Murdoch - Kardinya

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

According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Murdoch - Kardinya is estimated to be approximately 14,424 in May 2026. Compared to the 2021 Census, which recorded 12,489 residents, this represents a growth of 1,935 individuals (15.5%). This adjustment is calculated based on the ABS estimated resident population of 14,419 in June 2025 alongside 165 validated new addresses identified after the Census. The resulting population density stands at 1,667 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical figures recorded across the country. The 15.5% expansion rate since the 2021 census outpaced the national benchmark of 9.3% and the wider SA3 area, positioning the locality as a leading growth zone. The primary driver of this demographic increase was overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 94.7% of the total population rise in recent times.

Projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 using 2022 as the base year, are implemented by AreaSearch for each SA2 region. For locations lacking this data, and to project trends past 2032, growth rates by age cohort from the latest ABS Greater Capital Region forecasts (published in 2023, utilizing 2022 figures) are applied. Anticipating these demographic movements, the locality is projected to experience population expansion above the national median, gaining 2,152 residents by 2041 relative to the latest annual ERP statistics, which equates to an overall growth rate of 14.9% across the 16 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Murdoch - Kardinya when compared nationally

Murdoch - Kardinya has recorded an average of approximately 101 dwelling approvals annually, resulting in a total of 507 new homes over the last 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, there have been 246 approvals registered. New residential builds show an average construction cost of $109,000, which is lower than regional averages and points to more affordable building options, while demand remains strong as reflected by an average of 2.8 new occupants per dwelling annually over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25. Additionally, the current financial year has seen $333.1 million in commercial project approvals, indicating robust business development in the locality.

Dwelling construction in Murdoch - Kardinya is slightly elevated compared to Greater Perth, tracking at 22.0% above the regional per capita average over the 5 year period, which provides options for home buyers while helping sustain existing property values, even though construction volumes have slowed down recently. The split of new dwellings is 93.0% standalone houses and 7.0% semi-detached or multi-unit homes, maintaining the suburban character of the neighborhood with a focus on single-family homes that appeal to buyers wanting more space. There are approximately 432 residents for each approved dwelling, pointing to a well-established residential area.

Long-term forecasts indicate Murdoch - Kardinya will add 2,147 residents by 2041, based on the most recent quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. The current rate of construction suggests housing supply is on track to satisfy demand, which should benefit buyers and potentially support population gains that run ahead of current projections.

Murdoch - Kardinya has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 20thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure, planning schemes, and major developments are key drivers of regional change. AreaSearch has tracked 11 active projects that are expected to influence the local area. Notable projects include the New Women and Babies Hospital within the Fiona Stanley Hospital Precinct, the Kardinya Rise Estate, the North Lake Road - Winterfold Road Intersection Upgrade, and the New Women and Babies Hospital, with details provided below for the most significant developments.

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Murdoch - Kardinya ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

The local workforce in Murdoch - Kardinya is highly educated, featuring strong representation in essential service industries and a very low unemployment rate of 2.2%. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 7,841, and the unemployment rate sat 2.0% below the Greater Perth average of 4.2%. However, the labor force participation rate of 63.3% is notably lower than the 70.2% recorded across Greater Perth. Census data indicates that only 8.4% of employed individuals worked from home, though this figure may be influenced by pandemic-related lockdown measures.

The primary sectors of employment for local residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. The concentration of workers in education & training is particularly high, reaching 1.2 times the average seen across the region. In contrast, mining employment is lower at 5.0% of the workforce compared to the regional average of 7.0%. With a ratio of 1.3 jobs for every resident at the time of the Census, the locality operates as a key employment center, hosting a larger number of positions than working residents and drawing in commuters from surrounding neighborhoods.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics, the recent 12-month period saw a decrease of 0.9% in the local labor force and a decline of 0.8% in total employment, which led to a 0.1 percentage point reduction in the unemployment rate. This trend differed from Greater Perth, where employment rose by 2.0%, the labor force grew by 2.5%, and the unemployment rate increased by 0.4 percentage points. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia as of May-25 provide context for future workforce requirements in Murdoch - Kardinya. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential growth. Although overall national employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rates of change vary significantly by sector. Applying these industry trends to the employment profile of Murdoch - Kardinya indicates that local jobs could grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, though this is a basic weighted calculation for comparison that does not incorporate localized population adjustments.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

Based on the compilation of tax data by postcode released by the ATO for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the Murdoch - Kardinya SA2 recorded a median income of $57,067 and an average income of $75,385. These figures exceed the national averages, compared to $60,748 median and $80,248 average across Greater Perth. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.93% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to a median of $63,304 and an average of $83,625 in March 2026. The 2021 Census placed weekly household income at the 54th percentile ($1,824) and personal income at the 37th percentile. Income distribution shows 29.2% of the population (4,211 residents) earning between $1,500 and $2,999, which is similar to the wider region where 32.0% of earners fall into this bracket. Residents keep 86.9% of their income after meeting housing costs, showing solid disposable income, and the area is situated in the 7th decile for the SEIFA income index.

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

According to the latest Census data, the housing mix in Murdoch - Kardinya consisted of 84.3% standalone houses and 15.7% other residential options such as townhouses, units, and apartments, compared to the wider Perth metropolitan split of 77.8% houses and 22.1% alternative dwellings. The level of outright home ownership was high at 45.8%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (32.8%) or renters (21.4%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area stood at $2,015, which is higher than the Perth metropolitan median of $1,907. Similarly, the median weekly rent was $400, compared to $350 across the metro area. On a national level, housing costs in Murdoch - Kardinya are also elevated, exceeding the Australian median mortgage payment of $1,863 and the national median rent of $375.

Murdoch - Kardinya features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Families make up the majority of households at 73.4%, consisting of couples with children at 30.8%, couples without children at 31.9%, and single parent households at 8.9%. Non-family households account for 26.6% of the area, with single-person households representing 21.7% and group households comprising 4.9% of the total. The average household size is 2.5 persons, which is slightly below the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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

The educational achievements of the local community are distinct within the region, as the proportion of residents aged 15 and over with a tertiary degree stands at 36.1%, higher than the Western Australian average of 27.9% and the SA4 regional average of 28.6%. Bachelor degrees represent the most common qualification at 24.4%, with postgraduate degrees at 8.2% and graduate diplomas at 3.5%. Vocational and technical training is also well represented, with 29.7% of the population aged 15 and over holding qualification credentials, broken down into advanced diplomas at 11.2% and certificate level qualifications at 18.5%.

A significant portion of the population is engaged in study, with 30.0% of residents enrolled in an educational program. This total includes 12.4% attending university or higher education, 6.5% in high school, and 6.1% enrolled in primary school.

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

Analysis of the local transit network shows 97 active public transport stops in Murdoch - Kardinya, consisting of both bus and train access points. These stops accommodate 28 separate routes, providing 7,098 passenger trips each week. Access to transit is highly convenient, with residents living an average of 184 meters from the nearest stop. The neighborhood is mostly residential, leading to high levels of outward commuting, with cars being the main transport choice for 78% of workers, followed by train travel at 12% and buses at 6%. Households own an average of 1.6 vehicles. A low proportion of residents (8.4%) worked from home at the time of the 2021 Census, which may have been impacted by pandemic conditions.

Transit services run an average of 1,014 trips daily across all routes, which corresponds to approximately 73 weekly trips at each individual stop.

Murdoch - Kardinya's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health indicators show very favorable trends in Murdoch - Kardinya, according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality data and the low occurrence of chronic illnesses across all demographic brackets. The proportion of residents with private health insurance is high, sitting at approximately 57% of the population, which represents around 8,163 individuals, compared to 59.0% recorded across Greater Perth.

Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent health issues reported locally, affecting 7.8% and 7.0% of residents respectively. Conversely, 70.2% of the population reported no chronic medical conditions, compared to 71.9% across Greater Perth. The working-age population exhibits strong health profiles with low rates of illness. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 24.2% of the local population (3,494 individuals), which is higher than the 16.1% average in Greater Perth. The health status of these older residents remains strong, with national indicators matching those of the general public.

Murdoch - Kardinya 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

Murdoch - Kardinya shows a high level of multicultural diversity, with 27.5% of the population using a non-English language at home and 39.9% of residents born outside Australia. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 52.3% of the community. In terms of relative representation, Buddhism shows the most distinct local concentration, accounting for 3.7% of residents compared to 2.7% across the Greater Perth region.

Looking at ancestral backgrounds based on parents' country of birth, the three most common ancestries in Murdoch - Kardinya are English at 24.0%, Australian at 19.1%, and Other at 10.9%. There are also distinct variations in other backgrounds compared to the metropolitan average: Croatian background is higher at 1.6% (compared to 0.8% regionally), South Australian background sits at 1.0% (compared to 1.0% regionally), and Italian ancestry is recorded at 6.6% (compared to 4.2% across the wider region).

Murdoch - Kardinya's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age of residents in Murdoch - Kardinya is 41 years, which is older than the Greater Perth median of 37 and the national median of 38. Compared to metropolitan averages, the 15 - 24 age bracket is highly represented at 17.6%, while children aged 5 - 14 make up a smaller share at 8.3%. Since the 2021 Census, the median age has decreased by 1.1 years to 41. This shift is driven by growth in the 15 to 24 cohort from 15.5% to 17.6% and the 25 to 34 cohort from 13.2% to 14.8%. In contrast, the 55 to 64 age group fell from 13.5% to 10.0%, and the 45 to 54 group decreased from 10.8% to 9.7%. Demographic models project significant shifts in the age structure by 2041. The group aged 85 and over is expected to grow the fastest, increasing by 126% with 724 new residents to reach 1,297. Overall, residents aged 65 and over will account for 65% of the total population growth, pointing to a steadily aging community, whereas the 5 to 14 and 35 to 44 age brackets are expected to contract.