Suburb profile · Greater Perth
St James (WA) has an estimated 5,682 residents, up 16.1% since the 2021 Census, with 49 projects tracked in the area around St James (WA).
Updated 14 Oct 2026.
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Conveniently positioned 7.0 kilometres southeast from Perth CBD, the suburb of St James (WA) within the Bentley-Wilson-St James area provides a picturesque and peaceful living environment underpinned by verdant parklands, recreational facilities, and a blend of modern and heritage architecture. Analysis by AreaSearch indicates that the suburb's population is estimated at around 5,682 as of Aug 2026, which is derived from annual aggregated SA2-level Estimated Resident Population (ERP) figures alongside quarterly national address file updates. This demographic tally represents an increase of 788 people (16.1%) from the 4,894 residents recorded at the 2021 Census, reflecting moderate expansion patterns accompanied by population density and growth drivers that sit well above average.
The demographic landscape of the suburb of St James (WA) is characterised by an elevated representation of youths aged 15 to 24 alongside a notable cohort of young adults aged 25 to 34, many residing in group households, while a high proportion of the population was born overseas.
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01Profile
The analysis, national rankings and who lives there.
Conveniently positioned 7.0 kilometres southeast from Perth CBD, the suburb of St James (WA) within the Bentley-Wilson-St James area provides a picturesque and peaceful living environment underpinned by verdant parklands, recreational facilities, and a blend of modern and heritage architecture. Analysis by AreaSearch indicates that the suburb's population is estimated at around 5,682 as of Aug 2026, which is derived from annual aggregated SA2-level Estimated Resident Population (ERP) figures alongside quarterly national address file updates. This demographic tally represents an increase of 788 people (16.1%) from the 4,894 residents recorded at the 2021 Census, reflecting moderate expansion patterns accompanied by population density and growth drivers that sit well above average.
The demographic landscape of the suburb of St James (WA) is characterised by an elevated representation of youths aged 15 to 24 alongside a notable cohort of young adults aged 25 to 34, many residing in group households, while a high proportion of the population was born overseas.
Estimated resident population by year (ABS, not Census counts): 4,115 in 2006 and 5,682 in 2025. The Aug 2026 estimate (ABS June 2025 base) is the same.
Share of residents in each age band (ABS age profile, scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate). Largest: 25 to 34, 28.6%.
Share of households in each weekly household income band (2021 Census). Largest: $1,500 - 2,999, 34.9%.
St James (WA) ranks in the 89th percentile nationally for amenities and the 84th for employment drivers.
Each bar and spoke is a national percentile; the dashed ring is the typical area. 99th = higher than 99 in every 100 neighbourhood-sized areas across Australia (ABS SA2 areas). Higher means more of the measure, not necessarily better. Orange marks the top three measures where a higher percentile is better; not Age, Housing or Housing Cost.
02Market and pipeline
Rents, sale prices and what is being built.
The median rent in St James (WA) is $710 a week, up 7.6% over 12 months to Sep 2026 and 2% below Greater Perth.
2% below Greater Perth on median weekly rent
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $710 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Sep 2026 | |
| Change in median rent over 12 months | +7.6% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Sep 2026 | |
| Median rent, Canning | $720 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Sep 2026 | |
| Change in median rent, Canning, over 12 months | +9.1% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Sep 2026 | |
| Median rent, Perth - South East | $716 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Sep 2026 |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change in median rent, Perth - South East, over 12 months | +7.0% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Sep 2026 | |
| Median rent, Greater Perth | $723 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Sep 2026 | |
| Change in median rent, Greater Perth, over 12 months | +6.5% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Sep 2026 | |
| Median rent, WA | $714 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Sep 2026 | |
| Change in median rent, WA, over 12 months | +7.0% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Sep 2026 |
AreaSearch tracks 49 projects in and around St James (WA), 9 of them under construction.
The Town of Victoria Park has completed the 4.7 hectare Elizabeth Baillie Park redevelopment as part of the wider Elizabeth Baillie Precinct transformation.
A $27.5 million three-storey mixed-use development by Fabcot Pty Ltd (Woolworths Group) at the corner of Albany Highway and Shepperton Road, East Victoria Park.
Adaptive heritage redevelopment of the state heritage-listed Edward Millen House and surrounding buildings into a vibrant community hospitality precinct.
A $163 million redevelopment of the Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University's Bentley campus into Hockey Australia's national hockey centre. The project includes four outdoor pitches, with at least two to International Hockey Federation Category 1 standard, an indoor hockey centre with FIH-standard courts, a 1,000-seat stadium expandable to 10,000 in…
Research-led digital twin project at Curtin University's Bentley campus supporting the Pathways to Net Zero Precincts program. The project is piloting an integrated digital twin platform using real-time building sensor data to improve space utilisation, operational energy efficiency, Consumer Energy Resource integration, and precinct-scale decarbonisation.
Medium-density residential infill project by Cedar Woods, proposing approximately 180 apartments and townhouses, located directly opposite the new Oats Street Station as part of the METRONET East redevelopment area.
Proposed mixed-use development comprising 73 residential apartments across three storeys with ground-floor commercial tenancies. The site is situated along the Bank Street corridor near the East Victoria Park commercial precinct. Development approval was assessed and granted by the Town of Victoria Park under local planning framework provisions.
A 16-storey mixed-use development featuring 85 apartments with a ground floor commercial tenancy. The approved development underwent revised planning with additional two storeys, changes to setbacks and facade design with more glazing and enclosed balconies.
A major upgrade to one of Perth's most congested intersections. The project will involve a grade-separated interchange to improve traffic flow and safety.
Staged redevelopment of the Kent Street Weir Precinct on the Canning River, delivered by the City of Canning as a major community recreation and environmental upgrade.
Transit-oriented redevelopment precinct centred on the new elevated Carlisle Station, delivered as part of the completed METRONET Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal ($1.62 billion). The elevated rail, five new stations and the seven-kilometre Long Park linear reserve opened in June 2025.
Heartwood Bentley is an urban renewal precinct within the 31-hectare Bentley Redevelopment Area in the City of Canning, approximately 8 km south of the Perth CBD. DevelopmentWA is transforming 21 hectares of government-owned land into a modern, sustainable neighbourhood delivering up to 1000 new homes, with a target of one in seven being social housing.
Images marked AI impression are illustrative only and not photographs of the project; follow the project links for actual imagery. Original imagery? Contact us.
Estimated completion year of the 18 projects in and around the area that are not yet completed and have one: 2025 1, 2026 5, 2027 3, 2028 3, 2029 2, 2030 1, 2031 0, 2032 1, 2033 0, 2034 0, 2035 2. 10 have no completion year.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABS building approvals | 2.5 per 1,000 people | ABS building approvals | 32nd percentile nationally |
| Average approvals a year | 13 | ABS building approvals | 25th percentile nationally |
Key infrastructure and planning changes likely to influence the suburb of St James include: Wyong Reserve Sporting Facilities Upgrade (Construction); Juniper Rowethorpe Master Plan (Approved); Curtin University Net Zero Precinct Digital Twin (Planning); SwanCare Bentley Park Expansion (127-143 Hill View Terrace) (Approved); and Australian Hockey Centre (Construction). These projects represent significant developments that will shape the area's future infrastructure landscape.
Infrastructure development impacting the suburb of St James spans multiple sectors including Sports & Recreation, Communities, and Communities, Precincts & Urban Renewal, among others.
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On AreaSearch's development drivers ranking, recent residential development output has been above average within St James when compared nationally.
Dwelling approval activity in the suburb of St James area has seen 52 residential approvals over the past two financial years, based on AreaSearch's SA2 aggregation method. The suburb of St James's current population of 5,682 has been supported by 13 approvals on average over recent years.
The suburb of St James has seen 2.5 approvals per 1,000 people in recent years, compared to 7.4 approvals in Greater Perth. This means that one dwelling has been approved for every 217 people in the suburb of St James, compared to one for every 118 in Greater Perth.
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Looking at development activity over the past five years, the suburb of St James's approval levels have been significantly above the yearly average of 13, indicating strong recent growth in development activity.
Over the past five years, the population in the suburb of St James has grown by approximately 537 people, while 66 residential approvals were recorded. This equates to a ratio of 8.1 people added for each new dwelling approval. This high ratio suggests strong population growth relative to housing supply, potentially indicating unmet housing demand.
03People
Population, age, income, work, education and more.
99th = higher than 99 in every 100 neighbourhood-sized areas across Australia (ABS SA2 areas). Higher means more of the measure, not necessarily better.
An assessment of population growth drivers in St James reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,682 | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, from the ABS June 2025 base | |
| Growth since 2021 Census | +16.1% | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, against the 2021 Census | 84th percentile nationally |
| Population density | 3,415 per km² | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, from the ABS June 2025 base | 88th percentile nationally |
| Average yearly growth, 2020 to 2025 | +2.0% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 | |
| Average yearly growth, 2015 to 2025 | +1.2% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population at the 2021 Census | 4,894 | 2021 Census | |
| Residents added since the 2021 Census | 788 | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, against the 2021 Census | |
| Average yearly growth, 2022 to 2025 | +3.7% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 | |
| Population growth, 2024 to 2025 | +1.4% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 | |
| Land area | 1.66 km² | AreaSearch boundary analysis |
Total population for the suburb of St James was estimated to be approximately 5,682 as at Aug 2026. This is based upon an estimated resident population of 5,682 from the ABS up to June 2025.
The suburb of st james has added approximately 788 people and shown a 16.10% increase from the 4,894 people recorded at the 2021 Census period.
The population density in the suburb of St James is estimated at 3,423 persons per square kilometre based on the latest population estimate.
Over the past 10 years, the population in the suburb of St James has shown a compound annual growth rate of 1.2% per annum.
Population growth in the suburb of St James is driven by: Overseas migration (100.0%), Natural increase (0.0%), Interstate migration (0.0%). The primary driver is Overseas migration, contributing 100.0% of overall population gains.
St James hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 30 years | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | 10th percentile nationally |
| Aged 65 and over | 5.5% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Children under 15 | 13.9% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 15 to 34 | 45.2% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 25 to 64 | 64.2% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age at the 2021 Census | 32 years | 2021 Census | |
| Aged 0 to 4 | 5.5% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 5 to 14 | 8.4% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 15 to 24 | 16.6% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 25 to 34 | 28.6% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 35 to 44 | 16.5% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 45 to 54 | 10.8% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 55 to 64 | 8.3% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 65 to 74 | 4.6% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 75 to 84 | 0.9% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate |
AreaSearch estimates the median age in the suburb of St James at 30 years as at August 2026. That is down from the 2021 Census figure of 32 years, with AreaSearch updating the age profile for population change recorded since the Census.
At an estimated 30 years as at August 2026, St James is 7 years younger than the Greater Perth 2021 Census average (37 years) and 8 years younger than the national Census average (38 years).
On AreaSearch estimates updated to August 2026, the most over-represented age group in the suburb of St James compared to the Greater Perth region is the 25 - 34 group, making up 28.6% of the population.
On AreaSearch estimates updated to August 2026, the most under-represented age group in the suburb of St James compared to the Greater Perth region is the 75 - 84 group, making up 0.9% of the population.
Yes, certain age groups in the suburb of St James show significant variance compared to Greater Perth. The most over-represented age group is 25-34 year-olds (28.6% vs 15.8%). The most under-represented age groups are 85+ year-olds (0.0% vs 2.0%) and 75-84 year-olds (0.9% vs 5.5%).
AreaSearch estimates children aged 0-14 years at 13.9% of the population in the suburb of St James as at August 2026.
AreaSearch estimates people aged 65 and over at 5.5% of the population in the suburb of St James as at August 2026.
Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 62% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median taxable income (ATO) | $62,980 a year | ATO FY-24, annual | 66th percentile nationally |
| Average taxable income | $76,916 a year | ATO FY-24, annual |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Census household income / week | $1,827 | 2021 Census, weekly | 54th percentile nationally |
| Census personal income / week | $888 | 2021 Census, weekly | 65th percentile nationally |
| High-income households | 23.5% | 2021 Census | |
| Census family income / week | $2,254 | 2021 Census, weekly | |
| Low-income households | 22.7% | 2021 Census |
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated median taxable income in the suburb of St James is approximately $67,414. The official ATO data from FY-24 recorded a median of $62,980.
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated average taxable income in the suburb of St James is approximately $82,331. The official ATO data from FY-24 recorded an average of $76,916.
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated median taxable income in the suburb of St James is approximately $67,414 compared to $68,556 in Greater Perth. The official ATO data from FY-24 shows $62,980 and $64,047 respectively.
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated average taxable income in the suburb of St James is approximately $82,331 compared to $90,565 in Greater Perth. The official ATO data from FY-24 shows $76,916 and $84,609 respectively.
As per the 2021 Census, the weekly household income bracket containing the largest proportion of the suburb of St James's households (~34.9% / 676 households) is the $1,500 - 2,999 cohort.
The largest weekly household income cohort in the suburb of St James is the $1,500 - 2,999 group, representing about 34.9% of households. In comparison, Greater Perth's largest household income cohort is the $1,500 - 2,999 group, representing 32.0% of its households, according to the 2021 Census.
The 2021 Census data indicates that the median household income in the suburb of St James is $1,827/wk.
According to the 2021 Census, the median family income in the suburb of St James is $2,254/wk.
The 2021 Census shows that the median personal income in the suburb of St James is $888/wk.
The suburb of St James shows a median taxpayer income of $62,980 and an average of $76,916 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for FY-24. This is above the national average, contrasting with Greater Perth's median income of $64,047 and average income of $84,609. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 7.04% since FY-24, current estimates would be approximately $67,414 (median) and $82,331 (average) as of June 2026.
The estimated disposable income in the suburb of St James is $6,605 per year according to AreaSearch analysis.
The suburb of st james's disposable income is $6,605 compared to $6,842 for Greater Perth, based on AreaSearch analysis.
St James ranks among the top 16% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate | 2.5% | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Workforce participation | 75.2% | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Employed residents | 3,596 | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Daytime population | 4,212 | AreaSearch estimate of residents and workers present on a weekday | |
| Labour force | 3,689 | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch |
As of March 2026, the suburb of St James has approximately 3,596 employed residents with an unemployment rate of 2.5%. This very low unemployment rate indicates a tight labour market with strong demand for workers. The area ranks in the top 25% nationally for employment performance, indicating a robust job market.
As of March 2026, the unemployment rate in the suburb of St James stands at 2.5%, which is 1.7 percentage points below Greater Perth's rate of 4.2%. This lower unemployment rate suggests stronger local employment conditions. For comparison, the national unemployment rate is 4.2%.
The employment landscape in the suburb of St James is dominated by several key sectors. The largest employers are health care & social assistance (14.8% of employment), professional & technical (9.8%), and accommodation & food (9.5%). The relatively diverse employment base, with the top three sectors comprising 34.1% of jobs, provides economic resilience. Other significant employers include education & training and retail trade.
Over the past year to March 2026, the suburb of St James has experienced employment growth, with total employment increasing while the labour force increased. As a result, the unemployment rate has fallen. By comparison, Greater Perth saw employment increased and its unemployment rate rose.
The workforce participation rate in the suburb of St James is 75.2%, which represents the proportion of working-age residents who are either employed or actively seeking work. This high participation rate indicates strong workforce engagement and economic vitality. The local rate leading the Greater Perth average of 69.9%, indicating stronger workforce attachment in the local area.
The suburb of st james shows notable specialisation in accommodation & food, which employs 9.5% of the local workforce compared to 6.8% across Greater Perth. This moderate specialisation indicates some local strength in the sector.
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The suburb of st james's employment market shows strong performance nationally, ranking in the top 25% of areas assessed by AreaSearch. This indicates robust employment conditions and economic vitality compared to other regions. Recent job advertisement trends show the broader employment region experienced 4.5% growth, ranking 12th out of 37 regions nationally.
The educational profile of St James ranks above average relative to locations nationally, based on AreaSearch's ranking of qualification and academic performance metrics.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor qualifications | 26.9% | 2021 Census | 80th percentile nationally |
| Postgraduate qualifications | 10.2% | 2021 Census | 76th percentile nationally |
| University qualifications | 40.3% | 2021 Census | |
| Vocational qualifications | 18.3% | 2021 Census | 30th percentile nationally |
| Graduate diploma or certificate | 3.2% | 2021 Census | 72nd percentile nationally |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced diploma or diploma | 10.9% | 2021 Census | 55th percentile nationally |
| No post-school qualification | 30.4% | 2021 Census | |
| Residents attending an educational institution | 33.1% | 2021 Census | |
| Residents attending university or other higher education | 12.9% | 2021 Census | 96th percentile nationally |
| Residents attending primary school | 7.0% | 2021 Census | 10th percentile nationally |
| Residents attending secondary school | 5.9% | 2021 Census | 13th percentile nationally |
40.3% of people aged 15 and over in the suburb of St James have university qualifications, compared to 30.1% in Greater Perth.
30.4% of people aged 15 and over in the suburb of St James have no formal qualifications, compared to 35.6% in Greater Perth.
The suburb of st james ranks in the 74th percentile nationally for education based on AreaSearch's analysis of qualification and performance metrics.
The most common qualifications in the suburb of St James are: Bachelor Degree (26.9%), Certificate (18.3%), Advanced Diploma (10.9%).
33.1% of the population in the suburb of St James is currently engaged in formal education, including 7.0% in primary school, 5.9% in secondary school, 12.9% at university (all shares of total residents).
The average ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage) score for schools in the suburb of St James is 1057, indicating average socio-educational advantage (national average is 1000).
There are 1 schools within the suburb of St James, with a combined enrollment of approximately 193 students.
The suburb of st james includes 1 primary school.
St James features high concentrations of group households and lone person households but relatively few family households, with a smaller average household size than Greater Perth.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household size | 2.4 people | 2021 Census | 41st percentile nationally |
| Lone-person households | 30.1% | 2021 Census | 71st percentile nationally |
| Couples with children | 23.9% | 2021 Census | 27th percentile nationally |
| Couples without children | 24.2% | 2021 Census | 28th percentile nationally |
| One-parent families | 8.7% | 2021 Census | 27th percentile nationally |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group households | 10.8% | 2021 Census | 96th percentile nationally |
| Households at the 2021 Census | 1,937 | 2021 Census | |
| Estimated households | 2,249 | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026 | |
| Family households | 59.2% | 2021 Census | 11th percentile nationally |
| Average children per family | 1.1 per family | 2021 Census | 9th percentile nationally |
As of the 2021 Census, the suburb of St James had 1,937 households. Based on population growth patterns, this has grown by approximately 16.1% to an estimated 2,249 households today.
The average household size in the suburb of St James is 2.4 people. This compares to 2.6 in Greater Perth and reflects the area's household composition mix.
Family households dominate at 59.2% of all households. Non-family households consist of lone person households (30.1%), group households (10.8%), and other household types (0.0%).
Of the 1,147 family households, couples with children account for 23.9% of all households, couples without children at home 24.2%, and single parent families 8.7%. This mix shapes local demand for schools, family services, and housing types.
Compared to Greater Perth, the suburb of St James shows distinct household patterns. Group households are notably over-represented at 10.8% (versus 3.5% in Greater Perth). Conversely, family households are under-represented at 59.2% compared to 71.5% in Greater Perth. The prevalence of shared households suggests a younger demographic or affordability considerations.
Families in the suburb of St James have an average of 1.1 children, slightly below the Greater Perth average of 1.6. This influences local demand for child-related services and larger family homes.
Marriage patterns reveal 36.5% of the adult population are currently married, while 49.8% have never married. This compares to 47.6% married and 36.1% never married across Greater Perth.
Single-person households represent 30.1% of all households in the suburb of St James, higher than the average for Greater Perth of 24.9%. This affects demand for smaller dwellings and single-person accommodation.
Group households (unrelated people sharing) account for 10.8% of households, above the Greater Perth average of 3.5%. This higher rate points to more student or young professional shared accommodation.
St James 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.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Born overseas | 41.3% | 2021 Census | 82nd percentile nationally |
| Speak another language at home | 30.5% | 2021 Census | 75th percentile nationally |
| English only at home | 69.5% | 2021 Census | 24th percentile nationally |
| Australian citizens | 73.2% | 2021 Census | 10th percentile nationally |
| Born in Australia | 58.7% | 2021 Census | 17th percentile nationally |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents | 2.1% | 2021 Census | 62nd percentile nationally |
St James scores quite highly on cultural diversity, with 30.5% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 41.3% born overseas.
Christianity is the most commonly reported religion in St James, at 35.5% of people, although more residents (47.2%) reported no religion. However, the most apparent overrepresentation was in Buddhism, which comprises 5.8% of the population, compared to 2.7% across Greater Perth.
In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in St James are English, comprising 23.2% of the population, Australian, comprising 19.6% of the population, and Other, comprising 16.3% of the population, which is substantially higher than Greater Perth's 11.2%. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Korean is notably overrepresented at 0.9% of St James (vs 0.3% across Greater Perth), Welsh at 0.7% (vs 0.7%) and New Zealand at 0.9% (vs 0.8%).
41.3% of the suburb of St James population was born overseas, compared to 37.7% across Greater Perth.
30.5% of the population in the suburb of St James speaks a language other than English at home, compared to 22.0% in Greater Perth.
2.1% of the suburb of St James population identifies as Australian Aboriginal, compared to 1.4% in Greater Perth.
73.2% of the suburb of St James population holds citizenship, compared to 83.0% in Greater Perth.
04Place
Housing, health, transport, local services and the reports on them.
St James is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than Greater Perth.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rented homes | 47.5% | 2021 Census | 86th percentile nationally |
| Owned outright | 18.2% | 2021 Census | 12th percentile nationally |
| Detached houses | 70.2% | 2021 Census | 26th percentile nationally |
| Median mortgage repayment | $1,842 a month | 2021 Census, monthly | 52nd percentile nationally |
| Owned with a mortgage | 34.3% | 2021 Census | 48th percentile nationally |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-detached, terrace and townhouses | 25.7% | 2021 Census | 90th percentile nationally |
| Median weekly rent paid, 2021 Census | $330 | 2021 Census, weekly | 36th percentile nationally |
| Median rent as a share of median household income | 18.1% | 2021 Census, ratio calculated by AreaSearch | 24th percentile nationally |
| Median mortgage repayment as a share of household income | 23.3% | 2021 Census, ratio calculated by AreaSearch | 43rd percentile nationally |
| People per bedroom | 0.8 per bedroom | 2021 Census | 72nd percentile nationally |
In the suburb of St James, 18.2% of homes are owned outright, 34.3% are owned with a mortgage, and 47.5% are rented.
According to the latest data, 70.2% of dwellings in the suburb of St James are houses.
In the suburb of St James, 4.1% of dwellings are apartments or units, with an additional 25.7% being semi-detached dwellings.
Outright home ownership in the suburb of St James stands at 18.2%, compared to 29.3% in Greater Perth.
The median monthly mortgage repayment in the suburb of St James is $1,842, compared to $1,907 in Greater Perth.
The aggregate monthly housing cost in the suburb of St James is $1,311, which represents the average monthly cost across all housing types.
In the suburb of St James, households with mortgages typically spend 23.3% of their income on mortgage repayments, while renters spend 18.1% of their income on rent.
The average persons per bedroom ratio in the suburb of St James is 0.8, indicating the level of household density.
Housing affordability in the suburb of St James shows mortgage holders spending 23.3% of income on repayments (vs 23.6% in Greater Perth), while renters spend 18.1% of income on rent (vs 18.8% in Greater Perth).
The dwelling mix in the suburb of St James consists of 70.2% detached houses, 25.7% semi-detached dwellings, 4.1% apartments, and 0.0% other dwelling types.
Housing in St James consumes approximately 16.6% of median household income ($7,911 monthly), indicating costs are highly affordable. The generally accepted benchmark is that housing should not exceed 30% of household income.
Recent development applications in St James show attached dwellings contributing 36% of approvals compared to 30% of existing stock, while detached houses represent 64% of applications versus 70% of current dwellings. This suggests increasing densification. Housing density growth is around the national average.
St James'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.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private health cover | 55.9% | ATO FY 2024, private health cover | 61st percentile nationally |
| No long-term health condition | 75.0% | 2021 Census | 80th percentile nationally |
| Need help with daily activities | 3.7% | 2021 Census | 19th percentile nationally |
| No long-term health condition, under 65 | 79.1% | 2021 Census | 69th percentile nationally |
| Three or more long-term health conditions, under 65 | 1.5% | 2021 Census | 61st percentile nationally |
Around 55.9% of people in the suburb of St James are covered by private health insurance, which compares to 59.1% in Greater Perth.
In the suburb of St James, 3.7% of the population is identified as requiring ongoing medical assistance. By comparison, 4.6% of people in Greater Perth require similar assistance.
6.3% of people in the suburb of St James are diagnosed with asthma. In comparison, 6.8% of the population across Greater Perth is affected by asthma.
Diabetes affects 3.4% of the suburb of St James population, while in Greater Perth, 4.0% of people are diagnosed with diabetes.
2.2% of people in the suburb of St James have heart disease. Across Greater Perth,3.3% of the population is affected by heart disease.
In the suburb of St James, 55.9% of the population are estimated to have private health insurance. Comparatively, Greater Perth sees an estimated private health coverage rate of 59.1%.
Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport access | 81 out of 100 | AreaSearch transport analysis of timetable data | 81st percentile nationally |
| Public transport stops | 25 | Public transport timetable (GTFS) data, compiled by AreaSearch | 25th percentile nationally |
| Weekly public transport trips | 2,181 | Public transport timetable (GTFS) data, compiled by AreaSearch | 53rd percentile nationally |
| People per public transport stop | 226 | Public transport timetable (GTFS) data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Public transport routes | 12 | Public transport timetable (GTFS) data, compiled by AreaSearch |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per dwelling | 1.3 per dwelling | 2021 Census | |
| Working residents who worked from home | 7.1% | 2021 Census, taken during COVID-19 restrictions |
There are 25 public transport stops within the suburb of St James.
The suburb of St James has 2,181 weekly trips across 12 routes, averaging 311 trips per day.
On average, residential properties are 152 metres from the nearest transport stop.
From the typical resident, the nearest pharmacy is 344 m away and the nearest child care centre 412 m.
Distance from the typical resident to the nearest of each service. Every bar starts at 0 m. The nearest is orange.
Public transport 25 stops nearby, 2,181 weekly trips, access rating 81 out of 100.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amenity score | 89 out of 100 | AreaSearch proximity analysis | 89th percentile nationally |
| Nearest pharmacy | 344 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest child care | 412 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest school | 608 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest GP | 612 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest hospital | 620 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest supermarket | 621 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest dentist | 658 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest fitness centre | 886 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest shopping centre | 989 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest bank | 2.0 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest government service | 2.5 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident |
Sector reports that go deeper on these services: child care, medical, retail, aged care and specialist disability accommodation (SDA). There are 2 long day care centres with 124 places in St James (WA), about 2.0 children aged 0-4 per place.
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05Reports and tools
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06About this profile
Where the figures come from, downloads and nearby areas.
On AreaSearch's development drivers ranking, recent residential development output has been above average within St James when compared nationally.
St James has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally.
No headline figures are reported for this area.
Median rent in St James (WA) is $710 a week, +7.6% over 12 months to Sep 2026.
An assessment of population growth drivers in St James reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends.
St James hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide.
Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 62% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch.
St James ranks among the top 16% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance.
The educational profile of St James ranks above average relative to locations nationally, based on AreaSearch's ranking of qualification and academic performance metrics.
St James features high concentrations of group households and lone person households but relatively few family households, with a smaller average household size than Greater Perth.
St James 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.
St James is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than Greater Perth.
St James'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.
Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility.
Amenity provision was found to be above the typical area assessed nationally by AreaSearch, based on counts and proximity analysis.
St James (WA) has an estimated 5,682 residents, up 16.1% since the 2021 Census, with 49 projects tracked in the area around St James (WA).
Latest estimate as at Aug 2026; other figures from the 2021 Census, ATO FY-24 and AreaSearch estimates where labelled. Updated 14 Oct 2026.
Sources: ABS Census 2021, ABS estimated resident population, ATO taxation statistics, state rental bonds and property sales records where published, and AreaSearch analysis for St James (WA).
Data currency
Refreshed . Rents to Sep 2026, population and age estimated to Aug 2026, taxable income FY 2024 and projects to Jul 2026. Housing, households and cultural diversity are from the 2021 Census (next update with the 2026 Census results).
Infrastructure projects and development applications also include sites in the surrounding area, and are labelled as such. Other sections were compiled 15 Oct 2026 from sources that update on their own cycles; "See the evidence" lists each source and its cycle.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For a complete picture, consider both boundary types where available.
Main sources: ABS, Geoscience Australia, GNAF, ATO, State governments, Valuer General, Rental Board and Infrastructure Australia.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL51402). QuickStats reports 2021 only; the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.
This page uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries (suburb-style geography). SAL represents commonly-known suburb names used in addresses, while Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census and statistical reporting. Even when sharing the same name, SAL and SA2 boundaries often cover different geographic areas with different populations.
AreaSearch compiles this page from official and industry sources, including ABS, Geoscience Australia, GNAF, ATO, State governments, Valuer General, Rental Board and Infrastructure Australia, then calculates statistics for the boundary shown, and ranks, growth rates and benchmarks itself. Property sales come from the state valuation authority, rents from state rental bond lodgements, development applications from council and state planning portals, school data from ACARA, and public transport from state transport departments. Infrastructure projects and development applications also include sites in the surrounding area, labelled as such.
No. Most of this page is built beyond the Census. Dated for this area: population (Aug 2026), age profile (Aug 2026), infrastructure projects (Jul 2026) and income (FY 2024). Compiled with this profile from sources that publish on their own cycles: development and approvals, property sales and rents, employment, education, transport, health and services and amenities. Only housing, households and cultural diversity remain wholly Census-based, because no more current small-area dataset exists for those measures.
Key demographics and figures for St James (WA) from the 2021 Census, ATO taxpayer data and AreaSearch estimates and analysis. Each topic has its own table of key figures beside the section it belongs to, and each row names its source and date. The percentile compares St James (WA) with every neighbourhood-sized area across Australia (ABS SA2 areas): a higher percentile means more of that measure than most, not necessarily better.
Source: AreaSearch (areasearch.com.au) compiled from ABS Census 2021, ATO and other public sources.
