Esperance Surrounds

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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Esperance Surrounds's population is around 4,411 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 445 people (11.2%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,966 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,327 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 32 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 0.10 persons per square kilometer, providing ample space per person. Esperance Surrounds's 11.2% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (6.2%) and the SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by natural growth, which contributed approximately 41.7% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers, including overseas and interstate migration, were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and to estimate growth across all areas in the years post-2032, AreaSearch is utilising the growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Moving forward with demographic trends, an above-median population growth for national regional areas is projected, with the area expected to expand by 683 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 13.6% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Esperance Surrounds according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Esperance Surrounds has recorded around 5 residential properties granted approval each year, totalling 26 homes over the past 5 financial years. So far in FY-26, 2 approvals have been recorded. With an average of 17.4 people per year moving to the area for each dwelling built over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), demand significantly exceeds new supply, which usually results in price growth and increased buyer competition, while new properties are constructed at an average value of $392,000—slightly above the regional average—suggesting a focus on quality developments. There have also been $2.7 million in commercial approvals this financial year, indicating limited commercial development focus.

Compared to the Rest of WA, Esperance Surrounds shows substantially reduced construction (59.0% below regional average per person). This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties. This activity is similarly below the national average, indicating the area's established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations. Meanwhile, recent building activity consists entirely of standalone homes, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated count of 896 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment.

Population forecasts indicate Esperance Surrounds will gain 599 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Esperance Surrounds has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 31stth percentile nationally

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total, 2 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include South Coast Highway Improvements: Albany To Esperance, Forrestania Gold, Lithium & Nickel Project, Western Australia Agricultural Supply Chain Improvements, and WA Police Satellite Technology Upgrade, with the list below detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

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 Esperance Surrounds performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Esperance Surrounds possesses a skilled workforce with diverse sector representation, an unemployment rate of just 1.8%, and 2.1% estimated employment growth over the past year. As of December 2025, 2,397 residents are in work, while the unemployment rate is 1.7% below Regional WA's rate of 3.5%, and workforce participation is fairly standard (70.8% compared to Regional WA's 67.4%). Based on Census responses, a moderate 20.2% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

Employment among residents is concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing, mining, and education & training. The area has a particular employment specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share 5.0 times the regional level. In contrast, health care & social assistance employs just 4.1% of local workers, below Regional WA's 11.9%. The ratio of 0.7 workers for each resident, as at the Census, indicates a level of local employment opportunities above the norm.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 2.1% while the labour force increased by 2.5%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.4 percentage points. This contrasts with Regional WA, where employment rose by 1.0%, the labour force grew by 1.4%, and unemployment rose 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Esperance Surrounds. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Esperance Surrounds's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 3.9% over five years and 9.6% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for FY-23, the Esperance Surrounds SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $62,746 with the average level standing at $80,187. This is extremely high nationally and compares to levels of $59,973 and $74,392 across Regional WA respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $68,782 (median) and $87,901 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals personal income ranks at the 74th percentile ($960 weekly), while household income sits at the 44th percentile. Distribution data shows the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 34.4% of the community (1,517 individuals), consistent with broader trends across the region showing 31.1% in the same category. After housing costs, residents retain 93.0% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Dwelling structure within Esperance Surrounds, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 95.7% houses and 4.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Regional WA's 88.5% houses and 11.6% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Esperance Surrounds was well beyond that of Regional WA, at 51.1%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (20.4%) or rented (28.4%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was well below the Regional WA average at $1,040, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $233, compared to Regional WA's $1,560 and $265. Nationally, Esperance Surrounds's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

Esperance Surrounds has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households dominate at 67.5% of all households, comprising 28.6% couples with children, 32.2% couples without children, and 6.5% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 32.5%, with lone person households at 29.8% and group households comprising 2.3% of the total. The median household size of 2.4 people is smaller than the Regional WA average of 2.5.

Esperance Surrounds 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 (17.4%) substantially below the Australian average of 30.4%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 14.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 39.9% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (9.6%) and certificates (30.3%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.1% in primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 1.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 27 active transport stops operating within Esperance Surrounds, comprising a mix of buses. These stops are serviced by 4 individual routes, collectively providing 17 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 4584 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; the car remains the dominant mode at 75%, with 12% walking and 8% by bus. Vehicle ownership averages 1.8 per dwelling, which is above the regional average. Some 20.2% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 2 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 0 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Esperance Surrounds demonstrates above-average health outcomes, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both young and old age cohorts show a low prevalence of common health conditions, and the rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 60% of the total population (2,624 people), compared to 56.4% across Regional WA.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, impacting 7.3% and 7.1% of residents, respectively, while 72.2% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 69.3% across Regional WA. The under-65 population demonstrates better than average health outcomes. The area has 15.3% of residents aged 65 and over (673 people), which is lower than the 19.2% in Regional WA. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Esperance Surrounds ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Esperance Surrounds was found to be below average in terms of cultural diversity, with 82.4% of its population being citizens, 82.5% born in Australia, and 93.7% speaking English only at home. The main religion in Esperance Surrounds is Christianity, which makes up 42.6% of the population. However, the most apparent overrepresentation is in Judaism, which comprises 0.1% of the population, compared to 0.0% across Regional WA.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Esperance Surrounds are Australian, comprising 33.0% of the population, English, comprising 31.1% of the population, and Scottish, comprising 8.2% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: South Australian is notably overrepresented at 1.4% of Esperance Surrounds (vs 0.6% regionally), New Zealand at 0.9% (vs 0.9%) and Maori at 0.7% (vs 1.0%).

Esperance Surrounds's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The 40-year median age in Esperance Surrounds is aligned with Regional WA's average of 40, though it modestly exceeds the 38-year national average. The age profile shows 25 - 34 year-olds are particularly prominent (15.3%), while the 75 - 84 group is comparatively smaller (3.6%) than in Regional WA. Since 2021, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 13.1% to 15.3% of the population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 15.4% to 13.2%, and the 75 to 84 group dropped from 4.7% to 3.6%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Esperance Surrounds's age structure. The 25 to 34 age cohort is projected to increase solidly, expanding by 226 people (34%) from 673 to 900. Conversely, both the 85+ and 15 to 24 age groups will see reduced numbers.