Sorrento (WA)

Sorrento has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

As of Nov 2025, the population of the Sorrento (WA) statistical area (Lv2) is estimated at around 8,589 people. This figure reflects an increase of 794 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,795 people. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 8,410 in Jun 2024, based on examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS, along with an additional 22 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is calculated at 2,412 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The Sorrento (WA) (SA2) experienced a growth rate of 10.2% since the 2021 Census, exceeding the national average of 9.7%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 85.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth in the area.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. 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). Considering projected demographic shifts, an above median population growth is projected for the area. By 2041, the Sorrento (WA) (SA2) is expected to increase by 1,422 persons, reflecting a total increase of 14.8% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Sorrento among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Based on AreaSearch analysis, Sorrento averaged approximately 35 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25. This totals an estimated 175 homes. In FY-26 so far, 10 approvals have been recorded. On average, 3.1 new residents arrived per year for each dwelling constructed during this period.

Supply has lagged demand, indicating heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. Developers focus on the premium market, with an average construction value of $918,000. In FY-26, $8.5 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded. Compared to Greater Perth, Sorrento shows moderately higher building activity, at 35.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period.

New building activity comprises 59.0% standalone homes and 41.0% townhouses or apartments, offering diverse housing options across price ranges. This shift indicates decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles. Sorrento has around 179 people per dwelling approval, characteristic of a growth area. By 2041, AreaSearch estimates Sorrento will grow by approximately 1,268 residents. Construction pace is maintaining with projected growth, but buyers may face growing competition as population increases.

Sorrento has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 15 projects that could impact this region. Notable projects include Harbour Rise Masterplanned Community (final stages), Sorrento Quay Mixed-Use Development, Ora Sorrento, and Seacrest Village Redevelopment. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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.

Employment conditions in Sorrento rank among the top 10% of areas assessed nationally

Sorrento has an educated workforce with professional services well-represented. Its unemployment rate was 0.7% in September 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.0%. Residents' unemployment rate of 3.2% is below Greater Perth's 4.0%, but participation rate is lower at 62.8%. Dominant sectors include health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical, with a strong specialization in the latter (1.4 times regional level). Manufacturing has limited presence (3.3% vs regional 5.5%).

Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census data comparison. Over Sep 2024-Sep 2025, employment increased by 4.0%, labour force by 3.8%, reducing unemployment by 0.2 percentage points. Greater Perth had lower employment growth (2.9%) and higher unemployment increase. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows WA employment contracted by 0.27% with unemployment at 4.6%. National forecasts project employment expansion by 6.6% in five years, 13.7% in ten years, but growth varies between sectors. Applying these projections to Sorrento's mix suggests local employment could increase by 6.7% in five years and 13.8% in ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's data for financial year 2023 shows Sorrento's median income is $62,747 and average income is $98,895. This compares to Greater Perth's median of $60,748 and average of $80,248. Based on a 9.62% growth since FY2023, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $68,783 (median) and $108,409 (average). Census data ranks Sorrento's household, family, and personal incomes highly, between the 75th and 90th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows 31.1% of residents earn over $4,000 weekly, contrasting with surrounding regions where the $1,500-$2,999 bracket leads at 32.0%. A significant proportion (43.6%) earn above $3,000 weekly, indicating strong economic capacity. After housing costs, residents retain 88.4% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

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

In Sorrento, as per the latest Census evaluation, 80.8% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 19.2% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This differs from Perth metropolitan area's composition of 88.7% houses and 11.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Sorrento stood at 49.9%, with mortgaged properties at 38.8% and rented ones at 11.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,600, surpassing Perth metro's average of $2,080. Meanwhile, the median weekly rent in Sorrento was $480, higher than Perth metro's figure of $400. Nationally, Sorrento's median monthly mortgage repayment is significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and its median weekly rent is substantially above the national figure of $375.

Sorrento features high concentrations of family households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 81.2% of all households, including 41.0% couples with children, 32.8% couples without children, and 6.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 18.8%, with lone person households at 18.0% and group households comprising 0.9%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which aligns with the Greater Perth average.

Educational achievement in Sorrento places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 37.9% among residents aged 15+, surpassing both the Western Australia average of 27.9% and the SA4 region average of 29%. This reflects the community's emphasis on higher education. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 26.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.9%) and graduate diplomas (3.9%).

Trade and technical skills are prominent, with vocational credentials held by 30.9% of residents aged 15+, including advanced diplomas (12.9%) and certificates (18.0%). Educational participation is high, with 28.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 9.6% in primary, 9.2% in secondary, and 5.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Sorrento has 59 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by four different routes that together facilitate 1,005 weekly passenger trips. The average distance between residents and their nearest transport stop is 173 meters, indicating excellent accessibility.

On average, there are 143 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 17 weekly trips per individual stop.

Sorrento's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Sorrento. Both young and old age cohorts saw low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover was found to be exceptionally high at approximately 66% of the total population (5,708 people), compared to 60.2% across Greater Perth.

Nationally, this figure stands at 55.7%. The most common medical conditions in the area were arthritis and asthma, impacting 8.0 and 6.5% of residents respectively. Meanwhile, 71.3% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 71.5% across Greater Perth. As of 2021, 27.3% of Sorrento's residents are aged 65 and over (2,344 people), which is higher than the 20.1% figure for Greater Perth. Health outcomes among seniors in Sorrento are particularly strong, performing even better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Sorrento's population shows above-average linguistic diversity, with 9.4% speaking a language other than English at home, and 30.0% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Sorrento, accounting for 57.9%, compared to 49.6% across Greater Perth. The top three ancestral groups are English (30.8%), Australian (24.6%), and Irish (9.5%).

Notably, Welsh (1.0%) is slightly overrepresented compared to the regional average of 1.1%. South African ancestry stands at 1.4%, slightly below the regional average of 1.8%, while Polish ancestry is marginally higher than the regional average at 1.2% versus 0.9%.

Sorrento hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Sorrento's median age is 47 years, which is higher than the Greater Perth average of 37 years and exceeds the national average of 38 years. The 65-74 age group makes up 14.1% of Sorrento's population, compared to a lower percentage in Greater Perth. Conversely, the 25-34 age group represents only 6.3%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 75 to 84 age group grew from 7.2% to 10.2%, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 12.2% to 13.3%. However, the 55 to 64 cohort declined from 14.5% to 12.9%, and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 14.4% to 13.3%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Sorrento's age profile. The 75 to 84 cohort is expected to grow by 65%, adding 565 residents to reach a total of 1,442. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 75% of population growth, indicating demographic aging trends. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 age groups.