Kalamunda

An assessment of population growth drivers in Kalamunda reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Kalamunda is around 7,954. This figure reflects an increase of 791 people from the 2021 Census total of 7,163. The latest resident population estimate by AreaSearch, based on ERP data released by the ABS in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses, is 7,809. This results in a population density ratio of 751 persons per square kilometer. Kalamunda's growth rate since the 2021 Census, at 11.0%, exceeds the national average of 9.9%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 73.0% to overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch projections for each SA2 area are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, growth rates by age cohort from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) are used to estimate post-2032 growth. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb of Kalamunda is expected to expand by 1,018 persons to reach a population of 9,972 by 2041, reflecting an overall gain of 9.6% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Kalamunda when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Kalamunda averaged approximately 41 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 205 homes. As of FY-26, 16 approvals have been recorded. Over these five years, an average of two new residents per year arrived per new home, indicating balanced supply and demand. However, recent data shows this has intensified to 5.4 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting growing popularity and potential undersupply. Development projects averaged $454,000 in construction value, reflecting a focus on the premium market with high-end developments.

This year alone, there have been $14.0 million in commercial approvals, indicating balanced commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Perth, Kalamunda records elevated construction activity, 41.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period, supporting buyer choice and existing property values. New development consists of 82.0% detached dwellings and 18.0% attached dwellings, preserving the area's low density nature while attracting space-seeking buyers.

With around 300 people per approval, Kalamunda reflects a transitioning market. Future projections estimate Kalamunda will add 767 residents by 2041, with current development rates comfortably meeting demand and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Kalamunda has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 38thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 17 projects that could affect this region. Notable ones include the Kalamunda Central Masterplan & Town Square, Kalamunda Village Quarter - Kalamunda Activity Centre Redevelopment, High Wycombe South Residential Precinct, and Kalamunda Senior High School Upgrade. 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.

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

Kalamunda has a well-educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 3.2% as of September 2025, reflecting an estimated employment growth of 1.4% over the past year, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of that date, 3,859 residents were in work while the unemployment rate was 0.8% below Greater Perth's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation in Kalamunda lagged significantly at 60.9%, compared to Greater Perth's 71.6%. According to Census responses, only 11.2% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The dominant employment sectors among residents included health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. Notably, the area demonstrated a high concentration in education & training, with employment levels at 1.4 times the regional average.

Conversely, health care & social assistance showed lower representation at 13.4% versus the regional average of 14.8%. The predominantly residential area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 1.4%, while labour force increased by 1.8%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Perth experienced employment growth of 2.9% and labour force growth of 3.0%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offered further insight into potential future demand within Kalamunda. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, estimated national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Kalamunda's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, though this was a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and did not take into account localised population projections.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2023 shows that Kalamunda's median income is $53,516 and average income is $71,874. This contrasts with Greater Perth's median income of $60,748 and average income of $80,248 in the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% from financial year ending June 2023 to September 2025, current estimates for Kalamunda would be approximately $58,664 (median) and $78,788 (average). According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Kalamunda rank modestly, between the 42nd and 43rd percentiles. The income distribution shows that 25.6% of individuals earn between $1,500 - 2,999, similar to metropolitan Perth's 32.0%. After housing costs, 86.3% of income remains for other expenses. Kalamunda's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

Kalamunda's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 89.4% houses and 10.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Perth metro's 77.8% houses and 22.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kalamunda was at 50.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 34.4% and rented ones at 15.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,100, higher than Perth metro's average of $1,907. The median weekly rent figure in Kalamunda was $360, compared to Perth metro's $350. Nationally, Kalamunda's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,100 versus the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower at $360 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 73.9% of all households, including 28.9% couples with children, 35.7% couples without children, and 8.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 26.1%, with lone person households at 24.8% and group households comprising 1.4%. The median household size is 2.4 people, smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

Kalamunda performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 29.7% among residents aged 15+, surpassing the SA3 area average of 22.5%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 20.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.6%) and graduate diplomas (3.3%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 37.6% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas comprise 14.0% and certificates make up 23.6%.

Educational participation is high at 25.8%, including 9.4% in primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 4.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Kalamunda has 63 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 24 different routes that together facilitate 3,341 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these stops is rated as good, with residents on average being located 327 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards due to the area's predominantly residential nature. Cars remain the primary mode of transport, used by 89% of residents. On average, there are 1.7 vehicles per dwelling in Kalamunda, which is higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 11.2% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes averages 477 trips per day, equating to approximately 53 weekly trips per individual stop.

Kalamunda's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Kalamunda. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were both low across young and old age cohorts.

Private health cover was found to be very high at approximately 56% of the total population (~4,433 people), compared to 59.0% across Greater Perth. The most common medical conditions in the area were arthritis (10.2%) and mental health issues (7.5%). 65.9% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 71.9% across Greater Perth. The under-65 population demonstrated better than average health outcomes. The area had 30.6% of residents aged 65 and over (2,433 people), higher than the 16.3% in Greater Perth. Health outcomes among seniors were particularly strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Kalamunda was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Kalamunda's cultural diversity was above average, with 6.7% speaking a language other than English at home and 33.2% born overseas. Christianity was the dominant religion in Kalamunda, comprising 49.6%. However, Judaism showed notable overrepresentation at 0.2%, compared to Greater Perth's 0.3%.

For ancestry, the top groups were English (36.0%), Australian (22.9%), and Scottish (8.8%). Welsh was notably overrepresented at 0.9% versus regional average of 0.7%, Dutch at 1.9% versus 1.5%, and South African at 0.7% versus 1.0%.

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

Kalamunda has a median age of 49, which is significantly higher than Greater Perth's figure of 37 and also above the national average of 38. The age profile shows that individuals aged 75-84 make up 12.7% of the population, a prominent group compared to other age groups. This percentage is notably higher than the national average of 6.1%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the 75-84 age group has grown from 10.3% to 12.7%, while the 85+ cohort has increased from 4.0% to 5.1%. Conversely, the 65-74 age group has declined from 14.3% to 12.8%, and the 45-54 group has dropped from 13.8% to 12.6%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Kalamunda's age structure. The 85+ group is expected to grow by 114% (464 people), reaching a total of 870 from the current figure of 405. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 91% of the total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic trend. In contrast, the 0-4 and 15-24 age cohorts are projected to experience population declines.