Cooloongup
Statistical Area - sa2

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 per AreaSearch's analysis, is approximately 9,058 as of August 2025. This figure indicates a growth of 555 individuals, representing a 6.5% increase since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 8,503 people. The estimated resident population of 9,060 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional validated new address since the Census date support this inference. This results in a population density ratio of 1,815 persons per square kilometer, which is higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Cooloongup's 6.5% growth since the census places it within 2.1 percentage points of the national average (8.6%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 92.7% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary population growth in the area.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and using growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) to estimate growth across all areas post-2032. Demographic trends suggest an above median population growth for Australian statistical areas, with Cooloongup projected to expand by 1,195 persons to reach a total of 10,253 people by 2041, marking a 13.2% increase over the 17-year period.

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. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 34 approvals across the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, and zero so far in FY-26. On average, 10.1 new residents per year have been recorded for every home built over these five financial years. This supply is substantially lagging demand, leading to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $244,000, which is below regional norms, reflecting more affordable housing options for purchasers. Additionally, $5.6 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, indicating the area's primarily residential nature. When measured against Greater Perth, Cooloongup shows substantially reduced construction activity, at 91.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties. However, building activity has accelerated in recent years.

This level is also lower than the national average, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. Recent building activity consists entirely of standalone homes, preserving the area's suburban nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The location has approximately 1063 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market. Future projections show Cooloongup adding 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.

Cooloongup has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 20thth percentile nationally

Five projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the area, significantly influencing its performance. Key projects include The Rivergums Baldivis, Seaside Estate Madora Bay, Parkland Heights Baldivis, and Safety Bay/Waikiki Foreshore Lighting Replacement Works. Details of these projects are provided below for relevance.

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

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

Cooloongup's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are prominent, with an unemployment rate of 12.9% as of June 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.1%. There are 4,055 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 9.1%, higher than Greater Perth's 3.9%. Workforce participation is lower, at 53.1% compared to Greater Perth's 65.2%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.

Manufacturing stands out with a share of employment 1.7 times the regional level. Conversely, professional & technical services employ only 3.5% of local workers, below Greater Perth's 8.2%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data. Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 2.1%, while labour force grew by 5.8%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate of 3.2 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Perth saw employment and labour force growth of 3.7% and 3.8% respectively, with an unemployment increase of just 0.1 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 shows WA employment contracted by 0.82%, losing 14,590 jobs, with a state unemployment rate of 4.3%. National comparisons show WA's performance lagging slightly behind national averages for employment growth and unemployment rates. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Cooloongup's current employment mix suggests local growth could be approximately 5.7% over five years and 12.4% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2022 shows Cooloongup had a median taxpayer income of $48,357 and an average income of $58,454. These figures are below the national averages of $61,497 (median) and $78,020 (average). As of March 2025, estimates based on Wage Price Index growth suggest median incomes in Cooloongup could reach approximately $53,971. Census data indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Cooloongup fall between the 11th and 15th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows 30.5% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually. Housing affordability is severe, with only 83.6% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 16th percentile nationally.

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 the rest being mortgaged (41.1%) or rented (25.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, below Perth metro's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Cooloongup was $300, compared to Perth metro's $330. 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 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 comprise the remaining 31.8%, with lone person households at 28.6% and group households making up 3.2%. 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 faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 8.6%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 6.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 44.0% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (34.6%).

Educational participation is notably high at 26.8%, including 10.2% in primary education, 8.1% in secondary education, and 2.6% pursuing tertiary education. Cooloongup's 3 schools have a combined enrollment of 992 students as of the latest count, all focusing exclusively on primary education with secondary options available in surrounding areas. School places per 100 residents stand at 10.9, below the regional average of 17.1, indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

Cooloongup has 66 active public transport stops. These include train and bus services. There are 15 different routes operating in total.

Each week, these routes facilitate 3,391 passenger trips. Residents have excellent access to transport, with an average distance of 164 meters to the nearest stop. Daily service frequency averages 484 trips across all routes. This results in 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 age groups. As of 2021, approximately 49% (~4,429 people) had private health cover, lower than Greater Perth's 55.3%. Nationally, the average is also 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical issues were arthritis (10.6%) and mental health concerns (10.5%), while 59.5% reported no medical ailments, compared to 68.5% in Greater Perth. In Cooloongup, 22.5% (~2,040 people) are aged 65 or over, higher than Greater Perth's 15.6%. Senior health outcomes align with the general population's profile.

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

Cooloongup had a cultural diversity index above average, with 9.2% speaking a language other than English at home and 30.8% born overseas, as of the data from [date substring]. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 41.2% of Cooloongup's population. Notably, the category 'Other' comprised 0.9%, slightly higher than the Greater Perth average of 0.7%.

Regarding ancestry, English (34.3%), Australian (25.7%), and Scottish (7.9%) were the top three groups. Some ethnic groups showed variations from regional averages: Maori was overrepresented at 2.2% (vs 2.0%), Welsh at 1.0% (vs 0.9%), and New Zealand at 1.1% (vs 1.2%).

Cooloongup hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Cooloongup is 42 years, significantly higher than Greater Perth's average of 37 years, which is also older than Australia's median age of 38 years. The 65-74 age group constitutes 11.9% of the population in Cooloongup, compared to Greater Perth, while the 25-34 cohort makes up 11.4%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 6.5% to 8.2%, and the 15 to 24 cohort has risen from 11.1% to 12.4%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has decreased from 12.2% to 11.1%, and the 25 to 34 group has fallen 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 age groups of 65 and above will account for 77% of total population growth, reflecting Cooloongup's aging demographic profile. In contrast, the 25 to 34 and 0 to 4 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.