Little Grove

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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census the suburb of Little Grove's population is estimated at around 1,623 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 115 people (7.6%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,508 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 1,620, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025) and an additional 11 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 410 persons per square kilometer, providing significant space per person and potential room for further development. The suburb of Little Grove's 7.6% growth since census positions it within 1.2 percentage points of the SA3 area (8.8%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 49.0% 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). Anticipating future population dynamics, a population increase just below the median of Australia's non-metropolitan areas is expected, with the area expected to grow by 124 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting reflecting an increase of 7.5% in total over the 16 years.

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

Analysis of statistical area building approvals from the ABS indicates that Little Grove has averaged approximately 5 new residential approvals annually, culminating in an estimated total of 29 homes over the preceding 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 2 approvals have been documented. With an average of 1.5 new residents arriving per completed dwelling over the past 5 financial years (spanning FY-21 to FY-25), the local sector displays a healthy equilibrium between supply and demand, fostering stable market conditions. Newly built properties present an average valuation of $582,000, illustrating that developers are prioritizing the premium residential market with high-end properties.

Compared to the Rest of WA, the rate of new dwelling approvals per capita in Little Grove is roughly two-thirds, placing it in the 72nd percentile of all analyzed locations nationwide, although construction activity has accelerated recently. Recent building applications consist of 86.0% detached houses and 14.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the low-density character of the neighborhood with a focus on standalone residences that attract buyers seeking space. Averaging around 178 people for each new home approval, Little Grove exhibits the typical attributes of an expanding residential zone.

Future forecasts indicate that Little Grove will add 121 residents by 2041, according to the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. Under current construction trends, the supply of new housing is expected to easily satisfy demand, creating favorable buying opportunities and potentially supporting population growth that exceeds current predictions.

Little Grove has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 7thth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure updates, significant development works, and urban planning decisions are key drivers of regional performance. No major initiatives have been identified by AreaSearch that are expected to influence this locality. Prominent regional programs include the South West Interconnected System Transformation, Western Australia Agricultural Supply Chain Improvements, Regional And Rural Wa Road Network Safety Improvements, and the WA Regional Digital Connectivity Program (WARDCP), with details of the most relevant projects provided in the following list.

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Employment performance in Little Grove has been broadly consistent with national averages

Based on aggregated statistical area data from AreaSearch, Little Grove features a skilled workforce with strong representation in essential service sectors, alongside a low unemployment rate of 2.7%. Workplaces employ 783 residents as of March 2026, which is 0.8% below the 3.5% rate recorded in Regional WA. However, labor force participation is notably lower, sitting at 59.3% compared to 65.6% across Regional WA. Census responses indicate that a minor 7.7% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure should be considered in light of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.

The primary employment sectors for local residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. The community displays a distinct concentration in health care & social assistance, with an employment share that is 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, mining plays a minor role, employing 3.0% of workers compared to 11.7% regionally. The strongly residential nature of the locality means it offers few local jobs, as highlighted by the discrepancy between the Census working population and resident population counts.

According to AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from broader regions, the labor force contracted by 5.7% and total employment fell by 7.2% during the 12 months ending March 2026, leading to a 1.6 percentage point increase in unemployment. In comparison, Regional WA experienced a minor 0.1% decline in employment, a 0.3% expansion of the labor force, and a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 provide additional context for future labor demand in Little Grove. These projections, spanning five and ten-year horizons, have been applied to the local workforce profile to estimate future growth. While nationwide employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary widely by industry. Projecting these industry-specific rates onto the local workforce indicates that employment in Little Grove should expand by 6.2% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, representing a basic weighted extrapolation for illustrative purposes that excludes localized population forecasts.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The most recent postcode-level ATO statistics from AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicate that incomes in the suburb of Little Grove are lower than the national average, with a median of $50,568 and an average of $63,735. This is lower than Regional WA, where the median is $59,973 and the average is $74,392. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.93% since financial year 2023, estimates for March 2026 stand at roughly $56,095 for the median and $70,701 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes in Little Grove all ranked modestly, falling between the 38th and 39th percentiles. Income distribution shows that the largest group, comprising 32.9% of residents (533 people), falls into the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, mirroring regional trends where 31.1% are in this range. Housing costs are manageable, with residents retaining 88.9% of their income, though disposable income is below average in the 46th percentile and the suburb ranks in the 5th decile on the SEIFA index.

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

According to the latest Census, residential properties in Little Grove consisted of 94.4% separate houses and 5.6% alternative housing types such as semi-detached homes and apartments, compared to 88.5% houses and 11.6% other dwellings in Regional WA. Home ownership rates in Little Grove were significantly higher than the regional average, with 50.0% of properties owned outright, while the remaining homes were either mortgaged (35.4%) or rented (14.6%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,610 was higher than the Regional WA average of $1,560, and the median weekly rent of $295 exceeded the regional figure of $265. At a national level, mortgage payments in Little Grove are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are significantly below the national median of $375.

Little Grove has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Families make up the majority of households at 76.4%, consisting of 29.7% couples with children, 38.9% couples without children, and 6.6% single parents. The remaining 23.6% are non-family households, with lone person households representing 22.6% and group households accounting for 0.5%. The median household size is 2.5 people, aligning with the average for Regional WA.

Educational attainment in Little Grove aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The proportion of residents with tertiary qualifications in Little Grove is lower than the regional average, with 21.7% of people aged 15 and over holding a university degree compared to 30.4% nationally. This difference suggests opportunities for further educational advancement and skills training. Among university graduates, bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.6%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.3% and graduate diplomas at 2.8%. Vocational education is highly prevalent, with 43.4% of residents aged 15 and over holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 11.4% and certificates at 32.0%.

Enrolment rates in education are high, with 25.5% of residents currently studying. This student population includes 9.9% in secondary school, 8.3% in primary school, and 1.9% enrolled in higher education.

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

Public transport services in Little Grove consist of 8 active bus stops. These locations are served by 1 routes, which provide a total of 20 weekly services. Access to transport is good, with residents living an average of 388 meters from their nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, and 96% of commuting residents travel by car. Households own an average of 1.9 vehicles, which is higher than the regional average. A low 7.7% of residents worked from home, according to 2021 Census data collected during the pandemic.

Buses run at an average frequency of 2 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 2 weekly services at each individual stop.

The level of general health in Little Grove is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Little Grove displays favorable health profiles based on mortality and chronic illness rates analyzed by AreaSearch, with low rates of common illnesses observed in both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is slightly higher than the average SA2 area, representing approximately 53% of the population (about 852 people), compared to 56.4% across Regional WA.

Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent health issues in the area, affecting 10.3% and 9.4% of the population respectively, while 65.3% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 69.3% in Regional WA. Health outcomes for working-age residents are typical. People aged 65 and over make up 26.9% of the population (436 people), which is higher than the regional average of 19.2%. Senior residents show very positive health outcomes, with national rankings exceeding those of the general population.

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

Cultural diversity in Little Grove is below the national average, with 80.3% of residents born in Australia, 91.6% holding citizenship, and 96.7% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the main religious affiliation, representing 37.1% of the community. The most notable difference from regional averages is in the Other category, which accounts for 0.6% of the population compared to 0.7% across Regional WA.

In terms of parental heritage, English ancestry is the most common at 38.0% of the population, which is higher than the regional average of 31.3%, followed by Australian at 28.4% and Scottish at 8.8%. There are also notable differences in other backgrounds, with Dutch ancestry represented at 3.0% of the population (compared to 1.5% regionally), Polish at 1.1% (compared to 0.5%), and South Australian at 0.8% (compared to 0.6%).

Little Grove hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age of 48 years in Little Grove is significantly higher than the Regional WA average of 40 years and the national median of 38 years. Compared to the Regional WA average, the 65 - 74 age group is highly represented at 14.5%, whereas the 25 - 34 cohort is underrepresented at 7.2%. The concentration of residents aged 65 - 74 is also higher than the national average of 9.4%. Since 2021, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 grew from 10.0% to 11.6%, and the 35 to 44 group rose from 10.7% to 12.0%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 group decreased from 16.1% to 13.0%, and the 5 to 14 cohort fell from 12.9% to 11.7%. Projections suggest the age profile will change by 2041, with the 35 to 44 cohort expected to grow by 47 people (24%), rising from 194 to 242. In contrast, population declines are forecast for the 85+ and 15 to 24 age groups.