Thornlie

Thornlie is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

According to investigations by AreaSearch, the population of Thornlie stands at approximately 25,987 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 2,322 individuals (9.8%) from the 2021 Census, when 23,665 residents were recorded. This population shift is calculated utilizing the ABS estimated resident population of 25,963 from June 2025 alongside 69 validated new addresses registered since the Census. Such figures represent a density of 2,242 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the typical density of national areas analyzed by AreaSearch. The expansion of 9.8% since the 2021 census outpaced the countrywide average (9.3%), placing the suburb among the regional leaders for growth. International migration was the primary driver of this increase, representing roughly 79.1% of all population additions in the recent timeframe.

AreaSearch utilizes ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for individual SA2 regions, published in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For SA2 territories lacking this dataset, and to project figures past 2032, growth rates classified by age group from the latest ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023, using 2022 data) are applied. Anticipated population growth in the coming years is projected to track slightly below the national median for statistical zones, with the location expected to add 1,317 residents to 2041 using the latest yearly ERP figures, representing an increase of 5.0% over the 16 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Thornlie recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Approximately 31 building approvals have been granted annually in Thornlie, representing 159 new homes over the last 5 financial years. In FY-26 to date, 32 approvals have been registered. With an average of 9.8 new residents added per year for each home constructed over the past 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25), demand far outstrips the supply of new housing, a trend that commonly drives up prices and intensifies buyer competition, while new residences carry an average building cost of $172,000—a figure below the regional standard—providing more economical entry points for buyers. Additionally, commercial development approvals totaling $24.9 million have been logged this financial year, showing ongoing commercial investment.

Compared against the broader Greater Perth area, property development in Thornlie is exceptionally quiet, sitting at 72.0% below regional average per person. This lack of new building activity generally bolsters demand and supports valuation levels for existing stock. This construction rate also falls below the national benchmark, reflecting a mature suburb and pointing to potential zoning constraints. Detached houses account for 95.0% of the new construction, with townhouses or apartments comprising the remaining 5.0%, preserving the suburban character of the area with a focus on spacious family homes. The ratio of approximately 1119 people per dwelling approval reflects a well-established property market.

Future demographic forecasts indicate Thornlie will gain 1,293 residents by 2041 based on the most recent quarterly projections from AreaSearch. If current building rates do not accelerate, the supply of housing will likely fall behind population expansion, which is poised to increase competition among buyers and support upward pressure on property values.

Thornlie has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 15thth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure projects, major works, and urban planning decisions have a critical impact on suburban performance. AreaSearch has tracked a total of 20 projects that are expected to influence the local area. Principal developments include the Nicholson Road, Garden Street and Yale Road Grade Separation, the West Canning Vale Outline Development Plan, Tulloch Way, the Canning Vale Development, and the Forest Lakes District Centre Precinct Structure Plan, with the list below highlighting the most significant initiatives.

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.

Employment performance in Thornlie has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Thornlie has a skilled labor force with a notable presence of industrial and manufacturing activities, showing an unemployment rate of 5.9% and an estimated 1.3% growth in employment over the preceding year. As of March 2026, 13,260 local inhabitants are employed, with the unemployment rate tracking 1.7% higher than the Greater Perth rate of 4.2%, and the participation rate sitting below average (66.5% compared to 70.2% in Greater Perth). Census records indicate that only a minor 5.2% of the workforce worked from home, though this may have been influenced by pandemic-related restrictions.

The primary sectors employing local residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. There is a strong local specialization in transport, postal & warehousing, which employs residents at 1.6 times the regional average rate. Conversely, the professional & technical sector is underrepresented, making up only 5.1% of local employment compared to 8.2% across the wider region. The area is heavily residential and appears to have a shortage of local jobs, as seen when comparing the Census working population against the resident labor force.

Based on analysis of SALM and ABS data by AreaSearch, for the 12-month period ending March 2026, the number of employed persons grew by 1.3% while the total labor force expanded by 2.0%, resulting in a 0.6 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate. This compares to Greater Perth, which saw employment rise by 2.0%, the labor force grow by 2.5%, and unemployment increase by 0.4 percentage points. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia as of May-25 offer additional context on future labor needs in Thornlie. These five and ten-year forecasts have been correlated with local employment profiles to estimate trends. Although nationwide employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rates of expansion vary considerably by sector. Projecting these industry trends onto the local workforce distribution yields an estimated employment growth of 6.0% over five years and 12.8% over ten years in Thornlie, representing a basic weighted extrapolation that does not incorporate local population forecasts.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Taxpayer statistics from the ATO aggregated by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year show that income levels in the Thornlie SA2 sit below the national average. The median income for taxpayers in the Thornlie SA2 is $52,702, with an average income of $61,660, compared to Greater Perth values of $60,748 and $80,248 respectively. Adjusting for WPI growth of 10.93% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to a median income of approximately $58,462 and an average of $68,399 as of March 2026. According to the Census, household, family, and individual incomes are modest, falling between the 25th and 39th percentiles. The largest income group consists of the 34.6% of households earning between $1,500 - 2,999 per week (representing 8,991 residents), which aligns with the broader regional pattern where 32.0% fall into this bracket. Discretionary income remaining after housing costs stands at 85.0%.

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

According to the last Census, the housing mix in Thornlie consisted of 91.1% separate houses and 8.8% other dwelling types like semi-detached homes or apartments, compared to 77.8% separate houses and 22.1% other dwellings across metropolitan Perth. Home ownership in Thornlie was considerably higher than the Perth metropolitan average at 34.3%, while mortgaged properties accounted for 43.9% and rented properties made up 21.7%. The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was $1,625, which is lower than the Perth metro average of $1,907, and the median weekly rent was recorded at $330, compared to the Perth metro figure of $350. On a national level, Thornlie residents pay much less than the Australian median mortgage of $1,863 and the national median weekly rent of $375.

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

Family units constitute the vast majority of households at 76.2%, which is broken down into 35.4% couples with children, 26.8% couples without children, and 12.5% single parents. Non-family households represent the remaining 23.8%, consisting of lone person households at 21.0% and group housing at 2.8%. The median household occupancy of 2.7 people is slightly higher than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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

The proportion of residents with tertiary qualifications in Thornlie is lower than regional averages, with 21.3% of those aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% nationally. This difference points to opportunities for training and educational advancement. Bachelor degrees represent the main qualification at 15.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees (4.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational training is highly prevalent, with 36.2% of residents aged 15+ holding a technical qualification, split between advanced diplomas (10.9%) and certificates (25.3%).

A high level of educational engagement is evident, with 29.8% of the local population currently undertaking formal studies. Within this cohort, 10.2% are in primary school, 7.9% are in secondary school, and 4.9% are enrolled in tertiary education.

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

Public transit statistics show 135 active transport stops in Thornlie, offering a combination of train and bus services. These locations are connected by 17 different routes, which support a total of 4,139 weekly passenger journeys. Transport access is highly rated, with the average home situated 193 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the residential nature of the suburb, most workers travel outside the area, with private cars remaining the primary mode of travel at 83% and trains accounting for 9%. The average number of motor vehicles per household is 1.6. A small cohort of 5.2% of residents worked from home according to the 2021 Census, a figure that may reflect pandemic conditions.

Frequencies of service average 591 daily trips across the transit network, translating to roughly 30 weekly departures per individual stop. The associated map displays the 100 closest transit stops relative to the center of the suburb.

Thornlie's residents are extremely healthy with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Health indicators in Thornlie are favorable based on AreaSearch assessments of mortality rates and chronic health conditions, with younger demographics showing a particularly low rate of common medical problems, while private health insurance coverage is relatively low at roughly 50% of the population (~12,941 people). This rate is below the 59.0% recorded for Greater Perth and the nationwide average of 55.7%.

Arthritis and mental health issues are the most prevalent chronic conditions locally, affecting 7.3 and 7.1% of the population respectively, while 70.2% of residents reported having no long-term health issues compared to 71.9% in Greater Perth. Inhabitants under the age of 65 enjoy better health outcomes than average. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 18.8% of the local population (4,895 people), which exceeds the 16.1% average in Greater Perth. Health outcomes for this older cohort are above average, though they rank lower nationally than the rest of the local population.

Thornlie is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Thornlie exhibits high cultural diversity, with 32.2% of residents using a non-English language at home and 43.5% born in another country. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 42.1% of the population. The most prominent religious variance is Islam, which accounts for 12.1% of Thornlie residents, representing a significantly higher share than the Greater Perth average of 3.2%.

Regarding parental birthplace and ancestry, the three largest groups in Thornlie are English at 24.9%, Australian at 18.8%, and Other at 17.3%, the latter being significantly higher than the regional benchmark of 11.2%. Other notable deviations from regional ethnic patterns include Maori residents at 1.2% of Thornlie (compared to 0.9% regionally), Chinese at 7.9% (compared to 4.0%), and South Australian at 0.7% (compared to 1.0%).

Thornlie's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Thornlie is 38 years, which is close to the Greater Perth median of 37 and matches the national median of 38. Compared to Greater Perth, Thornlie has a higher proportion of residents in the 65 - 74 age bracket (10.3%) but fewer young adults in the 25 - 34 bracket (12.5%). Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort grew from 5.2% to 6.5% of the total population, while the 55 to 64 group shrank from 11.9% to 11.0%. Looking ahead to 2041, significant changes in the age profile are anticipated. The 75 to 84 age group is projected to expand by 59% (adding 984 people) to reach 2,661 from 1,676. The aging trend is pronounced, with seniors aged 65+ making up 74% of the forecasted growth, while the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 cohorts are expected to decrease in size.