Kulin

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

Kulin's population is around 4,471 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 4,249 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,452 from the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 27 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 0.20 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Kulin has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 0.1%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth was primarily driven by natural growth contributing approximately 50.9% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting 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 to estimate growth post-2032, AreaSearch utilises growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Moving forward with demographic trends, lower quartile growth of regional areas is anticipated, with the area expected to expand by 76 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers reflecting an increase of 1.3% in total over the 16 years.

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

Kulin has seen approximately nine new homes approved annually. In the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, 47 homes were approved, with six more approved in FY26 so far. On average, 1.2 people moved to the area each year for every dwelling built during these years.

This suggests a balanced supply and demand, maintaining stable market conditions. The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $249,000, aligning with regional patterns. In FY26, $7.1 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating the area's predominantly residential nature. Compared to the rest of WA, Kulin has roughly three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person.

Nationally, it ranks among the 38th percentile of areas assessed, offering more limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing homes. This is below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and suggesting possible planning constraints. New building activity in Kulin consists of 83.0% standalone homes and 17.0% medium to high-density housing, preserving its traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 582 people, indicating a quiet, low-activity development environment. Population forecasts suggest Kulin will gain 57 residents by 2041 (based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Kulin has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 29thth percentile nationally

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 13 projects that are likely to impact the area. Notable projects include the Kondinin Housing Replacement Plan, the Kondinin Wind and Solar Project, the Hyden Recreation Centre Extension - Stage 2, and the Hyden Townsite Expansion Plan. The following list details those projects likely to be most relevant.

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

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The labour market strength in Kulin positions it well ahead of most Australian regions

Kulin has a balanced workforce with diverse sector representation. As of December 2025, the unemployment rate is 1.5%. There are 2,663 residents in work, which is 2.0% below Regional WA's rate of 3.5%.

Workforce participation is at 76.3%, compared to Regional WA's 66.0%. According to Census responses, 23.5% of residents work from home, potentially impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns. Leading employment industries include agriculture, forestry & fishing, education & training, and public administration & safety. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has a notable concentration with employment levels at 5.4 times the regional average.

Mining has limited presence at 1.8%, compared to Regional WA's 11.7%. Some residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. In the 12 months prior, labour force decreased by 5.5% and employment declined by 5.7%, raising unemployment by 0.2 percentage points. This contrasts with Regional WA where employment grew by 1.0%, labour force expanded by 1.4%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Kulin. Over five years, national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% and over ten years by 13.7%. Applying these projections to Kulin's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 4.1% over five years and 9.8% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that Kulin SA2 has one of the highest incomes in Australia. The median income is $64,817 and the average income is $86,517. This contrasts with Regional WA's figures where the median income is $59,973 and the average income is $74,392. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $71,901 for median income and $95,973 for average income as of March 2026. Census data reveals that personal income ranks at the 66th percentile with weekly earnings of $897, while household income sits at the 34th percentile. Distribution data shows that the largest segment comprises 33.3% earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly (1,488 residents), which is similar to the regional pattern where 31.1% fall within this range. Housing costs are manageable with 95.1% retained, but disposable income sits below average at the 46th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Kulin's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 96.0% houses and 3.9% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This compares to Regional WA's 88.5% houses and 11.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kulin stood at 56.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 20.9% and rented ones at 22.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $743, lower than Regional WA's average of $1,560. The median weekly rent was recorded at $160, compared to Regional WA's $265. Nationally, Kulin's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Kulin has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 68.9% of all households, including 27.6% couples with children, 35.3% couples without children, and 5.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 31.1%, with lone person households at 28.7% and group households comprising 2.1%. The median household size is 2.4 people, smaller than the Regional WA average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 16.2%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 14.3%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.2%) and postgraduate qualifications (0.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 35.4% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (9.1%) and certificates (26.3%).

Educational participation is high, with 28.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 15.7% in primary education, 5.5% in secondary education, and 1.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

A total of 17 active public transport stops operate within Kulin. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with two individual routes providing a combined total of 10 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is limited in the area, with residents typically located 6323 meters from their nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward. The car remains the dominant mode of transport, used by 76% of residents, while 17% walk to their destinations. Vehicle ownership averages 2.0 per dwelling, which is above the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, some 23.5% of residents work from home, a figure that may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages one trip per day across all routes, equating to approximately zero weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Kulin is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Kulin shows superior health outcomes as per AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both younger and older age groups exhibit low prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 62% of the total population (2,772 people), compared to Regional WA's 56.4% and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, affecting 9.2 and 7.8% respectively. 69.0% of residents declare no medical ailments, similar to Regional WA's 69.3%. Under-65 population health outcomes are better than average. The area has 20.2% of residents aged 65 and over (904 people). Senior health outcomes rank higher nationally than the general population.

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

Kulin's population was found to be predominantly homogeneous, with 83.2% being citizens, 88.2% born in Australia, and 96.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Kulin, accounting for 48.7% of its population, slightly higher than the regional average of 44.6%. In terms of ancestry, Australians were the largest group at 35.8%, followed by English at 33.3% and Irish at 7.8%.

Notably, New Zealanders made up 0.8% of Kulin's population compared to 0.9% regionally, Maori comprised 0.6% versus 1.0% regionally, and Australian Aboriginals were underrepresented at 2.7% compared to the regional average of 6.1%.

Kulin hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

The median age in Kulin is 43 years, modestly exceeding Regional WA's average of 40 years, which is also above the Australian median of 38 years. The 0-4 age cohort is notably over-represented in Kulin at 7.3%, compared to the Regional WA average, while the 15-24 year-olds are under-represented at 7.1%. Since the Census conducted on 29 August 2021, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 10.5% to 12.3% of the population, and the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 13.2% to 14.4%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 age group has declined from 15.9% to 13.6%, and the 45 to 54 age group dropped from 13.8% to 12.0%. Population forecasts for Kulin indicate substantial demographic changes by 2041. The 25 to 34 age cohort is projected to expand by 126 people, from 549 to 676, a 23% increase. Meanwhile, the 45 to 54 and 35 to 44 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.