Kewdale

Population growth drivers in Kewdale are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on demographic evaluations by AreaSearch, the population of Kewdale is approximately 8,468 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 1,074 residents (14.5%) relative to the 2021 Census, which recorded 7,394 people. The calculation combines the ABS estimated resident population of 8,443 from June 2025 with 97 validated new addresses registered after the Census. This population level translates to a density of 2,890 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality in the top quartile of all assessed national areas. The 14.5% expansion rate in Kewdale since the 2021 census outpaced the national benchmark of 9.3%, establishing the suburb as a primary growth corridor. Overseas migration served as the principal driver of this expansion, accounting for roughly 81.6% of the overall population rise during recent periods.

Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024, using 2022 as the base year, have been adopted by AreaSearch for each SA2 region. For locations lacking this data, and to project demographic changes past 2032, growth rates per age cohort from the latest ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 (using 2022 data) are applied. Future projections point to a population rise slightly under the national median, with the suburb anticipated to add 985 residents by 2041 according to the latest annual ERP statistics, representing a total expansion of 11.3% over the 16 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Kewdale among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

The annual average of new dwelling approvals in Kewdale stands at approximately 30, with 152 residential properties approved during the last 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 37 approvals recorded during FY-26 so far. An average of 5.3 people moved to the suburb for every completed home over the past 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25), indicating that housing supply is falling behind demand, which typically intensifies buyer rivalry and drives up prices, with new homes being built at an average cost of $282,000.

When compared to Greater Perth, Kewdale exhibits roughly two-thirds the volume of new dwelling approvals per capita, which ranks it in the 56th percentile among all national localities. The composition of new construction is 70.0% detached houses and 30.0% medium to high-density dwellings, reflecting a growing diversity of attached housing options that span various price brackets, ranging from large family residences to compact units. The ratio of residents to dwelling approvals is approximately 320, suggesting potential for further development.

Future demographic forecasts indicate Kewdale will add 960 inhabitants by 2041 based on the most recent quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. Construction activity is keeping a reasonable pace with the projected population increases, although buyers could experience heightened competition as the local population grows.

Kewdale has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 40thth percentile nationally

Developments in public infrastructure, major construction works, and local zoning revisions can significantly impact local real estate performance. AreaSearch has identified 9 key projects that are likely to influence this area, including the Forrestfield/High Wycombe Industrial Area, the Perth Airport New Runway, Belmont Forum Redevelopment Stage 2, and the Carlisle Station Precinct Redevelopment, with the most relevant detailed in the list below.

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 Kewdale has been broadly consistent with national averages

The local workforce is highly educated, with substantial representation in the industrial and manufacturing sectors, an unemployment rate of 4.1%, and a yearly job growth estimate of 1.4%. In March 2026, 4,600 residents were employed, and the unemployment rate was 0.1% below the Greater Perth average of 4.2%, while labor force participation aligned closely with the metropolitan rate of 70.2%. Census figures show that only 6.0% of the employed population worked from home, though this may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

The primary employment sectors for local residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. The suburb displays a strong concentration in transport, postal & warehousing, with its employment share reaching 1.8 times the regional benchmark. In contrast, health care & social assistance is underrepresented at 12.6% compared to the regional rate of 14.8%. The comparison between the working resident population and local jobs suggests this residential suburb offers few employment options within its own boundaries.

AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that during the year leading to March 2026, employment grew by 1.4% and the labor force expanded by 2.0%, leading to a 0.5 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, Greater Perth recorded employment growth of 2.0%, labor force expansion of 2.5%, and a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 offer additional perspective on future labor demand in Kewdale. These five and ten-year forecasts have been aligned with the local industry profile to estimate future trends. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary by industry. Applying these sectoral projections to Kewdale's job distribution yields an estimated local employment growth of 6.2% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, representing a basic weighted projection that excludes local population forecasts.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

The median taxpayer income in the Kewdale SA2 is $56,301, with the average calculated at $61,423, based on the latest postcode level ATO statistics processed by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. These figures sit below national averages and contrast with Greater Perth's median income of $60,748 and average income of $80,248. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 would be around $62,455 for median income and $68,137 for average income. Data from the 2021 Census ranks household, family, and personal incomes modestly, placing them between the 41st and 49th percentiles. Income distribution shows that the largest single bracket accounts for 34.9% of local taxpayers (2,955 people) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the broader metropolitan area where 32.0% fall into this bracket. Affordable housing is under significant pressure, with only 83.7% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking in the 41st percentile, while the SEIFA index for income places the area in the 5th decile.

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

According to the latest Census, the housing mix in Kewdale consisted of 71.7% separate houses and 28.2% alternative housing types, such as townhouses, apartments, or other structures, compared to 77.8% houses and 22.1% alternative dwellings across metropolitan Perth. Home ownership rates in the suburb were equivalent to the Perth metropolitan average at 30.1%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (32.2%) or rented (37.6%). The median mortgage payment of $1,733 per month was lower than the metropolitan Perth average, while the median weekly rent was equal to the Perth metro figure at $350, compared to metropolitan averages of $1,907 and $350 respectively. On a national level, monthly mortgage commitments in Kewdale are below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are less than the national average of $375.

Kewdale features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Families make up 65.0% of all households in the area, consisting of couples with children at 29.1%, couples without children at 23.8%, and single parent households at 10.4%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 35.0%, with single person households representing 29.2% and group households comprising 5.8%. The median household size is 2.5 residents, which is slightly lower than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

The educational profile of Kewdale exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The proportion of residents with tertiary qualifications in Kewdale is lower than the regional average, with 30.2% of individuals aged 15+ holding university degrees, compared to 36.6% in the wider SA3 region. This difference indicates room for educational advancement and vocational training. Bachelor degrees constitute the primary qualification at 20.3%, with postgraduate degrees at 8.0% and graduate diplomas at 1.9%. Technical and trade credentials are well represented, with 32.5% of the population aged 15+ holding vocational qualifications, split between advanced diplomas (11.1%) and certificates (21.4%).

Participation in education is high, with 30.3% of local residents actively enrolled in some form of study. This total includes 9.9% attending primary schools, 7.3% in secondary education, and 5.8% studying at tertiary institutions.

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

Analysis of public transport options shows 48 operational passenger stops in Kewdale, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 14 separate bus routes, which together provide 2,865 passenger trips each week. Transport connectivity is rated as high, with residents living an average of 155 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, and most workers commute out of the area, with private cars remaining the main transit mode at 80%, followed by bus travel at 10%. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.2 cars per dwelling, which is below the metropolitan average. A relatively low 6.0% of the workforce worked from home, according to 2021 Census data, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic conditions.

Service frequency across all routes averages 409 trips per day, which translates to approximately 59 weekly trips for each transport stop.

Kewdale's residents are extremely healthy with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Evaluation of health data indicates positive health profiles across Kewdale, according to AreaSearch research on mortality rates and chronic illness rates, with younger groups displaying low levels of common medical conditions, while private health insurance uptake is moderate at approximately 50% of the population, representing about 4,217 people. This is lower than the Greater Perth average of 59.0% and the national benchmark of 55.7%.

The most prevalent health issues recorded in the suburb are arthritis and mental health conditions, affecting 6.7 and 6.2% of the population respectively, whereas 75.2% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 71.9% in Greater Perth. Working-age residents exhibit favorable health profiles with low rates of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and over make up 15.8% of the population (1,338 people), and while health profiles among this older group are above average, they rank lower on a national scale than the general local population.

Kewdale is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Kewdale exhibits a high level of multicultural diversity, with 40.2% of its population speaking a non-English language at home and 47.6% of residents born outside Australia. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, represented by 39.3% of the community. However, Islam is notably overrepresented at 17.6% of the population, which is considerably higher than the Greater Perth average of 3.2%.

In terms of parent country of birth, the three most common backgrounds in Kewdale are Other at 21.2%, which is higher than the regional average of 11.2%, English at 20.9%, which is lower than the regional average of 28.0%, and Australian at 17.7%. Other ethnic groups display distinct concentrations: Maori residents account for 1.1% of Kewdale (compared to 0.9% regionally), Polish residents represent 1.0% (compared to 0.7%), and Filipino residents comprise 2.6% (compared to 1.4%).

Kewdale's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age of 36 years in Kewdale matches closely with the Greater Perth median of 37 and is slightly lower than the Australian median of 38. Compared to the wider Perth region, Kewdale contains a higher share of residents aged 25 - 34 (17.9%) and a lower share of those aged 55 - 64 (9.1%). The cohort aged 35 to 44 increased its share of the population from 15.9% to 16.8% since the 2021 Census, while the 0 to 4 cohort shrank from 6.7% to 5.7%. Population models project that the age structure in Kewdale will shift by 2041, with the 75 to 84 cohort showing the fastest growth at 73%, adding 308 people to reach 730. Seniors aged 65 and over are projected to account for 50% of the area's population growth, highlighting local aging trends, whereas the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 age brackets are expected to decrease in size.