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

Murdoch-Kardinya's population was 14,149 as of November 2025, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure represents a 13.3% increase from the 2021 Census total of 12,489 people. The growth is inferred from ABS data: an estimated resident population of 14,047 in June 2024 and an additional 174 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,635 persons per square kilometer, higher than the national average assessed by AreaSearch. Murdoch-Kardinya's growth rate exceeded both the national average (8.9%) and its SA3 area during this period, indicating it as a growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 95.5% of overall population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and ABS Greater Capital Region projections from 2023 based on 2022 data for areas not covered by the first set of projections. Projected demographic shifts suggest an above median population growth nationally, with Murdoch-Kardinya expected to grow by 2,275 persons to 2041, reflecting a total gain of 15.4% over the seventeen years.

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

Murdoch-Kardinya recorded approximately 101 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25507 homes were approved, with a further 19 approved in FY26. On average, each dwelling accommodated around 2.5 new residents per year over these five years.

The average construction cost value of new homes was $109,000. This financial year has seen $333.1 million in commercial approvals. Compared to Greater Perth, Murdoch-Kardinya exhibited moderately higher development activity, being 23.0% above the regional average per person over this five-year period.

Recent construction comprised 93.0% standalone homes and 7.0% attached dwellings. The area's population density was around 418 people per approval. By 2041, Murdoch-Kardinya is projected to grow by 2,173 residents. At current development rates, new housing supply should meet demand comfortably, potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Murdoch - Kardinya has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 35thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 11 projects that could impact the area. Notable ones include Kardinya Rise Estate, North Lake Road - Winterfold Road Intersection Upgrade, New Women and Babies Hospital, and Murdoch University New Academic Building. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Employment conditions in Murdoch - Kardinya demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Murdoch Kardinya has a well-educated workforce with strong representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 2.3% as of September 2025, lower than Greater Perth's 4.0%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.6%. As of September 2025, 7,991 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.7%, below Greater Perth's rate. Workforce participation lagged at 59.7% compared to Greater Perth's 65.2%. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade.

Education & training had a particularly high share, at 1.2 times the regional level. Conversely, mining showed lower representation at 5.0%, versus the regional average of 7.0%. The area functioned as an employment hub with 1.3 workers for every resident. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 4.6% while labour force increased by 4.6%, keeping unemployment stable at 2.3%. State-level data to November 25 showed WA employment contracted by 0.27%, with an unemployment rate of 4.6%, compared to the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May 25 project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Murdoch Kardinya's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.6% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that Murdoch - Kardinya SA2 has a high national median income of $54,940 and an average income of $71,892. In comparison, Greater Perth has a median income of $58,380 and an average income of $78,020. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 14.2% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Murdoch - Kardinya SA2 would be approximately $62,741 (median) and $82,101 (average) as of September 2025. The 2021 Census records household income at the 54th percentile ($1,824 weekly), with personal income at the 37th percentile. Income brackets indicate that the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 29.2% of residents (4,131 people). This is consistent with broader metropolitan trends showing 32.0% in the same category. After housing costs, residents retain 86.9% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

Murdoch-Kardinya's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 84.3% houses and 15.7% other dwellings. This compares to Perth metro's 76.5% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Murdoch-Kardinya stood at 45.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 32.8% and rented ones at 21.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,015, below Perth metro's average of $2,200. Median weekly rent in Murdoch-Kardinya was $400, matching the Perth metro figure but exceeding the national average of $375. Nationally, mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863.

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

Family households account for 73.4% of all households, including 30.8% couples with children, 31.9% couples without children, and 8.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 26.6%, with lone person households at 21.7% and group households comprising 4.9%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than 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 area's educational profile is notable regionally with university qualification rates at 36.1%, exceeding the Western Australia average of 27.9% and the Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4) regional average of 28.6%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 24.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 8.2% and graduate diplomas at 3.5%. Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 29.7% of residents aged 15+ holding these qualifications, including advanced diplomas at 11.2% and certificates at 18.5%.

Educational participation is high, with 30.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.4% in tertiary education, 6.5% in secondary education, and 6.1% pursuing primary education.

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

Murdoch-Kardinya has 102 active public transport stops. These are a mix of train and bus stations. They are served by 30 different routes that together provide 5958 weekly passenger trips.

Residents have excellent access to these stops, with an average distance of 184 meters to the nearest one. On average, there are 851 transport trips per day across all routes, which means each stop gets about 58 weekly trips.

Murdoch - Kardinya's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data shows relatively positive outcomes for Murdoch-Kardinya residents. Prevalence of common health conditions is low across both younger and older age cohorts.

Approximately 55% (~7,824 people) have private health cover, compared to 65.2% across Greater Perth. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (7.8%) and mental health issues (7.0%). Around 70.2% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 72.5% in Greater Perth. In Murdoch-Kardinya, 24.6% (~3,484 people) are aged 65 and over, higher than the 22.4% in Greater Perth. Health outcomes among seniors in Murdoch-Kardinya are strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

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 has high cultural diversity, with 27.5% speaking a language other than English at home and 39.9% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion, comprising 52.3%. Buddhism is overrepresented at 3.7%, compared to Greater Perth's 2.9%.

Top ancestry groups are English (24.0%), Australian (19.1%), and Other (10.9%). Notable divergences include Croatian (1.6% vs regional 1.1%), South African (1.0% vs 0.9%), and Italian (6.6% vs 4.9%).

Murdoch - Kardinya's median age exceeds the national pattern

Murdoch-Kardinya'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 age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Perth, Murdoch-Kardinya has a notably over-represented 15-24 cohort (17.2% locally) and an under-represented 5-14 age group (8.4%). According to the 2021 Census, the 15-24 age group grew from 15.5% to 17.2%, while the 75-84 cohort increased from 7.6% to 8.8%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort declined from 13.5% to 10.7%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests that Murdoch-Kardinya's age profile will change significantly. The 85+ cohort is projected to grow by 139%, adding 749 residents to reach 1,289. Residents aged 65 and older are expected to represent 70% of the population growth, while declines are projected for the 5-14 and 35-44 age groups.