Piara Waters - Forrestdale

Piara Waters - Forrestdale lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Piara Waters - Forrestdale's population is around 22,810 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 6,761 people (42.1%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 16,049 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 20,548 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 1,595 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 593 persons per square kilometer, providing significant space per person and potential room for further development. Piara Waters - Forrestdale's 42.1% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the national average (9.9%) and the state average, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration, which contributed approximately 57.4% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers, including natural growth and overseas migration, were positive factors.

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). Anticipating future population dynamics, a significant population increase in the top quartile of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch is forecast, with the area expected to increase by 6,559 persons by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 18.8% in total over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Piara Waters - Forrestdale was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Piara Waters - Forrestdale has averaged around 389 new dwelling approvals per year, with 1,946 homes approved over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 306 so far in FY-26. With an average of 3.1 people per year moving to the area for each dwelling built over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), supply is substantially lagging demand, which generally means heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures, while new properties are constructed at an average value of $229,000—under regional levels—indicating more accessible housing choices for buyers. Additionally, $57.0 million in commercial approvals have been registered this financial year, suggesting robust local business investment.

Compared to Greater Perth, Piara Waters - Forrestdale has 112.0% more construction activity (per person), which should provide buyers with ample choice. This is substantially higher than the national average, suggesting strong developer confidence in the location. New building activity consists of 99.0% detached houses and 1.0% attached dwellings, preserving the area's low-density nature with an emphasis on detached housing to attract space-seeking buyers. With around 57 people per dwelling approval, Piara Waters - Forrestdale shows characteristics of a growth area.

Population forecasts indicate Piara Waters - Forrestdale will gain 4,297 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Piara Waters - Forrestdale has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 28thth percentile nationally

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total, 50 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include Piara Waters Lifestyle Resort, Aarya Estate by Satterley, Ayana Estate, and Nicholson Road Local Shopping Centre, with the list below detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Piara Waters - Forrestdale performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Piara Waters - Forrestdale features a highly educated workforce, with essential services sectors well represented, an unemployment rate of just 1.5%, and 1.8% in estimated employment growth over the past year. As of December 2025, 12,181 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 2.6% below Greater Perth's rate of 4.1%, and workforce participation is well beyond standard (84.3% compared to Greater Perth's 71.9%). Based on Census responses, a low 7.4% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

Employment among residents is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Meanwhile, accommodation & food has a limited presence with 5.8% employment compared to 6.8% regionally. The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of the Census working population versus the resident population.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 1.8% while the labour force increased by 2.1%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.3 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Perth recorded employment growth of 2.3%, labour force growth of 2.6%, with unemployment rising 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Piara Waters - Forrestdale. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Piara Waters - Forrestdale's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.7% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for FY-23 reveals that income in the Piara Waters - Forrestdale SA2 is among the highest in Australia, with the median assessed at $68,395 while the average income stands at $80,291. This contrasts with Greater Perth's figures of a median income of $60,748 and an average income of $80,248. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $74,975 (median) and $88,015 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes all rank highly in Piara Waters - Forrestdale, between the 85th and 89th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 44.4% of residents (10,127 people), consistent with broader trends across the surrounding region showing 32.0% in the same category. A significant 34.9% earn above $3,000 weekly, reflecting pockets of prosperity that drive robust local economic activity. High housing costs consume 17.0% of income, though strong earnings still place disposable income at the 87th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Piara Waters - Forrestdale is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Dwelling structure within Piara Waters - Forrestdale, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 98.6% houses and 1.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Perth metro's 77.8% houses and 22.1% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Piara Waters - Forrestdale was lagging that of Perth metro, at 9.8%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (73.7%) or rented (16.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was above the Perth metro average at $2,028, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $420, compared to Perth metro's $1,907 and $350. Nationally, Piara Waters - Forrestdale's mortgage repayments are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially above the national figure of $375.

Piara Waters - Forrestdale features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households dominate at 86.3% of all households, comprising 57.7% couples with children, 19.3% couples without children, and 8.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 13.7%, with lone person households at 11.7% and group households comprising 2.0% of the total. The median household size of 3.2 people is larger than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

Piara Waters - Forrestdale shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Educational attainment in Piara Waters - Forrestdale significantly surpasses broader benchmarks, with 38.8% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications compared to 22.7% in the SA3 area and 27.9% in WA. This substantial educational advantage positions the area strongly for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees lead at 27.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (9.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 33.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (12.9%) and certificates (20.9%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 33.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 14.7% in primary education, 6.9% in secondary education, and 4.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 41 active transport stops operating within Piara Waters - Forrestdale, comprising a mix of buses. These stops are serviced by 5 individual routes, collectively providing 946 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 319 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; the car remains the dominant mode at 82%, with 11% by train. Vehicle ownership averages 1.8 per dwelling, which is above the regional average. A relatively low 7.4% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 135 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 23 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Health outcomes data demonstrates outstanding results across Piara Waters - Forrestdale, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. There is a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups, and the rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 60% of the total population (13,571 people).

The most common medical conditions in the area were found to be asthma and mental health issues, impacting 5.2% and 4.9% of residents, respectively, while 83.9% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 71.9% across Greater Perth. The area has 5.3% of residents aged 65 and over (1,202 people), which is lower than the 16.3% in Greater Perth. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Piara Waters - Forrestdale is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Piara Waters - Forrestdale scores highly on cultural diversity, with 44.8% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 49.6% born overseas. The main religion in Piara Waters - Forrestdale is Christianity, which makes up 40.9% of the population. However, the most apparent overrepresentation is in Other, which comprises 6.7% of the population, substantially higher than the Greater Perth average of 1.4%.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Piara Waters - Forrestdale are Other, comprising 19.5% of the population, which is substantially higher than the regional average of 11.2%, English, comprising 19.0% of the population, which is notably lower than the regional average of 28.0%, and Australian, comprising 16.4% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Indian is notably overrepresented at 12.9% of Piara Waters - Forrestdale (vs 2.6% regionally), South Australian at 1.9% (vs 1.0%) and Filipino at 2.8% (vs 1.4%).

Piara Waters - Forrestdale hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

At 32 years, Piara Waters - Forrestdale's median age is materially younger than the Greater Perth average of 37 and also significantly lower than the 38-year national average. Relative to Greater Perth, Piara Waters - Forrestdale has a higher concentration of 35 - 44 residents (23.8%) but fewer 55 - 64 year-olds (5.6%). This 35 - 44 concentration is well above the national 14.3%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 45 to 54 age group has grown from 9.5% to 12.2% of the population, while the 5 to 14 cohort increased from 18.3% to 20.2%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 cohort has declined from 18.9% to 13.9% and the 0 to 4 group dropped from 11.4% to 8.4%. Demographic modeling suggests Piara Waters - Forrestdale's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 45 to 54 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 67%, adding 1,865 residents to reach 4,644. On the other hand, numbers in the 35 to 44 age range are expected to fall by 327.