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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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Tom Price has an estimated 3,512 residents, up from 2,910 at the 2021 Census — a change of 602 people, or 20.7%. Growth has averaged 2.7% a year over five years, faster than 91% of areas nationally. Natural increase accounts for 59.0% of that increase. Density is about 48 people per 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
Based on statistical updates from the ABS for the wider region and verified locations checked by AreaSearch after the Census, the suburb of Tom Price has an estimated residency count of approximately 3,512 people as of May 2026. This indicates a rise of 602 residents (20.7%) compared to the 2021 Census, which recorded 2,910 individuals. The calculation originates from a resident population figure of 3,512 determined by AreaSearch following analysis of the June 2025 ABS ERP figures and subsequent address verification. This level of occupancy translates to a density of 47 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious environment.
The expansion rate of 20.7% in the suburb of Tom Price since the 2021 census was higher than the national expansion rate (9.3%) and outpaced the Rest of WA, showing strong regional growth. The main driver of this increase was natural population growth, representing roughly 59.0% of the overall population rise in recent times. Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024 with a 2022 baseline are applied by AreaSearch to each SA2 region. For locations lacking this information, and to project trends beyond 2032, growth coefficients by age group from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections (using 2022 data) are utilized. Looking ahead at demographic patterns, the suburb of Tom Price is projected to experience a population gain slightly below the median for regional parts of Australia, expanding by 224 individuals by 2041 under consolidated SA2-level forecasts, representing a 16-year growth rate of 6.4%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
29 new dwellings have been approved in Tom Price over the past five years, an average of 5 a year. That is 1.8 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 5, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
ABS residential construction approvals data allocated by AreaSearch indicates that Tom Price averages about 5 newly approved dwellings annually, with a total of 29 homes approved over the last 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 5 approvals have been logged. With an average of 15.3 new residents per constructed dwelling between FY-21 and FY-25, demand remains ahead of new supply, which typically drives up pricing and intensifies buyer competition. The average value of these new approvals stands at $845,000, indicating that developers are focusing on higher-end premium residential options.
Furthermore, commercial development approvals have reached $194.9 million during this financial year, showing robust local commercial activity. When compared to the Rest of WA, Tom Price sees approximately half the level of residential building approvals per person, placing in the 32nd percentile of all evaluated areas across the country, which limits options for buyers and sustains demand for existing housing stock. This volume of building is also below the national benchmark, highlighting the established character of the area and suggesting potential planning constraints. Standalone houses make up 86.0% of the new construction, while medium and high-density formats constitute 14.0%, preserving the traditional low-density residential profile centered on family living. A ratio of 531 residents per approved dwelling reflects a quiet development environment with limited construction activity. Future projections indicate that Tom Price will add 224 residents by 2041 based on the most recent quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. The current rate of construction aligns reasonably with the projected population increase, though buyers may face rising competition as the resident base grows.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Tom Price
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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 5 current infrastructure and development projects inside Tom Price, worth an estimated $1.04 billion. A further 58 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $15.6 billion. 23 are already under construction and 25 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, sports & recreation 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
Local infrastructure projects, major works, and planning updates represent key drivers of regional growth. AreaSearch has tracked 5 projects with the potential to influence the local area. The most relevant projects include the Tom Price Hospital Redevelopment, the Greater Tom Price Operations Sustaining Capital project, the Tom Price Residential Development initiative, and the Tom Price Town Centre Revitalisation.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Tom Price Hospital Redevelopment
The Tom Price Hospital redevelopment is a transformative healthcare project delivered by the WA Country Health Service in partnership with Rio Tinto. The new purpose-built facility features a modern emergency department with critical care and mental health assessment spaces, a four-bed inpatient ward, dental and pathology services, and contemporary ambulatory care facilities. Major construction is underway following the appointment of Cooper and Oxley, with the project expected to reach completion by 2028.
Greater Tom Price Operations Sustaining Capital
Ongoing sustaining capital program by Rio Tinto to maintain and enhance output across the Greater Tom Price hub, including the Western Turner Syncline Phase 2 (WTS2) project. The $1 billion AUD investment includes opening new pits, constructing a new crusher, a 13km overland conveyor, replacing and upgrading mining fleets, rolling out autonomous haulage systems, and fixed plant renewals to sustain the production capacity of its Pilbara iron ore business.
Tom Price Staff and Community Housing Program
Shire of Ashburton program to increase and improve workforce and community housing in Tom Price, guided by the Community Lifestyle and Infrastructure Plan (CLIP). New Shire staff residences were tendered in 2022, with a dedicated staff housing precinct approved in 2025 at a cost of approximately 5 million AUD, and landscaping and civil works for the Lot 247 Coolibah Street site tendered in August 2025. The program is intended to attract and retain a stable local workforce and ease the town's housing shortage.
Tom Price Town Centre Revitalisation
A multi-stage project by the Shire of Ashburton to upgrade and modernise the Tom Price town centre. The project includes enhancing public open spaces, improving pedestrian connectivity, upgrading amenities, and creating a more vibrant commercial and community hub. Recent works have focused on the tourism precinct and public facilities.
Tom Price Pump Track
Construction of a new asphalt pump track and upgrades to the existing skate park. The project provides a modern recreational facility for youth and families in Tom Price, enhancing the town's liveability. The project was completed in late 2023.
Brockman Syncline 1 Iron Ore Project
Brockman Syncline 1 (BS1) is a greenfield satellite mine development located within the Greater Brockman Hub. The project includes a primary crushing facility, a 7.9km overland conveyor system, and production hub facilities designed to sustain the Brockman 4 production rate. It is being developed on the country of the Puutu Kunti Kurrama, Pinikura, and Muntulgura Guruma peoples. The project is expected to deliver a capacity of 34 million tonnes per annum and supports approximately 1,000 construction jobs.
Hope Downs 2 Iron Ore Mine
A 50/50 joint venture between Rio Tinto and Hancock Prospecting to develop the Hope Downs 2 and Bedded Hilltop iron ore deposits in the Pilbara. The project comprises two new above-water-table open pits with a combined annual production capacity of 31 million tonnes, sustaining output from the Hope Downs Joint Venture into the future. Ore will be transported to the existing Hope Downs 1 site for processing, leveraging established infrastructure to reduce environmental footprint. Works include new non-process infrastructure precincts, dry processing facilities, railway crossings, haul roads, conveyors, pipelines, power and communications networks, and a 6 kilometre realignment of the Great Northern Highway.First ore was achieved in February 2026 via road train, ahead of schedule, with first production from full rail haulage on track for 2027. Construction is creating more than 950 jobs and the operation will sustain around 1,000 full time equivalent roles at Greater Hope Downs.
Newman Solar Farm Development
Proposed large-scale solar energy project intended to increase renewable electricity supply for Newman and nearby mining operations, reducing reliance on fossil fuel generation. As of the latest publicly available information, no confirmed construction commencement or development approval could be verified.
2,000 residents of Tom Price are employed, from a labour force of 2,016. Unemployment sits at 0.8%, with participation at 81.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 4.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. The working-day population is estimated at 2,596, about 74% 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
Tom Price has a highly capable workforce, with strong representation in manufacturing and industrial operations, an unemployment rate of only 0.8%, and a 5.5% expansion in employment over the prior year, based on aggregated statistical area data. As of March 2026, 2,000 residents are employed. The unemployment rate is 2.7% lower than the Regional WA figure of 3.5%, while labor force participation is exceptionally high at 81.7% compared to 65.6% in Regional WA. Census records show that a low 2.8% of the workforce worked from home, although this was likely influenced by Covid-19 restrictions.
The primary sectors employing local residents are mining, education & training, and health care & social assistance. Mining shows a particularly high concentration, with employment levels 4.2 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.3% of the local workforce, compared to 9.3% in Regional WA. A comparison of the Census working population against resident workers suggests that local employment options within the area are somewhat restricted. Based on SALM and ABS data compiled by AreaSearch for the year ending March 2026, employment grew by 5.5% and the labor force expanded by 5.3%, leading to a decrease in the unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. This contrasts with Regional WA, which saw a 0.1% decline in employment, a 0.3% rise in the labor force, and a 0.4 percentage point increase in unemployment. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia (released May-25) provide context for future workforce demand. Over a five-year period, national employment is projected to grow by 6.6%, and by 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying by sector. Applying these national industry trends to the local workforce mix suggests employment in Tom Price could rise by 4.2% over five years and 10.6% over ten years, based on a simple weighted extrapolation that does not account for local population changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Tom Price is $3,125 a week (about $163,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,741 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $98,836 a year. 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
Taxpayer data from the ATO for the 2023 financial year shows a median income of $98,836 and an average income of $96,753 in the suburb of Tom Price. These figures rank in the top percentile nationwide, well above the Regional WA median of $59,973 and average of $74,392. Adjusting for a 10.93% rise in the Wage Price Index since the 2023 financial year, current estimates as of March 2026 would be approximately $109,639 for the median and $107,328 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in the suburb of Tom Price placed between the 97th and 99th percentiles nationally.
Income distribution figures show that the largest cohort, comprising 37.4% of residents (1,313 individuals), falls into the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket, compared to 31.1% in the metropolitan area. Economic capacity is highlighted by the 54.4% of households earning more than $3,000 weekly, which supports local retail activity. After housing expenses, households keep 98.3% of their income, indicating high disposable funds, and the SEIFA index for income places the area in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Tom Price had 816 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 92% detached houses and 2% apartments. 3% are owned with a mortgage, 91% rented and 6% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $48 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,200 a month. Rent absorbs 1.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 8.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential profiles from the last Census show that standalone houses represented 91.8% of dwellings in Tom Price, while other options like semi-detached homes, apartments, and alternative housing made up 8.2%. In comparison, Regional WA had 88.5% houses and 11.6% other options. Home ownership rates in Tom Price stood at 5.7%, which is lower than the regional average, with mortgaged properties accounting for 3.1% and rented dwellings making up 91.2%. The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,200, which is below the Regional WA average of $1,560. The median weekly rent was $48, compared to $265 across Regional WA.
On a national level, monthly mortgage commitments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Tom Price counted 816 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 985 today, averaging 2.9 people each. 48% are couples with children, more than in 92% of areas nationally, against 24% couples without children. 21% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 77.6% of households, consisting of couples with children at 47.5%, couples without children at 24.0%, and single-parent households at 5.9%. Non-family households represent the remaining 22.4%, with lone-person households accounting for 20.5% and group homes making up 1.7%. The median household size of 2.9 individuals is higher than the Regional WA average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
18.3% of adults in Tom Price hold a university qualification, including 14.0% with a bachelor degree and 2.2% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 78% of areas nationally. A further 43.0% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 834 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 895 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
Educational statistics show lower levels of tertiary attainment, with 18.3% of residents holding university qualifications compared to the national average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 14.0%, with postgraduate degrees at 2.2% and graduate diplomas at 2.1%. Technical and vocational training is prominent, with 53.2% of residents aged 15 and over holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.2%) and certificates (43.0%). Enrolment levels are high, with 38.8% of the local population engaged in formal study. This includes 21.2% attending primary school, 8.1% in secondary education, and 2.2% enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Tom Price means driving: households keep an average of 1.5 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
80.3% of residents in Tom Price report no long-term health condition. 1.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 65.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators are comparable to national averages, with standard rates of chronic disease and mortality across both younger and older demographics. Private health insurance coverage is high at approximately 66% of the population (2,304 people), compared to 56.4% in Regional WA and a national average of 55.7%. Asthma and mental health conditions are the most prevalent health concerns, affecting 7.5% and 5.8% of residents, respectively. A high percentage of the population (80.3%) reported no chronic health issues, compared to 69.3% in Regional WA. Residents aged 65 and over make up 2.5% of the community (87 people), which is lower than the Regional WA average of 19.2%.
Health outcomes for seniors are positive, with national health rankings matching the broader community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Tom Price is largely Australian-born, at 78.4% of residents, with 11.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (29.1%) and English (26.0%). 7.8% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity measures show that 21.6% of the population was born outside of Australia, and 11.8% speak a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 36.4% of residents. Buddhist affiliation is notably higher than the regional average, accounting for 2.0% of the population compared to 1.0% across Regional WA. Ancestry details indicate that the top three backgrounds are Australian (29.1%), English (26.0%, which is lower than the regional average of 31.3%), and Other (7.9%). There are higher concentrations of certain backgrounds relative to regional figures: Maori accounts for 2.7% of the population (compared to 1.0% regionally), New Zealand background stands at 1.2% (compared to 0.9%), and Australian Aboriginal ancestry is 7.8% (compared to 6.1%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Tom Price is 31, younger than 90% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 24.4% 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
The median age of residents is 31 years, which is younger than the Regional WA average of 40 years and the national median of 38 years. The population has a high concentration of people aged 35 to 44 (24.1%) compared to Regional WA, but fewer residents in the 65 to 74 bracket (2.4%). This 35 to 44 cohort is larger than the national average of 14.3%. Since the 2021 Census, this group has increased from 20.8% to 24.1% of the population, while the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 20.4% to 19.4%.
Projections for 2041 indicate that the 25 to 34 age group will grow by 20%, adding 118 residents to reach a total of 712, while declines are projected in the 65 to 74 and 75 to 84 cohorts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Tom Price
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) | May 2026 3 months ago 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this 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 | Aug 2026 this month all 5 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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) | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month 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 May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,910 at the 2021 Census → 3,512 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 May 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 (SAL51456). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.