Brookton
Statistical Area - sa2

Brookton is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Brookton's population, as of August 2025, is approximately 3668. This figure represents an increase of 164 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3504. The change can be inferred from the estimated resident population of 3639 in June 2024 and an additional 29 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 0.50 persons per square kilometer, indicating ample space per person. Brookton's growth rate of 4.7% since the census is within 1.2 percentage points of its SA3 area (5.9%), showing competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses 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 post-2032 growth, AreaSearch utilises age cohort growth rates provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future population trends project an above median growth for regional areas nationally. Brookton is expected to expand by 476 persons to 2041, recording a total gain of 12.2% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Brookton, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Brookton has granted around 12 residential properties approval per year. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, with 64 dwellings approved over the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25 and two so far in FY-26. On average, 0.3 people move to the area for each dwelling built annually over these years. This indicates that new construction is meeting or exceeding demand, offering buyers more options while enabling population growth.

The average value of new homes being constructed is $393,000, aligning with broader regional development. Additionally, $3.0 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, suggesting the area's residential character. Compared to the Rest of WA, Brookton has slightly more development, at 26.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period, preserving reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand. This activity is lower than nationally, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints.

All new construction in Brookton consists of standalone homes, preserving its low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers with an average of 281 people per dwelling approval. Population forecasts indicate that Brookton will gain 447 residents by 2041, with building activity keeping pace with growth projections despite potential increased competition among buyers as the population grows.

Brookton has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 27thth percentile nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 12 projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones include Rennet Street Drainage Flume, Pingelly Health Centre, Memorial Park Redevelopment, and Pingelly Recreation and Cultural Centre (PRACC). The following list details those most relevant.

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

Brookton ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Brookton's workforce is balanced across white and blue collar jobs with diverse sector representation. As of June 2025, its unemployment rate was 1.9%, showing a 1.0% employment growth over the past year.

This rate is 1.3% lower than Rest of WA's 3.2%. Workforce participation in Brookton is 55.4%, below Rest of WA's 59.4%. Key industries include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has a particularly strong presence with an employment share 4.2 times the regional level.

Mining, however, has limited presence at 4.3% compared to the regional 11.7%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data comparisons. Over June 2024 to June 2025, Brookton's employment increased by 1.0%, labour force decreased by 1.7%, causing a 2.7 percentage point drop in unemployment rate. Rest of WA saw employment rise by 1.1% and unemployment fall by 0.6%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May 2025) project national growth rates of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, varying significantly between sectors. Applying these projections to Brookton's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 4.5% over five years and 10.5% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Brookton's income level is approximately average nationally according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. Brookton's median income among taxpayers is $52,028 and the average income stands at $65,642. Rest of WA's figures are $57,323 and $71,163 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates as of March 2025 would be approximately $58,068 (median) and $73,263 (average). According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Brookton all fall between the 18th and 27th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 27.6% of the community (1,012 individuals), mirroring regional levels where 31.1% occupy this bracket. Housing costs are modest with 91.5% of income retained, however total disposable income ranks at just the 26th percentile nationally.

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

Brookton's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 97.0% houses and 3.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro WA's figures of 95.1% houses and 4.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Brookton was recorded at 52.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 24.8% and rented ones at 22.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area stood at $1,083, lower than Non-Metro WA's average of $1,105. Meanwhile, the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $200, matching Non-Metro WA's figure and significantly below the national average of $375. Nationally, Brookton's mortgage repayments were notably lower than the Australian average of $1,863.

Brookton features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 67.7 percent of all households, including 23.7 percent couples with children, 36.4 percent couples without children, and 6.7 percent single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 32.3 percent, with lone person households at 31.0 percent and group households comprising 1.3 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of WA.

Brookton faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 12.1%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.5%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.6%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.0%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 37.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 9.2% and certificates at 28.2%. A total of 23.7% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 11.4% in primary, 5.9% in secondary, and 1.5% in tertiary education.

The area has 4 schools with a combined enrollment of 366 students. School places per 100 residents stand at 10.0, below the regional average of 14.4, indicating some students may attend schools outside the area.

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

Brookton has six active public transport stops in operation. These are served by buses operating across four different routes. Together, these routes facilitate 26 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of these services is limited, with residents generally situated 1686 meters away from the nearest stop. On average, each route offers three daily trips, resulting in approximately four weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Brookton is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Brookton faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover is more prevalent here compared to the average SA2 area, at approximately 52% (~1,922 people). The most frequent medical issues are arthritis (affecting 12.6% of residents) and asthma (8.2%). Notably, 60.3% of residents claim no medical ailments, compared to 65.6% in the rest of WA. Brookton has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 26.5% (970 people), than the rest of WA's 21.7%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors present challenges, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

Brookton is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Brookton's population showed low cultural diversity, with 86.6% being citizens and 96.1% speaking English only at home. The majority of residents were born in Australia, at 86.4%. Christianity was the dominant religion, practiced by 50.2%, compared to 49.0% regionally.

In terms of ancestry, the top groups were English (34.6%), Australian (34.4%), and Scottish (7.0%). Some ethnic groups had notable differences in representation: Welsh at 0.7% (vs regional 0.5%), Australian Aboriginal at 4.6% (vs regionally 3.1%), and Maori at 0.7% (vs regional 0.8%).

Brookton ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Brookton's median age is 50 years, which is significantly higher than the Rest of WA average of 40 years and substantially exceeds the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 are particularly prominent, making up 14.4% of the population, while the 35-44 age group is comparatively smaller at 10.6%. Between 2021 and present, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 8.6% to 11.5% of the population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 age group has declined from 13.5% to 11.8%. By the year 2041, Brookton is expected to experience notable shifts in its age composition. The 25 to 34 age group is projected to grow by 43%, increasing from 420 to 602 people. Meanwhile, the population of those aged 85 and above, as well as the 15 to 24 age group, are expected to decline.