Busselton Surrounds
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Busselton Surrounds' population is approximately 14,013 as of November 2025. This represents an increase of 2,113 people, a 17.8% rise from the 2021 Census figure of 11,900. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates: 13,611 in June 2024 and an additional 566 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 11.4 persons per square kilometer. Busselton Surrounds' growth exceeded the national average (8.9%) and that of non-metro areas, positioning it as a regional growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 62.6% to overall population gains recently.

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 post-2032 estimates, AreaSearch employs growth rates by age cohort from the ABS' latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future demographic trends project above median population growth for regional areas, with Busselton Surrounds expected to increase by 3,025 persons to 2041, a total gain of 18.7% over the 17 years.

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

Busselton Surrounds granted approval for approximately 196 residential properties annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25981 homes were approved, with an additional 44 approved in FY-26 so far. On average, around 2.1 people moved to the area per new home constructed over these five years, indicating solid demand supporting property values.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $425,000, suggesting developers focus on the premium market with high-end developments. In FY-26, commercial development approvals totalled $47.3 million, reflecting robust local business investment. Compared to the Rest of WA, Busselton Surrounds has slightly more development, being 19.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period, offering reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand. However, construction activity has eased recently.

This level is substantially higher than the national average, indicating strong developer confidence in the location. Recent construction comprises 90.0% detached dwellings and 10.0% attached dwellings, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The location has approximately 87 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an expanding market. Population forecasts indicate Busselton Surrounds will gain 2,617 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Busselton Surrounds has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 17thth percentile nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch identified 40 projects potentially impacting the area. Major projects include Dunsborough Lakes Residential Estate, Dunsborough Lakes Sporting Precinct, Dunsborough Lakes Primary School, and Dunsborough Precinct Structure Plan Amendment 52. 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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Employment conditions in Busselton Surrounds rank among the top 10% of areas assessed nationally

Busselton Surrounds has a highly educated workforce. The construction sector is particularly prominent, with an unemployment rate of 1.4% as of June 2025.

Over the past year, there was an estimated employment growth of 5.2%. As of this date, 7,847 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.8%, which is below Rest of WA's rate of 3.2%. Workforce participation stands at 63.5%, slightly higher than Rest of WA's 59.4%. The leading employment industries among residents include construction, accommodation & food, and health care & social assistance.

Notably, the area has a high concentration in accommodation & food services, with employment levels at 1.9 times the regional average. Conversely, mining is under-represented, with only 6.4% of Busselton Surrounds' workforce compared to 11.7% in Rest of WA. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data analysis. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 5.2%, while the labour force grew by 5.4%, leading to a slight rise in unemployment rate (0.2 percentage points). In contrast, Rest of WA experienced lower employment growth (1.1%) and labour force growth (0.5%), with a decrease in unemployment rate (0.6 percentage points). Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Busselton Surrounds' employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.7% over five years and 12.2% over ten years.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2022 indicates that median income in Busselton Surrounds is $51,212, with average income at $76,945. This compares to Rest of WA's median income of $57,323 and average income of $71,163. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 14.2% since June 2022, estimated median income as of September 2025 is approximately $58,484, with average income at $87,871. According to Census 2021 income data, Busselton Surrounds' incomes cluster around the 59th percentile nationally. Income distribution shows that 33.7% of locals (4,722 people) earn between $1,500 and $2,999 per week, similar to the broader area at 31.1%. After housing costs, 85.4% of income remains for other expenses. Area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile nationally.

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

The dwelling structure in Busselton Surrounds, as per the latest Census, consisted of 91.0% houses and 9.0% other dwellings (including semi-detached, apartments, and 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro WA's 89.8% houses and 10.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Busselton Surrounds stood at 40.5%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (40.0%) or rented (19.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,993, higher than Non-Metro WA's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $420, compared to Non-Metro WA's $360. Nationally, Busselton Surrounds' mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 77.3% of all households, including 33.9% couples with children, 35.3% couples without children, and 7.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 22.7%, with lone person households at 19.7% and group households comprising 2.9%. The median household size is 2.6 people, larger than the Rest of WA average of 2.5.

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

Educational attainment in Busselton Surrounds exceeds broader benchmarks. 29.5% of residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, compared to 17.6% in the rest of WA and 18.0% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are most common at 22.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.2%) and graduate diplomas (3.0%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 41.0% of residents holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 14.2% and certificates at 26.8%.

Educational participation is high, with 29.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.9% in primary education, 9.0% in secondary education, and 2.4% pursuing tertiary education. Busselton Surrounds has five schools with a combined enrollment of 1,171 students. The area demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions, with an ICSEA score of 1068. The educational mix includes four primary schools and one K-12 school. School places per 100 residents (8.4) fall below the regional average (16.5), indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas. Note: if a school shows 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

Busselton Surrounds has 88 active public transport stops, operating a mix of bus services. These are served by two routes, offering 126 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is limited, with residents located an average of 1160 meters from the nearest stop.

Services run approximately 18 times daily across all routes, equating to about one weekly trip per individual stop.

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

Busselton Surrounds shows excellent health outcomes with low prevalence rates for common health conditions across all ages. Private health cover is high at approximately 58% of the total population (8,099 people), compared to 52.6% in the rest of WA.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 7.9% and 6.5% of residents respectively. A significant majority, 73.8%, report being free from medical ailments, higher than the 69.5% figure for the rest of WA. In this area, 19.7% of residents are aged 65 and over (2,760 people). Health outcomes among seniors in Busselton Surrounds are notably strong, outperforming general population health metrics.

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

Busselton Surrounds had a cultural diversity score below average, with 86.7% of its population being Australian citizens, 77.8% born in Australia, and 94.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Busselton Surrounds, comprising 40.5% of the population. Judaism, however, was overrepresented compared to the rest of WA, with 0.1% of the population identifying as Jewish.

The top three ancestry groups were English (35.3%), Australian (28.6%), and Irish (8.2%). Notably, New Zealanders were overrepresented at 1.2%, French at 0.8%, and South Africans at 0.9%.

Busselton Surrounds hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Busselton Surrounds is 43 years, which is slightly higher than Rest of WA's average of 40 and well above Australia's median of 38. Compared to Rest of WA, the 35-44 age cohort is notably over-represented at 15.2% in Busselton Surrounds, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 10.3%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 7.7% to 9.4%, and the 25 to 34 cohort has increased from 9.1% to 10.3%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age group has declined from 14.8% to 13.1%, and the 65 to 74 age group has dropped from 13.3% to 12.2%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Busselton Surrounds. The 25 to 34 age cohort is projected to expand by 688 people, from 1,444 to 2,133, while the 15 to 24 age group is projected to decline by 22 people.