Mount Hawthorn

Population growth drivers in Mount Hawthorn are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Mount Hawthorn's population, as of November 2025, is estimated at around 8,872 people. This figure reflects an increase of 689 individuals since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 8,183. The current estimate is inferred from AreaSearch's validation of resident population data, based on ABS ERP figures released in June 2024 and additional new addresses confirmed since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 3,636 persons per square kilometer, placing Mount Hawthorn among the upper quartile of locations assessed by AreaSearch nationwide. Over the past decade, from 2015 to 2025, Mount Hawthorn has exhibited resilient growth patterns with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. This outpaces the SA4 region and is primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 75% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area as released in 2024, using 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) to estimate growth across all areas post-2032. Looking ahead, Mount Hawthorn is projected to experience above-median population growth among statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch. By 2041, the suburb's population is expected to grow by 1,363 persons, reflecting an increase of 17.4% over the 17-year period based on aggregated SA2-level projections.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data shows Mount Hawthorn averaged around 12 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 64 homes. So far in FY-26, two approvals have been recorded. Between FY-21 and FY-25, an average of 14.3 new residents arrived per year per dwelling constructed, indicating demand significantly exceeds new supply, which typically results in price growth and increased buyer competition. New properties are constructed at an average value of $880,000, demonstrating a developer focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties.

This financial year, $3.8 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting the area's primarily residential nature. Relative to Greater Perth, Mount Hawthorn records markedly lower building activity, at 80.0% below regional average per person, which typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. This level is also below average nationally, indicating the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New development consists of 85.0% detached dwellings and 15.0% townhouses or apartments, sustaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. Mount Hawthorn shows a mature, established area with around 1983 people per approval.

Looking ahead, Mount Hawthorn is expected to grow by 1,544 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Mount Hawthorn has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 18 projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include Litis Stadium Development and Britannia Reserve Upgrades, Scarborough Beach Road Streetscape Upgrade, Anzac Cottage Apartments, and Scarborough Beach Road Activity Corridor Plan (Mount Hawthorn section). The following list details those most pertinent.

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

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Employment performance in Mount Hawthorn has been broadly consistent with national averages

Mount Hawthorn has a highly educated workforce with professional services being strongly represented. Its unemployment rate is 3.3%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of June 2025, there are 5,425 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.5% below Greater Perth's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Mount Hawthorn is high at 75.6%, compared to Greater Perth's 65.2%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training. Notably, the area specializes in professional & technical jobs, with an employment share of 1.7 times the regional level.

Conversely, manufacturing shows lower representation at 3.1% compared to the regional average of 5.5%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work, as indicated by the count of Census working population to local population. In the 12-month period ending June 2025, Mount Hawthorn's labour force decreased by 1.2%, and employment decreased by 2.1%, resulting in an unemployment rate rise of 0.8 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Perth recorded employment growth of 3.7% over the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mount Hawthorn's employment mix, local employment is expected to increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.2% over ten years.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

AreaSearch reports that Mount Hawthorn had a median taxpayer income of $69,482 and an average income of $97,549 in the financial year 2022. These figures place Mount Hawthorn in the top percentile nationally, compared to Greater Perth's levels of $58,380 and $78,020 respectively. Based on a 14.2% growth in wages from financial year 2022 to September 2025, estimated median and average incomes would be approximately $79,348 and $111,401 respectively by that date. Census 2021 data shows Mount Hawthorn's household, family, and personal incomes rank highly nationally, between the 93rd and 95th percentiles. Income analysis reveals that 33.2% of locals (2,945 people) fall into the $4,000+ category, unlike regional trends where 32.0% fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 range. A substantial 48.5% of residents earn more than $3,000 weekly, indicating strong purchasing power. After housing costs, residents retain 87.5% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

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

Mount Hawthorn's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 77.7% houses and 22.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Perth metro's 37.1% houses and 62.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mount Hawthorn was at 30.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 42.8% and rented ones at 26.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,518, higher than Perth metro's average of $2,167. Median weekly rent in Mount Hawthorn was $420, compared to Perth metro's $390. Nationally, Mount Hawthorn's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,518 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially higher at $420 compared to the national figure of $375.

Mount Hawthorn has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 74.7% of all households, including 41.3% couples with children, 23.2% couples without children, and 8.9% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 25.3%, with lone person households at 22.1% and group households making up 3.2%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Greater Perth average of 2.1.

Mount Hawthorn demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Mount Hawthorn's educational attainment is notably higher than broader averages. Among residents aged 15+, 50.2% possess university qualifications compared to WA's 27.9% and Greater Perth's 30.1%. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 33.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (11.3%) and graduate diplomas (5.9%). Vocational pathways account for 23.2%, with advanced diplomas at 10.2% and certificates at 13.0%.

Educational participation is high, with 31.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes primary education (11.4%), secondary education (8.7%), and tertiary education (6.3%). Mount Hawthorn Primary School and Mount Hawthorn Education Support Centre serve approximately 1,000 students collectively. The area demonstrates significant socio-educational advantages with an ICSEA score of 1111. Both schools focus exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas. School places per 100 residents stand at 11.3, below the regional average of 17.1, indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

Mount Hawthorn has 47 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 8 different routes that together facilitate 1,737 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility to these services is rated as excellent, with residents on average being located just 154 meters from the nearest stop.

On a daily basis, there are an average of 248 trips across all routes, which translates to approximately 36 weekly trips per individual stop.

Mount Hawthorn's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Mount Hawthorn shows excellent health outcomes, with very low prevalence of common conditions across all ages. Approximately 66% of its total population (5,848 people) has private health cover, compared to Greater Perth's 69.8%. Nationally, this figure stands at 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 7.6% and 6.9% of residents respectively. A total of 76.4% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to Greater Perth's 74.5%. Mount Hawthorn has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 11.2% (993 people), than Greater Perth's 15.1%. Senior health outcomes align with the general population's profile.

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

Mount Hawthorn's cultural diversity was found to be above average, with 14.9% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 25.9% born overseas. Christianity was the dominant religion in Mount Hawthorn, making up 42.8% of people. Notably, Judaism was overrepresented compared to Greater Perth, comprising 0.8% versus 0.6%.

The top three represented ancestry groups were English (25.7%), Australian (23.0%, substantially higher than the regional average of 18.0%), and Irish (8.8%). Other notable divergences included Welsh at 0.8% compared to 0.7% regionally, Italian at 7.9% versus 5.3%, and Polish at 1.0%.

Mount Hawthorn's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Mount Hawthorn's median age is 37, matching Greater Perth's figure of 37 and remaining comparable to Australia's 38 years. The 5-14 age group constitutes 15.4%, higher than Greater Perth's percentage, while the 25-34 cohort makes up 11.7%. From 2021 onwards, the 15-24 age group has increased from 10.3% to 11.4% of the population. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort has decreased from 16.0% to 14.8%, and the 0-4 group has dropped from 7.3% to 6.2%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Mount Hawthorn's age structure. Notably, the 55-64 group is expected to grow by 30%, reaching 1,352 people from its current figure of 1,038. Meanwhile, both the 5-14 and 35-44 age groups are projected to decrease in numbers.