Middle Swan - Herne Hill

Middle Swan - Herne Hill has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Middle Swan - Herne Hill's population is around 6,526 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 848 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,678 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 6,389 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 167 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 203 persons per square kilometer. Middle Swan - Herne Hill's 14.9% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the national average (8.9%), along with the state, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 47.8% 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). Considering the projected demographic shifts, an above median population growth of national areas is projected. The area is expected to increase by 1,110 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 14.9% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Middle Swan - Herne Hill among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Middle Swan - Herne Hill has averaged approximately 38 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 193 homes. As of FY26 so far, 34 approvals have been recorded. On average, 3.7 new residents per year arrive for each dwelling constructed between FY21 and FY25. This supply lagging demand leads to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures, with new homes valued at approximately $296,000 on average.

In FY26, $48.4 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Perth, Middle Swan - Herne Hill records markedly lower building activity, being 51.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties. Recent construction comprises 93.0% detached dwellings and 7.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space.

The location has approximately 138 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Middle Swan - Herne Hill is forecasted to gain 973 residents through to 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.

Middle Swan - Herne Hill has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 14thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 21 projects that may affect this region. Notable ones include Bushmead Residential Estate, Midland Health Campus Redevelopment (St John of God Midland Public & Private Hospitals Expansion), The Avenues Midland, and Midland Redevelopment Scheme - Central Precinct (Stage 2). Below is a list of those most likely to be relevant.

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

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Employment performance in Middle Swan - Herne Hill has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Middle Swan - Herne Hill has a balanced workforce comprising both white and blue-collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are prominent, with an unemployment rate of 5.6% as of September 2025.

Employment growth over the past year is estimated at 2.3%. There are 3,443 residents in work, with an unemployment rate of 1.6% above Greater Perth's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation is lower than standard, at 60.8% compared to Greater Perth's 65.2%. Key industries of employment among residents include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.

The area has a strong specialization in transport, postal & warehousing, with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level. However, professional & technical services employ only 4.4% of local workers, below Greater Perth's 8.2%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.3%, while labour force grew by the same percentage. Unemployment remained essentially unchanged during this period. In comparison, Greater Perth recorded employment growth of 2.9% and unemployment rose marginally. State-level data to 25-Nov-2025 shows WA employment contracted by 0.27%, with an unemployment rate of 4.6%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Middle Swan - Herne Hill's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.0% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Middle Swan - Herne Hill SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $52,786 and an average of $64,357. Nationally, this is approximately average. Greater Perth had a median of $58,380 and an average of $78,020. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 14.2% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Middle Swan - Herne Hill as of September 2025 would be approximately $60,282 (median) and $73,496 (average). Census 2021 income data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Middle Swan - Herne Hill rank modestly, between the 34th and 36th percentiles. The $1,500 - $2,999 earnings band captures 32.4% of the community (2,114 individuals), similar to regional levels at 32.0%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 84.4% of income remaining, ranking at the 37th percentile.

Middle Swan - Herne Hill is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Middle Swan - Herne Hill, as per the latest Census evaluation, 85.5% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 14.4% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is compared to Perth metro's 89.1% houses and 10.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Middle Swan - Herne Hill stood at 34.0%, with mortgaged properties at 41.0% and rented dwellings at 25.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,625, below Perth metro's average of $1,842. Median weekly rent in the area was $320, compared to Perth metro's $340. Nationally, Middle Swan - Herne Hill's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were below the national figure of $375.

Middle Swan - Herne Hill has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 70.2% of all households, including 28.3% couples with children, 25.4% couples without children, and 15.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 29.8%, with lone person households at 26.8% and group households comprising 3.0%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.8 people.

Educational outcomes in Middle Swan - Herne Hill fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 16.3%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.4%) and certificates (29.0%). Educational participation is high at 27.2%, with 8.7% in primary education, 8.3% in secondary education, and 3.5% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 27.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.7% in primary education, 8.3% in secondary education, and 3.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Middle Swan-Herne Hill has 89 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 17 different routes that together facilitate 969 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically situated just 175 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 138 trips per day across all routes, translating to roughly 10 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Middle Swan - Herne Hill are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Middle Swan - Herne Hill shows below-average health indicators with common conditions slightly more prevalent than average across all age groups. Private health cover stands at approximately 52%, compared to Greater Perth's 54.1%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are most common, affecting 8.4% and 7.5% of residents respectively, while 68.0% report no medical ailments, lower than Greater Perth's 72.6%. The area has a higher proportion of seniors at 20.8%, compared to Greater Perth's 12.6%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average and better than the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Middle Swan - Herne Hill was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Middle Swan-Herne Hill, surveyed between May-June 2016, had a population with 28.7% born overseas and 19.0% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 53.7%. The 'Other' religious category comprised 1.2%, higher than Greater Perth's 0.7%.

Top three ancestry groups were English (29.5%), Australian (22.9%), and Other (7.2%). Notably, Croatian (3.0%) and Italian (6.4%) were overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.9% and 3.9%, respectively. Filipino representation was also slightly higher at 2.7%.

Middle Swan - Herne Hill's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Middle Swan - Herne Hill's median age is 41 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Perth's average of 37 years and slightly older than Australia's median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Perth, Middle Swan - Herne Hill has a notably higher proportion of residents aged 65-74 (11.1% locally) but a lower proportion of those aged 25-34 (11.7%). Post the 2021 Census, the population aged 35 to 44 grew from 12.1% to 13.9%, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 11.9% to 13.4%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 age group declined from 13.2% to 11.9%, and the 55 to 64 group decreased from 14.0% to 12.8%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Middle Swan - Herne Hill's age profile, with the strongest growth in the 75 to 84 cohort (64%), adding 283 residents to reach 730. Residents aged 65 and older represent 74% of anticipated population growth, while declines are projected for those aged 0 to 4 and 35 to 44 years.