Murdoch

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

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Murdoch is around 3,690. This figure reflects an increase of 338 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,352. The latest resident population estimate by AreaSearch, based on ERP data released by the ABS in June 2025 and additional validated addresses, is 3,689. This results in a density ratio of 866 persons per square kilometer, which aligns with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Murdoch's population growth of 10.1% since the 2021 Census exceeds the national average of 9.3%, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 95.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving this growth.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. For areas not covered by this data and to estimate growth post-2032, 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. Looking ahead, significant population increase is forecast for Murdoch, with an expected expansion of 1,047 persons to reach a total of 4,737 by 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 28.4% over the 16-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Murdoch is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Murdoch has recorded approximately 2 residential properties granted approval each year over the past 5 financial years ending June 30, totalling an estimated 11 homes. As of July 26, 2026, 25 approvals have been recorded in FY-26. In comparison to Greater Perth, Murdoch has markedly lower building activity, with a rate that is 90.0% below the regional average per person.

This scarcity of new properties typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties, though development activity has picked up in recent periods. Recent construction comprises 75.0% detached houses and 25.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving the area's low density nature. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 764 people. According to AreaSearch quarterly estimates, Murdoch will gain approximately 1,046 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Population forecasts indicate Murdoch will gain 1,046 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.

Murdoch has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 38thth percentile nationally

Eleven projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area's performance. Key projects include Fiona Stanley Hospital Precinct's New Women and Babies Hospital, another New Women and Babies Hospital project, Murdoch University's New Academic Building, and North Lake Road - Winterfold Road Intersection Upgrade. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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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 assessment indicates Murdoch faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Murdoch's workforce is well-educated with significant representation from essential services sectors. The unemployment rate as of December 2025 was 6.1%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of the same month, 1,705 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 2.0% higher than Greater Perth's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation in Murdoch lagged behind Greater Perth at 53.7%, compared to 69.7%. According to Census responses, only 8.8% of residents worked from home, but Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Employment among residents was concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food sectors. Murdoch had a particular employment specialization in accommodation & food, with an employment share 1.7 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction showed lower representation at 5.1% compared to the regional average of 9.3%. There were 4.1 workers for every resident as at the Census, indicating that the area functioned as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. Over the 12 months to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.2% alongside a 0.5% employment decline, resulting in the unemployment rate rising by 0.3 percentage points, according to AreaSearch's analysis of SALM and ABS data aggregated from broader statistical areas. In comparison, Greater Perth saw employment grow by 2.3%, labour force expand by 2.6%, and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offer further insight into potential future demand within Murdoch. These projections suggest that national employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with growth rates differing significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Murdoch's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, although this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections.

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

Murdoch suburb shows median taxpayer income $43,358 and average $56,736 based on latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is lower than national average, contrasting with Greater Perth's median $60,748 and average $80,248. By March 2026, estimated median income would be approximately $48,097 and average $62,937, considering Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since financial year 2023. According to the 2021 Census, individual incomes at the 10th percentile were $584 weekly, while household income was at the 33rd percentile. The earnings profile shows that 26.0% of residents (959 people) fall into the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket, mirroring metropolitan region's 32.0%. After housing costs, 85.3% of income remains for other expenses. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

Murdoch's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 78.0% houses and 22.0% other dwellings. In comparison, Perth metro had 77.8% houses and 22.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Murdoch was at 53.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.0% and rented ones at 24.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Murdoch was $2,037, higher than Perth metro's $1,907. The median weekly rent in Murdoch was $445, compared to Perth metro's $350. Nationally, Murdoch's mortgage repayments were above the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially higher than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 68.3% of all households, consisting of 26.8% couples with children, 34.2% couples without children, and 5.8% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 31.7%, with lone person households at 26.3% and group households comprising 5.0% of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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

The area's educational profile is notable regionally with university qualification rates at 37.8%, exceeding both WA's average of 27.9% and the SA4 region's rate of 28.6%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 26.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.5%). Vocational credentials are held by 27.4% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 11.6% and certificates at 15.8%.

Educational participation is high, with 38.2% currently enrolled in formal education, including 23.8% in tertiary, 5.3% in secondary, and 5.0% in primary education.

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

Murdoch has 51 active public transport stops, serving a mix of train and bus services. These stops are covered by 27 individual routes, offering 7,051 weekly passenger trips in total. The average distance from residents to the nearest stop is 156 meters, indicating excellent transport accessibility. In this primarily residential area, most commuters travel outward. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 71%, with train and bus usage at 16% and 8% respectively. On average, there are 1.4 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, 8.8% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 1,007 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 138 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Murdoch demonstrates above-average health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both young and old age cohorts show low prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately 50% of the total population (~1,835 people) has private health cover, compared to 59.0% across Greater Perth and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (8.4%) and mental health issues (6.7%), while 68.7% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 71.9% across Greater Perth. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 32.7% of residents aged 65 and over (1,206 people), higher than the 16.1% in Greater Perth. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Murdoch's cultural diversity is notable, with 31.0% speaking a language other than English at home and 45.0% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Murdoch, accounting for 51.3%. Buddhism is more prevalent here compared to Greater Perth, making up 5.4% versus 2.7%.

The top three ancestral groups are English (22.9%), Australian (18.6%), and Chinese (15.9%). While English and Australian figures are lower than regional averages of 28.0% and 23.0%, respectively, the Chinese figure is substantially higher at 15.9% compared to 4.0%. Notable overrepresentation exists for South Australian (1.0%), Sri Lankan (0.8%), and Korean (0.7%) groups compared to regional averages of 1.0%, 0.2%, and 0.3%, respectively.

Murdoch hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

The median age in Murdoch is 42 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Perth's average of 37 years and Australia's national average of 38 years. The age group of 15-24 years old makes up 25.2% of the population in Murdoch, compared to Greater Perth's percentage, while the 35-44 age group is less prevalent at 8.4%. This concentration of young adults is higher than the national average of 12.7%. According to post-2021 Census data, Murdoch has seen a decrease in median age by 1.1 years, from 43 to 42 years. The 15-24 age group has grown from 22.0% to 25.2%, while the 75-84 age group has increased from 11.1% to 12.6%. Conversely, the 55-64 age group has declined from 9.4% to 6.2%, and the 65-74 age group has dropped from 12.5% to 11.2%. By the year 2041, Murdoch's age composition is expected to shift notably. The 85+ age cohort is projected to more than double, increasing by 464 people (141%) from 328 to 793. The combined age groups of 65 and above are expected to account for 75% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic trend. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 35-44 and 5-14 age cohorts.