Roebourne
Statistical Area - sa2

Roebourne has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Roebourne's population is approximately 5,663 as of August 2025. This figure indicates an increase of 476 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,187. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,665 in June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 0.40 persons per square kilometer. Roebourne's growth rate of 9.2% since the 2021 census exceeds the national average of 8.6%. Natural growth contributed approximately 58.6% 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 post-2032 growth estimation, 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). Based on projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below Australia's regional median is expected. The area is projected to increase by 703 persons to reach 6,366 by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 12.4% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Roebourne, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Roebourne averaged approximately 40 new dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, totalling 201 approvals between the financial years 2021 and 2025, with no approvals recorded so far in the current financial year ending June 2026. Over the past five financial years, an average of 0.6 new residents per year arrived for each new home approved, indicating that new supply has been keeping pace with or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average construction value of these properties was $1,190,000, suggesting a focus on the premium market with high-end developments.

In the current financial year, there have been $56.8 million in commercial approvals, indicating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to the rest of Western Australia, Roebourne has 110.0% more new home approvals per person, offering greater choice for buyers, although construction activity has recently eased. Recent construction comprises 94.0% detached houses and 6.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. Developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies (77.0% at Census), reflecting persistent strong demand for family homes.

The estimated population count of 3144 people per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Roebourne will gain 705 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Roebourne has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 13thth percentile nationally

"Infrastructure changes significantly influence regional performance. AreaSearch identified 14 potential impact projects; key ones are Perdaman Urea Project - Project Destiny, Yuri Hydrogen Project, Karratha Hotel Development, and Pelago East Apartments.".

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

While Roebourne retains a healthy unemployment rate of 3.0%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Roebourne has a diverse workforce with both white and blue-collar jobs, particularly in manufacturing and industrial sectors. Its unemployment rate is 3.0%.

As of June 2025, 2,960 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.1%, slightly below Rest of WA's 3.2%. Workforce participation is similar to the regional average at 59.4%. Key industries include mining (employing 3.9 times more people than the regional level), health care & social assistance, and education & training. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence with only 0.5% employment compared to 9.3% regionally.

The worker-to-resident ratio is 1.2:1, indicating Roebourne hosts more jobs than residents. Over the year to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.7%, with a corresponding 3.2% employment decline and a rise in unemployment rate of 0.5 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May 2025) project national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though industry-specific projections suggest Roebourne's growth could be approximately 4.4% over five years and 10.9% over ten years.

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

Roebourne has a median taxpayer income of $83,353 and an average income of $95,346 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2022. This places Roebourne in the top percentile nationally, contrasting with Rest of WA's median income of $57,323 and average income of $71,163. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.61% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for March 2025 would be approximately $93,030 (median) and $106,416 (average). Census data shows household, family and personal incomes in Roebourne rank highly nationally, between the 97th and 97th percentiles. The $4000+ income bracket dominates with 32.3% of residents (1,829 people), unlike regional trends where 31.1% fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. A substantial proportion of high earners (49.7% above $3,000/week) indicates strong economic capacity throughout Roebourne. After housing costs, residents retain 93.2% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Dwelling structure in Roebourne, as evaluated at the Census conducted 26 August 2016, comprised 77.0% houses and 23.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro WA's structure of 81.0% houses and 19.0% other dwellings during the same period. The level of home ownership in Roebourne was 10.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 20.1% and rented dwellings at 69.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,167, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $150. Nationally, Roebourne's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863 for the year 2016, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375 during that period.

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

Family households account for 77.2% of all households, composed of 42.3% couples with children, 24.8% couples without children, and 8.6% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 22.8%, with lone person households at 20.7% and group households comprising 2.1% of the total. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Rest of WA average of 2.8.

Roebourne faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 15.2%, significantly below the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 11.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.0%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 49.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (9.2%) and certificates (40.4%).

Educational participation is high, with 42.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 18.6% in primary education, 12.4% in secondary education, and 2.6% pursuing tertiary education. Roebourne's 4 schools have a combined enrollment reaching 659 students as of the latest data available. Roebourne demonstrates varied educational conditions across its regions. The educational mix includes 2 primary schools and 2 K-12 schools. School places per 100 residents (11.6) fall below the regional average (19.4), with some students likely attending schools in adjacent areas. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

Roebourne has ten active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These are served by two routes that together offer 21 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is limited, with residents on average located 1392 meters from the nearest stop.

Services run approximately three times a day across all routes, amounting to about two weekly trips per individual stop.

Roebourne's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Roebourne's health outcomes show low prevalence of common conditions across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover stands at approximately 69% (3,924 people), compared to Rest of WA's 72.0%. Nationally, this figure is 55.3%.

The most prevalent conditions are asthma (6.2%) and mental health issues (5.1%). About 78.8% report no medical ailments, compared to Rest of WA's 81.3%. Roebourne has 5.1% residents aged 65 and over (291 people), higher than Rest of WA's 3.1%. Senior health outcomes require more attention despite being above average.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Roebourne was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Roebourne, as per data from June 2021, had a cultural diversity index above the average with 16.7% of its population born overseas and 17.1% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Roebourne, accounting for 33.7% of the population as of June 2021. The 'Other' religious category showed an overrepresentation in Roebourne with 1.9%, compared to the regional average of 1.1%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups in Roebourne were Australian (28.1%), English (24.2%), and Australian Aboriginal (15.0%), the latter being significantly higher than the regional average of 8.5% as of June 2021. Notable divergences existed for Maori (Roebourne: 1.8%, Regional: 2.0%), New Zealand (Roebourne: 1.1%, Regional: 1.3%), and South African (Roebourne: 0.7%, Regional: 0.7%) ethnic groups as of June 2021.

Roebourne hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Roebourne has a median age of 34, which is younger than the Rest of WA figure of 40 and below Australia's median age of 38 years. The age group of 35-44 shows strong representation at 21.0%, compared to Rest of WA, while the 65-74 cohort is less prevalent at 4.0%. This concentration in the 35-44 age group is well above the national average of 14.2%. Since 2021, the percentage of the population aged 35 to 44 has grown from 19.3% to 21.0%. Conversely, the percentage of those aged 5 to 14 has declined from 15.0% to 13.3%, and the percentage of those aged 45 to 54 has dropped from 15.2% to 14.1%. By 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Roebourne's age structure. The 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 31%, reaching 1,323 people from the current 1,013. Meanwhile, both the 75-84 and 15-24 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.