Withers - Usher

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

Withers - Usher has a population of approximately 5,546 as of May 2026, according to analysis by AreaSearch. Compared to the population of 5,119 recorded in the 2021 Census, this represents a growth of 427 individuals (8.3%). The figure is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 5,536 alongside 60 validated new addresses identified since the Census. This population size results in a density of 674 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density and space for future expansion. The growth rate of 8.3% since the census is within 1.0 percentage points of the national average (9.3%), indicating competitive demographic trends. Overseas migration was the primary driver of this growth, accounting for approximately 59.9% of the net population increase in recent times.

AreaSearch incorporates 2024 projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia, using 2022 as a starting point. For locations without direct coverage, or for periods extending past 2032, growth calculations apply age cohort expansion rates from the 2023 Greater Capital Region projections, which rely on 2022 data. Future demographic trends point to population growth exceeding the median of national non-metropolitan regions. Based on the most recent annual ERP statistics, the area is projected to add 1,036 residents by 2041, representing a total increase of 18.5% over the 16-year period.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Withers - Usher when compared nationally

Dwelling approvals in Withers - Usher average approximately 14 annually, with 74 homes approved during the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, and 14 registered so far in FY-26. Because the area has averaged 4 new residents for every built home during the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, demand remains higher than supply, which typically escalates property prices and buyer competition, while the average expected construction cost for these new homes is $277,000. In addition, $3.2 million in commercial development approvals was recorded in the current financial year, highlighting the dominant residential nature of the locality.

Construction activity in Withers - Usher is 53.0% below the regional average per person compared to the Rest of WA. Such low supply levels generally bolster demand and sustain the value of existing properties. This level of activity also falls below the national average, pointing to the mature state of the local market and potential planning barriers. Residential construction is dominated by standalone homes at 83.0%, with medium and high-density projects making up the remaining 17.0%, maintaining a low-density suburban landscape that appeals to buyers seeking space. The ratio of approximately 327 people for each dwelling approval indicates an evolving real estate market.

Based on the latest quarterly calculations by AreaSearch, the population of Withers - Usher is projected to increase by 1,026 residents by 2041. If the current pace of construction persists, the supply of housing may not keep up with this growth, which could increase competition among buyers and put upward pressure on prices.

Withers - Usher has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 7thth percentile nationally

Development in the area is heavily influenced by local infrastructure, planning decisions, and major projects. AreaSearch has identified 15 projects expected to impact the local community. Prominent developments include the Usher Residential Land Release, the SWAMS Health Hub and Community Centre, the Flynnwood Estate, and Dalyellup College, with the most relevant ones detailed in the list 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.

Employment conditions in Withers - Usher face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

The local workforce in Withers - Usher is distributed across white-collar and blue-collar occupations, with notable representation in industrial and manufacturing sectors. The unemployment rate is 9.2%, and employment growth is estimated at 0.8% over the past year. In March 2026, the employed resident population was 2,509, and the unemployment rate was 5.7% higher than the rate of 3.5% in Regional WA, indicating potential for labor market improvement. The workforce participation rate of 61.5% is lower than the Regional WA figure of 65.6%. Census data indicates that only 2.4% of residents worked from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic lockdown measures.

The primary employment sectors for local residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Manufacturing shows a high level of specialization, with an employment share that is 1.9 times the regional average. In contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 1.2% of the workforce, compared to the regional average of 9.3%. A comparison of the Census working population to the resident population suggests that local employment opportunities are relatively limited.

According to AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics for the year ending March 2026, local employment grew by 0.8% and the labor force expanded by 0.9%, which kept the unemployment rate stable. This contrasts with Regional WA, where employment decreased by 0.1%, the labor force rose by 0.3%, and the unemployment rate increased by 0.4 percentage points. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia, released in May-25, provide context on prospective labor demand. These five and ten-year projections are mapped against local employment sectors to estimate trends. Although nationwide employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rates vary by industry. Applying these industry projections to the local workforce mix suggests employment in Withers - Usher could grow by 5.6% over five years and 12.4% over ten years, based on a simple weighted extrapolation that does not incorporate local population forecasts.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

According to ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year, income levels in the Withers - Usher SA2 remain below the national average. The median income for taxpayers is $43,938 and the average income is $56,634, compared to Regional WA figures of $59,973 and $74,392. Adjusting these figures for a Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since the 2023 financial year yields estimated values of $48,740 for the median and $62,824 for the average in March 2026. The 2021 Census placed household, family, and individual incomes in the area between the 9th and 11th percentiles nationally. The data shows that 28.3% of the population (1,569 people) earn between $1,500 and $2,999, which is comparable to the metropolitan average of 31.1% for this cohort. Affordable housing is a major challenge, with residents retaining only 81.7% of their income, placing the area in the 9th percentile for affordability.

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

At the time of the last Census, the housing stock in Withers - Usher consisted of 81.4% standalone houses and 18.6% alternative dwelling types like semi-detached homes and apartments, compared to 88.5% houses and 11.6% other dwellings in Regional WA. Homeownership in the area was lower than the regional average, standing at 23.9%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (35.1%) or rented (41.0%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,300, and the median weekly rent was $250, both below the Regional WA averages of $1,560 and $265. On a national level, monthly mortgage costs in Withers - Usher are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are below the national figure of $375.

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

Families make up the majority of households at 62.4%, which includes couples with children at 20.0%, couples without children at 23.1%, and single-parent households at 18.0%. Non-family households account for 37.6% of the total, with single-person households representing 33.9% and group households making up 3.8%. The median household size is 2.3 individuals, which is smaller than the Regional WA average of 2.5.

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

Educational attainment levels in the area show that 10.5% of residents hold a university qualification, which is below the national average of 30.4%. This highlights a potential area for targeted educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education qualification at 8.2%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.2% and postgraduate degrees at 1.1%. Vocational and technical training is common, with 41.5% of residents aged 15 and over holding qualification credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 7.9% and certificate-level qualifications at 33.6%.

A significant proportion of the population is engaged in study, with 27.5% of residents enrolled in formal education. Primary school students account for 10.6% of residents, secondary students make up 8.3%, and tertiary students represent 1.9% of the population.

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

Analysis of local transit shows 62 active passenger transport stops in Withers - Usher, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 4 routes that run a total of 226 weekly passenger trips. Access to public transit is high, with the average distance to a stop being 178 meters. The area is predominantly residential, and most workers commute to other areas, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel for 92% of residents. The average number of vehicles per household is 1.2, which is below the regional average. Only 2.4% of residents worked from home according to the 2021 Census, a figure that may reflect pandemic conditions.

The average service frequency across the local transit routes is 32 runs per day, which translates to approximately 3 weekly passenger trips for each individual stop.

Health performance in Withers - Usher is well below average with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Analysis of mortality rates and chronic health conditions by AreaSearch indicates notable health challenges in Withers - Usher, affecting both younger and older demographics. The rate of private health insurance is low, with approximately 48% of the population (~2,634 people) covered. This is lower than the Regional WA rate of 56.4% and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health conditions and arthritis are the most prevalent illnesses, affecting 12.5% and 10.8% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 59.2% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, which is lower than the 69.3% recorded in Regional WA. The local working-age population exhibits high rates of chronic health issues. Residents aged 65 and over make up 16.1% of the population (894 people), compared to 19.2% in Regional WA. Health outcomes for seniors in the area are generally consistent with national trends.

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

Cultural diversity in Withers - Usher is lower than the national average, with citizens making up 84.9% of the population, 80.5% of residents born in Australia, and 91.7% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 39.9% of the population. Islam represents 1.0% of the local population, showing an overrepresentation compared to the 0.8% average for Regional WA.

The most common ancestries in Withers - Usher are English at 31.5%, Australian at 28.3%, and Scottish at 7.4%. There are also differences in other ethnic groups, with Maori residents overrepresented at 1.4% of the population (compared to 1.0% regionally) and Filipino residents at 1.9% (compared to 1.2% regionally). Australian Aboriginal residents make up 5.0% of the population, compared to 6.1% across the region.

Withers - Usher's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Withers - Usher is 38 years, which is close to the national median of 38 and slightly younger than the Regional WA average of 40. The 15 - 24 age bracket is overrepresented locally at 12.6% compared to the region, while the 65 - 74 bracket is underrepresented at 9.8%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 35 to 44 rose from 12.7% to 14.5%, and the 25 to 34 group increased from 12.7% to 14.0%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 13.2% to 11.7%, and the 65 to 74 group decreased from 11.2% to 9.8%. Projections for 2041 indicate significant demographic shifts, with the 25 to 34 group expected to grow the most by 44%, adding 343 people to reach a total of 1,119. In contrast, the numbers of residents in the 15 to 24 and 85+ age groups are expected to decline.