South Lake - Cockburn Central

An assessment of population growth drivers in South Lake - Cockburn Central reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

According to AreaSearch's evaluation, the population of South Lake - Cockburn Central stands at approximately 13,507 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 1,784 individuals (15.2%) compared to the 2021 Census, which counted 11,723 residents. This development is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 13,071 alongside 298 validated new addresses registered after the Census. The region's population density reaches 1,517 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical rate across the country. Expanding by 15.2% since the 2021 census, the area outpaced the national growth metric (9.3%), establishing itself as a regional leader in expansion. The primary catalyst for this demographic gain was overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 71.2% of the total population growth in recent times.

Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024, utilising 2022 as the baseline, are applied by AreaSearch for each SA2 region. For locations lacking this dataset, and to project trends past 2032, growth rate projections by age cohort from the latest Greater Capital Region figures (released in 2023, using 2022 data) are utilised. Anticipating future population movements, growth is projected to exceed the median of areas analyzed by AreaSearch, with the locality expected to add 2,144 residents by 2041 relative to the newest annual ERP statistics, representing a 12.7% rise over the 16 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions South Lake - Cockburn Central among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Approximately 66 new dwellings have been approved each year in South Lake - Cockburn Central, amounting to 332 residential approvals over the last 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 410 approvals have been logged. With an average of 3.1 new residents per year entering for every home built over the 5 financial years spanning FY-21 to FY-25, demand outstrips new supply, typically driving up values and intensifying rivalry among purchasers, while new homes average $285,000 in construction costs. Furthermore, commercial approvals totaling $54.2 million have been registered in the current financial year, pointing to strong local business investment.

In comparison to Greater Perth, per capita construction activity in South Lake - Cockburn Central is at 58%, placing the area in the 79th percentile nationwide, despite a recent rise in building work. Current approvals consist of 56.0% detached houses and 44.0% medium and high-density choices, with an increasing diversity of townhouses and apartments offering alternatives at varied price points, from family-oriented residences to cheaper compact options. This marks a notable shift from the historical housing profile, where houses make up 79.0%, reflecting a reduction in available development plots alongside evolving lifestyle preferences and budget constraints. Recording 201 people per dwelling approval, South Lake - Cockburn Central displays the hallmarks of an expanding sector.

Looking forward, South Lake - Cockburn Central is projected to add 1,708 residents by 2041 according to the most recent quarterly projections from AreaSearch. The current pace of residential construction appears aligned with upcoming requirements, encouraging balanced market conditions without major price inflation.

South Lake - Cockburn Central has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 28thth percentile nationally

Changes in infrastructure, major development works, and urban planning initiatives can have a significant effect on local market performance. AreaSearch has identified 30 projects likely to influence the local area, including the Glen Iris Local Shopping Centre (Glen Iris Estate), Stockland Bull Creek Shopping Centre Upgrade, Glen Iris Estate, and the Yangebup Primary School Expansion and Modernisation, with key projects listed below.

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.

South Lake - Cockburn Central shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

South Lake - Cockburn Central has a skilled labour pool, with a strong showing in key service industries, alongside an unemployment rate of 5.4%. Working residents numbered 7,396 as of March 2026, while the jobless rate is 1.2% higher than the Greater Perth benchmark of 4.2%, and the participation rate is similar to the Greater Perth average of 70.2%. Census data indicates that a minor 6.2% of the workforce operated from home, though the influence of Covid-19 lockdowns should be kept in mind.

The dominant employment sectors for local workers are health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. The region displays a distinct concentration in manufacturing, where employment is 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, mining plays a minor role, employing 5.8% of the workforce compared to 7.0% across the region. Although local employment is available, the ratio of Census working population to local population suggests many residents travel outside the area to work.

Based on AreaSearch's review of SALM and ABS statistics, the labour force shrank by 0.9% and employment fell by 1.3% over the 12 months ending March 2026, causing the jobless rate to increase by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Perth experienced a 2.0% rise in employment and a 2.5% increase in the labour force, with unemployment growing by 0.4 percentage points. The May-25 national employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia help clarify future workforce requirements for South Lake - Cockburn Central. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future patterns. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though these growth rates vary by industry. Applying these industry projections to the local employment mix suggests local jobs could grow by 6.3% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, representing a basic weighted calculation for illustration that excludes specific local population projections.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

According to the newest postcode-level ATO data released for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the South Lake - Cockburn Central SA2 record a median income of $63,213 and an average income of $77,076. This is elevated on a national scale, compared to a median of $60,748 and an average of $80,248 in Greater Perth. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since financial year 2023, current projections indicate a median of $70,122 and an average of $85,500 as of March 2026. The 2021 Census reveals that household, family, and individual incomes in the area reside around the 52nd percentile nationwide. Looking at income distribution, the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket is the most common, accounting for 35.4% of residents (4,781 people), which matches the broader metropolitan area where this segment constitutes 32.0%. Affordable housing challenges are prominent, with residents retaining 84.4% of their income, which ranks in the 49th percentile, while the SEIFA income index places the area in the 5th decile.

South Lake - Cockburn Central is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The housing profile in South Lake - Cockburn Central at the last Census was made up of 78.6% separate houses and 21.4% alternative options such as townhouses and apartments, compared to 77.8% separate houses and 22.1% alternative options in metropolitan Perth. Home ownership rates in the area matched the metropolitan average of 29.1%, with the remaining dwellings carrying a mortgage (42.6%) or being rented (28.3%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,680 was below the Perth metro average of $1,907, while the median weekly rent stood at $360 compared to the metropolitan average of $350. Nationally, mortgage costs in South Lake - Cockburn Central are below the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are lower than the national benchmark of $375.

South Lake - Cockburn Central features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 68.4% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 28.2%, couples without children at 27.2%, and single parent households at 11.5%. The remaining 31.6% are non-family households, including lone person households at 27.2% and group households at 4.4%. The average household occupancy of 2.4 people is lower than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

Educational attainment in South Lake - Cockburn Central aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The proportion of residents with university qualifications in South Lake - Cockburn Central stands at 25.8%, slightly below the national level of 30.4%, pointing to a reasonably competitive educational profile. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 18.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees (5.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Vocational and technical training is common, with 36.0% of the population aged 15+ holding qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.4%) and certificates (25.6%).

Enrolment in education is strong, with 27.0% of the population participating in formal study. This comprises 8.6% of residents in primary schools, 6.5% in high schools, and 5.9% in tertiary institutions.

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

Analysis of the public transport network shows 106 active train and bus stops in South Lake - Cockburn Central, serviced by 22 routes that combine to deliver 5,010 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is rated highly, with residents living an average of 197 meters from the nearest stop. The area is mostly residential, resulting in a high rate of outward commuting, with cars being the main transport mode at 80%, followed by trains at 11%. Households own an average of 1.4 vehicles. A low 6.2% of the workforce worked from home, based on 2021 Census data which may reflect pandemic circumstances.

The average daily service frequency across all routes is 715 trips, representing roughly 47 weekly trips per stop. The map shows the location of the 100 nearest stops to the centre of the area.

The level of general health in South Lake - Cockburn Central is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality indices and the occurrence of chronic illness, South Lake - Cockburn Central exhibits favorable health metrics, with common conditions showing low frequency in the general community, although older and vulnerable groups exceed the national average, and private health coverage is high at approximately 57% of the population (~7,698 people).

The primary medical conditions recorded among local residents are mental health difficulties and arthritis, affecting 9.0 and 8.0% of the population respectively, whereas 68.8% reported no chronic medical issues compared to 71.9% in Greater Perth. Health profiles for working-age residents are typical. Residents aged 65 and over make up 18.0% of the local population (2,429 people), exceeding the Greater Perth benchmark of 16.1%. Health metrics for seniors present some challenges, ranking lower nationally than the overall local population.

South Lake - Cockburn Central was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

South Lake - Cockburn Central shows a higher level of cultural diversity than most local areas, with 20.7% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 35.2% born in other countries. Christianity is the primary religion, representing 44.4% of the population. The most prominent overrepresentation relative to the metropolitan area is Islam, which accounts for 2.1% of the local population compared to 3.2% across Greater Perth.

Regarding ancestry based on parental birthplace, the three largest groups in South Lake - Cockburn Central are English at 26.9%, Australian at 22.7%, and Other at 11.6%. Certain backgrounds show variations in representation: Croatian accounts for 1.0% of the local population (compared to 0.8% in the region), South Australian is at 0.8% (compared to 1.0%), and Serbian is at 0.5% (compared to 0.3%).

South Lake - Cockburn Central's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age of 37 in South Lake - Cockburn Central matches the Greater Perth average of 37 and is close to the national figure of 38. The 25 - 34 cohort is well represented at 16.5% relative to Greater Perth, while the 5 - 14 demographic is less common at 10.5%. Since 2021, the 75 to 84 cohort expanded from 4.4% to 5.5% of the population, and the 35 to 44 age bracket rose from 13.2% to 14.3%. In contrast, the 55 to 64 group decreased from 12.8% to 11.5% and the 45 to 54 group declined from 12.9% to 11.6%. Projections for 2041 point to significant changes in the age profile, with the 75 to 84 age bracket projected to grow by 78% (585 people), climbing from 746 to 1,332. This demographic aging is notable, with residents aged 65+ accounting for 66% of the projected growth, while the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 age cohorts are expected to decrease in size.