Girrawheen

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

According to the assessments conducted by AreaSearch, the population of Girrawheen is close to 10,270 in May 2026. This represents a gain of 1,373 individuals (15.4%) relative to the 2021 Census, which recorded 8,897 residents. This adjustment is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 10,268 and 58 validated new addresses registered after the Census. Such a population size results in a density of 2,511 persons per square kilometer, placing the suburb in the top quartile of all Australian regions analyzed. The expansion rate of 15.4% since the 2021 census outpaced the national benchmark (9.3%) and the wider SA4 region, establishing the suburb as a local growth frontrunner. The primary driver of this population growth was overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 81.8% of the total resident gains in recent times.

ABS and Geoscience Australia projections published in 2024, utilising 2022 as the baseline, are utilised by AreaSearch for each SA2 unit. For areas where this direct data is unavailable, as well as for projecting growth past 2032, calculations rely on age cohort growth rates from the latest Greater Capital Region projections published by the ABS in 2023 using 2022 statistics. Looking at long-term demographic paths, the suburb is projected to experience expansion slightly below the national median, adding 444 individuals by 2041 relative to the most recent annual ERP figures, translating to a total growth of 4.3% over the 16 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Girrawheen among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Approximately 51 homes receive building approval annually in Girrawheen, representing a total of 257 residential dwellings over the last 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 55 approvals have been registered to date. With an average of 4.9 new residents per built dwelling arriving annually over the 5 financial years spanning FY-21 to FY-25, new additions are lagging behind demand, suggesting intense buyer rivalry and upward pricing pressure, while new structures carry an average building cost of $154,000—a figure below the regional average—offering more budget-friendly construction options. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $6.9 million during this financial year, emphasizing that the locality remains largely residential.

In comparison to Greater Perth, the rate of new residential approvals per resident in Girrawheen is roughly half, placing the locality in the 47th percentile of all areas evaluated nationwide, which limits options for buyers and sustains demand for established properties. Residential construction activity consists of 76.0% detached houses and 24.0% attached dwellings, maintaining a suburban character with a preference for single-family homes that appeal to buyers seeking space. The ratio of approximately 371 people for each dwelling approval indicates a mature real estate market.

Demographic projections suggest that Girrawheen is set to add 442 residents by 2041, starting from the most recent quarterly estimate by AreaSearch. With current building rates, residential supply appears positioned to satisfy demand, offering favorable circumstances for purchasers and potentially supporting growth that outpaces current predictions.

Girrawheen has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 33rdth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure, major developments, and urban planning schemes represent key influences on the performance of a suburb. In total, 5 projects have been identified by AreaSearch as having a potential impact on this area. Principal initiatives include the Girrawheen Hub Precinct Redevelopment, the TAFE Balga Campus Skills Hub, The Amble Estate (redeveloping the former Hainsworth Primary School site), and the Perth Active Transport Network, with the primary details of these developments set out below.

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

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Employment drivers in Girrawheen are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

The local labor market in Girrawheen displays a mix of white-collar and blue-collar workers, with strong employment in industrial and manufacturing fields, an unemployment rate of 14.6%, and an estimated annual job growth of 2.1%. As of March 2026, 4,513 local residents are employed, while the unemployment rate is 10.4% higher than the Greater Perth metric of 4.2%, indicating potential for betterment, and labor force participation is notably lower (62.3% compared to 70.2% across Greater Perth). According to Census records, a minor 3.8% of the workforce operated from home, though this may have been influenced by pandemic lockdowns.

Local resident employment is largely clustered within health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. There is a prominent concentration of workers in the manufacturing sector, where employment density is 1.5 times the wider regional average. Conversely, professional & technical roles are underrepresented, accounting for 4.5% of local jobs compared to the regional figure of 8.2%. The high ratio of resident workers relative to local Census jobs suggest that this predominantly suburban neighborhood offers few employment positions within its own boundaries.

Based on SALM and ABS statistics compiled by AreaSearch, the 12 months ending March 2026 saw employment expand by 2.1% while the overall labor force grew by 3.9%, leading to a 1.5 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. Over the same span, Greater Perth experienced a 2.0% rise in employment, a 2.5% expansion in the labor force, and a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. Long-term national employment projections from May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context on future local demand. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce distribution to project future trends. While employment nationwide is predicted to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rates vary widely by industry. Weighting these sectoral forecasts against the local workforce structure indicates that Girrawheen's employment could rise by 6.0% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, representing a simple proportional projection that excludes local population shifts.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

According to postcode-level ATO records compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, the median income of taxpayers in the Girrawheen SA2 stands at $47,381, with an average of $54,106. These figures sit below national marks, contrasting with a median of $60,748 and an average of $80,248 in Greater Perth. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 would stand at approximately $52,560 for the median and $60,020 for the average. Census data places household, family, and individual incomes in Girrawheen within the 9th to 16th national percentiles. The largest income group comprises 30.8% of the population earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (3,163 residents), which aligns closely with the regional rate of 32.0% in this range. Financial pressure from housing is significant, leaving residents with only 81.4% of their income, which ranks in the 14th percentile.

Girrawheen is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The distribution of residential structures in Girrawheen at the time of the latest Census stood at 77.0% houses and 23.0% alternative dwellings (such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and other units), compared to 77.8% houses and 22.1% alternative dwellings across metropolitan Perth. The home ownership rate in Girrawheen trailed the metropolitan average at 25.4%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (39.3%) or occupied by tenants (35.3%). The median monthly payment for home loans in the area was $1,400, well below the Perth metropolitan average, while weekly rent sat at $293, compared to metropolitan Perth figures of $1,907 and $350. On a national level, Girrawheen's mortgage payments are notably lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and rent costs remain substantially below the national median of $375.

Girrawheen features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Families make up the majority of households at 65.2%, consisting of couples with children at 26.5%, couples without children at 19.9%, and single-parent households at 17.2%. The remaining 34.8% are non-family households, which include single-person households at 29.7% and group housing arrangements at 5.0%. The median household occupancy is 2.6 people, matching the average for Greater Perth.

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

The region shows lower levels of educational attainment, with university completion rates at 14.9%, substantially below the national average of 30.4%. This highlights a clear opportunity for focused educational programs. Among degree holders, bachelor qualifications are most common at 11.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.7% and graduate diplomas at 1.2%. Vocational and technical training is common, with 35.3% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, split between advanced diplomas (8.9%) and certificates (26.4%).

The proportion of residents engaged in study is quite high, with 31.1% of the population currently enrolled in education. This comprises 10.2% in primary schools, 8.3% in secondary schools, and 4.5% undertaking tertiary studies.

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

An analysis of public transit shows 59 active transport stops in Girrawheen, consisting of bus services. These stops are connected to 11 different routes, which together provide 2,506 passenger journeys each week. Transit access is classified as excellent, with residents living an average of 176 meters from their nearest stop. Because the suburb is primarily residential, most commuters travel outside the area, with private cars remaining the primary transport mode at 85% and train travel at 8%. Motor vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per household, which is below the regional average. A small share of residents (3.8%) worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.

Service frequencies average 358 daily journeys across all routes, which corresponds to roughly 42 weekly journeys at each transit stop.

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

An evaluation of death rates and chronic illness indicators by AreaSearch shows that Girrawheen faces notable health difficulties, with common illnesses prevalent in both younger and older demographics, and private health insurance coverage is low at roughly 47% of the population (~4,785 people). This contrasts with 59.0% across Greater Perth and a national benchmark of 55.7%.

Mental health concerns and asthma represent the most frequent medical conditions, affecting 9.1% and 7.8% of the population respectively, while 69.0% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 71.9% in Greater Perth. Chronic health conditions are more common than average among working-age individuals. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 15.5% of the population (1,595 people). Health measures among older residents present some challenges, with national percentiles matching those of the broader community.

Girrawheen is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Girrawheen displays a high level of cultural variety, with 40.0% of the population using a non-English language at home and 43.3% of residents born outside Australia. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, claimed by 46.7% of local residents. However, the most distinct religious concentration is in Buddhism, which accounts for 6.8% of the local population compared to 2.7% across Greater Perth.

Looking at ancestral backgrounds, the three most common heritages in Girrawheen are English at 21.8% of the population (lower than the regional average of 28.0%), Other at 21.7% (higher than the regional average of 11.2%), and Australian at 18.2%. There are also distinct concentrations of other backgrounds: Vietnamese residents represent 5.7% of Girrawheen (compared to 0.8% across the region), Macedonian represents 1.6% (compared to 0.4%), and Serbian stands at 0.6% (compared to 0.3%).

Girrawheen's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

With a median age of 36 years, Girrawheen is close to the Greater Perth median of 37 and slightly below the Australian median of 38. The suburb has a higher share of youth aged 15 - 24 (14.1%) but fewer residents aged 35 - 44 (14.4%) than Greater Perth. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 grew from 4.5% to 5.5%, whereas the cohort aged 0 to 4 shrank from 6.6% to 5.4%. Demographic models point to significant shifts in the age structure by 2041. The group aged 75 to 84 is projected to experience the fastest growth at 57%, adding 321 people to total 887. Seniors aged 65+ are expected to account for 68% of overall population growth, highlight the aging trend. In contrast, the cohorts aged 15 to 24 and 0 to 4 are projected to shrink.