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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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Shoalwater (WA) has an estimated 4,849 residents, up from 4,368 at the 2021 Census — a change of 481 people, or 11.0%. Growth has averaged 1.8% a year over five years. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 63.0% of that increase. That puts 1,887 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
In the suburb of Shoalwater (WA), the population is estimated at approximately 4,849 as of Aug 2026, according to AreaSearch evaluations combining regional ABS updates and validated post-Census addresses. This marks an expansion of 481 people (11.0%) from the 4,368 people counted in the 2021 Census. AreaSearch established this figure by building on an estimated resident population of 4,846 from the ABS June 2025 ERP release and incorporating 11 validated new addresses recorded following the Census date. Population density in the suburb of Shoalwater (WA) stands at 1,886 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical level observed across AreaSearch's national assessments.
With an 11.0% expansion since the 2021 census, the suburb of Shoalwater (WA) outpaced the national benchmark of 9.5%, positioning it among the top growth localities regionally. Inflow from interstate migration served as the primary contributor, accounting for roughly 63.0% of recent population additions. Projections for the suburb of Shoalwater (WA) incorporate ABS/Geoscience Australia models published in 2024 (using 2022 as a base year) across individual SA2 zones. For locations lacking this coverage, as well as for all post-2032 modeling, AreaSearch applies cohort-specific growth rates from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections (established on 2022 data). Demographic patterns suggest that future growth in the suburb of Shoalwater (WA) will track slightly below the national statistical area median, with aggregated SA2 figures pointing to an addition of 364 persons up to 2041, representing a cumulative rise of 7.4% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
95 new dwellings have been approved in Shoalwater (WA) over the past five years, an average of 19 a year. That is 3.9 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 9, well below 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
Statistical area records compiled by AreaSearch show that Shoalwater has maintained a pace of roughly 19 residential building approvals per year, amounting to an estimated 95 homes across the past 5 financial years. During FY-25 to date, 9 approvals have been logged. Between FY-21 and FY-25, the area recorded an average of 4.5 new residents annually per completed dwelling, creating a dynamic where demand substantially exceeds construction volume. Expected construction costs average $580,000 per dwelling, pointing to a developer preference for high-end residential projects. Furthermore, approvals for commercial construction stand at $1.8 million for the current financial year, highlighting the locality's primary focus on residential use.
Shoalwater logs a comparatively low rate of building approvals relative to Greater Perth, trailing the regional per-capita benchmark by 58.0%. Standalone houses constitute 89.0% of recent residential construction approvals, with medium and high-density housing making up the remaining 11.0%, thereby preserving a low-density suburban fabric centered around spacious family dwellings. The area registers approximately 437 people per approval, consistent with an established urban landscape. According to the latest quarterly estimate from AreaSearch, Shoalwater is projected to expand by 361 residents by 2041. Assuming existing construction volumes persist, upcoming dwelling supply is expected to adequately satisfy housing requirements, supporting buyer choice and creating potential for population increases that exceed baseline forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Shoalwater (WA)
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 3 current infrastructure and development projects inside Shoalwater (WA), worth an estimated $45 million. A further 58 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $31.8 billion. 22 are already under construction and 24 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and communities. 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
AreaSearch has highlighted 3 major local infrastructure initiatives expected to shape the area. Key works include the Oceanside Promenade, Safety Bay Foreshore Community Facility Development, Waikiki Hotel Site Redevelopment, and Safety Bay/Waikiki Foreshore Lighting Replacement Works.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Baldivis Road and Kulija Road Intersection Upgrade
Traffic intersection upgrade improving safety and traffic flow at the busy Baldivis Road and Kulija Road intersection to accommodate growing residential development in the area.
Oceanside Promenade
Boutique project of 28 luxury townhouses and apartments directly opposite Safety Bay Beach, offering ocean views and high-end coastal finishes. Developed by Blueprint Homes in partnership with JBA Constructions, the project targets downsizers and premium coastal buyers in Safety Bay.
Safety Bay and Waikiki Foreshore Lighting Replacement Works
Replacement and modernization of aged public lighting infrastructure along the Safety Bay and Waikiki foreshore reserves. The project includes the installation of new energy-efficient LED luminaires, new light poles, and upgraded underground electrical cabling to enhance pedestrian safety, security, and public amenity across key foreshore carparks and recreational pathways.
Stargate Shopping Centre Baldivis
Modern neighbourhood shopping centre completed 16 months from site mobilisation. Features Woolworths anchor tenant, 15 specialty retailers including cafes, pharmacy, medical centre, plus 3,000m2 of shaded parking and children's play area.
Seaside Estate Madora Bay
Seaside Estate is a beachside masterplanned residential community in Madora Bay developed by Satterley Property Group. It features direct beach access, sustainable coastal design, parks, walking trails, a new display village on Maspalomas Drive, and proximity to schools, Mandurah, and transport links.
Point Peron Boat Launching Facility Car Park Upgrade
Upgrade and extension of the car park at Point Peron Boat Launching Facility to improve access and capacity for recreational boating activities. The project has been completed as part of the City of Rockingham's enhancements to the facility, providing 23 boat trailer parking bays, 10 standard car parking bays, and one ACROD bay.
Rockingham Marina
The Cook Labor Government has committed to a new private marina at the intersection of Wanliss Street and Rockingham Beach Road. The Department of Transport is leading an Expressions of Interest (EOI) process in 2025 to identify a private proponent to develop and operate the facility. The project aims to address the long-term demand for boat pens in the Perth metropolitan area, improve coastal access, and provide a significant economic boost to the Rockingham Strategic Centre.The development will build upon previous planning work to expedite delivery.
The Strand at Safety Bay
The Strand at Safety Bay is a premium coastal land estate delivering 48 beachside lots directly opposite the Safety Bay foreshore. Many homesites offer ocean views and all are within walking distance of the beach, yacht club and local cafes, providing a low-rise coastal neighbourhood focused on lifestyle and beach access.
2,324 residents of Shoalwater (WA) are employed, from a labour force of 2,498. Unemployment sits at 7.0%, with participation at 59.5%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 3,758, about 78% 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
Aggregated statistical area figures from AreaSearch indicate an unemployment rate of 7.0% in Shoalwater alongside solid representation in essential services. There are 2,324 residents actively working as of March 2026. The local jobless rate sits 2.8% above the Greater Perth benchmark of 4.2%, while labour market participation reaches 59.5%, trailing the 69.9% recorded across Greater Perth. Census records reveal that 9.1% of employed locals conducted their work from home, a metric that may have been shaped by Covid-19 restrictions. The resident workforce is predominantly concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and public administration & safety.
Local representation in public administration & safety is particularly pronounced, registering at 1.6 times the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical roles account for 6.1% of the workforce, below the 8.2% registered for Greater Perth. Comparisons between resident workers and local employment counts indicate that the surrounding area provides limited workplace opportunities within its own boundaries. Over a 12-month period, AreaSearch evaluation of broader statistical data from SALM and the ABS shows a 1.2% reduction in the local labour force alongside a 1.1% drop in total employment, lowering the unemployment rate by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Perth experienced a 2.0% expansion in employment, a 2.5% increase in the labour force, and a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. Looking ahead, Jobs and Skills Australia projections from Mar-26 provide indicative scenarios for local workforce growth. Nationally, employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Weighting these sectoral forecasts against Shoalwater's specific industry distribution suggests potential local employment increases of 6.1% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, based on simple industry profile extrapolation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Shoalwater (WA) is $1,225 a week (about $64,000 a year), with median personal income at $679 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $52,156 a year against an average of $65,237. 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
Based on ATO postcode figures compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, taxpayers in Shoalwater recorded a median income of $52,156 and an average income of $65,237, falling just under national benchmarks and below the Greater Perth levels of $60,748 and $80,248. Adjusted for a 10.93% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, modeled figures stand at approximately $57,857 for the median and $72,367 for the average as of March 2026. Figures from the 2021 Census place local household, family, and individual incomes between the 15th and 24th percentiles across Australia.
Among individual income brackets, the largest group comprises 24.9% of residents (1,207 people) earning between $400 - 799, contrasting with the regional trend where the $1,500 - 2,999 band leads at 32.0%. Disposable income after housing costs is constrained, leaving 83.4% of earnings intact and placing the suburb at the 15th percentile for housing affordability.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Shoalwater (WA) had 1,836 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 77% detached houses and 16% apartments. 30% are owned with a mortgage, 34% rented and 36% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $260 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,668 a month. Rent absorbs 21.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 31.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, standalone houses accounted for 77.0% of Shoalwater's housing stock, while semi-detached, apartment, and other accommodation types represented 23.0%, closely mirroring the Perth metro distribution of 77.8% houses and 22.1% other dwellings. Outright home ownership reached 36.2%, substantially exceeding the Perth metro level, while properties with a mortgage made up 30.0% and rental properties constituted 33.9%. Median monthly mortgage costs stood at $1,668, well beneath the Perth metro figure of $1,907 and the Australian benchmark of $1,863. Median weekly rent was $260, also sitting noticeably below the Perth metro average of $350 and the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Shoalwater (WA) counted 1,836 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 2,038 today, averaging 2.1 people each. 21% are couples with children, fewer than in 84% of areas nationally, against 27% couples without children. 39% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute 58.2% of all households, divided between couples without children (27.0%), couples with children (20.8%), and single parent families (9.7%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 41.8%, led by single-person households at 39.2% and group households at 2.2%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Greater Perth metric of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
20.5% of adults in Shoalwater (WA) hold a university qualification, including 15.0% with a bachelor degree and 3.7% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 95% of areas nationally. A further 32.6% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Tertiary attainment among residents aged 15+ in Shoalwater stands at 20.5%, trailing the nationwide figure of 30.4%. Within higher education, bachelor degrees make up 15.0%, postgraduate qualifications account for 3.7%, and graduate diplomas represent 1.8%. Vocational education forms a major share of local qualifications, with 45.6% of residents aged 15+ holding technical credentials, comprising 13.0% with advanced diplomas and 32.6% with certificates. A significant 27.8% of the local population is enrolled in formal education. Primary school students represent 10.2% of residents, secondary education accounts for 7.2%, and tertiary studies comprise 4.0%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Shoalwater (WA) reaches 40 stops on 2 routes, timetabled for about 310 services a week. The typical home sits about 200 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.2 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transit in Shoalwater consists of 40 active bus stops across 2 distinct routes, which together deliver 314 weekly passenger trips. Typical walking distance to the nearest stop is 199 meters. Commuting patterns reflect an outward flow, with 81% traveling by car and 10% utilizing the train. Household vehicle ownership stands at 1.2 per dwelling, trailing the regional benchmark. Additionally, 9.1% of workers reported working from home during the 2021 Census. Public transport operations provide an average frequency of 44 trips per day across the network, representing approximately 7 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
64.0% of residents in Shoalwater (WA) report no long-term health condition. 6.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 53.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch metrics on morbidity and chronic illness indicate that common health issues affect both younger and older cohorts, while private health insurance coverage extends to approximately 53% of the population (~2,574 people), sitting slightly above the national SA2 average but below the 59.0% recorded across Greater Perth. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent diagnosed ailments, reported by 10.6% and 9.3% of residents respectively, while 64.0% of the population indicated no medical conditions, compared to 71.9% for Greater Perth. Long-term health conditions are elevated among working-age individuals. Seniors aged 65 and over represent 26.9% of residents (1,304 people), substantially higher than the Greater Perth proportion of 15.9%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
31.0% of Shoalwater (WA) residents were born overseas and 7.6% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (35.5%) and Australian (25.2%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics show that 31.0% of the population was born abroad and 7.6% speak a non-English language at home. Christianity is the predominant faith, practiced by 48.0% of the community. Individuals identifying with Other religions make up 0.7% of residents, compared to 1.4% throughout Greater Perth. English heritage represents the largest ancestry group at 35.5%, notably higher than the Greater Perth level of 28.0%, followed by Australian at 25.2% and Scottish at 7.9%. Other distinct ancestries include Dutch at 2.0% (compared to 1.5% regionally), Welsh at 1.2% (compared to 0.7%), and Maori at 1.1% (compared to 0.9%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Shoalwater (WA) is 48, older than 90% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 22.1% 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
Seniors and retirees aged 65+ make up 26.9% of the population as at August 2026, considerably higher than the 15.9% share across Greater Perth, whereas adults aged 25 - 44 represent 23.5%, compared to 30.9% regionally. AreaSearch assesses the median age at 48 as at August 2026, slightly down from 49 at the 2021 Census, yet well above the Greater Perth median of 37 and the national figure of 38 from the same Census. The share of residents aged 25 - 44 increased from 21.2% at the Census to 23.5% currently.
By 2041, the 65+ age group is forecast to absorb the majority of growth, adding 453 residents (35%) to reach 1,757, while younger adult cohorts and children are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Shoalwater (WA)
8 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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 8 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 · Jun 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 last 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 Aug 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 3 sections | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2025 about a year ago all 3 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 Aug 2025. | ||
| 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 — 11 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (4,368 at the 2021 Census → 4,849 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 (SAL51348). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.