Spearwood

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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the suburb of Spearwood's population is estimated at around 12,380 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 1,436 people (13.1%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 10,944 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 12,031 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 115 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,029 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Spearwood's 13.1% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the national average (9.9%), marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 56.99999999999999% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and to estimate growth across all areas in the years post-2032, AreaSearch is utilising the growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). As we examine future population trends, an above median population growth of national areas is projected, with the suburb expected to increase by 2,533 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 19.2% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Spearwood among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, Spearwood averaged around 73 new dwelling approvals each year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 369 homes. So far in FY-26, 41 approvals have been recorded. On average, 3.9 new residents per year were associated with every home built between FY-21 and FY-25. This has resulted in demand significantly exceeding new supply, typically leading to price growth and increased buyer competition.

New properties are constructed at an average value of $376,000, somewhat higher than regional norms, reflecting quality-focused development. In this financial year, $2.5 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to Greater Perth, Spearwood has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 74th percentile of areas assessed nationally.

Recent construction comprises 83.0% detached houses and 17.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving the area's suburban nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The location has approximately 167 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Spearwood is expected to grow by 2,375 residents through to 2041. Construction is maintaining a reasonable pace with projected growth, although buyers could encounter growing competition as population increases.

Spearwood has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 43rdth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects that could impact the area: Spearwood Housing Project by Uniting WA, Phoenix Activity Centre Redevelopment, Shoreline North Coogee, and Windfall Residences Port Coogee. The following details those likely 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 performance in Spearwood has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Spearwood's workforce is skilled with manufacturing and industrial sectors well-represented. The unemployment rate was 6.0% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 3.9%. As of September 2025, 6,568 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 6.0%, 2.0% higher than Greater Perth's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation was lower at 68.4% compared to Greater Perth's 71.6%. Only 6.3% of residents worked from home according to Census responses, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade, with manufacturing particularly notable at 1.6 times the regional average. Professional & technical employment was lower at 5.3%.

The area offers limited local employment opportunities, indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 3.9% while labour force grew by 4.5%, raising unemployment by 0.5 percentage points. In Greater Perth, employment grew by 2.9%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Spearwood's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.0% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

In AreaSearch's aggregation of postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023, Spearwood had a median income among taxpayers of $56,178 and an average income of $70,714. These figures are above the national averages of $60,748 and $80,248 respectively in Greater Perth. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, estimated median income for Spearwood as of September 2025 is approximately $61,582, with the average being $77,517. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Spearwood rank modestly, between the 32nd and 38th percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. Income analysis shows that 30.5% of Spearwood's population (3,775 individuals) earn within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, similar to the regional average of 32.0%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Spearwood, with only 83.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 31st percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

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

Spearwood's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 73.6% houses and 26.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Perth metro had 77.8% houses and 22.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Spearwood was at 36.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 34.5% and rented ones at 29.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, lower than Perth metro's $1,907. The median weekly rent in Spearwood was $350, matching Perth metro's figure but lower than the national average of $375. Nationally, Spearwood's mortgage repayments were below the Australian average of $1,863.

Spearwood features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 65.7% of all households, including 25.3% couples with children, 27.0% couples without children, and 12.2% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 34.3%, with lone person households at 30.5% and group households comprising 3.7%. The median household size is 2.3 people, smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

Spearwood shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area's university qualification rate is 20.0%, which is significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 14.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 38.8% of residents aged 15 and above holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (10.4%) and certificates (28.4%).

A substantial 24.6% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 7.7% in primary education, 6.3% in secondary education, and 5.1% in tertiary education.

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

Spearwood has 64 active public transport stops serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are covered by six different routes, offering a total of 1,422 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 187 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to Spearwood's residential nature. Car remains the dominant transport mode at 86%, while train use stands at 5%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 6.3% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 203 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 22 weekly trips per individual stop.

Spearwood's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Health data shows positive outcomes for Spearwood residents. Mortality rates and health conditions are largely in line with national benchmarks.

Common health issues are seen across both young and old age groups. Private health cover is high, at approximately 55% of the total population (around 6,842 people), compared to 59.0% in Greater Perth. The most common medical conditions are mental health issues and arthritis, affecting 8.9% and 8.5% of residents respectively. 67.7% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 71.9% across Greater Perth. Under-65 population shows better than average health outcomes. Spearwood has 23.1% of residents aged 65 and over (2,859 people), higher than the 16.3% in Greater Perth. National rankings are broadly in line with the general population.

Spearwood was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Spearwood has high cultural diversity with 26.1% speaking a language other than English at home and 36.4% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion, comprising 57.2%. Judaism is overrepresented at 0.2%, compared to Greater Perth's 0.3%.

Top ancestry groups are English (24.5%), Australian (19.7%), and Italian (11.2%), which is higher than the regional average of 4.2%. Croatian, Serbian, and Filipino ethnicities are notably overrepresented in Spearwood at 5.4%, 1.3%, and 2.9% respectively.

Spearwood's median age exceeds the national pattern

Spearwood's median age is 41 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Perth's average of 37 and slightly older than Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Perth, Spearwood has a notably over-represented 75-84 age group (8.4% locally) and an under-represented 5-14 year-old cohort (10.1%). According to the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group grew from 7.2% to 8.4%, while the 25 to 34 cohort declined from 14.3% to 13.0% and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 13.0% to 11.7%. Demographic modeling indicates Spearwood's age profile will change significantly by 2041, with the 65 to 74 cohort projected to grow by 39%, adding 546 residents to reach 1,933. This growth is part of a broader demographic aging trend, as residents aged 65 and older represent 63% of anticipated population growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 5 to 14 and 0 to 4 age cohorts.