Perth (North) - Highgate
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Perth (North) - Highgate are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Perth (North) - Highgate's population is around 13,415 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 2,001 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,414 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 13,406 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 128 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 4,532 persons per square kilometer, which lies in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Perth (North) - Highgate's growth rate of 17.5% since the 2021 census exceeded the national average of 8.6%. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 91.7% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and to estimate growth post-2032, AreaSearch utilises growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Looking ahead, a significant population increase is forecast for the area, with an expected growth of 3,658 persons to 2041, recording a gain of 27.2% over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Perth (North) - Highgate was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Perth (North) - Highgate has seen approximately 51 new homes approved annually. Development approval data from the ABS shows 259 dwellings were approved over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25. So far in FY-26, 65 dwellings have been recorded. On average, about 5.9 people moved to the area each year for every dwelling built during these five financial years.

This indicates that demand significantly outpaces supply, which typically exerts upward pressure on prices and intensifies competition among buyers. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $758,000, suggesting developers focus on the premium market with high-end developments. Additionally, commercial development approvals totalling $60.8 million have been recorded this financial year, indicating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Perth, Highgate records roughly half the building activity per person but ranks among the 77th percentile nationally for development activity, which has picked up recently.

Recent construction comprises 10.0% detached dwellings and 90.0% townhouses or apartments, reflecting a trend towards denser development that caters to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. The area has approximately 628 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market. By 2041, Perth (North) - Highgate is projected to grow by 3,649 residents. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially exacerbating buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Perth (North) - Highgate has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 13thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 58 projects likely to impact the area. Notable ones include Perth City Link Redevelopment, Perth Girls School Redevelopment, METRONET, and Swan River Causeway Bridge. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Perth (North) - Highgate shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Perth (North) - Highgate has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate is 5.1%.

As of June 2025, there are 9,290 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.1%, which is 1.2% higher than Greater Perth's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Highgate stands at 73.0%, compared to Greater Perth's 65.2%. Major employment sectors include professional & technical services, health care & social assistance, and accommodation & food services. Notably, professional & technical employment is concentrated at 1.9 times the regional average, while construction has limited presence with 5.2% employment compared to 9.3% regionally.

The worker-to-resident ratio, based on Census data, indicates substantial local employment opportunities at 0.9 workers per resident. Between June 2024 and June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.4%, while employment declined by 3.2%, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 1.8 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Perth saw employment growth of 3.7% and a minimal unemployment rate increase of 0.1%. Statewide in WA, employment contracted by 0.82% between Sep-24 and Sep-25, with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%, slightly below the national rate of 4.5%. Future employment growth projections for Perth (North) - Highgate, based on Jobs and Skills Australia's national forecasts from May 2025, suggest local employment could increase by approximately 6.9% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, assuming industry-specific growth patterns are maintained.

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

Perth (North) - Highgate had a median taxpayer income of $57,870 and an average of $83,495 in financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This was high compared nationally with Greater Perth's median income of $58,380 and average income of $78,020. As of March 2025, estimates based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.61% suggest the median income would be approximately $64,589 and the average $93,189. Census data shows individual earnings were at the 89th percentile nationally ($1,156 weekly), but household income ranked lower at the 59th percentile. The largest income bracket comprised 34.3% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (4,601 residents), similar to the surrounding region where 32.0% fell into this bracket. Housing costs consumed 17.7% of income, but strong earnings resulted in disposable income at the 57th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 8th decile.

Perth (North) - Highgate features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Perth (North) - Highgate, as per the latest Census evaluation, houses constituted 19.1% of dwellings while other types made up 81.0%. In contrast, Perth metropolitan area had 37.1% houses and 62.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Perth (North) - Highgate was at 15.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 24.4% and rented ones at 60.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,900, lower than the Perth metro average of $2,167. The median weekly rent figure for Highgate was $380, slightly higher than the Perth metro's $390. Nationally, mortgage repayments in Perth (North) - Highgate were higher at $1,900 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, while rents were also higher at $380 against the national figure of $375.

Perth (North) - Highgate features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 46.8% of all households, including 11.7% couples with children, 29.2% couples without children, and 4.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 53.2%, with lone person households at 41.9% and group households comprising 11.3%. The median household size is 1.9 people, which is smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.1.

Perth (North) - Highgate demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Perth (North) - Highgate's residents aged 15+ have a high level of educational attainment. 52.1% hold university qualifications, compared to 27.9% in WA and 30.1% in Greater Perth. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 33.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (13.8%) and graduate diplomas (4.4%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 25.8% of residents holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas account for 11.5% and certificates for 14.3%.

Educational participation is notable, with 29.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.5% in tertiary education, 5.0% in primary education, and 2.3% pursuing secondary education. The area's three schools have a combined enrollment of 1,163 students. Perth (North) - Highgate demonstrates significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement, with an ICSEA score of 1122. Education provision is balanced with two primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. School places per 100 residents are lower than the regional average at 8.7, indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

Perth (North) - Highgate has 51 operational public transport stops. All of these are bus stops. They are served by 38 different routes that together facilitate 6,527 weekly passenger journeys.

The transport accessibility in the area is rated as excellent, with residents on average being located 148 meters away from the nearest transport stop. On a daily basis, there are an average of 932 trips across all routes, which amounts to approximately 127 weekly trips per individual stop.

Perth (North) - Highgate's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Perth (North) - Highgate shows excellent health outcomes across all ages, with very low prevalence of common health conditions. The private health cover rate stands at approximately 61%, or 8,223 people, compared to Greater Perth's 69.8% and the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues affect 10.5% of residents, while asthma impacts 6.8%.

A total of 75.1% report no medical ailments, slightly higher than Greater Perth's 74.5%. The area has 9.9%, or 1,322 people, aged 65 and over, lower than Greater Perth's 15.1%. Senior health outcomes align with the general population's profile.

Perth (North) - Highgate is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Perth (North) - Highgate has a high level of cultural diversity, with 29.0% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 44.6% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in this area, comprising 31.0% of the population. However, Judaism is overrepresented compared to Greater Perth, making up 0.7% of Perth (North) - Highgate's population.

The top three ancestry groups are English at 23.3%, Australian at 15.9%, and Other at 13.3%. Notably, French, Spanish, and Korean ethnicities are also overrepresented in this area compared to the regional averages.

Perth (North) - Highgate's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

Perth (North) - Highgate has a median age of 33, which is younger than Greater Perth's figure of 37 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Perth, Perth (North) - Highgate has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (33.7%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (5.3%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the proportion of residents aged 45 to 54 has decreased from 10.3% to 9.8%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic shifts in Perth (North) - Highgate. The 25 to 34 age group is projected to grow by 22%, adding 995 residents to reach a total of 5,511. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age group is forecast to grow by only 8%, with an increase of 59 people.