Kulin
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Kulin's population is around 4,420 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 171 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,249 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,399 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 12 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 -0.1% compound annual growth rate, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by natural growth that contributed approximately 54.8% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and to estimate growth across all areas in the years post-2032, AreaSearch is utilising the 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 across the nation is anticipated, with the area expected to expand by 28 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, reflecting an increase of 0.2% in total over the 17 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 10 new homes approved annually. Development approval data from the ABS covers a period between Financial Year 20 (FY-20) and FY-25, totaling 53 homes over five years. By June 2026 (FY-26), around three new homes have been approved. On average, 1.2 people moved to the area per dwelling built during this period.

This suggests a balance between supply and demand, maintaining stable market conditions with an average construction value of $415,000 for new properties. Commercial approvals in Kulin reached $7.1 million by FY-26, indicating the area's predominantly residential nature. Compared to the Rest of WA, Kulin has about three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person. Nationally, it ranks around the 38th percentile for areas assessed, offering limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing homes.

This is below the national average, suggesting maturity and potential 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 focused on family homes. With an estimated 582 people per dwelling approval, it maintains a quiet development environment. Population forecasts project a gain of seven residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favorable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Kulin has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 42ndth percentile nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 15 projects potentially impacting the area. Notable ones include Kondinin Housing Replacement Plan, Kondinin Wind and Solar Project, Hyden Recreation Centre Extension - Stage 2, Hyden Townsite Expansion Plan. The following list details those most relevant:.

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

The exceptional employment performance in Kulin places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Kulin's workforce spans diverse sectors with a balanced mix of white and blue collar jobs. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate stands at 0.9%.

The town's unemployment rate is 2.3% lower than Rest of WA's rate of 3.2%, with workforce participation at 67.3%, compared to 59.4% regionally. Key employment sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, education & training, and public administration & safety. Notably, agriculture, forestry & fishing employment is 5.4 times the regional average while mining has a limited presence at 1.8%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data.

Between June 2024 to June 2025, Kulin's labour force decreased by 1.7% and employment fell by 0.5%, reducing the unemployment rate by 1.2 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of WA saw employment grow by 1.1%. Jobs and Skills Australia projects national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kulin's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 4.1%% over five years and 9.8% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ended June 2022 indicates that Kulin had an income above the national average. The median assessed income was $53,583 and the average income stood at $68,973. This contrasts with Rest of WA's figures where the median income was $57,323 and the average income was $71,163. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.61% since financial year ended June 2022, current estimates for Kulin would be approximately $59,804 (median) and $76,981 (average) as of March 2025. Census data reveals that personal income ranks at the 67th percentile ($897 weekly), while household income sits at the 35th percentile. Distribution data shows that the largest segment comprises 33.3% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (1,471 residents). Housing costs are manageable with 95.1% retained, though disposable income sits below average at the 47th percentile and 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

Dwelling structure in Kulin, as evaluated at the latest Census, consisted of 96.0% houses and 3.9% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro WA had 95.1% houses and 4.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kulin was 56.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 20.9% and rented dwellings at 22.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Kulin was $743, lower than Non-Metro WA's average of $1,105. The median weekly rent figure in Kulin was recorded at $160, compared to Non-Metro WA's $200. Nationally, Kulin's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 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 comprise the remaining 31.1%, with lone person households at 28.7% and group households making up 2.1%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is larger than the Rest of WA average of 2.3.

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%. Bachelor degrees are 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 them - advanced diplomas (9.1%) and certificates (26.3%). Educational participation is high at 28.3%, including primary education (15.7%), secondary education (5.5%), and tertiary education (1.8%).

Kulin has a network of 10 schools educating approximately 591 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 967) and balanced educational opportunities. The schools include 8 primary and 2 K-12 institutions.

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

Analysis of public transport in Kulin shows 17 active transport stops operating within the area. These stops are serviced by two individual routes, collectively providing ten weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 6323 meters from the nearest transport stop.

Service frequency averages one trip per day across all routes, equating to approximately zero weekly trips per individual stop.

Kulin's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data for Kulin shows positive results with low prevalence of common health conditions across both younger and older age groups.

Approximately 54% (~2,373 people) have private health cover, which is relatively high. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (9.2%) and asthma (7.8%). Around 69.0% report having no medical ailments, compared to 65.6% in the rest of WA. As of 2021, 20.0% (~884 people) are aged 65 and over, lower than the 21.7% in Rest of WA. Health outcomes among seniors in Kulin are particularly strong, outperforming general population metrics.

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 showed low cultural diversity, with 83.2% being citizens, 88.2% born in Australia, and 96.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 48.7%, compared to 49.0% across Rest of WA. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (35.8%), English (33.3%), and Irish (7.8%).

Notably, New Zealanders made up 0.8% versus 0.9% regionally, Maori 0.6% versus 0.8%, and Australian Aboriginal 2.7% versus 3.1%.

Kulin hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Kulin is 43 years, which is slightly higher than Rest of WA's average of 40 years, and well above Australia's median age of 38 years. The 65-74 age cohort is notably over-represented in Kulin at 12.5%, compared to the Rest of WA average, while the 15-24 year-olds are under-represented at 7.2%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 25-34 age group has grown from 10.5% to 12.0% of Kulin's population. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has declined from 15.9% to 13.8%, and the 45-54 cohort has dropped from 13.8% to 12.4%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes for Kulin. The 25-34 age group is projected to expand by 135 people (26%), from 529 to 665, while the 85+ and 45-54 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.