East Fremantle

East Fremantle has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

According to municipal population updates analyzed by AreaSearch, combined with fresh physical addresses verified since the Census, the suburb of East Fremantle has a population of approximately 8,426 residents as of May 2026. This represents an addition of 607 individuals (7.8%) compared to the 2021 Census, which documented a total of 7,819 residents. This upward adjustment is derived from the resident population figure of 8,426, calculated by AreaSearch using the ABS demographic release from June 2025 and 7 newly confirmed addresses since the Census date. With this population level, the local density stands at 2,683 persons per square kilometer, placing the location within the highest quarter of all Australian areas analyzed. The post-Census expansion of 7.8% in the suburb of East Fremantle is within 1.5 percentage points of the nationwide rate of 9.3%, indicating steady underlying growth. This demographic growth was almost entirely powered by arrivals from overseas, which functioned as the lone contributor to positive gains in recent times.

Future expectations rely on demographic projections released in 2024 by the ABS and Geoscience Australia, utilizing 2022 as their starting point. Where specific regional data is unavailable, or to calculate projections beyond 2032, growth rates by age cohort from the 2023 ABS capital city forecasts (based on 2022 information) are applied. In the coming decades, the suburb of East Fremantle is projected to experience a population expansion slightly under the national median, gaining 765 residents by 2041 based on compiled regional models, representing an overall increase of 9.1% across the 16-year timeframe.

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

Analysis of construction permits from statistical regions reveals that the area has averaged approximately 13 residential approvals annually, with 66 residences authorized over the 5 fiscal years spanning FY-21 to FY-25, alongside 15 approvals during the current FY-26 period. Given that approximately 5.8 new residents have been added for each completed dwelling over the 5 fiscal years from FY-21 to FY-25, residential demand heavily outpaces supply, which typically drives up property prices and heightens buyer rivalry. The average projected value of these new builds is $1,161,000, indicating that building firms are focusing on high-end, premium housing options. Additionally, commercial building permits totaled $113,000 for this fiscal year, showing that activity remains highly focused on the residential sector.

Residential construction volume in this area is remarkably subdued compared to the broader Perth metro region, tracking 69.0% below the per-capita average. This limited addition of new housing stock generally underpins values and demand for pre-existing properties. The level also falls short of national benchmarks, pointing to the mature character of the neighborhood and potential zoning restrictions. Detached dwellings make up 92.0% of the new construction projects, while multi-unit or attached designs represent 8.0%, maintaining a traditional suburban landscape that appeals to buyers seeking space. Builders are focusing more heavily on freestanding houses than the historical composition suggests, which stood at 66.0% during the Census, showing strong, ongoing demand for single-family residences despite broader metropolitan density initiatives. The area has roughly 932 residents for every authorized home permit, reflecting a mature residential environment.

Long-term projections indicate that the local population will grow by 765 citizens by 2041, based on the most recent quarterly projections. Given the current pace of construction, the delivery of new housing may not keep up with this growth, which could intensify competition among buyers and support upward pressure on property values.

East Fremantle has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 35thth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure updates, planning decisions, and major civil works are key drivers of real estate performance. A total of 8 projects have been cataloged that are expected to influence the local area. Prominent examples include the East Fremantle Aged Care Facility, the mixed-use development at 14 Silas Street, the Swan River Crossings Project, and the Serai North Fremantle development, with the subsequent list detailing the most significant initiatives.

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AreaSearch analysis reveals East Fremantle significantly outperforming the majority of regions assessed nationwide

The local workforce is highly qualified, with a strong concentration of professionals and an exceptionally low unemployment rate of 2.2% based on aggregated regional data. As of March 2026, employed residents numbered 4,861, with the local jobless rate tracking 2.0% lower than the 4.2% recorded across Greater Perth. The proportion of the population active in the labour force matches the metropolitan average of 70.2%. Census records show that a moderate 14.5% of workers performed their duties from home, though this figure reflects the influence of pandemic-related restrictions.

The primary sectors employing local residents are health services and social assistance, teaching and education, and scientific and technical roles. Technical and professional fields are particularly prominent, with employment concentration in these roles reaching 1.5 times the metropolitan average. In contrast, construction personnel are underrepresented, making up 6.6% of local workers compared to the metropolitan benchmark of 9.3%. Given the difference between the local working population and resident counts, this highly residential neighborhood provides relatively few employment positions within its own boundaries.

Based on local labor market and census statistics covering the year ending March 2026, the local workforce shrank by 0.9% while the number of employed residents also dropped by 0.9%, keeping the overall unemployment level steady. Over the same timeframe, Greater Perth experienced a 2.0% rise in employment and a 2.5% expansion of its labor pool, while its jobless rate ticked up by 0.4 percentage points. Long-term employment projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 offer additional context regarding future demand. These five and ten-year models have been aligned with the local occupation mix to project future employment trajectories. Nationally, employment is anticipated to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over a decade, though rates of expansion vary widely across different industries. Applying these sector-specific growth expectations to local workforce patterns suggests local employment levels could rise by 7.0% over five years and 14.4% over ten years, representing a simple weighted extrapolation that does not incorporate local population growth models.

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

Tax data compiled for the 2023 fiscal year indicates that local personal earnings rank in the top percentile nationwide. Taxpayers report a median income of $68,594 and an average income of $111,493, compared to Greater Perth benchmarks of $60,748 and $80,248. Adjusted for a Wage Price Index expansion of 10.93% since the 2023 fiscal year, current income estimates as of March 2026 stand at roughly $76,091 for the median and $123,679 for the average. Census data from 2021 highlights that household, family, and individual earnings are all positioned between the 82nd and 84th percentiles nationally. Weekly earnings of $4,000 or more are received by 29.0% of the local population, totaling 2,443 residents, contrasting with the metropolitan area where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket is most common at 32.0%. A substantial 40.5% of earners make more than $3,000 each week, indicating a high concentration of wealth that supports local retail and business. Housing costs consume 13.5% of earnings, and strong income levels place residents in the 84th percentile for disposable funds, with the SEIFA index ranking the neighborhood in the 9th decile.

East Fremantle displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Residential architecture at the time of the latest Census consisted of 66.3% detached family homes and 33.8% alternative dwellings, such as townhouses and flats, compared to the metropolitan Perth split of 77.8% detached houses and 22.1% alternative formats. Home ownership rates are notably higher than the metropolitan average at 41.6%, with the remaining properties being serviced by a mortgage (35.7%) or occupied by tenants (22.7%). The median monthly home loan payment was $2,600, which is significantly above the metropolitan figure of $1,907, while median weekly rent was recorded at $420 compared to the metropolitan median of $350. Nationally, local mortgage commitments are higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and rental costs exceed the countrywide benchmark of $375.

East Fremantle has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family units constitute the vast majority of households at 70.6%, which includes couples with children at 33.8%, couples without children at 27.2%, and single-parent households at 8.7%. The remaining 29.4% consists of non-family households, with single-person households representing 26.6% and shared group households making up 2.9%. The median household size of 2.5 residents is slightly below the metropolitan Perth average of 2.6.

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

Academic credentials in the local area are substantially higher than state and regional averages, with 48.7% of residents aged 15 and over holding a university degree, compared to 27.9% across Western Australia and 28.6% within the broader SA4 region. This high concentration of tertiary education positions the community well for professional opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common credential at 31.7%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 11.2% and graduate diplomas at 5.8%. Vocational education accounts for 24.4% of qualifications for those aged 15 and over, split between advanced diplomas at 10.5% and certificates at 13.9%.

A significant share of the population is engaged in study, with 30.4% of residents enrolled in an educational program. Within this group, secondary school students make up 9.7%, primary school pupils represent 9.3%, and tertiary students account for 7.2%.

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

Public transport services in the area include 32 active bus stops. These transit points are serviced by 7 separate routes that run a combined 1,476 weekly passenger services. Access to transit is highly convenient, with the average home located 186 meters from the nearest stop. Because the neighborhood is primarily residential, the majority of working residents travel elsewhere for employment, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 80%, followed by trains at 7% and buses at 6%. Households own an average of 1.4 vehicles. At the 2021 Census, 14.5% of working residents worked from home, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.

Daily transit services average 210 trips across the local network, which translates to roughly 46 weekly departures from each transit stop.

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

Local health data indicates excellent physical well-being, characterized by low mortality and low rates of long-term illness across all demographic groups. The proportion of residents with private health insurance is exceptionally high at approximately 71% of the population, which equals 6,021 individuals. This level of coverage compares to 59.0% across Greater Perth and a national benchmark of 55.7%.

Mental health conditions and arthritis are the most frequently reported diagnoses, affecting 7.9% and 7.0% of local citizens. Meanwhile, 71.4% of the population reported no chronic health issues, compared to 71.9% across Greater Perth. The working-age population exhibits strong health profiles with minimal chronic conditions. Residents aged 65 and over make up 21.1% of the community, representing 1,777 individuals, which is higher than the 16.1% proportion seen across Greater Perth. Seniors in the area enjoy excellent health outcomes, with national wellness rankings matching those of the broader population.

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

The neighborhood displays moderate cultural variety, with 7.8% of residents using a language other than English in their homes and 25.3% born outside of Australia. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, encompassing 45.0% of the population. The most distinct religious concentration relative to the wider metropolitan area is Judaism, which accounts for 0.1% of local residents compared to 0.3% across Greater Perth.

Regarding family backgrounds and parental birthplaces, the most common ancestries are English at 32.0%, Australian at 23.0%, and Irish at 10.3%. Specific European heritages show higher representation here than in the wider region, with Welsh ancestry at 1.1% of the population compared to 0.7% regionally, Croatian at 1.4% compared to 0.8%, and Italian at 6.4% compared to 4.2%.

East Fremantle hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

With a median age of 44, the local population is older than the Greater Perth median of 37 and the national median of 38. The 55 - 64 age bracket is well represented at 13.7% of the population, while the 25 - 34 cohort is less common at 9.5%. Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket has expanded from 11.7% to 14.0% of the total population, while the 45 to 54 cohort has contracted from 15.3% to 13.8%. Projections suggest the local age profile will shift significantly by 2041, led by a 54% increase in the 75 to 84 cohort, which will add 297 people to grow from 556 to 854. This aging trend is prominent, with residents aged 65 and over accounting for 64% of all projected population growth. Conversely, the cohorts aged 0 to 4 and 35 to 44 are projected to experience population decreases.