Balcatta - Hamersley
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Balcatta - Hamersley reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

As of August 2025, Balcatta - Hamersley's population stands at approximately 17,906, reflecting an increase of 1,881 people since the 2021 Census. This growth represents a 11.7% rise from the previously reported figure of 16,025. The change is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 17,745 as of June 2024 and an additional 151 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,728 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Balcatta - Hamersley's growth rate of 11.7% since the 2021 census is higher than the national average (8.6%), making it a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 69.6% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving this growth.

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 and to estimate growth post-2032, AreaSearch utilises the growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Looking ahead, Balcatta - Hamersley is expected to experience a population increase just below the median of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch. By 2041, the area's population is projected to grow by 1,799 persons, representing an 8.6% total increase over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Balcatta - Hamersley among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Balcatta - Hamersley has recorded approximately 76 residential properties granted approval annually. Development approval data, produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, shows 383 homes over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, with 12 approved so far in FY-26. On average, about four people move to the area for each dwelling built annually over these years. This indicates substantial supply lagging behind demand, potentially leading to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures, given new properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $439,000.

In this financial year, $42.8 million in commercial approvals have been registered, suggesting strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Perth, Balcatta - Hamersley maintains similar development levels per person, preserving market balance consistent with the broader area. Recent construction consists of 81.0% detached dwellings and 19.0% medium and high-density housing, reflecting the area's traditional suburban character focused on family homes appealing to those seeking space.

Notably, developers are constructing more detached housing than previously implied by the existing pattern (64.0% at Census), indicating persistent strong demand for family homes. The location has approximately 211 people per dwelling approval, suggesting room for growth in population density. Population forecasts indicate Balcatta - Hamersley will gain 1,542 residents by 2041. Given current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Balcatta - Hamersley has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 43rdth percentile nationally

Thirty-one projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area's performance. Key projects include Trackless Tram System, City of Stirling Local Planning Scheme No. 4 (LPS4), East Roselea Structure Plan (Mosaic Balcatta), and Osborne Park Hospital Expansion. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

Employment conditions in Balcatta - Hamersley demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

Balcatta - Hamersley has a highly educated workforce with notable representation in the construction sector. The unemployment rate is 2.9%, significantly lower than Greater Perth's rate of 3.9%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.6%. As of June 2025, there are 9,874 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.9% below Greater Perth's rate and workforce participation similar to Greater Perth's 65.2%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction shows particularly high concentration, with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average, while mining has lower representation at 4.7%, compared to the regional average of 7.0%.

The worker-to-resident ratio is 0.8, indicating ample local employment opportunities. Over the past year, ending June 2025, employment increased by 4.6% and labour force grew by 4.0%, leading to a decrease in unemployment by 0.5 percentage points. This contrasts with Greater Perth's employment growth of 3.7%, labour force expansion of 3.8%, and unemployment rise of 0.1 percentage points. Statewide, WA employment contracted by 0.82% (losing 14,590 jobs) as of Sep-25, with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%. Nationally, unemployment was 4.5% with employment growth of 0.26%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, covering May 2025 for five and ten-year periods, suggest potential future demand within Balcatta - Hamersley. Applying these projections to the local employment mix indicates a potential increase of approximately 6.5% over five years and 13.4% over ten years.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Balcatta - Hamersley's median income among taxpayers was $58,331 and average income stood at $74,467 in financial year 2022. These figures compare to Greater Perth's median of $58,380 and average of $78,020 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.61% since financial year 2022, estimated median income is approximately $65,103 and average income is $83,113 as of March 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Balcatta - Hamersley rank modestly between the 43rd and 55th percentiles. The largest segment comprises 33.0% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (5,908 residents), similar to regional levels where 32.0% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe with only 84.2% of income remaining, ranking at the 44th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Balcatta - Hamersley displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Balcatta - Hamersley, as per the latest Census evaluation, 64.4% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 35.6% being semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This differs from Perth metro's figures, which are 59.6% houses and 40.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Balcatta - Hamersley stood at 35.3%, with mortgaged properties making up 37.4% and rented dwellings accounting for 27.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,863, lower than Perth metro's average of $1,950. The median weekly rent figure in Balcatta - Hamersley was $350, aligning with the Perth metro figure but below the national average of $375. Nationally, Balcatta - Hamersley's mortgage repayments matched the Australian average of $1,863.

Balcatta - Hamersley features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 65.8% of all households, including 27.5% couples with children, 26.2% couples without children, and 10.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for 34.2%, with lone person households at 31.1% and group households making up 3.0%. The median household size is 2.3 people, smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.4.

The educational profile of Balcatta - Hamersley exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Balcatta - Hamersley has 28.3% of residents aged 15+ with university degrees, compared to the SA3 area's 37.1%. The most common qualification is bachelor degrees at 20.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational credentials are held by 35.0% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas being 11.9% and certificates 23.1%. Current educational participation is high at 26.4%, including primary education (8.9%), secondary education (6.6%), and tertiary education (4.9%).

There are 8 schools in Balcatta - Hamersley educating approximately 2,799 students. The ICSEA score for socio-educational conditions is 1056, which is above average. Seven primary schools and one secondary school serve distinct age groups. Note: some schools may have 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

The transport analysis indicates that Balcatta - Hamersley has 115 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 26 different routes, together facilitating 5,183 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility to these services is rated as excellent, with residents usually located just 179 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, each route provides 740 trips per day, which translates to approximately 45 weekly trips per individual stop.

Balcatta - Hamersley's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Health data shows Balcatta - Hamersley residents have a relatively positive health status, with common conditions seen across both younger and older age groups. Approximately 56% (~10,116 people) have private health cover, compared to 59.9% in Greater Perth.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (8.2%) and mental health issues (7.5%). About 70.9% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 73.0% in Greater Perth. Around 20.5% (~3,665 people) are aged 65 and over, higher than the 18.3% in Greater Perth. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, mirroring the general population's health profile.

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

Balcatta-Hamersley has notable cultural diversity, with 29.0% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 36.1% born overseas as of 2016 Census data. Christianity is the predominant religion in Balcatta-Hamersley, accounting for 54.3%. However, Judaism is overrepresented compared to Greater Perth, with 0.2% vs 1.4%.

In terms of ancestry, English (22.2%), Australian (19.3%), and Italian (12.3%) are the top groups in Balcatta-Hamersley, exceeding regional averages respectively by 8.5%, 6.7%, and 5.1%. Macedonian (3.4%), Croatian (1.8%), and Serbian (0.7%) ethnicities are also notably overrepresented compared to Greater Perth regionals of 1.5%, 1.1%, and 0.5% respectively.

Balcatta - Hamersley's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Balcatta - Hamersley is 39 years, higher than Greater Perth's average of 37 years but close to the national average of 38 years. The 75-84 age cohort is over-represented at 7.8% locally compared to Greater Perth's average, while the 15-24 age group is under-represented at 10.1%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 35-44 age group grew from 15.3% to 16.2% of the population. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort declined from 15.5% to 14.4%, and the 65-74 group dropped from 10.2% to 9.2%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes for Balcatta - Hamersley, with the 85+ age group expected to grow by 85% (from 628 to 1,165 people). Residents aged 65 and older will represent 60% of this growth. Meanwhile, the 25-34 and 0-4 age cohorts are anticipated to experience population declines.