Chart Color Schemes
This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
McKail - Willyung has an estimated 12,536 residents, up from 11,333 at the 2021 Census — a change of 1,203 people, or 10.6%. Growth has averaged 1.5% a year over five years. 126 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. That puts 124 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Demographic assessment from AreaSearch estimates the population of McKail - Willyung to be approximately 12,536 as of Aug 2026. This represents an expansion of 1,203 residents (10.6%) compared to the 11,333 individuals counted in the 2021 Census. Such growth incorporates an ABS estimated resident population of 12,448 as of June 2025 alongside 126 validated new addresses registered following the Census date. With 123 persons per square kilometer, the locality maintains generous personal space and capacity for prospective development. Expanding by 10.6% since the 2021 census, McKail - Willyung outpaced both the broader SA4 region and the SA3 area (8.9%), establishing itself as a regional pacesetter.
While overall growth was aided by positive contributions across all streams, including overseas migration and interstate migration, natural growth served as the primary catalyst by generating roughly 37.5% of recent gains. Projections for each SA2 are drawn from ABS/Geoscience Australia data published in 2024 using 2022 as a base year. Where SA2 coverage is absent, as well as for all post-2032 modeling, growth rates across age brackets from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) are applied. Factoring in these demographic transitions, the community is anticipated to outpace the median population trajectory of regional Australia. Over the 16 years running to 2041, the latest annual ERP population figures suggest a rise of 1,684 persons, marking an aggregate gain of 12.7%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
285 new dwellings have been approved in McKail - Willyung over the past five years, an average of 57 a year. That places the area in the 82nd percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 5 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 57 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 89% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential development approvals in McKail - Willyung run at approximately 57 dwellings each year, totaling 285 approved dwellings across the last 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). Over these past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), an average of 3.1 people per year have arrived per home constructed, leaving local supply trailing incoming demand and fostering upward pricing pressure amid greater buyer competition. Concurrently, newly approved homes carry an average construction cost of $383,000, aligning with regional standards, while local commercial activity is highlighted by $47.4 million in commercial approvals lodged during the current financial year.
Per capita residential development in McKail - Willyung sits 12.0% below the Rest of WA benchmark, yet the locality places in the 74th percentile across all assessed areas nationally following a recent uptick in activity. The current composition of new building works is heavily geared toward detached houses at 89.0%, with attached dwellings accounting for 11.0%, reinforcing the low-density landscape that appeals to buyers seeking space. An approval rate of roughly 162 people per approval underscores McKail - Willyung's profile as an expanding community. According to the latest quarterly estimate from AreaSearch, McKail - Willyung is slated to add 1,596 residents by 2041. The prevailing pace of home building appears well aligned with incoming demographic expansion, supporting a balanced property market without sharp price inflation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around McKail - Willyung
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 12 current infrastructure and development projects inside McKail - Willyung, worth an estimated $73 million. A further 45 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $11.8 billion. 8 are already under construction and 16 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, residential development and energy. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, strategic plans, and major urban initiatives play a decisive role in shaping community outcomes. AreaSearch has identified 27 distinct projects expected to influence the district, with primary works including the Centennial Park Urban Renewal Area, South Lockyer Structure Plan, Clydesdale Park, and South Regional TAFE - Albany Trade Workshop, among other notable developments listed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Clydesdale Park
Clydesdale Park is an established residential estate by DevelopmentWA located in McKail, 7km from the Albany town centre. When complete, the estate will feature up to 430 homes, a central bushland park with walkways, and a future primary school. The estate offers easy access to local schools, sporting complexes, and shopping centres. Stage 3 civil works are underway with lots currently sold out or under offer, and future land releases planned.
South Lockyer Structure Plan
A planning document that sets out objectives for development and subdivision, supporting housing and commercial uses within the environmental parameters of the site. It guides future zoning, subdivision, and development.
Clydesdale Park Estate
An established residential estate with public open space areas and a future primary school. Offers various sized homesites with fencing and landscaping included, focusing on affordable housing. Stage 3 lots have been released.
McKail North Local Structure Plan
The McKail North Local Structure Plan is a proposed replacement for the previous outline development plan covering approximately 68.16 hectares in northern McKail. The structure plan proposes a lower-density residential community ranging from R2.5 to R25, a new primary school site, consolidated public open space, and an updated road network. Following public consultation that closed in January 2025, the City of Albany has progressed broader planning for the Gladville (Lancaster North) precinct, including a Structure Plan, Development Contribution Plan and Local Planning Scheme Amendment.
Albany Regional Airport Upgrades
The City of Albany is advancing the Albany Airport Master Plan 2043, following Council endorsement of the Code 3 Development Strategy in April 2024. This phase focuses on airside and landside improvements to support existing RPT and FIFO services. In early 2026, the City issued tenders for Runway Upgrade and Overlay Design Services, with maintenance and asphalt resurfacing of the main runway (RWY 14/32) scheduled for the 2026/2027 summer construction period. The upgrades aim to support larger narrow-bodied aircraft, enhance regional tourism, and facilitate Large Aerial Tanker operations for fire safety.
Albany North District Structure Plan
A high-level, strategic document consolidating and expanding on fragmented local structure plans. It aims to unlock land, identify headworks, and help deliver housing supply and economic growth for Albany's growing population, guiding future land use, residential density, and staging of major infrastructure.
Centennial Park Urban Renewal Area
An urban renewal area with plans to prepare a Structure Plan to investigate zonings, land uses, and provide for a diverse range of residential densities (R40 to RAC), aiming to increase employment opportunities and improve community facilities.
South Regional TAFE - Albany Trade Workshop
New facilities will deliver training in traditional trades and stimulate local economy. The new workshops will replace the campus' existing 50-year old trade facilities.
6,127 residents of McKail - Willyung are employed, from a labour force of 6,337. Unemployment sits at 3.3%, with participation at 63.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.9% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 10,966, about 87% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
McKail - Willyung features a varied labour market spanning blue-collar and white-collar roles, supported by notable industrial and manufacturing representation and a modest unemployment rate of 3.3%. As of March 2026, employed residents total 6,127. The local jobless rate sits 0.2% below the Regional WA benchmark of 3.5%, while local participation is slightly subdued at 63.1% versus 65.4% across Regional WA. Census figures indicated that a modest 4.4% of workers operated from home, though these results reflect the context of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. Local resident employment is heavily concentrated across construction, retail trade, and health care & social assistance.
In particular, retail trade demonstrates pronounced local specialization, employing workers at 1.6 times the regional rate. Conversely, the mining sector maintains a minimal presence at 2.8% of the local workforce compared to 11.7% regionally. Comparisons between the resident workforce and the Census daytime working population indicate a constrained volume of local employment opportunities within the immediate area. AreaSearch evaluation of ABS and SALM figures indicates that during the 12 months to March 2026, the local workforce contracted by 5.1% while employment fell by 6.6%, leading to a 1.5 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. By comparison, Regional WA recorded an employment decline of 0.1% alongside labour force growth of 0.3%, resulting in a 0.4 percentage point rise. Broader national projections released by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 provide additional context regarding future employment demand for McKail - Willyung across five and ten-year horizons when weighted against the local occupational profile. While nationwide employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trajectories differ markedly by industry sector. Extrapolating these industry trends to the specific employment profile of McKail - Willyung indicates local employment growth of 5.9% over five years and 12.6% over ten years (this represents a baseline weighting calculation for comparison and excludes local population forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in McKail - Willyung is $1,387 a week (about $72,000 a year), with median personal income at $697 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $49,472 a year against an average of $61,902. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to AreaSearch's aggregation of postcode ATO records for financial year 2023, taxpayers in the McKail - Willyung SA2 recorded a median income of $49,472 alongside an average income of $61,902. These earnings fall below national standards and trail Regional WA, where the median reaches $59,973 and the average sits at $74,392. Adjusting for a 10.93% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 produces updated March 2026 estimates of approximately $54,879 (median) and $68,668 (average). In the 2021 Census, McKail - Willyung's family, personal, and household income percentiles all placed modestly between the 27th and 27th percentiles.
In terms of earnings distribution, 33.0% of local earners (4,136 individuals) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, closely tracking the broader regional share of 31.1%. Affordability constraints are significant, with residents retaining only 83.6% of their earnings, placing the district in the 27th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
McKail - Willyung had 4,071 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 93% detached houses and 0% apartments. 42% are owned with a mortgage, 27% rented and 32% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $295 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,560 a month. Rent absorbs 21.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 26.0%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census data reveals that residential properties in McKail - Willyung are overwhelmingly separate houses at 93.3%, with attached homes, units, and other dwellings comprising 6.7%, compared to Regional WA figures of 88.5% houses and 11.6% other dwellings. Outright property ownership stands at 31.9%, slightly below the regional benchmark, while 41.5% of households carry a mortgage and 26.6% rent. Median monthly mortgage payments of $1,560 match the Regional WA average of $1,560, whereas median weekly rents of $295 are higher than Regional WA's $265. Relative to Australia-wide metrics, McKail - Willyung demonstrates considerably lower mortgage outlays than the national average of $1,863 and rental costs well below the $375 national benchmark.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
McKail - Willyung counted 4,071 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 4,503 today, averaging 2.6 people each. 31% are couples with children, against 29% couples without children. 25% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 72.2% of all local households, divided between couples with children at 30.7%, couples without children at 28.9%, and single parent families accounting for 12.0%. Non-family living arrangements represent 27.8% of dwellings, including lone person households at 24.9% and group households at 2.7%. The typical household size sits at a median of 2.6 people, slightly above the Regional WA standard of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
11.1% of adults in McKail - Willyung hold a university qualification, including 8.7% with a bachelor degree and 1.1% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 33.7% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 1,630 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 980 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Attainment levels highlight educational challenges within the area, as the proportion of residents with higher education credentials (11.1%) sits well under the Australian benchmark of 30.4%, creating a key target for future development. Bachelor degrees comprise 8.7% of qualifications, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.3% and postgraduate qualifications at 1.1%. Vocational and trade education is strongly represented, with 43.6% of residents aged 15+ holding technical credentials, broken down into certificates (33.7%) and advanced diplomas (9.9%). Engagement in learning is strong across the community, with 28.8% of the population actively enrolled in an educational institution.
This total includes 10.5% attending primary schools, 9.8% in secondary education, and 1.5% engaged in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in McKail - Willyung reaches 23 stops on 2 routes, timetabled for about 110 services a week. The typical home sits about 670 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.7 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
An assessment of public transit infrastructure identifies 23 active transport stops within McKail - Willyung, consisting of bus services. These facilities are served by 2 individual routes that provide a cumulative 105 weekly passenger trips. Transit access is constrained, with dwellings sitting an average of 668 meters from the nearest stop. Given the area's predominantly residential character, outward commuting is standard and private vehicles dominate at 95% of journeys. Vehicle ownership averages 1.7 per dwelling, while a modest 4.4% of workers worked from home according to the 2021 Census, subject to COVID-19 influences.
Public transport operations provide an average frequency of 15 trips per day across all routes combined, which translates to roughly 4 weekly trips for each transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
65.6% of residents in McKail - Willyung report no long-term health condition. 6.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 49.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.9 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of mortality and chronic disease prevalence indicate below-average health metrics for McKail - Willyung, with prevalent health issues evident across younger and older demographics alike. Private health insurance participation is subdued at roughly 50% of the population (~6,242 people), trailing the Regional WA rate of 56.4% and the national standard of 55.7%. The primary medical diagnoses recorded across the population are mental health issues and arthritis, affecting 9.7 and 8.9% of residents, respectively, with 65.6% reporting no long-term medical conditions compared to 69.3% in Regional WA. Working-age residents experience noticeable health burdens due to elevated rates of chronic illness.
Older residents aged 65 and over make up 17.8% of the community (2,230 people), slightly below the 19.1% share recorded across Regional WA, with senior health indicators showing challenges that align broadly with national outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
McKail - Willyung is largely Australian-born, at 81.8% of residents, with 7.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (33.7%) and Australian (30.6%). 3.3% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Measures of cultural diversity in McKail - Willyung remain below average, with 81.8% of residents native-born Australians, 89.4% holding Australian citizenship, and 92.3% using only English at home. Christianity is the predominant faith, practiced by 44.1% of the community. The most visible relative divergence occurs in the Other religious category, which accounts for 0.6% locally versus 0.7% across Regional WA. Evaluating parental country of birth, the three most widespread ancestries in McKail - Willyung are English (33.7%), Australian (30.6%), and Scottish (6.8%). Notable concentrations of other heritages are also present, including Dutch ancestry at 3.4% (against 1.5% regionally), Filipino ancestry at 2.6% (compared to 1.2%), and Welsh ancestry at 0.7% (versus 0.6%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of McKail - Willyung is 39. 26.1% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The demographic profile of McKail - Willyung skews younger than the Regional WA benchmark. Updates to August 2026 show that children and young adults (0 - 24) account for 33.2% of the local population, exceeding the 29.1% regional proportion. As at August 2026, the estimated median age remains at 39, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting 1 year below the Regional WA median of 40 from that same Census. The proportion of young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) has risen from 23.8% at the Census to an estimated 24.8%.
Projections through 2041 indicate this 25 - 44 cohort will drive the majority of growth, expanding by 1,017 residents (33%) to reach 4,130, while senior and retiree age brackets are expected to decrease over the timeframe.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for McKail - Willyung
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jun 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 last month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 last month all 12 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 126 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (11,333 at the 2021 Census → 12,536 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (509011233). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.