East Pilbara
Statistical Area - sa2

East Pilbara is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

East Pilbara's population was approximately 6,253 as of Aug 2025. This figure represents an increase of 343 people, a growth rate of 5.8%, since the 2021 Census when the population stood at 5,910. This change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 6,256 as of June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. The population density ratio was 0.00 persons per square kilometer. East Pilbara's growth rate since census was 5.8%, within 2.8 percentage points of the national average of 8.6%. Overseas migration was primarily responsible for population gains in recent periods.

AreaSearch is using ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024, based on 2022 data, for each SA2 area. For areas not covered by this data and post-2032 growth estimation, AreaSearch uses ABS's latest Greater Capital Region projections from 2023, based on 2022 data. By 2041, East Pilbara is projected to grow by 1,082 persons, an increase of 17.4% over the 17-year period.

The level of residential development activity in East Pilbara is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

East Pilbara has seen low development activity over the past five years, with an average of 3 approvals per year totaling 17. This reflects its rural nature where development is driven by local housing needs rather than broad market demand. The small number of approvals can significantly impact annual growth and relativity statistics.

Compared to Rest of WA and national averages, East Pilbara shows less construction activity with a development pattern below these standards. All new constructions have been detached houses, suited for families seeking rural lifestyles and space. With an estimated 836 people per dwelling approval, future projections show East Pilbara adding 1085 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Future projections show East Pilbara adding 1,085 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

East Pilbara has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 39thth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 72 projects likely impacting the region. Notable initiatives include Green Iron Metal Project, East Pilbara Generation Hub, Great Northern Highway Overtaking Lanes Newman-Port Hedland, and Cloudbreak Solar Farm. The following list details projects most relevant to the area.

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

The employment landscape in East Pilbara presents a mixed picture: unemployment remains low at 3.7%, yet recent job losses have affected its comparative national standing

East Pilbara has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. The construction sector is prominent.

As of June 2025, the unemployment rate is 3.7%. There are 4,234 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 0.5% higher than Rest of WA's 3.2%. Workforce participation is lower at 52.1%, compared to Rest of WA's 59.4%. Dominant employment sectors include mining, construction, and accommodation & food.

Mining stands out with a share of 4.8 times the regional level. Conversely, health care & social assistance has lower representation at 1.5% versus the regional average of 11.9%. The area hosts more jobs than residents, with 2.4 workers per resident as recorded in the Census. Over the year to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 3.5%, employment fell by 5.3%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.8 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of WA where employment grew by 1.1% and unemployment fell by 0.6%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% growth over five years and 13.7% over ten years nationally. Applying these projections to East Pilbara's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 3.9% over five years and 10.0% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows East Pilbara had a median taxpayer income of $82,416 and an average of $93,949. Nationally, these figures are among the top percentile, compared to Rest of WA's $57,323 and $71,163 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates as of March 2025 would be approximately $91,984 (median) and $104,856 (average). According to 2021 Census figures, individual earnings rank at the 99th percentile nationally ($1,801 weekly), but household income ranks lower at the 11th percentile. The data shows that 27.6% of East Pilbara residents (1,725 people) fall within the $800 - 1,499 income bracket, unlike surrounding regions where 31.1% fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Housing costs are modest with 90.8% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just the 18th percentile nationally.

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

East Pilbara's dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 87.2% houses and 12.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro WA's 76.2% houses and 23.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in East Pilbara was at 13.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 9.3% and rented ones at 77.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,435, higher than Non-Metro WA's average of $2,400 (not specified in the text). The median weekly rent figure was $70, lower than Non-Metro WA's $180 and Australia's national figure of $375.

East Pilbara features high concentrations of lone person households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 68.2% of all households, including 29.1% couples with children, 19.3% couples without children, and 15.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 31.8%, with lone person households at 30.7% and group households comprising 2.0%. The median household size is 3.3 people, which is larger than the Rest of WA average of 2.7.

East Pilbara 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 15.8%, 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 11.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.4%) and graduate diplomas (0.9%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 53.4% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (9.0%) and certificates (44.4%).

Educational participation is high at 40.6%, including primary education (16.0%), secondary education (9.7%), and tertiary education (4.5%). There are 10 schools operating within East Pilbara, educating approximately 259 students. All 10 schools offer integrated K-12 education for academic continuity. Local school capacity is limited at 4.1 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 15.4, leading many families to travel for schooling. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to parent campus.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Health outcomes data shows excellent results across East Pilbara, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 68% of the total population (4,264 people), compared to 70.8% across Rest of WA and a national average of 55.3%. The most common medical conditions are diabetes and asthma, impacting 5.5 and 5.1% of residents respectively, while 81.6% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 80.7% across Rest of WA.

As of 2021, 4.4% of residents are aged 65 and over (277 people). Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

East Pilbara was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

East Pilbara, as of a study conducted in [month year], showed higher cultural diversity compared to most local areas, with 27.2% of its population born overseas and 36.8% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, composing 41.7% of East Pilbara's population. Notably, the 'Other' religious category comprised 5.5%, higher than the Rest of WA average of 1.6%.

In ancestry, Australian Aboriginals were most represented at 25.6%, significantly higher than the regional average of 14.8%. English and Australian ancestry followed, at 23.5% and 16.0% respectively, but the latter was lower than the regional average of 22.1%. Some ethnic groups showed notable variations: Maori at 2.3%, Filipino at 2.0%, and Samoan at 0.3%, compared to their respective regional averages of 2.7%, 2.7%, and 0.3%.

East Pilbara's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in East Pilbara is 35 years, which is lower than Rest of WA's average of 40 and also slightly below the Australian median of 38. Compared to Rest of WA, East Pilbara has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (27.1%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (4.4%). This 25-34 concentration is significantly higher than the national average of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and present, East Pilbara's median age has decreased from 36 to 35 years. Specifically, the proportion of residents aged 35-44 has increased from 22.0% to 25.7%, while those aged 25-34 have risen from 25.7% to 27.1%. Conversely, the proportions of residents aged 15-24 and 5-14 have decreased from 10.7% to 8.3% and 5.7% to 4.4%, respectively. By 2041, East Pilbara's age composition is projected to change significantly. The 35-44 age group is expected to grow by 24%, reaching 1,997 from 1,608. Meanwhile, population declines are forecast for the 65-74 and 5-14 age groups.