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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
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 comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Swanbourne has an estimated 4,909 residents, up from 4,592 at the 2021 Census — a change of 317 people, or 6.9%. Growth has averaged 1.0% a year over five years. Overseas migration accounts for 80.0% of that increase. That puts 933 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
As of Aug 2026, the population of the suburb of Swanbourne is projected at approximately 4,909, based on AreaSearch assessments integrating regional ABS population revisions with address validation completed following the Census. Compared to the 4,592 residents recorded in the 2021 Census, this marks an expansion of 317 people (6.9%). These figures derive from the estimated 4,909 resident total established by AreaSearch using the June 2025 ABS ERP release alongside post-Census address verification. With 933 persons per square kilometer, the suburb exhibits a population density broadly consistent with wider AreaSearch benchmarks.
Over the preceding ten-year span, the suburb of Swanbourne maintained steady expansion with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%, exceeding the wider SA3 area. Inward overseas migration served as the primary growth catalyst, generating roughly 80.0% of recent population additions. Projections compiled by AreaSearch incorporate SA2-level figures published jointly by the ABS and Geoscience Australia in 2024 (using 2022 as a base year). For SA2 locations excluded from that release, as well as all projections extending beyond 2032, growth estimates apply age-cohort rates from the 2023 Greater Capital Region dataset (based on 2022 figures). Future demographic modeling indicates growth will track slightly under the national statistical median, with aggregated SA2 projections indicating the suburb of Swanbourne will add 505 persons by 2041, representing an overall gain of 10.3% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Analysis of ABS residential approval figures by AreaSearch indicates that construction activity in Swanbourne has remained exceptionally suppressed in recent years, tallying just 3 homes approved across the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), with 1 recorded in FY-25 to date. With population gains averaging 60.8 new residents per year for every home built across the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), construction volume is failing to keep pace with demand, intensifying purchasing pressure and driving price growth. Furthermore, developers have focused squarely on the luxury tier, with incoming residential projects carrying an average construction value of $1,556,000.
Residential building volumes in Swanbourne track substantially below those recorded across Greater Perth. While local construction has gained momentum recently, this persistent shortage of new housing stock generally underpins strong pricing and demand across established homes. Building rates also trail national averages, pointing to the mature character of the neighborhood alongside potential urban planning limitations. In addition, recent residential development has focused exclusively on freestanding houses, maintaining the low-density urban landscape and appealing to buyers seeking standalone properties. Developers are delivering standalone dwellings at a higher proportion than the existing built form (81.0% at Census), underscoring sustained appetite for family-oriented housing despite broader medium-density trends. A metric of 2453 people in the area per dwelling approval highlights the neighborhood's restrained building activity.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Swanbourne
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 4 current infrastructure and development projects inside Swanbourne, worth an estimated $450 million. A further 62 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $5.31 billion. 12 are already under construction and 21 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Urban development, planning strategies, and public infrastructure projects exert a major influence on regional growth. AreaSearch has pinpointed 10 key infrastructure developments likely to impact the locality, highlighted by Claremont on the Park Stage 2 (The Crescent), Swanbourne Station TOD, The Grove Residences, and the 22 St Quentin Avenue Mixed-Use Development.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Swanbourne Station Precinct
Transit-oriented mixed-use precinct planned across approximately 1.8 hectares of State-owned land adjacent to Swanbourne train station. The project, progressed under the WA Government Market-led Proposals policy with Cedar Woods Properties as first-mover proponent, seeks to deliver housing, retail, commercial uses and public space integrated with the Swanbourne Town Centre and METRONET objectives. Swanbourne is one of ten initial station precincts designated under the Precincts WA program for coordinated improvement planning and higher-density development.
Railway St, Cottesloe
A mixed-use development incorporating office space for 80 employees and a four-bedroom apartment for country-based staff, with a focus on sustainability and achieving The Living Building Challenge certification for wellness.
The Grove Residences
A luxury residential development by Blackburne featuring 247 apartments across three buildings (16-storey, 12-storey, and 4-storey podium) spanning 15,741sqm between Claremont, Cottesloe, and Peppermint Grove. Includes resort-style amenities such as thermal pools, spa, fitness center, boutique retail, and rooftop dining. Built on the historic Sundowner Hostel site. Winner of 2024 UDIA WA Awards for Excellence - Design. Features Moroccan-themed thermal bathhouse, $600,000 golf simulator, yoga studio, workshop, kids' playroom, vegetable gardens, and rooftop cocktail lounge with 360-degree views.Designed by MJA Studio with landscaping by Aspect Studio. Completed June 2024.
Claremont on the Park
Masterplanned urban renewal community surrounding Claremont Oval, delivering over 750 new homes. It integrates multiple luxury apartment developments including Essence by Blackburne, The Terraces by Iris Residential, The Queenslea, and The Pocket.
Quentin Square
Quentin Square is a 19-storey mixed-use development featuring 86 luxury apartments, dining, and commercial spaces. Masterfully designed by Pennock Architects and developed by Kuraland, the project includes a sculptural tower with a refined limestone podium, resort-style amenities, and basement parking.
Cottesloe Village Precinct and Town Centre Redevelopment
A transformative mixed-use revitalisation of the Cottesloe town centre. The project, led by Sirona Urban, features 125 luxury residences, a 128-room 5-star boutique hotel, and 2,400sqm of retail and hospitality space. Key elements include the activation of laneways, a new mid-block pedestrian link connecting Napoleon Street to the Cottesloe METRONET station, and significant public realm enhancements to improve local connectivity.
Ocean Village Cottesloe
A six level luxury apartment building with 38 premium residences opposite Cottesloe Beach, offering ocean views, generous balconies and high end finishes, designed by MJA Studio for Blackburne and 3West Group.
Congdon Street Bridge Replacement
Replacement of the 115-year-old Congdon Street Bridge over the Fremantle rail line at Swanbourne with a modern concrete bridge. The project includes wider traffic lanes, upgraded footpaths and shared paths, two northbound approach lanes, DDA compliant station access, new stair connections, and staged construction to maintain local connectivity. Construction has been rescheduled to early to mid-2027 to avoid conflicts with the Fremantle Traffic Bridge closure, while detailed design and utility relocations continue.
2,629 residents of Swanbourne are employed, from a labour force of 2,668. Unemployment sits at 1.5%, with participation at 67.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 4,231, about 86% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Swanbourne maintains a highly credentialed workforce with prominent white-collar participation, an unemployment rate standing at a minimal 1.5%, and an annual employment rise of 1.3% according to AreaSearch aggregated data. As of March 2026, employed residents total 2,629, with local joblessness sitting 2.7% below the 4.2% rate for Greater Perth, while local labor participation is slightly lower at 67.2% compared to 69.9% across Greater Perth. Census records show 14.6% of workers operated remotely from home, a figure potentially influenced by pandemic restrictions. Local workers are predominantly engaged in health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training.
The professional & technical segment shows an exceptional concentration, tracking at 1.9 times the regional average. Conversely, construction accounts for only 5.0% of the workforce, well below the 9.3% benchmark seen across Greater Perth. Comparing the resident workforce against locally based employment suggests internal employment capacity within the neighborhood remains restricted. Reviewing aggregated ABS and SALM figures, AreaSearch observed a 1.3% rise in employment alongside a 1.5% expansion in the total workforce over the past 12 months, shifting the jobless rate upward by 0.2 percentage points. Across the same timeframe, Greater Perth saw employment rise by 2.0% and labor force numbers grow by 2.5%, corresponding to a 0.4 percentage points increase in unemployment. National outlooks from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide additional context on future labor trends. When these five-year and ten-year industry projections—which forecast national gains of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years—are weighted against Swanbourne's specific industry distribution, local employment is estimated to grow by 7.2% over five years and 14.8% over ten years (representing an illustrative weighting model without local demographic adjustments).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Swanbourne is $3,418 a week (about $178,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,362 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $79,986 a year against an average of $161,440. The average runs 102% above the median, a wider spread than most areas and a sign of a concentrated group of high earners. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to AreaSearch's evaluation of ATO postcode data for financial year 2023, resident earnings in the suburb of Swanbourne rank among the highest across the nation, featuring a median income of $79,986 and an average of $161,440. These figures substantially exceed Greater Perth benchmarks of $60,748 (median) and $80,248 (average). Adjusting for a 10.93% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated figures reach approximately $88,728 for median income and $179,085 for average income as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census positions local family, household, and individual earnings within the 96th to 99th percentiles nationwide.
High-earning households are prevalent, with 43.5% of residents (2,135 individuals) reporting earnings in the $4000+ income range, whereas the regional market peaks in the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket at 32.0%. Furthermore, 56.2% of individuals make weekly incomes exceeding $3,000, underscoring substantial local wealth. Community members retain 88.9% of income once accommodation costs are covered, and the locality sits in the 10th decile on the SEIFA index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Swanbourne had 1,519 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 81% detached houses and 11% apartments. 32% are owned with a mortgage, 26% rented and 42% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $470 a week and the median mortgage repayment $3,504 a month, a total housing cost higher than 88% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 13.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, the local housing landscape in Swanbourne was composed of 81.4% standalone houses and 18.6% medium-to-high density or alternative housing types, compared to 77.8% and 22.1% across the Perth metro area. Outright home ownership was notably elevated relative to the broader metropolitan area at 42.2%, while remaining homes were under a mortgage (31.9%) or leased (26.0%). Typical monthly mortgage commitments stood at $3,504, well above the metropolitan median of $1,907 and the national figure of $1,863. Similarly, median weekly rental costs reached $470, outstripping the Perth metro mark of $350 as well as the Australian baseline of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Swanbourne counted 1,519 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,624 today, averaging 2.8 people each. 43% are couples with children, more than in 86% of areas nationally, against 28% couples without children. 18% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute 79.7% of all residences, consisting of couples with children (43.1%), couples without children (28.0%), and single parent households (8.3%). Non-family arrangements account for the remaining 20.3% of homes, including lone person households at 17.7% and group housing at 2.4%. With a median household size of 2.8 people, local occupancy exceeds the Greater Perth benchmark of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
58.0% of adults in Swanbourne hold a university qualification, including 37.3% with a bachelor degree and 15.7% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 95% of areas nationally. A further 8.1% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 1,970 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,152 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Academic credentials among Swanbourne residents are exceptionally high, with 58.0% of individuals aged 15+ possessing tertiary degrees, significantly outperforming WA (27.9%) and Greater Perth (30.1%). Bachelor degrees constitute the largest share of qualifications at 37.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 15.7% and graduate diplomas at 5.0%. Technical and vocational training encompasses 16.9% of educational credentials among residents aged 15+, divided between advanced diplomas (8.8%) and certificates (8.1%). Community participation in education is strong, with 36.1% of the population actively pursuing formal learning. This comprises 12.9% attending secondary schooling, 10.8% enrolled in primary education, and 8.8% involved in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Swanbourne reaches 26 stops on 5 routes, timetabled for about 1,100 services a week. The typical home sits about 210 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.7 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Swanbourne's public transit network comprises 26 transit stops spanning rail and bus connections across 5 routes, delivering a combined 1,138 weekly passenger trips. Commuter access is strong, with typical walking distances averaging 209 meters to the closest stop. Private vehicles represent the primary mode of travel for outward commuting at 79%, followed by rail transit at 6% and walking at 5%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.7 per dwelling, exceeding metropolitan norms, while 14.6% of residents worked remotely according to the 2021 Census. Public transport services operate at a frequency of 162 trips per day across the network, translating to roughly 43 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
75.3% of residents in Swanbourne report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 88% of areas nationally. 2.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 91.3% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Data on community wellness compiled by AreaSearch indicates exceptional health measures in Swanbourne, highlighted by minimal chronic illness rates and low mortality across all demographics. Private health insurance coverage is remarkably widespread, encompassing approximately 91% of residents (4,480 people), compared to 59.0% throughout Greater Perth and an Australian benchmark of 55.7%. Asthma and arthritis represent the most prevalent chronic conditions in the locality, each recorded among 6.8 and 6.8% of the population, while 75.3% reported having no diagnosed health conditions, surpassing the 71.9% proportion across Greater Perth. Seniors aged 65 and over account for 18.5% of the community (908 people), exceeding the 15.9% share in Greater Perth, with older residents maintaining health profiles on par with broad national standards.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
25.1% of Swanbourne residents were born overseas and 7.8% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (33.4%) and Australian (25.1%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural metrics for Swanbourne align closely with the wider metropolitan standard: 74.9% of the population was Australian-born, 91.0% hold Australian citizenship, and 92.2% speak only English at home. Christianity represents the primary religious affiliation, accounting for 47.8% of the community. Judaism shows the clearest relative concentration, making up 0.8% of local residents compared to 0.3% across Greater Perth. Evaluating ancestral background through parents' birthplace, the primary ancestries in Swanbourne are English at 33.4% (exceeding the regional level of 28.0%), Australian at 25.1%, and Scottish at 9.4%. Other ancestral representations include South Australian at 1.2% (against 1.0% regionally), Welsh at 0.7% (matching 0.7% regionally), and Dutch at 1.7% (compared to 1.5% across the broader region).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Swanbourne is 38. 26.0% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Age distribution in Swanbourne aligns closely with Greater Perth, showing a maximum divergence of 7.5 percentage points across cohorts. The estimated median age stood at 38 as at August 2026, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting 1 year higher than the 37 recorded for Greater Perth at that time. The most notable generational shift since the Census occurred in the 0 - 24 age bracket, which declined from 35.8% to an estimated 33.4%. Demographic projections indicate that by 2041, senior cohorts aged 65+ will drive expansion, growing by 353 residents (39%) to reach 1,261, while younger cohorts are forecast to decrease.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Swanbourne
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jun 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 last month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jun 2026 3 months ago all 4 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jun 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (4,592 at the 2021 Census → 4,909 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL51421). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.