Joondalup

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

According to census figures and subsequent address tracking by AreaSearch, the suburb of Joondalup has an estimated population of 10,487 as of May 2026. This represents an addition of 1,294 people (14.1%) from the 2021 Census, when the head count stood at 9,193. The estimate is derived from a base of 10,478 residents calculated from the ABS June 2025 release, supplemented by 34 validated new addresses established after the census date. The suburb density is 981 persons per square kilometer, aligning closely with typical benchmarks recorded by AreaSearch. The suburb of Joondalup registered a 14.1% expansion rate that outpaced the national growth level of 9.3% and regional SA3 metrics. This upward shift was heavily supported by arrivals from abroad, which accounted for roughly 94.0% of the overall population gains.

Projections utilize 2022 as a starting point and incorporate statistical models released in 2024 by Geoscience Australia and the ABS for local areas. For periods extending past 2032 or where specific local models are absent, demographic trends are calculated using age cohort growth rates from the 2023 Greater Capital Region forecasts. Based on these projections, the suburb of Joondalup is expected to experience population growth slightly below the average of other assessed districts. Overall, the local population is projected to rise by 482 residents by 2041, representing a total increase of 4.5% over the 16 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Joondalup recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Analysis of municipal building records indicates that the suburb of Joondalup averages approximately 14 residential approvals annually, resulting in a total of 72 approvals over the past 5 financial years. In the current financial year of FY-26, there have been 14 approvals recorded so far. With local population growth bringing in an average of 13.8 residents for every new home built between FY-21 and FY-25, residential supply is falling short of demand, which typically intensifies buyer competition and drives upward pressure on prices. Newly approved residences carry an average construction value of $421,000, indicating that builders are focusing on higher-end, premium housing. Furthermore, commercial development approvals have reached $44.1 million this financial year, pointing to robust business investment in the area.

Compared to the broader Perth metropolitan region, residential construction activity in the suburb of Joondalup is significantly lower, tracking at 53.0% below the metropolitan per capita average. This limited addition of housing stock generally supports demand and reinforces the valuation of established homes. The volume of approvals is also below the countrywide average, reflecting the mature stage of the suburb and potential zoning limitations. Recent building approvals are comprised entirely of single-family detached homes, preserving the traditional low-density residential layout of the area. This represents a higher proportion of detached homes than the 57.0% recorded during the census, showing sustained demand for standalone houses even as urban consolidation pressures rise. With 941 residents for every building approval, the suburb of Joondalup displays characteristics of a fully established area.

Long-term projections indicate the suburb of Joondalup will add 473 residents by 2041 based on the most recent quarterly figures. Although residential construction is keeping pace with this projected growth, incoming residents may face heightened competition for housing as the local population expands.

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

Local infrastructure projects, municipal planning decisions, and major works are primary drivers of neighborhood change. Database records show 35 projects that are likely to influence the local area. The most significant developments include Stage 2 of the Joondalup Health Campus Development, the Boas Place project in the Joondalup City Centre, the mixed-use development at 2 Wise Street, and the Ramsay Private expansion at the Joondalup Health Campus, with key details of the most relevant projects provided below.

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

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The employment landscape in Joondalup shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

The local workforce is characterized by high levels of education, with a strong presence in essential services, a jobless rate of 4.9%, and an estimated job growth rate of 3.6% over the preceding year. As of March 2026, employed residents numbered 6,239, while the unemployment rate was 0.7% higher than the Greater Perth average of 4.2%. Participation in the labor force matches the metropolitan average of 70.2%. Census data showed that a relatively low proportion of workers, at 7.6%, operated from home, though these figures were likely influenced by pandemic-related restrictions.

The primary employment sectors for residents are healthcare and social assistance, education and training, and retail trade. Conversely, the professional and technical services sector accounts for 6.4% of the local workforce, which is lower than the Greater Perth average of 8.2%. With a ratio of 1.0 local jobs for every working resident at the time of the Census, the suburb functions as a regional employment center, attracting commuting workers from surrounding neighborhoods.

Labor data shows that over a 12-month period, the local employed population grew by 3.6% while the total labor force expanded by 3.9%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.2 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Perth saw jobs grow by 2.0% and its workforce expand by 2.5%, resulting in a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. Future labor demand can be analyzed using the May-25 employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia. These models project a national employment expansion of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across different industries. Applying these national industry trends directly to the local employment structure suggests the suburb's workforce numbers could grow by 6.4% over five years and 13.5% over ten years.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

Data from the tax office for the 2023 financial year indicates that personal earnings in the suburb of Joondalup exceed the national median. Among local taxpayers, the median annual income is $56,749 and the average is $73,026, compared to Greater Perth values of $60,748 and $80,248. Adjusted for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.93% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates as of March 2026 stand at approximately $62,952 for the median and $81,008 for the average. Census figures from 2021 place local household, family, and individual incomes in the middle tier nationally, ranking between the 46th and 52nd percentiles. The largest income bracket consists of 33.0% of earners making between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, representing 3,460 residents and matching the regional trend of 32.0% in this bracket. Financial pressures from housing are notable, with residents retaining 83.2% of their income after housing costs, placing the area in the 46th percentile and the 6th decile on the SEIFA economic index.

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

At the latest census, the local housing mix consisted of 56.9% standalone houses and 43.1% multi-unit dwellings such as townhouses and apartments, compared to 77.8% houses and 22.1% other dwellings across the Perth metropolitan area. The home ownership rate stood at 24.9%, which is lower than the metropolitan average, with the remaining properties being purchased under a mortgage (33.6%) or occupied by tenants (41.6%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,733, which is lower than the Perth metro average of $1,907. The median weekly rent was $360, compared to $350 for the metro area. On a national level, monthly mortgage payments are lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are below the national benchmark of $375.

Joondalup features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Families make up 64.9% of all local households, consisting of couples with children at 23.7%, couples without children at 29.3%, and single-parent households at 11.1%. The remaining 35.1% are non-family households, with single-person households representing 29.0% and shared group households making up 6.0% of the total. The median household size of 2.3 individuals is smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

The educational profile of Joondalup exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

University attainment stands at 28.3% among residents, slightly below the national average of 30.4%. Within this group, bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 19.2%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 6.3% and graduate diplomas at 2.8%. Vocational and technical qualifications are highly prevalent, with 38.6% of residents aged 15 and over holding credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 13.2% and certificates at 25.4%.

A significant proportion of the population is engaged in study, with 30.3% of residents enrolled in an educational institution. This group includes 10.9% in higher education, 7.2% in primary schooling, and 5.9% in secondary education.

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

Public transport infrastructure consists of 90 active bus and train stops within the suburb boundary. These stops accommodate 41 distinct routes that provide a combined total of 4,248 weekly passenger boardings. Access to transport is highly convenient, with the average distance from a residence to the nearest stop being 176 meters. Because the suburb is primarily residential, the majority of workers commute to other areas, with private vehicles being the most common mode of travel at 70%, followed by train travel at 16% and bus travel at 6%. The average number of vehicles per household is 1.2, which is lower than the metropolitan average. The 2021 Census recorded that 7.6% of residents worked from home, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

Public transport services run at an average frequency of 606 daily trips across all active routes, which averages out to approximately 47 departures per week at each individual transit stop.

Joondalup'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

Health outcomes are generally positive, with diagnostic and mortality rates aligning closely with national averages. The prevalence of common health conditions is standard across different age groups, and private health insurance coverage is high, with approximately 56% of the population, or about 5,892 people, holding policies, compared to 59.0% across Greater Perth.

Mental health conditions and asthma are the most frequently reported diagnoses, affecting 10.4% and 7.0% of residents. Conversely, 68.7% of the population reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 71.9% for Greater Perth. Health indicators for the working-age population are typical. Residents aged 65 and over make up 19.4% of the population, representing 2,034 people, which is higher than the Greater Perth average of 16.1%. National health rankings for the suburb align closely with general population trends.

Joondalup 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

The demographic profile shows a high level of cultural diversity, with 48.4% of the population born overseas and 17.9% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 44.1% of the population. Islam is represented by 2.7% of residents, compared to 3.2% across Greater Perth.

English ancestry is reported by 33.6% of the population, which is higher than the regional average of 28.0%. Australian ancestry is claimed by 17.5%, and other ancestries account for 11.3% of residents. Representation of specific backgrounds differs from the metropolitan average, with South Australian backgrounds at 1.6% compared to 1.0% regionally, Welsh ancestry at 1.0% compared to 0.7%, and Polish ancestry at 1.1% compared to 0.7% regionally.

Joondalup's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age of residents is 38 years, which is similar to the Greater Perth median of 37 and matches the national median of 38. The suburb has a higher proportion of young people aged 15 to 24 at 15.9% compared to Greater Perth, but a lower proportion of children aged 5 to 14 at 8.3%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 65 to 74 grew from 9.8% to 11.0%, and those aged 75 to 84 increased from 4.7% to 5.8%. Meanwhile, the 55 to 64 bracket fell from 13.8% to 11.8%, and the 45 to 54 group decreased from 12.4% to 11.1%. By 2041, demographic models point to major changes in the age profile, led by a 69% increase in the 75 to 84 age group, which will grow by 417 people to reach 1,026 from an initial 608. Older residents aged 65 and over will account for 93% of the projected population growth, while the cohorts aged 55 to 64 and 25 to 34 are expected to decrease in size.