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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Derby - West Kimberley has an estimated 8,676 residents, up from 7,045 at the 2021 Census — a change of 1,631 people, or 23.2%. Growth has averaged 0.8% a year over five years, faster than 92% of areas nationally. Overseas migration accounts for 52.1% of that increase. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research conducted by AreaSearch, the population of Derby - West Kimberley stands at approximately 8,676 as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 1,631 people (23.2%) compared with the 7,045 people enumerated in the 2021 Census. This adjustment incorporates an estimated resident population count of 8,675 published by the ABS for June 2025 alongside 48 validated new addresses confirmed following the Census. Consequently, the population density sits at 0.10 persons per square kilometer, ensuring substantial space for residents. The area's post-2021 census expansion of 23.2% outpaced the broader Australian benchmark (9.5%) and that of the Rest of WA, establishing the district as a key regional growth performer.
The principal driver of this demographic uplift was overseas migration, which generated roughly 52.1% of the aggregate population additions across recent periods. For individual SA2 localities, AreaSearch integrates ABS/Geoscience Australia projections published in 2024 using 2022 as their starting baseline. Where local SA2 projections are absent, and to gauge growth trajectories after 2032 across all jurisdictions, cohort-based expansion metrics from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023 utilizing 2022 data) are applied. Looking ahead, the locality is projected to experience population expansion above the median for non-metropolitan Australia, adding an estimated 1,015 persons by 2041 relative to latest annual ERP population numbers—a total increase of 11.7% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
61 new dwellings have been approved in Derby - West Kimberley over the past five years, an average of 12 a year. That is 1.4 approvals per 1,000 residents. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential construction authorizations in Derby - West Kimberley have averaged approximately 12 new homes annually, totaling 61 homes approved over the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). Over these same past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), an average of 5.8 people moved into the district per dwelling constructed, demonstrating that housing demand is outpacing local supply, a dynamic that regularly elevates pricing pressures and heightens buyer competition. Concurrently, newly approved dwellings show an average expected construction cost of $733,000, signaling developer focus on higher-end builds in the premium sector.
In addition, commercial approvals reached $9.9 million this financial year, pointing to consistent non-residential investment flows. Dwelling construction in Derby - West Kimberley tracks substantially lower than across the Rest of WA, sitting 56.0% below regional average per person metrics. Although building numbers have shown recent gains, this restrained pipeline of new dwellings tends to reinforce demand and support valuations across existing stock. Construction rates also trail the broader Australian benchmark, indicative of an established market and potential regulatory or planning impediments. Furthermore, standalone separate houses accounted for all new building activity, preserving the locality's conventional low-density landscape and catering to families seeking spacious housing. The presence of an estimated 495 people per dwelling approval underlines a subdued, quiet residential building setting. According to demographic projections from the most recent AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Derby - West Kimberley is anticipated to expand by 1,014 residents leading up to 2041. Should building rates persist at current volumes, residential additions may fall short of demographic expansion, likely intensifying buyer competition and reinforcing upward valuation trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Derby - West Kimberley
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 14 current infrastructure and development projects inside Derby - West Kimberley, worth an estimated $4.48 billion. A further 105 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $101.3 billion. 35 are already under construction and 32 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans energy, transport & logistics and ports, marinas, fisheries & aquaculture. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
The evolution of an area is heavily shaped by major planning programs and capital infrastructure works. AreaSearch has identified 14 key development projects positioned to influence the district, highlighted by the RAAF Curtin Redevelopment Project, Derby Light Industrial Estate, Derby Future Energy System, and Derby District High School Redevelopment.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
RAAF Curtin Redevelopment Project
A major redevelopment of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Curtin to deliver refurbished and improved facilities and infrastructure. The works will include civil and road upgrades, electrical system works, water infrastructure, building revitalisation, communications upgrades, airfield upgrades, landscaping and new accommodation.
Derby Light Industrial Estate
A planned light industrial estate by DevelopmentWA, strategically located off the Derby Highway to meet the growing demand for industrial land in the area.
Derby Future Energy System
A proposal by Horizon Power to construct and operate a new energy system for Derby comprising a ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) system (up to 21 MW), a battery energy storage system (BESS) (up to 10 MW/55 MWh), and a new thermal power station (up to 8 MW). The project aims to increase renewable energy use, reduce emissions by up to 12,060 tonnes of CO2e annually, and ensure energy security as part of WA's transition to net zero by 2050.
Derby Fertilizer and Petrochemical Complex
Proposed $4.1 billion large scale ammonia, methanol, urea and complex fertilizer facility near Derby, including an on-site power station. The project aims to convert gas from the Canning Basin into fertilizer and petrochemicals. Targeted production includes 3,500 tpd liquid ammonia, 5,000 tpd methanol, and 4,000 tpd urea.
Derby District High School Redevelopment
A $28 million major redevelopment of Derby District High School including demolition of old classroom blocks and construction of new contemporary teaching buildings, student services block, canteen, STEM and ICT rooms, and other upgraded facilities. The project creates a more flexible and inclusive learning environment and is part of the WA Government's $4.4 billion investment in school infrastructure.
Derby Early Learning and Family Centre
A $6.1 million project to establish a new Early Learning and Family Centre in Derby. The project aims to improve the development, health, and learning outcomes of young children in the community.
Derby Tidal Power Project
A long-proposed 40MW tidal power station at Doctor's Creek designed to leverage the Kimberley region's 11m tides. The project uses a double-basin system to generate renewable energy for the West Kimberley. While it received EPA environmental approval in 2013 (Ministerial Statement 941), it remains in a stalemate due to a lack of federal funding and technical delays. As of 2026, Horizon Power is advancing an alternative 'Derby Future Energy System' focused on solar and battery storage, casting further doubt on the tidal project's viability.
Fairbairn Street Upgrade
Shire of Derby/West Kimberley upgrade to improve safety and access near Derby District High School, coordinated with Derby Bus Services. State Black Spot funding is supporting detailed design in 2025/26 with construction allocation in 2026/27. Works include sealing and widening, formal parking and bus bays, new pedestrian path, kerbing and lighting focused on school frontage and bus operations.
2,353 residents of Derby - West Kimberley are employed, from a labour force of 2,993. Unemployment sits at 21.4%, with participation at 44.3%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The labour market in Derby - West Kimberley is balanced across blue- and white-collar roles, anchored by a prominent essential services footprint, a 21.4% unemployment rate, and a 3.3% rise in estimated jobs over the prior year. By March 2026, employed residents reached 2,353, while the jobless rate stood 17.9% higher than the Regional WA figure of 3.5%, pointing to substantial capacity for improvement alongside a low participation rate of 44.3% against Regional WA's 65.4%. Census figures showed only 4.8% of workers operating from home, an outcome that warrants consideration of historical Covid-19 lockdown circumstances.
The primary employment fields for the local workforce are education & training, health care & social assistance, alongside public administration & safety. Education & training represents a pronounced local specialty, holding a concentration 2.5 times the wider regional proportion. In contrast, the mining sector accounts for just 2.8% of jobs, compared to the regional mark of 11.7%. Comparing the tally of working residents against the local working-age population suggests a relatively constrained pool of jobs located within the immediate area. AreaSearch's evaluation of ABS and SALM figures indicates that over the 12-month period, local employment expanded by 3.3% alongside a 3.1% rise in the labour pool, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.1 percentage points. Over the identical timeframe, Regional WA recorded a 0.1% contraction in employment and a 0.3% rise in the workforce, leading to a 0.4 percentage point uptick in unemployment. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide context for future workforce requirements in Derby - West Kimberley over five- and ten-year horizons when weighted against the local industry baseline. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% across five years and 13.7% across ten years, with wide variation across individual sectors. Applying these specific sectoral trends to the employment distribution of Derby - West Kimberley suggests local employment gains of 6.5% across five years and 13.7% across ten years (an illustrative weighting model that excludes localized demographic projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Derby - West Kimberley is $1,327 a week (about $69,000 a year), with median personal income at $461 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $53,737 a year against an average of $64,621. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO taxpayer records at the postcode level compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicate a median income of $53,737 and an average of $64,621 in the Derby - West Kimberley SA2. These figures fall below national standards and regional benchmarks, where Regional WA reported a median of $59,973 and an average of $74,392. Adjusting for a 10.93% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, current modeled estimates indicate a median of $59,610 and an average of $71,684 as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census placed weekly household earnings at the 22nd percentile ($1,327 weekly) and individual earnings at the 2nd percentile.
Across income bands, 30.4% of residents (2,637 people) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 category, closely aligning with Regional WA where 31.1% sit within this range. While 91.6% of income remains after housing expenses, net disposable earnings remain subdued at the 32nd percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Derby - West Kimberley had 1,836 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 88% detached houses and 0% apartments. 8% are owned with a mortgage, 82% rented and 10% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $100 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,629 a month. Rent absorbs 7.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 28.3%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, the housing stock in Derby - West Kimberley consisted of 88.1% separate houses and 11.9% other dwelling types such as apartments and semi-detached properties, comparable to the Regional WA distribution of 88.5% houses and 11.6% alternative dwellings. Home ownership in the area was lower than the regional standard at 10.3%, while 7.8% of properties were mortgaged and 81.9% were occupied by renters. Typical monthly mortgage payments stood at $1,629, outpacing the Regional WA benchmark of $1,560, whereas weekly rents averaged $100 against Regional WA's $265.
Relative to Australia-wide figures, local mortgage costs sit well under the national standard of $1,863, and weekly rents are markedly lower than the Australian figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Derby - West Kimberley counted 1,836 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 2,261 today, averaging 2.8 people each. 26% are couples with children, against 21% couples without children. 30% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the vast majority of local households at 67.7%, divided into couples with children (26.0%), couples without children (21.2%), and single parent families (16.5%). The remaining 32.3% of dwellings are occupied by non-family households, with single-person residences accounting for 30.2% and group living arrangements representing 2.3%. Average household size stands at 2.8 people, which exceeds the Regional WA figure of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
16.2% of adults in Derby - West Kimberley hold a university qualification, including 11.1% with a bachelor degree and 3.0% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 94% of areas nationally. A further 26.2% hold a vocational qualification. 16 schools serve the area, with 1,449 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 703 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Tertiary educational attainment in the district presents significant challenges, with only 16.2% of residents holding a university qualification compared to the national rate of 30.4%, highlighting a clear focus area for targeted learning programs. Bachelor degrees account for the largest proportion of higher qualifications at 11.1%, accompanied by postgraduate qualifications at 3.0% and graduate diplomas at 2.1%. Technical and trade qualifications are widely held, with 32.5% of individuals aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, including 6.3% holding advanced diplomas and 26.2% holding certificates. Enrolment in education across the locality is substantial, with 36.3% of the community undertaking formal study.
This cohort comprises 19.2% attending primary school, 9.6% engaged in secondary education, and 1.8% enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Derby - West Kimberley means driving: households keep an average of 0.8 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
80.2% of residents in Derby - West Kimberley report no long-term health condition. 3.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 51.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 12.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Based on AreaSearch metrics regarding mortality and chronic disease prevalence, health parameters across Derby - West Kimberley track below wider standards, with routine medical conditions marginally elevated across both older and younger age brackets. Furthermore, private healthcare coverage is limited, held by approximately 51% of residents (~4,442 people), compared with 56.4% across Regional WA. Diabetes and asthma constitute the most frequently reported ailments in the district, diagnosed in 6.5% and 4.4% of the population respectively, while 80.2% of residents reported having no medical ailments whatsoever, exceeding the 69.3% proportion in Regional WA.
Working-age adults display robust health with a low incidence of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 8.9% of the population (773 people), tracking well beneath the 19.1% share recorded across Regional WA, with local seniors demonstrating exceptionally strong health outcomes that exceed general population national percentiles.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Derby - West Kimberley is largely Australian-born, at 91.4% of residents, with 43.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian Aboriginal (56.7%) and Australian (13.0%). 56.7% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Derby - West Kimberley exhibits high levels of cultural diversity, with 8.6% of residents born abroad and 43.1% speaking a non-English language in their homes. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 54.8% of the local population. The most prominent statistical variance occurs in the Other religious category, which accounts for 2.2% of locals compared to 0.7% across Regional WA. Regarding parental ancestry, the leading heritage groups in Derby - West Kimberley are Australian Aboriginal at 56.7% of the population (far above the regional figure of 6.1%), Australian at 13.0% (substantially beneath the regional benchmark of 28.4%), and English at 11.7% (well under the 31.3% regional average).
Other notable ethnic representation includes Maori residents at 0.9% (vs 1.0% regionally) and Samoan residents at 0.1% (vs 0.1%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Derby - West Kimberley is 32, younger than 92% of areas nationally. 33.2% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Derby - West Kimberley exhibits a distinct family-oriented demographic profile with a notable concentration of young to middle aged adults (25 - 44), who constitute 34.2% of the population as at August 2026 compared to 26.6% in Regional WA, while seniors aged 65+ make up 8.9% compared to 19.1% regionally. As at August 2026, the estimated median age remains at 32, consistent with the 2021 Census outcome, sitting 8 years beneath the Regional WA median of 40 recorded at that Census and below the national median of 38 at the same Census.
Since the Census, the cohort of young to middle aged adults expanded from 31.5% to 34.2%, and this group is projected to lead future growth by 2041 with an addition of 789 people (27%) to reach 3,759. In contrast, populations of children and young adults are forecast to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Derby - West Kimberley
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 last month all 14 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 48 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (7,045 at the 2021 Census → 8,676 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (510011263). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.