Karawara

Karawara has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validations, the suburb of Karawara's estimated population is around 1,955 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 113 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,842. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 1,951 residents following examination of ABS' ERP data release in June 2024 and one additional validated new address since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,974 persons per square kilometer, above national averages assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 87.0% 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 and post-2032 growth estimates, AreaSearch uses ABS' Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Population projections indicate an above median growth for statistical areas across the nation, with Karawara expected to grow by 297 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 23.2% over the 17 years.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, Karawara averaged approximately one new dwelling approval per year. Between financial years FY21 to FY25, around seven homes were approved, with two more approved so far in FY26. This results in an average of 26.4 new residents arriving per year for each dwelling constructed over the past five financial years.

Consequently, demand significantly outpaces supply, which typically puts upward pressure on prices and increases competition among buyers. The average construction value of new properties is $825,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. This financial year has seen $1.6 million in commercial approvals, demonstrating Karawara's residential nature. Compared to Greater Perth, Karawara shows substantially reduced construction, at 89.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new properties typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties.

Nationally, this is also below average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. Recent development has been entirely comprised of standalone homes, sustaining Karawara's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. Notably, developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies (74.0% at Census), reflecting persistent strong demand for family homes amid densification trends. The location has approximately 2083 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market. Future projections show Karawara adding 454 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Karawara has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 46thth percentile nationally

No changes can significantly affect a region's performance like alterations to its local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. A total of 0 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that could potentially impact this area. Notable projects include the Australian Hockey Centre, Curtin University B316 Sciences Building, Albany Highway Precinct Structure Plan, and Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal, with the following list outlining those likely to be most relevant.

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

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AreaSearch assessment indicates Karawara faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Karawara has a well-educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 6.7% as of September 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.4%.

The area's unemployment rate is higher than Greater Perth's, which stands at 4.0%, while workforce participation is similar at 71.6%. Only 9.4% of residents work from home, though COVID-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Key industries include accommodation & food, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Karawara has a strong specialization in accommodation & food, with an employment share 1.9 times the regional level.

However, construction employs only 5.5% of local workers compared to Greater Perth's 9.3%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited due to the predominantly residential nature of the area. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 2.4%, while labour force grew by 2.1%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Perth saw employment growth of 2.9% and labour force growth of 3.0%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Karawara's industry mix suggests local employment should grow by 6.5% in five years and 13.4% in ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 2023, Karawara had a median income among taxpayers of $38,561. The average income stood at $54,906. Nationally, the median and average incomes were higher at $60,748 and $80,248 respectively for Greater Perth. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% from July 2023 to September 2025, current estimates suggest a median income of approximately $42,271 and an average income of around $60,188 in Karawara as of September 2025. The 2021 Census data shows individual incomes at the 10th percentile were $588 weekly, while household incomes were at the 48th percentile. In terms of income distribution, 31.1% of individuals (608 people) earned between $1,500 and $2,999 per week, consistent with the broader metropolitan region's 32.0%. Housing affordability was severe, with only 84.8% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 49th percentile. Karawara's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Karawara is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Karawara's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 73.7% houses and 26.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Perth metro had 77.8% houses and 22.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Karawara was at 27.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 26.3% and rented ones at 46.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Karawara was $2,000, higher than Perth metro's $1,907 but lower than the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent in Karawara was $300, lower than Perth metro's $350 and the national figure of $375.

Karawara features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 65.0% of all households, including 29.8% couples with children, 21.0% couples without children, and 10.4% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 35.0%, with lone person households at 24.9% and group households making up 10.3%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which aligns with the Greater Perth average.

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

The area has university qualification rates of 37.7%, significantly lower than the SA3 area average of 48.6%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 23.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (11.0%) and graduate diplomas (3.0%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 26.5% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (10.9%) and certificates (15.6%). Educational participation is high, with 40.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 21.4% in tertiary education, 6.7% in secondary education, and 6.5% pursuing primary education.

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

Karawara has 22 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by four different routes that together facilitate 1,234 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents living an average of 147 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards from Karawara, predominantly using cars (75%). Train use stands at 8%, while bus use is also 8%. On average, there are 1.4 vehicles per dwelling in the area.

According to the 2021 Census, only 9.4% of residents work from home, a figure which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes averages 176 trips per day, equating to approximately 56 weekly trips per individual stop.

Karawara's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Karawara's health data shows positive results, aligning with national benchmarks for mortality rates and health conditions. Common health issues are slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is relatively low at 49% (~957 people), compared to Greater Perth's 59.0% and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common conditions are mental health issues (7.9%) and asthma (6.4%), with 74.1% reporting no medical ailments, compared to Greater Perth's 71.9%. Health outcomes for those under 65 are better than average. Karawara has 13.5% residents aged 65 and over (263 people), lower than Greater Perth's 16.3%, with national rankings generally in line with the general population.

Karawara is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Karawara's cultural diversity is high, with 37.6% speaking a language other than English at home and 48.1% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion, at 37.3%. Buddhism is overrepresented at 8.6%, compared to Greater Perth's average of 2.7%.

In terms of ancestry, English comprises 18.2%, Australian 17.0%, and Other 16.9%. Chinese are notably more prevalent in Karawara at 15.3% versus the regional average of 4.0%. Hungarian (0.4%) and Polish (0.9%) are also overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.2% and 0.7%, respectively.

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

At 30 years, Karawara's median age is materially younger than Greater Perth's average of 37 and substantially under Australia's median of 38. Relative to Greater Perth, Karawara has a higher concentration of residents aged 15-24 (26.5%) but fewer aged 5-14 (6.7%). This 15-24 concentration is well above the national average of 12.5%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 24.6% to 26.5%, while the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 9.1% to 6.7% and the 55 to 64 group dropped from 11.3% to 9.8%. Demographic modeling suggests Karawara's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041, with the 25 to 34 age cohort projected to grow steadily, expanding by 109 people (33%) from 330 to 440. Conversely, numbers in the 5 to 14 age range are expected to fall by 3 people.