Wembley Downs

Population growth drivers in Wembley Downs are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on demographic evaluations of recent ABS releases and residential address verification by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Wembley Downs has an estimated population of 7,459 as of May 2026. This represents a rise of 716 residents (10.6%) compared to the 2021 Census, which documented 6,743 individuals. This change is calculated from a base resident count of 7,426 calculated from the June 2025 ABS ERP data, plus 31 validated new addresses registered since the Census. The suburb's density stands at 1,699 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical density across national areas monitored by AreaSearch. The growth rate of 10.6% since the 2021 Census outpaced the national benchmark of 9.3%, placing the suburb among the leading growth areas in the region. The primary driver of this population growth was overseas migration, which accounted for approximately 91.0% of the net population increase, though other factors such as interstate migration and natural population growth also contributed positively.

AreaSearch incorporates projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia for each SA2 region, which were published in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. For SA2 regions lacking these projections, and for projecting growth beyond 2032, growth rates by age cohort from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections (using 2022 data) are applied. Future demographic trends indicate that the area will experience above-median growth, with an expected increase of 881 individuals by 2041 according to aggregated SA2 projections, representing an overall expansion of 11.4% over the 16-year timeframe.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Wembley Downs when compared nationally

According to building approval figures from the ABS compiled by AreaSearch for the statistical area, the suburb of Wembley Downs averages approximately 24 residential approvals per year, summing to an estimated 120 new homes over the last 5 financial years. During the current financial year of FY-26, 17 approvals have been logged. With an average of 4.1 new residents added per year for every home built between FY-21 and FY-25, new housing supply is lagging behind demand, which typically intensifies buyer competition and exerts upward pressure on home prices. Newly constructed homes average an estimated construction cost of $874,000, indicating that developers are prioritizing high-end, premium properties. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $8.0 million this financial year, reinforcing the predominantly residential nature of the suburb.

Recent residential construction consists of 91.0% standalone houses and 9.0% medium to high-density dwellings, maintaining the suburb's low-density character with a focus on detached homes that appeal to buyers wanting space. Notably, developers are constructing a higher proportion of traditional houses than the baseline mix reported at the Census (73.0%), showing that demand for single-family homes remains strong despite densification trends. The market is highly developed, as indicated by a ratio of approximately 434 people for every new dwelling approval.

Looking forward, the population in the suburb of Wembley Downs is projected to rise by 848 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly estimations from AreaSearch. Although construction activity is tracking in line with these population forecasts, incoming buyers could face heightened competition as the local population increases.

Wembley Downs has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 43rdth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure, planning frameworks, and major projects represent significant influences on suburban performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 8 projects expected to influence the local area. Principal projects include the Floreat Beach Masterplan, the Bold Park Aquatic Centre Redevelopment, the Wembley Downs Local Centre Precinct Structure Plan, and the City Beach Highrise Development.

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

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The exceptional employment performance in Wembley Downs places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

The suburb of Wembley Downs has a highly qualified labor force with a substantial share of professionals, an unemployment rate of only 1.4%, and an annual employment growth rate of 3.3% according to statistical area data aggregated by AreaSearch. In March 2026, there were 4,089 employed residents. The unemployment rate is 2.8% lower than the Greater Perth benchmark of 4.2%, while the labor force participation rate is slightly below average, sitting at 68.1% compared to 70.2% across Greater Perth. Census records indicate that a moderate 13.6% of the workforce worked from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

The primary employment sectors for residents are health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training. The suburb exhibits a strong specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share 1.6 times the regional average. Conversely, manufacturing is underrepresented at 2.8% of local employment compared to the regional average of 5.5%. Given the ratio of local jobs to resident workers, this residential suburb provides relatively few employment opportunities within its own boundaries.

According to SALM and ABS data aggregated by AreaSearch for the year ending March 2026, local employment grew by 3.3% and the total labor force expanded by 3.4%, keeping the unemployment rate virtually unchanged. Over the same period, Greater Perth saw employment rise by 2.0% and the labor force grow by 2.5%, resulting in a 0.4 percentage point increase in unemployment. Future local employment trends can be understood through the national forecasts released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local industry mix to estimate future job growth. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary significantly by sector. Mapping these trends to the local workforce structure indicates that employment for residents of the suburb of Wembley Downs is projected to rise by 7.0% over five years and 14.4% over ten years, assuming a basic weighted extrapolation that does not adjust for local population changes.

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

Based on ATO postcode data compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the suburb of Wembley Downs recorded a median income of $72,585 and an average income of $98,840. These figures are exceptionally high on a national scale, comparing to $60,748 and $80,248 respectively across Greater Perth. Adjusting for a 10.93% increase in the Wage Price Index since the 2023 financial year, current estimates for March 2026 are approximately $80,519 for the median and $109,643 for the average. The 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and individual incomes in the area are positioned between the 83rd and 93rd percentiles nationally. Income distribution is concentrated in the $4000+ weekly bracket, which accounts for 33.5% of residents (2,498 people), contrasting with the wider metropolitan area where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket is most common at 32.0%. The suburb's economic strength is demonstrated by the 46.3% of households earning more than $3,000 weekly, which supports high consumer spending. Discretionary income is high, with residents retaining 87.2% of their income after housing costs, and the area's SEIFA index for income places it in the 10th decile.

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

According to the latest Census, the housing stock in the suburb of Wembley Downs consisted of 72.8% standalone houses and 27.3% other dwelling types including townhouses and apartments, compared to 77.8% houses and 22.1% other dwellings across the Perth metropolitan area. Home ownership rates were notably higher than the Perth metropolitan average, with 43.3% of homes owned outright, while the remaining properties were mortgaged (40.9%) or rented (15.8%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $2,762, which is significantly higher than the Perth metro average of $1,907. Similarly, the median weekly rent of $470 exceeded the Perth metro median of $350. Nationally, mortgage costs in the suburb of Wembley Downs are well above the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are substantially higher than the national figure of $375.

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

Families make up the majority of households in the suburb of Wembley Downs at 77.7%, consisting of couples with children at 42.2%, couples without children at 25.5%, and single parents at 9.3%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 22.3% of households, with single-person households representing 20.0% and group households making up 2.2%. The median household size is 2.7 residents, slightly larger than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

Wembley Downs demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Educational attainment in the suburb of Wembley Downs is significantly higher than broader geographical averages, with 51.2% of residents aged 15 and over holding a university degree, compared to 27.9% across Western Australia and 30.1% across Greater Perth. This educational profile positions the community well for professional opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 33.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 12.5% and graduate diplomas at 5.7%. Vocational education is held by 22.0% of residents aged 15 and over, comprising advanced diplomas at 10.9% and certificates at 11.1%.

A high percentage of the population is engaged in study, with 32.9% of residents currently enrolled in an educational institution. Of those studying, 11.9% are in secondary school, 10.2% are in primary school, and 6.5% are undertaking tertiary education.

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

Public transport infrastructure includes 38 active bus stops within the suburb of Wembley Downs. These stops are connected to 4 distinct routes, which combine to support 583 passenger trips every week. Accessibility is strong, with residents living an average of 209 meters from their nearest transit stop. Given the residential nature of the suburb, most working residents travel outside the area for employment, with private vehicles being the primary mode of travel for 85% of commuters, while 6% use buses. The average household has 1.7 vehicles, which is higher than the regional average. In the 2021 Census, 13.6% of residents worked from home, which may have been influenced by pandemic-related restrictions.

Transit service frequency averages 83 daily trips across all active routes, which translates to approximately 15 weekly trips per transport stop.

Wembley Downs's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health indicators show excellent outcomes in the suburb of Wembley Downs, based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic health conditions, which reveal low rates of illness across all demographics. Private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high, with approximately 66% of the population (4,955 people) covered, compared to 59.0% in Greater Perth and a national average of 55.7%.

Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most common diagnoses, affecting 6.2% and 6.0% of the population respectively, while 75.1% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 71.9% in Greater Perth. Residents aged 65 and over make up 19.3% of the population (1,439 people), which is higher than the Greater Perth representation of 16.1%. The health status of local seniors is strong, with national rankings matching the favorable trends observed in the younger demographics.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Wembley Downs was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

The suburb of Wembley Downs displays higher levels of cultural diversity than most comparable suburban areas, with 14.7% of residents speaking a language other than English at home and 31.0% born outside of Australia. Christianity is the largest religious group, representing 49.3% of the population. The most distinct religious variance is the Jewish community, which accounts for 0.1% of the population, compared to 0.3% across Greater Perth.

Looking at ancestral backgrounds, the three largest groups in the suburb of Wembley Downs are English at 28.4%, Australian at 24.2%, and Irish at 8.4%. The area also has higher proportions of certain other ethnicities compared to the metropolitan region, with South Australian backgrounds representing 2.0% of the population (compared to 1.0% regionally), Croatian backgrounds at 0.9% (compared to 0.8% regionally), and Welsh backgrounds at 0.7% (compared to 0.7% regionally).

Wembley Downs's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in the suburb of Wembley Downs is 41 years, which is higher than the Greater Perth median of 37 years and the national median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Perth, there is a higher concentration of residents in the 45 - 54 age bracket (14.9% locally) and a lower concentration in the 25 - 34 age bracket (8.7%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age cohort grew from 13.5% to 14.8% of the population, and the 25 to 34 cohort rose from 7.6% to 8.7%. Meanwhile, the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 15.5% to 13.3%. Projections suggest the age profile will change by 2041, with the 85 and over cohort expected to grow by 104%, adding 286 residents to reach a total of 562. This aging trend is further highlighted by residents aged 65 and over accounting for 59% of the expected population growth, while declines are projected for the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 cohorts.