Willagee

Population growth drivers in Willagee are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Willagee is approximately 6,287 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 840 individuals (15.4%) relative to the 5,447 citizens recorded in the 2021 Census. This adjustment is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 6,253 alongside address validation data since the census. The community density stands at 3,008 persons per square kilometer, which ranks in the top quartile of all Australian locations analyzed. The 15.4% expansion rate of Willagee since the 2021 census outpaced the national benchmark (9.3%) and the broader SA3 region, positioning the suburb as a primary growth center. The main driver of this expansion was overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 51.9% of the net population increase, though positive contributions were also observed from natural growth and interstate migration.

Projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, have been adopted by AreaSearch for each SA2 region. For locations lacking this data, and for long-term modeling past 2032, growth calculations apply the age cohort growth rates from the latest Greater Capital Region projections released by the ABS in 2023 using 2022 figures. Looking forward, the population growth for this area is projected to exceed the median of locations analyzed by AreaSearch, with an expected gain of 852 individuals by 2041 relative to the latest annual ERP statistics, translating to a total increase of 13.0% over the 16 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Willagee among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Willagee has averaged approximately 50 residential building approvals annually, resulting in 252 total dwellings during the last 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 34 approvals have been logged. With an average of 3.1 additional occupants per built dwelling annually between FY-21 and FY-25, demand is outpacing local supply, which tends to escalate pricing and intensify buyer competition, while newly built homes carry an average construction cost of $252,000. Additionally, commercial approvals worth $2.5 million were registered this financial year, highlighting the primarily residential nature of the suburb.

Willagee displays relatively high building activity compared to Greater Perth, with per capita construction running 39.0% above the regional average over the 5 year timeframe, which supports property valuations while offering options to buyers, despite a recent cooling in construction volumes. Newly approved structures consist of 69.0% detached houses and 31.0% apartments or townhouses, and this growing proportion of multi-unit designs provides choices across varied budgets, ranging from family residences to affordable compact alternatives. The ratio of approximately 172 people per residential approval points to a growing market.

Demographic projections indicate that Willagee will add 818 residents by 2041 based on the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. The current volume of construction suggests housing supply will successfully accommodate this demand, creating positive conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth that surpasses current forecasts.

Willagee has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 29thth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure improvements, major developments, and urban planning changes are key drivers of regional growth. AreaSearch has identified 0 major projects expected to affect the immediate area. The main developments of relevance include the Kardinya Park Shopping Centre Redevelopment, the Kardinya District Centre Precinct Structure Plan, the Fremantle to Murdoch and Cockburn Central Transport Capacity project, and the Santa Clara Estate.

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Willagee shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

The local labor pool in Willagee is highly educated, featuring a strong representation of workers in essential service sectors and an unemployment rate of 5.9%. As of March 2026, working residents total 3,278, which leaves the unemployment rate 1.7% higher than the Greater Perth benchmark of 4.2%. Workforce participation lags the regional standard, sitting at 67.6% compared to 70.2% in Greater Perth. Census records indicate a low 8.3% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 restrictions.

Local jobs are heavily concentrated in the sectors of health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. The suburb shows a notable concentration in education & training, with its employment share reaching 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, mining accounts for only 5.4% of local employment, which is below the 7.0% recorded for Greater Perth. The discrepancy between the local working population count and the resident worker count indicates that this mainly residential suburb offers few internal employment opportunities.

According to AreaSearch's evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics, the local labor force contracted by 0.9% and total employment fell by 1.1% during the year ending March 2026, leading to a 0.2 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. By comparison, Greater Perth experienced a 2.0% rise in employment and a 2.5% expansion of the labor force, with the unemployment rate rising by 0.4 percentage points. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 provide context for future local demand. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce composition to estimate growth trajectories. Nationally, employment is expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though trends differ by sector. Weighting these sectoral forecasts against the local employment profile suggests employment in Willagee will grow by 6.5% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, representing a basic weighted extrapolation that excludes local demographic projections.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

Based on aggregated ATO figures analyzed by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, tax-paying residents of the Willagee SA2 earn incomes that rank exceptionally high on a national scale. Taxpayers in the Willagee SA2 report a median income of $66,697 and an average income of $103,695, contrasting with the Greater Perth averages of $60,748 and $80,248. Adjusted for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.93% since financial year 2023, these estimates would rise to approximately $73,987 for the median and $115,029 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed personal, family, and household incomes in Willagee near the 50th percentile nationally. The weekly earnings bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 accounts for 28.0% of local earners (1,760 individuals), close to the 32.0% share seen across the broader region. The suburb shows a varied socioeconomic profile, with 30.4% of residents earning under $800 weekly and 25.1% exceeding $3,000. Housing affordability presents a major challenge, as residents retain only 82.0% of their income, placing the area in the 43rd percentile nationally and the 5th decile of the SEIFA income index.

Willagee is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Census data reveals that houses represent 79.4% of the housing stock in Willagee, while other options such as townhouses and apartments make up 20.5%. This compares to 77.8% houses and 22.1% alternative dwellings across the Perth metropolitan area. Home ownership in Willagee stands at 20.1%, trailing the metropolitan average, with mortgaged properties accounting for 42.9% and rental homes making up 37.1%. The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,967 is higher than the Perth metro average of $1,907, whereas the median weekly rent of $283 is lower than the metropolitan figure of $350. Nationally, mortgage costs in Willagee exceed the Australian median of $1,863, while local rent levels remain well below the national median of $375.

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

Families make up 62.6% of local households, consisting of couples with children (26.0%), couples without children (20.6%), and single parents (14.4%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 37.4% of households, consisting of lone person residences (32.8%) and group houses (4.5%). The local median household size of 2.3 individuals is smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

Educational attainment in Willagee aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The proportion of residents with tertiary qualifications in Willagee is lower than regional benchmarks, with 32.8% of individuals aged 15+ holding university degrees compared to 42.3% in the surrounding SA3 area, suggesting opportunities for further academic and professional training. Bachelor degrees represent the largest category at 22.8%, followed by postgraduate degrees (6.2%) and graduate diplomas (3.8%). Vocational and technical training is also highly represented, with 32.2% of the population aged 15+ holding qualifications, split between advanced diplomas (10.8%) and certificates (21.4%).

A high level of educational participation is observed locally, with 30.3% of the population enrolled in an educational institution. This includes 10.4% in primary schools, 8.4% in high schools, and 5.5% enrolled in higher education.

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

Analysis of the local transit network shows 33 active bus stops operating in Willagee. These stops are served by 3 unique routes, which support a total of 496 weekly passenger trips. Transit access is high, with residents living an average of 159 meters from their nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, and most workers commute to external areas; private vehicles remain the dominant mode of travel at 83%, followed by trains at 8%. Households own an average of 1.3 vehicles, which is lower than the regional average. A relatively low 8.3% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.

Transit services average 70 daily trips across the combined routes, translating to roughly 15 weekly trips per active stop.

Health performance in Willagee is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Willagee faces distinct health challenges, according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality patterns and chronic illness rates, which affect both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high, with approximately 72% of the population (4,545 people) holding cover. This compares to 59.0% in Greater Perth and a national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 10.6% and 7.5% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 67.0% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 71.9% across Greater Perth. The prevalence of chronic conditions among working-age residents is higher than average. Residents aged 65 and over make up 16.3% of the community (1,022 people), and health outcomes for this senior cohort are generally consistent with national general population trends.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Willagee was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Willagee displays higher cultural diversity than average, with 13.8% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 26.9% born outside Australia. Christianity is the largest religious group, representing 40.6% of the population. Islam represents 1.6% of the community, which is lower than the 3.2% share recorded across Greater Perth.

The primary ancestral origins reported by Willagee residents are English (28.0%), Australian (24.8%), and Other (9.3%). Several European and regional ancestries show higher representation in Willagee than in the wider region, including Croatian at 1.1% (versus 0.8% regionally), New Zealand at 1.1% (versus 0.8%), and French at 0.7% (versus 0.5%).

Willagee's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Willagee is 37, matching the Greater Perth average of 37 and sitting close to the national figure of 38. The suburb has a high proportion of residents aged 85 and over at 3.1% compared to Greater Perth, while children aged 5 - 14 are less common at 11.3%. Since 2021, the 35 to 44 age cohort increased from 14.3% to 15.8% of the population. In contrast, the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 13.1% to 11.3%, and the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 13.5% to 12.4%. By 2041, demographic forecasts project major changes in the local age structure, led by an 81% expansion of the 75 to 84 cohort (an increase of 261 people) to reach 583 from 321. Overall, residents aged 65 and over are expected to make up 59% of the net population growth, whereas the 15 to 24 and 35 to 44 cohorts are projected to contract.