Chart Color Schemes
This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Capel has an estimated 6,034 residents, up from 5,457 at the 2021 Census — a change of 577 people, or 10.6%. Growth has averaged 1.8% a year over five years. Density is about 12 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research conducted by AreaSearch, the resident count in Capel stands at approximately 6,034 as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 577 people (10.6%) compared to the 5,457 people recorded in the 2021 Census. Such growth is determined by taking the ABS estimated resident population of 6,027 recorded as of June 2025 alongside 44 validated new addresses identified following the Census. With this demographic volume, the locality maintains a density ratio of 11.9 persons per square kilometer, offering generous spatial living. Expanding by 10.6% post the 2021 census, Capel outpaced the wider 9.5% national benchmark to emerge as a prominent local growth hub, supported evenly by natural demographic increase and inward migration patterns.
Population projections released in 2024 (using 2022 as a base year) by the ABS and Geoscience Australia are applied by AreaSearch across individual SA2 boundaries. For locations outside this dataset, as well as for all area estimates extending past 2032, calculations incorporate age cohort growth rates published in the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Based on anticipated structural changes, the district is slated for demographic gains surpassing the national regional median, adding 747 persons by 2041 according to current annual ERP figures, which translates to a total 16-year increase of 12.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
184 new dwellings have been approved in Capel over the past five years, an average of 36 a year. That places the area in the 79th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 6 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 36 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 100% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals across Capel have averaged around 36 dwellings each year, amounting to 184 homes across the previous 5 financial years. In the period from FY-22 to FY-26, the area absorbed an average of 2.8 people per year for every newly built home, demonstrating solid underlying residential demand. Construction activity indicates new properties are being erected with an average value of $378,000, aligning with the wider regional standard. Concurrently, commercial building approvals have reached $4.9 million during this financial year, underscoring the predominantly domestic footprint of local real estate.
Building activity in Capel sits 16.0% above the regional average per person over the 5 year period compared to Rest of WA, affording ample choice to prospective purchasers while reinforcing prevailing asset prices. Recent construction consists exclusively of standalone homes, retaining the peaceful, low-density character of the neighborhood and catering to buyers prioritizing spacious living. Overall development intensity registers at roughly 106 people per approval, characterizing a steadily expanding community. Future forecasts derived from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate indicate Capel will gain 740 residents by 2041. Ongoing construction volumes appear well positioned to accommodate incoming demographic demand, fostering balanced market settings for purchasers and potentially enabling expansion beyond current official baselines.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Capel
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 2 current infrastructure and development projects inside Capel, worth an estimated $4.63 billion. A further 93 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $20.1 billion. 31 are already under construction and 37 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and retail. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local economic and social trajectory is significantly guided by civic planning, capital works, and infrastructure delivery. AreaSearch has tracked 26 key developments poised to shape the district. Notable ventures comprise The Acreage Estate Dalyellup, Tuart Forest Primary School, Bethanie Dalyellup Aged Care Facility, and ALDI Dalyellup Supermarket, with core initiatives itemized in the subsequent section.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Bussell Highway Duplication
17-kilometre highway duplication between Bunbury and Busselton, completed April 2025. Includes new lanes, road improvements and bridge construction improving access to Dunsborough region. The project was delivered in two stages and provides safer overtaking opportunities, increased capacity and enhanced traffic flow for more than 15,000 vehicles daily.
The Acreage Estate Dalyellup
A completed residential development featuring large allotments and premium housing in the sought-after Dalyellup area. This estate provides spacious living options with easy access to beaches and community facilities, separate from the main Dalyellup Beach Estate development.
Tuart Forest Primary School
A government primary school serving Dalyellup with Kindergarten to Year 6 education. The purpose-built campus opened in 2013 and includes specialist facilities (music, science, library, undercover assembly) and outdoor learning spaces, with recent upgrades like a community-funded playground.
ALDI Dalyellup Supermarket
Approved single storey ALDI supermarket and small liquor store at Lot 9056 Portobello Road, Dalyellup. The proposal includes about 1505 sqm gross floor area, 82 car bays, landscaping, public art, roof and plinth signage, pedestrian seating and arbour canopy, access from Portobello Road and delivery access from Grafton Lane. Development approval was granted by the Shire of Capel on 30 April 2025 subject to conditions, with substantial commencement required within two years of the decision.
Dalyellup Beach Estate
Large-scale coastal masterplanned community in Dalyellup, south of Bunbury, developed by Satterley Property Group since 1999. The established estate is largely built out and includes a district shopping centre, schools, parks, over 130 hectares of coastal reserve and 50 hectares of Tuart forest. Satterley has now launched Wildwood, a new premium precinct within the estate offering 146 homesites less than 500m from the beach, with lots ranging from 370 to 672 square metres, extending the project's construction timeline.
Dalyellup Multipurpose Community and Youth Centre
A $13.86 million multipurpose community and youth centre featuring a multifunctional library and technology hub, youth space with digital facilities, small performance spaces, activity rooms, business start-up facilities, and senior citizens club space. Part of the wider Dalyellup District Centre development.
Dalyellup Primary School
A modern primary school serving the growing Dalyellup community with facilities for Kindergarten to Year 6 students. The school features contemporary learning spaces, technology hubs, and recreational facilities designed to support the educational needs of families in the expanding Dalyellup Beach Estate.
Dalyellup Village
A Coles-anchored neighbourhood shopping centre completed in October 2025, located in the rapidly growing suburb of Dalyellup approximately 10 kilometres south of Bunbury. The centre features a full-line Coles supermarket (3,205 square metres) with drive-through Click and Collect, Liquorland, and a Subway tenancy. The 7,000 square metre car park includes shade structures, solar PV, a backup generator, and extensive landscaping. The development was designed and constructed by Perkins Builders on behalf of Coles Group Property Developments, with Wallace PM serving as Project Manager and Superintendent.
3,294 residents of Capel are employed, from a labour force of 3,395. Unemployment sits at 3.0%, with participation at 68.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.6% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 5,094, about 84% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local labour pool features an even mix of white-collar and blue-collar occupations, supported by a healthy manufacturing and industrial base, a modest jobless rate of 3.0%, and consistent workforce conditions across the previous twelve months. By March 2026, employed locals numbered 3,294, while unemployment tracked 0.5% beneath the Regional WA benchmark of 3.5%. Participation stood at 68.2%, relative to 65.4% across Regional WA. Remote employment remained limited, with 9.8% of workers operating from home at the Census, although contemporaneous Covid-19 health restrictions may have influenced these responses. Health care & social assistance, construction, and agriculture, forestry & fishing serve as the primary sources of employment for local residents.
Conversely, the mining sector constitutes a comparatively smaller share of the workforce at 8.5%, falling short of the 11.7% observed across Regional WA. Comparison between the resident population and the Census working count indicates that local commercial employment capacity is relatively constrained. Examining data from the ABS and SALM, AreaSearch recorded a 0.2% rise in employment alongside a 0.9% expansion in the labour pool over the 12-month period, resulting in a 0.7 percentage point increase in local unemployment. Across Regional WA over the same timeframe, jobs contracted by 0.1% while the workforce rose by 0.3%, elevating the jobless figure by 0.4 percentage points. Forward-looking guidance from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provides wider context on future hiring needs. While overall national workforce numbers are projected to grow by 6.6% across five years and 13.7% over ten years, sector-level trajectories vary widely. Weighting these projections against the area's specific industrial makeup suggests local jobs could grow by 5.6% over five years and 12.3% over ten years (a basic illustrative calculation that excludes localized demographic modeling).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Capel is $1,551 a week (about $81,000 a year), with median personal income at $741 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $55,106 a year against an average of $69,444. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Data from the ATO for financial year 2023 compiled by AreaSearch shows earnings across the Capel SA2 tracking marginally ahead of the nationwide standard. The median taxpayer income is $55,106 while the mean reaches $69,444, compared against benchmarks of $59,973 and $74,392 across Regional WA. Accounting for an observed Wage Price Index lift of 10.93% following financial year 2023, updated estimates reach roughly $61,129 (median) and $77,034 (average) as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed local family, household, and individual earnings between the 37th and 38th percentiles nationally. A substantial 32.5% of earners (1,961 people) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly band, closely matching the 31.1% seen in the metropolitan area.
After servicing housing obligations, households retain 85.4% of their earnings for general living costs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Capel had 1,990 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 95% detached houses and 0% apartments. 45% are owned with a mortgage, 17% rented and 38% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $330 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,625 a month. Rent absorbs 21.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 24.2%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, the local housing stock is heavily weighted toward standalone houses, which account for 95.3% of properties, with other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings) making up 4.7%, compared with 88.5% houses and 11.6% other dwellings across Regional WA. Outright home ownership is notably higher than the regional rate, standing at 37.5%, while mortgaged dwellings represent 45.3% and rented properties comprise 17.2%. The median monthly mortgage commitment is $1,625 and the median weekly rent is $330, compared to $1,560 and $265 across Regional WA. In a national context, monthly mortgage payments sit well below the Australian benchmark of $1,863, and weekly rents track markedly below the nationwide figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Capel counted 1,990 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 2,200 today, averaging 2.5 people each. 30% are couples with children, against 35% couples without children. 21% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the vast majority of local living arrangements at 77.0%, comprising 35.3% couples without children, 30.3% couples with children, and 10.8% single parent families. Non-family dwellings make up the remaining 23.0%, divided between lone person households at 20.8% and group households at 2.3%. The median household size stands at 2.5 people, identical to the wider Regional WA standard.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
15.7% of adults in Capel hold a university qualification, including 11.9% with a bachelor degree and 1.7% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 34.3% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 604 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,017 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Tertiary educational attainment presents a distinct development opportunity for the district, with 15.7% of residents holding higher education degrees compared to the 30.4% national standard. Among university-educated locals, 11.9% hold bachelor degrees, 2.1% possess graduate diplomas, and 1.7% have postgraduate qualifications. In contrast, vocational and technical credentials are widespread, with 43.8% of individuals aged 15+ holding practical qualifications, consisting of 9.5% with advanced diplomas and 34.3% with certificates. Community educational engagement is robust, with 28.8% of residents participating in formal learning. This cohort comprises 11.4% attending primary school, 10.1% in secondary education, and 2.1% undertaking tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Capel means driving: households keep an average of 1.9 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
A review of public transit infrastructure identifies 4 operational bus stops in Capel. These facilities are served across 3 unique routes that combine to run 22 weekly passenger trips. Transit connectivity is restricted, with locals situated an average of 2017 meters from their closest boarding point. Given the residential orientation of the area, most workers travel out of the district, with private vehicles accounting for 92% of journeys. Vehicle ownership is above regional norms at 1.9 per dwelling. A modest 9.8% of workers indicated working from home during the 2021 Census, potentially reflecting period-specific pandemic measures.
Transit schedules provide an average of 3 trips per day across all local routes, translating to roughly 5 weekly trips per stop across the network.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
66.0% of residents in Capel report no long-term health condition. 4.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 53.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 3.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Based on AreaSearch findings regarding mortality and chronic disease trends, Capel exhibits favorable general health measures, characterized by minimal prevalence of common ailments across both younger and older cohorts. Private healthcare membership covers approximately 54% of the population (~3,252 people), marginally surpassing typical SA2 rates while comparing to 56.4% across Regional WA. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most frequently reported diagnoses in the district, diagnosed in 10.7 and 8.5% of the community respectively, while 66.0% of residents report no long-term medical conditions, compared to 69.3% in Regional WA.
Working-age residents experience comparatively elevated rates of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 22.2% of the local population (1,339 people), above the Regional WA level of 19.1%. Older residents enjoy positive health outcomes, maintaining national ratings in line with broader community averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Capel is largely Australian-born, at 84.1% of residents, with 2.9% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (35.7%) and Australian (32.7%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The community displays modest cultural diversity, with 88.7% holding citizenship, 84.1% born within Australia, and 97.1% speaking only English at home. Christianity represents the leading religious affiliation, accounting for 42.6% of residents. The category of Other shows a slight divergence, comprising 0.5% locally compared to 0.7% in Regional WA. Looking at ancestral background based on parental birthplace, the primary lineages across Capel are English (35.7%), Australian (32.7%), and Scottish (7.3%). Minor variations exist among other heritages, with Dutch background representing 2.2% (compared to 1.5% regionally), Welsh accounting for 0.8% (against 0.6%), and South Australian standing at 0.6% (matching 0.6% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Capel is 45, older than 78% of areas nationally. 20.5% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Capel closely follows the broader age distribution of Regional WA, with the most notable divergence standing at 5.0 percentage points. The median age is estimated at 45, remaining level with the 2021 Census and exceeding the 40 recorded for Regional WA at that time, while the national figure stood at 38. The most visible demographic shift since the Census occurred in the mature and early retiree demographic (45 - 64), decreasing from 30.6% to an estimated 27.6%. Looking forward to 2041, the 25 - 44 age cohort is projected to drive overall population growth, gaining 426 residents (33%) to reach 1,729.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Capel
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jun 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 last month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 4 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 44 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (5,457 at the 2021 Census → 6,034 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (501021007). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.