Karnup
Statistical Area - sa2

Karnup lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Karnup's population was approximately 2,764 as of August 2025. This figure represents an increase of 668 people from the 2021 Census count of 2,096 individuals, marking a growth rate of 31.9%. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 2,524 in June 2024 and an additional 209 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 51 persons per square kilometer. Karnup's growth rate exceeded both national (8.6%) and state averages, positioning it as a regional growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 51.6% to overall population gains during recent periods, with all factors including natural growth and overseas migration being positive contributors.

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, 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 significant increases in top quartile statistical areas nationwide, with Karnup expected to grow by 711 persons to reach 3,475 by 2041, a total increase of 17.0% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Karnup among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Karnup has received approximately 65 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 327 homes. As of FY-26, 13 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.5 people move to the area each year for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating balanced supply and demand dynamics. The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $366,000, reflecting more affordable housing options compared to regional norms.

In FY-26, Karnup has seen $157,000 in commercial approvals, demonstrating its predominantly residential nature. Compared to Greater Perth, Karnup records 233.0% more development activity per person, offering buyers greater choice and indicating robust developer interest. Recent development has been entirely comprised of detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes. With around 39 people moving in for each dwelling approval, Karnup shows characteristics of a growth area. Population forecasts indicate Karnup will gain 471 residents by 2041.

Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Karnup has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 26thth percentile nationally

AreaSearch has identified a total of 21 projects that are expected to impact the area significantly due to changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. Among these key projects are The Gardens Estate - Lakelands, METRONET Karnup Station Precinct, Lakelands Residential Development Stage 3, and Lakelands Town Centre. The following list details those projects that are likely to be most relevant:.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment performance in Karnup exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Karnup has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. The construction sector is prominent, with an unemployment rate of 3.9% as of June 2025.

Employment growth in the past year was estimated at 4.5%. There are 1,395 residents employed, matching Greater Perth's unemployment rate of 3.9%, but with higher workforce participation at 70.4%. Key employment sectors include construction, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Karnup specializes in construction, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.

Professional & technical services employ only 3.0% of local workers, below Greater Perth's 8.2%. Limited local job opportunities are indicated by Census data comparisons. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 4.5%, labour force by 5.8%, leading to a 1.2 percentage point unemployment rise. In contrast, Greater Perth's employment growth was 3.7% and unemployment rose by only 0.1%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May 2025) project national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Karnup's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.6% over five years and 12.2% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

Karnup had a median taxpayer income of $60,008 and an average of $74,121 based on AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data from postcodes in financial year 2022. This was higher than the national averages of $58,380 (median) and $78,020 (average) for Greater Perth. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $68,529 (median) and $84,646 (average), accounting for a 14.2% growth since financial year 2022 as per the Wage Price Index. Income distribution in Karnup clustered around the 70th percentile nationally, with the majority of residents (46.4%, or 1,282 people) falling within the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket. This was similar to the metropolitan region where this cohort represented 32.0%. Housing costs consumed 16.0% of income in Karnup, yet strong earnings placed disposable income at the 74th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the fifth decile.

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

In Karnup, as per the latest Census evaluation, all dwellings were houses with none being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This contrasts with Perth metro's 90.5% houses and 9.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Karnup stood at 17.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 62.1% and rented ones at 20.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,857, higher than Perth metro's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent in Karnup was $370, compared to Perth metro's $330. Nationally, Karnup's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Karnup features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 85.6% of all households, including 46.8% couples with children, 26.3% couples without children, and 12.2% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 14.4%, consisting of 13.1% lone person households and 1.1% group households. The median household size is 3.0 people, which is larger than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

Karnup performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

The area has university qualification rates of 13.2%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both challenges and opportunities for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 8.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 49.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (12.6%) and certificates (36.6%).

Educational participation is high at 32.0%, including 13.2% in primary education, 9.2% in secondary education, and 2.9% pursuing tertiary education. Rockingham Montessori School - Karnup Campus provides local educational services within Karnup, with an enrollment of 0 students. All 1 schools offer integrated K-12 education for academic continuity. As no schools are located within Karnup, residents must travel to neighboring areas for educational services. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments please refer to parent campus.

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

The analysis shows one active public transport stop in Karnup, serving a mix of bus routes. This stop is served by one route, offering 412 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 1211 meters from the nearest transport stop.

The service frequency averages 58 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 412 weekly trips per individual stop.

Karnup'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 across Karnup, with younger age groups notably experiencing low prevalence of common health conditions.

Approximately 56% (~1,561 people) of Karnup's total population has private health cover. The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 7.8% and 7.2% of residents respectively. A significant majority (74.8%) report being free from medical ailments compared to Greater Perth's 68.5%. Karnup has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 10.7% (296 people), compared to Greater Perth's 15.6%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Karnup are above average, indicating a need for targeted attention.

In terms of cultural diversity, Karnup records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Karnup's cultural diversity aligns with the broader area, where 83.5% are citizens, 72.6% were born in Australia, and 93.9% speak English only at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, accounting for 36.3%. The 'Other' religious category is slightly higher than average, at 0.8% compared to Greater Perth's 0.7%.

For ancestry, the top groups are English (34.4%), Australian (28.3%), and Scottish (6.2%). Some ethnicities show notable differences: South African (1.9% vs regional 1.1%), Maori (2.3% vs 2.0%), and New Zealand (1.5% vs 1.2%) are more prevalent in Karnup than the wider region.

Karnup hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Karnup's median age at present is 30 years, which is notably younger than Greater Perth's average of 37 and significantly below Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Perth, Karnup has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (16.9%) but fewer individuals aged 55-64 (8.4%). According to data from the post-2021 Census, the population aged 15-24 has increased from 11.6% to 13.5%, while those aged 35-44 have risen from 12.3% to 14.0%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 25-34 has decreased from 19.8% to 16.9%, and the 0-4 age group has fallen from 10.3% to 8.9%. Demographic projections indicate that Karnup's age profile will change significantly by 2041, with the 75-84 age cohort expected to grow substantially, increasing by 110 people (111%) from 100 to 211. Conversely, the number of individuals in the 0-4 age range is projected to decrease.