Withers - Usher
Statistical Area - sa2

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's population was around 5,510 as of August 2025, showing an increase of 391 people (7.6%) since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 5,119. This change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,462 in June 2024 and an additional 46 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density was 670 persons per square kilometer, providing significant space per person and potential room for further development. Withers - Usher's growth rate of 7.6% since the census is within 1.0 percentage point of the national average (8.6%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 54.8% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered by this data and to estimate growth post-2032, AreaSearch used growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future population dynamics anticipate an above median growth for national non-metropolitan areas, with Withers - Usher expected to increase by 1,148 persons to 2041, recording a gain of 20.0% in total over the 17 years.

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

Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, Withers - Usher averaged approximately 14 new dwelling approvals annually, totalling 74 homes. In the current financial year FY26, 4 homes have been approved so far. This averages out to around 3.3 new residents per home built over these five years, indicating a significant demand outpacing supply.

Consequently, this typically exerts upward pressure on prices and intensifies competition among buyers. The average construction cost of new homes is $313,000, which is below regional levels, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers in the area. Commercial approvals in Withers - Usher have reached $3.2 million this financial year, reflecting the area's predominantly residential nature. Compared to the Rest of WA, Withers - Usher exhibits substantially reduced construction activity, with 54.0% fewer approvals per person. This constrained new construction often reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes in the area.

Similarly, when compared nationally, Withers - Usher shows lower development levels, which could indicate market maturity or potential development constraints. New developments in Withers - Usher comprise 83.0% standalone homes and 17.0% medium to high-density housing, maintaining the area's low density character and attracting space-seeking buyers who prefer detached housing. With approximately 323 people per dwelling approval, the area is experiencing a developing market. Population forecasts project that Withers - Usher will gain around 1,100 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, there may be a struggle to match this population growth with adequate housing supply, potentially exacerbating buyer competition and supporting price increases in the future.

Withers - Usher has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 15thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 17 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Dalyellup Beach Estate, Usher Residential Land Release, Bunbury Regional Hospital Redevelopment, and Flynnwood Estate. The following list details those expected to be most relevant.

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

The labour market performance in Withers - Usher lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Withers - Usher employs a balanced mix of white and blue-collar workers, with manufacturing and industrial sectors prominently featured. The unemployment rate in June 2025 was 10.0%.

Over the past year, employment grew by an estimated 5.5%. As of June 2025, 2,517 residents are employed, but the unemployment rate is higher than Rest of WA's at 6.8% versus 3.2%. Workforce participation in Withers - Usher lags behind, at 53.6% compared to Rest of WA's 59.4%. Key employment industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction.

Manufacturing stands out with an employment share of 1.9 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing is lower at 1.2% versus the regional average of 9.3%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 5.5%, and labour force grew by 5.4%, keeping unemployment relatively stable. In contrast, Rest of WA saw employment rise by 1.1% and unemployment fall by 0.6 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Withers - Usher's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.6%% over five years and 12.4% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation and does not account for local population changes.

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

Withers - Usher's median income among taxpayers in financial year 2022 was $42,121. The average income stood at $54,144 during the same period. For comparison, Rest of WA's median and average incomes were $57,323 and $71,163 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.61% since financial year 2022, estimated current incomes as of March 2025 would be approximately $47,011 (median) and $60,430 (average). According to the 2021 Census figures, household, family, and personal incomes in Withers - Usher fall between the 9th and 11th percentiles nationally. In this area, 28.3% of the population (1,559 individuals) have incomes within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, similar to metropolitan regions where this cohort represents 31.1%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Withers - Usher, with only 81.7% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 9th percentile nationally.

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

Dwelling structure in Withers - Usher, as evaluated at the latest Census held on 28th August 2016, comprised 81.4% houses and 18.6% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In contrast, Non-Metro WA had 88.1% houses and 11.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Withers - Usher stood at 23.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 35.1% and rented ones at 41.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Non-Metro WA's average of $1,616. Median weekly rent in Withers - Usher was recorded at $250, compared to Non-Metro WA's $300. Nationally, Withers - Usher's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 62.4% of all households, consisting of 20.0% couples with children, 23.1% couples without children, and 18.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 37.6%, with lone person households at 33.9% and group households comprising 3.8%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of WA average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 10.5%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 8.2%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.2%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.1%). Vocational credentials are also common, with 41.5% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas account for 7.9% and certificates for 33.6%.

Educational participation is high, with 27.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.6% in primary, 8.3% in secondary, and 1.9% in tertiary education. Withers - Usher has three schools with a combined enrollment of 573 students. The area offers varied educational conditions across Withers - Usher, with balanced provision including two primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. School places per 100 residents (10.4) are below the regional average (17.1), indicating some students may attend schools in nearby areas. Note: for schools showing 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

Transport analysis for Withers - Usher indicates 62 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by four individual routes that collectively facilitate 226 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 178 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 32 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately three weekly trips per 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

Health data indicates significant health challenges in Withers - Usher, affecting both younger and older age groups. Approximately 47% (~2,589 people) have private health cover, compared to 54.1% across the rest of WA and a national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 12.5 and 10.8% of residents respectively.

Around 59.2% report no medical ailments, compared to 66.4% in the rest of WA. The area has 15.7% (862 people) aged 65 and over, lower than the 17.6% in the rest of WA. Health outcomes among seniors are broadly aligned with the general population's health profile.

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

Withers-Ushers cultural diversity was below average, with 84.9% of its population being citizens born in Australia speaking English only at home (80.5%, 91.7% respectively). Christianity was the predominant religion (39.9%), but Islam was overrepresented at 1.0% compared to 0.7% regionally. The top ancestry groups were English (31.5%), Australian (28.3%), and Scottish (7.4%).

Notably, Maori (1.4%) and Australian Aboriginal (5.0%) populations were higher than regional averages of 1.0% and 2.4%, respectively. Dutch representation was also notable at 1.6%.

Withers - Usher's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Withers-Ushers median age is 38 years, slightly below the Rest of WA average of 40 but aligning with Australia's median age of 38. The 15-24 cohort is notably over-represented at 12.7% locally compared to the Rest of WA average, while the 75-84 year-olds are under-represented at 4.7%. Post the 2021 Census, the 35-44 age group grew from 12.7% to 14.4%, and the 25-34 cohort increased from 12.7% to 13.9%. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort declined from 11.2% to 9.8%, and the 45-54 group dropped from 13.2% to 12.1%. Demographic projections indicate significant changes in Withers-Ushers age profile by 2041. The 25-34 cohort is projected to grow strongly at 54%, adding 418 residents to reach 1,187. However, both the 65-74 and 15-24 age groups are expected to decrease in numbers.