Wattle Grove (WA)

Population growth drivers in Wattle Grove are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population of the Wattle Grove (WA) statistical area (Lv2) is around 7,466. This figure reflects a 14.0% increase since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,547 people. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimated resident population of 7,234 as of June 2024 and an additional 116 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 896 persons per square kilometer. The area's growth exceeded the national average (9.7%) during this period. Overseas migration contributed approximately 39.0% of overall population gains, with all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth being positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch uses the growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future population trends suggest an increase just below the median of national statistical areas. By 2041, the area is expected to increase by 319 persons, reflecting a total increase of 2.7% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Wattle Grove among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, shows Wattle Grove experienced around 53 dwellings receiving development approval each year. Over the past 5 financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 269 homes were approved, with a further 5 approved in FY-26 so far. Each new dwelling built over these years has resulted in an average of 2.9 new residents per year, reflecting robust demand that supports property values.

The average expected construction cost value of new homes being built is $387,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. This financial year, there have been $15.1 million in commercial approvals, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Perth, Wattle Grove records 105.0% more development activity per person. The area has seen a slowdown in building activity in recent years but still provides buyers with ample choice.

New building activity comprises 91.0% standalone homes and 9.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. There are approximately 259 people per dwelling approval in the location, indicating room for growth. Future projections show Wattle Grove adding 203 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Wattle Grove has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 40thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 14 projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones are Cell 9 Wattle Grove Urban Development, Forrestfield/High Wycombe Industrial Area, Hartfield Park Master Plan Stage 2: Co-Location, and Tonkin Highway Corridor - Roe Highway to Kelvin Road. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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AreaSearch assessment positions Wattle Grove ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Wattle Grove has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors. Its unemployment rate is 3.6%, lower than the national average, and it experienced an estimated employment growth of 2.1% over the past year (AreaSearch data).

As of September 2025, 4,092 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.3% below Greater Perth's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation is high at 72.9%, compared to Greater Perth's 65.2%. Key industries for employment include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. Notably, transport, postal & warehousing has a strong presence with an employment share of 1.7 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction has limited presence at 8.0% compared to the regional average of 9.3%. The area's predominantly residential nature suggests limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data on working population vs resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 2.1%, labour force grew by 2.2%, with unemployment remaining essentially unchanged (AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data). In comparison, Greater Perth recorded employment growth of 2.9% over the same period. State-level data to 25-Nov-2025 shows WA employment contracted by 0.27%, with an unemployment rate of 4.6%. Nationally, employment grew by 0.14% during this period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 indicate that employment is expected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Wattle Grove's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by approximately 6.2% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, assuming constant population growth for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

The suburb of Wattle Grove had an income level above the national average according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers was $62,677 and the average income stood at $73,454. These figures compared to Greater Perth's of $60,748 (median) and $80,248 (average). Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates for median income would be approximately $68,707 and average income at $80,520 as of September 2025. Census data revealed that household, family and personal incomes in Wattle Grove ranked highly nationally, between the 75th and 87th percentiles. Income distribution showed that 41.3% of locals (3,083 people) fell into the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly income category, mirroring regional levels where 32.0% occupied this bracket. Higher earners made up a substantial presence with 32.8% exceeding $3,000 weekly. Housing accounted for 15.1% of income while strong earnings ranked residents within the 86th percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 7th decile.

Wattle Grove is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

The latest Census evaluation found that 99.7% of dwellings in Wattle Grove were houses, with the remaining 0.3% being semi-detached homes, apartments, or other types. This is compared to Perth metro's figures of 93.9% houses and 6.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wattle Grove stood at 21.2%, with mortgaged properties at 64.2% and rented ones at 14.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,993, higher than Perth metro's average of $1,907. The median weekly rent in Wattle Grove was $430, compared to Perth metro's $370. Nationally, Wattle Grove's median monthly mortgage repayments were higher at $1,993 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially higher at $430 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households compose 87.2% of all households, including 55.3% couples with children, 21.0% couples without children, and 9.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 12.8%, with lone person households at 11.0% and group households comprising 2.1%. The median household size is 3.3 people, surpassing the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

Wattle Grove shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area's university qualification rate of 31.6%, among residents aged 15+, exceeds the SA3 area average of 22.5% and the WA average of 27.9%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 21.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 8.6% and graduate diplomas at 2.0%. Vocational credentials are held by 33.9% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 11.8% and certificates at 22.1%.

Educational participation is high, with 36.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 15.1% in primary education, 9.5% in secondary education, and 5.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transport in Wattle Grove indicates there are currently 70 active transport stops operating within the area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 5 individual routes providing service. Together, these routes facilitate 459 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport is considered good, with residents on average located 201 meters from their nearest transport stop. Service frequency averages 65 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 6 weekly trips per individual stop.

Wattle Grove's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Wattle Grove shows excellent health outcomes with both young and elderly populations having low prevalence rates for common conditions.

Approximately 56% (~4,207 people) have private health cover. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (6.2%) and mental health issues (5.6%). A higher proportion of residents (79.4%) reported being free from ailments compared to Greater Perth (69.2%). As of 2021, 9.5% (~709 people) are aged 65 and over, lower than the Greater Perth average of 20.2%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors require particular attention.

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

Wattle Grove has a high level of cultural diversity, with 41.0% of its population born overseas and 41.0% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Wattle Grove, comprising 41.6% of people. However, Islam is overrepresented compared to the Greater Perth average, making up 10.5% of the population.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are English (20.3%), Australian (19.4%), and Other (18.5%). Notably, Indian, Filipino, and Chinese ethnicities have higher representations in Wattle Grove compared to regional averages: Indian at 8.4% vs 1.9%, Filipino at 3.1% vs 1.2%, and Chinese at 7.6% vs 1.7%.

Wattle Grove hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

At age 34 years, Wattle Grove's median age is lower than Greater Perth's average of 37 years, and considerably younger than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Perth, Wattle Grove has a higher percentage of residents aged 5-14 (18.5%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (11.2%). This concentration of 5-14 year-olds is well above the national average of 12.2%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the population aged 15 to 24 has grown from 11.5% to 12.9%, while the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 1.5% to 2.8%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 age group has declined from 12.0% to 11.2%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Wattle Grove, with the 75 to 84 cohort projected to grow by 87%, adding 180 residents to reach a total of 390. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 age groups.