Geraldton - South
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Geraldton - South are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Geraldton - South's population was 10,333 as of Nov 2021. By Nov 2025, it had increased to around 11,079, a rise of 746 people (7.2%). This growth is inferred from ABS estimates: 11,077 in Jun 2024 and six additional validated addresses since the Census date. The population density was 421 persons per square kilometer by Nov 2025. Over the past decade, Geraldton - South's compound annual growth rate was 0.7%, outpacing its SA3 area. Natural growth contributed approximately 64.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area (released in 2024, base year 2022) and ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for areas not covered by the former. Nationally, non-metropolitan areas are projected to have above median population growth. Geraldton - South is expected to grow by 1,951 persons to 2041, reflecting a 17.6% increase over 17 years based on latest population numbers.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Geraldton - South when compared nationally

Geraldton - South averaged approximately 27 new dwelling approvals per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25135 homes were approved, with a further 28 approved in FY-26. Each year, an average of 4.6 new residents arrived per dwelling constructed during this period.

This results in demand significantly exceeding new supply, leading to price growth and increased buyer competition. The average construction value for new properties was $289,000. In the current financial year, $2.1 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating the area's residential nature. Compared to Rest of WA, Geraldton - South has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 45th percentile nationally, offering limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing homes.

New building activity comprises 94.0% detached dwellings and 6.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character focused on family homes. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 614 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. Looking ahead, Geraldton - South is projected to grow by 1,949 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Geraldton - South has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 0thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 17 projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Revised Wandina Structure Plan, Geraldton Cycling Network Expansion Project, Geraldton Cycle Network Expansion Project, and Meru Waste Management Facility Gas Flaring System Project. Below is a list detailing those most relevant.

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

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Geraldton - South ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Geraldton - South has a skilled workforce with an unemployment rate of 1.7% as of June 2025. It has 5,760 residents in work, with an unemployment rate 1.5% lower than the Rest of WA's rate of 3.2%.

Workforce participation is higher at 67.3%, compared to the Rest of WA's 59.4%. Key employment industries are health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. Geraldton - South specializes in health care & social assistance with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level, but agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented at 3.7% compared to Rest of WA's 9.3%. The area may have limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data analysis.

Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 2.2% while employment declined by 2.2%, leaving unemployment broadly flat. In contrast, Rest of WA had employment growth of 1.1% and labour force growth of 0.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Geraldton - South's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.4% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Geraldton - South had a median income of $55,121 and an average income of $68,797. Both figures are above the national averages. The Rest of WA had a median income of $57,323 and an average income of $71,163 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 14.2% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Geraldton - South would be approximately $62,948 (median) and $78,566 (average) as of September 2025. Census data indicates that incomes in Geraldton - South cluster around the 68th percentile nationally. Income distribution shows that 36.3% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999, with this band capturing 4,021 individuals. This aligns with the broader area where this cohort represents 31.1%. After housing costs, residents retain 87.7% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Geraldton - South's dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 86.9% houses and 13.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro WA's 87.5% houses and 12.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Geraldton - South was at 29.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 41.4% and rented ones at 28.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,661, higher than Non-Metro WA's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent was $300, compared to Non-Metro WA's $250. Nationally, Geraldton - South's median monthly mortgage repayment is lower at $1,661 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and median weekly rent is substantially lower at $300 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 74.8% of all households, including 32.6% couples with children, 30.0% couples without children, and 11.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 25.2%, with lone person households at 22.7% and group households comprising 2.5%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is larger than the Rest of WA average of 2.4.

Educational outcomes in Geraldton - South fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 19.5%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 42.0% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (10.6%) and certificates (31.4%). Educational participation is high, with 31.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 12.1% in primary, 9.8% in secondary, and 2.4% in tertiary education. The area has two primary schools, Wandina Primary School and Mount Tarcoola Primary School, serving a total of 861 students. These schools focus on primary education, with secondary options available nearby due to limited local capacity (7.8 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 16.8).

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

Geraldton-South has 65 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 7 different routes that together offer 99 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents on average being located 235 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 14 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately one weekly trip per individual stop.

The level of general health in Geraldton - South is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Geraldton - South demonstrates above-average health outcomes.

Both young and old age cohorts show low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is approximately 54%, with around 5,949 people having it. Asthma and mental health issues are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 8.2% and 7.5% of residents respectively. About 70.7% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 66.8% across Rest of WA. The area has 14.6% of residents aged 65 and over (1,620 people), which is lower than the 18.3% in Rest of WA. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

In terms of cultural diversity, Geraldton - South records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Geraldton-South, in terms of cultural diversity, closely mirrors the broader regional average. Its population is composed of 88.1% citizens, with 82.1% born in Australia and 89.6% speaking English at home. Christianity dominates Geraldton-South's religious landscape, with 51.7%.

Islam, however, is more prevalent here than regionally, making up 2.2% compared to the Rest of WA's 1.3%. The top three ancestral groups are English (29.8%), Australian (29.2%), and Irish (7.6%). Notably, South African descent is overrepresented at 1.2%, Australian Aboriginal at 4.4%, and New Zealand at 0.8% compared to regional averages of 0.6%, 6.9%, and 0.6% respectively.

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

Geraldton-South's median age is 38 years, slightly below the Rest of WA average of 40 but in line with Australia's median age of 38. Comparing Geraldton-South to the Rest of WA, those aged 5-14 are notably over-represented at 14.6%, while those aged 55-64 are under-represented at 10.6%. Post the 2021 Census, the 25-34 age group has increased from 11.9% to 13.2% of the population, while the 55-64 cohort has decreased from 12.2% to 10.6%, and the 5-14 group has dropped from 15.8% to 14.6%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Geraldton-South's age profile. The 25-34 cohort is projected to grow by 49%, adding 719 residents to reach 2,183. Conversely, both the 65-74 and 85+ age groups are expected to decrease in number.