Geraldton - East
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Geraldton - East's population was around 8,520 as of Aug 2025, reflecting an increase of 696 people since the 2021 Census. The ABS estimated resident population in June 2024 was 8,483, with an additional 15 validated new addresses recorded since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 105 persons per square kilometer. Geraldton - East's growth rate of 8.9% since the 2021 census exceeded both its SA3 area (7.4%) and SA4 region, making it a growth leader. Natural growth contributed approximately 75.2% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch is using ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered by this data, 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). Future population dynamics suggest an increase just below Australia's regional median to 2041. The area is expected to gain 801 persons by then, recording a total growth of 9.0% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Geraldton - East recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Geraldton - East averaged approximately 27 new dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis. Between FY-21 and FY-25139 dwellings were approved, with 4 more approved in FY-26 so far. Over the past five financial years, an average of 1.8 people moved to the area per dwelling built. However, this figure has increased to 4.4 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating the area's growing popularity and potential supply constraints.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost value of $451,000. This year, $24.4 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of WA, Geraldton - East has around three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 54th percentile nationally for this metric. The area's new development consists of 95.0% standalone homes and 5.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving its low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers with an average of around 331 people per dwelling approval.

Population forecasts indicate Geraldton - East will gain 764 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Geraldton - East has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 3rdth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified nine projects likely impacting the region. Notable initiatives include Geraldton Homemaker Centre Expansion, Geraldton Green Connect Project, Geraldton Youth Precinct Masterplan Development, and Revised Wandina Structure Plan. Below are details on projects most relevant to the area.

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

The labour market performance in Geraldton - East lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Geraldton - East has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs, prominent manufacturing and industrial sectors, and an unemployment rate of 5.9% as of June 2025. There are 3,730 employed residents, with an unemployment rate 2.8% higher than Rest of WA's 3.2%.

Workforce participation is lower at 57.3%, compared to Rest of WA's 59.4%. Key employment sectors are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Retail trade shows strong specialization with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has lower representation at 3.4% versus the regional average of 9.3%.

The area may offer limited local employment opportunities, as suggested by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, labour force decreased by 2.3%, employment declined by 2.1%, causing unemployment rate to fall by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of WA saw employment grow by 1.1%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May 2025) project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Geraldton - East's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.9% over five years and 12.5% over ten years, using simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 2022, Geraldton - East's median income among taxpayers is $55,737. The average income in the same period was $69,332. This is higher than the national average. In comparison, Rest of WA had a median income of $57,323 and an average of $71,163 during this time. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.61% since financial year ending June 2022, current estimates for Geraldton - East would be approximately $62,208 (median) and $77,381 (average) as of March 2025. According to the 2021 Census data, incomes in Geraldton - East rank modestly, between the 32nd and 39th percentiles for households, families, and individuals. The earnings profile shows that 31.2% of locals (2,658 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income category, which is similar to the pattern seen in metropolitan regions where 31.1% occupy this range. After housing costs, 86.6% of income remains for other expenses.

Geraldton - East is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Dwelling structure in Geraldton - East, as assessed at the Census conducted on 9 August 2016, consisted of 95.2% houses and 4.8% other dwellings including semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In contrast, Non-Metro WA had a dwelling structure of 87.5% houses and 12.5% other dwellings during the same period. Home ownership in Geraldton - East stood at 32.8%, with mortgaged properties accounting for 45.2% and rented dwellings making up 22.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Geraldton - East was $1,517, aligning with the Non-Metro WA average, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $225 compared to Non-Metro WA's figures of $1,517 and $250 respectively. Nationally, Geraldton - East's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, as reported on 30 June 2021, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375 for the same period.

Geraldton - East has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 75.6% of all households, including 30.3% couples with children, 28.4% couples without children, and 15.5% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 24.4%, with lone person households at 22.0% and group households comprising 2.2%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Rest of WA average of 2.4.

Geraldton - East faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 9.2%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 6.9%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.3%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.0%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 44.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (8.2%) and certificates (36.4%).

Educational participation is high at 35.7%, including 13.9% in primary education, 12.1% in secondary education, and 2.0% pursuing tertiary education. Geraldton - East's four schools have a combined enrollment of 1,703 students as of the latest available data. The educational mix includes two primary, one secondary, and one K-12 school.

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

Transport analysis shows 34 active public transport stops operating in Geraldton - East, with a mix of bus services. These stops are served by five individual routes, offering a total of 80 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 936 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages eleven trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately two weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Geraldton - East is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Geraldton East faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent among both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is high at approximately 54%, covering about 4,634 people. Mental health issues impact 9.1% of residents, while asthma affects 8.4%. About 67.4% report no medical ailments, compared to 66.8% in the rest of WA. The area has 13.6% of residents aged 65 and over (1,155 people), which is lower than the 18.3% in the rest of WA.

Geraldton - East is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Geraldton-East was found to have a below average level of cultural diversity, with 82.8% of its population being citizens, 88.6% born in Australia, and 93.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Geraldton-East, making up 49.6% of its population. Islam is notably overrepresented in Geraldton-East, comprising 1.3% compared to the regional average of 1.3%.

The top three ancestry groups in Geraldton-East are Australian (31.2%), English (30.2%), and Australian Aboriginal (10.2%). There are also notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Dutch is overrepresented at 1.4% compared to the regional average of 1.3%, Maori is underrepresented at 0.5% compared to 0.7%, and Filipino is slightly overrepresented at 1.1% compared to 1.0%.

Geraldton - East's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Geraldton - East is 36 years, which is lower than Rest of WA's average of 40 years and also under the national average of 38 years. The 15-24 cohort makes up 13.9% of the population in Geraldton - East compared to Rest of WA's average, indicating over-representation, while the 65-74 age group is under-represented at 8.4%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 25-34 age group has grown from 11.7% to 13.3%, the 45-54 cohort has declined from 14.3% to 12.6%, and the 55-64 group has dropped from 13.6% to 12.2%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 suggest significant demographic changes in Geraldton - East. Notably, the 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 46%, adding 523 people and reaching a total of 1,659 from its current figure of 1,135. Conversely, both the 55-64 and 75-84 age groups are expected to decrease in numbers.