Kealy

Kealy lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Following an examination of ABS population updates for the wider region alongside new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census, the resident population of Kealy is estimated to be approximately 2,231 in May 2026. This indicates a growth of 1,112 people (99.4%) since the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 1,119 people. The variation is calculated from the resident population of 2,231, determined by AreaSearch after analyzing the most recent ERP statistics from the ABS (June 2025) and an extra 651 validated new addresses since the Census date. This size of population represents a density ratio of 345 persons per square kilometer, indicating substantial room per individual and potential capacity for additional expansion. The 99.4% expansion in Kealy since the 2021 census was higher than the national average (9.3%) as well as the Rest of WA, positioning it as a growth leader in the territory. Population expansion for the locality was mainly led by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 83.0% of total population increases during recent intervals.

AreaSearch implements ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 territory, published in 2024 with 2022 as the baseline year. For SA2 territories lacking this information, and to calculate expansion across all territories in the years after 2032, AreaSearch uses the growth rates by age cohort supplied by the ABS in its most recent Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023, based on 2022 data). Looking at future population patterns, a substantial population rise in the top quartile of non-metropolitan regions in Australia is projected, with the locality anticipated to grow by 748 persons to 2041 based on compiled SA2-level projections, showing an increase of 33.5% in total over the 16 years.

The level of residential development activity in Kealy was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

According to AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval statistics, distributed from statistical area records, Kealy has averaged around 41 dwellings receiving development approval annually, amounting to an estimated 209 homes over the last 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 90 approvals have been documented. With an average of 5.8 new residents per year coming for every dwelling built over the last 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), demand is notably outpacing supply, which commonly exerts upward pressure on values and heightens competition among buyers, while new dwellings are built at an average cost of $423,000, showing developer attention on the premium market with high-end properties. There have also been $5.1 million in commercial approvals this financial year, showing limited commercial development attention.

Compared against Rest of WA, Kealy registers 140.0% more construction activity (per person), presenting buyers with more choices, although building activity has decreased in recent periods. This activity is notably higher than the national average, showing strong developer interest in the locality. New development is made up of 94.0% detached homes and 6.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining the low density character of the locality with a focus on standalone homes that attract buyers looking for space. With around 70 people per dwelling approval, Kealy exhibits the features of a growth locality.

Population projections suggest Kealy will add 748 residents through to 2041 (starting from the most recent AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At ongoing development paces, new housing supply is expected to easily satisfy demand, creating favorable circumstances for buyers and potentially backing growth beyond current population projections.

Kealy has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 40thth percentile nationally

Few factors can affect a location's performance as much as alterations to local infrastructure, primary developments and planning schemes. In total, no projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Primary developments include Vasse Estate, Vasse Dunsborough Link, City of Busselton Local Planning Scheme No. 22, and Busselton Margaret River Airport Expansion, with the list below detailing those likely to be of greatest relevance.

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.

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Kealy performing better than 85% of local markets assessed across Australia

Kealy features a proportionate workforce distributed between white and blue collar jobs, with tourism and hospitality fields being highly visible, an unemployment rate of only 2.6%, and 12.2% in estimated employment growth over the last year, compiled by AreaSearch from statistical area data. As of March 2026, 1,376 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.9% below Regional WA's rate of 3.5%, and labor force participation is significantly above typical levels (84.2% compared to Regional WA's 65.6%). According to Census details, a low 4.4% of residents were recorded as working from home, though Covid-19 lockdown influences should be taken into account.

The primary employment fields among residents are accommodation & food, retail trade, and health care & social assistance. The locality displays a particularly distinct concentration in accommodation & food, with employment numbers at 1.8 times the regional average. On the other hand, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 3.8% of local workers, which is below Regional WA's 9.3%. The locality appears to provide sparse local job opportunities, as shown by the comparison of the Census working population against the resident population.

According to AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics, compiled from wider statistical areas, during the year ending March 2026, employment numbers rose by 12.2% and the labor force grew by 12.1%, leading the unemployment rate to drop by 0.2 percentage points. This differs from Regional WA, where employment decreased by 0.1%, the labor force expanded by 0.3%, and unemployment increased by 0.4 percentage points. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia from May-25 can provide additional perspective on potential future demand in Kealy. These forecasts, spanning five and ten-year intervals, have been aligned with the local employment profile to project growth patterns. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary greatly between industry fields. Applying these industry-specific projections to Kealy's employment distribution suggests local employment is expected to rise by 5.6% over five years and 12.0% over ten years (note that this is a basic weighted extrapolation for demonstration purposes and does not account for local population projections).

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

According to the most recent postcode level ATO statistics released by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, the suburb of Kealy's median income among taxpayers is $62,976, with an average of $83,171. This ranks among the highest in Australia, and compares to Regional WA's median of $59,973 and average of $74,392. Adjusted for Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since financial year 2023, current calculations would be approximately $69,859 (median) and $92,262 (average) as of March 2026. Census 2021 income statistics show household, family and individual earnings in Kealy sit around the 64th percentile nationwide. The details show the $1,500 - 2,999 category is most common with 40.6% of residents (905 people), matching broader patterns across the surrounding territory showing 31.1% in the same group. Elevated housing costs absorb 18.5% of earnings, though strong salaries still position disposable income at the 56th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

Kealy is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Residential composition in Kealy, as measured at the most recent Census, was made up of 92.1% houses and 7.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional WA's 88.5% houses and 11.6% other dwellings. At the same time, the rate of home ownership in Kealy was behind that of Regional WA, at 15.1%, with the rest of the properties being mortgaged (61.5%) or rented (23.4%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the locality was significantly higher than the Regional WA average at $1,781, while the median weekly rent was documented at $420, compared to Regional WA's $1,560 and $265. Nationally, mortgage payments in Kealy are below the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are considerably higher than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households represent the majority at 78.0% of all households, consisting of 37.2% couples with children, 27.3% couples without children, and 11.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 22.0%, with single person households at 19.2% and group households making up 4.1% of the total. The median household size of 2.7 individuals is larger than the Regional WA average of 2.5.

Kealy shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The locality experiences educational hurdles, with university qualification levels (15.4% ) considerably below the Australian average of 30.4%. This represents both a hurdle and an opening for focused educational programs. Bachelor degrees are most common at 12.9%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.3%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.2%). Trade and technical qualifications are highly represented, with 45.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (9.9%) and certificates (35.7%).

Educational attendance is remarkably high, with 30.1% of residents currently taking part in formal education. This comprises 13.1% in primary education, 7.3% in secondary education, and 2.0% enrolled in tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis indicates 3 active transit stops in operation within Kealy, which are made up of a combination of buses. These stops are serviced by 2 individual routes, which together provide 149 weekly passenger journeys. Transport accessibility is evaluated as moderate, with residents generally positioned 480 meters from the closest transport point. As a mostly residential locality, most residents travel outwards for work - car continues to be the primary mode of travel at 94%. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.4, below the regional average. A relatively low 4.4% of residents work from home (2021 Census; potentially reflecting COVID-19 settings).

Service frequency averages 21 journeys per day across all routes, which is equivalent to approximately 49 weekly journeys per individual stop.

Kealy's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Health statistics show relatively favorable circumstances for Kealy residents, with AreaSearch's analysis of mortality rates and health states showing outcomes generally consistent with national benchmarks, and the presence of common health conditions being quite low across both younger and older age brackets, while the rate of private health insurance was found to be remarkably high at roughly 60% of the total population (1,343 people). This compares to 56.4% across Regional WA.

The most frequent medical conditions in the locality were mental health concerns and asthma, affecting 9.0 and 8.2% of residents, respectively, while 74.1% reported being completely free of medical conditions compared to 69.3% across Regional WA. The population under 65 shows better than average health statistics. The locality has 8.6% of residents aged 65 and older (191 people), which is lower than the 19.2% in Regional WA. Health conditions among older residents are especially strong, with national standings higher than the general population.

Kealy ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Kealy was found to be below average for cultural diversity, with 80.6% of its population born in Australia, 89.3% holding citizenship, and 91.5% using only English at home. The primary religion in Kealy was Christianity, representing 31.2% of individuals in Kealy. Still, the most visible overrepresentation was in Hinduism, which accounts for 1.5% of the population, compared to 0.5% across Regional WA.

Regarding parent birthplaces, the three most common ancestral groups in Kealy are English, representing 33.5% of the population, Australian, representing 30.1% of the population, and Scottish, representing 7.9% of the population. Furthermore, there are visible variations in the presence of other ancestral groups: French is notably overrepresented at 0.9% of Kealy (compared to 0.4% regionally), Dutch at 1.9% (compared to 1.5%) and New Zealand at 1.1% (compared to 0.9%).

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

With a median age of 30, Kealy is significantly younger than the Regional WA mark of 40 and is notably below Australia's 38 years. Compared to Regional WA, Kealy has a larger share of 25 - 34 residents (19.9%) but fewer 55 - 64 year-olds (6.3%). This 25 - 34 share is far above the national 14.6%. Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age cohort has expanded from 15.1% to 17.1% of the population, while the 15 to 24 group rose from 11.7% to 13.6%. In contrast, the 25 to 34 group has dropped from 22.1% to 19.9%. Population projections for 2041 point to major age shifts for Kealy. The 25 to 34 cohort shows the highest forecast expansion at 57%, adding 254 residents to reach 698. Meanwhile, the 85+ cohort expands by a flat rate of zero percent, representing no new residents.