Dardanup

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

According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Dardanup stands at approximately 3,806 as of May 2026. This represents an increase of 520 individuals (15.8%) relative to the 2021 Census, which counted 3,286 people. This growth is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 3,734 combined with 129 validated new addresses registered after the Census. The resulting population density is 7.4 persons per square kilometer, indicating a low density with significant space per resident. The expansion rate of 15.8% since the 2021 census is higher than the national benchmark (9.3%) and the SA3 region, positioning the locality as a leading growth area. This population rise was chiefly powered by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 64.1% of the total demographic gains, though natural increase and overseas migration also made positive contributions.

AreaSearch employs projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia for individual SA2 regions, published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. For SA2 regions lacking this coverage, and to calculate growth beyond 2032, AreaSearch applies age cohort growth rates from the latest ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data. Looking forward, non-metropolitan areas are projected to experience population expansion above the national median, with Dardanup expected to add 456 residents by 2041 relative to the latest annual ERP statistics, translating to a 10.1% increase over the 16 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Dardanup among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Residential approvals in Dardanup average approximately 33 per year, totalling 167 approved dwellings over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, plus 40 approved during FY-26 so far. An average of 2.5 residents relocated to the area for each new dwelling constructed during the 5 financial years between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating healthy demand that supports local property values. The average expected construction cost for these new homes is $305,000. Additionally, commercial approvals reached $5.7 million during the current financial year, highlighting that the area remains predominantly residential.

Construction activity per capita in Dardanup is 66.0% higher than the Rest of WA average, offering home buyers a wide range of options despite a recent slowdown in building pace. Furthermore, recent development is comprised entirely of detached houses, preserving the established low-density aesthetic of the area and its concentration of family-oriented properties. The ratio of residents to dwelling approvals stands at about 160 people per approval, indicating a growing real estate market.

Demographic projections indicate that Dardanup will add 384 inhabitants by 2041, based on the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch. If the current pace of development persists, the supply of new dwellings should easily satisfy this demand, maintaining favorable purchasing conditions and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current demographic forecasts.

Dardanup has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 38thth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure projects, planning choices, and development initiatives are key determinants of local performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 19 projects that are expected to influence the locality. The most relevant projects include the Picton Enterprise Park Development, the Wanju and Waterloo Enabling Infrastructure Program, the Waterloo Industrial Park, and Roseland at Dardanup, with further details provided in the list 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 analysis of employment trends sees Dardanup performing better than 85% of local markets assessed across Australia

The local workforce is characterized by strong skill levels, particularly within the manufacturing and industrial sectors. The unemployment rate is low at 1.7%, and employment growth is estimated at 1.0% over the last year. In March 2026, there were 2,118 employed residents, and the unemployment rate sat 1.8% below the Regional WA average of 3.5%. The participation rate is typical at 70.4%, compared to 65.6% for Regional WA. Based on Census data, a modest 11.2% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Local resident employment is heavily represented in the construction, health care & social assistance, and manufacturing industries. The area shows a distinct concentration in manufacturing, where the employment proportion is 2.0 times the regional average. Conversely, mining is underrepresented, making up 7.6% of employment compared to the regional benchmark of 11.7%. Although there are local jobs available, the ratio of the Census working population to local residents suggests a high number of commuters traveling to other areas for work.

According to AreaSearch's evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics, employment rose by 1.0% and the labor force grew by 0.9% over the 12-month period, resulting in a stable unemployment rate. In contrast, Regional WA saw employment fall by 0.1% and the labor force grow by 0.3%, leading to a 0.4 percentage point increase in unemployment. Employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 provide further context for future job demand in Dardanup. These projections, spanning five and ten years, have been aligned with the local employment structure to project growth. Nationwide employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary by sector. Applying these sectoral trends to the local workforce mix suggests employment in Dardanup could grow by 5.3% over five years and 11.8% over ten years, using a simple weighted extrapolation based on current industry shares without adjusting for local population changes.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Based on ATO data compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year, taxpayer incomes in the Dardanup SA2 are positioned at a very high level relative to the national distribution. Taxpayers in the Dardanup SA2 recorded a median income of $58,280 and an average income of $81,788, compared to Regional WA figures of $59,973 and $74,392. Adjusting these numbers for the 10.93% Wage Price Index growth since the 2023 financial year yields estimated values of approximately $64,650 for median income and $90,727 for average income as of March 2026. The 2021 Census shows that household, family, and individual incomes in Dardanup sit near the 56th national percentile. The dominant income band is the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket, containing 32.2% of households (1,225 residents), which is similar to the wider regional proportion of 31.1%. Disposable income remains high, with residents retaining 88.6% of their earnings after housing expenses, and the SEIFA index for income places the area in the 5th decile.

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

According to the latest Census, the housing stock in Dardanup consisted of 94.6% separate houses and 5.4% other dwelling types like semi-detached homes, apartments, and alternative structures, compared to Regional WA where separate houses made up 88.5% and other structures constituted 11.6%. Home ownership rates in Dardanup were considerably higher than the Regional WA average at 41.6%, with the remaining residences being mortgaged (44.1%) or rented (14.3%). The median monthly mortgage cost was $1,750, which is higher than the Regional WA average of $1,560, while the median weekly rent was $260, compared to $265 in Regional WA. On a national level, Dardanup's mortgage costs are below the Australian average of $1,863, and rent levels are significantly lower than the national figure of $375.

Dardanup features high concentrations of family households, with a fairly typical median household size

Families make up the majority of households at 77.8%, consisting of couples with children at 33.0%, couples without children at 37.2%, and single-parent households at 7.5%. The remaining 22.2% are non-family households, which are predominantly single-person households at 21.1% along with group households at 1.2%. The median household occupancy is 2.5 residents, which is identical to the Regional WA average.

Educational outcomes in Dardanup fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

Tertiary education levels in the area are low, with 18.4% of residents holding a university qualification compared to the national average of 30.4%, representing a potential focus area for educational programs. Among university graduates, Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.4%, followed by graduate diplomas at 2.3% and postgraduate degrees at 1.7%. Vocational and technical training is highly prevalent, with 43.8% of residents aged 15 and over possessing vocational qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas at 10.6% and certificate qualifications at 33.2%.

The proportion of residents engaged in study is high, with 27.7% of the population currently enrolled in education. This student cohort includes 11.3% in primary schools, 9.7% in secondary schools, and 1.8% enrolled in tertiary institutions.

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

Public transport services in Dardanup consist of 1 active stop served by bus routes. This stop has 1 unique route operating through it, offering a total of 5 passenger trips per week. Transport access is low, with residents living an average of 5532 meters from the nearest stop. The area is predominantly residential, resulting in most residents traveling outside the locality for employment, with cars being the main transport method for 91% of commuters. Households own an average of 2.2 vehicles, which is above the regional average. A small proportion of 11.2% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 settings.

Service frequency is low, averaging 0 trips per day across the available routes, which translates to approximately 5 weekly trips at each transport stop.

The level of general health in Dardanup is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

According to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic health issues, Dardanup displays favorable health outcomes, with low rates of common medical conditions across both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is high, with approximately 60% of the population (2,279 people) having cover, compared to 56.4% across Regional WA.

The most prevalent chronic health conditions reported in the locality are arthritis, affecting 10.1% of the population, and mental health issues, affecting 7.6%. Meanwhile, 69.5% of residents reported having no long-term health conditions, compared to 69.3% in Regional WA. Health outcomes for working-age residents are typical. Residents aged 65 and over make up 20.4% of the population (778 people), which is higher than the Regional WA proportion of 19.2%. Seniors in the area experience positive health outcomes, with national comparisons aligning closely with the broader population trends.

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

Dardanup exhibits lower cultural diversity indicators than average, with 84.1% of residents born in Australia, 90.3% holding citizenship, and 97.7% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, followed by 49.3% of the population, compared to 44.6% in Regional WA.

Regarding parental country of birth, the three largest ancestry groups in Dardanup are English (35.3%), Australian (31.4%), and Scottish (7.6%). There are also specific ethnic cohorts that are more common here than in the wider region, including residents of Dutch descent at 2.0% (compared to 1.5% regionally), South Australian descent at 1.1% (compared to 0.6%), and Italian descent at 5.5% (compared to 3.0%).

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

Dardanup's median age of 45 years is higher than the Regional WA average of 40 and the national figure of 38. The age distribution shows a high proportion of residents in the 65 - 74 age bracket (13.1%), whereas the 25 - 34 bracket is smaller (9.5%) than the regional average. Since 2021, the population has become slightly younger, with the median age decreasing by 1.1 years from 46 to 45. Notable demographic shifts include the 35 to 44 age cohort increasing from 11.6% to 13.5% and the 15 to 24 cohort rising from 9.7% to 11.2%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 group fell from 16.0% to 12.4% and the 55 to 64 group decreased from 16.4% to 14.9%. By 2041, demographic forecasts project major changes, with the 25 to 34 group growing by 46% (adding 167 people to reach 528), while the 65 to 74 and 75 to 84 cohorts are expected to decrease in size.