Dongara (WA)

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Dongara has a residency count estimated at 1,533 in May 2026, calculated from regional ABS data and Districts address updates. This represents a rise of 140 residents (10.1%) from the 2021 Census, which registered 1,393 individuals. The figure is derived from an Districts estimate of 1,532 using the ABS June 2025 ERP data and 24 new validated addresses since the Census. The density stands at 181 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density and potential for expansion. The suburb of Dongara's 10.1% rate of growth surpassed both the SA4 (8.2%) and SA3 regions, leading local growth. interstate movement accounted for roughly 85.0% of the population increase.

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The workforce features a mix of blue and white-collar roles with strong industrial representation. The unemployment rate is 2.1%, and annual job growth is 4.3%. In March 2026661 residents were employed. The unemployment rate is 1.4% lower than the Regional WA rate of 3.5%, while participation is low at 50.8% compared to Regional WA's 65.6%. Only 7.2% of residents worked from home in the Census, which was affected by lockdowns.

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Dongara's income aligns with national figures based on ATO data for financial year 2023. The median taxpayer income is $47,514 and the average is $67,631, compared to $59,973 and $74,392 in Regional WA. Adjusted for Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since financial year 2023, March 2026 estimates are $52,707 (median) and $75,023 (average). Census metrics put household, family, and individual incomes between the 7th and 11th percentiles nationally. The largest income group comprises 27.4% earning $400 - 799 weekly (420 residents), differing from the wider region where $1,500 - 2,999 is the main group at 31.1%. Affordability is low, with of income remaining, placing the area in the th percentile.

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At the latest Census, houses comprised 88.9% of dwellings, while semi-detached, apartments, and other dwellings made up 11.1%. This compares to 88.5% and 11.6% in Regional WA. Home ownership stands at 46.0%, with mortgaged properties at 29.4% and rentals at 24.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,600 and the median weekly rent is $268, compared to Regional WA's $1,560 and $265. Mortgage repayments are below the national average of $1,863, and rents are below the national average of $375.

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Families make up 70.2% of households, consisting of couples with children (24.5%), couples without children (35.6%), and single parents (9.3%). Non-family households account for 29.8%, consisting of single-person households at 29.8% and group households at a rate of none. The median household size is 2.3 people, below Regional WA's average of 2.5.

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University qualification rates are 9.7%, lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are held by 7.2%, graduate diplomas by 1.4%, and postgraduate degrees by 1.1%. Vocational qualifications are held by 42.2% of residents aged 15+, comprising advanced diplomas (9.1%) and certificates (33.1%).

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There are 2 public transport stops in Dongara, consisting of bus services. These stops support 3 routes, offering 12 passenger trips per week. Average distance to a stop is 908 meters. Cars are the main transit mode at 86%, while 7% walk and 2% cycle. Vehicles average 1.4 per home. Working from home was recorded at 7.2% in the 2021 Census.

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Health outcomes are above average with low rates of common conditions in both older and younger groups. Private health insurance is held by approximately 54% of the population (~828 people), compared to 56.4% in Regional WA.

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Cultural diversity is below average, with citizens making up 88.0% of the population, 84.3% born in Australia, and 98.1% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion at 48.3%, compared to 44.6% in Regional WA.

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Dongara's median age of 51 years is older than Regional WA's median of 40 and the national median of 38. The 65 - 74 age group is highly represented at 17.8% (above the national 9.4%), while 5 - 14 year-olds comprise 9.0%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 15 to 24 group rose from 8.0% to 11.3%, while the 5 to 14 group fell from 11.5% to 9.0%, and the 55 to 64 group fell from 18.0% to 16.3%. By 2041, the to group is projected to grow by people () from to while the to and to age groups are expected to decline.

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Dongara currently has an estimated 70 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 32 children aged 0-2 and 22 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 15% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 24% by 2041 (to approximately 87 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 107. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been low, with approximately 6.3 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.