Ellenbrook
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Ellenbrook are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Ellenbrook's population, as of August 2025, is approximately 21,419. This figure represents a growth of 2,408 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 19,011. The increase is inferred from ABS estimates; Ellenbrook's population was around 21,254 in June 2024, with an additional 451 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,532 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Ellenbrook's growth rate of 12.7% since the 2021 census surpasses the national average of 8.6%, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 39.5% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all factors including interstate migration and natural growth were positive contributors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and to estimate post-2032 growth, AreaSearch uses growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Projecting forward, Ellenbrook is expected to experience above median population growth with an anticipated increase of 3,742 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 16.7% over the 17-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Ellenbrook was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Ellenbrook has received approximately 134 dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics provides development approval data on a financial year basis, showing 671 homes approved over the past five years (FY21 to FY25), with an additional 22 approved in FY26 so far. On average, 2.9 people per year have moved to Ellenbrook for each new home constructed between FY21 and FY25, suggesting steady demand that supports property values. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $345,000, which is below regional norms, offering more affordable housing options.

In this financial year, $10.1 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating balanced commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Perth, Ellenbrook records roughly half the building activity per person but ranks among the 84th percentile of areas assessed nationally, with building activity accelerating in recent years. New developments consist of 97% detached houses and 3% attached dwellings, preserving Ellenbrook's suburban nature and attracting space-seeking buyers with an average of around 121 people per approval.

Population forecasts indicate Ellenbrook will gain approximately 3,577 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 19 projects likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Swan Active Ellenbrook Recreation & Aquatic Centre, Ellenbrook LFR Centre, Ellenbrook Community Hub, and Ellenbrook Station Precinct Improvement Scheme No. 1. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Employment conditions in Ellenbrook remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Ellenbrook has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs, notable in manufacturing and industrial sectors. Its unemployment rate is 5.2%, with an estimated employment growth of 3.5% over the past year.

As of June 2025, there are 11,754 residents employed, with an unemployment rate at 1.3% above Greater Perth's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is 67.2%, slightly higher than Greater Perth's 65.2%. Leading industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Retail trade shows strong specialization with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level, while professional & technical services employ only 4.0% of local workers, below Greater Perth's 8.2%.

Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 3.5% and labour force by 4.1%, leading to a rise in unemployment by 0.6 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 shows WA employment contracted by 0.82% with an unemployment rate of 4.3%. National forecasts project employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but industry-specific projections suggest Ellenbrook's growth could be approximately 5.9% over five years and 12.6% over ten years.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's data for financial year 2022 shows Ellenbrook had a median taxpayer income of $53,369 and an average of $63,859. This is below the national averages of $64,712 (median) and $90,627 (average). Greater Perth's figures were $58,380 (median) and $78,020 (average). By March 2025, adjusting for Wage Price Index growth of 11.61%, Ellenbrook's median income is estimated to be $59,565 and average $71,273. Census data places Ellenbrook at the 54th percentile nationally for household, family, and personal incomes. The predominant income bracket in Ellenbrook is $1,500 - 2,999, with 8,246 people (38.5% of locals) falling into this category. This mirrors regional patterns where 32.0% occupy the same range. Housing costs consume 17.7% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 54th percentile nationally.

Ellenbrook is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure in Ellenbrook, as evaluated at the Census conducted in 2016, consisted of 89.1% houses and 10.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This was similar to Perth metro's dwelling structure, which also had 89.1% houses and 10.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ellenbrook stood at 17.7%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (57.1%) or rented (25.2%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Ellenbrook was $1,800 as of 2016, lower than Perth metro's average of $1,842. Median weekly rent in Ellenbrook was recorded at $350, compared to Perth metro's $340. Nationally, Ellenbrook's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Ellenbrook features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 78.1% of all households, including 40.5% couples with children, 21.5% couples without children, and 15.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 21.9%, with lone person households at 19.7% and group households comprising 2.2%. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Greater Perth average of 2.8.

Ellenbrook shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area's university qualification rate is 15.4%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 11.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 42.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.2%) and certificates (30.9%).

Educational participation is high at 34.7%, comprising 14.1% in primary education, 10.1% in secondary education, and 3.7% pursuing tertiary education. There are nine schools operating within Ellenbrook educating approximately 5,985 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 996) and balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes five primary, two secondary, and two K-12 schools. Ellenbrook functions as an education hub with 27.9 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 15.7, attracting students from surrounding communities. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments please refer to parent campus.

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

Ellenbrook has 123 active public transport stops offering train and bus services. These stops are served by 13 different routes, collectively facilitating 3,137 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents on average located 216 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 448 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 25 weekly trips per individual stop.

Ellenbrook's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Ellenbrook residents have a relatively low prevalence of common health conditions compared to the general population, but higher than the national average among older, at-risk cohorts. Private health cover is slightly lower than the average SA2 area, with approximately 51% of Ellenbrook's total population (~10,966 people) having it, compared to 54.1% across Greater Perth.

The most common conditions are mental health issues (8.9%) and asthma (8.3%), while 70.5% report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Perth. The area has 12.2% of residents aged 65 and over (2,623 people), with health outcomes among seniors requiring more attention than the broader population.

Ellenbrook 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

Ellenbrook's population showed high cultural diversity, with 19.2% speaking a language other than English at home and 33.0% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion in Ellenbrook, comprising 42.5% of its population. Notably, the 'Other' religious category had a higher representation in Ellenbrook at 2.5%, compared to Greater Perth's 2.4%.

In terms of ancestry, English (28.4%), Australian (23.7%) and Other (12.4%) were the top represented groups. Some ethnic groups showed significant differences: Maori was overrepresented at 2.0% in Ellenbrook versus 1.4% regionally; South African at 1.3% versus 0.8%; and New Zealand at 1.2% versus 1.0%.

Ellenbrook's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

Ellenbrook has a median age of 33, which is younger than Greater Perth's figure of 37 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Perth, Ellenbrook has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (15.8%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (5.9%). Between the 2021 Census and present, the 55 to 64 age group has increased from 8.5% to 9.9%, while the 15 to 24 cohort has risen from 13.6% to 14.9%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has decreased from 17.7% to 15.8% and the 0 to 4 group has dropped from 7.4% to 6.3%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic shifts in Ellenbrook. The 65 to 74 age group is projected to grow by 57%, adding 719 residents to reach a total of 1,985. Meanwhile, both the 35 to 44 and 5 to 14 age groups are expected to decrease in number.