City Beach

An assessment of population growth drivers in City Beach reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of City Beach is estimated at 7,443 in May 2026. Compared to the 2021 Census population of 6,805 people, this represents a growth of 638 individuals (9.4%). This demographic shift is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 7,443 combined with 5 validated new addresses identified since the Census. The resulting population density is 758 persons per square kilometer, which aligns closely with typical values observed across various examined regions. The 9.4% population growth rate since the 2021 census surpassed the nationwide average (9.3%), positioning the locality as a regional leader in expansion. The primary catalyst for this growth was overseas migration, which accounted for approximately 99.3% of the total population gains in recent times.

AreaSearch incorporates projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia for SA2 localities, utilizing the 2024 release with 2022 as the base year. For SA2 territories lacking this coverage, and to calculate growth trajectories beyond 2032, AreaSearch applies cohort-specific growth rates from the latest ABS Greater Capital Region projections published in 2023, using 2022 data. Factoring in these demographic trends, population growth is projected to remain slightly below the national median for statistical areas. The local population is forecast to expand by 626 persons by 2041 relative to the most recent annual ERP statistics, representing a cumulative increase of 8.4% over the 16 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within City Beach when compared nationally

Over the last 5 financial years, City Beach recorded a total of 118 residential approvals, averaging roughly 23 new dwellings annually. In the current FY-26 period, 69 approvals have been logged. With an average of 3.4 new residents added for each completed home between FY-21 and FY-25, demand continues to outpace new supply, a trend that generally drives up property values and intensifies competition among buyers. The average construction value of these new properties is $1,558,000, indicating that developers are prioritizing high-end, upscale residences. Furthermore, commercial approvals totaling $977,000 have been registered in the current financial year, highlighting the predominantly residential character of the neighborhood.

Compared to Greater Perth, the rate of new residential approvals per capita in City Beach is approximately two-thirds lower, placing the area in the 46th percentile of locations evaluated across the nation. This leads to scarcer options for prospective buyers and sustains demand for established properties. This rate also falls below the national average, reflecting the mature state of the local market and implying potential planning constraints. Additionally, recent construction has consisted entirely of standalone houses, preserving the classic low-density environment and catering to families looking for spacious properties. The ratio of 363 people per residential approval highlights a quiet development sector with low construction activity.

Long-term forecasts indicate that City Beach will add 626 residents by 2041, based on the most recent quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. Current building volumes appear sufficient to meet these future demands, promoting balanced market conditions and minimizing upward pressure on property prices.

City Beach has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 13thth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure projects, planning choices, and major works are key factors in regional performance. AreaSearch has identified 14 active projects that are expected to influence the local area. Prominent developments include the City Beach Car Park Upgrades, the Bold Park Aquatic Centre Redevelopment, the Ocean Gardens Multi-Generational Living project, and Amara City Beach, with details provided on the most significant initiatives.

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.

The exceptional employment performance in City Beach places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

The local workforce is characterized by high levels of education, a strong concentration of professionals, a low unemployment rate of 1.3%, and an estimated job growth of 2.2% over the preceding year. As of March 2026, there are 3,825 employed residents. The unemployment rate sits 2.9% below the Greater Perth average of 4.2%, while labor force participation is notably lower, standing at 61.8% compared to 70.2% in Greater Perth. According to self-reported Census data, a moderate 17.6% of the working population performed their duties from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Resident employment is heavily concentrated in the sectors of health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training. The professional & technical category is particularly prominent, showing an employment share that is 2.0 times the regional average. In contrast, the construction sector is less represented, accounting for 5.5% of local employment compared to the regional benchmark of 9.3%. A comparison of the Census working population against the resident population suggests that local job opportunities within the immediate area are relatively scarce.

Analysis of SALM and ABS data by AreaSearch indicates that over the 12-month period, employment rose by 2.2% while the labor force expanded by 2.6%, leading to a 0.4 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate. This mirrors the broader trends in Greater Perth, where employment grew by 2.0%, the labor force increased by 2.5%, and the unemployment rate rose by 0.4 percentage points. The May-25 national employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia provide context for future labor demand in City Beach. These five-year 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, with significant variations across sectors. Applying these sectoral trends to the local industry mix suggests City Beach employment could grow by 7.3% over five years and 15.0% over ten years, representing a basic weighted projection that does not incorporate local population forecasts.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

Taxpayer data from the ATO for the 2023 financial year indicates that the City Beach SA2 recorded a median taxpayer income of $82,556 and an average income of $171,083, placing it in the top national percentile. In comparison, Greater Perth recorded median and average incomes of $60,748 and $80,248, respectively. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since the 2023 financial year, current figures are estimated to be approximately $91,579 for the median and $189,782 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census confirms that household, family, and individual incomes in City Beach rank in the 92nd to 99th percentiles nationwide. The weekly income band of $4000+ accounts for 48.2% of the local population (3,587 individuals), whereas the dominant bracket in the wider region is $1,500 - 2,999 at 32.0%. The community exhibits high levels of wealth, with 57.1% of residents earning weekly incomes above $3,000, which supports high-end retail and commercial services. Residents retain 89.0% of their income after meeting housing expenses, indicating strong purchasing power and placing the area in the 10th decile of the SEIFA index.

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

At the time of the most recent Census, the distribution of housing types in City Beach stood at 87.6% standalone houses and 12.4% alternative dwellings, including townhouses and apartments, compared to 77.8% houses and 22.1% alternative options across the Perth metropolitan area. Home ownership rates in the suburb were significantly higher than the metropolitan average, with 53.9% of homes owned outright. The remaining properties were either mortgaged (34.7%) or rented (11.5%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $4,000 was well above the metropolitan median of $1,907, and the median weekly rent of $750 compared to the metropolitan median of $350. Nationally, mortgage repayments in City Beach exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are higher than the national figure of $375.

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

Families make up the majority of households at 80.4%, consisting of couples with children at 43.2%, couples without children at 30.5%, and single parents at 6.0%. Non-family households represent the remaining 19.6% of the local total, with single-person households accounting for 17.8% and group households representing 1.5%. The median household occupancy is 2.8 persons, exceeding the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

Educational achievement in City Beach places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Residents of City Beach achieve educational levels that are significantly higher than regional averages, with 55.2% of the population aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 27.9% across WA and 30.1% in Greater Perth. This educational profile positions the community well for professional and knowledge-based career paths. Among tertiary qualifications, bachelor degrees are the most common at 35.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 14.9% and graduate diplomas at 4.9%. Vocational qualifications are held by 17.3% of residents aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas at 9.4% and certificates at 7.9%.

Academic engagement is strong within the locality, with 33.0% of the population enrolled in an educational institution. This group includes 12.3% of residents attending secondary school, 9.7% in primary school, and 8.1% enrolled in tertiary education.

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

An analysis of public transit options indicates that City Beach is served by 53 bus stops. These stops accommodate 4 distinct transit routes, which provide a total of 1,061 passenger trips each week. Transit access is high, with residents living an average of 197 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, and the majority of working residents commute to other areas, with private vehicles being the primary mode of travel for 87% of commuters, while 2% cycle to work. Households own an average of 1.9 vehicles, exceeding the metropolitan average. Additionally, 17.6% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, a figure that may reflect pandemic-related conditions.

The average service frequency across the network is 151 daily trips, which equates to roughly 20 weekly services for each individual transit stop.

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

Health indicators for the City Beach population are exceptionally positive, characterized by low mortality rates and a minimal incidence of chronic illnesses across all age cohorts. Additionally, private health insurance coverage is very high, with approximately 89% of the population (6,639 people) covered. This rate is higher than the Greater Perth average of 59.0% and the national average of 55.7%.

Arthritis and asthma are the most common chronic conditions in the area, affecting 7.0% and 5.3% of residents, respectively. A high proportion of the population, 74.9%, reported having no chronic health issues, compared to 71.9% across Greater Perth. The suburb has an older demographic, with 24.9% of residents aged 65 and over (1,850 people), compared to 16.1% in Greater Perth. Senior citizens in the area exhibit strong health outcomes, with national health rankings matching those of the broader community.

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

The local area displays higher levels of cultural diversity than many comparable markets, with 13.2% of the population speaking a non-English language at home and 30.9% born outside Australia. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 55.5% of residents. The most distinct variation from regional norms is in Judaism, which is practiced by 0.6% of the population, compared to 0.3% across Greater Perth.

The most common ancestries reported in the suburb are English at 29.0%, Australian at 22.6%, and Irish at 8.6%. There are also notable differences in the representation of other ethnic backgrounds compared to the metropolitan region, including South Australian at 1.4% (compared to 1.0% regionally), Croatian at 1.1% (compared to 0.8%), and Macedonian at 0.6% (compared to 0.4%).

City Beach hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age of 46 years in City Beach is higher than the Greater Perth average of 37 and the national average of 38. The 15 - 24 age bracket is over-represented locally at 17.5%, while the 25 - 34 cohort is under-represented at 5.6%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 grew from 14.3% to 17.5%, and the 85+ group increased from 4.7% to 6.5%. Meanwhile, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 16.5% to 14.3%, and the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 14.9% to 13.1%. By 2041, demographic shifts are expected to alter the local makeup. The 85+ cohort is projected to increase by 441 people (92%), growing from 480 to 922. This aging trend is prominent, with residents aged 65+ accounting for 84% of the projected growth. Conversely, population declines are forecast for the 55 to 64 and 0 to 4 age groups.