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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Halls Creek has an estimated 4,265 residents, up from 3,603 at the 2021 Census — a change of 662 people, or 18.4%. Growth has averaged 1.5% a year over five years, faster than 89% of areas nationally. Natural increase accounts for 60.8% of that increase. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to AreaSearch, the resident count in Halls Creek stands at approximately 4,265 as of Aug 2026. This marks an expansion of 662 people (18.4%) relative to the 2021 Census tally of 3,603 people. This trend is derived from the ABS estimated resident population of 4,265 recorded as of June 2025 alongside 5 validated new addresses added following the Census date. With such numbers across its expanse, the population density registers at virtually no residents per square kilometer, ensuring substantial space for inhabitants. Outpacing both the 9.5% national benchmark and the broader Rest of WA, the area's 18.4% post-2021 Census expansion establishes it as a regional frontrunner in demographic growth.
The primary catalyst behind these increases was natural increase, accounting for roughly 60.8% of net additions throughout recent periods. Projections published in 2024 using 2022 as a base period by ABS/Geoscience Australia are applied by AreaSearch across SA2 regions. In locations lacking direct coverage or for projections extending beyond 2032, cohort growth rates from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023 from 2022 data) are incorporated. Looking forward, demographic expansion is anticipated to sit slightly under the median for regional markets nationwide, with expectations that the locality will gain 399 persons by 2041 according to recent annual ERP data, translating to an overall rise of 9.4% throughout the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
37 new dwellings have been approved in Halls Creek over the past five years, an average of 7 a year. That is 1.8 approvals per 1,000 residents. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential construction permissions in Halls Creek have averaged roughly 7 new dwellings per year, culminating in 37 homes across the previous 5 financial years. Between FY-22 and FY-26, incoming population additions averaged 8.1 people annually for every newly constructed residence, creating a dynamic where demand substantially outpaces building activity, a trend that typically heightens buyer rivalry and elevates property values. Meanwhile, new residential builds carry an average construction value of $805,000, illustrating builder concentration on higher-tier development. Non-residential activity remains subdued, with commercial approvals generating $377,000 during the current financial year.
Per capita building volumes in Halls Creek sit at roughly half the rate recorded across the Rest of WA and position the district in the 33rd percentile across Australia, constraining supply choices for purchasers and reinforcing interest in the established dwelling market despite recent upticks in construction tempo. These volumes also trail national figures, signalling a mature development landscape alongside potential building bottlenecks. Detached houses comprise 88.0% of recent residential development whereas attached homes account for 12.0%, sustaining the low-density fabric and providing expansive lots that appeal to buyers desiring room. An estimated 1177 people per residential approval underscores the subdued development setting. Moving toward 2041, forecasts from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate indicate Halls Creek will add 399 residents. Current building volumes appear well-calibrated to accommodate this projected demand, fostering market equilibrium and mitigating acute price strain.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Halls Creek
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Halls Creek, worth an estimated $62 million. A further 65 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $17.3 billion. 20 are already under construction and 16 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, ports, marinas, fisheries & aquaculture and energy. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Strategic planning, public works, and regional capital projects serve as major drivers of local economic trajectory. AreaSearch has pinpointed 3 key developments poised to affect the community, with major initiatives including East Kimberley Clean Energy Project, Halls Creek to Kununurra Bridges, Gibb River Road Upgrades, and Northern Territory Freight Rail And Logistics Capacity Improvements, with the subsequent breakdown outlining the most significant undertakings.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Halls Creek to Kununurra Bridges
Upgrade of the Great Northern Highway in the Kimberley to replace three single lane bridges at Arthur Creek, Frog Hollow Creek and Tickalara Creek with new dual lane structures and to widen about 26 km of highway between Halls Creek and Kununurra. The works improve safety and traffic flow, reduce the risk of head on crashes and cut delays caused by stopping at single lane crossings. The new bridges are designed for a 100 year flood event, improving flood resilience and reliability for freight, local communities and tourists.Tickalara Creek and Frog Hollow Creek bridges were completed and opened to traffic in 2024, with the Arthur Creek bridge delivered under the same package, and the project is now reported as complete.
Ord River Irrigation Scheme Expansion
A major project to expand the Ord River Irrigation Area to up to 50,000 hectares, aiming to create a productive and environmentally responsible farming region. The project includes a $322.5 million Royalties for Regions investment and aims to double the size of the Ord Irrigation Scheme Area.
East Kimberley Clean Energy Project
The East Kimberley Clean Energy Project is a planned multi-billion-dollar green hydrogen and ammonia initiative combining up to 1 GW of solar PV with approximately 20 MW of hydro capacity from Lake Argyle. Produced hydrogen will be piped approximately 120 km to the Port of Wyndham for export-oriented green ammonia production. The project is led by the Aboriginal Clean Energy Partnership alongside Pollination and is currently undergoing feasibility and environmental studies.
Manjali Studio School
A new residential studio school for middle-year Indigenous students (Years 7-9) located on Bunuba country. The school was developed in partnership with the Bunuba community and Studio Schools of Australia, featuring innovative learning spaces and accommodation.
Kimberley Wilderness Walk
Development of a long-distance trek through the Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges, aimed at boosting tourism and providing new visitor experiences in the conservation park. Funding has been allocated in state budgets to progress the project.
East Kimberley Regional Airport Runway Extension
Stage 2 upgrade extending the runway at East Kimberley Regional Airport (EKRA) in Kununurra from 1,829m to 2,370m and widening it from 30m to 45m to accommodate unrestricted Code 4C aircraft operations (Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A320). Works include taxiway upgrades, new and upgraded aprons, communications infrastructure and lighting upgrades. The project removes current weight and passenger restrictions that limit the Virgin Australia 737-800 Perth service to as few as 146 passengers. Funded jointly by the Commonwealth ($13.5m), State ($2.5m) and Shire ($1.5m) governments.Contractor ACG commenced works on 10 March 2025 with major works targeted for completion by October 2025. Approximately 55 jobs are directly supported during construction.
Kununurra Foreshore Plan
A comprehensive plan to manage and preserve the Lake Kununurra Foreshore, focusing on ecological preservation, cultural heritage, and future development.
Moonamang Road Sealing Project
WA Government $18.3 million commitment to seal remaining 7.5km of Moonamang Road to NT border. Provides year-round all-weather access to Legune Station supporting Project Sea Dragon and regional connectivity.
1,050 residents of Halls Creek are employed, from a labour force of 1,387. Unemployment sits at 24.3%, with participation at 42.5%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local labour market features a mix of white and blue collar vocations, highlighted by strong participation in community services, alongside an unemployment rate of 24.3% and a 5.6% employment expansion over the preceding year. As of March 2026, employed residents total 1,050, though the unemployment rate exceeds the 3.5% seen in Regional WA by 20.8%, highlighting employment challenges, while labour force participation at 42.5% sits well below Regional WA's 65.4%. Census records show that only 3.5% of workers carried out their duties from home, a metric that may have been influenced by Covid-19 restrictions.
Resident employment centers predominantly around education & training, health care & social assistance, and public administration & safety. Specialisation in education & training is especially pronounced, tracking at 2.9 times the regional standard. Conversely, the mining sector employs just 4.4% of local workers compared to 11.7% across Regional WA. Comparing the resident population to the local Census workplace counts suggests a constrained volume of local job opportunities. According to AreaSearch evaluations of ABS and SALM releases, the 12 months leading to March 2026 witnessed a 5.6% rise in employment alongside a 3.4% expansion in the labour pool, reducing local unemployment by 1.6 percentage points. Over the identical timeframe, Regional WA recorded an employment decline of 0.1%, a 0.3% increase in the labour force, and a 0.4 percentage point uptick in unemployment. National outlooks from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide additional context regarding future labour trends. Mapping these five and ten-year nationwide models onto the local industry distribution suggests employment growth in Halls Creek of 6.4% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, contrasted against broader national projections of 6.6% and 13.7% respectively (noting this is a weighted extrapolation for demonstration and excludes local demographic adjustments).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Halls Creek is $1,096 a week (about $57,000 a year), with median personal income at $362 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $46,819 a year against an average of $57,378. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO records at the postcode level for financial year 2023 analysed by AreaSearch show that earnings across the Halls Creek SA2 trail nationwide norms, reflecting a median of $46,819 and an average of $57,378, compared to $59,973 and $74,392 across Regional WA. Adjusting for a 10.93% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 indicates updated values of approximately $51,936 for median earnings and $63,649 for average earnings as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census indicates personal, family, and household earnings all place between the 1st and 7th percentiles across the country.
In terms of brackets, 29.4% of residents (1,253 people) fall in the $800 - 1,499 range, whereas the regional majority sits in the $1,500 - 2,999 band at 31.1%. Even though 92.1% of earnings are retained after housing outlays, overall disposable income sits at the 14th percentile across Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Halls Creek had 909 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 84% detached houses and 2% apartments. 2% are owned with a mortgage, 90% rented and 8% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $90 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,600 a month. Rent absorbs 8.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 33.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, separate houses made up 83.8% of the housing stock in Halls Creek, with remaining structures such as apartments, semi-detached, and other formats accounting for 16.2%, in contrast to 88.5% houses and 11.6% other dwellings across Regional WA. Outright home ownership stood at 8.3%, trailing regional levels, while mortgaged properties accounted for 1.5% and rented dwellings comprised 90.2%. Monthly mortgage payments showed a median of $1,600, surpassing the Regional WA median of $1,560, whereas weekly rents averaged $90 against $265 regionally. On a national scale, mortgage costs in Halls Creek remain lower than the $1,863 Australian norm, and rental payments are well below the nationwide figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Halls Creek counted 909 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,076 today, averaging 3.3 people each. 28% are couples with children, against 13% couples without children. 27% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the majority of living arrangements at 70.6%, divided among single parent households (25.4%), couples with children (27.8%), and couples without children (12.8%). The balance of 29.4% is made up of non-family homes, comprising group living at 2.1% and single occupants at 27.0%. Average household occupancy sits at 3.3 people, exceeding the 2.5 person average found across Regional WA.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
12.3% of adults in Halls Creek hold a university qualification, including 8.4% with a bachelor degree and 2.2% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 96% of areas nationally. A further 24.9% hold a vocational qualification. 9 schools serve the area, with 619 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 665 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment levels present substantial hurdles, as tertiary degree holders represent 12.3% of the populace compared with the nationwide figure of 30.4%, creating possibilities for targeted learning programmes. Bachelor degrees represent 8.4% of qualifications, followed by postgraduate awards at 2.2% and graduate diplomas at 1.7%. Vocational education is common, with 28.7% of residents aged 15+ possessing technical qualifications, consisting of certificates (24.9%) and advanced diplomas (3.8%). Engagement in formal study is considerable, with 33.0% of the community undertaking an educational course. Broken down by level, primary schooling represents 18.1%, secondary education accounts for 9.4%, and higher education study constitutes 1.0%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
82.8% of residents in Halls Creek report no long-term health condition. 3.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 47.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 13.3 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators in Halls Creek align relatively well with nationwide standards based on AreaSearch findings regarding chronic illnesses and mortality rates, exhibiting regular prevalence rates across both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance adoption is limited, covering approximately 48% of residents (~2,030 people), below the Regional WA benchmark of 56.4% and the national rate of 55.7%. Asthma and diabetes represent the primary diagnosed medical conditions, recorded among 4.2% and 6.5% of the populace respectively, while 82.8% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, outperforming the Regional WA rate of 69.3%.
Seniors aged 65 and over comprise 6.8% of the local population (292 people), compared with 19.1% across Regional WA, with older residents registering notable health results that outrank national comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Halls Creek is largely Australian-born, at 94.3% of residents, with 54.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian Aboriginal (73.0%) and English (8.3%). 73.0% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Measures of cultural diversity in Halls Creek track above average, with 5.7% of the population born abroad and 54.6% using a language other than English in their households. Religious affiliation is predominantly Christian, representing 73.4% of the population, in contrast to 44.6% throughout Regional WA. Regarding ancestral background based on parental country of birth, the primary heritage in Halls Creek is Australian Aboriginal at 73.0%, well above the 6.1% regional average. English heritage represents 8.3% compared to 31.3% in Regional WA, while Australian ancestry accounts for 6.4% compared with 28.4% regionally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Halls Creek is 29, younger than 98% of areas nationally. 36.0% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The demographic structure of Halls Creek is heavily weighted toward working-age people raising families. AreaSearch figures from August 2026 indicate that 40.9% of the population consists of children and youths (0 - 24) compared to 29.1% across Regional WA, whereas elderly cohorts (65+) constitute only 6.8%, well below the regional proportion of 19.1%. The median age is estimated at 29 as at August 2026, remaining identical to the 2021 Census and sitting 11 years younger than the Regional WA median of 40 from that Census, where the Australian median was 38.
The 25 - 44 cohort expanded from 31.0% at the Census to an estimated 33.1%. Looking to 2041, this 25 - 44 age bracket is projected to see the strongest gain of 378 residents (27%) to reach 1,790, while the younger cohort (0 - 24) is anticipated to decline.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Halls Creek
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Nov 2025 11 months ago all 1 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Nov 2025. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 5 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,603 at the 2021 Census → 4,265 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (510011264). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.