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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.
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Sales Activity
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Sales Detail
Population
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 13,413 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 1,999 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 127 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 4,531 persons per square kilometer. Perth (North) - Highgate's growth rate of 17.5% since the 2021 census exceeded the national average of 8.9%. Population growth 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, AreaSearch uses growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Projecting forward, a significant population increase is forecast for the area, with an expected growth of 3,658 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 27.2% over the 17 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
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. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 259 homes were approved, with a further 68 approved so far in FY26. On average, about 5.9 people moved to the area for each dwelling built during these years.
This indicates that supply is significantly lagging behind demand, which typically leads to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. The average construction cost of new properties in the area is around $547,000, suggesting developers are focusing on the premium market with high-end developments. In terms of commercial approvals, approximately $60.8 million has been registered this financial year, indicating robust local business investment. Comparatively, Perth North - Highgate has about half the rate of new dwelling approvals per person when compared to Greater Perth.
However, it ranks among the 77th percentile of areas assessed nationally for development activity. Recent construction trends show that around 10% are detached dwellings, with the remaining 90% being townhouses or apartments. This shift towards denser development provides accessible entry options and appeals to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. The area currently has approximately 628 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Perth North - Highgate is projected to gain around 3,651 residents by 2041. Given current development rates, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially leading to increased buyer competition and supporting price increases in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Infrastructure
Perth (North) - Highgate has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 9thth percentile nationally
Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 55 projects expected to impact the region. Notable initiatives include Perth Girls School Redevelopment, Swan River Causeway Bridge, METRONET, and Perth City Link Redevelopment. The following list details projects likely to be most relevant.
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INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
METRONET
METRONET is Western Australia's largest-ever public transport infrastructure program, delivering over 72 kilometres of new passenger rail and 23 new stations across the Perth metropolitan area. As of December 2025, multiple stages are complete or nearing completion: Yanchep Rail Extension (opened July 2024), Morley-Ellenbrook Line (opened December 2024), Thornlie-Cockburn Link (opened June 2025), and Byford Rail Extension (opened October 2025). Remaining projects including the Airport Line upgrades, Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal (six crossings removed by late 2025), Circle Route Bus Priority, and final stages of the Ellenbrook Line are under active construction, with the overall program on track for substantial completion by 2027-2028. The program also includes 246 locally built C-series railcars, high-capacity signalling, and extensive station precinct activation.
Perth City Link Redevelopment
A $1.35 billion transformative urban renewal precinct reconnecting Perth's CBD with Northbridge. The project is currently headlined by the construction of the $853 million ECU City Campus (opening 2026) and the recently announced $500 million mixed-use residential towers by Oceania Capital and Erben Place. The precinct will deliver over 1,500 new residents and student beds, alongside the completed Perth Hub and Yagan Square.
Edith Cowan University City Campus
Australia's first comprehensive inner-city university campus spanning 11 super-levels and 65,000 square metres. It reached its full structural height in late 2024 ('top out' milestone), with internal fit-out continuing in 2025. The campus will house the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), School of Business and Law, creative industries programs, and emerging technology faculties, including a Cyber Security Operations Center. Key features include six world-class WAAPA performance venues, a dynamic digital media facade with over 2,800 custom LED fixtures, and an immersive digital foyer screen. The campus integrates with the Perth Busport and will accommodate over 10,000 students and staff. It is a $853M joint investment by the Australian Government, WA Government, and ECU, and is set to open in semester one 2026.
City of Vincent Local Planning Scheme No. 2 (LPS2) and Mount Lawley/Highgate Precinct Guidelines
Local Planning Scheme No. 2 (gazetted 16 May 2018) is the statutory planning framework that sets land uses, densities and development controls across the City of Vincent. It remains in force and is being updated through periodic amendments (e.g. Amendments 10 and 12 completed; Amendment 13 on short term accommodation progressing in 2025). The Mount Lawley/Highgate Precinct Guidelines provide additional local guidance for this precinct, complementing the scheme and local planning policies.
Perth Cultural Centre Rejuvenation
Rejuvenation of the Perth Cultural Centre precinct in Northbridge as part of the Perth City Deal. The 55 million dollar project, led by the WA Government and the Arts and Culture Trust, is transforming the public spaces between the Art Gallery of WA, WA Museum Boola Bardip, State Library of WA, State Theatre Centre of WA, Blue Room Theatre and PICA into a greener, safer and more accessible cultural hub. Works, which started in January 2025 and are expected to finish in 2026, include demolition of outdated structures, new landscaped and shaded pathways, upgraded lighting and safety, public art, hospitality offerings and flexible event and gathering spaces.
James Street Revitalisation
Major streetscape revitalisation project for James Street in Perth's Northbridge entertainment precinct. The City of Perth developed a draft concept plan approved by Council in May 2025, following extensive community consultation. The project aims to enhance safety and amenity, increase street greening, celebrate cultural identity, and support local businesses and public life. Key improvements include enhanced lighting and passive surveillance, cleaner and more comfortable streetscapes, increased tree coverage, improved pedestrian access, and celebration of the area's cultural diversity. The draft concept plan underwent public consultation from June to July 2025, with implementation expected to commence following final design approval. The project extends from Fitzgerald Street to William Street and includes improvements to the Perth Cultural Centre entrance.
Perth Girls School Redevelopment
Redevelopment of the former Perth Girls School into a mixed-use precinct led by Australian Development Capital and Warburton Group. The DA approved masterplan delivers about 742 dwellings (500 build-to-rent, 242 build-to-sell) including affordable and social housing, plus retail, supermarket, hospitality (including a microbrewery), creative and cultural spaces in the retained heritage school building. Following 2022 approval by DevelopmentWA, the developer indicates delivery will proceed in stages due to market conditions, with amendments being prepared prior to construction.
East Perth Power Station Redevelopment
$218 million redevelopment of heritage-listed power station by Swan River. Joint venture between Andrew Forrest's companies to create 8.5-hectare waterfront precinct redevelopment with mixed-use development featuring residential, commercial, recreational, tourism, retail, hospitality, and cultural facilities while preserving heritage elements. Site preparation works commenced with masterplanning underway.
Employment
Perth (North) - Highgate shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia
Perth (North) - Highgate has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation. Its unemployment rate is 5.8%.
As of September 2025, there are 9,136 residents employed with an unemployment rate at 1.8% above Greater Perth's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation in Highgate is high at 73.0%, compared to Greater Perth's 65.2%. Employment among residents is concentrated in professional & technical (1.9 times the regional average), health care & social assistance, and accommodation & food services. Construction employment is limited at 5.2% compared to the regional average of 9.3%.
The resident-to-worker ratio is 0.9, indicating substantial local employment opportunities. Over the year to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.8%, and employment declined by 5.0%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 2.2 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Perth saw employment growth of 2.9% and labour force growth of 3.0%, with only marginal unemployment increase. State-level data from November 25, 2025 shows WA employment contracted by 0.27%, losing 5,520 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.6%. This compares to the national unemployment rate of 4.3% and national employment growth of 0.14%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Highgate's employment mix indicates local employment could grow by 6.9% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch
The median taxpayer income in Perth (North) - Highgate SA2 is $57,870, with an average of $83,495 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. This contrasts nationally with Greater Perth's median income of $58,380 and average income of $78,020. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 14.2% since financial year 2022, estimates as of September 2025 would be approximately $66,088 (median) and $95,351 (average). Census data shows individual earnings at the 88th percentile nationally ($1,156 weekly), though household income ranks lower at the 58th percentile. The largest income bracket comprises 34.3% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (4,600 residents). High housing costs consume 17.7% of income, placing disposable income at the 57th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking in the 8th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Perth (North) - Highgate features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region
Perth (North) - Highgate's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, showed 19.1% houses and 81.0% other dwellings. In comparison, Perth metro 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 was $1,900, below the Perth metro average of $2,167. Median weekly rent in the area was $380, compared to Perth metro's $390. Nationally, mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents exceeded the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Perth (North) - Highgate features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size
Family households comprise 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 account for the remaining 53.2%, with lone person households at 41.9% and group households making up 11.3%. The median household size is 1.9 people, which is smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.1.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
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
Educational attainment in Perth (North) - Highgate shows significant surpassing of broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15+, 52.1% hold university qualifications, compared to 27.9% in WA and 30.1% in the Greater Perth area. This indicates a substantial educational advantage for the region, positioning it strongly for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees lead at 33.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (13.8%) and graduate diplomas (4.4%).
Trade and technical skills are prominently featured, with 25.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (11.5%) and certificates (14.3%). Educational participation is notably high, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Perth (North) - Highgate has 51 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 38 different routes that collectively facilitate 6,527 weekly passenger trips. The transport accessibility in the area is excellent, with residents typically located just 148 meters from their nearest transport stop.
On average, there are 932 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 127 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
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 with a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The private health cover rate is notably high at approximately 61% of the total population (8,222 people), compared to 69.8% in Greater Perth and the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions, affecting 10.5 and 6.8% of residents respectively.
A significant majority, 75.1%, report being free from medical ailments, slightly higher than the 74.5% in Greater Perth. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 9.9% (1,322 people), compared to 15.1% in Greater Perth. Health outcomes among seniors align with those of the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
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 main religion in Perth North - Highgate, comprising 31.0% of people. Judaism is overrepresented, making up 0.7% compared to 0.6% across Greater Perth.
The top three ancestry groups are English (23.3%), Australian (15.9%), and Other (13.3%). Notably, French (0.9%) Spanish (0.8%), and Korean (1.0%) ethnicities are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.8%, 0.6%, and 0.6% respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
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, 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 figure of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the proportion of residents aged 45 to 54 has decreased from 10.3% to 9.8%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes in Highgate. The 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 22%, adding 996 residents to reach a total of 5,511. Meanwhile, the 5-14 age group is expected to grow by a modest 8%, with an increase of 59 people.