Busselton (WA)

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According to the analysis of ABS population adjustments for the broader region and recent address validations conducted by Districts since the Census, the resident count for the suburb of Busselton is projected to be approximately 1,933 in May 2026. This represents an expansion of 95 people (5.2%) compared to the 2021 Census, which documented 1,838 people. The adjustment is calculated from a resident base of 1,922 estimated by Districts using the ABS ERP release from June 2025, alongside 49 validated new addresses registered since the Census. This population size results in a density of 433 persons per square kilometer, which allows for substantial personal space and opportunities for future expansion. Overseas migration was the primary driver of growth, accounting for approximately 35.0% of the overall population rise, though other components, including interstate arrivals and natural increase, also registered positive trends.

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The suburb of Busselton has a qualified labor force with strong representation in the hospitality and tourism sectors, alongside an unemployment rate of 4.6% compiled from Districts regional aggregations. As of March 2026, there are 893 employed residents. The local unemployment rate sits 1.1% above the Regional WA level of 3.5%, while the labor participation rate of 53.2% is considerably lower than the Regional WA figure of 65.6%. Census data reveals that a minimal 6.5% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by pandemic containment measures.

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Based on consolidated ATO tax statistics for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the suburb of Busselton registered a median income of $42,807 and an average income of $56,535. These figures are below national benchmarks and compare to regional averages of $59,973 and $74,392 for Regional WA. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.93% since the 2023 financial year yields estimated values of $47,486 for the median and $62,714 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Busselton between the 2nd and 14th percentiles nationally. The largest income bracket contains 33.9% of residents (655 people) earning between $400 - 799 weekly, which contrasts with the broader region where the - bracket is most common at . Financial strain is common, with of households living on modest budgets under weekly. Housing costs consume a large portion of earnings, leaving just of income disposable, which ranks in the rd percentile.

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The housing stock in the suburb of Busselton at the time of the latest Census consisted of 70.9% detached houses and 29.0% alternative dwellings such as townhouses, units, or other types of housing, compared to Regional WA where the mix was 88.5% houses and 11.6% alternative dwellings. Home ownership rates were high at 43.2%, while the remaining properties were either held with a mortgage (16.9%) or rented (39.8%). The median mortgage payment of $1,635 was higher than the Regional WA median of $1,560, and the median weekly rent was $320 compared to the regional median of $265. Nationally, mortgage payments in the suburb of Busselton are below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are lower than the national figure of $375.

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Family units account for 54.3% of all households in the suburb of Busselton, consisting of couples with children at 12.0%, couples without children at 33.4%, and single parent households at 7.6%. The remaining 45.7% are non-family households, with single-person households representing 43.0% and group households making up 2.8% of the total. The median household size is 1.9 people, which is smaller than the Regional WA average of 2.5.

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The region shows lower rates of higher education, with university degree attainment at 18.0%, which is below the national average of 30.4%. This highlights a clear area for targeted educational programs. Among university graduates, Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 3.2% and graduate diplomas at 2.4%. Vocational and technical qualifications are common, with 37.3% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 9.0% and certificates at 28.3%.

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Analysis of local transit shows there are 34 active transport stops operating within the suburb of Busselton, consisting of bus services. These stops are connected by 4 routes, which together provide 341 weekly passenger journeys. Accessibility is good, with residents living an average of 238 meters from the nearest stop. Because the area is mostly residential, most workers commute out of the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 87%, followed by walking at 5% and cycling at 4%. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.0 car per dwelling, which is below the regional average. A low proportion of 6.5% of the workforce worked from home, based on 2021 Census data collected during pandemic conditions.

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Health assessments indicate that the suburb of Busselton faces considerable challenges, based on mortality statistics and the occurrence of long-term conditions across both younger and older demographics. The level of private health coverage is low, with approximately 50% of the population (~959 people) covered, compared to 56.4% in Regional WA and a national average of 55.7%.

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The suburb of Busselton aligns closely with regional averages for cultural diversity markers, showing citizenship rates at 85.0%, Australian-born residents at 74.9%, and English-only speakers at 93.3%. Christianity is the major religion, practiced by 48.7% of the community. However, the most pronounced difference is in the proportion of residents identifying as Muslim, which stands at 1.8% compared to the Regional WA average of 0.8%.

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The median age in the suburb of Busselton is 55 years, which is higher than the Regional WA average of 40 and the national average of 38. Compared to the regional population, there is a high concentration of residents in the 65 - 74 age bracket (17.8% locally), whereas children aged 5 - 14 are underrepresented at 5.3%. The proportion of residents aged 65 - 74 is also higher than the national figure of 9.4%. Since 2021, the 35 to 44 age range has expanded from 8.6% to 9.9% of the population, and the cohort aged 85+ has grown from 4.7% to 6.0%. Conversely, the 55 to group contracted from to , and the to group fell from to . Projections for indicate demographic shifts, with the to cohort expected to grow by , adding residents to reach . In contrast, population declines are forecast for the to and to age cohorts.

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Busselton currently has an estimated 73 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 59 children aged 0-2 and 40 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 30% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 40% by 2041 (to approximately 102 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 173. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 8.4 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the bottom 30% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.