Fremantle

Fremantle lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Nov 2025, Fremantle's population is estimated at around 11,091 people. This reflects an increase of 1,840 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,251. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 10,909 residents following examination of ABS' latest ERP data release (June 2024), along with an additional 302 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2,005 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Fremantle's growth rate of 19.9% since the 2021 census exceeded the national average (8.9%). Overseas migration contributed approximately 50.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises ABS' latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) to estimate growth post-2032. Population projections indicate an above median growth for statistical areas across the nation, with Fremantle expected to grow by 2,359 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 18.3% in total over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Fremantle was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, Fremantle averaged around 94 new dwelling approvals per year. Between FY-21 and FY-25, an estimated 474 homes were approved, with a further 26 approved so far in FY-26. This results in approximately 3.4 new residents arriving per dwelling constructed over the past five financial years.

This demand outpaces supply, potentially driving up prices and increasing buyer competition. New properties are constructed at an average value of $608,000, indicating a focus on premium segments with upmarket properties. In FY-26, there have been $52.9 million in commercial approvals, demonstrating high local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Perth, Fremantle shows 78.0% higher development activity per person. New development consists of 14.0% standalone homes and 86.0% attached dwellings, offering affordable entry pathways for downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This shift reflects reduced availability of development sites and changing lifestyle demands.

With around 85 people per dwelling approval, Fremantle exhibits growth area characteristics. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Fremantle is expected to grow by 2,031 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Fremantle has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 21 projects that may impact the area. Notable projects include Swan River Crossings Project, Monument East, Elder Place Fremantle (Elders Wool Stores Redevelopment), and Fremantle Oval Precinct Masterplan. The following list details those most relevant.

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 conditions in Fremantle remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Fremantle has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 5.8% as of the past year.

Employment growth was estimated at 4.7%. As of June 2025, 6,584 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.9% above Greater Perth's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation was broadly similar to Greater Perth's 65.2%. Leading employment industries among residents comprised health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training.

Fremantle had particular specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share of 1.6 times the regional level. Construction was under-represented, with only 6.0% of Fremantle's workforce compared to 9.3% in Greater Perth. There were 1.2 workers for every resident as at the Census, indicating Fremantle functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. During the year to June 2025, employment levels increased by 4.7%, while labour force grew by 5.7%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 0.9 percentage points. This contrasted with Greater Perth where employment rose by 3.7%, labour force grew by 3.8%, and unemployment rose by 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Fremantle's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 indicates that Fremantle has a high national median income of $58,739 and an average income of $91,288. In comparison, Greater Perth's median income is $58,380 and average income is $78,020. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 14.2% from financial year 2022 to September 2025, current estimates for Fremantle would be approximately $67,080 (median) and $104,251 (average). According to Census 2021 income data, individual earnings at the 80th percentile nationally are $1,021 weekly in Fremantle. However, household income ranks lower at the 54th percentile. The largest segment of earners comprises 28.3% earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly (3,138 residents), similar to the metropolitan region where 32.0% fall into this bracket. High housing costs consume 16.6% of income in Fremantle, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 54th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Fremantle displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Fremantle, as recorded in the latest Census, 40.0% of dwellings were houses while 60.0% comprised other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This differed from Perth metro's figures which stood at 61.2% for houses and 38.8% for other dwellings. Home ownership in Fremantle was 29.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.1% and rented ones at 42.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Fremantle was $2,167, aligning with Perth metro's average, while the median weekly rent was $380 compared to Perth metro's $379. Nationally, Fremantle's median mortgage repayments were higher at $2,167 against Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were also higher at $380 compared to the national figure of $375.

Fremantle features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 52.5% of all households, including 16.7% couples with children, 27.2% couples without children, and 7.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 47.5%, with lone person households at 40.5% and group households comprising 6.8%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.3.

Fremantle shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Fremantle's residents aged 15 and above have a higher university qualification rate of 48.8% compared to WA's 27.9% and the SA4 region's 28.6%. This is due to Bachelor degrees at 30.0%, postgraduate qualifications at 14.0%, and graduate diplomas at 4.8%. Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 26.1% of residents holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (15.4%). Fremantle has a high educational participation rate of 27.3%, with 10.5% in tertiary education, 6.0% in primary, and 5.7% in secondary.

Eleven schools serve 3,518 students in the area, which demonstrates significant socio-educational advantages (ICSEA: 1118). Educational provision is conventional, with five primary and six secondary institutions. Fremantle functions as an education hub with 31.7 school places per 100 residents, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Fremantle's public transport system has 77 active stops operating within the city. These are a mix of train and bus stations serviced by 34 individual routes. Collectively, these routes provide 7,173 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 140 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 1,024 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 93 weekly trips per individual stop.

Fremantle's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Fremantle residents show relatively positive health outcomes with common conditions seen across both young and old age groups. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 63% of the total population (7,036 people), compared to 67.0% across Greater Perth and a national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common conditions, impacting 10.9 and 7.4% of residents respectively, while 68.5% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 69.6% across Greater Perth.

The area has 19.3% of residents aged 65 and over (2,140 people), lower than the 20.7% in Greater Perth. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

Fremantle was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Fremantle, as of the latest data from June 2021, has a higher proportion of culturally diverse residents compared to most other local markets. Specifically, 13.2% of its population speaks a language other than English at home and 32.9% were born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Fremantle, with 33.4% of people identifying as such.

However, Judaism is overrepresented compared to Greater Perth, comprising 0.5% of Fremantle's population versus 0.3%. In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are English (30.6%), Australian (19.2%), and Irish (10.9%). Some ethnic groups show notable differences in representation: Welsh is overrepresented at 1.3% compared to 1.0% regionally, French at 1.2% versus 1.0%, and Croatian at 1.3% versus 1.4%.

Fremantle hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Fremantle's median age is 41 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Perth's average of 37 years and slightly older than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Perth, Fremantle has a notably higher proportion of residents aged 65-74 (11.4%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (8.9%). According to the 2021 Census, the 5-14 age group increased from 6.9% to 8.9%, while the 75-84 cohort grew from 5.4% to 6.5%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group declined from 14.0% to 12.5%. By 2041, Fremantle's age profile is projected to change significantly. The 75-84 cohort is expected to grow by 75%, adding 537 residents to reach a total of 1,258. Residents aged 65 and older are anticipated to represent 56% of the population growth. However, population declines are projected for the 0-4 and 35-44 age groups.