Dudley Park (WA)

Population growth drivers in Dudley Park are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on demographic assessments of ABS regional updates and subsequent home addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census, the resident count for the suburb of Dudley Park (WA) is projected to be approximately 8,015 by May 2026. This represents an expansion of 1,058 people (15.2%) compared to the 6,957 residents recorded during the 2021 Census. This adjustment is calculated from an intermediate estimate of 7,841 people calculated by AreaSearch using the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with an additional 193 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level corresponds to a density of 1,125 persons per square kilometer, matching typical benchmarks observed across other analyzed regions. The 15.2% expansion in the suburb of Dudley Park (WA) since the 2021 census outpaced the national growth figure (9.3%), placing it among the faster-growing localities. Net gains were heavily driven by interstate moves, which accounted for roughly 76.0% of the overall population rise in recent times.

Future projections are aligned with the 2024 ABS and Geoscience Australia releases built on a 2022 baseline. Where local figures are unavailable, or for periods extending beyond 2032, growth calculations apply cohort-specific rates from the 2023 Greater Capital Region dataset using 2022 statistics. Demographic modeling points to above-average growth compared to national benchmarks, with the suburb of Dudley Park (WA) forecast to add 1,168 residents by 2041, representing a total increase of 12.4% over the 16 years.

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

Analysis of building statistics indicates that Dudley Park averages about 45 residential approvals on an annual basis, totaling 229 homes during the 5 financial years spanning FY-21 to FY-25, alongside 89 approvals registered during FY-26. Historically, each new dwelling built was matched by an influx of 3.7 new residents annually over the FY-21 to FY-25 period, indicating that demand outpaces supply, a trend that generally drives up competition and purchase prices. The average construction cost for these new buildings stands at $410,000, showing that developers are prioritizing higher-end, premium properties. Meanwhile, commercial construction activity remains extremely limited, with only $34,000 in approvals recorded for the current financial year.

Per capita residential building activity in Dudley Park is roughly half of the rate recorded across Greater Perth, although the area ranks in the 79th percentile when compared to all locations nationwide. The mix of recent building approvals is composed of 98.0% standalone houses and 2.0% semi-detached or attached dwellings, sustaining a classic suburban landscape suited for families who value space. With approximately 144 people per approved home, the area displays key signs of an active growth corridor.

Long-term projections indicate the local population will grow by 994 residents by 2041, starting from the current quarterly estimate. If the present construction pace continues, the incoming supply of new housing should comfortably accommodate this demand, creating favorable buyer conditions and potentially helping to fuel growth beyond current baseline forecasts.

Dudley Park has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 38thth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure projects, major developments, and urban planning initiatives represent key drivers of regional performance. A total of 16 projects have been identified that are expected to influence the local area. Significant initiatives include the Mandurah Estuary Bridge Duplication, Frasers Landing - Forest Walk Stage 11, the proposed Dudley Park Transit Precinct Structure Plan, and the Lakeside Quarter development, with key details provided for the most relevant projects.

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Dudley Park has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

The local workforce is evenly divided between professional and manual occupations, with industrial and manufacturing activities holding a strong presence. The local jobless rate stands at 4.3% following a 7.5% expansion in employment over the past year. As of March 2026, there are 3,289 employed residents. The unemployment rate is 0.1% higher than the 4.2% average of Greater Perth, while participation in the labour force is much lower, standing at 49.7% compared to 70.2% across Greater Perth. Census records indicate that a low 6.8% of the workforce worked from home, though this figure may have been influenced by pandemic-related lockdown measures.

The primary employment sectors for local workers are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. The community displays a notable concentration in the mining sector, employing residents at a rate 1.4 times higher than the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical roles are underrepresented, accounting for only 3.5% of the local workforce compared to 8.2% in Greater Perth. Given the relationship between the number of local jobs and the size of the resident workforce, this residential community appears to provide limited employment opportunities within its own boundaries.

Analysis of SALM and ABS data, aggregated from broader statistical areas, indicates that during the year to March 2026, employment levels rose by 7.5% and the labour force grew by 8.9%, which led to an increase in the unemployment rate of 1.2 percentage points. Greater Perth, by comparison, saw employment grow by 2.0% and the labour force expand by 2.5%, resulting in a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 provide additional context for understanding potential future demand within Dudley Park. These projections, which cover five and ten-year periods, have been overlaid onto the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. National employment is expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though growth rates vary considerably across industry sectors. When these industry-specific forecasts are applied to Dudley Park's employment mix, local employment is projected to increase by 6.0% over five years and 12.9% over ten years. This estimate uses a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not incorporate localised population projections.

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

Based on aggregated tax data from the financial year 2023 postcode release, the mid-point income for taxpayers was $48,929, while the average stood at $68,999. These figures are slightly above the national benchmarks but sit below the respective Greater Perth figures of $60,748 and $80,248. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since financial year 2023, current equivalent values are estimated at approximately $54,277 for the median and $76,541 for the average as of March 2026. According to the Census, household, family, and individual incomes are positioned between the 10th and 12th percentiles nationwide. The largest income bracket contains 25.9% of residents (2,075 people) who earn between $400 - 799, contrasting with the wider metropolitan region where 32.0% of the population falls into the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Financial strain from housing costs is substantial, leaving only 83.7% of income remaining after housing expenses, placing the area in the 13th percentile for affordability.

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

According to the last Census, the housing stock consisted of 84.7% detached houses and 15.2% other housing types, such as apartments and townhouses, compared to the wider metropolitan split of 77.8% detached houses and 22.1% alternative dwellings. Homeownership rates were high, with 41.8% of households owning their homes outright, while 31.7% held mortgages and 26.5% rented. The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,530, which is lower than the metropolitan average of $1,907. Similarly, the median weekly rent was $310, compared to the regional figure of $350. On a national level, mortgage payments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are also well below the national benchmark of $375.

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

Families make up 67.1% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 18.5%, couples without children at 35.4%, and single-parent households at 11.7%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 32.9%, which includes single-person households at 29.9% and group share houses at 3.2%. The typical household contains 2.2 residents, which is smaller than the average of 2.6 found across Greater Perth.

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

The community has lower rates of higher education, with university qualification levels at 13.0% compared to the national average of 30.4%. This highlights a clear gap as well as an opportunity for targeted academic programs. Among university graduates, bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.0% and graduate diplomas at 1.6%. Technical and trade qualifications are highly prevalent, with 41.1% of residents aged 15 and over holding vocational qualifications, split between advanced diplomas at 11.4% and certificates at 29.7%.

A significant share of the population, 22.9%, is currently enrolled in formal studies. This group is distributed across primary education at 8.1%, secondary education at 6.6%, and higher education programs at 3.1%.

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

Public transport infrastructure consists of 36 active bus stops operating locally. These stops are served by 5 distinct routes, which combine to support 595 passenger journeys per week. Transport links are highly accessible, with residents living an average of 236 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, resulting in a high rate of outward commuting, with cars being the primary mode of travel for 84% of commuters, followed by trains at 6%. Car ownership averages 1.3 vehicles per household, which is below the metropolitan average. Additionally, a low 6.8% of residents worked from home according to the 2021 Census, a figure that may reflect pandemic conditions.

Bus services run at an average frequency of 85 trips per day across the network, which translates to roughly 16 weekly trips for each individual stop.

Health performance in Dudley Park is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Analysis of mortality rates and the prevalence of long-term conditions indicates that the community faces notable health challenges, which are present across both younger and older demographics. The rate of private health insurance coverage is high, with approximately 55% of residents (~4,375 people) holding policies, compared to 59.0% across Greater Perth.

Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent diagnoses, affecting 12.5% and 8.7% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 59.4% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 71.9% in the wider metropolitan area. Elevated rates of chronic illness present a challenge for the working-age population. Furthermore, 33.4% of the population is aged 65 and over (2,677 people), which is significantly higher than the 16.1% average for Greater Perth. Health outcomes for these senior residents generally mirror the trends seen in the wider population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Dudley Park 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 is higher than the regional norm, with 7.6% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 29.9% born outside Australia. Christianity is the predominant religious affiliation, representing 53.1% of the population, compared to 45.0% across Greater Perth.

Looking at ancestral backgrounds, the three largest groups are English at 35.8% of the population, which is higher than the regional average of 28.0%, Australian at 26.1%, and Scottish at 7.8%. There are also minor deviations from regional averages in other groups, with Welsh representing 0.8% of the population (vs 0.7% regionally), South Australian representing 0.9% (vs 1.0%), and New Zealand backgrounds representing 0.9% (vs 0.8%).

Dudley Park ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age of 53 years is higher than the metropolitan average of 37 and the national average of 38. The local age distribution shows a high concentration of residents in the 65 - 74 bracket (16.4%), which is higher than the national share of 9.4%, while the 25 - 34 bracket is smaller (8.6%) than in the wider metropolitan area. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 cohort grew from 9.5% to 11.4% of the population, and the 75 to 84 cohort rose from 11.6% to 12.7%, while the 45 to 54 cohort shrank from 12.0% to 11.1%. By 2041, demographic shifts are expected to alter the local age profile. The 75 to 84 cohort is projected to grow by 41% (417 people), increasing from 1,017 to 1,435 residents. This aging trend is prominent, with residents aged 65 and over accounting for 81% of all projected population growth, while declines are expected in the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 youth groups.