Chidlow
Statistical Area - sa2

Chidlow has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Chidlow's population was approximately 5,161 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 528 people, a rise of 11.4% since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 4,633. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,156 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 6 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 30 persons per square kilometer. Chidlow's growth rate exceeded the national average of 8.9% during this period. The primary driver for this growth was overseas migration, contributing approximately 43.9% of overall population gains recently.

However, all factors including interstate migration and natural growth were positive. 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, post-2032 growth is estimated using the growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future demographic trends project an above median population growth for the area. By 2041, the population is expected to grow by 1,063 persons, a total gain of 20.5% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Chidlow recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Chidlow has seen approximately 9 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 48 homes. In FY26 so far, 2 approvals have been recorded. On average, each home built between FY21 and FY25 accommodates around 5.3 new residents per year, indicating supply is lagging demand, which may lead to increased buyer competition and pricing pressures. New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $239,000, aligning with broader regional development trends.

This financial year has seen $335,000 in commercial development approvals, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Greater Perth, Chidlow shows significantly reduced construction activity, around 57.0% below the regional average per person, which may support stronger demand and values for established properties. This activity is also below the national average, indicating the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. Recent building activity consists solely of detached houses, maintaining Chidlow's traditional low density character focused on family homes. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 562 people, reflecting its quiet development environment.

Population forecasts indicate Chidlow will gain 1,058 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Chidlow has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 11thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. One major project is identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting this region: EastLink WA. Key projects include EastLink WA, METRONET, METRONET High Capacity Signalling Program, and WA Police Satellite Technology Upgrade. The following details those most relevant to the area.

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 performance in Chidlow has been broadly consistent with national averages

Chidlow has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, prominently featuring manufacturing and industrial sectors. Its unemployment rate is 2.9%, with an estimated employment growth of 3.4% over the past year.

As of June 2025, 1,781 residents are employed while the unemployment rate stands at 1.0% lower than Greater Perth's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Chidlow is significantly lower at 36.1%, compared to Greater Perth's 65.2%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include mining, health care & social assistance, and construction. Mining is particularly strong, with an employment share 1.7 times the regional level, while health care & social assistance has a limited presence at 10.7% compared to the regional average of 14.8%.

The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data comparisons between working population and resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 3.4%, labour force grew by 4.1%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate of 0.7 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Perth recorded employment growth of 3.7% and labour force growth of 3.8%, with an unemployment increase of 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Chidlow's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.7% over five years and 12.3% over ten years.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Chidlow's median income among taxpayers was $53,898 in financial year 2022, according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. The average income stood at $76,585 during this period. In Greater Perth, these figures were $58,380 and $78,020 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 14.2% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Chidlow would be approximately $61,552 (median) and $87,460 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals that household, family and personal incomes in Chidlow cluster around the 57th percentile nationally. Income brackets indicate that 33.7% of the community earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually, with a total of 1,739 individuals falling into this category. This is consistent with broader trends across the metropolitan region, where 32.0% of individuals earn within the same income bracket. After housing expenses, 85.4% of income remains for other expenses.

Chidlow is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

The dwelling structure in Chidlow, as per the latest Census, consisted of 99.7% houses and 0.3% other dwellings. In comparison, Perth metro had 94.8% houses and 5.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Chidlow was at 33.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 56.5% and rented ones at 9.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,920, below Perth metro's average of $1,950. The median weekly rent in Chidlow was $367, compared to Perth metro's $330. Nationally, Chidlow's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Chidlow features high concentrations of family households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 78.2% of all households, including 33.9% couples with children, 33.5% couples without children, and 10.1% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 21.8%, with lone person households at 19.3% and group households making up 2.1%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which aligns with the Greater Perth average.

Educational outcomes in Chidlow fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 11.0%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 8.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 29.0% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 6.0% and certificates at 23.0%. Educational participation is high, with 57.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 22.7% in secondary, 17.0% in primary, and 5.8% in tertiary education.

The area has two primary schools, Wooroloo Primary School and Chidlow Primary School, serving a total of 156 students. These schools focus on primary education only; secondary options are available nearby. Local school capacity is limited (3.0 places per 100 residents vs the regional average of 14.5), leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

Transport analysis in Chidlow shows 41 active public transport stops operating, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by three individual routes that together provide 78 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 1075 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 11 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately one weekly trip per stop.

Chidlow's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data shows relatively positive outcomes for Chidlow residents.

The prevalence of common health conditions is low across both younger and older age cohorts. Approximately 58% of the total population (2,983 people) have private health cover, which is exceptionally high. Mental health issues are the most common medical condition in the area, impacting 9.0% of residents, followed by arthritis at 8.4%. A total of 69.4% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.2% across Greater Perth. The area has 13.5% of residents aged 65 and over (695 people), which is lower than the 21.2% in Greater Perth. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing even better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Chidlow's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 52.9% of its population being citizens born in Australia who speak English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 36.2%. The most notable overrepresentation was in the 'Other' category, which constituted 0.8% compared to Greater Perth's 0.6%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (36.4%), Australian (30.2%), and Scottish (8.1%). Notably, Welsh (0.8%) and French (0.7%) were overrepresented compared to regional percentages of 0.9% and 0.5%, respectively. Dutch representation was slightly lower at 1.6% compared to the region's 2.0%.

Chidlow's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Chidlow has a median age of 40, which is higher than Greater Perth's figure of 37 and Australia's figure of 38 years. The 35-44 cohort is notably over-represented in Chidlow at 20.1%, compared to the Greater Perth average, while the 5-14 year-olds are under-represented at 6.5%. This over-representation of the 35-44 age group is well above the national figure of 14.2%. Since 2021, the 35-44 age group has grown from 18.7% to 20.1%, while the 65-74 cohort increased from 7.6% to 8.8%. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort has declined from 18.5% to 14.6%. Demographic modeling suggests that Chidlow's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 65-74 age cohort is projected to grow significantly, expanding by 337 people (75%) from 452 to 790. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 52% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Meanwhile, the 5-14 and 35-44 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.