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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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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Safety Bay - Shoalwater has an estimated 13,311 residents, up from 12,039 at the 2021 Census — a change of 1,272 people, or 10.6%. Growth has averaged 1.6% a year over five years. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 53.5% of that increase. That puts 1,851 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research conducted by AreaSearch, the resident count in Safety Bay - Shoalwater stands at roughly 13,311 as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 1,272 people (10.6%) compared to the 12,039 people recorded in the 2021 Census. Such demographic movement is deduced using the ABS estimated resident population figure of 13,307 as of June 2025 alongside 18 validated new addresses confirmed following the Census date. With these numbers, the local density equates to 1,851 persons per square kilometer, outperforming the benchmark across nationwide locations reviewed by AreaSearch.
Moreover, the 10.6% pace of expansion recorded in Safety Bay - Shoalwater since the 2021 census outpaced the national average (9.5%), establishing the locality as a regional leader in expansion. Inbound interstate migration served as the primary driver of this demographic surge, generating around 53.5% of total net additions in recent periods. AreaSearch incorporates SA2 projections published in 2024 by the ABS/Geoscience Australia that use 2022 as their starting point. Where specific SA2 locations lack coverage in that series, and across all localities for periods following post-2032, AreaSearch applies age-bracket growth trajectories from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023, based on 2022 data). Looking at long-term outlooks, demographic expansion is anticipated to track slightly below the national SA2 median, as Safety Bay - Shoalwater is modeled to add 726 persons to 2041 under latest annual ERP population numbers, corresponding to an overall rise of 5.4% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
157 new dwellings have been approved in Safety Bay - Shoalwater over the past five years, an average of 31 a year. That places the area in the 62nd percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 2 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 31 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 94% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Building activity in Safety Bay - Shoalwater has generated development consent for approximately 31 dwellings per annum, totaling 157 homes approved over the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). Inflow into the community has averaged 6.3 people per year for every home constructed over the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), resulting in demand substantially exceeding new additions, a dynamic that tends to heighten buyer competition and lift residential pricing, with new dwellings recording an average expected construction cost of $445,000. On the commercial front, approvals amounting to $3.8 million have been registered this financial year, pointing to a modest pipeline for non-residential building.
When evaluated against Greater Perth, construction intensity in Safety Bay - Shoalwater is markedly subdued (74.0% below regional average per person). This restrained volume of fresh supply generally reinforces interest and pricing across established housing stock. Activity also tracks below nationwide levels, illustrating the mature character of the market and potential physical limits on new construction. Detached dwellings represent 94.0% of new development approvals, alongside 6.0% attached dwellings, preserving the low-density suburban landscape and providing family properties for those seeking living space. With a ratio of approximately 390 people per approval, Safety Bay - Shoalwater demonstrates classic mature-suburb characteristics. Long-range demographic modelling points to Safety Bay - Shoalwater growing by 722 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Maintaining prevailing building volumes should allow residential supply to comfortably accommodate incoming demand, providing supportive conditions for home seekers while potentially facilitating expansion beyond current baseline projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Safety Bay - Shoalwater
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 10 current infrastructure and development projects inside Safety Bay - Shoalwater, worth an estimated $332 million. A further 103 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $46.5 billion. 35 are already under construction and 48 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, residential development and communities. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
The long-term trajectory of any community is heavily shaped by local capital investments, major development projects, and public planning programs. AreaSearch has pinpointed 17 projects overall that are anticipated to influence the immediate district. Prominent among these undertakings are Oceanside Promenade, The Strand at Safety Bay, Safety Bay Road & Penguin Road Mixed-Use Precinct (Proposed), and Safety Bay/Waikiki Foreshore Lighting Replacement Works, with core initiatives itemised in the following section.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Safety Bay Foreshore Community Facility Development
Revitalisation of the Safety Bay foreshore at the Pond Activity Node to replace the ageing Safety Bay Yacht Club. The development incorporates a new multipurpose community facility, commercial hospitality space, upgraded pedestrian and cycling paths, parking improvements, and coastal reserve landscaping.
Safety Bay and Waikiki Foreshore Lighting Replacement Works
Replacement and modernization of aged public lighting infrastructure along the Safety Bay and Waikiki foreshore reserves. The project includes the installation of new energy-efficient LED luminaires, new light poles, and upgraded underground electrical cabling to enhance pedestrian safety, security, and public amenity across key foreshore carparks and recreational pathways.
Oceanside Promenade
Boutique project of 28 luxury townhouses and apartments directly opposite Safety Bay Beach, offering ocean views and high-end coastal finishes. Developed by Blueprint Homes in partnership with JBA Constructions, the project targets downsizers and premium coastal buyers in Safety Bay.
The Strand at Safety Bay
The Strand at Safety Bay is a premium coastal land estate delivering 48 beachside lots directly opposite the Safety Bay foreshore. Many homesites offer ocean views and all are within walking distance of the beach, yacht club and local cafes, providing a low-rise coastal neighbourhood focused on lifestyle and beach access.
Safety Bay Road & Penguin Road Mixed-Use Precinct
Planned revitalization and intensification of the Safety Bay Road and Penguin Road Local Centre into a walkable coastal village. Guided by the City of Rockingham Local Planning Strategy, the project involves rezoning key lots to commercial and residential uses to facilitate a mix of local retail, medical, and commercial tenancies. The strategy emphasizes improved public realm, medium-density housing, and enhanced pedestrian connectivity to the Safety Bay foreshore.
Baldivis Road and Kulija Road Intersection Upgrade
Traffic intersection upgrade improving safety and traffic flow at the busy Baldivis Road and Kulija Road intersection to accommodate growing residential development in the area.
Waikiki Beach Hotel and Mixed Commercial Development
Redevelopment of the long-vacant former Waikiki Hotel/Motel site on the Safety Bay foreshore, at the corner of Safety Bay Road and Malibu Road, into a beachfront mixed commercial precinct. The approximately 13,000sqm oceanfront site is being developed by Fabric Property across four parcels: a child care centre for up to 82 children; a medical centre with consulting rooms, physiotherapy, pharmacy, speciality tenancies and a cafe; the Waikiki Beach Hotel, a 1,000-patron tavern with bar, restaurant, terrace and deck areas, a drive-through bottleshop and a dedicated children's play area; and a fourth parcel earmarked for future residential development.A gym is also included. The Metro Outer Joint Development Assessment Panel approved the $12 million mixed commercial development on 9 April 2024, after an earlier deferral over a parking shortfall was resolved by requiring a minimum of 159 on-site bays supplemented by public parking across the road. Conditions include acoustic assessments prior to building permit and occupation, and end-of-trip bicycle facilities. A conditional liquor licence for the tavern was frozen in February 2025 following objections from two nearby residents, prompting publican Arthur Barrett to threaten withdrawal, but the Liquor Commission of Western Australia dismissed the objections on 4 November 2025, finding the grant unlikely to cause undue offence, annoyance, disturbance or inconvenience, and reactivated the licence. Amendments to the tavern approval were subsequently approved by the panel on 14 October 2025 and a further minor layout amendment on 24 February 2026. The site operated as a tavern for around 50 years until the early 2000s, and City of Rockingham Planning Policy 3.3.23 requires any redevelopment to include a licensed premises component to restore the site's role as a social focal point for the coastal strip. Construction had not been publicly confirmed as commenced as at mid-2026; the development approval lapses four years from grant if not substantially commenced.
Rockingham Community Hub and Rockingham Lotteries House
Adaptive reuse and redevelopment transforming two former childcare centres into an integrated community services facility and modernised Lotteries House. The development delivers purpose-built accommodations for not-for-profit organisations, multi-functional community meeting spaces, and upgraded accessible outdoor public areas.
6,374 residents of Safety Bay - Shoalwater are employed, from a labour force of 6,728. Unemployment sits at 5.3%, with participation at 60.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.0% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 10,872, about 82% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local labour pool in Safety Bay - Shoalwater displays strong professional capacity, especially across essential public services, alongside an unemployment rate of 5.3%. In terms of absolute numbers as of March 2026, 6,374 residents are in work, while the jobless rate sits 1.1% above Greater Perth's rate of 4.2%, and total labour participation shows a noticeable deficit (60.0% compared to Greater Perth's 69.9%). Looking at Census responses, only 8.5% of residents reported working from their residence, though prevailing Covid-19 lockdown impacts must be kept in mind. Resident employment is primarily anchored by health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training.
Furthermore, the district demonstrates a distinctive specialisation in manufacturing, capturing an employment share 1.5 times the regional level. Conversely, professional & technical roles are comparatively sparse, engaging just 5.3% of Safety Bay - Shoalwater's workforce relative to 8.2% in Greater Perth. Given its heavily residential character, the suburb offers relatively few jobs within its borders, as evidenced by comparing the tally of Census working population vs resident population. According to AreaSearch evaluations of ABS and SALM series, the 12 months to March 2026 saw the local labour force contract by 0.9% alongside a 0.7% decrease in employment, yielding an unemployment rate fall by 0.2 percentage points. Over that same timeframe, Greater Perth recorded employment growth of 2.0% and labour force growth of 2.5%, together with a 0.4 percentage point rise. Broader insights into local workforce trajectories can be drawn from Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Mar-26. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied against the local occupational structure to project upcoming hiring trends. While national figures indicate nationwide growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trajectories fluctuate noticeably across individual industries. Weighting these sectoral projections against the local industry baseline suggests employment among Safety Bay - Shoalwater residents could rise by 6.0% over five years and 12.8% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Safety Bay - Shoalwater is $1,355 a week (about $70,000 a year), with median personal income at $695 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $55,649 a year against an average of $69,686. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Taxation statistics compiled by AreaSearch from latest ATO postcode files for financial year 2023 show Safety Bay - Shoalwater SA2 generating a median taxpayer income of $55,649 alongside an average of $69,686. This performance sits marginally higher than the nationwide midpoint, though it compares to Greater Perth's median income of $60,748 and average income of $80,248. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since financial year 2023, updated modelled benchmarks reach roughly $61,731 (median) and $77,303 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the Census 2021 indicates that household, family and individual earnings in Safety Bay - Shoalwater place modestly between the 24th and 27th percentiles.
The single largest earnings bracket encompasses 27.9% of locals (3,713 people) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring broad regional patterns where 32.0% fall within that tier. Affordability pressures remain pronounced, leaving 84.4% of income remaining and placing the location at the 25th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Safety Bay - Shoalwater had 4,891 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 87% detached houses and 10% apartments. 35% are owned with a mortgage, 25% rented and 40% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $300 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,674 a month. Rent absorbs 22.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 28.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Data from the latest Census reveals that the local dwelling stock across Safety Bay - Shoalwater consisted of 87.4% houses and 12.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with the wider metropolitan profile of Perth metro's 77.8% houses and 22.1% other dwellings. Outright property ownership in Safety Bay - Shoalwater was recorded at 39.7%, substantially outperforming Perth metro, while mortgaged homes accounted for 35.1% and rental accommodations comprised 25.2%. Financial commitments for housing were comparatively moderate, with median monthly mortgage payments reaching $1,674 and median weekly rent coming in at $300, below Perth metro's $1,907 and $350.
On a wider scale, Safety Bay - Shoalwater's mortgage obligations sit well beneath the Australian average of $1,863, just as typical rents remain well below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Safety Bay - Shoalwater counted 4,891 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 5,408 today, averaging 2.3 people each. 25% are couples with children, against 30% couples without children. 32% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The domestic landscape is predominantly composed of family households at 66.3%, consisting of 25.4% couples with children, 29.9% couples without children, and 10.2% single parent families. The balance of 33.7% is represented by non-family arrangements, where lone person households account for 31.5% and group households represent 2.1% of total dwellings. Average household occupancy sits at a median household size of 2.3 people, tracking below the Greater Perth average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
17.8% of adults in Safety Bay - Shoalwater hold a university qualification, including 12.8% with a bachelor degree and 2.9% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 32.8% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 1,850 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 981 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment profiles indicate an area facing challenges in higher learning, with university qualification rates (17.8%) trailing well behind the Australian average of 30.4%, creating clear scope for focused policy programs. Among higher education credentials, bachelor degrees represent 12.8%, postgraduate qualifications account for 2.9%, and graduate diplomas make up 2.1%. By contrast, vocational and technical training is widely held, with 44.8% of residents aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, broken down into advanced diplomas (12.0%) and certificates (32.8%). A substantial proportion of the local community is engaged in study, as 26.6% of residents are currently enrolled in formal education programs.
Looking at specific stages of learning, 9.9% are attending primary education, 7.7% are enrolled in secondary education, and 3.5% are participating in tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Safety Bay - Shoalwater reaches 115 stops on 6 routes, timetabled for about 1,600 services a week. The typical home sits about 190 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.4 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport connectivity within Safety Bay - Shoalwater includes 115 active transport stops operated by bus services. The local network is served by 6 individual routes that combine to deliver 1,593 weekly passenger trips. Access to transit is classified as excellent, with typical walking distances of 189 meters to the nearest transport stop. Because of the suburb's residential focus, the majority of workers travel outward for employment, with car travel serving as the dominant mode at 82%, alongside 9% by train. Household motor vehicle availability stands at an average of 1.4 per dwelling, while a modest 8.5% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).
Across the entire network, transport schedules provide an average of 227 trips per day, translating to roughly 13 weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying geographical layout plots the 100 nearest stops relative to the central point of the location.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
64.4% of residents in Safety Bay - Shoalwater report no long-term health condition. 5.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 53.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.3 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Analysis of mortality statistics and chronic condition prevalence by AreaSearch highlights notable healthcare challenges in Safety Bay - Shoalwater, with typical long-term illnesses being somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. Private medical insurance coverage sits slightly ahead of the typical SA2 level at approximately 54% of the total population (~7,174 people), compared to 59.0% across Greater Perth. The two primary ongoing health diagnoses reported by residents are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 10.2 and 8.7% of residents, respectively, while 64.4% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 71.9% across Greater Perth.
Furthermore, working-age cohorts display an above-average incidence of long-term conditions. Seniors aged 65 and over comprise 24.2% of residents (3,223 people), exceeding the 15.9% in Greater Perth, which contributes to national disease rankings being higher than in the wider population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
30.7% of Safety Bay - Shoalwater residents were born overseas and 6.2% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (37.1%) and Australian (25.4%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Demographic indicators position Safety Bay - Shoalwater above average in cultural diversity, with 6.2% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 30.7% born overseas. In terms of faith, Christianity forms the predominant religion, followed by 46.0% of people in Safety Bay - Shoalwater. Notably, Buddhism exhibits a distinct presence, representing 1.3% of the population, compared to 2.7% across Greater Perth. Tracing parental heritage reveals that English ancestry leads the community at 37.1% of the population, noticeably higher than the regional average of 28.0%, followed by Australian at 25.4% of the population, and Scottish at 8.2% of the population.
Furthermore, other distinct ancestry groups show measurable representation, including Welsh overrepresented at 1.1% of Safety Bay - Shoalwater (vs 0.7% regionally), Maori at 1.1% (vs 0.9%), and Dutch at 1.8% (vs 1.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Safety Bay - Shoalwater is 45, older than 81% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 22.8% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Safety Bay - Shoalwater functions prominently as a lifestyle and retirement community, as confirmed by its demographic structure. Based on updates to August 2026, retiree and elderly cohorts (65+) make up 24.2% of residents compared to 15.9% across Greater Perth, while young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) account for 24.1% against a wider regional share of 30.9%. The median age is an estimated 45 as at August 2026, decreasing slightly from 46 at the 2021 Census, but remaining 8 years above the Greater Perth figure of 37 at that Census, alongside a national median at that Census of 38.
Since that time, middle aged and young retiree cohorts (45 - 64) have shifted down from 27.1% of residents to an estimated 25.0%. Projections to 2041 indicate that retiree and elderly cohorts will see the largest expansion, growing by 1,004 (31%) to 4,228, while children, young adults, and young to middle aged adults are anticipated to decline.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Safety Bay - Shoalwater
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jun 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 last month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 last month all 10 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 18 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (12,039 at the 2021 Census → 13,311 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (507051190). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.