Capel

Population growth drivers in Capel are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Capel stands at approximately 6,032 as of May 2026. This represents a gain of 575 individuals (10.5%) relative to the 2021 Census, which documented 5,457 residents. This change is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 6,027 alongside 42 validated new addresses identified since the Census. This population size results in a density of 11.9 persons per square kilometer, which indicates a low-density environment with significant space per resident. The 10.5% growth rate observed in Capel since the 2021 census outpaced the national figure of 9.3%, positioning the area as a regional leader in population growth. This demographic expansion was supported by a balanced mix of natural increases and migration movement.

Projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, are utilised by AreaSearch for each SA2 region. For locations lacking this data, and to project trends beyond 2032, growth rates by age group from the latest ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023, using 2022 data) are applied. Future forecasts suggest the area will experience population growth exceeding the national regional median, with a projected increase of 792 residents by 2041 relative to current annual ERP figures, translating to a total growth of 13.1% over the 16 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Capel among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Development approvals in Capel average approximately 36 residential properties annually, totaling 181 homes approved during the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, and 41 approvals recorded during FY-26 to date. The ratio of population growth to new housing stands at an average of 2.8 new residents per year for every dwelling constructed over the 5 financial years between FY-21 and FY-25, suggesting solid demand that is likely to bolster local property values, with the average expected construction cost for new homes sitting at $274,000. In addition, commercial building approvals have reached $4.9 million during the current financial year, which points to a subdued level of commercial construction activity.

Capel exhibits per capita development rates comparable to the Rest of WA, maintaining a supply balance that aligns with surrounding districts. Furthermore, all recent building approvals have been for detached houses, which preserves the traditional low-density profile of the locality and emphasizes family-oriented properties suited for buyers wanting space. A developing market conditions are indicated by a ratio of roughly 337 people for each dwelling approval.

Long-term demographic projections indicate that Capel is set to add 787 residents by 2041, measured from the most recent quarterly estimate by AreaSearch. If current building trends persist, the supply of new dwellings is expected to easily accommodate this demand, which should support favorable conditions for property buyers and potentially allow for population growth that surpasses current forecasts.

Capel has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 3rdth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure projects, major developments, and urban planning changes have a significant effect on regional performance. AreaSearch has tracked 26 projects that are expected to influence this locality. The main projects of interest include The Acreage Estate Dalyellup, Tuart Forest Primary School, Bethanie Dalyellup Aged Care Facility, and ALDI Dalyellup Supermarket, with details of the most 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.

AreaSearch analysis indicates Capel maintains employment conditions that align with national benchmarks

The local workforce in Capel is balanced between white-collar and blue-collar roles, with a notable presence of industrial and manufacturing activities, a very low unemployment rate of 3.0%, and a stable job market over the past year. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 3,294, while the unemployment rate sat 0.5% below the Regional WA average of 3.5%, and the participation rate was moderate at 68.5% compared to 65.6% for Regional WA. Census data indicated that only 9.8% of employed residents worked from home, though this figure may have been influenced by Covid-19 restrictions.

The primary employment sectors for local residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and agriculture, forestry & fishing. In contrast, the mining sector is less represented, accounting for 8.5% of workers compared to the regional benchmark of 11.7%. A comparison between the count of local jobs at the Census and the resident workforce suggests that local employment options within the area are limited.

AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that during the 12 months ending March 2026, the number of employed persons grew by 0.2% while the total labour force expanded by 0.9%, leading to an increase in the unemployment rate of 0.7 percentage points. Over the same timeframe, Regional WA saw employment fall by 0.1%, labour force grow by 0.3%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. Additional context regarding future local workforce needs is provided by Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment projections from May-25. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future growth. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual industries will grow at different rates. Applying these sector-specific growth rates to Capel's local workforce profile suggests an employment increase of 5.6% over five years and 12.3% over ten years, representing a basic weighted extrapolation that does not incorporate local population forecasts.

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

According to the latest postcode-level ATO statistics for the 2023 financial year, personal incomes in the Capel SA2 are slightly higher than the national average, with a median income of $55,106 and an average income of $69,444. This compares to a median of $59,973 and an average of $74,392 across Regional WA. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since the 2023 financial year, current income levels are estimated to be approximately $61,129 for the median and $77,034 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census data shows that Capel household, family, and individual incomes are positioned moderately, falling between the 37th and 38th percentiles. The largest income bracket consists of 32.5% of households earning between $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, representing 1,960 residents, which is similar to the wider region where this bracket accounts for 31.1% of households. After housing costs are met, 85.4% of household income is available for other purchases.

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

The mix of housing in Capel at the time of the latest Census was comprised of 95.3% separate houses and 4.7% alternative housing styles (such as semi-detached, apartments, and other dwellings), compared to Regional WA's breakdown of 88.5% separate houses and 11.6% alternative dwellings. The level of home ownership in Capel was higher than the Regional WA average at 37.5%, with mortgaged properties making up 45.3% and rented properties accounting for 17.2%. The median monthly mortgage payment in Capel was $1,625, which sits above the regional average of $1,560, while the median weekly rent was $330, compared to the Regional WA average of $265. On a national level, mortgage repayments in Capel are significantly below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are also much lower than the national figure of $375.

Capel has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households represent the largest share of the community at 77.0% of the total, which includes couples with children at 30.3%, couples without children at 35.3%, and single parent households at 10.8%. The remaining 23.0% consists of non-family households, made up of single-person households at 20.8% and group households at 2.3%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is identical to the average across Regional WA.

Capel shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

Educational attainment in the area shows room for development, with university degree completion rates at 15.7%, which is considerably lower than the national average of 30.4%. This highlights a clear opportunity for targeted education programs. Among residents with higher education, bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.9%, followed by graduate diplomas at 2.1% and postgraduate qualifications at 1.7%. Technical and trade qualifications are highly prevalent, with vocational credentials held by 43.8% of residents aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas at 9.5% and certificates at 34.3%.

Engagement in learning is strong, with 28.8% of the population enrolled in an educational program. This student population includes 11.4% in primary schools, 10.1% in high schools, and 2.1% enrolled in higher education.

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

Public transport services in Capel include 4 active stops providing bus connections. These stops are served by 3 separate routes, which combine to offer 22 weekly passenger trips. Transport convenience is low, with residents living an average of 2017 meters from the nearest stop. The area is mainly residential and most workers commute outside the area, with private cars being the primary mode of travel for 92% of workers. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.9 cars, which is higher than the regional average. A small portion of residents, 9.8%, worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

Service frequency averages 3 trips per day across the local routes, which translates to approximately 5 weekly trips for each transport stop.

The level of general health in Capel is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Capel exhibits positive health characteristics, according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and the prevalence of chronic illnesses, with low rates of common health conditions observed in both younger and older demographics. The rate of private health insurance coverage is slightly ahead of the typical SA2 area at approximately 54% of the population, representing about 3,251 individuals, compared to 56.4% across Regional WA.

Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent medical issues reported locally, affecting 10.7% and 8.5% of residents respectively. Conversely, 66.0% of the population reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 69.3% in Regional WA. Residents of working age face notable health challenges, with higher rates of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and older make up 20.6% of the population (1,244 individuals), which is higher than the Regional WA average of 19.2%. Senior health outcomes are favorable, with national health rankings closely matching the trends seen in the wider population.

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

Cultural diversity in Capel is lower than average, with citizens making up 88.7% of the population, 84.1% of residents born in Australia, and 97.1% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the predominant religious affiliation, chosen by 42.6% of Capel residents. The most notable statistical variance is in the Other religious category, which accounts for 0.5% of the population compared to 0.7% across Regional WA.

Looking at ancestry patterns, which reflect the birth country of residents' parents, the largest groups in Capel are English at 35.7%, Australian at 32.7%, and Scottish at 7.3%. There are also differences in the representation of other backgrounds, with Dutch ancestry overrepresented at 2.2% in Capel compared to 1.5% regionally, Welsh at 0.8% compared to 0.6%, and South Australian at 0.6% matching the regional average of 0.6%.

Capel hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

The median age in Capel is 44 years, which is older than the Regional WA average of 40 and the national average of 38. The 65 - 74 age bracket is well represented at 12.7% compared to Regional WA, while the 25 - 34 bracket is less common at 10.4%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 25 to 34 has risen from 8.6% to 10.4%, and the 15 to 24 cohort has increased from 9.9% to 10.9%. Meanwhile, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 14.4% to 12.7% and the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 14.6% to 13.0%. Projections indicate significant shifts in Capel's age structure by 2041, with the 25 to 34 group expected to grow by 48%, adding 301 people to total 927, while the 75 to 84 and 15 to 24 age groups are projected to decline.