Cooloongup

Cooloongup is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Cooloongup's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 9,058 people. This figure represents a growth of 555 individuals, an increase of 6.5%, since the 2021 Census which recorded a population of 8,503. This change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 9,060 in June 2024 and one validated new address added after the Census date. The population density stands at 1,815 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the national average assessed by AreaSearch. Cooloongup's growth rate since the census is 6.5%, which is within 2.4 percentage points of the national average of 8.9%. Population growth was predominantly driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 92.7% of overall population gains in recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and employs ABS Greater Capital Region projections for areas not covered by this data to estimate growth post-2032. Looking ahead, above median population growth is projected for the area, with an expected expansion of 1,195 persons by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 13.2% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Cooloongup according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Cooloongup has recorded approximately six residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years, totalling 34 homes. As of FY26, two approvals have been recorded. On average, 10.1 people moved to the area annually for each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25. This high demand has led to price growth and increased buyer competition while new properties are constructed at an average cost of $197,000, below the regional average, suggesting affordable housing options.

In FY26, commercial approvals totalled $5.6 million, indicating limited commercial development focus compared to Greater Perth where construction is 91.0% higher per person. Cooloongup's limited new supply supports stronger demand and values for established properties, though building activity has accelerated in recent years. The area has approximately 1063 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market with future projections showing an addition of 1,197 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases. Recent building activity consists entirely of standalone homes, preserving the area's suburban nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

Future projections show Cooloongup adding 1,197 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Cooloongup has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 23rdth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified seven projects likely to impact this region. Notable projects include The Rivergums Baldivis, Rockingham General Hospital Expansion Stage 2, Seaside Estate Madora Bay, and Parkland Heights Baldivis. The following list details those most relevant.

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 conditions in Cooloongup face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Cooloongup has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs, prominent manufacturing and industrial sectors, and an unemployment rate of 13.4% as of September 2025. The estimated employment growth over the past year was 1.7%.

There are 3,949 residents employed while the unemployment rate is 9.4%, which is significantly higher than Greater Perth's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation in Cooloongup lags at 53.1% compared to Greater Perth's 65.2%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Manufacturing employment share is 1.7 times the regional level.

Professional & technical services employ only 3.5% of local workers, below Greater Perth's 8.2%. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 1.7%, while labour force increased by 4.2%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 2.1 percentage points. State-level data as of 25-Nov shows WA employment contracted by 0.27% with an unemployment rate of 4.6%. National employment forecasts suggest growth of 6.6% over five years and 12.4% over ten years for Cooloongup, based on industry-specific projections applied to its current employment mix.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022, Cooloongup SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $48,357. The average level stood at $58,454. This is below the national average, which compares to levels of $58,380 and $78,020 across Greater Perth respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 14.2% from financial year 2022 to September 2025, current estimates would be approximately $55,224 (median) and $66,754 (average). Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes in Cooloongup all fall between the 11th and 15th percentiles nationally. Distribution data shows the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 30.5% of the community, with a total of 2,762 individuals. This is consistent with broader trends across the region showing 32.0% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.6% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 16th percentile.

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

Cooloongup's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 93.4% houses and 6.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Perth metro's 90.5% houses and 9.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cooloongup was at 33.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 41.1% and rented ones at 25.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,300, lower than Perth metro's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Cooloongup was recorded at $300, compared to Perth metro's $330. Nationally, Cooloongup's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Cooloongup has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 68.2% of all households, including 23.3% couples with children, 27.2% couples without children, and 16.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for 31.8%, with lone person households at 28.6% and group households comprising 3.2%. The median household size is 2.4 people, smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 8.6%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 6.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 44.0% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (34.6%).

Educational participation is high, with 26.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes primary education (10.2%), secondary education (8.1%), and tertiary education (2.6%).

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

The analysis of public transport in Cooloongup shows that there are 66 active transport stops currently operating. These include a mix of train and bus services. The routes servicing these stops total 15, providing a combined weekly passenger trip count of 3,391.

The accessibility of transport is rated as excellent, with residents on average being located just 164 meters from their nearest transport stop. Across all routes, service frequency averages at 484 trips per day, which equates to approximately 51 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Cooloongup is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Cooloongup faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 49% of Cooloongup's total population (~4,429 people) has private health cover, compared to 55.3% in Greater Perth and the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (10.6%) and mental health issues (10.5%), while 59.5% report no medical ailments, compared to 68.5% across Greater Perth.

Cooloongup has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 22.5% (2,040 people), compared to 15.6% in Greater Perth. Health outcomes among seniors largely align with the general population's health profile.

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

Cooloongup's population, as of the 2016 Census, showed cultural diversity with 9.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Overseas-born residents comprised 30.8%. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 41.2%.

Notably, the 'Other' religious category made up 0.9%, slightly higher than Greater Perth's 0.7%. In terms of ancestry, the top groups were English (34.3%), Australian (25.7%), and Scottish (7.9%). Welsh (1.0%) was overrepresented compared to the regional average of 0.9%. Maori (2.2%) and New Zealand-born residents (1.1%) also showed slight overrepresentation versus their respective regional averages of 2.0% and 1.2%.

Cooloongup's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Cooloongup is 42 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Perth's average of 37 years and Australia's median age of 38 years. The 65-74 age group constitutes 11.9% of the population in Cooloongup, compared to Greater Perth. Conversely, the 25-34 age group makes up 11.4%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 6.5% to 8.2%, while the 15 to 24 cohort has risen from 11.1% to 12.4%. However, the 5 to 14 age group has decreased from 12.2% to 11.1%, and the 25 to 34 group has dropped from 12.4% to 11.4%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Cooloongup, with the 75 to 84 age group expected to grow by 77% (568 people), reaching 1,311 from 742. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are projected to account for 77% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, the 25 to 34 and 0 to 4 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.