level data as of 25-Nov shows WA employment contracted by 0.27%, with an unemployment rate of 4.6% compared to the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Craigie's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.3% over ten years.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

In AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2023, Craigie had a median taxpayer income of $61,654 and an average income of $81,283. These figures are among the highest in Australia, compared to Greater Perth's median of $60,748 and average of $80,248. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $67,585 (median) and $89,102 (average). According to the 2021 Census, Craigie's personal income ranks at the 71st percentile ($927 weekly), while household income is at the 52nd percentile. Income analysis shows that 39.3% of Craigie's population (2,910 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, similar to the regional figure of 32.0%. High housing costs consume 16.2% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 53rd percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Craigie's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 88.4% houses and 11.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Perth metro had 88.7% houses and 11.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Craigie was at 25.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 49.6% and rented ones at 24.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Craigie was $1,733, below Perth metro's average of $2,080. Median weekly rent in Craigie was $375, compared to Perth metro's $400. Nationally, Craigie's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were comparable at $375.

Craigie features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 70.4% of all households, including 29.3% couples with children, 26.1% couples without children, and 13.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 29.6%, with lone person households at 25.4% and group households comprising 4.2%. The median household size is 2.4 people, smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.7.

The educational profile of Craigie exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Craigie Trail residents aged 15+ have university degrees at a rate of 24.6%, compared to Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common (17.8%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.7%) and graduate diplomas (3.1%). Vocational credentials are held by 40.7% of residents, with advanced diplomas at 10.4% and certificates at 30.3%. Current educational participation is high at 26.3%, including primary education (9.4%), secondary education (6.1%), and tertiary education (4.5%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 26.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.4% in primary education, 6.1% in secondary education, and 4.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Craigie has 29 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 9 different routes that together facilitate 1,867 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is considered good, with residents being located an average of 217 meters from the nearest stop.

Across all routes, there are approximately 266 trips per day, which amounts to about 64 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Craigie is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Craigie demonstrates above-average health outcomes for both young and old age cohorts, with low prevalence of common health conditions.

The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 59% of the total population (4,404 people). The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, impacting 9.4% and 7.9% of residents respectively. A total of 70.9% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 71.5% across Greater Perth. As of March 2021, the area has 14.4% of residents aged 65 and over (1,066 people), which is lower than the 20.1% in Greater Perth as of June 2020. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Craigie was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Craigie had a higher cultural diversity compared to most local markets, with 10.6% of its residents speaking a language other than English at home, as recorded in the 2016 Census. Additionally, 32.8% of Craigie's population was born overseas during this period. Christianity was the predominant religion in Craigie, accounting for 40.9% of the population.

However, Judaism had an overrepresentation in Craigie compared to Greater Perth, with 0.2% of Craigie's population identifying as Jewish versus 0.1% regionally. In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English at 31.8%, Australian at 24.8%, and Irish at 9.0%. Notably, Welsh (0.8%), South African (1.0%), and New Zealand (1.1%) ethnicities had higher representations in Craigie compared to regional averages of 1.1%, 1.8%, and 0.9% respectively.

Craigie's population is younger than the national pattern

Craigie's median age is 35 years, which is slightly younger than Greater Perth's 37 and somewhat younger than the national average of 38 years. The age group of 25-34 years shows strong representation at 18.2% compared to Greater Perth. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort is less prevalent in Craigie at 7.7%. Between 2021 and present, the 75-84 age group has grown from 4.2% to 5.2% of the population. During this period, the 55-64 cohort has declined from 9.6% to 7.7%, and the 25-34 age group has dropped from 19.3% to 18.2%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Craigie. The 75-84 age cohort is projected to rise substantially, increasing by 254 people (66%) from 385 to 640. Notably, the combined age groups of 65+ will account for 65% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, both the 65-74 and 5-14 age groups are projected to decrease in number.