Irwin
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Irwin reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Irwin's population was 3,905 as of August 2025, based on AreaSearch's analysis. This represents an increase of 225 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,680 people. The change is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 3,864 as of June 2024 and an additional 33 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1.6 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Irwin has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 0.4%, outperforming its SA3 area. Interstate migration contributed approximately 85.2% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and to estimate growth post-2032, AreaSearch utilises age cohort growth rates provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Future population projections indicate a median increase for non-metropolitan areas nationally, with Irwin expected to expand by 445 persons to 2041, representing a total increase of 10.3% over the 17 years.

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

Irwin has recorded approximately 27 residential properties granted approval annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 139 homes were approved. As of FY-26, seven approvals have been recorded so far.

On average, 1.4 people per year moved to the area for each dwelling built during these five years, indicating a balanced supply and demand ratio and stable market conditions. The average construction cost value of new homes was $466,000. In FY-26, Irwin has recorded approximately $4.6 million in commercial development approvals, suggesting limited focus on commercial development compared to residential. Compared to the Rest of WA, Irwin had 75.0% more building activity per person as of recent years, offering buyers greater choice.

However, building activity has slowed recently, with all current activity consisting of detached dwellings that maintain the area's traditional low density character and appeal to families seeking space. With around 188 people per dwelling approval, Irwin exhibits characteristics of a growth area. Population forecasts indicate Irwin will gain approximately 404 residents by 2041. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, presenting good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Irwin has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 1stth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified ten projects likely to impact the region. Key initiatives include Moreton Bay Estate, The Retreat Estate, Dongara Health Centre Redevelopment, and 2 & 4 Brady Road Mixed-Use Development. Relevant projects are listed below.

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

AreaSearch assessment positions Irwin ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Irwin's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with manufacturing and industrial sectors prominent. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate is 2.1%.

In June 2025, 1,694 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.1% below Rest of WA's rate of 3.2%. Workforce participation in Irwin is 48.6%, compared to Rest of WA's 59.4%. Employment is concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing, mining, and retail trade. Agriculture, forestry & fishing employment share is 1.4 times the regional level.

Conversely, health care & social assistance shows lower representation at 8.9% versus the regional average of 11.9%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, indicated by Census working population vs resident population counts. Over June 2024 to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.3%, alongside a 2.3% employment decline, keeping unemployment relatively stable at 2.1%. Rest of WA experienced employment growth of 1.1% and labour force growth of 0.5%, with a 0.6 percentage point drop in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Irwin's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.2% over five years and 11.5% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that income in Irwin is higher than average nationally. The median income is $49,573 and the average income stands at $70,562. This contrasts with Rest of WA's figures where the median income is $57,323 and the average income is $71,163. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $55,328 (median) and $78,754 (average) as of March 2025. Census 2021 income data shows that household, family and personal incomes in Irwin all fall between the 11th and 15th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that 27.0% of the community earns $400 - 799 (1,054 individuals), unlike metropolitan trends where 31.1% fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. After housing costs, 86.4% of income remains, ranking at only the 14th percentile nationally.

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

Irwin's dwelling structure, as assessed in the latest Census, consisted of 87.1% houses and 12.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro WA's 87.5% houses and 12.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Irwin stood at 47.9%, with the rest of dwellings either mortgaged (26.6%) or rented (25.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,537, exceeding Non-Metro WA's average. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $250, matching Non-Metro WA's figure. Nationally, Irwin's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Irwin features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 67.7% of all households, including 22.2% couples with children, 36.3% couples without children, and 8.7% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 32.3%, with lone person households at 30.5% and group households comprising 1.8%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of WA average of 2.4 people.

Irwin 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 10.9%, significantly below the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 8.5%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.3%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.1%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 43.0% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (10.1%) and certificates (32.9%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 27.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 10.3% in primary, 10.2% in secondary, and 1.6% pursuing tertiary education. Dongara District High School serves the local area, with an enrollment of 331 students as of a recent count. Irwin has varied educational conditions across its areas, with all one school offering integrated K-12 education for academic continuity. School places per 100 residents stand at 8.5, below the regional average of 16.8, 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

Transport analysis indicates eight active public transport stops operating within Irwin as of February 2023. These stops offer a mix of bus services, with three individual routes in operation. Collectively, these routes provide nine weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 912 meters from the nearest transport stop. Service frequency averages one trip per day across all routes, equating to approximately one weekly trip per individual stop.

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

Irwin faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

Approximately 55% (~2,147 people) of Irwin's total population has private health cover. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (11.1%) and mental health issues (7.0%). 64.0% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 66.8% across the Rest of WA. Irwin has 30.5% (1,192 people) of residents aged 65 and over, higher than the 18.3% in the Rest of WA. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

Irwin is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Irwin's population showed low cultural diversity, with 85.8% being Australian citizens, 85.7% born in Australia, and 97.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion in Irwin, accounting for 47.8%, compared to 49.9% across Rest of WA. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (34.9%), English (33.6%), and Scottish (7%).

Notably, New Zealanders made up 1.0% versus the regional average of 0.6%, Maori accounted for 0.8% versus 0.7%, and Welsh comprised 0.6% compared to the regional 0.5%.

Irwin ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Irwin's median age is 52, which is higher than the Rest of WA figure of 40 and Australia's 38 years. The percentage of residents aged 65-74 in Irwin (18.3%) exceeds the Rest of WA average but is not specified for comparison with national figures. The percentage of Irwin residents aged 25-34 is lower at 7.4% compared to the Rest of WA average. Between 2021 and the present, the percentage of Irwin's population aged 15-24 has grown from 8.2% to 10.8%, while those aged 25-34 increased from 6.0% to 7.4%. Conversely, the percentage of residents aged 5-14 has declined from 11.5% to 9.0%, and the 45-54 age group has dropped from 13.0% to 11.9%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant changes in Irwin's age structure. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to increase by 200 people (69%), from 289 to 490. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 75-84 and 5-14 age cohorts.