Karawara

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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census Karawara's population is estimated at around 1,954 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 112 people (6.1%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,842 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 1,951 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional one validated new address since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,973 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 87.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and to estimate growth across all areas in the years post-2032, AreaSearch is utilising the growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Considering the projected demographic shifts, an above median population growth of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch is projected for the Karawara (SA2), with the area expected to grow by 300 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 23.3% in total over the 17 years.

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

Karawara has seen approximately one dwelling receiving development approval annually. Between FY21 and FY25, around seven homes were approved, with two more in FY26 so far. This results in an average of 26.4 new residents per year arriving per dwelling constructed over these five financial years.

Consequently, demand significantly exceeds new supply, which typically leads to price growth and increased buyer competition. The average construction value of new dwellings is $825,000, indicating that developers are targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties. This financial year has seen $1.6 million in commercial approvals registered, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to Greater Perth, Karawara has significantly less development activity, being 89.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new homes usually strengthens demand and prices for existing properties.

The level is also below average nationally, suggesting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. All new construction in Karawara has been standalone homes, maintaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. New construction favours detached housing more than current patterns suggest (74.0% at Census), demonstrating ongoing robust demand for family homes despite increasing density pressures. With around 2083 people per dwelling approval, Karawara reflects a highly mature market. Future projections estimate Karawara adding 455 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Karawara has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 47thth percentile nationally

No changes were identified by AreaSearch that could impact the region's performance. Key projects include Australian Hockey Centre, Curtin University B316 Sciences Building, Albany Highway Precinct Structure Plan, and Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal.

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The labour market performance in Karawara lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Karawara has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation. Its unemployment rate was 6.7% in the past year, with estimated employment growth of 2.3%.

As of September 2025, 1,137 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.7%, above Greater Perth's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation was lower at 60.3% compared to Greater Perth's 65.2%. Dominant employment sectors included accommodation & food, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Accommodation & food had particularly high concentration with levels at 1.9 times the regional average.

Construction had limited presence with 5.5% employment compared to 9.3% regionally. The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. In the 12 months prior, employment increased by 2.3% alongside labour force increasing by 2.0%, reducing unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. Greater Perth recorded employment growth of 2.9%, labour force growth of 3.0%, with unemployment rising marginally. State-level data to 25-Nov showed WA employment contracted by 0.27% (losing 5,520 jobs), with state unemployment rate at 4.6%. National employment forecasts from May-25 projected national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Karawara's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The suburb of Karawara had a median taxpayer income of $38,561 and an average income of $54,906 in the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. This is below the national average, with Greater Perth having a median income of $60,748 and an average income of $80,248. By September 2025, estimates suggest the median income would be approximately $42,271 and the average income around $60,188, based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023. According to the 2021 Census, individual incomes were at the 10th percentile ($588 weekly), while household incomes performed better at the 48th percentile. The earnings profile showed that 31.1% of the community (607 individuals) fell within the $1,500 - 2,999 income band. This is similar to the surrounding region where 32.0% occupied this range. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 84.8% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 49th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed 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

In Karawara, as assessed at the latest Census held in 2016, houses accounted for 73.7% of dwellings while other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings made up 26.3%. This differs from Perth metropolitan area's composition where houses constituted 49.3% and other dwellings comprised 50.7%. Home ownership in Karawara stood at 27.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 26.3% and rented properties at 46.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, lower than Perth metro's average of $2,200. Median weekly rent in Karawara was $300, compared to Perth metro's $360. Nationally, Karawara's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, recorded as of 2020, while rents were substantially lower than the national figure of $375 for the same period.

Karawara features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 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 constitute the remaining 35.0%, with lone person households at 24.9% and group households comprising 10.3%. The median household size is 2.6 people, larger than the Greater Perth average of 2.2.

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's university qualification rate is 37.7%, significantly lower than the SA3 average of 48.6%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 23.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (11.0%) and graduate diplomas (3.0%). Vocational credentials are held by 26.5% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 10.9% and certificates at 15.6%. Educational participation is high, with 40.5% currently enrolled in formal education.

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

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

Karawara has 22 operational public transport stops, all serving buses. These stops are covered by four routes that together facilitate 1,234 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 147 meters to the nearest stop.

The service frequency is 176 trips daily across all routes, translating to roughly 56 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Karawara is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Karawara shows better-than-average health outcomes with low prevalence of common conditions among its general population. However, older cohorts and those at risk have higher rates compared to national averages. Approximately 49% (~957 people) have private health cover, lower than Greater Perth's 68.8% and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues (7.9%) and asthma (6.4%) are most common, with 74.1% reporting no medical ailments, slightly higher than Greater Perth's 72.6%. Karawara has 13.0% (254 people) aged 65 and over, lower than Greater Perth's 20.5%, but these residents require more attention due to their health needs.

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 has a high level of cultural diversity, with 37.6% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 48.1% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion in Karawara, making up 37.3% of people. Buddhism is notably overrepresented in Karawara, comprising 8.6% of the population compared to the Greater Perth average of 3.4%.

The top three ancestry groups in Karawara are English at 18.2%, Australian at 17.0%, and Other at 16.9%. These figures differ from regional averages: English is lower than the regional average of 26.7%, while Other is higher than the regional average of 11.0%. Notably, Chinese (15.3% vs 7.2%), Hungarian (0.4% vs 0.2%), and Polish (0.9% vs 0.9%) ethnic groups are overrepresented in Karawara compared to regional averages.

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 the Greater Perth average of 37 and is substantially under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Greater Perth, Karawara has a higher concentration of 15-24 residents at 26.2%, but fewer 5-14 year-olds at 6.8%. 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 26.2%, while the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 9.1% to 6.8% 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 25-34 age cohort projected to grow steadily, expanding by 112 people (34%) from 328 to 441. Conversely, numbers in the 5 to 14 age range are expected to fall by approximately 100 people.