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 3,604 based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS population updates and new addresses validated by them. This reflects a growth of 159 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,445. The increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 3,629 residents following examination of the latest ERP data release by ABS in June 2024 and one additional validated new address since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,630 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Spencer Park has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%, outpacing its SA4 region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 61.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and post-2032 estimates, AreaSearch utilises growth rates by age cohort provided by ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Future demographic trends suggest a population increase just below the median of regional areas across the nation. Spencer Park is expected to grow by 418 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 12.9% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Spencer Park when compared nationally

Spencer Park has seen approximately eight new homes approved annually based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 43 homes were approved, with three more approved in FY-26.

On average, four people move to the area for each dwelling built over these five years. This demand significantly outpaces supply, typically putting upward pressure on prices and increasing competition among buyers. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $501,000. Compared to Rest of WA, Spencer Park records markedly lower building activity, 58.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings.

However, construction activity has intensified recently. Nationally, this activity is also below average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New building activity shows 90.0% detached houses and 10.0% medium and high-density housing, sustaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. With around 289 people per dwelling approval, Spencer Park shows characteristics of a low density area. Population forecasts indicate Spencer Park will gain 466 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Spencer Park has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 7thth percentile nationally

Three projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the area: Spencer Park Renewal Project - Hardie Road Mixed-Use Development, Yakamia/Lange Structure Plan, and Spencer Park Education Support Centre Redevelopment.

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The labour market in Spencer Park demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Spencer Park has a skilled workforce with significant representation from essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 2.7% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 1.7%.

As of June 2025, 1,648 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.5% lower than Rest of WA's rate of 3.2%. Workforce participation stands at 50.1%, compared to Rest of WA's 59.4%. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. Health care & social assistance has a notable concentration with employment levels at 1.7 times the regional average.

Conversely, mining shows lower representation at 1.9% versus the regional average of 11.7%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 1.7% while labour force decreased by 1.5%, causing a 3.1 percentage point drop in unemployment rate. In contrast, Rest of WA experienced employment growth of 1.1% with a 0.6 percentage point drop in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project national employment to expand 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 2022 shows that income in Spencer Park is below the national average. The median income is $41,048 and the average income stands at $51,736. This contrasts with Rest of WA's figures where the median income is $57,323 and the average income is $71,163. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 14.2% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Spencer Park would be approximately $46,877 (median) and $59,083 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Spencer Park all fall between the 6th and 12th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that the largest segment comprises 29.1% earning $400 - $799 weekly (1,048 residents), unlike trends in the surrounding region where 31.1% fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Spencer Park, with only 81.5% of income remaining, 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 dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 86.3% houses and 13.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro WA's 86.3% houses and 13.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Spencer Park stood at 32.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.8% and rented dwellings 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 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 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 comprise 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, 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 Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 39.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them. Advanced diplomas account for 10.8%, while certificates make up 28.8%.

A total of 24.4% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 8.4% in primary, 7.9% in secondary, and 2.9% in tertiary education. Spencer Park's three schools have a combined enrollment of 1,000 students, operating under typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 965) with balanced educational opportunities. The area has two primary schools and one K-12 school, functioning as an education hub with 27.8 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 16.0. This attracts students from surrounding communities.

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, offering a mix of bus services. These stops are served by 3 different routes, collectively facilitating 100 weekly passenger trips. 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 7 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, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 48% (~1,720 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 12.0%) and mental health issues (11.2%). Conversely, 56.9% report no medical ailments, compared to 64.7% in Rest of WA. In Spencer Park, 25.2% (~908 people) are aged 65 and over, higher than the Rest of WA's 21.0%. Senior health outcomes align with general population health profiles but present some challenges.

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 the broader regional average. It has 77.8% Australian-born residents, 88.8% citizens, and 92.6% English-only speakers at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, accounting for 44.1%.

The 'Other' category shows a slight overrepresentation in Spencer Park with 0.9%, compared to Rest of WA's 0.6%. Top ancestry groups are English (34.6%), Australian (28.5%), and Irish (7.3%). Polish, Dutch, and Welsh ethnicities show notable variations: Polish at 1.0% (vs regional 0.7%), Dutch at 1.8% (vs 2.3%), and Welsh at 0.6% (vs 0.7%).

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

Spencer Park's median age is 47 years, which is significantly higher than Rest of WA's 40 years and the national average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of WA, Spencer Park has a higher proportion of residents aged 85+ (5.3%) but fewer residents aged 35-44 (11.2%). Between the 2021 Census and the present, there has been a rejuvenation with the median age falling from 48 to 47 years. The 25-34 age group has grown from 11.0% to 13.1%, while the 35-44 cohort increased from 9.3% to 11.2%. Conversely, the 75-84 cohort has declined from 9.9% to 8.3%, and the 65-74 group dropped from 13.0% to 11.6%. By 2041, Spencer Park's age composition is expected to shift notably. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to rise substantially, increasing by 238 people (51%) from 472 to 711. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 85+ and 75-84 cohorts.