East Bunbury - Glen Iris

An assessment of population growth drivers in East Bunbury - Glen Iris reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

East Bunbury - Glen Iris' population was 7,847 as of November 2025, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure reflects a growth of 652 people, representing a 9.1% increase since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,195. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 7,811 in June 2024 and an additional 23 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 341 persons per square kilometer. East Bunbury - Glen Iris' growth rate exceeded the national average of 8.9% between the 2021 Census and June 2024, making it a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 39.3% to overall population gains during this period, although all drivers including natural growth and interstate migration were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections, released in 2023 and based on 2022 data. Based on these projections, an above median population growth is expected for Australian non-metropolitan areas. East Bunbury - Glen Iris is projected to expand by 1,542 persons to reach a total of 9,389 by 2041, reflecting a 19.2% increase over the 17-year period.

Recent residential development output has been above average within East Bunbury - Glen Iris when compared nationally

East Bunbury - Glen Iris averaged approximately 27 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, with a total of 139 homes approved. In FY-26, up until now, 8 dwellings have been approved. This results in an average of 4.7 people moving into the area each year for every dwelling built over these five years.

The demand significantly outpaces supply, which can put upward pressure on prices and increase competition among buyers. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $233,000, which is below regional levels, offering more affordable housing options. In the current financial year, commercial development approvals amount to $11.3 million, indicating balanced commercial development activity in the area.

Compared to the rest of WA, East Bunbury - Glen Iris shows approximately 63% of construction activity per person. Nationally, it ranks around the 42nd percentile for areas assessed, suggesting somewhat limited buyer options while strengthening demand for established dwellings. Recent construction comprises 83.0% detached houses and 17.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's low-density nature with a focus on detached housing that attracts space-seeking buyers. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 406 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. Future projections estimate East Bunbury - Glen Iris to add approximately 1,506 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

East Bunbury - Glen Iris has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 15thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 28 projects likely to affect the area. Notable ones include Glen Iris Village, Frank Buswell Foreshore Redevelopment, Withers Renewal Program, and Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Hub (AMTECH). The following list details those most relevant.

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.

East Bunbury - Glen Iris has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

East Bunbury - Glen Iris has a balanced workforce with white collar and blue collar jobs, prominent manufacturing and industrial sectors, and an unemployment rate of 4.2%. Over the past year, employment growth was estimated at 5.9%.

As of September 2025, 4,200 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, which is 0.9% higher than Rest of WA's rate of 3.3%. Workforce participation in East Bunbury - Glen Iris is similar to Rest of WA at 59.4%. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. The area specializes in manufacturing with an employment share 1.9 times the regional level, but agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented at 1.5% compared to Rest of WA's 9.3%.

The ratio of 0.7 workers per resident indicates above-normal local employment opportunities. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 5.9%, labour force grew by 5.7%, and unemployment fell by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of WA saw employment rise by 1.4% and labour force grow by 1.2%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May-25) project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to East Bunbury - Glen Iris's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.7% over five years and 12.5% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

East Bunbury - Glen Iris SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $50,926 and an average of $65,461 in the financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is similar to national averages, unlike Rest of WA's median income of $57,323 and average income of $71,163. By September 2025, estimates suggest the median income would be approximately $58,157 and the average $74,756, accounting for a 14.2% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. Census 2021 data shows incomes in East Bunbury - Glen Iris rank modestly, between the 24th and 32nd percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. Income analysis reveals that 30.8% of locals (2,416 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income category, similar to the surrounding region's 31.1%. Housing affordability is severe, with only 83.7% of income remaining, ranking at the 25th percentile.

East Bunbury - Glen Iris is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The dwelling structure in East Bunbury - Glen Iris, as per the latest Census, consisted of 84.3% houses and 15.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro WA's 88.1% houses and 11.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in East Bunbury - Glen Iris stood at 32.3%, similar to Non-Metro WA. The remaining dwellings were either mortgaged (37.3%) or rented (30.4%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,506, lower than Non-Metro WA's average of $1,616. The median weekly rent was $300, matching Non-Metro WA's figure. Nationally, East Bunbury - Glen Iris's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

East Bunbury - Glen Iris has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 67.5% of all households, including 24.0% couples with children, 29.0% couples without children, and 12.9% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 32.5%, with lone person households at 29.1% and group households making up 3.5% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of WA average of 2.5.

East Bunbury - Glen Iris faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 13.2%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common, with a rate of 10.1%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.6% and postgraduate qualifications at 1.5%. Vocational credentials are prevalent among residents aged 15 and above, with 42.4% holding such qualifications. Advanced diplomas account for 8.8% and certificates for 33.6%.

Educational participation is high, with 25.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.7% in primary education, 7.4% in secondary education, and 1.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

East Bunbury - Glen Iris has 61 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by five individual routes that together facilitate 375 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as good, with residents typically located 205 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 53 trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately six weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in East Bunbury - Glen Iris is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

East Bunbury - Glen Iris faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is approximately 52% of the total population (around 4,111 people), slightly higher than the average SA2 area. The most frequent medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 9.1% and 9.1% of residents respectively. Approximately 66.0% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 66.4% across Rest of WA. Around 18.1% of residents are aged 65 or over (about 1,421 people). Health outcomes among seniors in the area are above average and perform better than the general population in health metrics.

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

East Bunbury-Glen Iris, as per the census conducted on 27 June 2016, had a cultural diversity profile similar to the wider region's average. The population born in Australia was 79.3%, with 87.7% being citizens and 89.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 46.2% of the population.

However, there was an overrepresentation in the 'Other' category, which made up 1.1% compared to the regional average of 0.6%. The top three ancestry groups were English (32.1%), Australian (27.4%), and Scottish (6.8%). Notably, Italian heritage was overrepresented at 6.1%, Maori at 1.0%, and New Zealand-born residents at 0.9% compared to regional averages of 4.8%, 1.0%, and 0.8% respectively.

East Bunbury - Glen Iris's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in East Bunbury - Glen Iris is 40 years, aligning with the Rest of WA's average but slightly exceeding the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that individuals aged 25-34 are particularly prominent, making up 16.2% of the population, while those aged 5-14 are comparatively smaller at 11.1%. Between 2021 and present, the 25-34 age group has grown from 13.8% to 16.2%, and the 35-44 cohort has increased from 11.9% to 12.9%. Conversely, the 75-84 age group has declined from 6.7% to 5.5%, and the 45-54 group has dropped from 12.3% to 11.1%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in East Bunbury - Glen Iris's age structure. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to increase by 580 people (46%) from 1,271 to 1,852. Conversely, both the 5-14 and 75-84 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.