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 was around 15,430 as of August 2025. This reflected an increase of 1,231 people (8.7%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 14,199 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 15,253 in June 2024 and an additional 199 validated new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a population density ratio of 1,176 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Madeley-Darch's population growth rate of 8.7% since the 2021 census exceeded the national average (8.6%), indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 73.9% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving this growth.

AreaSearch adopted 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 utilized growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Considering these projections, Madeley-Darch is expected to grow by just below the median national rate, with an increase of 1,039 persons to 2041, representing a total growth of 5.6% over the 17 years.

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

Madeley - Darch averaged approximately 43 new dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, totalling 216 approvals between the financial years 2020-21 and 2025-26, with an additional 14 approved in the current financial year 2026. Over the past five financial years (from 2020-21 to 2025-26), an average of 4.3 people moved to the area for each dwelling built. This supply lagging demand has resulted in heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures, with new properties constructed at an average expected construction cost value of $437,000.

In the current financial year, $12.2 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating steady commercial investment activity in the area. Comparatively, Madeley - Darch shows substantially reduced construction when measured against Greater Perth, with 74.0% fewer new constructions per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes. Additionally, this rate is lower than the national average, reflecting market maturity and suggesting possible development constraints. New development in Madeley - Darch consists of 96.0% detached dwellings and 4.0% medium to high-density housing, preserving the area's suburban nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

With around 418 people per dwelling approval, the area indicates a developed market with expected population growth of 862 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good 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

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 16 projects potentially impacting the area. Notable ones include Kingsway City Shopping Centre Serviced Apartments, Kingsway Indoor Stadium Upgrades, Wanneroo Road Intersection Upgrades, and East Wanneroo Cell 6 Structure Plan Normalisation.

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

Employment conditions in Madeley - Darch demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Madeley - Darch, as of June 2025, has an unemployment rate of 2.5%, with estimated employment growth of 4.3% over the past year. The area's workforce participation is 70.2%, compared to Greater Perth's 65.2%.

Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Retail trade is notably concentrated, with levels at 1.2 times the regional average. Mining, however, is under-represented at 5.6% of Madeley - Darch's workforce compared to Greater Perth's 7.0%. The area hosts more jobs than residents, with a ratio of 1.4 workers per resident.

Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 4.3%, and unemployment fell by 0.3 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Perth recorded employment growth of 3.7% and an unemployment rise of 0.1 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows WA employment contracted by 0.82%, with a state unemployment rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts suggest growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but localised projections for Madeley - Darch estimate approximately 6.4%% growth 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 had a median taxpayer income of $57,704 and an average income of $69,919 in the financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This was higher than the national average, contrasting with Greater Perth's median income of $58,380 and average income of $78,020 in the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.61% since financial year 2022, estimates for March 2025 would be approximately $64,403 (median) and $78,037 (average). According to 2021 Census figures, household incomes ranked at the 81st percentile ($2,261 weekly). Income analysis showed that the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captured 36.5% of the community (5,631 individuals), consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing 32.0% in the same category. A substantial proportion of high earners, at 32.4%, indicated strong economic capacity throughout the suburb. Housing accounted for 14.6% of income while strong earnings ranked residents within the 82nd percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 6th decile.

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

The dwelling structure in Madeley - Darch, as per the latest Census, consisted of 91.2% houses and 8.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This is compared to Perth metro's 91.2% houses and 8.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Madeley - Darch stood at 28.2%, with the rest being mortgaged (55.7%) or rented (16.1%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, above Perth metro's average of $1,898. The median weekly rent in Madeley - Darch was recorded at $450, compared to Perth metro's $350. Nationally, Madeley - Darch's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while 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 constitute 83.5% of all households, composed of couples with children (50.4%), couples without children (22.0%), and single parent families (10.4%). Non-family households comprise the remaining 16.5%, with lone person households at 15.2% and group households making up 1.2%. The median household size is 3.0 people, 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 of 27.2% among residents aged 15+ is higher than the SA3 average of 19.7%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 20.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Vocational credentials are also common, with 33.0% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas comprise 11.8% and certificates make up 21.2%.

Educational participation is high at 32.6%, including 11.3% in primary education, 10.5% in secondary education, and 5.8% pursuing 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). There are two primary schools, two secondary schools, and one K-12 school in the area, which functions as an education hub with 28.3 school places per 100 residents - significantly higher than the regional average of 15.6. This attracts students from surrounding communities. Note: for schools showing 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to their 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, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 12 different routes that together facilitate 2,430 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility to these stops is rated excellent, with residents on average being located just 196 meters from the nearest one.

On a daily basis, there are an average of 347 trips across all routes, which translates to approximately 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 cohorts with low prevalence rates for common conditions.

Approximately 54% (~8,393 people) of its total population has private health cover. 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 compared to Greater Perth's 73.0%. The area has 13.8% (2,126 people) of residents aged 65 and over.

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

The top three ancestry groups are English (21.1%), Australian (18.6%), and Other (14.0%). South African (2.2% vs regional 1.8%), Macedonian (3.3% vs 0.9%), and Vietnamese (3.4% vs 1.9%) are notably overrepresented.

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

The median age in Madeley - Darch was 38 years as of the 2021 Census, close to Greater Perth's average of 37 and equivalent to Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Perth, Madeley - Darch had a higher percentage of residents aged 45-54 (16.8%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (9.9%). Between the August 2021 Census and June 2021, the age group 55 to 64 grew from 9.1% to 10.9%, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 14.1% to 15.3%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 15.9% to 13.9% and the 35 to 44 group dropped from 15.8% to 14.5%. By 2041, Madeley - Darch's age composition is projected to change significantly. The 55 to 64 age group is expected to grow by 36%, reaching 2,273 from 1,677. The population aged 65 and above will account for 62% of the projected growth. Meanwhile, declines are projected for the 0 to 4 and 15 to 24 age cohorts.