Calista

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

According to investigations by AreaSearch, Calista has a population of approximately 7,884 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 450 people (6.1%) from the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 7,434 individuals. This shift is calculated using the ABS estimated resident population of 7,882 from June 2025 in combination with 56 validated new addresses confirmed since the Census. Such a population size results in a density of 520 persons per square kilometer, indicating substantial space per resident and room for future expansion. Overseas migration was the primary driver of this growth, accounting for roughly 98.4% of the population increase in recent times.

AreaSearch incorporates projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024, using 2022 as a baseline. For SA2 territories where this data is unavailable, or to calculate growth past 2032, AreaSearch employs age cohort growth rates from the latest Greater Capital Region projections published by the ABS in 2023 using 2022 statistics. Looking forward, the locality is expected to experience population growth above the national median, with projections indicating an addition of 1,006 individuals by 2041 based on the most recent annual ERP figures, representing a total increase of 12.7% over the 16-year timeframe.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Calista according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Calista registers approximately 12 residential approvals annually, totaling 64 building approvals over the previous 5 financial years (FY-21 to FY-25) and 19 during FY-26 so far. With an average of 3.3 new residents per constructed dwelling over the 5 financial years between FY-21 and FY-25, demand remains ahead of supply, which tends to increase pricing and stimulate buyer competition. Newly constructed homes average a value of $195,000, which sits below regional benchmarks and offers more budget-friendly alternatives to buyers. Commercial development approvals reached $3.6 million this financial year, reinforcing the residential focus of the neighborhood.

Construction activity in Calista is significantly depressed compared to Greater Perth, registering 88.0% lower than the regional per capita average. This limited addition of new stock tends to support value and demand for established residential properties. The volume of building is also low relative to national levels, indicating a mature suburb with possible planning constraints. Additionally, recent projects have consisted entirely of detached houses, preserving the classic low-density feel of the suburb and appealing to families prioritizing spaciousness. A ratio of 803 people for each dwelling approval highlights a quiet development environment with minimal building activity.

Long-term forecasts suggest Calista will grow by 1,004 residents by 2041, according to the latest quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. If the current pace of construction persists, the supply of new housing may not keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting higher property prices.

Calista has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 35thth percentile nationally

An area's growth is heavily shaped by developments in local infrastructure, key projects, and urban planning. AreaSearch has identified a total of 14 projects expected to influence the local area. Principal developments include Cassia Estate, Westport - Kwinana Container Port, Parmelia Primary School Modernisation Stage 2, and Mandurah Line, with key details of these relevant projects provided below.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment conditions in Calista face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

The local workforce is split between white-collar and industrial occupations, with a notable presence in manufacturing and production fields, alongside an unemployment rate of 14.5%. As of March 2026, 3,376 local residents are employed. The unemployment rate is 10.3% higher than the Greater Perth rate of 4.2%, pointing to underutilized labor, and participation is also lower at 61.0% compared to 70.2% across Greater Perth. Census records show only 4.9% of the workforce worked from home, though these figures were likely affected by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

The primary employment fields for local residents are healthcare & social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade. Manufacturing is a notable local specialty, displaying an employment concentration 1.9 times the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical roles account for only 4.2% of employment, which is below the 8.2% recorded across Greater Perth. Comparing the Census working population against resident workers suggests that the suburb provides relatively few local job opportunities.

An analysis of SALM and ABS data by AreaSearch shows that the local labor force contracted by 0.9% and employment fell by 2.0% over the 12 months leading to March 2026, driving unemployment up by 1.0 percentage points. During the same timeframe, Greater Perth saw employment rise by 2.0%, labor force numbers grow by 2.5%, and unemployment tick up by 0.4 percentage points. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia issued in May-25 offer additional context regarding future demand. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential expansion. While national employment is expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary widely by sector. Extrapolating these industry trends to the local employment mix suggests Calista could see employment increases of 5.8% over five years and 12.6% over ten years, though this calculation uses simple weights and does not factor in localized population changes.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

According to the most recent postcode-level ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year, the Calista SA2 has a median taxpayer income of $61,230 and an average income of $70,259. This exceeds the national benchmark, while contrasting with a median of $60,748 and average of $80,248 in Greater Perth. Adjusting for a 10.93% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of approximately $67,922 for the median and $77,938 for the average in March 2026. Census data places household, family, and individual incomes in Calista between the 10th and 14th percentiles nationally. The largest income group is the $1,500 - 2,999 range, comprising 29.9% of residents (2,357 people), which mirrors the broader metropolitan area where this group stands at 32.0%. Affordability pressures are significant, leaving only 81.5% of income after housing expenses, placing the area in the 13th percentile.

Calista is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The housing stock in Calista at the time of the latest Census was composed of 87.6% houses and 12.4% alternative dwellings like townhouses and apartments, compared to 77.8% houses and 22.1% other dwellings across metropolitan Perth. Home ownership rates in Calista lag behind the metro average at 22.4%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (44.5%) or occupied by renters (33.1%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,300, which is below the Perth metro average of $1,907, while median weekly rent was $275 compared to the metropolitan median of $350. Nationally, mortgage costs in Calista are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are also below the national figure of $375.

Calista features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Families make up 62.5% of all local households, divided into couples with children at 23.7%, couples without children at 20.5%, and single parent households at 16.6%. The remaining 37.5% are non-family living arrangements, consisting of single-person households at 33.3% and group housing at 4.1%. The median household size stands at 2.4 residents, which is smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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

The region presents low levels of tertiary qualification, with university completion rates at 12.6%, which is below the Australian average of 30.4%. This highlights a clear gap and an opportunity for focused training programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common credential at 9.0%, with postgraduate qualifications at 2.3% and graduate diplomas at 1.3%. Vocational and technical training is prominent, with 40.4% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (8.9%) and certificates (31.5%).

School and study participation is high, with 29.3% of the local population enrolled in an educational program. This group is composed of 11.4% in primary schools, 8.1% in high schools, and 3.3% in higher education.

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

An analysis of public transport reveals 51 operational transit stops within Calista, consisting of bus services. These stops accommodate 5 distinct routes, which support a total of 753 weekly passenger journeys. Transit access is good, with residents living an average of 211 meters from the nearest stop. Because Calista is mostly residential, many workers commute out of the suburb, with private cars being the primary mode at 81%, followed by trains at 10% and buses at 5%. Households own an average of 1.2 vehicles, which is below regional norms. A relatively low 4.9% of residents worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era patterns.

Transit services average 107 trips daily across all routes, which translates to roughly 14 weekly departures for each individual stop.

Health performance in Calista is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality and chronic disease data reveals major health challenges in Calista, with several conditions impacting both youth and senior demographics. Private health insurance coverage sits just above the average SA2 level, representing roughly 54% of the population (~4,249 people). In comparison, coverage across Greater Perth is 59.0%.

Mental health difficulties and arthritis are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 11.7% and 9.1% of residents respectively. Conversely, 60.9% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 71.9% in Greater Perth. The working-age cohort experiences significant health constraints due to high rates of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and older represent 18.5% of the population (1,460 people), which is higher than the 16.1% average across Greater Perth. The health profiles of these seniors show some challenges, with national comparative standings mirroring the broader local population.

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

Calista exhibits higher cultural diversity than most comparable markets, with 12.1% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 31.3% born outside Australia. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 40.3% of the community. The most distinct variation is in the Other category, which accounts for 1.0% of the population locally, compared to 1.4% across Greater Perth.

Regarding parental country of birth, the three largest ancestry groups are English at 31.8% of the population, Australian at 25.1%, and Other at 8.3%. Certain backgrounds show notable differences from regional averages: Maori represents 2.2% of Calista (compared to 0.9% regionally), Welsh is at 0.9% (compared to 0.7%), and New Zealand ancestry is at 1.1% (compared to 0.8%).

Calista's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age of 40 in Calista is slightly older than the Greater Perth median of 37 and the national figure of 38 years. Compared to Greater Perth, there is a higher concentration of residents in the 55 - 64 age bracket (12.5% locally) and a lower share in the 35 - 44 range (12.7%). Since 2021, the 65 to 74 demographic has increased from 8.2% to 9.4% of the population, while the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 13.8% to 11.4%. Demographic models indicate significant changes by 2041, with the 65 to 74 bracket projected to grow by 315 people (43%) from 737 to 1,053. The combined 65+ age groups are expected to make up 72% of total population growth, pointing to an aging population profile, while the 15 to 24 and 0 to 4 groups are projected to contract.