Manning - Waterford

An assessment of population growth drivers in Manning - Waterford reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

AreaSearch indicates that the cohort residing in Manning - Waterford reaches approximately 13,191 by May 2026. This represents an expansion of 1,538 individuals (13.2%) relative to the 11,653 residents documented during the 2021 Census. This adjustment is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 13,108 combined with 87 validated new addresses identified after the Census. Such a population size yields a density of 2,141 persons per square kilometer, outstripping the typical density across evaluated national sites. Manning - Waterford's expansion rate of 13.2% since the 2021 census surpassed both the countrywide average of 9.3% and the wider SA3 territory, positioning it as a regional leader in population gains. The upward trajectory was primarily propelled by arrivals from overseas, which functioned as the sole source of population increases in the latest timeframe.

Projections developed by the ABS and Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 utilizing 2022 as the baseline, have been adopted for individual SA2 sectors. For locations where this data is absent, and to project trends beyond 2032, growth metrics by age bracket from the latest Greater Capital Region forecasts released by the ABS in 2023 using 2022 figures are applied. Looking at future demographic patterns, the area is anticipated to experience expansion rates exceeding the national median, with projections indicating an influx of 2,161 persons by 2041 relative to the latest annual ERP statistics, representing a 15.8% overall rise over the 16 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Manning - Waterford among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Development approvals in Manning - Waterford average approximately 63 dwellings annually, with 315 residential approvals granted over the previous 5 financial years spanning FY-21 to FY-25, and 23 recorded during FY-26 so far. With an average of 3.2 people relocating to the district for every new home built across the prior 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, residential construction is lagging behind local demand, which typically intensifies buyer competition and drives up prices. Newly constructed residences average a value of $389,000, showing that developers are targeting the upscale market with high-end housing options. Additionally, commercial projects valued at $26.7 million have secured approval this financial year, demonstrating steady investment in local business infrastructure.

Building volume per citizen in Manning - Waterford is roughly three-quarters of the level recorded in Greater Perth, though it ranks in the 57th percentile of locations analyzed across the country. Recent building activity is composed of 80.0% standalone houses and 20.0% townhouses or multi-family residences, preserving a classic residential landscape geared toward families looking for space. The community currently has about 302 people per dwelling approval, suggesting capacity for further building expansion.

Projections indicate that the population of Manning - Waterford will increase by 2,078 citizens by 2041, starting from the most recent AreaSearch quarterly calculation. While residential development is progressing at a reasonable rate relative to this anticipated growth, prospective buyers may experience heightened competition as the local population increases.

Manning - Waterford has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 16thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure, major developments, and urban planning decisions can influence the performance of a suburb. AreaSearch has identified a total of 12 projects that are expected to impact the local community. The most notable developments include the Australian Hockey Centre, Henley Rise, the Sam Kerr Football Centre, the Queens Park Regional Open Space, and the Westfield Booragoon Shopping Centre Expansion, with details on the most significant projects listed 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.

The employment environment in Manning - Waterford shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Manning - Waterford boasts a well-educated population, with professional services being a prominent sector, an unemployment rate of 3.5%, and estimated employment growth of 2.0% during the previous year. By March 2026, 7,187 residents were employed, while the local unemployment rate stood at 0.7% lower than Greater Perth's rate of 4.2%, and workforce participation remained slightly below the regional standard at 65.3% versus Greater Perth's 70.2%. Census data indicate that only 11.7% of residents worked from home, although the lingering effects of Covid-19 lockdowns should be taken into account.

The primary sectors employing local residents are health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training. The community shows a high concentration of professional & technical staff, with representation levels sitting at 1.6 times the regional average. Conversely, the construction sector accounts for only 6.4% of the local workforce, which is below the 9.3% recorded across Greater Perth. The area is heavily residential and provides few local jobs relative to its working population, as shown by the comparison of local jobs to resident workers in the Census.

An analysis of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch shows that the local workforce grew by 2.0% and the overall labor pool expanded by 2.0% over the 12-month period, keeping the unemployment rate steady. In contrast, Greater Perth experienced a 2.0% increase in employment alongside a 2.5% rise in the labor force, resulting in a 0.4 percentage point increase in unemployment. Employment projections released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 offer additional context regarding future workforce demands in Manning - Waterford. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential growth. Although total national employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rates of change vary widely across different fields. Aligning these industry-specific forecasts with the local employment profile indicates that Manning - Waterford's workforce could expand by 6.8% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, representing a basic weighted extrapolation for demonstration purposes that does not incorporate local population projections.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Aggregated ATO data from postcode levels for financial year 2023 shows that the Manning - Waterford SA2 registered a median taxpayer income of $54,477 and an average income of $77,857. These figures are higher than national benchmarks and compare to median and average outcomes of $60,748 and $80,248 across Greater Perth. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since financial year 2023, updated estimates suggest figures of roughly $60,431 for the median and $86,367 for the average by March 2026. The 2021 Census shows household weekly income at the 74th percentile ($2,146), while individual income sits at the 50th percentile. The largest single income bracket consists of the 25.2% of residents earning $4000+ weekly, totaling 3,324 people, which contrasts with the broader metropolitan area where the $1,500 - 2,999 range is most common at 32.0%. High-income earners are prominent, with 37.1% of taxpayers receiving more than $3,000 weekly, highlighting strong local purchasing power. Residents allocate 13.5% of their income to housing costs, while high wages place them in the 77th percentile for disposable income, and the area is situated in the 8th decile of the SEIFA income index.

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

The residential landscape in Manning - Waterford at the time of the last Census consisted of 84.1% standalone houses and 15.9% alternative housing styles such as duplexes and apartments, compared to 77.8% houses and 22.1% alternative styles in the Perth metro area. Outright home ownership in Manning - Waterford reached 38.9%, exceeding the Perth metro average, with mortgaged properties accounting for 34.7% and rented properties making up 26.4%. The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was $2,500, which is higher than the Perth metro median of $1,907, whereas the median weekly rent was $341, compared to $350 across the Perth metro area. Nationally, mortgage repayments in Manning - Waterford are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while weekly rents are lower than the national figure of $375.

Manning - Waterford features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Families make up 73.2% of all households in the area, consisting of 35.2% couples with children, 26.6% couples without children, and 9.3% single parent households. The remaining 26.8% consists of non-family households, with single person households representing 22.1% and group houses making up 4.7%. The median household size is 2.6 residents, which is identical to the average for Greater Perth.

Educational attainment in Manning - Waterford aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The proportion of residents with tertiary qualifications in Manning - Waterford is higher than state and regional averages, with 44.7% of individuals aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 27.9% in WA and 29.9% in the SA4 region. This high concentration of qualified residents aligns the area with knowledge-intensive sectors. Bachelor degrees represent the most common qualification at 29.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 11.7% and graduate diplomas at 4.0%. Vocational training accounts for 24.4% of qualifications for those aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas at 10.8% and certificates at 13.6%.

The level of enrollment in study is high, with 33.8% of the local population engaged in formal education. This group includes 10.8% studying at the tertiary level, 9.7% in secondary school, and 8.1% attending primary school.

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

An analysis of public transport reveals 78 active transit stops within Manning - Waterford, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 8 separate routes, which together provide 2,123 passenger trips each week. Transport accessibility is high, with residents living an average of 163 meters from their nearest transit stop. Due to the residential nature of the area, most workers commute out of the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 79%, followed by 8% using trains and 8% using buses. The average household owns 1.6 vehicles. A low proportion of residents, 11.7%, worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

Transit services average 303 daily trips across the network, which translates to approximately 27 weekly trips for each transit stop in the area.

Manning - Waterford's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Health indicators in Manning - Waterford align closely with national averages, according to an AreaSearch evaluation of death rates and the prevalence of long-term illnesses. Common medical conditions show standard rates across both younger and older cohorts, while the proportion of the population with private health insurance is high at approximately 58%, representing about 7,650 individuals.

Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent health issues in the area, affecting 7.1% and 6.5% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 72.3% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 71.9% across Greater Perth. The working-age population exhibits good health metrics with a low occurrence of chronic disease. Residents aged 65 and older represent 20.3% of the community, totaling 2,676 people, which is higher than the 16.1% average in Greater Perth. Seniors in the area enjoy positive health outcomes, with rankings that exceed the national averages for their cohort.

Manning - Waterford was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Manning - Waterford exhibits a high level of cultural variety, with 25.9% of residents using a non-English language at home and 37.8% of the population born outside Australia. Christianity is the primary religion in the area, accounting for 51.0% of the population. A notable religious concentration is found in Buddhism, which is practiced by 4.5% of residents compared to 2.7% across the Greater Perth area.

Regarding parental country of birth, the three most common ancestries in Manning - Waterford are English at 24.3%, Australian at 19.9%, and Chinese at 11.7%, which is higher than the regional average of 4.0%. Other ethnic groups also show higher local representation than the wider region, with French heritage at 0.7% of the population compared to 0.5% regionally, Polish at 0.9% compared to 0.7%, and Croatian at 0.8% compared to 0.8%.

Manning - Waterford's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age of 39 in Manning - Waterford is higher than the Greater Perth median of 37 and close to the national median of 38. The 15 - 24 age cohort is highly represented at 18.6% of the local population compared to Greater Perth, while children aged 5 - 14 are less represented at 9.4%. The concentration of residents aged 15 - 24 is higher than the national average of 12.7%. Data collected since the 2021 Census shows a downward shift in the median age, falling 1.0 years from 40 to 39. Notable changes include the 25 to 34 age group increasing from 11.1% to 13.8% of the population, and the 15 to 24 group rising from 16.0% to 18.6%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age bracket fell from 11.6% to 9.4%, and the 45 to 54 group decreased from 12.4% to 11.0%. By 2041, the age structure of Manning - Waterford is projected to change. The 75 to 84 age group is expected to grow by 62% (an increase of 536 people), rising from 869 to 1,406. Seniors aged 65 and older will account for 55% of the total population growth, pointing to a general aging trend. In contrast, the numbers of residents in the 35 to 44 and 5 to 14 age groups are expected to decline.