Augusta

Augusta lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

According to the analysis conducted by AreaSearch, the population of Augusta stands at approximately 8,205 in May 2026. Compared to the 2021 Census, which recorded 6,595 people, the population has expanded by 1,610 residents, representing a 24.4% rise. This trend is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 8,090 and 847 validated new addresses registered after the Census. The population density is recorded at 3.9 persons per square kilometer, which indicates residents have plenty of space. The area's 24.4% expansion rate since the 2021 census outpaced both the national average of 9.3% and the Rest of WA, placing the locality at the forefront of regional growth. Interstate migration was the primary contributor to these gains, accounting for about 74.8% of the growth, although other factors like overseas migration and natural increase also played positive roles.

AreaSearch adopts the ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 using 2022 as the base year for individual SA2 regions. For SA2 areas where this data is unavailable, and to calculate growth projections past 2032, AreaSearch applies age cohort growth rates from the latest ABS Greater Capital Region projections published in 2023 and based on 2022 statistics. Future demographic projections suggest the district will experience population expansion exceeding the median for non-metropolitan Australia, with an estimated gain of 1,336 individuals by 2041 compared to the latest annual ERP statistics, indicating a 14.9% overall rise over the 16 years.

The level of residential development activity in Augusta was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

On average, Augusta sees approximately 176 residential approvals annually, with 882 dwellings authorized during the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, and an additional 214 approvals registered during FY-26 to date. An average of 1.8 residents relocated to the region for every finished dwelling over the 5 financial years spanning FY-21 through FY-25, pointing to a balanced relationship between supply and demand that encourages stable market trends, with new residential projects averaging a construction value of $348,000. Additionally, commercial development remains moderate, with $10.3 million in commercial projects approved during the current financial year.

Augusta exhibits 88.0% more building approvals per capita than the Rest of WA, providing prospective buyers with a broader selection. This level of activity is substantially higher than the national norm, demonstrating strong builder engagement in the locality. Recent approvals consist entirely of standalone houses, preserving the established low-density aesthetic of the area and focusing on family-oriented residences designed for spacious living. The ratio of approximately 41 people per residential approval indicates a growing local market.

Projections indicate that Augusta will add 1,221 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch. If current building rates persist, the incoming supply of housing is expected to easily satisfy local demand, creating favorable buying conditions and potentially encouraging growth beyond existing demographic forecasts.

Augusta has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 2ndth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure projects, planning choices, and development initiatives are key drivers of regional change. AreaSearch has identified 19 notable projects expected to influence the local area. Key developments include the Witchcliffe Ecovillage, the Witchcliffe Streetscape Plan and Activation, the Margaret River Net-Positive Circular Hotel, and Margaret River Wa 6285, with details on the most significant initiatives provided in the list below.

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

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AreaSearch analysis reveals Augusta significantly outperforming the majority of regions assessed nationwide

The local workforce in Augusta is highly capable, featuring significant representation in the industrial and manufacturing sectors, an unemployment rate of only 2.0%, and a 0.9% increase in jobs over the past year. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 4,209, with the unemployment rate tracking 1.5% below the 3.5% rate observed in Regional WA, while labor participation matched the Regional WA average of 65.6%. Data from the Census indicates that 18.3% of workers operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

The primary sectors employing local residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, accommodation & food, and construction. The community exhibits a strong concentration of employment in agriculture, forestry & fishing, representing 1.5 times the regional proportion. Conversely, the mining sector is less prominent, employing 7.0% of the workforce compared to 11.7% across the broader region. Comparing the number of workers in the Census to the resident population suggests that local employment opportunities within the immediate area are relatively constrained.

An analysis of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch shows that during the 12 months ending March 2026, the job market grew by 0.9% and the labor force expanded by 0.9%, which kept the unemployment rate steady. In contrast, Regional WA saw employment shrink by 0.1%, the labor force grow by 0.3%, and unemployment increase by 0.4 percentage points. The national employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 offer additional context on future labor needs in Augusta. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential growth. Across Australia, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary by sector. Projecting these industry trends onto the local labor profile suggests Augusta's employment will rise by 5.1% over five years and 11.4% over ten years, representing a basic weighted calculation for demonstration purposes that does not account for local population changes.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

Aggregated ATO data compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year indicates that taxpayer incomes in the Augusta SA2 sit below the national average. The median taxpayer income is $46,515 and the average stands at $63,203, compared to Regional WA averages of $59,973 and $74,392. Adjusting for Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since the 2023 financial year yields estimated figures of $51,599 for the median and $70,111 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census shows that household, family, and individual incomes are modest, falling between the 25th and 29th percentiles. Income distribution metrics reveal that the $1,500 - 2,999 category is the most common, accounting for 31.3% of residents (2,568 people), which is close to the regional rate of 31.1%. Affordability is constrained, with residents retaining just 84.7% of their income, placing the area in the 27th percentile for this metric, while the SEIFA index ranks the local income level in the 5th decile.

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

Census data reveals that residential properties in Augusta are dominated by standalone houses at 94.1%, with semi-detached homes, apartments, and other dwellings making up the remaining 5.8%, compared to Regional WA where houses represent 88.5% and other structures account for 11.6%. The rate of outright home ownership in Augusta reaches 43.9%, which is higher than the Regional WA average, while the remaining properties are either under a mortgage (34.2%) or occupied by tenants (21.9%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the district is $1,816, notably higher than the Regional WA average of $1,560, whereas the median weekly rent is $300, compared to $265 in the wider region. On a national level, Augusta's mortgage payments are below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are much lower than the national figure of $375.

Augusta has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Families represent the majority of households at 71.0%, which includes couples without children at 35.5%, couples with children at 28.1%, and single-parent homes at 6.9%. Non-family households account for 29.0% of the total, with lone person households representing 26.4% and group living situations at 2.5%. The median household occupancy is 2.4 individuals, which is slightly below the Regional WA average of 2.5.

Augusta performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

The educational profile of this community is distinct within the region, as 24.7% of residents aged 15 and over hold university qualifications, surpassing the Rest of WA average of 17.6% and the SA4 regional average of 18.0%. Among these qualifications, bachelor degrees are held by 18.5% of residents, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.4% and graduate diplomas at 2.8%. Vocational education is also prominent, with 41.3% of residents aged 15 and over holding trade qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas at 11.8% and certificates at 29.5%.

Participation in study is high, with 28.0% of the population enrolled in an educational program. This includes 12.7% attending primary schools, 7.4% in secondary schools, and 1.7% enrolled in higher education.

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

An analysis of public transport reveals 8 active transit stops operating in Augusta, which are serviced by a combination of buses. These stops accommodate 1 individual routes, providing a total of 22 weekly passenger journeys. Transport options are considered limited, with local residents living an average of 2882 meters from their nearest transit stop. Given the residential nature of the community, most workers commute out of the area, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel at 87%, followed by walking at 7%. Households average 1.7 cars. Additionally, 18.3% of residents work from home, based on 2021 Census data, which may reflect pandemic-related conditions.

Transit service frequency averages 3 journeys per day across all routes, which is equivalent to approximately 2 weekly trips per individual stop.

Augusta's residents are extremely healthy with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health metrics evaluated by AreaSearch indicate strong physical well-being in Augusta, based on low chronic illness rates and mortality statistics across all age brackets, though the rate of private health insurance is relatively low at roughly 50% of residents (~4,143 people). This compares to a private cover rate of 56.4% across Regional WA and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common diagnoses in the region are arthritis, affecting 8.9% of residents, and mental health conditions, affecting 7.3%. However, 70.7% of the population reported no long-term medical conditions, compared to 69.3% in Regional WA. Health outcomes for residents under the age of 65 are better than the national average. Seniors aged 65 and over represent 22.5% of the local population (1,847 people), which is higher than the Regional WA figure of 19.2%. Elderly residents experience especially positive health outcomes, ranking higher than the general national average.

Augusta ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Augusta exhibits lower levels of cultural diversity than average, with citizens making up 84.8% of the population, 77.9% of residents born in Australia, and 95.3% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 34.1% of the population. The most prominent religious overrepresentation is Judaism, which accounts for 0.2% of local residents compared to 0.0% across Regional WA.

Looking at ancestral backgrounds based on parents' birthplaces, the three largest groups in Augusta are English at 36.4% of the population, which is higher than the regional average of 31.3%, Australian at 28.8%, and Scottish at 8.1%. There are also variations in other backgrounds, with Welsh ancestry representing 0.8% of the population (compared to 0.6% regionally), New Zealand background at 1.1% (compared to 0.9%), and Dutch background at 1.8% (compared to 1.5%).

Augusta hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Augusta has a median age of 46, which is older than the Regional WA average of 40 and the national average of 38. The population shows a high concentration of residents aged 65 to 74 at 13.9%, while the 25 to 34 age bracket is smaller at 8.3% compared to the regional profile. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 grew from 6.0% to 7.2%, while the 45 to 54 group decreased from 13.8% to 12.8%. Looking forward to 2041, demographic projections suggest shifts in the age structure. The 45 to 54 cohort is projected to expand by 28% (292 people), growing from 1,048 to 1,341 individuals. Conversely, the cohorts aged 75 to 84 and 85+ are expected to see population declines.