Roebuck

An assessment of population growth drivers in Roebuck reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, the population of Roebuck stands at approximately 2,678 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 368 people (15.9%) from the 2021 Census, when the population was recorded at 2,310 people. This shift is calculated using the ABS estimated resident population of 2,675 from June 2025 alongside 15 validated new addresses identified since the Census. With these numbers, the local density ratio sits at 0.00 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious environment for residents. The 15.9% population increase since the 2021 census outpaced the national average (9.3%) as well as the Rest of WA, positioning the locality as a leading growth zone. Natural growth was the primary driver of this expansion, accounting for roughly 52.8% of the overall population rise in recent times.

AreaSearch implements projections from the ABS/Geoscience Australia for each SA2 region, which were published in 2024 using 2022 as the baseline year. For any SA2 regions lacking this coverage, and to calculate growth projections past 2032, AreaSearch applies age cohort growth rates from the latest ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023 and based on 2022 data). Factoring in these demographic adjustments, the region is projected to experience population expansion above the median for non-metropolitan Australia, with an estimated rise of 331 persons by 2041 based on the most recent annual ERP statistics, which equates to a 12.2% cumulative growth over the 16 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Roebuck according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Roebuck averages approximately 5 residential building approvals annually, with a total of 29 homes approved over the last 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 10 approvals have been documented. Since an average of 4.7 new residents per year have arrived for each dwelling built over the past 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25), demand outstrips the supply of new housing, which typically drives up prices and intensifies competition among buyers, even as new dwellings average a construction value of $482,000, indicating a developer focus on high-end, premium projects. Additionally, commercial approvals have reached $6.3 million this financial year, suggesting a relatively quiet commercial building sector.

In comparison to the Rest of WA, construction activity per capita in Roebuck is 19.0% lower, placing the area in the 28th percentile of all regions evaluated across the nation, which limits choice for buyers and sustains interest in the established housing market. This level of activity is also below the national average, reflecting a mature local market and indicating possible planning restrictions. Furthermore, recent building activity has consisted entirely of detached houses, maintaining the low-density character of the area and appealing to buyers seeking extra space. The metric of 665 people in the region per single dwelling approval highlights this quiet, low-intensity construction market.

Future forecasts suggest Roebuck will gain 328 residents by 2041 (starting from the most recent quarterly estimate by AreaSearch). If building activity remains at its current pace, the supply of housing may fall short of population growth, which could increase buyer competition and support upward pressure on prices.

Roebuck has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 30thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure, planning initiatives, and major developments have a significant impact on local performance. AreaSearch has identified 24 active projects likely to influence the area. Key developments include the Blue Haze Light Industrial Precinct, Broome North - Waranyjarri Estate, Broome North Primary School, and the Sanctuary Road Caravan Park, Key Worker And Over 55S Village, with the list below highlighting the most relevant ones.

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.

The labour market performance in Roebuck lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

The local workforce is evenly distributed between white and blue collar occupations, with a strong representation of essential services, an unemployment rate of 14.2%, and an estimated job growth rate of 5.7% over the past year. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 884, while the unemployment rate was 10.7% higher than the Regional WA average of 3.5%, indicating opportunities for labor market improvement, and the workforce participation rate was notably low (50.0% compared to 65.6% in Regional WA). According to Census statistics, a small proportion of residents (7.5%) worked from home, though the influence of Covid-19 restrictions during that period should be kept in mind.

The primary employment sectors for residents are education & training, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and accommodation & food. The region displays a strong concentration of jobs in education & training, where the employment share is 2.0 times the regional average. Conversely, mining plays a minor role, employing 3.1% of the workforce compared to 11.7% across the region. Local job opportunities appear limited when comparing the number of working residents to the locally based jobs recorded in the Census.

Based on an analysis of SALM and ABS data by AreaSearch, the year ending March 2026 saw employment levels rise by 5.7% and the labour force expand by 3.2%, which contributed to a 2.1 percentage point drop in unemployment. Over the same timeframe, Regional WA saw employment fall by 0.1%, labour force grow by 0.3%, and unemployment increase by 0.4 percentage points. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia released in May-25 provide context for future labor demand in Roebuck. These five and ten-year forecasts have been aligned with the local employment structure to project future trends. Although national employment is predicted to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, individual sectors will experience varied rates of growth. Applying these sector-specific forecasts to the local industry mix suggests employment in Roebuck could expand by 5.5% over five years and 12.0% over ten years (note that this is a simple weighted estimation for illustration purposes and does not incorporate local population forecasts).

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

According to the latest postcode-level ATO data compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year, the median income for taxpayers in the Roebuck SA2 is $65,016, with an average income of $75,520. These figures sit well above the national averages, and contrast with the Regional WA median of $59,973 and average of $74,392. Adjusting for Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to a median income of $72,122 and an average of $83,774 as of March 2026. The 2021 Census data indicates that household, family, and individual incomes in the area rank between the 2nd and 9th percentiles nationwide. The income bracket of $800 - 1,499 is the most common, accounting for 27.1% of residents (725 people), which differs from regional trends where 31.1% of taxpayers are in the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Even though housing costs remain low, with residents keeping 89.4% of their income, total disposable income for the area sits at the 15th percentile nationally.

Roebuck is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The mix of housing in Roebuck at the time of the last Census consisted of 85.7% detached houses and 14.3% other dwelling types (such as townhouses, apartments, and alternative housing), compared to Regional WA where houses made up 88.5% and other dwellings accounted for 11.6%. Home ownership rates in Roebuck were lower than the regional average, standing at 16.8%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (9.5%) or renting (73.7%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,167 was significantly higher than the Regional WA average, while the median weekly rent was $100, compared to $1,560 and $265 in Regional WA. On a national level, mortgage payments in Roebuck are notably higher than the Australian average of $1,863, whereas rental costs are well below the national median of $375.

Roebuck has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Families make up the majority of households at 73.0%, consisting of couples with children (29.8%), couples without children (19.4%), and single parent families (20.6%). Non-family households represent the remaining 27.0%, consisting of single-person households at 24.5% and group living situations at 2.7%. The median household size of 3.0 people is larger than the Regional WA average of 2.5.

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

The locality displays low levels of higher education, with university qualification rates at 15.9%, which is well below the national average of 30.4%. This highlights a clear opportunity for targeted educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 11.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.6% and graduate diplomas at 1.8%. Vocational and technical training is popular, with 31.7% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (7.6%) and certificates (24.1%).

A high proportion of the population is engaged in study, with 32.0% of residents currently enrolled in an educational institution. This group includes 17.7% in primary school, 8.9% in secondary school, and 1.2% in tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Roebuck's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Based on AreaSearch's analysis of mortality figures and chronic illness, the health outcomes in Roebuck align closely with national benchmarks, showing standard rates of common illnesses across both younger and older demographics, while private health insurance coverage is high, representing about 57% of the population (~1,515 people).

Asthma and diabetes are the most common chronic conditions, affecting 4.1% and 3.9% of residents, respectively, while 82.5% of the population reported no chronic conditions at all, compared to 69.3% in Regional WA. The working-age population is healthy, showing low rates of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and older represent 8.3% of the community (221 people), which is below the Regional WA proportion of 19.2%. Senior health outcomes are very strong, with national rankings exceeding those of the general local population.

Roebuck ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Roebuck displays lower levels of cultural diversity than average, with citizenship at 85.4%, Australian-born residents at 90.7%, and English as the sole language spoken at home for 76.5% of the population. Christianity is the predominant religion, followed by 64.4% of the population, compared to 44.6% across Regional WA.

Looking at ancestral backgrounds (parents' country of birth), the three largest groups in Roebuck are Australian Aboriginal at 54.6% of the population (significantly above the regional average of 6.1%), English at 13.5% (notably lower than the regional average of 31.3%), and Australian at 12.6% (notably lower than the regional average of 28.4%). Other ancestral lines show distinct patterns, with Spanish representation at 0.7% (compared to 0.2% regionally), New Zealand representation at 0.6% (compared to 0.9%), and French representation at 0.4% (compared to 0.4%).

Roebuck hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Roebuck has a median age of 30, making it younger than Regional WA (40) and Australia as a whole (38). Compared to Regional WA, Roebuck has a larger proportion of residents aged 25 - 34 (18.3%) but fewer residents aged 75 - 84 (0.9%). Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age cohort grew from 12.9% to 15.5% of the population, and the 25 to 34 cohort rose from 16.7% to 18.3%. In contrast, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 12.1% to 10.4%, while the 75 to 84 cohort decreased from 2.3% to 0.9%. Population projections for 2041 indicate demographic shifts, with the 25 to 34 age group projected to grow by 32%, adding 157 residents to reach 647, whereas the 5 to 14 and 65 to 74 cohorts are expected to decrease in size.