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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Nickol has an estimated 5,585 residents, up from 4,938 at the 2021 Census — a change of 647 people, or 13.1%. Growth has averaged 1.5% a year over five years, faster than 80% of areas nationally. Natural increase accounts for 64.0% of that increase. That puts 1,881 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to AreaSearch's evaluation of recent ABS demographic releases alongside 9 validated new addresses added post-Census, the suburb of Nickol has an estimated population of approximately 5,585 as of Aug 2026. This represents an expansion of 647 residents (13.1%) over the 4,938 people counted in the 2021 Census, building upon the resident population figure of 5,545 calculated from the ABS ERP release in June 2025. This brings local population density to 1,880 persons per square kilometer, exceeding AreaSearch's nationwide benchmark. Nickol's 13.1% post-2021 expansion outpaced both the national standard of 9.5% and the broader Rest of WA, positioning it as a regional frontrunner in growth.
Inward demographic momentum was heavily anchored by natural increase, accounting for roughly 64.0% of recent population additions. Projections for the suburb of Nickol incorporate 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 modeling based on 2022 benchmarks, supplemented by age-cohort growth trajectories from the 2023 Greater Capital Region dataset (using 2022 data) for locations outside coverage and post-2032 modeling. Looking toward 2041, aggregated SA2 estimates project an influx of 399 persons, which sits just under the median trajectory for non-metropolitan Australia and equates to an overall 16-year gain of 6.4%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
193 new dwellings have been approved in Nickol over the past five years, an average of 38 a year. That places the area in the 67th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 7 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 41 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 83% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 61, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Analysis of ABS building approvals by AreaSearch indicates that residential construction in Nickol has maintained a pace of roughly 38 approvals annually, yielding 193 new dwellings over the last 5 financial years, with 61 approvals already logged during FY-25. Across the 5 financial years spanning FY-21 to FY-25, the local market averaged 2 new residents per dwelling, reflecting solid absorption supporting property values, while approved dwellings carry an average construction value of $583,000 as developers target the high-end residential segment. Meanwhile, non-residential building activity remains subdued, registering just $55,000 in approved commercial construction this financial year.
Per capita residential construction in Nickol exceeds the Rest of WA benchmark by 75.0%, widening inventory choices for buyers. New residential pipeline composition is heavily weighted toward detached houses at 83.0% compared to 17.0% for attached housing, reinforcing low-density suburban living tailored to buyers seeking spacious properties. The municipality registers approximately 146 people per approval, consistent with an active growth precinct. Nickol is projected to add 359 residents by 2041 based on AreaSearch's most recent quarterly assessment. At ongoing rates of home building, local residential supply appears well matched to projected demand, maintaining supportive market conditions for purchasers and providing capacity for development to outstrip current demographic forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Nickol
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Nickol, worth an estimated $40 million. A further 62 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $15.7 billion. 23 are already under construction and 25 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, ports, marinas, fisheries & aquaculture and sports & recreation. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Strategic planning, regional capital works, and local infrastructure developments serve as primary catalysts for area growth. AreaSearch has identified 3 key regional initiatives with direct local relevance, including Madigan at Baynton West, Gap Ridge Homemaker Centre, Tambrey Village Shopping Centre, and Karratha Senior High School Upgrade.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Gap Ridge Homemaker Centre
Karratha's first dedicated homemaker centre, featuring a 7,600 square meter Bunnings Warehouse and nine large format retail tenancies. As the only Bunnings in the Pilbara region, it services local demand for DIY, hardware, furniture, electrical appliances, and white goods. The project is located adjacent to residential developments and the Gap Ridge Industrial Estate, with the retail trade market in the area expected to reach 249 million AUD by 2026. Construction officially commenced on April 1, 2026.
Madigan at Baynton West
Madigan at Baynton West is a major residential development in Karratha designed to provide affordable living and essential worker housing. The estate is a key component of the Karratha Urea Project's workforce strategy, with developer Perdaman constructing 133 homes to accommodate its permanent operational staff. As of early 2026, over 30 homes have been delivered with another 30 under active construction. The project features climate-responsive design, a 1.38-hectare landscaped public open space, and proximity to Baynton West Primary School.Future stages include plans for approximately 250 additional lots, a childcare center, and a new primary school to support long-term regional growth.
The Quarter Karratha
Mixed-use civic, retail and commercial precinct anchored by The Quarter HQ office/retail building, a city square and 46 service worker apartments, delivered as part of the Karratha city centre revitalisation.
Western Edge
A 160-hectare master-planned community in South Hedland designed to transform underutilized land into a residential hub for over 3,000 residents. The project received a major 75.2 million AUD funding boost in the 2026-27 WA State Budget to deliver the first 121 lots across Stages 1 and 2. It includes enabling infrastructure for water, power, and telecommunications, as well as public open space. The full project has the potential for up to 1,000 lots, including social housing.
South Hedland Town Centre Revitalisation
Comprehensive revitalisation of South Hedland's Town Centre featuring a new main street, vibrant Town Square, public open spaces, road realignment, landscape treatments, underground services, and medium-to-high density mixed-use development opportunities. The project transforms the town centre into a modern hub designed for people, business, and investment. Premium development lots are now available for sale with infrastructure already in place.
South Hedland Residential Land Development
Residential land subdivision in South Hedland with fully serviced single residential lots (power, water, NBN ready) available for purchase. Lots are in established streets including Buzzard Street and Gannet Street, supporting affordable home building in the Pilbara region.
South Hedland Town Square
Public open space adjacent to South Hedland Shopping Centre featuring grassed outdoor amphitheatre, children's playground, public amenities, and landscaped areas. Serves as a community gathering place and event venue for local celebrations and activities.
Hedland Health Campus
A modern 12,000sqm single-level health facility serving as the regional healthcare hub for the Pilbara. The campus features four main pavilions housing a 24-hour emergency department, ambulatory care, renal dialysis, medical imaging, and mental health services. Designed with a unique heat-buffer roof system and cyclone-rated materials to withstand extreme regional climates.
3,100 residents of Nickol are employed, from a labour force of 3,177. Unemployment sits at 2.4%, with participation at 79.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.0% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. The working-day population is estimated at 4,057, about 73% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Local workforce indicators compiled by AreaSearch highlight an economically engaged population concentrated in industrial and manufacturing activities, recording an unemployment rate of only 2.4% and an estimated 2.2% employment rise over the past year. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 3,100, while the local jobless rate sat 1.1% below Regional WA's 3.5%, supported by an elevated participation rate of 79.0% compared to 65.4% regionally. Remote work accounted for only 4.1% of workforce participants at the Census, although Covid-19 restrictions provide context for this figure. The resident employment base is anchored by mining, construction, and education & training.
Local specialization in mining is particularly pronounced, registering a concentration 2.5 times that of the regional economy. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.1% of local workers versus 9.3% across the wider region. The area's largely residential character means local commercial hubs offer limited internal employment relative to the resident working population. Aggregated ABS and SALM figures evaluated by AreaSearch show that in the 12 months leading to March 2026, local employment expanded by 2.2% alongside a 2.4% labor force gain, nudging the unemployment rate upward by 0.2 percentage points, whereas Regional WA saw employment fall 0.1%, labor supply rise 0.3%, and unemployment climb 0.4 percentage points. Applying national industry projections from Jobs and Skills Australia (Mar-26)—which model nationwide employment growth of 6.6% across five years and 13.7% over ten years—to Nickol's sectoral distribution yields estimated local job expansion of 5.0% over five years and 11.4% over ten years via baseline industry weighting without localized population adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Nickol is $3,736 a week (about $194,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,662 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $91,909 a year against an average of $108,249. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to postcode-level ATO taxation records released by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, Nickol taxpayers recorded a median taxable income of $91,909 and an average of $108,249, placing the suburb within the nation's highest income tiers compared to Regional WA medians of $59,973 and averages of $74,392. Adjusting for 10.93% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023 lifts estimated March 2026 figures to approximately $101,955 (median) and $120,081 (average). Census 2021 records place personal, family, and household earnings between the 99th and 99th percentiles across Australia. Among residents, 46.6% (2,602 people) fall into the top $4000+ weekly bracket, in contrast to the metropolitan benchmark where 31.1% earn between $1,500 - 2,999.
Overall, 67.0% of local households earn over $3,000 per week, leaving residents with 92.6% of income after housing costs and placing the suburb in the 7th SEIFA decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Nickol had 1,370 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 90% detached houses and 1% apartments. 21% are owned with a mortgage, 75% rented and 4% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $240 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,021 a month. Rent absorbs 6.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 12.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, the local housing stock consisted of 90.4% separate houses and 9.6% medium-to-high density or other dwelling formats, compared to 88.5% houses and 11.6% other categories across Regional WA. Outright home ownership was low at 4.1%, while mortgaged homes accounted for 20.8% and rental properties formed the dominant share at 75.1%. Median monthly mortgage costs stood at $2,021, outpacing the Regional WA benchmark of $1,560 and the Australian standard of $1,863, whereas median weekly rents were $240, well below Regional WA's $265 and the nationwide level of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Nickol counted 1,370 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,550 today, averaging 3.1 people each. 51% are couples with children, more than in 95% of areas nationally, against 24% couples without children. 15% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute the vast majority of local households at 83.3%, comprising couples with children (50.7%), childless couples (24.3%), and single parent homes (6.9%). The remaining 16.7% consists of non-family arrangements, with single-person residences representing 15.3% and share homes making up 2.0%. The suburb maintains an average household size of 3.1 people, exceeding the Regional WA median of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
24.1% of adults in Nickol hold a university qualification, including 16.5% with a bachelor degree and 4.4% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 37.1% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 702 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 921 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment in the community is notably high, with tertiary qualification holders accounting for 24.1% of residents aged 15+, exceeding the Rest of WA standard of 17.6%. Bachelor degrees represent the largest share at 16.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 4.4% and graduate diplomas at 3.2%. Technical qualifications are also widely held, with 48.6% of adults holding vocational credentials, including 11.5% with advanced diplomas and 37.1% holding certificates. Formal study engagement is substantial across the suburb, with 40.8% of the populace currently enrolled in an educational course. Broken down by stage, this includes 18.8% in primary school, 10.8% in secondary education, and 2.6% attending tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Nickol means driving: households keep an average of 2.0 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Nickol's public transit network comprises 2 bus stops served by 2 distinct routes that provide a total of 20 weekly passenger services. Accessibility is moderate, with dwellings positioned an average distance of 587 meters from the nearest stop. Given the suburb's residential focus, outward commuting is dominant, with private vehicles accounting for 92% of travel and vehicle ownership averaging 2.0 per household, exceeding regional norms. Home-based workers constituted a modest 4.1% of the workforce at the 2021 Census. Transit service schedules average 2 trips per day across all available routes, providing approximately 10 weekly departures for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
82.8% of residents in Nickol report no long-term health condition. 1.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 70.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators compiled by AreaSearch present a positive profile overall, tracking near national norms with common chronic conditions marginally elevated across both younger and older demographics. Notably, private health insurance coverage is extensive, encompassing roughly 70% of the population (3,918 people), substantially higher than the 56.4% recorded across Regional WA and the national average of 55.7%. Asthma and mental health conditions are the most prevalent reported ailments, diagnosed in 5.9 and 5.8% of the local population respectively, whereas 82.8% of residents reported having no medical conditions at all, surpassing the 69.3% benchmark across Regional WA.
Older residents aged 65 and over make up 2.7% of the community (150 people), well below the 19.1% share observed throughout Regional WA, aligning broadly with broader national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Nickol is largely Australian-born, at 78.3% of residents, with 13.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (27.5%) and English (25.8%). 7.9% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Nickol tracks above average, with 21.7% of the population born abroad and 13.4% using a non-English language at home. Christianity forms the dominant religious affiliation, representing 35.3% of the community. In relative terms, Judaism shows a visible divergence, accounting for 0.1% of residents while virtually no net presence is recorded across Regional WA. Looking at parental lineage, Australian ancestry leads at 27.5%, followed by English at 25.8% (below the regional benchmark of 31.3%) and Other backgrounds at 8.3%. Specific cultural groups showing above-average representation relative to regional figures include New Zealanders at 1.4% (vs 0.9% regionally), Maori at 1.7% (vs 1.0%), and South Australians at 1.1% (vs 0.6%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Nickol is 31, younger than 93% of areas nationally. 29.2% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The demographic profile of Nickol is strongly oriented toward families, with adults aged 25 - 44 constituting 38.6% of the population as at August 2026, compared to 26.6% across Regional WA, while seniors aged 65+ make up only 2.7% against 19.1% regionally. As at August 2026, AreaSearch estimates the median age at 31, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting 9 years below the Regional WA median of 40 and well under the national Census level of 38. Since the Census, the 25 - 44 age cohort has risen from 37.3% to an estimated 38.6%, and projections to 2041 anticipate this segment will drive future gains by adding 343 residents (16%) to reach 2,499, while child and elderly demographics contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Nickol
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 4 months ago all 1 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 9 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (4,938 at the 2021 Census → 5,585 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL51113). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.