Madeley - Darch
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Madeley - Darch are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Madeley-Darch's population is 15,442 as of November 2025. From the 2021 Census, this reflects an increase of 1,243 people, representing an 8.8% growth from a previous population of 14,199. This change was inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 15,253 in June 2024 and the addition of 203 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is 1,177 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Madeley-Darch's growth rate of 8.8% positions it closely with the national average of 8.9%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 73.9% of 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 post-2032 growth estimation, AreaSearch utilises growth rates by age cohort from the ABS's latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Based on projected demographic shifts, Madeley-Darch is expected to grow by 1,039 persons by 2041, representing a total increase of 5.5% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Madeley - Darch among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Madeley - Darch has averaged approximately 43 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 216 homes. In FY-26 so far, 25 approvals have been recorded. On average, 4.3 people have moved to the area per year for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating demand significantly outpaces supply, which typically drives up prices and intensifies competition among buyers. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $220,000, below regional levels, offering more affordable housing options.

This financial year has seen $12.2 million in commercial approvals, suggesting steady commercial investment activity. Compared to Greater Perth, Madeley - Darch shows substantially reduced construction, 74.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes. Nationally, it is also lower, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. New development consists predominantly of detached dwellings (96.0%) with a smaller proportion of medium and high-density housing (4.0%), preserving the area's suburban nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

With around 418 people per dwelling approval, Madeley - Darch indicates a developed market. Looking ahead, Madeley - Darch is projected to grow by approximately 850 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Madeley - Darch has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 17thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 23 projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones include Kingsway City Shopping Centre Serviced Apartments, Evida Darch, Kingsway Indoor Stadium Upgrades, and Wanneroo Road Intersection Upgrades. The following list details those 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 conditions in Madeley - Darch demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Madeley-Darch has a skilled workforce with strong representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate is 2.5%, showing an estimated employment growth of 4.3% over the past year.

This figure is below Greater Perth's unemployment rate of 3.9%. The workforce participation rate is 70.2%, slightly higher than Greater Perth's 65.2%. Dominant employment sectors include health care and social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Retail trade particularly stands out with employment levels at 1.2 times the regional average.

Conversely, mining is under-represented with only 5.6% of Madeley-Darch's workforce compared to Greater Perth's 7%. The area functions as an employment hub with 1.4 workers per resident, attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 4.3%, labour force grew by 4.0%, leading to a decrease in unemployment rate of 0.3 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Perth recorded employment growth of 3.7% with an increase in unemployment rate of 0.1 percentage points. According to Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025, national employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Madeley-Darch's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.4% over five years and 13.3% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

Madeley-Darch has a median taxpayer income of $57,704 and an average income of $69,919 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. This is higher than the national average, contrasting with Greater Perth's median income of $58,380 and average income of $78,020. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 14.2% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $65,898 (median) and $79,847 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household incomes rank at the 81st percentile ($2,261 weekly). Income analysis reveals that 36.5% of individuals in Madeley-Darch earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, consistent with broader regional trends showing 32.0% in the same category. A substantial proportion, 32.4%, earn above $3,000 weekly, indicating strong economic capacity throughout the suburb. Housing accounts for 14.6% of income, while residents rank within the 82nd percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

Madeley-Darch's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 91.2% houses and 8.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Perth metro had 92.2% houses and 7.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Madeley-Darch was 28.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 55.7% and rented ones at 16.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, higher than Perth metro's $1,898. Median weekly rent in the area was $450, compared to Perth metro's $350. Nationally, Madeley-Darch's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 83.5% of all households, including couples with children (50.4%), couples without children (22.0%) and single parent families (10.4%). Non-family households account for the remaining 16.5%, with lone person households at 15.2% and group households comprising 1.2%. The median household size is 3.0 people, which is larger than the Greater Perth average of 2.8.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 27.2% among residents aged 15+, surpassing the SA3 area average of 19.7%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 20.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 33.0% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas at 11.8% and certificates at 21.2%.

Educational participation is high, with 32.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 11.3% in primary, 10.5% in secondary, and 5.8% in tertiary education. Madeley - Darch has five schools with a combined enrollment of 4,364 students. The area's socio-educational conditions are above average (ICSEA: 1060). Educational facilities include two primary, two secondary, and one K-12 school. The area functions as an education hub, offering 28.3 school places per 100 residents – significantly higher than the regional average of 15.6 – attracting students from nearby communities. Note: for schools with 'n/a' enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

Madeley - Darch has 102 active public transport stops. These are served by 12 bus routes, offering a total of 2,430 weekly passenger trips. The average distance to the nearest stop is 196 meters for residents.

There are approximately 347 daily trips across all routes, equating to about 23 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Madeley - Darch's health outcomes show excellent results, especially among younger age groups with low prevalence of common health conditions.

Approximately 54% (~8,400 people) have private health cover, a high rate compared to other areas. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (6.0%) and mental health issues (5.8%), while 76.3% of residents report having no medical ailments, higher than Greater Perth's 73.0%. As of 2016, 13.8% (2,127 people) are aged 65 and over, requiring more attention than the broader population.

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

Madeley-Darch has high cultural diversity, with 34.9% speaking a language other than English at home and 41.2% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion, comprising 51.0%. Hinduism is overrepresented at 7.4%, compared to Greater Perth's 2.6%.

Top ancestry groups are English (21.1%), Australian (18.6%), and Other (14.0%). South African, Macedonian, and Vietnamese ethnicities are notably overrepresented.

Madeley - Darch's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Madeley - Darch as of 2021 was 38 years, closely matching Greater Perth's average of 37 and Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Perth, Madeley - Darch had a higher proportion of residents aged 45-54 (16.8%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (9.9%). Between the 2016 Census and the 2021 Census, the population aged 55 to 64 grew from 9.1% to 10.9%, while those aged 15 to 24 increased from 14.1% to 15.3%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 5 to 14 decreased from 15.9% to 13.9%, and those aged 35 to 44 dropped from 15.8% to 14.5%. By 2041, Madeley - Darch's age composition is projected to change significantly. The 55 to 64 group is expected to grow by 35% (594 people), reaching a total of 2,273 from the previous count of 1,678. This growth is driven primarily by an aging population dynamic, with those aged 65 and above comprising 62% of projected growth. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 0 to 4 and 15 to 24 age cohorts.