Thornlie

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

Analysis of ABS population updates for the wider region, alongside new address files validated by AreaSearch since the Census, indicates the population of the suburb of Thornlie stands at approximately 25,987 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 2,322 residents (9.8%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 23,665 residents. The estimate is derived from a resident count of 25,963, calculated by AreaSearch using the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with an additional 69 validated new addresses since the Census. This population size results in a density of 2,283 individuals per square kilometer, exceeding the average across national areas evaluated by AreaSearch. The 9.8% expansion of the suburb of Thornlie since the 2021 Census outperformed the national benchmark of 9.3%, placing it among the faster-growing locations in the region. This population rise was largely propelled by overseas arrivals, who accounted for roughly 73.0% of the overall gains in recent times.

AreaSearch implements ABS and Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 zone, published in 2024 using 2022 as the baseline. For SA2 zones lacking this coverage, and to calculate projections beyond 2032, AreaSearch applies age-cohort growth rates from the latest ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 and based on 2022 data. Future demographic patterns suggest the suburb of Thornlie will experience growth slightly under the national median, with the population projected to rise by 1,315 individuals by 2041 under combined SA2 forecasts, representing a total increase of 5.0% over the 16 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Thornlie recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

AreaSearch evaluations of ABS building permit statistics allocated from statistical areas show that Thornlie averaging approximately 31 approved residential units annually, translating to about 159 completions over the previous 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 32 approvals have been documented. Since 9.8 residents moved to the locality for every new home built between FY-21 and FY-25, demand is outstripping new supply, which commonly exerts upward pressure on housing costs and intensifies competition, with new projects averaging an expected construction cost of $254,000. Additionally, commercial approvals reached $24.9 million in this financial year, demonstrating active commercial funding.

Building volumes in Thornlie are significantly constrained compared to Greater Perth, tracking 72.0% under the metropolitan per capita average. This limited addition of new housing stock generally bolsters demand and valuations for existing properties. This rate is also below national patterns, indicating a mature market and potential development limits. The composition of new construction comprises 93.0% detached houses and 7.0% apartments or townhouses, preserving the established low-density feel of the area with spacious dwellings suitable for families. With approximately 1033 residents for every building permit, Thornlie presents as a highly established market.

Demographic projections indicate Thornlie will add 1,291 new residents by 2041, based on the most recent quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. If building activity remains at its current pace, the supply of housing may fall behind population growth, potentially heightening competition among prospective buyers and supporting future property values.

Thornlie has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Local infrastructure projects, planning choices, and major works are critical drivers of local performance. AreaSearch has identified 20 projects that are anticipated to influence this locality. Some of the notable projects include the Nicholson Road, Garden Street and Yale Road Grade Separation, the West Canning Vale Outline Development Plan, Tulloch Way, Canning Vale Development, and the Forest Lakes District Centre Precinct Structure Plan, with details provided below for those most relevant to the area.

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.

Thornlie shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Thornlie has a skilled labor force with a notable presence in industrial and manufacturing sectors, registering an unemployment rate of 5.9% and job growth estimated at 1.3% over the prior year, according to statistical area data compiled by AreaSearch. In March 2026, there were 13,260 employed local residents, while the unemployment rate sat 1.7% higher than the Greater Perth average of 4.2%. Labor force participation is also below the metropolitan benchmark, recording 66.5% compared to 70.2% in Greater Perth. Census records indicate only 5.2% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by pandemic-related restrictions.

The primary employment sectors for local workers are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. The community displays a strong concentration of workers in transport, postal & warehousing, employing residents at 1.6 times the metropolitan rate. Conversely, professional & technical roles are underrepresented, accounting for 5.1% of the local workforce compared to 8.2% across Greater Perth. The heavily residential layout of the area appears to limit local employment opportunities, as shown by comparing the count of resident workers against the local job pool.

According to AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from broader regional areas, employment rose by 1.3% and the total labor force grew by 2.0% during the 12 months ending March 2026, leading to a 0.6 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, Greater Perth recorded a 2.0% increase in jobs and a 2.5% increase in the labor force, with its unemployment rate rising by 0.4 percentage points. National employment projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 offer additional context on future labor demand patterns. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local industry mix to project regional employment growth. Nationally, employment is predicted to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with significant variations across sectors. Projecting these industry trends onto the local workforce mix suggests employment for Thornlie residents could rise by 6.0% in five years and 12.8% in ten years, representing a basic weighted calculation that does not factor in local demographic projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

According to the latest postcode-level ATO statistics released by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, taxpayers in Thornlie earned a median income of $50,988 and an average income of $59,002. This is below the national average and compares to a median of $60,748 and an average of $80,248 in Greater Perth. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since financial year 2023, current earnings would equate to roughly $56,561 for the median and $65,451 for the average as of March 2026. Census findings show household, family, and individual incomes in the area are modest, positioning between the 25th and 39th percentiles nationally. Distribution records show that 34.6% of taxpayers (8,991 individuals) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly income bracket, which is comparable to the wider region where this group makes up 32.0%. After housing costs are met, 85.0% of income is available for other household expenses.

Thornlie is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The local housing stock at the time of the latest Census consisted of 91.1% separate houses and 8.8% other options like semi-detached homes or apartments, compared to 77.8% separate houses and 22.1% alternative dwellings across metropolitan Perth. Homeowners without a mortgage represented 34.3% of households, which is higher than the Perth metropolitan average, while mortgaged properties accounted for 43.9% and rental properties made up 21.7%. The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,625 was lower than the metropolitan average of $1,907, while median weekly rent stood at $330 compared to $350 in the metropolitan area. Nationally, mortgage costs in Thornlie are lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and rents are also below the national figure of $375.

Thornlie has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Families make up the majority of households at 76.2%, consisting of couples with children at 35.4%, couples without children at 26.8%, and single parents at 12.5%. Non-family households account for 23.8%, with lone-person households representing 21.0% and group housing comprising 2.8% of the total. The median size of local households is 2.7 residents, slightly above the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

Thornlie shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

Educational attainment levels in Thornlie are lower than the regional averages, with 21.3% of residents aged 15 and older holding a tertiary degree, compared to 30.4% across Australia. This difference suggests scope for further training and professional development. Among degree holders, bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 4.4% and graduate diplomas at 1.8%. Vocational education is well represented, with 36.2% of the population aged 15 and older possessing vocational qualifications, including 10.9% holding advanced diplomas and 25.3% holding certificate qualifications.

Enrolment in education is strong, with 29.8% of the local population currently engaged in study. This group includes 10.2% attending primary school, 7.9% in high school, and 4.9% enrolled in tertiary institutions.

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

Public transport services in Thornlie include 132 active stops comprising train and bus options. These locations are served by 17 unique routes, which combine to support 4,139 passenger trips each week. Access to transport is strong, with residents living an average of 193 meters from their nearest stop. Given the residential nature of the suburb, most workers travel outside the area, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 83%, followed by trains at 9%. Average vehicle ownership stands at 1.6 cars per household. A low 5.2% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

Across all transit lines, service frequency averages 591 trips daily, which represents roughly 31 weekly departures from each individual stop. The associated map displays the 100 transport stops closest to the center of the suburb.

Thornlie's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Health indicators are positive for the residents of Thornlie, with AreaSearch analysis of mortality rates and chronic illnesses showing outcomes that align with national averages. The incidence of common health issues is low across younger and older demographics alike. Private health insurance coverage is on the lower side, held by approximately 51% of the population, which equals about 13,157 individuals. This is lower than the Greater Perth rate of 59.0% and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent chronic health conditions reported in the area were arthritis and mental health conditions, affecting 7.3 and 7.1% of residents respectively. Conversely, 70.2% of the population reported no chronic conditions, compared to 71.9% across Greater Perth. The population under the age of 65 exhibits favorable health statistics. Residents aged 65 and over make up 18.9% of the local population, totaling 4,911 individuals, which is higher than the 16.1% average for Greater Perth. Health status among these senior residents is above average, matching national averages for the broader population.

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

Thornlie exhibits notable multicultural diversity, with 32.2% of the population speaking a non-English language at home and 43.5% born outside Australia. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, comprising 42.1% of the community. There is a notable concentration of residents identifying as Muslim, representing 12.1% of the population, which is higher than the Greater Perth average of 3.2%.

Looking at parent birthplaces, the most common ancestries in Thornlie are English at 24.9%, Australian at 18.8%, and Other at 17.3%, which is higher than the metropolitan average of 11.2%. There are also distinct variations in other backgrounds, with Maori ancestry representing 1.2% of Thornlie compared to 0.9% across the region, South Australian at 0.7% compared to 1.0%, and Korean at 0.6% compared to 0.3%.

Thornlie's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Thornlie is 38 years, which is close to the Greater Perth average of 37 and matches the Australian median of 38. Compared to the Perth metropolitan area, Thornlie has a higher proportion of residents in the 65 - 74 age group at 10.3%, but fewer young adults in the 25 - 34 bracket at 12.5%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 increased from 5.2% to 6.5%, while the 55 to 64 bracket decreased from 11.9% to 11.0%. Looking ahead to 2041, significant changes in age structure are expected. The 75 to 84 cohort is projected to expand by 58%, growing by 973 people to reach 2,663 from an initial 1,689. This aging trend is prominent, with seniors aged 65 and older accounting for 73% of all projected population growth. In contrast, population declines are forecast for children in the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 brackets.