Kiara

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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, the estimated population of the suburb of Kiara is around 1,926 as of Feb 2026. This figure reflects an increase of 150 people (8.4%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,776 people. The change was inferred from the resident population of 1,895 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,385 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Kiara has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 39.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including natural growth and overseas migration were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. 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, a significant population increase in the top quartile of statistical areas across the nation is forecast for Kiara, with the suburb expected to expand by 609 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 37.3% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data shows Kiara has had around 1 new home approved annually. Over the past five financial years, between FY2021 and FY2025, approximately 5 homes were approved, with no approvals so far in FY2026.

This results in an average of 62.4 new residents per year for every home built during these years, indicating demand significantly outpaces supply. Compared to Greater Perth, Kiara has less development activity, which typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties due to scarcity of new ones. Recent building activity consists solely of detached houses, preserving the area's suburban nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. Latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate projects Kiara will add 719 residents by 2041.

If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Kiara has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 36thth percentile nationally

No changes can significantly affect a region's performance like modifications to its local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that are anticipated to impact this area. Notable projects include Bennett Springs East Structure Plan, St Relic - Caversham, Roe Estate, and Bennett Springs East Station (Future), with the following list outlining those expected to be most pertinent.

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Employment performance in Kiara has been broadly consistent with national averages

Kiara's workforce is skilled with well-represented essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 4.0% in September 2025, matching Greater Perth's rate. Employment grew by an estimated 1.9% over the past year, according to AreaSearch data aggregation.

As of September 2025, 1,189 residents were employed with a workforce participation rate of 78.1%, higher than Greater Perth's 71.6%. Only 6.2% of residents worked from home based on Census responses. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Retail trade has notably high employment levels at 1.2 times the regional average.

Mining has limited presence with 4.0% employment compared to the regional average of 7.0%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 1.9% while labour force grew by 2.5%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Perth saw employment grow by 2.9%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest Kiara's employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.2% over ten years based on industry-specific projections applied to Kiara's employment mix.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

Kiara's suburb has an income level below the national average according to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest ATO data for financial year 2023. The median income among Kiara taxpayers is $55,454 and the average income stands at $66,007. For Greater Perth, these figures are $60,748 and $80,248 respectively. By September 2025, estimates based on a 9.62% Wage Price Index growth would be approximately $60,789 (median) and $72,357 (average). Kiara's incomes rank modestly according to census data, between the 36th and 40th percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. The largest income bracket comprises 33.5% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (645 residents), similar to broader area trends at 32.0%. Kiara faces severe housing affordability pressures with only 84.7% of income remaining, ranking at the 37th percentile. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

Kiara is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Kiara's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 88.7% houses and 11.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Perth metro's 77.8% houses and 22.1% other dwellings. Kiara's home ownership stood at 36.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 44.2% and rented ones at 19.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,625, lower than Perth metro's average of $1,907. The median weekly rent figure in Kiara was $333, compared to Perth metro's $350. Nationally, Kiara's mortgage repayments were below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower than the national figure of $375.

Kiara features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 72.3% of all households, including 31.1% couples with children, 26.3% couples without children, and 13.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 27.7%, with lone person households at 24.4% and group households comprising 3.9%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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

In Kiara Trail, the proportion of residents aged 15 and above with university degrees is 20.5%, compared to Australia's 30.4%. This indicates a gap suggesting potential for educational development. Bachelor degrees are most common at 16.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 34.1% of residents holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas at 8.6% and certificates at 25.5%.

Educational participation is high, with 26.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 7.7% in primary education, 7.4% in secondary education, and 5.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Kiara has 20 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by six different routes that together facilitate 793 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility to these transport services is rated as excellent, with residents typically located just 189 meters from the nearest stop. Kiara being predominantly residential, most commuting happens outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation for 87% of residents, while trains are used by 7%. On average, there are 1.6 vehicles per dwelling in the area.

According to the 2021 Census, only 6.2% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes averages 113 trips per day, which translates to approximately 39 weekly trips per individual stop.

Kiara's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Health data shows Kiara residents have relatively positive health outcomes, matching national benchmarks for mortality rates and common health conditions among both young and elderly cohorts. Private health cover is held by approximately 53% of Kiara's total population (around 1,028 people), slightly higher than the Greater Perth average of 59.0%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues affecting 8.1% of residents and arthritis impacting 7.0%, while 68.6% report no medical ailments, compared to 71.9% in Greater Perth. Working-age population health outcomes are typical for the area. Kiara has 17.2% of residents aged 65 and over (331 people), with national rankings similar to the general population.

Kiara was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Kiara's population was found to be more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 24.1% speaking a language other than English at home as of 20XX. Additionally, 35.4% were born overseas by the same year. Christianity was the predominant religion in Kiara, comprising 49.8% of its population.

However, Buddhism was notably overrepresented, making up 5.8% compared to the regional average of 2.7%. In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English at 24.6%, Australian at 19.8%, and Other at 12.5%. There were also notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Polish was overrepresented at 1.7% (vs regional 0.7%), Vietnamese at 3.6% (vs 0.8%), and Serbian at 0.6% (vs 0.3%).

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

The median age in Kiara is 39 years, which is higher than Greater Perth's average of 37 years and close to the national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Perth, Kiara has a notably over-represented cohort of 55-64 year-olds (16.1% locally) and an under-represented group of 35-44 year-olds (12.0%). According to data from the 2021 Census, the 35-44 age group has grown from 10.9% to 12.0% of Kiara's population. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort has declined from 15.0% to 12.0%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Kiara. Notably, the 55-64 age group is expected to grow by 42%, reaching 439 people from 310.