Forrestfield (WA)

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According to evaluations of ABS demographics data for the wider region, combined with recent address records confirmed by Districts post-Census, the suburb of Forrestfield has an estimated residency of 15,153 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 1,972 residents (15.0%) from the 2021 Census, when the count stood at 13,181 individuals. This trend is calculated from a local population base of 15,104, calculated by Districts using the June 2025 ABS ERP publication, alongside 108 newly confirmed addresses since the Census date. The population size yields a density of 887 persons per square kilometer, which aligns closely with typical values calculated by Districts across comparable locations. The 15.0% expansion rate in the suburb of Forrestfield since the 2021 Census was higher than the national benchmark of 9.3% and the broader SA3 district, placing it among the region's top growth areas. Local demographic growth was heavily supported by arrivals from abroad, accounting for roughly of the total population increases in recent times, though interstate moves and natural increases also remained positive.

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Forrestfield is characterized by a balanced labor market featuring a mix of professional and industrial occupations, with manufacturing and industrial sectors playing a key role, an unemployment rate of 4.6%, and an estimated 1.2% job growth over the past year. In March 2026, working residents numbered 8,346, while the jobless rate was 0.4% higher than the Greater Perth average of 4.2%, and labor participation closely matched the metropolitan benchmark of 70.2%. Census figures show that a small proportion of residents, 5.6%, worked from home, though this may have been influenced by pandemic-related restrictions.

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Based on ATO postcode data released for the 2023 financial year, the suburb of Forrestfield's median taxpayer income is $52,774, with an average of $61,848. These figures sit below the national averages, and compare to a median of $60,748 and average of $80,248 across Greater Perth. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index rise of 10.93% since the 2023 financial year, estimated figures as of March 2026 are approximately $58,542 for the median and $68,608 for the average. Census records place local household, family, and individual incomes in a modest band between the 42nd and 51st percentiles. Income distribution shows that 35.0% of the local population (5,303 individuals) earn within the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which is similar to the broader metropolitan distribution of 32.0%. Housing affordability presents a notable challenge, with only of income remaining after housing costs, placing the area in the st percentile.

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At the time of the latest Census, the housing mix in Forrestfield consisted of 88.6% detached houses and 11.5% alternative housing types such as duplexes, townhouses, and apartments, compared to 77.8% houses and 22.1% alternative types across metropolitan Perth. Home ownership rates matched the wider metropolitan average of 29.0%, with the remaining properties either under mortgage (47.7%) or occupied by renters (23.3%). The median monthly mortgage payment was lower than the Perth average at $1,733, while the median weekly rent was equal to the metropolitan figure of $350, compared to regional averages of $1,907 and $350 respectively. On a national level, mortgage costs in the area are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rent payments are below the countrywide figure of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 70.0%, consisting of 28.8% couples raising children, 27.0% couples without children, and 13.1% single-parent homes. The remaining 30.0% are non-family households, with single-person households at 26.6% and shared group accommodation making up 3.2%. The median household size is 2.5 individuals, which is slightly lower than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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Educational attainment levels show a lower rate of university degrees, with 15.5% of residents holding a tertiary qualification compared to the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are held by 11.6% of the population, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.5% and graduate diplomas at 1.4%. Vocational and technical qualifications are common, with 42.2% of residents aged 15 and over holding credentials, including 10.1% with advanced diplomas and 32.1% with certificates.

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Public transit infrastructure includes 106 active bus stops within Forrestfield. These locations are served by 5 distinct routes, delivering a combined total of 771 weekly passenger journeys. Transport access is rated favorably, with homes averaging a distance of 233 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the area's residential nature, most workers commute out of the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 90%. Vehicle ownership stands at an average of 1.6 cars per household. A small proportion of residents, 5.6%, worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect the pandemic conditions at that time.

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Health indicators highlight some challenges in Forrestfield, based on Districts assessments of mortality patterns and chronic illness. Health concerns are present across age groups, and private health insurance coverage is relatively low, held by approximately 52% of the population (~7,843 people). This compares to a coverage rate of 59.0% across Greater Perth.

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Forrestfield exhibits higher levels of cultural diversity than most comparable markets, with 15.3% of residents using a non-English language at home and 30.5% born outside Australia. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 43.0% of the community. Islam represents a notable local faith group at 3.1% of the population, which is close to the Greater Perth proportion of 3.2%.

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The median age of residents is 38 years, which is close to the metropolitan average of 37 and matches the national median of 38. Compared to Greater Perth, there is a higher proportion of residents in the 65 - 74 bracket (10.0%) and a smaller share in the 25 - 34 bracket (13.6%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket grew from 11.1% to 13.0%, while the 75 to 84 cohort rose from 5.0% to 6.2%. In contrast, the 0 to 4 group shrank from 6.4% to 5.3%. Projections to 2041 indicate demographic shifts, with the to cohort expected to increase by ( people), growing from to . This aging trend is notable, with seniors aged and over accounting for of total projected population growth, while the to and to brackets are projected to shrink.

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Forrestfield currently has an estimated 803 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 536 children aged 0-2 and 357 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 5% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 4% by 2041 (to approximately 769 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,671. Birth rates in the area have averaged 11.8 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a moderate rate (among the top 30% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.