Herne Hill (WA)

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

Herne Hill's population, as of Nov 2025, is estimated at around 1,664. This figure reflects an increase of 122 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,542. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of the resident population at 1,621 following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release (June 2024), along with an additional 4 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 96 persons per square kilometer. The area's 7.9% growth since census is within 1.8 percentage points of the national average (9.7%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 48.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and post-2032 growth estimation, AreaSearch utilises ABS's latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). According to aggregated SA2-level projections, the Herne Hill (WA) statistical area is expected to increase by 334 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 23.9% over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis shows Herne Hill had around 1 dwelling receiving development approval each year. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, approximately 6 homes were approved, with another 4 approved in FY-26 so far. This results in an average of 31.8 people moving to the area per dwelling built annually over these years.

Supply is significantly lagging demand, leading to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. New properties are constructed at an average value of $367,000, slightly above the regional average, suggesting a focus on quality developments. In FY-26, there have been $998,000 in commercial approvals, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Greater Perth, Herne Hill has significantly less development activity, which typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings. However, building activity has accelerated in recent years.

This activity is also lower than the national average, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. Recent development has been entirely comprised of detached dwellings, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated count of 679 people per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Herne Hill will gain 398 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Herne Hill has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 31stth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified two projects likely to impact the area. Notable projects are Swan Valley Bypass, Brooklands Private Estate, Brabham Senior High School, and Henley Brook development by Mirvac. Relevant projects are listed below.

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

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The labour market in Herne Hill demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Herne Hill's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs. The construction sector has significant representation, with an unemployment rate of 3.4% and estimated employment growth of 2.8% in the past year.

As of September 2025970 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.6% below Greater Perth's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation is lower than Greater Perth's at 60.7%. Employment is concentrated in construction, health care & social assistance, and mining. Construction employment share is 1.7 times the regional level, while health care & social assistance employs 9.9% of local workers, below Greater Perth's 14.8%.

The ratio of 0.7 workers per resident indicates above-normal local employment opportunities. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.8%, labour force grew by 2.7%, with unemployment remaining unchanged. In contrast, Greater Perth saw employment rise by 2.9% and the labour force grow by 3.0%, with a marginal increase in unemployment. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows WA employment contracted by 0.27%, with an unemployment rate of 4.6%. National employment forecasts suggest growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local projections differ due to varying industry-specific growth rates. Applying these projections to Herne Hill's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.6% over five years and 12.0% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Herne Hill suburb's income level is below national average according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. Median income among taxpayers in Herne Hill is $51,704 and average income stands at $63,038, compared to Greater Perth's figures of $60,748 and $80,248 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $56,678 (median) and $69,102 (average) as of September 2025. From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes all rank modestly in Herne Hill, between 31st and 46th percentiles. Income brackets indicate that 31.6% of residents (525 people) fall into the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket, mirroring surrounding region where 32.0% occupy this bracket. Housing costs are manageable with 87.4% retained, but disposable income sits below average at 50th percentile and area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Herne Hill's dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 97.3% houses and 2.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Perth metro's 89.1% houses and 10.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Herne Hill stood at 47.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.4% and rented ones at 13.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,831, lower than Perth metro's $1,842. Median weekly rent was $335, compared to Perth metro's $340. Nationally, Herne Hill's mortgage repayments were below the average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $375.

Herne Hill has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 76.9% of all households, including 34.5% couples with children, 30.3% couples without children, and 11.4% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 23.1%, with lone person households at 20.7% and group households making up 1.8% of the total. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.8.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 13.7%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.0%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.9% and postgraduate qualifications at 1.8%. Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.3%) and certificates (29.3%).

Educational participation is high, with 26.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 9.3% in primary, 7.6% in secondary, and 3.2% in tertiary education.

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

Herne Hill has 32 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by two different routes that together offer 110 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these transport services is rated as excellent, with residents typically located just 105 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 15 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately three weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Herne Hill is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Herne Hill shows superior health outcomes for both younger and older age groups, with low prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover is held by approximately 52% of its total population (~869 people), slightly higher than the average SA2 area but lower than Greater Perth's 55.3%.

The most frequent medical conditions are arthritis (7.7%) and asthma (6.1%), with 71.8% of residents reporting no medical ailments, comparable to Greater Perth's 72.6%. Herne Hill has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 25.4% (422 people), compared to Greater Perth's 12.6%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Herne Hill are notably better than the general population.

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

Herne Hill's cultural diversity was above average, with 22.3% born overseas and 12.7% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity dominated Herne Hill at 57.0%, compared to Greater Perth's 44.4%. The top three ancestral groups were English (31.9%), Australian (23.5%), and Italian (9.5%).

Notably, Croatian was overrepresented at 5.4% vs regional 0.9%, Dutch at 1.7% vs 1.3%, and New Zealand at 0.8% vs 1.0%.

Herne Hill hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Herne Hill is 46 years, which is notably higher than Greater Perth's average of 37 years and also exceeds the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to the Greater Perth average, the 65-74 age cohort is significantly over-represented in Herne Hill at 14.9%, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 9.3%. This concentration of the 65-74 age group is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the 35 to 44 age group has increased from 10.5% to 12.2% of the population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 age cohort has declined from 14.3% to 12.8%, and the 5 to 14 age group has decreased from 11.7% to 10.6%. Population forecasts for Herne Hill indicate significant demographic changes by 2041. The 65 to 74 age cohort is projected to expand by 116 people, from 247 to 364, representing a 47% increase. This aging population trend is evident, with those aged 65 and above comprising 67% of the projected growth. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age cohort is projected to decline by 7 people.