Waroona
Statistical Area - sa2

Waroona has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Waroona's population was 4,558 as of November 2025, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This showed an increase of 324 people from the 2021 Census figure of 4,234 people, a rise of 7.7%. The change was inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 4,537 in June 2024 and 35 validated new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a density ratio of 5.5 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Waroona's growth rate was 1.1% compound annually, exceeding non-metro areas. Interstate migration contributed approximately 66.7% to recent population gains, with other factors also positive.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and post-2032 growth estimation, AreaSearch utilises ABS Greater Capital Region projections from 2023 based on 2022 data. Future demographic trends project above median population growth for non-capital city locations; Waroona is expected to grow by 582 persons to 2041, a total gain of 12.3% over the 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Waroona when compared nationally

Waroona has experienced approximately 29 dwelling approvals per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 145 homes were approved, with an additional 12 approved so far in FY-26. On average, about 1.9 new residents have moved into new homes each year over these five years.

This balance between supply and demand supports stable market conditions. The average construction cost value of new homes was around $287,000 during this period. In the current financial year, Waroona has recorded approximately $2.4 million in commercial development approvals, reflecting its primarily residential nature.

Comparatively, Waroona has seen slightly more development than the rest of WA over the past five years, with an 11.0% higher per capita rate of development approvals. This maintains good buyer choice while supporting existing property values. All recent developments have been standalone homes, preserving the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. There are approximately 114 people per dwelling approval in Waroona, indicating an expanding market. Population forecasts suggest that Waroona will gain around 561 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply is expected to meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth beyond current forecasts.

Waroona has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 17thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified two projects likely affecting this region. Notable projects include Waroona Energy Park (Solar and Battery Precinct), Railside Park, Waroona Town Centre Revitalisation, Myalup Offshore Windfarm, and Additional Australind Trains Procurement. Below is a list of most relevant ones.

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

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

Waroona's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs. The construction sector has significant representation with an unemployment rate of 6.0% in the past year.

Employment growth was estimated at 6.3%. As of June 2025, 2,217 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.8% higher than Rest of WA's rate of 3.2%. Workforce participation lags at 53.2%, compared to Rest of WA's 59.4%. Key industries include mining, construction, and manufacturing, with notable concentration in manufacturing at 2.5 times the regional average.

Conversely, accommodation & food shows lower representation at 3.5% versus the regional average of 7.1%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work, indicating local employment opportunities may not fully meet demand. Over the 12 months ending May 2025, employment increased by 6.3%, labour force grew by 5.5%, and unemployment fell by 0.7 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Waroona's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 4.8%% over five years and 11.1% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Waroona's income level is higher than average nationally according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. Waroona's median income among taxpayers is $51,260 and the average income stands at $69,956. This compares to figures for Rest of WA which are $57,323 and $71,163 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 14.2% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $58,539 (median) and $79,890 (average) as of September 2025. From the Census conducted in August 2021, household, family and personal incomes in Waroona all fall between the 14th and 21st percentiles nationally. The largest segment comprises 27.5% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (1,253 residents), mirroring regional levels where 31.1% occupy this bracket. After housing costs, 85.5% of income remains, ranking at the 23rd percentile nationally.

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

Waroona's dwellings were 92.3% houses and 7.7% other types at the latest Census. Non-Metro WA had 88.1% houses and 11.8% others. Home ownership in Waroona was 43.6%, with mortgages at 38.3% and rentals at 18.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,625, above Non-Metro WA's $1,616. Median weekly rent was $260 in Waroona, compared to Non-Metro WA's $300. Nationally, Waroona's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,625 vs Australia's $1,863, and rents were lower at $260 vs $375.

Waroona has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 69.5% of all households, including 26.9% couples with children, 33.0% couples without children, and 9.1% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 30.5%, with lone person households at 27.9% and group households making up 2.5%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Rest of WA average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 9.3%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 7.1%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.3%) and postgraduate qualifications (0.9%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 45.6% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 9.3% and certificates at 36.3%. Educational participation is high, with 27.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 10.7% in primary, 8.9% in secondary, and 1.8% in tertiary education.

The area has two schools serving 445 students - St Joseph's School and Waroona District High School. School places per 100 residents (9.8) are below the regional average (17.1), with some students possibly attending schools in nearby areas.

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

Waroona has four active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by four different routes that collectively offer 36 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is limited, with residents typically located 3172 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are five trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately nine weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Waroona is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Waroona faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is high at approximately 54%, covering around 2,479 people. Arthritis and mental health issues are the most common medical conditions, affecting 11.3% and 8.1% of residents respectively. About 64.4% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 66.4% in the rest of WA. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 21.7%, with around 990 people falling into this age group, compared to 17.6% in the rest of WA. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Waroona's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 86.9% of its population being citizens, 80.5% born in Australia, and 93.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Waroona, making up 50.7% of people, compared to 45.9% across Rest of WA. The top three ancestry groups are English (33.7%), Australian (28.3%), and Italian (8.4%).

Notably, New Zealanders comprise 0.9%, Maori 0.8%, and Australian Aboriginals 2.8% of Waroona's population, differing from regional figures of 0.8%, 1.0%, and 2.4% respectively.

Waroona hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Waroona's median age is 47 years, which is significantly higher than Rest of WA's 40 and above the national average of 38. Compared to Rest of WA, Waroona has a higher percentage of residents aged 55-64 (16.8%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (9.2%). This 55-64 concentration is well above the national figure of 11.2%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the percentage of Waroona's population aged 55 to 64 has increased from 15.5% to 16.8%, while the 15 to 24 cohort has risen from 9.8% to 11.0%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 group has decreased from 14.8% to 12.3%, and the 45 to 54 group has dropped from 13.6% to 12.3%. By 2041, Waroona's age composition is expected to change notably. The 25 to 34 age group is projected to grow by 56% (236 people), reaching 656 from 419. Meanwhile, the 5-14 and 75-84 cohorts are anticipated to experience population declines.