Spearwood

Spearwood lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

According to analysis by AreaSearch, Spearwood has a population of approximately 13,040 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 1,772 people (15.7%) from the 11,268 people recorded during the 2021 Census. The fluctuation is calculated using the ABS June 2025 estimated resident population of 12,932 and 246 validated new addresses registered after the Census. This population size results in a density of 2,000 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the typical figure for locations evaluated nationally by AreaSearch. The 15.7% expansion rate in Spearwood since the 2021 census was higher than the national benchmark of 9.3% and the state average, positioning the locality as a regional growth leader. Population increases were primarily driven by overseas migration, which comprised roughly 60.1% of the total gains during recent timeframes, though interstate migration and natural growth also made positive contributions.

AreaSearch utilizes projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia for each SA2 district, published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. For SA2 areas lacking this coverage, and to calculate growth beyond 2032, AreaSearch applies cohort-specific growth rates from the latest ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 and based on 2022 data. Future demographic patterns suggest population expansion will exceed the median of Australian statistical areas, with projections indicating an increase of 2,343 persons by 2041 relative to the latest annual ERP statistics, which translates to a total gain of 17.1% over the 16 years.

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

Spearwood has recorded an average of approximately 94 new dwelling approvals annually, amounting to 473 residential units over the last 5 financial years. In FY-26 to date, 103 approvals have been logged. With an average of 3.2 new residents per year per constructed dwelling added between FY-21 and FY-25, demand outpaces the creation of new supply, a trend that generally drives up prices and intensifies buyer competition, while new builds carry an average value of $265,000. Additionally, commercial approvals worth $3.5 million have been registered this financial year, highlighting the residential focus of the locality.

Spearwood shows 15.0% less new development per person relative to Greater Perth, while ranking in the 83rd percentile of evaluated areas across the nation. The new residential development is composed of 82.0% detached houses and 18.0% medium and high-density dwellings, preserving the classic suburban feel with a focus on spacious family homes. The area has roughly 127 people per dwelling approval, which indicates a growing market.

Demographic projections indicate Spearwood will add 2,235 residents by 2041 based on the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. Under current construction trajectories, the housing supply is expected to satisfy demand, creating positive conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth that surpasses the current forecasts.

Spearwood has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 11thth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure projects, major developments, and urban planning decisions are critical drivers of local performance. AreaSearch has identified 4 key projects expected to influence the local area. The most relevant initiatives include the Spearwood Housing Project - Uniting WA, the Phoenix Activity Centre Redevelopment, Shoreline North Coogee, and Windfall Residences Port Coogee.

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

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AreaSearch analysis reveals Spearwood recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Spearwood features a skilled workforce with a strong representation of essential services sectors, an unemployment rate of 5.5%, and stable employment patterns over the past year. In March 2026, 6,730 residents were employed, while the unemployment rate was 1.3% higher than the Greater Perth average of 4.2%, and labor force participation stood lower at 65.1% compared to 70.2% in Greater Perth. According to Census records, a minor 6.3% of the working population performed their duties from home, though this figure may be influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns.

Resident employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. The locality displays a high concentration in manufacturing, where employment is 1.6 times the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical roles are less common, making up 5.4% of local employment compared to 8.2% across the region. This largely residential sector offers few local jobs, as demonstrated by the discrepancy between the Census working population and the resident population.

AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data shows that over the 12-month period, the labor force shrank by 0.9% and employment decreased by 0.3%, resulting in a 0.5 percentage point drop in the unemployment rate. This trend diverges from Greater Perth, where employment expanded by 2.0%, the labor force increased by 2.5%, and the unemployment rate rose by 0.4 percentage points. National employment projections from May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context regarding future local demand. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce profile to model future growth. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary by industry. Weighting these projections against Spearwood's specific industry distribution suggests local employment will rise by 6.0% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, representing a simple weighted extrapolation that does not account for local population projections.

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

According to the latest ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, income levels in the Spearwood SA2 are very high on a national scale. Taxpayers in the Spearwood SA2 recorded a median income of $59,681 and an average income of $75,109, compared to $60,748 and $80,248 in Greater Perth. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be around $66,204 for the median and $83,318 for the average. Census records indicate that household, family, and individual incomes are moderate in Spearwood, placing between the 34th and 41st percentiles. Income distribution data shows that 30.6% of residents (3,990 individuals) earn in the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which is comparable to the 32.0% recorded in the broader region. Housing affordability presents a major challenge, as residents retain just 83.5% of their income, ranking in the 34th percentile, while the SEIFA index places the area in the 4th decile for income.

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

The housing stock in Spearwood at the time of the latest Census consisted of 74.3% houses and 25.7% other dwellings, such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and alternative structures, compared to 77.8% houses and 22.1% other dwellings in the Perth metropolitan area. Home ownership in Spearwood was significantly higher than the Perth metro rate, standing at 35.7%, while the remaining properties were mortgaged (35.3%) or rented (29.0%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,733 was below the Perth metro average of $1,907, whereas the median weekly rent was equal at $350. Nationally, mortgage costs in Spearwood are below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are lower than the national figure of $375.

Spearwood features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households represent the majority of dwellings at 66.1%, which is made up of 25.8% couples with children, 27.3% couples without children, and 11.9% single parents. Non-family households account for the remaining 33.9%, consisting of lone person households at 30.2% and group households at 3.6%. The median household size stands at 2.3 people, which is smaller than the average of 2.6 across Greater Perth.

Spearwood shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

Educational attainment in Spearwood is below regional levels, with 20.7% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% nationally. This difference points to opportunities for training and skill building. Bachelor degrees are the most common credential at 15.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 3.3% and graduate diplomas at 2.2%. Vocational and technical qualifications are common, with 38.8% of residents aged 15+ holding these credentials, split between advanced diplomas at 10.4% and certificates at 28.4%.

A significant 24.7% of the local population is enrolled in formal studies. This total includes 7.8% in primary schools, 6.3% in secondary schools, and 5.1% in higher education.

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

Analysis of local public transport shows 66 active bus stops operating in Spearwood. These stops are served by 6 different routes, supporting a total of 1,422 weekly passenger journeys. Transport links are highly accessible, with residents living an average of 188 meters from the nearest stop. The neighborhood is mostly residential, meaning most workers travel out of the area, with cars being the primary mode of transport at 86%, followed by trains at 6%. Dwellings have an average of 1.4 vehicles. A low 6.3% of workers worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which was likely affected by pandemic restrictions.

Services run at an average frequency of 203 trips per day across all routes, which corresponds to roughly 21 weekly trips for each transport stop.

Spearwood's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Health statistics show positive results for Spearwood residents, with AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality and health issues indicating patterns that align with national averages. The prevalence of common health conditions among young and old age groups remains standard, and private health coverage is very high, encompassing roughly 57% of the population (~7,380 people) compared to 59.0% in Greater Perth.

The most prevalent health issues in the area are mental health conditions and arthritis, affecting 8.9% and 8.4% of residents, respectively. Meanwhile, 68.0% of the population reported no chronic medical conditions, compared to 71.9% in Greater Perth. The population under 65 displays better than average health outcomes. Residents aged 65 and older represent 22.1% of the population (2,884 people), which is higher than the 16.1% average in Greater Perth, with national health rankings matching the broader population.

Spearwood 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

Spearwood exhibits higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 25.9% of residents using a language other than English at home and 36.4% born outside Australia. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 57.0% of the local population, compared to 45.0% across Greater Perth.

Regarding ancestry based on parent birthplaces, the largest groups in Spearwood are English at 24.5%, Australian at 19.7%, and Italian at 11.3%, which is much higher than the regional average of 4.2%. Other notable cultural groups include Croatian at 5.3% (compared to 0.8% regionally), Serbian at 1.3% (compared to 0.3%), and Filipino at 2.8% (compared to 1.4%).

Spearwood's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Spearwood is 41 years, which is higher than the Greater Perth average of 37 and the national median of 38. The 75 - 84 cohort is over-represented at 8.1% compared to Greater Perth, while 15 - 24 year-olds are under-represented at 10.5%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has risen from 7.0% to 8.1%, while the 45 to 54 cohort has decreased from 13.0% to 11.5%. Demographic projections indicate the age structure will change by 2041. The 65 to 74 age group is expected to grow the fastest, increasing by 38% and adding 534 residents to reach 1,934. Demographic aging is a key trend, with residents 65 and older accounting for 63% of the projected growth, while declines are expected in the 5 to 14 and 0 to 4 age groups.