Katanning

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

Katanning's population, as of Nov 2025, is estimated at around 3898 people. This figure reflects an increase of 261 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3637 people in Katanning statistical area (Lv2). The change was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 3879 following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release (June 2024) and an additional 27 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 28 persons per square kilometer. Katanning's growth rate of 7.2% since census positions it within 1.5 percentage points of the SA3 area (8.7%). Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 56% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting 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 estimation, AreaSearch utilises ABS's latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Moving forward, demographic trends indicate a population increase just below the median of non-metropolitan areas nationally. The Katanning SA2 is expected to increase by 231 persons to reach 4129 by 2041, reflecting a gain of 5.2% in total over the 17 years.

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

Katanning has received around 7 dwelling approvals per year based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, approximately 37 homes were approved, with a further 9 approved in FY-26. Each year, an average of 3.8 people have moved to the area for each dwelling built during these five years.

This substantial lag between supply and demand has led to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. The average construction value of new properties is $432,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY-26, there have been $4.9 million in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's residential character. Compared to the Rest of WA, Katanning has significantly less development activity, 66.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings, although building activity has accelerated recently.

However, this activity remains lower than the national average, suggesting market maturity and possible development constraints. All recent development in Katanning has been comprised of detached dwellings, preserving its low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 368 people, reflecting a quiet, low-activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate an increase of 203 residents by 2041, with existing development levels aligned with future requirements, maintaining stable market conditions without significant price pressures.

Katanning has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 29thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified six projects likely influencing the region. Notable ones are Katanning Energy Project, Piesse Lake Structure Plan and Residential Development, Katanning Industrial Expansion Structure Plan (SPN/2029), and Katanning Supertown Heritage Centre Project. 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.

While Katanning retains a healthy unemployment rate of 3.5%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Katanning has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are prominent.

Unemployment rate is 3.5% as of September 2025, according to AreaSearch data aggregation. There are 1,946 employed residents, unemployment rate is 0.2% above Rest of WA's 3.3%, workforce participation is 57.0%. Dominant sectors include manufacturing, healthcare & social assistance, retail trade. Manufacturing employment is 3.2 times regional average, mining employs 0.9% of local workers compared to Rest of WA's 11.7%.

Labour force decreased by 4.7%, employment declined by 3.9% in the year to September 2025, unemployment rate fell by 0.6 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Katanning's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 4.9% over five years and 11.4% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data, released for financial year 2023, indicates that Katanning suburb has a median income among taxpayers of $49,411 and an average of $59,259. This is lower than the national average. The Rest of WA had a median income of $59,973 and an average of $74,392 during this period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, the current estimated median income for Katanning is approximately $54,164, and the average is around $64,960 as of September 2025. According to Census 2021 income data, incomes in Katanning fall between the 20th and 28th percentiles nationally. The dominant income bracket in Katanning is $1,500 - 2,999, with 32.7% of residents (1,274 people) falling within this category. Housing costs are modest, with 89.0% of income retained, but the total disposable income ranks at just the 27th percentile nationally.

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

Katanning's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 89.6% houses and 10.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro WA's figures of 92.1% houses and 8.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Katanning stood at 33.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.1% and rented ones at 33.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,005, lower than Non-Metro WA's average of $1,490. Weekly rent in Katanning was recorded at $200, compared to Non-Metro WA's $280. Nationally, Katanning's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Katanning features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 65.8 percent of all households, including 23.9 percent couples with children, 29.6 percent couples without children, and 10.5 percent single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 34.2 percent, with lone person households at 30.6 percent and group households comprising 3.8 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of WA.

Katanning faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 11.8%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 9.0%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.6%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 34.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (6.0%) and certificates (28.5%). Educational participation is high at 29.4%, with 12.2% in primary education, 8.7% in secondary education, and 1.5% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 29.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.2% in primary education, 8.7% in secondary education, and 1.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Katanning has two operational public transport stops. These stops are served by a mix of buses operating along three different routes, offering a total of 13 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is limited, with residents residing an average distance of 933 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, each route provides one trip per day, resulting in approximately six weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Katanning is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Katanning faces significant health challenges. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is relatively low at approximately 51% of the total population (~1,977 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 9.8 and 7.5% of residents respectively. Conversely, 68.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 64.7% across Rest of WA. The area has 17.7% of residents aged 65 and over (689 people), which is lower than the 21.0% in Rest of WA. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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

Katanning's population showed higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 25.9% born overseas and 24.2% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Katanning, comprising 47.1%. Islam was significantly overrepresented at 10.6%, compared to the Rest of WA average of 1.0%.

In terms of ancestry, Australian (26.5%) and English (26.0%) were the top groups, with Other (16.2%) being substantially higher than the regional average of 4.8%. Notable divergences included Maori at 2.5% (vs 0.5%), South African at 0.9% (vs 0.6%), and Australian Aboriginal at 7.0% (vs 2.6%).

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

Katanning's median age is 38 years, which is slightly below the Rest of WA average of 40 but aligns with the Australian median of 38. The 25-34 cohort is notably higher at 15.2% compared to the Rest of WA average, while the 45-54 age group is lower at 11.2%. As per the 2021 Census, the 25 to 34 age group has increased from 13.3% to 15.2%, and the 55 to 64 cohort has decreased from 12.5% to 11.6%. By 2041, demographic modeling indicates significant changes in Katanning's age profile. The 25-34 cohort is projected to grow by 27%, adding 161 residents to reach 754. Conversely, both the 85+ and 5-14 age groups are expected to decrease in numbers.