Fremantle
Statistical Area - sa2

Fremantle lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Fremantle's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 19,892. This figure represents a growth of 3,172 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 16,720. The increase is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 19,584 in June 2024 and an additional 510 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 673 persons per square kilometer. Fremantle's growth rate of 19.0% from 2021 to 2025 exceeded the national average of 8.9%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 50.4% of overall population gains during this period, with other drivers including interstate migration and natural growth also being positive factors.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024, based on 2022 data. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, based on 2022 data. Demographic trends project an above median population growth for the area, with an expected expansion of 4,502 persons to reach a total of 24,394 by 2041, indicating a 21.1% increase over the 17-year period.

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

Fremantle has recorded approximately 160 residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years, totalling 803 homes. In FY26 so far, 46 approvals have been recorded. On average, 3.7 people per year moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25. This high demand exceeds new supply, typically leading to price growth and increased buyer competition.

The average construction cost of new properties is $489,000, indicating developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties. Commercial approvals this financial year amount to $65.2 million, reflecting strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Perth, Fremantle shows 66.0% higher new home approvals per person, offering greater choice for buyers. New building activity consists of 13.0% detached houses and 87.0% townhouses or apartments, promoting higher-density living that creates more affordable entry points, appealing to downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This shift marks a significant departure from the current housing pattern of 46.0% houses, likely due to diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences. The estimated count of 433 people per dwelling approval reflects Fremantle's quiet development environment.

Population forecasts indicate Fremantle will gain 4,194 residents by 2041. Existing development levels seem aligned with future requirements, maintaining stable market conditions without significant price pressures.

Fremantle has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 47thth percentile nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 60 projects likely impacting the region. Notable initiatives include Swan River Crossings Project, Muse at Artisan Place, Monument East, and Serai North Fremantle. The following details projects expected to have the most relevance.

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

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Fremantle has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Fremantle has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 5.2% as of June 2024.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.9%. As of June 2025, 11,612 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 5.3%, 1.4% higher than Greater Perth's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Fremantle was broadly similar to Greater Perth's at 65.2%. Key industries for employment among residents are health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training.

Fremantle has a particularly strong specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share of 1.6 times the regional level. Retail trade employs only 6.1% of local workers, lower than Greater Perth's 9.3%. As at the Census, there are 1.1 workers for every resident, indicating that Fremantle functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 4.9% and labour force grew by 5.8%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Perth saw employment rise by 3.7%, labour force grow by 3.8%, and unemployment increase by only 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% expansion in employment over five years and 13.7% over ten years. However, growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Fremantle's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.9% over five years and 14.3% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

Fremantle's income level is among the top percentile nationally according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. Fremantle's median income among taxpayers was $60,926 and the average income stood at $94,686. These figures compare to Greater Perth's median of $58,380 and average of $78,020 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 14.2% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $69,577 for the median income and $108,131 for the average as of September 2025. Census data reveals individual earnings stand out at the 84th percentile nationally ($1,059 weekly). In Fremantle, 27.2% of the population (5,410 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, mirroring the region where 32.0% occupy this bracket. A substantial proportion of high earners, 32.3%, are above $3,000/week, indicating strong economic capacity throughout Fremantle. High housing costs consume 15.3% of income, though strong earnings still place disposable income at the 64th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Fremantle displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Fremantle, as per the latest Census, 45.6% of dwellings were houses while 54.4% comprised semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This contrasted with Perth metro's dwelling structure of 61.2% houses and 38.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Fremantle stood at 31.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.4% and rented ones at 38.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, aligning with Perth metro's average, while the median weekly rent was $385 compared to Perth metro's $379. Nationally, Fremantle's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Fremantle features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 57.0% of all households, including 19.9% couples with children, 28.2% couples without children, and 8.2% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 43.0%, with lone person households at 36.9% and group households making up 6.1%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.3.

Fremantle shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Educational attainment in Fremantle is notably high with 48.9% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications, compared to 27.9% in WA and 28.6% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 30.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (13.7%) and graduate diplomas (4.7%). Vocational credentials are also common with 25.8% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (10.9%) and certificates (14.9%). Educational participation is high at 26.9%, comprising 9.1% in tertiary education, 6.5% in primary education, and 6.1% pursuing secondary education.

Fourteen schools serve a total of 3,943 students in the area, with an ICSEA score of 1116 indicating significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement. Education provision is balanced with eight primary and six secondary schools serving distinct age groups.

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

Fremantle has 121 active transport stops operating within its boundaries. These consist of a mix of train and bus stops serviced by 37 individual routes. Together, these routes provide 7,986 weekly passenger trips.

Residents enjoy good transport accessibility, with an average distance of 268 meters to the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 1,140 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 66 weekly trips per individual stop.

Fremantle's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Fremantle's health data shows positive results with common conditions affecting both young and elderly residents similarly. Private health cover is high at approximately 69% of Fremantle's total population (13,785 people), compared to Greater Perth's 67.0% and the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues impact 10.1% and arthritis affects 7.2% of Fremantle residents.

69.1% report no medical ailments, slightly lower than Greater Perth's 69.6%. As of 2021, 20.4% of Fremantle residents are aged 65 and over (4,050 people). Health outcomes among seniors in Fremantle are particularly strong, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

Fremantle 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

Fremantle's population showed high cultural diversity, with 12.9% speaking a language other than English at home and 31.5% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 36.2%. Notably, Judaism had a higher representation in Fremantle at 0.4%, compared to Greater Perth's 0.3%.

In terms of ancestry, the top groups were English (30.9%), Australian (19.9%), and Irish (10.6%). Some ethnicities showed notable differences: French was slightly overrepresented at 1.2% in Fremantle versus 1.0% regionally, as were Welsh at 1.1% (versus 1.0%) and Croatian at 1.2% (versus 1.4%).

Fremantle hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Fremantle is 43 years, which is higher than Greater Perth's average of 37 years and exceeds the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 55-64 are particularly prominent at 13.6%, while those aged 5-14 are relatively smaller at 9.7%. Between 2021 and present, the 5-14 age group has increased from 7.8% to 9.7%, while the 75-84 cohort has risen from 5.9% to 6.9%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group has decreased from 13.8% to 12.2%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Fremantle's age structure. The 75-84 age cohort is projected to rise substantially by 1,046 people (76%), from 1,376 to 2,423. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 57% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Meanwhile, the 0-4 and 35-44 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.