Gnowangerup
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Gnowangerup's population, as of August 2025, is approximately 3,067 people. This figure represents a growth of 205 individuals since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 2,862. The increase is inferred from the estimated resident population of 3,010 in June 2024 and an additional 55 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 0.20 persons per square kilometer. Gnowangerup's growth rate of 7.2% since the census is within 0.9 percentage points of the SA3 area (8.1%). Natural growth contributed approximately 63.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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 provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future population projections indicate a below-median increase for locations outside capital cities. The area is expected to expand by 336 persons to 2041, with an overall increase of 9.1% over the 17-year period.

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

Gnowangerup has averaged approximately 14 new dwelling approvals annually. Development approval data is produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a financial year basis. Over the past five financial years, from FY20 to FY25, there have been 72 home approvals, with one approval so far in FY26. On average, over these five years, 0.8 new residents per year have arrived for each new home approved.

This matches or exceeds demand, providing more buyer options and potentially supporting population growth beyond current expectations. The average construction cost of new properties is $466,000. In the current financial year, $12.0 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating moderate levels of commercial development.

Compared to the rest of Western Australia, Gnowangerup has slightly more development, with 41.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period. This balance supports both buyer choice and current property values. Recent building activity consists solely of standalone homes, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character and appealing to those seeking space. With around 113 people per approval, Gnowangerup reflects a developing area. Looking ahead, it is projected that Gnowangerup will grow by 279 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, creating good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Gnowangerup has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 23rdth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified three projects expected to impact the region. Notable projects are Southdown Magnetite Mine, Katanning Gold Project, South Coast Highway Improvements: Albany To Esperance, and South West Interconnected System Transformation. Relevant details regarding these projects follow.

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

Employment conditions in Gnowangerup rank among the top 10% of areas assessed nationally

Gnowangerup had an unemployment rate of 0.9% as of June 2025. It employed 1,780 residents with a workforce participation rate of 66.8%, compared to Rest of WA's 59.4%.

The area's leading employment industries were agriculture, forestry & fishing, education & training, and public administration & safety. Agriculture, forestry & fishing had an employment concentration 5.7 times the regional average, while mining employed just 0.8% of local workers compared to Rest of WA's 11.7%. Over the year ending June 2025, Gnowangerup's labour force decreased by 1.7%, with employment down by 0.7%, resulting in a 1.0 percentage point drop in unemployment rate. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, published in May 2025, project growth of approximately 4.0% over five years and 9.6% over ten years for Gnowangerup, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, over the 12 months to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.7% combined with employment decreasing by 0.7%, resulting in the unemployment rate fall by 1.0 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of WA experienced employment growth of 1.1% and labour force growth of 0.5%, with a 0.6 percentage point drop. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Gnowangerup. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Gnowangerup's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately increase by 4.0%% over five years and 9.6% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

Gnowangerup's median income among taxpayers was $51,949 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $68,052 during the same period. This compares to figures for Rest of WA which were $57,323 and $71,163 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $57,980 (median) and $75,953 (average) as of March 2025. According to the 2021 Census, personal income ranks at the 71st percentile ($931 weekly), while household income sits at the 35th percentile. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 captures 30.9% of Gnowangerup's community (947 individuals). Housing costs are manageable with 93.4% retained. Disposable income is below average at the 46th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Gnowangerup is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Gnowangerup's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, were 95.8% houses and 4.2% other dwellings. Non-Metro WA had 92.1% houses and 8.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Gnowangerup was 48.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 24.0% and rented at 27.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $867, below Non-Metro WA's average of $1,490. Median weekly rent in Gnowangerup was $180, compared to Non-Metro WA's $280. Nationally, Gnowangerup's mortgage repayments were lower at $867 than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 68.7% of all households, including 32.1% couples with children, 30.8% couples without children, and 5.3% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 31.3%, with lone person households at 29.5% and group households making up 1.8%. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Rest of WA average of 2.4.

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

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 17.2%, significantly below the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.3%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.5%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.4%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 35.9% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (8.3%) and certificates (27.6%).

Educational participation is high at 26.9%, including 13.3% in primary education, 6.6% in secondary education, and 1.5% pursuing tertiary education. There are nine schools operating within Gnowangerup, educating approximately 390 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 982) and balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes six primary and three K-12 schools. School places per 100 residents stand at 12.7, below the regional average of 16.0, indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

Gnowangerup has nine active public transport stops in operation, offering a mix of bus services. These stops are served by three distinct routes that collectively facilitate six weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these transport services is considered limited, with residents on average residing 21690 meters away from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages zero trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately zero weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Gnowangerup shows higher-than-average health outcomes for both young and elderly residents, with low prevalence rates for common health conditions. Approximately 53% (~1,637 people) have private health cover, compared to WA's overall rate of 49.5%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (8.1%) and mental health issues (7.6%), while 71.5% report being free from any medical ailments, higher than the Rest of WA's 64.7%. The area has a lower proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 14.6% (449 people), compared to 21.0% in the Rest of WA. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, mirroring those of the general population.

Gnowangerup ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Gnowangerup, surveyed in August 2016, had a population with 84.1% citizens, 86.0% born in Australia, and 94.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 43.7%, slightly higher than the regional average of 42.5%. Ancestry-wise, Australian (35.4%) and English (32.0%) were the most prevalent, with Scottish being notable at 7.2%.

Maori (1.1%), South African (0.7%), and Filipino (1.7%) groups showed higher representation compared to regional averages of 0.5%, 0.6%, and 1.2% respectively.

Gnowangerup's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Gnowangerup's median age is 38 years, slightly below the Rest of WA average of 40 but matching the Australian median of 38. The 0-4 cohort is notably higher at 8.7% compared to the Rest of WA average, while the 75-84 year-olds are under-represented at 3.1%. Post the 2021 Census, the 35-44 age group increased from 13.8% to 15.0%, whereas the 55-64 cohort decreased from 14.7% to 12.9%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant changes in Gnowangerup's age profile. The 25-34 cohort is projected to grow by 38%, adding 156 residents to reach 567. Conversely, both the 85+ and 15-24 age groups are expected to decrease.