Tom Price

Tom Price has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of Tom Price is around 3,470, reflecting a 19.2% increase since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 2,910. This estimation is based on AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, resulting in an estimated resident population of 3,444. This equates to a density ratio of 47 persons per square kilometer. Tom Price's growth since the 2021 Census exceeded the national average of 9.9%, making it a growth leader in the region. Natural growth contributed approximately 59.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and utilising ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data for areas not covered by this data.

According to aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb is expected to grow by 211 persons to 2041, reflecting a reduction of 1.8% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Tom Price, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Tom Price shows around 9 new homes approved annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, approximately 46 homes were approved, with one more approved so far in FY26. Despite population decline during this period, development activity has been adequate relative to population changes.

The average construction cost value of new homes is $845,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment. This financial year, Tom Price has registered $194.9 million in commercial approvals, suggesting strong commercial development momentum. Compared to the Rest of WA, Tom Price records 16.0% less building activity per person, and it ranks among the 53rd percentile nationally for building activity. The area's established nature and potential planning limitations may contribute to this lower-than-average activity.

New building approvals consist of 83.0% detached dwellings and 17.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining Tom Price's traditional low-density character focused on family homes. With approximately 304 people per dwelling approval, there is room for growth in the area. Given stable or declining population forecasts, housing pressure may remain relatively low, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Tom Price has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 16thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified five projects that may impact the area. Key projects include Tom Price Hospital Redevelopment, Greater Tom Price Operations Sustaining Capital, Tom Price Residential Development, and Tom Price Town Centre Revitalisation. The following list details those likely to be 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.

The exceptional employment performance in Tom Price places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Tom Price has a skilled workforce with manufacturing and industrial sectors strongly represented. The unemployment rate was 1.0% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 0.7%. As of September 2025, 1,822 residents were employed, while the unemployment rate was 2.3% below Rest of WA's rate of 3.3%.

Workforce participation was 75.5%, compared to Rest of WA's 67.2%. According to Census responses, 2.8% of residents worked from home as of September 2025. Leading employment industries were mining, education & training, and health care & social assistance. Mining had particularly notable concentration with employment levels at 4.2 times the regional average.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing was under-represented, with only 0.3% of Tom Price's workforce compared to 9.3% in Rest of WA. Employment opportunities appeared limited locally based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 0.7%, while labour force increased by 0.7%, keeping the unemployment rate relatively stable. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, issued in May-25, projected a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Tom Price's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 4.2% over five years and 10.6% over ten years.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

The suburb of Tom Price had a median taxpayer income of $98,836 and an average income of $96,753 in the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. These figures are exceptionally high nationally, contrasting with the Rest of WA's median income of $59,973 and average income of $74,392. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $108,344 (median) and $106,061 (average). According to the 2021 Census figures, household, family, and personal incomes in Tom Price rank highly nationally, between the 97th and 99th percentiles. The income bracket of $1,500 - $2,999 captures 37.4% of the community (1,297 individuals), aligning with the surrounding region where this cohort represents 31.1%. Higher earners constitute a substantial presence with 54.4% exceeding $3,000 weekly, indicating strong purchasing power within the community. After housing costs, residents retain 98.3% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

In Tom Price, as per the latest Census, 91.8% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 8.2% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Non-Metro WA's figures of 88.5% houses and 11.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Tom Price stood at 5.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 3.1% and rented ones at 91.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,200, lower than Non-Metro WA's average of $1,560. Median weekly rent in Tom Price was $48 compared to Non-Metro WA's $265. Nationally, Tom Price's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,200 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Tom Price features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 77.6% of all households, including 47.5% couples with children, 24.0% couples without children, and 5.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 22.4%, with lone person households at 20.5% and group households comprising 1.7% of the total. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is larger than the Rest of WA average of 2.5.

Tom Price faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 18.3%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 53.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.2%) and certificates (43.0%). Educational participation is high at 38.8%, with 21.2% in primary education, 8.1% in secondary education, and 2.2% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 38.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 21.2% in primary education, 8.1% in secondary education, and 2.2% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Tom Price's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Tom Price's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks, as assessed by AreaSearch using mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are seen at a standard level across both young and old age cohorts. Private health cover is exceptionally high in Tom Price, with approximately 66% of the total population (2,276 people) having it, compared to 56.4% across Rest of WA and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 7.5% and 5.8% of residents respectively. 80.3% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 69.3% across Rest of WA. Tom Price has a lower proportion of residents aged 65 and over, with 2.2% (76 people) compared to 19.2% in Rest of WA. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, broadly in line with national rankings for the general population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Tom Price records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Tom Price has a relatively high cultural diversity, with 21.6% of its population born overseas and 11.8% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Tom Price, accounting for 36.4% of the population. Notably, Buddhism is more prevalent in Tom Price compared to the rest of WA, with 2.0% versus 1.0%.

The top three ancestral groups are Australian (29.1%), English (26.0%), and Other (7.9%). Some ethnic groups show significant differences: Maori at 2.7% (regional average is 1.0%), New Zealand at 1.2% (versus 0.9%), and Australian Aboriginal at 7.8% (compared to 6.1%).

Tom Price hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Tom Price's median age is 31 years, which is considerably lower than the Rest of WA average of 40 years and Australia's 38 years. Compared to Rest of WA, Tom Price has a higher concentration of residents aged 35-44 (24.3%), but fewer residents aged 65-74 (2.2%). This concentration of 35-44 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.3%. Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Tom Price's median age decreased by 1 year to 31 years from 32 years. During this period, the proportion of residents aged 35-44 increased from 20.8% to 24.3%, while those aged 25-34 increased from 16.2% to 17.7%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 45-54 decreased from 12.5% to 11.4%. Population forecasts for Tom Price in 2041 indicate significant demographic changes. The 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 10%, adding 63 residents to reach a total of 678. Meanwhile, both the 65-74 and 55-64 age groups are expected to have reduced numbers.