Kenwick

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

Determined from the evaluation of ABS demographic updates for the broader region, along with residential addresses verified by AreaSearch following the Census, the suburb of Kenwick has a residency count calculated at approximately 6,652 as of May 2026. This marks an expansion of 968 individuals (17.0%) relative to the 2021 Census, when the headcount stood at 5,684 people. The calculation is derived from a local resident base of 6,578, estimated by AreaSearch analyzing the most recent ABS ERP release (June 2025) plus an extra 55 validated new addresses since the Census date. This size of population yields a density ratio of 674 persons per square kilometer, offering substantial space per inhabitant and potential capacity for subsequent development. The 17.0% expansion in the suburb of Kenwick since the 2021 census was faster than the national rate (9.3%) and the SA3 region, positioning it as a local growth pacesetter. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains in the area, accounting for roughly 70.0% of the total growth during recent timeframes.

For each SA2 boundary, AreaSearch utilizes projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia published in 2024, using 2022 as the base year. Where such coverage is missing, and to calculate expansion in the years after 2032, AreaSearch applies age cohort growth rates from the latest ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023, utilizing 2022 data). When evaluating future demographic trends for the suburb of Kenwick, the local population is expected to grow at a rate above the Australian statistical area median, expanding by 876 individuals to 2041 based on compiled SA2 projections, representing an overall rise of 12.1% across the 16 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Kenwick among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch assessment of ABS building approval statistics compiled from local area files shows that Kenwick has averaged approximately 29 residential approvals yearly, accumulating an estimated 147 dwellings over the last 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 38 approvals have been registered. With an average of 4.5 additional residents per year for each completed dwelling during the 5 financial years between FY-21 and FY-25, buyer demand is outstripping new supply, which typically causes prices to rise and intensifies purchasing rivalry, while new homes carry an average construction cost of $286,000. Furthermore, commercial approvals worth $35.8 million have been registered this financial year, showing strong commercial building activity.

In comparison to Greater Perth, development volume per capita in Kenwick is matching, which underpins market steadiness aligned with the broader capital. New housing approvals are split between 73.0% detached houses and 27.0% medium or high-density dwellings like townhouses and apartments, maintaining the low-density landscape with a focus on separate homes that draw buyers wanting space. This is a clear shift from the current residential mix of 98.0% houses, which points to a drop in vacant land and reflects changing housing affordability dynamics and lifestyle choices. With roughly 228 individuals per approval, Kenwick is displaying a market in transition.

Future forecasts indicate Kenwick will add 802 inhabitants by 2041, taken from the most recent quarterly estimate by AreaSearch. The current volume of construction appears aligned with upcoming demand, which supports balanced market dynamics without severe pressure on prices.

Kenwick has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Local infrastructure updates, planning programs, and major physical works are key drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has identified 21 projects that are likely to influence the local area. Principal developments include the CDC Maddington Data Centre Campus, Principal Shared Paths - Bickley Road, the Central Maddington Outline Development Plan, and the Maddington Central Redevelopment, with the most significant items listed below.

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

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Employment performance in Kenwick has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Kenwick is home to an experienced workforce with prominent manufacturing and industrial sectors, an unemployment rate of 7.7%, and an estimated job growth rate of 1.5% over the past year, according to AreaSearch compiling local statistical files. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 3,233 while the local unemployment rate was 3.5% higher than the Greater Perth rate of 4.2%, indicating potential for betterment, and labor force participation is lower at 64.8% compared to 70.2% in Greater Perth. Census records show a minor 5.5% share of local workers operating from home, though coronavirus lockdown factors must be taken into account.

Resident jobs are heavily concentrated in construction, retail trade, and health care & social assistance. The local workforce displays an especially high specialization in transport, postal & warehousing, where the employment proportion is 1.9 times the metropolitan baseline. By contrast, education & training is underrepresented, accounting for 5.4% of local jobs compared to 9.2% across the wider region. Given the contrast between the census working population and resident count, this mostly residential locality seems to provide limited local job opportunities.

According to AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics compiled from broader local areas, the year leading to March 2026 saw employment numbers rise by 1.5% and the labor force expand by 2.2%, which caused unemployment to tick upward by 0.6 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Perth experienced a 2.0% employment increase, a 2.5% labor force expansion, and a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. Long-term employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia dated May-25 offer additional perspective on prospective workforce demand in Kenwick. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future growth. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though expansion rates vary widely by industry. Weighting these sectoral forecasts against the local employment profile indicates local job numbers would rise by 5.8% over five years and 12.5% over ten years, though this is a basic weighted extrapolation for demonstration and does not incorporate local demographic forecasts.

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

The most recent postcode-level ATO data compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 shows that personal earnings in Kenwick fall below the national average, with a median of $48,887 and an average of $57,219. This is lower than the Greater Perth median of $60,748 and average of $80,248. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since financial year 2023, current equivalent levels would be approximately $54,230 for the median and $63,473 for the average as of March 2026. From the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes all rank in the lower brackets, falling between the 25th and 31st percentiles. Income distributions show the largest concentration of residents is the 33.2% of locals (2,208 people) earning in the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which matches the wider metropolitan pattern where this bracket accounts for 32.0%. Financial pressure from housing is high, leaving residents with only 82.7% of their income, which sits in the 29th percentile.

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

Residential configurations in Kenwick at the time of the latest Census consisted of 98.2% detached houses and 1.8% alternative dwellings like apartments, townhouses, and other structures, differing from the Perth metropolitan breakdown of 77.8% houses and 22.1% other dwellings. Home ownership rates in Kenwick were below the metropolitan average at 25.1%, with the remaining properties occupied by households with a mortgage (45.6%) or renting tenants (29.3%). The median monthly home loan payment was significantly below the Perth metropolitan average at $1,517, while the median weekly rent stood at $300, compared to metropolitan benchmarks of $1,907 and $350. On a national level, mortgage costs in Kenwick are notably lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rental costs are well below the national median of $375.

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

Families make up the majority of households at 69.9%, consisting of couples with children at 35.3%, couples without children at 20.6%, and single parent households at 12.3%. Non-family households account for the remaining 30.1%, with single-person households at 26.0% and group households representing 4.1% of the total. The median household occupancy of 2.7 residents is slightly larger than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

Educational outcomes in Kenwick fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

Educational attainment levels present some challenges in the area, with tertiary qualification rates at 18.6%, which is well below the Australian benchmark of 30.4%. This highlights a clear opportunity for focused educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary qualification at 12.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 4.6% and graduate diplomas at 1.5%. Vocational and technical training is highly represented, with 35.9% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 10.2% and certificates at 25.7%.

Student representation is high in the community, with 31.0% of the population currently participating in some form of structured education. This includes 11.3% attending primary schools, 8.1% in high schools, and 4.3% enrolled in tertiary institutions.

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

Transport networks include 33 active transit stops in Kenwick, incorporating both rail and bus services. These points of access are connected to 4 distinct routes, which combine to support 889 passenger journeys every week. Accessibility is good, with homes situated an average of 345 meters from the nearest transit point. Because the suburb is primarily residential, most workers travel outside the area, with private vehicles remaining the primary choice for 83% of commuters, followed by 9% using train services. Households own an average of 1.6 vehicles. A low 5.5% of workers worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic regulations.

Transit service frequency averages 127 runs daily across the network, which translates to approximately 26 weekly trips at each individual stop.

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

Kenwick faces notable public health concerns, based on AreaSearch assessments of mortality patterns and the occurrence of chronic illnesses across both younger and older demographics, while the share of residents with private health insurance is low at roughly 50% of the population (~3,320 people). This stands in contrast to the 59.0% recorded across Greater Perth and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent diagnosed medical conditions among local residents are arthritis and mental health challenges, affecting 6.9% and 7.1% of the population, respectively, while 72.2% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions compared to 71.9% across Greater Perth. Health profiles for working-age residents are generally typical. The suburb has 14.2% of its population aged 65 and older (944 people), which is below the Greater Perth average of 16.1%, with national health comparisons matching the broader community.

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

Kenwick exhibits a high degree of cultural diversity, with 40.3% of residents communicating in a language other than English at home and 44.6% born outside Australia. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, encompassing 46.8% of the local population. Islam shows the most notable local concentration, representing 8.6% of residents, which is significantly higher than the Greater Perth average of 3.2%.

Regarding family heritage (parents' place of birth), the three largest ancestries in Kenwick are Other at 25.1% of the population, which is much higher than the metropolitan baseline of 11.2%, English at 21.6%, which is lower than the metropolitan baseline of 28.0%, and Australian at 18.3%. Other notable ethnic representations include Filipino at 3.4% of the population (compared to 1.4% across the region), Maori at 1.3% (compared to 0.9%), and Korean at 0.6% (compared to 0.3%).

Kenwick's population is younger than the national pattern

The median age of 35 years in Kenwick is slightly below the Greater Perth average of 37 and the national average of 38. Young children aged 0 - 4 are highly represented at 6.7% compared to Greater Perth, while older residents in the 65 - 74 bracket are less common at 7.5%. Since 2021, the 75 to 84 age cohort has increased from 4.3% to 5.3% of the total population, while the 5 to 14 youth cohort fell from 13.3% to 11.4%. Population projections for 2041 point to significant demographic shifts, with the 75 to 84 cohort expected to grow by 212 people (60%) from 352 to 565, while the 5 to 14 and 35 to 44 cohorts are projected to contract.