Highgate (WA)

Population growth drivers in Highgate are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Nov 2025, Highgate's population is estimated at around 2,907 people, reflecting a 25.0% increase since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 2,326 people. This change is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 2,840 following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release (June 2024) and an additional 39 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 6,921 persons per square kilometer, placing Highgate in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Highgate's growth exceeded both national (9.7%) and state averages since the 2021 census, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 92.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year.

For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises growth rates by age cohort provided by ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Future population trends forecast a significant increase in the top quartile of Australian statistical areas, with Highgate expected to expand by 832 persons to 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 23.7% over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis indicates Highgate experienced around 11 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling approximately 56 homes. In FY-26 so far, 19 approvals have been recorded. On average, each new dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25 accommodated about 5.7 new residents annually. This has led to a significant demand exceeding supply situation, typically resulting in price growth and increased buyer competition.

The average construction value of new homes is around $758,000, suggesting developers focus on the premium market with high-end developments. In FY-26, commercial approvals totalled approximately $12.4 million, indicating steady commercial investment activity. Compared to Greater Perth, Highgate has about two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 81st percentile nationally for areas assessed. Recent construction comprises mainly attached dwellings (85%) with a smaller proportion of detached houses (15%), reflecting denser development trends that cater to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers.

With around 129 people per approval, Highgate is considered a developing area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Highgate is projected to grow by approximately 688 residents by 2041. If current development rates persist, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting stronger price growth.

Highgate has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified six projects that could affect this region. Notable projects include Swan River Causeway Bridge, Perth Girls School Redevelopment, City of Vincent Local Planning Scheme No. 2 (LPS2), Mount Lawley/Highgate Precinct Guidelines, and Smith Street Build-to-Rent Project. The following list details those most likely to be 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 performance in Highgate has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Highgate's workforce is highly educated with significant representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate stands at 5.9%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, 1,844 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.0% higher than Greater Perth's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation in Highgate is notably high at 73.0%, compared to Greater Perth's 65.2%. The leading employment industries among residents include professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and accommodation & food. Highgate specializes particularly in the professional & technical sector, with an employment share twice that of the regional level.

Conversely, construction is under-represented, making up only 5.3% of Highgate's workforce compared to Greater Perth's 9.3%. The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population counts. Between September 2024 and September 2025, Highgate's labour force decreased by 2.6% alongside a 4.9% employment decline, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 2.3 percentage points. This contrasts with Greater Perth, where employment rose by 2.9%, the labour force grew by 3.0%, and unemployment increased marginally. State-level data from WA up to 25-Nov-25 shows employment contracted by 0.27% (losing 5,520 jobs), with an unemployment rate of 4.6%, compared to the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, published in May-25, project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Highgate's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years. However, these projections are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not consider localised population projections.

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 2023 shows that income in Highgate is high nationally. The median income is $59,772 and the average income stands at $86,239. This contrasts with Greater Perth's figures of a median income of $60,748 and an average income of $80,248. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $65,522 (median) and $94,535 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows individual earnings at the 90th percentile nationally are $1,194 weekly, though household income ranks lower at the 56th percentile. Distribution data shows that 35.2% of residents earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly (1,023 residents), similar to the metropolitan region where 32.0% fall into this bracket. High housing costs consume 16.6% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 56th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Highgate features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Highgate's dwelling structure at the latest Census showed 21.1% houses and 78.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Perth metro's 37.1% houses and 62.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Highgate was at 18.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 24.0% and rented ones at 57.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,752, lower than Perth metro's $2,167. Median weekly rent in Highgate was $365, compared to Perth metro's $390. Nationally, Highgate's mortgage repayments were below the Australian average of $1,863 and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 46.1% of all households, including 11.4% couples with children, 28.5% couples without children, and 4.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 53.9%, with lone person households at 44.5% and group households comprising 9.7%. The median household size is 1.8 people, smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.1.

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

Highgate's educational attainment is notably higher than broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15+, 50.3% hold university qualifications, compared to 27.9% in Western Australia (WA) and 30.1% in Greater Perth. This is attributed to a significant number holding bachelor degrees (32.1%), postgraduate qualifications (13.7%), and graduate diplomas (4.5%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 25.6% of residents aged 15+ possessing them, including advanced diplomas (11.1%) and certificates (14.5%).

Educational participation is high, with 26.7% currently enrolled in formal education, comprising tertiary education (12.0%), primary education (5.5%), and secondary education (3.0%).

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

Highgate has eight active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by nine different routes that collectively facilitate 2,446 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as excellent, with residents typically located just 148 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 349 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 305 weekly trips per individual stop.

Highgate's residents are extremely healthy with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Highgate. Prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups is very low. Private health cover rate is exceptionally high at approximately 61% of the total population (1,786 people), compared to 69.5% across Greater Perth and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are mental health issues impacting 11.2% of residents and asthma affecting 6.9%. A total of 72.4% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.5% across Greater Perth. Highgate has 12.2% of residents aged 65 and over (354 people), lower than the 15.1% in Greater Perth. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing even better than the general population in health metrics.

Highgate 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

Highgate's population shows high cultural diversity, with 23.9% speaking a language other than English at home and 40.3% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion, comprising 31.6%. Judaism, however, is overrepresented at 0.9%, compared to Greater Perth's 0.6%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (24.2%), Australian (17.4%), and Other (13.0%). Some ethnic groups show notable differences: Serbian represents 1.0% versus regional 0.4%, Hungarian is at 0.5% compared to 0.2%, and French stands at 0.8%.

Highgate hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Highgate's median age is 34 years, which is lower than Greater Perth's average of 37 and considerably younger than Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Perth, Highgate has a higher percentage of residents aged 25-34 (31.8%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (6.2%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.5%. According to population forecasts for 2041, there will be substantial demographic changes in Highgate since the 2021 Census. The 25 to 34 age cohort is projected to grow by 17%, adding 156 residents to reach a total of 1,081. In contrast, the 5 to 14 age cohort shows minimal growth of just 4% (6 people).