Forrestfield - Wattle Grove
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Forrestfield - Wattle Grove are strong compared to national averages 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. This figure reflects an increase of 2,832 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 19,729. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates of 22,286 in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a density ratio of 838 persons per square kilometer. Forrestfield - Wattle Grove's population grew by 14.4% between the 2021 Census and November 2025, exceeding the national average growth rate of 8.9%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 39.4% to overall population gains during this period.

AreaSearch projects future population trends based on ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for SA2 areas, and growth rates by age cohort from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). By 2041, Forrestfield - Wattle Grove's population is expected to increase by approximately 2,473 persons, reflecting a total increase of 9.7% over the seventeen-year period.

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

Forrestfield - Wattle Grove averaged around 127 new dwelling approvals per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25635 homes were approved, with an additional 10 approved so far in FY26. On average, 3.9 people moved to the area for each dwelling built during this period, indicating high demand outpacing supply, which typically influences prices and competition among buyers.

The average construction cost of new homes was $191,000, lower than regional levels, suggesting more affordable housing options. This financial year has seen $42.8 million in commercial development approvals, reflecting strong local business investment. Compared to Greater Perth, Forrestfield - Wattle Grove had 60% higher new home approvals per capita as of recent years, offering buyers greater choice despite a slowdown in building activity. Recent construction comprised 95% standalone homes and 5% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character focused on family homes.

With around 315 people moving for each dwelling approval, Forrestfield - Wattle Grove displays a developing market. By 2041, the area is projected to grow by 2,198 residents. If current development rates continue, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favorable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Forrestfield - Wattle Grove has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 22ndth percentile nationally

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

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

Forrestfield-Wattle Grove has a skilled workforce with strong representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors. The unemployment rate was 3.8% as of June 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 3.2% over the past year.

In June 2025, 12,357 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate aligned with Greater Perth's 3.9%. Workforce participation was similar to Greater Perth's 65.2%. Leading industries for local employment include health care and social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Notably, transport, postal & warehousing had 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 June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 3.2%, labour force grew by 3.1%, and unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Perth recorded employment growth of 3.7%, labour force growth of 3.8%, with unemployment rising 0.1 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, issued in May 2025, project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Forrestfield-Wattle Grove's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.0% over five years and 12.8% over ten years.

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

Forrestfield-Wattle Grove had a median taxpayer income of $55,706 and an average income of $65,284 in the financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is roughly national average, compared to Greater Perth's median income of $58,380 and average income of $78,020. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $63,616 (median) and $74,554 (average), based on a 14.2% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. The 2021 Census shows household, family, and personal incomes in Forrestfield-Wattle Grove cluster around the 57th percentile nationally. The income bracket of $1,500-$2,999 dominates with 36.9% of residents (8,325 people), similar to regional levels where 32.0% fall into this bracket. High housing costs consume 15.9% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 56th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places 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 structure, 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. Median weekly rent in Forrestfield-Wattle Grove 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 constitute 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 comprise the remaining 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

Educational qualifications in Forrestfield-Wattle Grove show that 20.6% of residents aged 15+ have university degrees, compared to the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common (14.6%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 39.5% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (10.6%) and certificates (28.9%). Educational participation is high, with 29.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes primary (11.7%), secondary (8.0%), and tertiary (3.9%) levels. The area has a network of 7 schools educating approximately 3,501 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 998) offering balanced educational opportunities. These include 4 primary, 1 secondary, and 2 K-12 schools.

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 are a mix of train and bus stations. There are 21 different routes serving these stops, which together provide 3,238 weekly passenger trips.

The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents located an average of 224 meters from 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 superior health outcomes with low prevalence of common conditions among its general population compared to national averages. However, older and at-risk cohorts have higher rates.

Private health cover stands at approximately 52%, slightly above the average SA2 area but lower than Greater Perth's 55.7%. Mental health issues affect 7.8% of residents, while asthma impacts 7.1%. 71.6% report no medical ailments, compared to 69.2% in Greater Perth. The population aged 65 and over is 15.6%, lower than 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 languages other than English at home and 34.0% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Forrestfield-Wattle Grove, making up 42.5% of its population. Notably, Islam is overrepresented compared to Greater Perth, comprising 5.6% versus 2.3%.

The top three ancestral groups are English at 27.0%, Australian at 23.2%, and Other at 12.7%. Some ethnic groups show significant differences: Maori is overrepresented at 1.1% (regional average 0.8%), New Zealand is similar at 1.0%, and Indian is higher at 4.1% compared to the regional average of 1.9%.

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

Forrestfield-Wattle Grove's median age is 36 years, nearly matching Greater Perth's average of 37 years, which is modestly under the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Perth, Forrestfield-Wattle Grove has a higher percentage 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 grown from 11.3% to 12.6%, while the 75-84 age group has increased from 3.9% to 5.0%. Conversely, the 25-34 age group has declined from 13.4% to 12.5%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Forrestfield-Wattle Grove's age profile will evolve significantly. The 75-84 cohort is projected to grow by 84%, adding 942 residents to reach 2,068. Residents aged 65 and above are expected to drive 55% of population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends. Meanwhile, the 0-4 and 5-14 age groups are anticipated to experience population declines.