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 approximately 8,523 as of November 2025, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure represents an increase of 699 people, an 8.9% rise from the 2021 Census count of 7,824 individuals. The change is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 8,483 in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 105 persons per square kilometer. Geraldton - East's growth rate exceeded both its SA3 area (7.5%) and SA4 region between 2021 and 2025, making it a growth leader. Natural growth contributed approximately 75.2% to the overall population gains during this period.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and post-2032 estimations, AreaSearch employs growth rates by age cohort from the ABS's Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future population dynamics anticipate a median increase for regional Australia, with Geraldton - East expected to grow by 801 persons to reach 9,324 by 2041, marking an 8.9% total gain over the 17-year period.

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 over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, with a total of 139 homes approved during this period and an additional 6 approved so far in FY-26. On average, 1.8 people moved to the area for each dwelling built over these five years, suggesting balanced supply and demand conditions. However, recent data indicates this ratio has increased to 4.4 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, reflecting the area's growing popularity. New properties are constructed at an average value of $291,000.

In terms of commercial development, $24.4 million in approvals have been recorded this financial year, indicating balanced activity in this sector compared to residential development. When comparing Geraldton - East with other regions, it has around three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person when compared to Rest of WA. Nationally, it places among the 54th percentile of areas assessed for new dwelling approvals, suggesting its activity is below average but not significantly so. New development in Geraldton - East consists predominantly of standalone homes at 95.0%, with medium and high-density housing making up the remaining 5.0%.

This preserves the area's low density nature and caters to space-seeking buyers. With approximately 331 people per dwelling approval, the market is developing but not yet highly active. Population forecasts indicate Geraldton - East will gain around 761 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand readily, 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

Twelve projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to influence the local area's performance. Key projects include Mount Tarcoola Brand Highway Residential Development Plan, Geraldton Cycling Network Expansion Project, Geraldton Cycle Network Expansion Project, and Geraldton Green Connect Project. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

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

Geraldton - East has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, prominent manufacturing and industrial sectors, and an unemployment rate of 5.9% as of June 2025. The area's employment rate is 2.8% higher than the Rest of WA's rate of 3.2%, while workforce participation stands at 57.3%, lower than Rest of WA's 59.4%.

Key sectors for residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Retail trade is particularly strong, with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing show lower representation at 3.4% compared to the regional average of 9.3%. Local employment opportunities appear limited, as indicated by Census data showing fewer working residents than expected based on population.

Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 2.3%, while employment declined by 2.1%, reducing unemployment by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of WA saw employment grow by 1.1% and a decrease in unemployment by 0.6 percentage points during the same period. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May 2025) project national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across sectors. 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.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for the financial year ending June 2022 shows Geraldton - East had a median income among taxpayers of $55,737 and an average of $69,332. This is higher than the national average. The Rest of WA had a median income of $57,323 and an average of $71,163 during this period. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022, current estimates for Geraldton - East would be approximately $63,652 (median) and $79,177 (average) as of September 2025. According to the Census conducted in August 2021, 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 (2,659 people) fall into the $1,500 - $2,999 category, similar to metropolitan regions where 31.1% occupy this range. After accounting for 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 evaluated at the latest Census held on 28 August 2016, comprised 95.2% houses and 4.8% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro WA had 87.5% houses and 12.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Geraldton - East was at 32.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 45.2% and rented ones at 22.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, aligning with the Non-Metro WA average. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $225, compared to Non-Metro WA's $250. Nationally, Geraldton - East's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 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 account for 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 disparity presents both challenges and opportunities for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 6.9%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.3%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.0%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 44.6% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas comprise 8.2%, while certificates account for 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. The educational mix includes two primary schools, one secondary school, 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

Geraldton - East has 34 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops are served by a mix of buses running along five individual routes. Together, these routes provide 80 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility in the area is rated as limited, with residents typically located 936 meters from their nearest transport stop. On average, service frequency across all routes is 11 trips per day, which equates to approximately two weekly trips per individual 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% (~4,636 people). Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 9.1 and 8.4% of residents respectively. About 67.4% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 66.8% across Rest of WA. As of 2016 data, 13.6% of residents are aged 65 and over (1,155 people), which is lower than the 18.3% in 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 had a lower cultural diversity index, with 82.8% of its residents being citizens, 88.6% born in Australia, and 93.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 49.6%. Islam was overrepresented compared to the rest of WA, comprising 1.3% versus 1.3%.

The top three ancestry groups were Australian (31.2%), English (30.2%), and Australian Aboriginal (10.2%). Dutch (1.4%) and Filipino (1.1%) were also overrepresented compared to regional averages of 1.3% and 1.0%, respectively. Maori, at 0.5%, was underrepresented compared to the region's average of 0.7%.

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

The median age in Geraldton - East is 36 years, which is lower than the Rest of WA's average of 40 years, and also under the national average of 38 years. The 15-24 age cohort is notably over-represented in Geraldton-East at 13.9%, compared to the Rest of WA average. Conversely, the 65-74 year-olds are under-represented at 8.4%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 25 to 34 age group has increased from 11.7% to 13.3% of the population. Meanwhile, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 14.3% to 12.6%, and the 55 to 64 group has dropped from 13.6% to 12.2%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Geraldton-East, with the 25 to 34 age group projected to grow by 46%, reaching 1,659 people from 1,136. However, both the 55 to 64 and 75 to 84 age groups are expected to decrease in numbers.