Kalgoorlie
Statistical Area - sa2

Kalgoorlie has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Kalgoorlie's population was approximately 13,940 as of August 2025. This marked a rise from the 2021 Census figure of 13,213 people, an increase of 727 individuals (5.5%). This growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 13,709 in June 2024 and the addition of 68 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density was around 593 persons per square kilometer. Kalgoorlie's growth rate since the census (5.5%) was within 2.1 percentage points of its SA4 region (7.6%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 58.0% to 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 for years post-2032, 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 trends suggest a growth of approximately 1,351 persons to 2041, resulting in a total increase of around 7.2% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Kalgoorlie, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Kalgoorlie averaged approximately 32 new dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, totalling 164 approvals from FY-21 to FY-25, with 7 approvals recorded so far in FY-26. Despite population decline, the area's development activity has been adequate relative to its size, benefiting buyers due to affordable housing options, with new homes averaging an expected construction cost of $246,000. This financial year saw $60.8 million in commercial approvals, indicating robust local business investment.

Compared to the Rest of WA, Kalgoorlie has slightly more development, balancing buyer choice while supporting property values, although recent construction activity has eased. Nationally, this is below average, suggesting possible planning constraints. Recent construction consists of 62% detached dwellings and 38% medium to high-density housing, offering choices across price ranges. The area has an estimated 556 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its quiet development environment.

Looking ahead, Kalgoorlie is projected to grow by 1,008 residents by 2041, with building activity keeping pace with growth projections, although buyers may face increased competition as the population grows.

Kalgoorlie has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 4thth percentile nationally

Area infrastructure projects significantly impact local performance. AreaSearch identified 22 projects potentially affecting the area. Key initiatives include Goldfields Pipeline Renewal (Stage 1), KCGM's 800-bed workers accommodation camp, Kalgoorlie City Centre revitalisation (St Barbara's Square), and Kalgoorlie Rail Realignment. The following list details those most relevant:.

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

AreaSearch analysis reveals Kalgoorlie significantly outperforming the majority of regions assessed nationwide

Kalgoorlie has a skilled labour force with strong manufacturing and industrial sectors. Its unemployment rate is 2.2%.

As of June 2025, there are 7,932 residents employed, which is 1.0% lower than the Rest of WA's rate of 3.2%. The workforce participation rate in Kalgoorlie is higher at 71.6%, compared to the Rest of WA's 59.4%. Leading employment industries include mining, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Kalgoorlie specialises in mining, with an employment share that is 2.3 times the regional level.

However, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, with only 0.2% of Kalgoorlie's workforce compared to 9.3% in Rest of WA. The worker-to-resident ratio is 0.8, indicating above-normal employment opportunities locally. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 2.5%, while employment also declined by 2.5%. Unemployment remained largely unchanged during this period. In contrast, Rest of WA saw employment growth of 1.1% and labour force growth of 0.5%, with a drop in unemployment rate by 0.6 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, published in May 2025, project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kalgoorlie's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.2% over five years and 11.9% over ten years.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

Kalgoorlie's median taxpayer income was $73,624, with an average of $85,305, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data for the financial year 2022. This is notably higher than Rest of WA's median income of $57,323 and average income of $71,163. By March 2025, estimates suggest a median income of approximately $82,172 and an average of $95,209, based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.61% since the financial year 2022. The 2021 Census figures place household, family, and personal incomes in Kalgoorlie between the 87th and 92nd percentiles nationally. The income distribution shows that 34.8% of locals (4,851 people) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 category, slightly higher than the regional trend of 31.1%. A significant portion, 37.9%, of households in Kalgoorlie achieve high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, indicating strong consumer spending power. After housing costs, residents retain 88.0% of their income, reflecting robust purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

In Kalgoorlie, as per the latest Census, 77.0% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 23.0% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is compared to Non-Metro WA's figures of 82.9% houses and 17.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kalgoorlie stood at 17.7%, with mortgaged properties accounting for 42.7% and rented dwellings making up 39.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,700, exceeding Non-Metro WA's average of $1,517. Median weekly rent in Kalgoorlie was $300, slightly higher than Non-Metro WA's figure of $280. Nationally, Kalgoorlie's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 68.8% of all households, including 33.7% couples with children, 24.7% couples without children, and 9.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 31.2%, with lone person households at 27.8% and group households comprising 3.5%. The median household size is 2.6 people, larger than the Rest of WA average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 18.6%, considerably lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 41.6% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 8.3% and certificates at 33.3%.

Educational participation is high, with 31.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.1% in primary, 8.8% in secondary, and 3.0% pursuing tertiary education. Twelve schools serve approximately 4500 students in the area, which functions as an educational hub with 32.3 school places per 100 residents - significantly higher than the regional average of 17.6%. The educational mix includes six primary, five secondary, and one K-12 school. The area attracts students from surrounding communities due to its varied educational conditions.

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

Transport analysis in Kalgoorlie shows 64 active transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are serviced by 8 different routes that collectively provide 343 weekly passenger trips. Residents have good access to public transport, with an average distance of 289 meters to the nearest stop.

On average, there are 49 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 5 weekly trips per individual stop.

Kalgoorlie's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Health outcomes data shows excellent results in Kalgoorlie, with younger age groups having a very low prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately 63% of the total population (8,824 people) have private health cover, higher than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 6.3% and 6.1% of residents respectively. 76.6% of residents report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 74.9% in the rest of WA. The area has 8.8% of residents aged 65 and over (1,229 people), with this group requiring more attention than the broader population.

Kalgoorlie was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Kalgoorlie, as of the 2016 Census, had a higher proportion of residents speaking a language other than English at home (17.6%) compared to most local markets. Born overseas, 29.6% of Kalgoorlie's population was recorded in this period. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 47.0%.

Hinduism, however, showed an overrepresentation with 2.3%, higher than the Rest of WA average of 1.3%. Ancestry-wise, Australians (25.8%) and English (25.4%) were the top groups, followed by Other at 9.0%. Notable differences existed for Maori (3.6% vs regional 3.3%), New Zealand (1.7% vs 1.5%), and Filipino (3.1% vs 2.2%).

Kalgoorlie hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Kalgoorlie's median age is 33 years, which is lower than the Rest of WA average of 40 years and substantially under the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of WA, Kalgoorlie has a higher concentration of residents aged 25-34 (19.2%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (5.6%). Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the proportion of residents aged 25 to 34 has grown from 16.4% to 19.2%, while the proportion of residents aged 45 to 54 has declined from 13.6% to 12.2%. Demographic modeling suggests that Kalgoorlie's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 25 to 34 age group is projected to grow strongly, adding 852 residents to reach a total of 3,530. In contrast, both the 85+ and 55 to 64 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.