Cottesloe

Cottesloe has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

According to evaluations by AreaSearch, the population of Cottesloe stands at approximately 8,960 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 1,210 people (15.6%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 7,750 residents. This shift is calculated using the ABS June 2025 estimated resident population of 8,958 alongside 93 validated new addresses registered after the Census. Consequently, the local density reaches 2,389 persons per square kilometer, placing the suburb in the highest national quartile. The local expansion rate of 15.6% surpassed the national average (9.3%) and the broader SA3 region, positioning it as a primary growth corridor. This upward trend was largely powered by international migration, which accounted for roughly 95.9% of the overall demographic gains during recent times.

AreaSearch incorporates projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024, utilizing 2022 as the base year. For locations lacking this specific data, and to project trends beyond 2032, growth rates by age cohort from the latest ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023, referencing 2022 data) are applied. Looking ahead, the suburb is expected to experience population growth above the national median, with an estimated rise of 1,867 individuals by 2041 relative to the latest annual ERP statistics, representing a total increase of 20.8% over the 16 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Cottesloe among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Approximately 50 residential building approvals are granted annually in Cottesloe, with a total of 253 homes authorized over the previous 5 financial years (spanning FY-21 to FY-25) and 17 recorded during FY-26 so far. Because the construction of each dwelling has coincided with an average influx of 3.3 new residents per year over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), the incoming supply is failing to keep pace with demand, which typically intensifies buyer competition and exerts upward pressure on prices. Newly built properties average $1,208,000 in value, indicating a strong focus by builders on high-end, premium projects. Furthermore, local business confidence is highlighted by $62.3 million in commercial development approvals registered during the current financial year.

Construction activity in Cottesloe is somewhat elevated compared to Greater Perth, tracking at 17.0% above the regional per capita average over the 5 year period, which helps support buyer choices while maintaining demand for existing properties. Out of the recently built dwellings, 74.0% consist of detached houses and 26.0% comprise medium and high-density options, preserving the traditional family-friendly, low-density feel of the suburb. With a ratio of roughly 173 people for each approved dwelling, the suburb exhibits the developmental signs of an expanding area.

Based on the most recent quarterly projections from AreaSearch, Cottesloe is expected to add 1,865 residents by 2041. Although local construction is moving at a reasonable speed relative to this projected growth, purchasing conditions could become increasingly competitive for buyers as the population expands.

Cottesloe has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 10thth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure projects, major planning decisions, and new developments are key drivers of regional change. AreaSearch has identified 23 projects likely to influence the local area. Prominent initiatives include the Cottesloe Village Precinct and Town Centre Redevelopment, Ocean Village Cottesloe, the 7-11 Station Street Mixed-Use Precinct, and the McCabe Street Mixed-Use Residential Precinct on the former Rocky Bay site, with key details provided for the most relevant works.

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

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Employment conditions in Cottesloe rank among the top 10% of areas assessed nationally

The workforce in Cottesloe is characterized by high levels of education and a strong concentration of professionals, coupled with a minimal unemployment rate of 1.4% and an estimated annual job growth rate of 2.4%. As of March 2026, employed residents numbered 5,033, and the local unemployment rate sat 2.7% below the Greater Perth figure of 4.2%. Participation in the labor force was registered at 66.7%, which is lower than the metropolitan average of 70.2%. Census figures indicate that a moderate 16.9% of the working population operated from home, though this data may reflect the influence of Covid-19 health restrictions.

The primary employment sectors for local residents are health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training. The representation of workers in professional & technical fields is particularly pronounced, registering at 1.9 times the metropolitan average. Conversely, only 5.2% of the local workforce is engaged in construction, compared to 9.3% across Greater Perth. The comparison of working residents to local job availability suggests that this highly residential suburb provides limited internal employment opportunities.

An analysis of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch indicates that during the year leading to March 2026, the employed population grew by 2.4% and the active workforce expanded by 2.7%, resulting in a 0.3 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, Greater Perth experienced employment growth of 2.0% and labor force expansion of 2.5%, with its unemployment rate increasing by 0.4 percentage points. The national employment projections released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 offer additional context regarding future demand. These five and ten-year forecasts have been correlated with local employment structures to project potential patterns. Globally, national employment is expected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual sector growth rates vary. Applying these sectoral trends to the local employment distribution suggests that employment associated with the suburb could grow by 7.4% over five years and 15.1% over ten years, representing a basic weighted extrapolation 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

Aggregated ATO postal data released for the financial year 2023 indicates that taxpayers in the Cottesloe SA2 earned a median income of $83,598 and an average income of $213,621. These figures represent exceptional levels nationally, especially when contrasted with the Greater Perth median of $60,748 and average of $80,248. Adjusted for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.93% since the financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 stand at roughly $92,735 for the median and $236,970 for the average. Census records confirm that personal, family, and household incomes in the area rank in the 97th to 98th national percentiles. Income distribution data shows that 44.1% of the population, representing 3,951 taxpayers, earn weekly incomes of $4000+, whereas the regional distribution is led by the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket at 32.0%. High-income earners are highly represented, with 54.4% of the population earning more than $3,000 per week. After accounting for housing costs, residents retain 88.3% of their earnings, and the area is placed in the 10th decile on the SEIFA index.

Cottesloe displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Census data reveals that the housing stock in Cottesloe consists of 69.0% separate houses and 31.0% semi-detached, apartment, or other dwelling types, compared to the wider Perth metropolitan distribution of 77.8% houses and 22.1% alternative dwellings. The level of outright home ownership is high at 46.2%, with the remaining properties occupied by mortgagors (26.7%) or tenants (27.1%). The median mortgage repayment of residents was $3,925 per month, substantially exceeding the metropolitan average of $1,907, while the median weekly rent stood at $550, compared to $350 across the Perth metro area. Nationally, the mortgage payments in the suburb are significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and median rents are well above the national benchmark of $375.

Cottesloe features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Families comprise the majority of local households at 70.3%, consisting of couples with children (31.7%), couples without children (30.4%), and single parent households (7.3%). The remaining 29.7% of households are non-family arrangements, consisting of single person households at 25.3% and group households at 4.5%. The median household occupancy is 2.5 persons, which sits slightly below the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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

Academic achievement in the suburb is exceptionally high, with 60.6% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees, compared to 27.9% across Western Australia and 30.1% across Greater Perth. This places the community in a strong position to leverage knowledge-based careers. Bachelor degrees represent the most common qualification level at 41.0%, with postgraduate degrees at 15.4% and graduate diplomas at 4.2%. Vocational training accounts for 16.5% of qualifications among residents aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.0%) and certificate level courses (7.5%).

Engagement in learning is highly visible, with 30.1% of the local population currently enrolled in an educational program. This student group includes 9.4% in high schools, 8.8% in universities or tertiary institutions, and 8.1% attending primary schools.

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

Public transport services in the area include 42 active stops, offering a combination of train and bus services. These stops are served by 14 routes that run a combined total of 4,653 weekly passenger journeys. Accessibility is high, with residents living an average of 220 meters from their nearest transit point. The suburb is primarily residential, resulting in a large number of outward commuters. Private vehicles are the main transport mode at 79%, while 11% of commuters use trains and 3% ride bicycles. The average vehicle ownership rate is 1.6 cars per household. A total of 16.9% of residents worked from home, according to 2021 Census data, which may reflect the influence of COVID-19 settings.

Public transport services operate at a frequency of 664 daily trips across all routes, which averages out to approximately 110 weekly journeys for each individual transit stop.

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

Health outcomes in the suburb are excellent, characterized by low mortality rates and a minimal incidence of chronic illness across all demographics, alongside an exceptionally high rate of private health insurance coverage at approximately 94% of the population (8,395 residents). This is significantly higher than the Greater Perth rate of 59.0% and the national average of 55.7%.

Arthritis and asthma are the most frequently reported medical conditions, affecting 6.5% and 5.7% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 75.5% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 71.9% across Greater Perth. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 23.0% of the local population (representing 2,063 people), which is higher than the Greater Perth proportion of 16.1%. Older residents display strong health profiles, with national standings matching the broader community.

In terms of cultural diversity, Cottesloe records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

The suburb displays cultural metrics comparable to the broader metropolitan area, with 74.2% of the population born in Australia, 89.0% holding citizenship, and 93.3% speaking only English at home. The main religious affiliation is Christianity, representing 47.7% of residents. The most distinct religious divergence is Judaism, which accounts for 0.3% of the community, mirroring the 0.3% average recorded across Greater Perth.

Regarding ancestral background, the most common heritages reported are English at 34.1% of the population, which is notably higher than the metropolitan average of 28.0%, followed by Australian at 23.2%, and Scottish at 10.0%. Specific ethnic groups showing notable differences in representation include French at 1.0% (compared to 0.5% regionally), Welsh at 0.9% (compared to 0.7%), and South Australian at 0.9% (compared to 1.0%).

Cottesloe hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

The local median age of 44 is higher than the Greater Perth benchmark of 37 and the national average of 38. The 75 - 84 age bracket is highly represented at 8.9% compared to Greater Perth, while the 35 - 44 demographic is less common at 10.6%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has risen from 7.1% to 8.9%, and the 15 to 24 age bracket has increased from 12.7% to 14.1%. Conversely, the cohort aged 45 to 54 declined from 13.7% to 11.4%. Demographic models indicate that the local age profile will shift significantly by 2041, led by a 61% increase in the 75 to 84 group, which is projected to grow from 798 to 1,282 people. This trend toward an older demographic is clear, with individuals aged 65+ making up 65% of the projected growth, whereas the 5 to 14 and 35 to 44 groups are forecast to contract.