St James (WA)

An assessment of population growth drivers in St James reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

The population of St James's (WA) was estimated at around 5,631 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 737 people (15.1%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,894 people. AreaSearch validated this estimate by examining the latest ERP data release from the ABS in June 2024 and adding 15 new addresses found since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 3,392 persons per square kilometer, placing St James's in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch assessments. The suburb's growth rate of 15.1% since the 2021 census exceeded the national average of 8.9%. Overseas migration was the primary driver for this population growth.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and post-2032 estimates, AreaSearch employs growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future population trends suggest a median increase, with St James's expected to expand by 607 persons to reach 6,438 by 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 12.0% over the 17-year period.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers from statistical area data, St James averaged around 23 new dwelling approvals each year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 117 homes. So far in FY-26, nine approvals have been recorded. Over these five years (FY-21 to FY-25), an average of 5.9 people moved to the area for each dwelling built, indicating demand significantly exceeding new supply. This typically results in price growth and increased buyer competition.

The average construction value of new dwellings was $519,000, moderately above regional levels, suggesting an emphasis on quality construction. In this financial year, there have been $99.3 million in commercial approvals, reflecting robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Perth, St James has 14.0% less new development per person but ranks among the 65th percentile nationally.

Recent construction comprises 70.0% detached dwellings and 30.0% townhouses or apartments, offering options across different price points. With around 215 people per approval, St James reflects a transitioning market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, St James is projected to add 676 residents by 2041. Current development appears well-matched to future needs, supporting steady market conditions without extreme price pressure.

St James has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified nine projects that could impact this region. Notable ones are Sam Kerr Football Centre and Queens Park Regional Open Space, Elizabeth Baillie Park Redevelopment Project, Heartwood Bentley, and Curtin University Net Zero Precinct Digital Twin. 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.

AreaSearch analysis places St James well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

St James has a highly educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 2.9%, and it experienced an estimated employment growth of 3.8% over the past year (AreaSearch aggregation).

As of June 2025, there are 3,557 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.0% below Greater Perth's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is high at 70.6%, compared to Greater Perth's 65.2%. The leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and accommodation & food. Notably, accommodation & food has an employment concentration of 1.4 times the regional average.

However, construction is under-represented with only 7.9% of St James's workforce compared to Greater Perth's 9.3%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 3.8%, labour force grew by 3.2%, leading to a decrease in unemployment of 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Perth saw employment rise by 3.7%, labour force grow by 3.8%, but unemployment rose by 0.1 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (Sep-22) project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to St James's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, although this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2022 indicates that St James has high national incomes. The median assessed income is $60,650 and the average income stands at $72,077. This contrasts with Greater Perth's figures of a median income of $58,380 and an average income of $78,020 for the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 14.2% from June 2022 to September 2025, current estimates would be approximately $69,262 (median) and $82,312 (average). The 2021 Census shows that household, family, and personal incomes in St James cluster around the 59th percentile nationally. Income brackets indicate that the largest segment comprises 34.9% earning between $1,500 to $2,999 weekly (1,965 residents), which is similar to regional levels where 32.0% occupy this range. High housing costs consume 16.6% of income in St James, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 54th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

St James' dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 70.2% houses and 29.8% other dwellings. In comparison, Perth metro had 78.4% houses and 21.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in St James was at 18.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 34.3% and rented ones at 47.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,842, higher than Perth metro's $1,820. Median weekly rent in St James was $330, lower than Perth metro's $350. Nationally, St James' mortgage repayments were below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $375 compared to the national figure of $375.

St James features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 59.5% of all households, including 23.9% couples with children, 24.2% couples without children, and 8.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 40.5%, with lone person households at 30.1% and group households comprising 10.8%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.7.

The educational profile of St James exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Educational attainment in St James is notably higher than broader benchmarks. Specifically, 40.3% of residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, compared to 27.9% in Western Australia (WA) as a whole and 29.9% in the Small Area Level for Regions (SA4) region. This high level of educational attainment positions St James favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 26.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 10.2% and graduate diplomas at 3.2%.

Trade and technical skills are also prominent, with 29.2% of residents aged 15 and above holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas at 10.9% and certificates at 18.3%. Educational participation is notably high in St James, with 33.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.9% in tertiary education, 7.0% in primary education, and 5.9% pursuing secondary education. Santa Clara School provides local educational services within St James, with an enrollment of 193 students as of the latest available data. The area demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions, with an Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) score of 1057. There is one school in St James that focuses exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas. Local school capacity is limited, with only 3.4 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 14.8, meaning many families travel to nearby areas for schooling.

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

The analysis of public transport in St James shows that there are 25 active transport stops operating within the area, all of which serve buses. These stops are served by 12 individual routes, collectively providing a total of 2,327 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility to these transport services is rated as excellent, with residents typically located an average of 152 meters from the nearest transport stop.

The service frequency averages at 332 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 93 weekly trips per individual stop.

St James's residents are extremely healthy with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population and nearer the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Analysis of health metrics indicates strong performance throughout St James. Prevalence of common health conditions is low among the general population, nearing the nation's average for older, at-risk cohorts.

Private health cover rate is very high, approximately 56% of the total population (~3,143 people), compared to 52.2% across Greater Perth. The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues (9.4%) and asthma (6.3%). A majority, 75.0%, report being completely clear of medical ailments, which is slightly lower than the 76.0% reported in Greater Perth. St James has a smaller proportion of residents aged 65 and over, at 7.7% (~433 people), compared to Greater Perth's 15.9%. While health outcomes among seniors are above average, they require more attention than those of the broader population.

St James is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

St James has a high level of cultural diversity, with 30.5% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 41.3% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion in St James, making up 35.5% of people in the suburb. However, Buddhism is overrepresented compared to Greater Perth, comprising 5.8% of St James' population versus the regional average of 6.7%.

The top three ancestry groups in St James are English (23.2%), Australian (19.6%), and Other (16.3%). Notably, Korean (0.9%) is overrepresented compared to Greater Perth's 1.2%, Welsh is also overrepresented at 0.7% versus the regional average of 0.5%, and New Zealanders are overrepresented at 0.9% compared to Greater Perth's 0.5%.

St James hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

St James's median age at 31 years is notably lower than Greater Perth's average of 37 and Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Perth, St James has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (25.3%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (8.5%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.5%. Between 2021 and present, the population aged 15 to 24 has grown from 15.8% to 17.6%, while the 85+ cohort has declined from 1.2% to 0.2%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests St James's age profile will significantly evolve. The 25 to 34 age cohort is projected to grow steadily, increasing by 194 people (14%) from 1,424 to 1,619. Conversely, the 5 to 14 and 35 to 44 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.