Darch (WA)

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According to assessments of ABS demographic releases for the wider region, combined with updated addresses verified by Districts since the Census, the population of the suburb of Darch is calculated to be approximately 7,938 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 591 individuals (8.0%) from the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 7,347 people. This shift is determined from the resident count of 7,938, calculated by Districts using the most recent ABS ERP statistics (June 2025) along with 87 validated new addresses registered after the Census. This population level translates to a density of 2,376 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality in the top quartile of domestic areas evaluated by Districts. The 8.0% expansion in the suburb of Darch since the census is within 1.3 percentage points of the nationwide benchmark (9.3%), indicating solid growth dynamics. Overseas migration was the primary driver of demographic expansion here, accounting for roughly 74.0% of the total population gains in recent times.

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Darch has a workforce characterized by high skill levels, with strong representation in industrial and manufacturing fields, an unemployment rate of 4.1%, and an estimated 2.6% increase in employment over the prior year, according to aggregated statistical area statistics. In March 2026, 4,710 residents were employed, while the unemployment rate was 0.1% lower than the Greater Perth level of 4.2%, and labor participation was exceptionally high at 75.9% compared to 70.2% across Greater Perth. Census records show that a minor 8.1% of working residents operated from home, though this may have been influenced by COVID-19 restrictions.

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The latest postcode-level ATO statistics for the financial year 2023 indicate that incomes in the suburb of Darch are slightly below the national average, with a median of $54,730 and an average of $66,316. This is lower than the Greater Perth median of $60,748 and average of $80,248. Adjusted for Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since the financial year 2023, estimated incomes would be roughly $60,712 for the median and $73,564 for the average as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, household incomes are in the 87th percentile ($2,403 weekly), whereas individual incomes are lower in the 51st percentile. The largest income bracket contains 38.0% of local residents (3,016 people) earning between $1,500 and which aligns with the broader region where fall into this range. High earners making over weekly account for of the population, reflecting substantial economic capacity. Housing costs represent of income, while strong overall earnings place residents in the th percentile for disposable income, and the SEIFA index ranks the area in the th decile.

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The housing stock in Darch at the time of the latest Census consisted of 93.8% separate houses and 6.2% other housing types (including apartments, semi-detached, and alternative dwellings), compared to 77.8% houses and 22.1% alternative dwellings across metropolitan Perth. Home ownership in Darch was lower than the metropolitan average at 26.3%, with the remaining properties occupied by mortgage holders (59.7%) or tenants (14.0%). The median monthly mortgage payment was higher than the Perth metropolitan average of $1,907 at $2,000, while the median weekly rent was $460 compared to the metropolitan average of $350. Nationally, Darch's mortgage payments exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and rent levels are also notably higher than the national figure of $375.

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Families make up the vast majority of households at 89.3%, consisting of couples with children at 59.1%, couples without children at 18.7%, and single parent households at 10.8%. Non-family households account for the remaining 10.7%, with single-person homes at 9.6% and group households at 1.0%. The median household size is 3.4 people, which is larger than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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The educational profile of this community is distinct within the region, with tertiary qualification rates among residents aged 15 and over reaching 26.3%, compared to the SA3 average of 19.7%. This highlights a local focus on higher education. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 19.2%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 4.7% and graduate diplomas at 2.4%. Vocational and technical training is also common, with 31.4% of residents aged 15 and over holding credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 10.9% and certificates at 20.5%.

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Public transport services in Darch include 32 active stops serviced by buses. These stops accommodate 8 separate routes that combine to provide 1,241 weekly trips. Access is favorable, with residents living an average of 220 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the residential nature of the area, most workers commute outside the suburb, with private cars being the primary mode of travel at 84%, followed by trains at 11%. Household vehicle ownership averages 2.0 cars, which is higher than the regional average. A small portion of residents, 8.1%, worked from home at the time of the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.

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Health metrics show favorable outcomes across Darch, based on an evaluation of mortality rates and the prevalence of chronic illnesses by Districts. Both younger and older demographics exhibit low rates of common medical conditions. Private health insurance coverage stands slightly ahead of the average SA2 area at approximately 54% of the population, representing about 4,249 people, compared to 59.0% across Greater Perth.

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Darch exhibits a high level of cultural diversity, with 40.6% of residents using a language other than English at home and 43.1% born outside Australia. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 48.0% of the population. There is also a notable concentration of residents identifying with Hinduism, making up 9.0% of the population, which is higher than the Greater Perth average of 2.5%.

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The median age in Darch is 36 years, which is close to the Greater Perth average of 37 and slightly below the national median of 38. Compared to the wider Perth area, Darch has a higher proportion of residents aged 45 to 54 (17.6%) and fewer young adults aged 25 to 34 (9.3%). The proportion of residents aged 45 to 54 is higher than the national average of 12.0%. Since the 2021 Census, the 55 to 64 age group has increased from 9.3% to 11.5% of the population, and the 15 to 24 group has risen from 16.9% to 18.0%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from to , and the to age bracket fell from to . Population modeling indicates Darch's age structure will change by with the to age group projected to grow by , adding people to reach while the to and to age groups are expected to decline.

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Darch currently has an estimated 325 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 220 children aged 0-2 and 146 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 16% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 10% by 2041 (to approximately 292 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 854. Birth rates in the area have averaged 8.6 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a moderate rate (within the middle tier nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.