Spencer Park

Spencer Park is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

As of November 2025, Spencer Park's population is estimated at around 3,718, reflecting a 7.9% increase since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 3,445. This change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 3,690 residents following examination of ABS data released in June 2024 and an additional validated new address since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,682 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Spencer Park has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%, outpacing the SA4 region. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 61.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered, growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023 based on 2022 data) are utilized to estimate post-2032 growth. Moving forward, demographic trends suggest a population increase just below the median of regional areas across the nation, with Spencer Park expected to grow by 404 persons to reach approximately 4,122 by 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 9.1% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Spencer Park according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Spencer Park has seen approximately 9 new homes approved each year. Over the past 5 financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, around 46 homes have been approved, with a further 6 approved so far in FY-26. This indicates an average of 3.8 people moving to the area annually for each dwelling built during this period.

Consequently, demand has significantly outpaced supply, typically exerting upward pressure on prices and increasing competition among buyers. The average construction value of new properties is $501,000, suggesting developers are focusing on the premium market with high-end developments. In FY-26, $21.8 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating balanced commercial development activity. However, when measured against Rest of WA, Spencer Park has significantly less development activity, at 55.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings.

Compared to national averages, Spencer Park's development activity is also lower, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. New building activity in Spencer Park shows 83.0% detached houses and 17.0% medium and high-density housing, sustaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. This results in approximately 557 people per dwelling approval, reflecting a highly mature market. Population forecasts indicate Spencer Park will gain around 338 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Building activity is keeping pace with growth projections, though heightened competition among buyers can be expected as the population grows.

Spencer Park has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 22ndth percentile nationally

The performance of an area can significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified three projects that are expected to impact this particular area. Notable among these are the Hardie Road Mixed-Use Development and the Spencer Park Renewal Project, which includes the Yakamia/Lange Structure Plan and the Spencer Park Education Support Centre Redevelopment. The following list provides details on those projects deemed most relevant.

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While Spencer Park retains a healthy unemployment rate of 3.3%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Spencer Park has a skilled workforce with notable representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 3.3%, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation as of September 2025.

There are 1,623 residents employed, matching Rest of WA's unemployment rate of 3.3%. However, workforce participation lags at 50.1% compared to Rest of WA's 59.4%. Key employment industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. Spencer Park specializes in health care & social assistance with an employment share 1.7 times the regional level, but mining shows lower representation at 1.9% versus the regional average of 11.7%.

The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census working population vs resident population comparison. Labour force decreased by 4.3% and employment declined by 3.0% in Spencer Park during the year to September 2025, resulting in a 1.3 percentage point fall in unemployment rate. Rest of WA recorded employment growth of 1.4%, labour force growth of 1.2%, with unemployment falling by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Spencer Park's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that in Spencer Park, median income is $41,048 and average income is $51,736. This is below the national averages of $59,973 (median) and $74,392 (average) for Rest of WA. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates as of September 2025 would be approximately $44,997 (median) and $56,713 (average). Census 2021 income data shows that in Spencer Park, household, family, and personal incomes all fall between the 6th and 12th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that 29.1% of individuals earn between $400 - $799, unlike metropolitan trends where 31.1% earn between $1,500 - $2,999. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Spencer Park, with only 81.5% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 6th percentile nationally.

Spencer Park is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Spencer Park's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 86.3% houses and 13.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Non-Metro WA's 92.1% houses and 8.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Spencer Park was at 32.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.8% and rented ones at 39.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Non-Metro WA's average of $1,490. The median weekly rent in Spencer Park was $290, compared to Non-Metro WA's $280. Nationally, Spencer Park's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,300 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375 at $290.

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

Family households comprise 58.3% of all households, including 17.3% couples with children, 26.6% couples without children, and 13.2% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 41.7%, with lone person households at 39.6% and group households making up 1.8%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of WA average of 2.4.

Educational outcomes in Spencer Park fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 17.6%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 2.6% and graduate diplomas at 1.9%. Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 39.6% of residents aged 15 and above holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas at 10.8% and certificates at 28.8%.

A substantial 24.4% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 8.4% in primary education, 7.9% in secondary education, and 2.9% in tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis shows 13 active stops operating within Spencer Park. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with three individual routes providing collective weekly passenger trips numbering 100. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 215 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 14 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately seven weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Spencer Park is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Spencer Park faces significant health challenges, affecting various age groups. The proportion of residents with private health cover is low at approximately 48%, compared to 50.0% across the rest of Western Australia and a national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent conditions are arthritis (12.0%) and mental health issues (11.2%), while 56.9% report no medical ailments, lower than the 64.7% in the rest of WA.

As of 2021, 25.2% of Spencer Park residents are aged 65 and over (936 people), higher than the 21.0% state average. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges, generally mirroring those of the wider population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Spencer Park records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Spencer Park's cultural diversity aligns with its wider region, with 77.8% born in Australia, 88.8% being citizens, and 92.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, at 44.1%. The 'Other' category shows overrepresentation (0.9% vs regional 0.6%).

Top ancestry groups are English (34.6%), Australian (28.5%), and Irish (7.3%). Notably, Polish (1.0%) is overrepresented compared to the region (0.7%), while Dutch (1.8%) and Welsh (0.6%) show slight underrepresentation relative to regional figures.

Spencer Park hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Spencer Park's median age of 47 years is significantly higher than Rest of WA's 40 and the national average of 38. Compared to Rest of WA, Spencer Park has a higher concentration of residents aged 85+ (5.3%) but fewer residents aged 35-44 (11.2%). Between the 2021 Census and the present day, Spencer Park's median age has fallen from 48 to 47 years. The 25 to 34 age group has grown from 11.0% to 13.1% of the population, while the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 9.3% to 11.2%. Conversely, the 75 to 84 cohort has declined from 9.9% to 8.3%, and the 65 to 74 group dropped from 13.0% to 11.6%. By 2041, Spencer Park's age composition is expected to shift notably. The 25 to 34 age cohort is projected to increase by 221 people (46%) from 487 to 709. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 65 to 74 and 15 to 24 cohorts.