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 was approximately 9,062 as of February 2026. This represented an increase of 559 people, a 6.6% rise from the 2021 Census figure of 8,503. The growth was inferred from ABS estimates: 9,060 in June 2024 and one validated new address since the Census date. This resulted in a population density of 1,816 persons per square kilometer, higher than the national average assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration accounted for approximately 92.7% of Cooloongup's population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and post-2032 estimates, AreaSearch used growth rates by age cohort from the ABS's latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). By 2041, Cooloongup is projected to have an above median population growth, expanding by 1,195 persons. This would reflect a total increase of 13.2% over the 17-year period, based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

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

Cooloongup has recorded approximately 6 residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years, totalling 34 homes. In FY26 so far, 3 approvals have been recorded. An average of 10.1 people per year moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25. This demand significantly exceeds new supply, typically leading to price growth and increased buyer competition.

New properties are constructed at an average value of $197,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers. In FY26, there have been $5.6 million in commercial approvals, indicating limited commercial development focus compared to Greater Perth, where construction is 91.0% above Cooloongup's rate per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties, though building activity has accelerated recently. The area has approximately 1063 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market. Future projections show Cooloongup adding 1,193 residents by 2041, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases if current development rates do not match population growth.

Recent building activity consists entirely of standalone homes, preserving the area's suburban nature with detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers.

Cooloongup has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 30thth percentile nationally

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

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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

Cooloongup's workforce in September 2025 comprised 3,949 employed residents with a 13.4% unemployment rate, exceeding Greater Perth's 4.0%. Workforce participation was lower at 59.8%, compared to Greater Perth's 71.6%. Over the past year, employment grew by 1.7%.

The area specializes in manufacturing, with an employment share of 1.7 times the regional level. Key industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. However, professional & technical services employed only 3.5% of local workers, below Greater Perth's 8.2%. Over twelve months to September 2025, employment increased by 1.7%, while labour force grew by 4.2%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 2.1 percentage points.

National employment forecasts from May-25 project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Cooloongup's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.7% over five years and 12.4% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023, Cooloongup SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $50,878. The average income stood at $61,607. This was below the national average and compared to levels of $60,748 and $80,248 across Greater Perth respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $55,772 (median) and $67,534 (average) as of September 2025. Census data revealed household, family and personal incomes in Cooloongup all fell between the 11th and 15th percentiles nationally. Distribution data showed the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captured 30.5% of the community (2,763 individuals), consistent with broader trends across the region showing 32.0% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 83.6% of income remaining, 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 structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 93.4% houses and 6.6% other dwellings. In comparison, Perth metro had 77.8% houses and 22.1% 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 was $1,300, below Perth metro's average of $1,907. Median weekly rent in Cooloongup was $300, compared to Perth metro's $350. Nationally, Cooloongup's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 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 constitute the remaining 31.8%, with lone person households at 28.6% and group households comprising 3.2% of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is 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 the Australian 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%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 44.0% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 9.4% and certificates at 34.6%.

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

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

Cooloongup has 67 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These are serviced by 19 routes collectively providing 4,709 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 164 meters to the nearest stop. The area is predominantly residential, with most commuters traveling outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transport at 81%, while trains account for 9%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 4.4% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 672 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 70 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, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Several health conditions affect both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% (around 4,512 people), compared to Greater Perth's 59.0% and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (10.6%) and mental health issues (10.5%), while 59.5% claim to have no medical ailments, lower than Greater Perth's 71.9%. Working-age residents face notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Cooloongup has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 23.5% (2,125 people), compared to Greater Perth's 16.3%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, generally aligning with national rankings for the overall population.

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 showed above-average cultural diversity, with 9.2% speaking a language other than English at home and 30.8% born overseas by 2016 Census data. Christianity was the dominant religion, accounting for 41.2%. The 'Other' religious category comprised 0.9%, compared to 1.4% in Greater Perth.

Ancestry-wise, English (34.3%) and Australian (25.7%) were the top groups, with Scottish at 7.9%. Notable differences existed for Welsh (1.0%), Maori (2.2%), and New Zealand (1.1%) ancestry compared to regional averages of 0.7%, 0.9%, and 0.8% respectively.

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 comprises 12.3% of the population in Cooloongup, compared to a lower percentage in Greater Perth. Conversely, the 25-34 age cohort makes up 10.7% of the population in Cooloongup. According to post-2021 Census data, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 6.5% to 8.7%, while the 15 to 24 cohort has risen from 11.1% to 12.8%. However, the 25 to 34 age group has decreased from 12.4% to 10.7%, and the 5 to 14 age group has fallen from 12.2% to 10.7%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Cooloongup, with the 75 to 84 age group expected to grow by 66% (522 people), reaching a total of 1,311 from 789. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are projected to account for 74% of the total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.