Collie

Collie 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 the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Collie is estimated to be approximately 9,567 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 755 people (8.6%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 8,812 people. This shift is calculated using the ABS estimated resident population of 9,561 from June 2025 and 49 validated new addresses registered since the Census. The population density stands at 5.6 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious residential environment. The 8.6% growth rate since the census is within 0.7 percentage points of the national figure (9.3%), indicating solid growth dynamics. This increase was mostly driven by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 58.2% of the total population gains, though overseas migration and natural growth also made positive contributions.

AreaSearch incorporates ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for individual SA2 regions published in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For SA2 regions lacking this data, and for projecting growth beyond 2032, AreaSearch applies age cohort growth rates from the latest ABS Greater Capital Region projections published in 2023 using 2022 data. Future projections indicate population growth exceeding the regional median nationwide, with the locality projected to grow by 1,301 persons to 2041 based on the most recent annual ERP statistics, translating to a total increase of 13.5% over the 16 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Collie when compared nationally

Collie has recorded approximately 28 residential building approvals annually, totaling 140 home approvals over the last 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 31 in FY-26 to date. An average influx of 4.3 people per year for every home built over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) indicates that demand is running well ahead of supply, typically generating upward pressure on values and intensifying buyer competition, while new builds average a construction cost of $277,000. Furthermore, $16.9 million in commercial development approvals have been logged in the current financial year, demonstrating ongoing commercial investment.

When compared to the Rest of WA, Collie registers roughly half the rate of new home approvals per capita, placing in the 49th percentile of areas evaluated nationwide, leading to restricted choices for buyers and driving interest toward established properties. This approval activity is also lower than the national average, suggesting a mature market and potential development constraints. Construction activity consists of 82.0% detached houses and 18.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving the traditional low-density landscape with family-oriented homes designed for spacious living. With approximately 335 people per dwelling approval, Collie exhibits a developing market.

Demographic projections indicate Collie will add 1,295 residents up to 2041 based on the most recent AreaSearch quarterly calculations. If current development rates persist, the supply of new housing may not keep pace with population growth, which could increase competition among buyers and support rising values.

Collie has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 2ndth percentile nationally

Local performance is heavily shaped by changes to infrastructure, major projects, and planning changes. AreaSearch has identified 9 projects expected to impact the region. Key developments include the Collie Micronising Facility, the Collie Magnesium Plant, the Quantum Filtration Medium Manufacturing Plant, and the Collie to Mumballup Road Upgrade, with further details on 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 assessment indicates Collie faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Collie displays a balanced labor market encompassing both white and blue-collar occupations, with notable representation in industrial and manufacturing sectors, an unemployment rate of 5.8%, and an estimated job growth rate of 0.9% over the last year. As of March 2026, there are 4,339 employed residents, though the unemployment rate sits 2.3% higher than the Regional WA average of 3.5%, and labor force participation is lower (58.2% versus 65.6% in Regional WA). Census data indicates that only 3.7% of residents worked from home, although this may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

The primary employment sectors for residents are mining, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. The community shows a high concentration in mining, with employment shares 1.6 times the regional average. In contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing is underrepresented at 1.6% compared to the regional benchmark of 9.3%. Despite local job availability, a comparison of the Census working population against local resident numbers suggests a significant portion of residents travel outside the area for employment.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, the 12 months ending March 2026 saw employment grow by 0.9% and the labor force expand by 0.9%, leaving unemployment virtually unchanged. Conversely, Regional WA experienced a 0.1% contraction in employment, 0.3% growth in the labor force, and a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia dated May-25 offer additional perspective on potential future demand in Collie. These five and ten-year projections have been aligned with the local employment structure to estimate future trends. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary by industry. Applying these sectoral projections to the employment composition of Collie suggests local employment could grow by 5.2% over five years and 11.8% over ten years, representing a simple weighted extrapolation for illustration that does not incorporate local demographic forecasts.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The most recent ATO postcode data analyzed by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicates that incomes in the Collie SA2 are slightly higher than the national average, with a median of $53,190 and an average of $70,164. This compares to a median of $59,973 and an average of $74,392 for Regional WA. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 stand at approximately $59,004 for the median and $77,833 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Collie fell between the 10th and 15th percentiles nationally. Looking at income brackets, the $1,500 - 2,999 range represents 27.0% of the population (2,583 individuals), which is comparable to the metropolitan average of 31.1%. Although housing expenses are low with residents retaining 86.8% of their income, total disposable income sits in the 19th percentile nationally.

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

The mix of housing in Collie at the time of the latest Census consisted of 93.3% separate houses and 6.8% other housing types like semi-detached properties, apartments, or alternative structures, compared to Regional WA where separate houses made up 88.5% and other structures accounted for 11.6%. Home ownership in Collie was higher than the regional average at 42.3%, with the remaining properties occupied by mortgage holders (37.5%) or tenants (20.2%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,300 was lower than the Regional WA average of $1,560, and the median weekly rent was $250 compared to the regional average of $265. Nationally, mortgage payments in Collie are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rent levels are below the national average of $375.

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

Families make up the majority of households at 66.2%, consisting of couples with children at 24.1%, couples without children at 29.9%, and single parent households at 11.2%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 33.8% of households, with single person households representing 31.4% and group houses making up 2.5%. The median household size of 2.3 people is smaller than the Regional WA average of 2.5.

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

Educational outcomes in the area show room for growth, with university completion rates at 7.4% compared to the national average of 30.4%. This presents opportunities for targeted education programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary qualification at 5.7%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.0% and postgraduate degrees at 0.7%. Vocational qualifications are prominent, with 44.9% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (6.8%) and certificates (38.1%).

Participation in study is high, with 26.9% of the local population currently enrolled in education. This includes 10.6% in primary school, 8.8% in high school, and 1.2% in higher education.

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

Analysis of public transport shows 3 active transit stops in Collie offering bus services. These stops are served by 3 routes, providing a total of 13 weekly passenger journeys. Public transport accessibility is classified as limited, with residents living an average of 1764 meters from the nearest stop. The area is primarily residential with most workers commuting out of the suburb, and cars remain the primary transport mode at 92%. Dwellings have an average of 1.7 vehicles. A low 3.7% of residents work from home according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-related conditions.

Services average 1 trip per day across the network, translating to roughly 4 weekly trips for each stop.

Health performance in Collie is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Health indicators in Collie show challenges, according to AreaSearch analyses of death rates and the prevalence of chronic illnesses across both younger and older cohorts, with the rate of private health insurance coverage sitting slightly above the average SA2 region at approximately 54% of the population (~5,156 people). This compares to 56.4% across Regional WA.

The most common medical diagnoses in the region were arthritis and mental health conditions, affecting 10.9% and 9.2% of the population, respectively, while 62.2% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 69.3% in Regional WA. The working-age cohort experiences health pressures with elevated rates of chronic conditions. Residents aged 65 and older make up 22.9% of the population (2,192 people), exceeding the Regional WA proportion of 19.2%, with national health rankings for this group being higher than the general population.

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

Collie exhibits lower levels of cultural diversity than average, with citizens making up 88.8% of the population, 87.6% born in Australia, and 97.1% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 41.3% of the community. The most distinct variance is in the Other category, which represents 0.5% of the population compared to 0.7% across Regional WA.

In terms of parental heritage, the most common ancestries are English at 34.4%, Australian at 32.5%, and Scottish at 7.4%. There are also notable differences in the presence of other backgrounds: Welsh is represented at 1.0% in Collie (compared to 0.6% regionally), Polish at 1.3% (compared to 0.5%), and Maori at 0.9% (compared to 1.0%).

Collie hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

The median age of 44 years in Collie is higher than the Regional WA average of 40 and the national average of 38. The 65 - 74 age bracket is highly represented at 13.6% compared to Regional WA, while the 35 - 44 cohort is less common at 11.2%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 6.4% to 7.5% of the population, while the 45 to 54 cohort has decreased from 12.7% to 11.8%. Demographic modeling projects that by 2041, the age profile will change, with the 25 to 34 age group growing fastest at 37%, adding 387 residents to reach 1,426, while the 15 to 24 cohort is projected to decrease by 64.