Golden Bay

Golden Bay lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population of Golden Bay is around 7,159, reflecting a 26.0% increase since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 5,681. This growth is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 7,107 based on ABS ERP data release in Jun 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is 1,623 persons per square kilometer, above national averages assessed by AreaSearch. Golden Bay's growth exceeded both national (8.9%) and state averages, driven primarily by interstate migration contributing approximately 37.0% of overall gains. All drivers including overseas migration and natural growth were positive factors. AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered, growth rates by age cohort from ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released 2023 based on 2022 data) are used to estimate post-2032 growth. By 2041, the suburb is projected to increase by 1,507 persons, reflecting a total increase of 12.4% over the 17 years.

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

Golden Bay has had around 115 dwelling approvals annually based on AreaSearch analysis. From FY-21 to FY-25, approximately 578 homes were approved, with another 38 in FY-26 so far. Each year, about 1.6 people move to the area per dwelling built over these five years.

The average construction cost of new homes is $392,000. This financial year has seen $16.4 million in commercial approvals. Compared to Greater Perth, Golden Bay's building activity is 120.0% higher per person. Recent construction comprises 98.0% detached houses and 2.0% medium/high-density housing. The area has about 75 people per dwelling approval.

By 2041, Golden Bay is forecast to gain 890 residents. Current development rates should meet demand comfortably, supporting buyers and potential growth beyond current projections.

Golden Bay has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 47thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 16 projects that may impact this area. Notable projects include Lakelands Town Centre, Golden Bay Estate - Miramar Park, Lakelands Arterial Road Upgrade, and Golden Bay Local Centre. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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AreaSearch assessment positions Golden Bay ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Golden Bay's workforce is balanced across white and blue collar jobs, with prominent sectors including essential services. The unemployment rate was 3.9% as of June 2025, aligning with Greater Perth's rate.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 5.0%. There are 3,909 residents employed in the area, with a workforce participation rate of 71.5%, higher than Greater Perth's 65.2%. Key employment sectors are construction (1.4 times the regional average), health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Professional & technical services employ only 4.5% of local workers, lower than Greater Perth's 8.0%.

The area offers limited local employment opportunities, indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 5.0%, while the labour force grew by 6.0%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.9 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Perth's employment and labour force growth were 3.7% and 3.8% respectively, with an unemployment rate rise of 0.1 percentage point. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (Sep-22) project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Golden Bay's employment mix suggests local employment growth could be 5.8% over five years and 12.4% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

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 shows Golden Bay's median income among taxpayers is $60,590, with an average of $75,404. These figures are high nationally compared to Greater Perth's median of $58,380 and average of $78,020. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 14.2% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $69,194 (median) and $86,111 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Golden Bay cluster around the 62nd percentile nationally. Income analysis reveals that 38.8% of individuals earn between $1,500 - 2,999, reflecting patterns seen in the broader area where 32.0% occupy this range. High housing costs consume 17.6% of income, leaving disposable income at the 57th percentile nationally and placing Golden Bay's SEIFA income ranking in the 4th decile.

Golden Bay is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Golden Bay's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 98.0% houses and 2.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Perth metro's 90.5% houses and 9.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Golden Bay was at 15.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 59.3% and rented ones at 25.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,777, higher than Perth metro's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $350, compared to Perth metro's $330. Nationally, Golden Bay's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Golden Bay has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 76.8% of all households, including 36.6% couples with children, 21.1% couples without children, and 17.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 23.2%, with lone person households at 20.4% and group households comprising 2.7%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is larger than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

Educational outcomes in Golden Bay fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 14.7%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 11.1%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.9%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.7%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 48.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (11.1%) and certificates (37.7%).

Educational participation is high at 34.5%, including primary education (13.2%), secondary education (10.2%), and tertiary education (3.9%). Golden Bay Primary School serves the local area, with an enrollment of 530 students as of its latest report. The school offers balanced educational opportunities, typical for Australian schools (ICSEA: 965). It focuses exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in nearby areas due to limited local capacity (7.4 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 17.0), leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

Golden Bay has 14 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by one route in total, offering 412 weekly passenger trips combined. The accessibility of the transport system is rated as good, with residents on average located 298 meters from their nearest stop.

Each day, there are an average of 58 trips across all routes, which equates to approximately 29 weekly trips per individual stop.

Golden Bay's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Golden Bay shows excellent health outcomes across all age groups, with low prevalence of common health conditions.

Private health cover is high at approximately 57%, covering about 4,090 people. Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 9.4% and 7.7% of residents respectively. A total of 74.2% report no medical ailments, compared to 68.5% in Greater Perth. The area has 8.7%, or 622 people aged 65 and over, which is lower than the 15.6% in Greater Perth. Seniors' health outcomes align with those of the general population.

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

Golden Bay's cultural diversity aligns with the broader region, as indicated by its population statistics: 84.9% are citizens, 73.2% were born in Australia, and 93.8% speak English exclusively at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Golden Bay, comprising 38.6% of its population. Notably, Judaism, which has no representation regionally, constitutes 0.1% of Golden Bay's inhabitants.

The top three ancestry groups are English (35.3%), Australian (27.7%), and Scottish (7.4%). While Maori representation is slightly higher in Golden Bay at 1.7% compared to the regional average of 2.0%, South African and New Zealand representations remain relatively consistent with regional figures, at 1.2% each.

Golden Bay hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Golden Bay's median age stands at 30 years, significantly younger than Greater Perth's average of 37 years and Australia's median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Perth, Golden Bay has a higher proportion of residents aged 15-24 (16.2%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (5.4%). Post-2021 Census data reveals that the 55-64 age group increased from 8.3% to 9.7%, while the 5-14 cohort decreased from 17.1% to 15.8% and the 45-54 group dropped from 13.1% to 11.8%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Golden Bay's age profile, with the 65-74 cohort projected to expand by 266 people (69%), from 386 to 653. Conversely, population declines are forecast for the 5-14 and 35-44 cohorts.