Darlington (WA)

Darlington is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

According to evaluations of ABS demographic releases for the wider region alongside newly verified residential locations from AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Darlington (WA) has an estimated occupancy of 3,987 residents as of May 2026. This represents a rise of 262 individuals (7.0%) relative to the 2021 Census, which recorded 3,725 residents. This demographic adjustment is calculated from a total of 3,987 occupants, estimated by AreaSearch using the ABS June 2025 release of ERP data in addition to 6 validated new addresses verified following the Census. This headcount yields a density of 330 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density living and options for future expansion. The 7.0% growth rate in the suburb of Darlington (WA) since the census lags the national benchmark of 9.3% by 2.3 percentage points, displaying solid local expansion. Net overseas migration was the primary contributor to local growth, accounting for approximately 61.0% of the total demographic expansion in recent times.

AreaSearch implements ABS and Geoscience Australia demographic forecasts for individual SA2 regions, published in 2024 using 2022 as its starting point. For any SA2 regions lacking coverage or for projecting growth patterns beyond 2032, AreaSearch applies cohort-specific expansion rates published by the ABS within its 2023 Greater Capital Region forecasts, which are grounded in 2022 statistics. Accounting for these anticipated demographic adjustments, overall expansion is projected to finish slightly below the national median, with the suburb of Darlington (WA) expected to gain 161 residents by 2041 under consolidated SA2 projections, representing a total rise of 4.0% over the 16 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Darlington according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Analysis of building approval statistics allocated from statistical areas shows that Darlington averages approximately 2 new home approvals annually, with an estimated total of 14 residential approvals recorded over the past 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, and 2 approvals registered during FY-26 so far. With an average of 12.5 new residents arriving each year for every home built over the past 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, demand outstrips supply, which generally drives up prices and buyer rivalry, while new homes average an estimated construction value of $631,000, indicating developers are targeting affluent buyers with premium builds. Furthermore, commercial approvals worth $59,000 have been logged during the current financial year, reinforcing the residential focus of local development.

In comparison to Greater Perth, development in Darlington is minimal, falling 84.0% below the metropolitan average on a per-capita basis. This limited supply of fresh housing typically bolsters demand and valuations for existing stock. Local construction levels also fall behind the national average, indicating a mature market and probable geographical or regulatory constraints. Furthermore, recent building permits are composed exclusively of detached houses, preserving the established low-density aesthetic of the area and appealing to buyers who value space. A ratio of 1584 people for every single building approval underscores the subdued nature of construction activity in the area.

Looking forward, the population is projected to rise by 161 residents by 2041 according to the most recent quarterly projections from AreaSearch. At the current pace of building approvals, housing supply could struggle to keep up with demographic growth, which may intensify competition among buyers and support upward pressure on property values.

Darlington has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 21stth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure projects, major works, and urban planning decisions can significantly influence real estate performance. Currently, AreaSearch has identified no projects that are expected to affect the immediate area. Key regional projects include City of Swan Water and Wastewater Upgrades, EastLink WA, METRONET, and the METRONET High Capacity Signalling Program, with details of relevant works provided below.

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

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

The local workforce is characterized by high levels of qualification, particularly in essential public services, alongside a very low unemployment rate of 1.1% and an annual employment growth rate estimated at 3.8% using compiled statistical area figures. As of March 2026, there are 2,287 employed residents, and the local unemployment rate sits 3.1% below the Greater Perth mark of 4.2%, with participation rates closely matching the metropolitan average of 70.2%. Census records show a moderate proportion of 15.3% of workers operating from home, though this figure was likely influenced by COVID-19 restriction measures.

The primary employment sectors for local workers are education & training, health care & social assistance, and professional & technical services. The workforce exhibits a heavy concentration in education & training, employing people at a rate 1.6 times the metropolitan average. Conversely, retail jobs are underrepresented, accounting for only 7.2% of the local workforce compared to 9.3% across Greater Perth. The discrepancy between local jobs and resident workers indicates that local employment opportunities are somewhat limited.

Based on AreaSearch aggregation of SALM and ABS statistics for the year ending March 2026, the employed population grew by 3.8% and the total workforce expanded by 3.6%, leading to a 0.2 percentage point reduction in the unemployment rate. Over the same period, Greater Perth saw employment and workforce figures rise by 2.0% and 2.5% respectively, resulting in a 0.4 percentage point increase in unemployment. National occupational projections from May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context for future labour demand. These five-year and ten-year forecasts have been applied to local industries to project future trends. Although overall Australian employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rates of change vary widely by industry. Weighting these national industry trends against the local employment distribution suggests employment among residents could rise by 6.4% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, though this is a simple baseline extrapolation that does not account for local population changes.

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

Taxation statistics from the ATO for the 2023 financial year show that local incomes are exceptionally high by national standards, with a median of $61,623 and an average of $87,818, compared to metropolitan Perth averages of $60,748 and $80,248 respectively. Adjusting these figures for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.93% since the 2023 financial year yields estimated values of approximately $68,358 for the median and $97,417 for the average as of March 2026. According to the Census, household, family, and individual incomes are all positioned high nationally, ranging between the 72nd and 87th percentiles. The largest income group comprises 28.5% of residents (1,136 people) earning in the $1,500 - 2,999 range, mirroring the wider regional trend of 32.0% in this bracket. A substantial share of high-income earners (38.8% receiving more than $3,000 weekly) indicates significant financial resources. Residents keep 88.2% of their income after meeting mortgage or rent costs, showing strong disposable income, and the area ranks in the 9th decile on the SEIFA index.

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

According to the latest Census, residential structures in Darlington consist of 98.5% detached houses and 1.5% other housing types, such as apartments and townhouses, compared to the broader Perth metropolitan split of 77.8% houses and 22.1% alternative dwellings. Outright home ownership is high at 40.9%, with mortgaged properties making up 52.7% and rented properties accounting for 6.3% of dwellings. The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,100 stands well above the Perth metropolitan average of $1,907, while median weekly rent is $420, compared to $350 across the metro area. Nationally, local mortgage commitments are higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents exceed the national median of $375.

Darlington features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Families make up the vast majority of households at 82.5%, consisting of couples with children at 40.7%, couples without children at 32.6%, and single-parent households at 8.1%. Non-family households account for the remaining 17.5%, with single-person households at 16.0% and group households at 1.4%. The median household size of 2.7 people is slightly higher than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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

Educational attainment levels are exceptionally high compared to regional benchmarks, with 41.6% of residents aged 15+ holding a tertiary degree, relative to 21.3% in the SA3 area and 24.3% in the SA4 region. This gives the area a strong position for white-collar and knowledge-sector jobs. Bachelor degrees represent the most common qualification at 27.3%, with postgraduate degrees at 9.1% and graduate diplomas at 5.2%. Vocational qualifications are also common, with 31.2% of the population aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 12.8% and certificate level qualifications at 18.4%.

A high proportion of the community is engaged in study, with 29.9% of residents enrolled in an educational institution. This is composed of 11.2% in primary schools, 9.0% in secondary schools, and 4.7% attending tertiary institutions.

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

Public transport services include 37 active bus stops in Darlington. These locations are served by 4 distinct routes, which accommodate 292 passenger trips per week. Transport access is convenient, with residents living an average of 335 meters from their nearest stop. Because the suburb is primarily residential, most workers travel out of the area, with 85% commuting by car and 8% by train. Household vehicle ownership stands at an average of 2.0 cars, which is higher than the metropolitan average. Additionally, 15.3% of residents worked from home according to the 2021 Census, though this may reflect pandemic conditions.

Services average 41 daily trips across all routes, which translates to approximately 7 passenger trips per week for each transit stop.

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

Health metrics indicate excellent well-being throughout Darlington, with low rates of mortality and chronic conditions across all age cohorts, and private health insurance adoption is high, covering approximately 62% of the population (2,474 people). This exceeds the Greater Perth coverage rate of 59.0% and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health conditions and arthritis are the most frequently reported medical issues, affecting 8.5% and 8.2% of the population respectively, while 71.3% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 71.9% across Greater Perth. The working-age cohort is particularly healthy with low rates of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and over make up 22.6% of the population (901 people), which is higher than the Greater Perth proportion of 16.1%. Senior health metrics are strong, with national rankings aligning with those of the broader community.

In terms of cultural diversity, Darlington records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Cultural diversity matches the regional average, with 70.6% of the population born in Australia, 92.1% holding citizenship, and 95.2% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the largest religious group, representing 37.7% of residents. The most distinct variance is in Judaism, which is practiced by 0.4% of the population compared to 0.3% across Greater Perth.

English ancestry is the most common parental background at 35.6% of the population, exceeding the regional average of 28.0%, followed by Australian ancestry at 25.5% and Scottish at 8.2%. Other notable cultural backgrounds include Welsh ancestry at 1.1% of the population (compared to 0.7% regionally), Polish at 1.4% (compared to 0.7%), and South Australian at 1.3% (compared to 1.0%).

Darlington hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

With a median age of 44, Darlington has a significantly older population than Greater Perth at 37 and Australia as a whole at 38. The 55 - 64 age bracket is highly represented at 14.3% compared to Greater Perth, while the 25 - 34 bracket is less common at 5.7%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has risen from 6.8% to 8.7%, whereas the 45 to 54 cohort has decreased from 15.3% to 13.7%. Forecasts indicate that the age profile will change by 2041, with the 75 to 84 bracket projected to grow by 43% (149 people), rising from 346 to 496. Seniors aged 65+ are expected to account for 87% of the total projected growth, while the 25 to 34 and 0 to 4 brackets are projected to decline in numbers.