Forrestfield - Wattle Grove

Population growth drivers in Forrestfield - Wattle Grove are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Forrestfield - Wattle Grove's population was 22,561 as of November 2025, an increase of 2,832 people since the 2021 Census. The ABS estimated resident population in June 2024 was 22,286, with an additional 225 validated new addresses since the Census date contributing to this growth. This resulted in a population density ratio of 838 persons per square kilometer. Forrestfield - Wattle Grove's 14.4% growth from 2021 exceeded the national average of 8.9%, making it a growth leader in its region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 39.4% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all migration drivers being positive factors. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and Greater Capital Region projections from the ABS released in 2023 based on 2022 data for areas not covered by this data.

Future population trends suggest an increase just below the median national level to 2041, with an expected expansion of 2,473 persons reflecting a total increase of 9.7%.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Forrestfield - Wattle Grove among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Forrestfield-Wattle Grove averaged 127 new dwelling approvals annually over several years. Between FY-21 and FY-25635 homes were approved, with a further 15 approved in FY-26. On average, 3.9 people moved to the area per dwelling built during these years.

This demand outpaces supply, potentially influencing prices and competition among buyers. The average construction value of new homes was $191,000, lower than regional levels. In FY-26, $42.8 million in commercial development approvals were recorded. Compared to Greater Perth, Forrestfield-Wattle Grove had 60.0% higher new home approvals per capita as of recent data.

Recent construction consisted predominantly of standalone homes (95.0%) and townhouses/apartments (5.0%), maintaining the area's low-density character. With around 315 people per dwelling approval, Forrestfield-Wattle Grove indicates a developing market. By 2041, it is projected to grow by 2,198 residents. At current development rates, new housing supply should meet demand comfortably, benefiting buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Forrestfield - Wattle Grove has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 35thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 32 projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include Forrestfield/High Wycombe Industrial Area, Hartfield Park Master Plan Stage 2: Co-Location, Tonkin Highway Corridor - Roe Highway to Kelvin Road, and Cell 9 Wattle Grove Urban Development. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Employment performance in Forrestfield - Wattle Grove has been broadly consistent with national averages

Forrestfield - Wattle Grove has a skilled workforce with manufacturing and industrial sectors well-represented. The unemployment rate was 4.0% in September 2025, similar to Greater Perth's rate.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.2%. As of September 2025, 12,295 residents were employed, with health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade being leading employment industries. The area had a notable concentration in transport, postal & warehousing, with employment levels at 2.0 times the regional average. However, professional & technical services employed only 5.6% of local workers, below Greater Perth's 8.2%.

Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.2%, labour force increased by 2.3%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.1 percentage points. State-level data from 25-Nov shows WA employment contracted by 0.27% with an unemployment rate of 4.6%. National employment forecasts suggest growth of 6.6% over five years and 12.8% over ten years for Forrestfield - Wattle Grove, based on industry-specific projections.

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

Forrestfield - Wattle Grove SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $55,706 and an average of $65,284 in financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This was approximately average nationally, compared to Greater Perth's median income of $58,380 and average income of $78,020. By September 2025, estimates suggest the median would be approximately $63,616 and the average $74,554, based on a 14.2% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. In Forrestfield - Wattle Grove, household, family, and personal incomes clustered around the 57th percentile nationally in 2021 Census figures. The $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket dominated with 36.9% of residents (8,325 people), similar to regional levels where 32.0% occupied this bracket. High housing costs consumed 15.9% of income, yet strong earnings placed disposable income at the 56th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 5th decile.

Forrestfield - Wattle Grove is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Forrestfield-Wattle Grove's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 91.6% houses and 8.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Perth metro's 93.9% houses and 6.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Forrestfield-Wattle Grove stood at 26.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 52.3% and rented ones at 20.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,800, below Perth metro's average of $1,907. Weekly rent median was $360, compared to Perth metro's $370. Nationally, Forrestfield-Wattle Grove's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Forrestfield - Wattle Grove has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 74.7% of all households, including 36.1% couples with children, 25.3% couples without children, and 12.2% single parent families. Non-family households account for 25.3%, with lone person households at 22.3% and group households making up 3.0%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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

Forrestfield-Wattle Grove has educational qualifications that trail regional benchmarks. 20.6% of residents aged 15+ hold university degrees, compared to Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 39.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 10.6% and certificates at 28.9%.

Educational participation is high, with 29.9% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.7% in primary education, 8.0% in secondary education, and 3.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Forrestfield-Wattle Grove has 174 active public transport stops. These comprise a mix of train and bus services. There are 21 individual routes operating in the area, collectively serving 3,238 weekly passenger trips.

Residents' accessibility to transport is rated as good, with an average distance of 224 meters to the nearest stop. On average, there are 462 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 18 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Forrestfield - Wattle Grove is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Forrestfield - Wattle Grove shows better-than-average health outcomes with a low prevalence of common conditions among its general population. However, older and at-risk cohorts have higher rates compared to national averages, with private health cover at approximately 52% of the total population (~11,821 people), slightly above Greater Perth's average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common conditions, affecting 7.8 and 7.1% of residents respectively. About 71.6% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 69.2% in Greater Perth. The area has a lower proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 15.6% (3,517 people), compared to Greater Perth's 20.2%.

Forrestfield - Wattle Grove 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

Forrestfield-Wattle Grove has a higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 23.9% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 34.0% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Forrestfield-Wattle Grove, comprising 42.5% of the population. However, Islam is overrepresented compared to Greater Perth, making up 5.6% versus 2.3%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (27.0%), Australian (23.2%), and Other (12.7%). Notably, Maori (1.1%) and Indian (4.1%) populations are higher than the regional averages of 0.8% and 1.9%, respectively.

Forrestfield - Wattle Grove's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Forrestfield-Wattle Grove's median age is nearly 36 years, close to Greater Perth's average of 37 but slightly below Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Perth, Forrestfield-Wattle Grove has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (14.1%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (12.5%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the population aged 15-24 has increased from 11.3% to 12.6%, while those aged 75-84 have risen from 3.9% to 5.0%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 25-34 has decreased from 13.4% to 12.5%. By 2041, Forrestfield-Wattle Grove's age profile is projected to change significantly. The 75-84 cohort is expected to grow by 84%, adding 942 residents to reach 2,068. Residents aged 65 and above are anticipated to drive 55% of population growth, indicating a trend towards demographic aging. Meanwhile, the populations aged 0-4 and 5-14 are projected to decrease.