Kenwick (WA)

Detail

Determined from the evaluation of ABS demographic updates for the broader region, along with residential addresses verified by Districts following the Census, the suburb of Kenwick has a residency count calculated at approximately 6,652 as of May 2026. This marks an expansion of 968 individuals (17.0%) relative to the 2021 Census, when the headcount stood at 5,684 people. The calculation is derived from a local resident base of 6,578, estimated by Districts analyzing the most recent ABS ERP release (June 2025) plus an extra 55 validated new addresses since the Census date. This size of population yields a density ratio of 674 persons per square kilometer, offering substantial space per inhabitant and potential capacity for subsequent development. The 17.0% expansion in the suburb of Kenwick since the 2021 census was faster than the national rate (9.3%) and the SA3 region, positioning it as a local growth pacesetter. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains in the area, accounting for roughly of the total growth during recent timeframes.

Detail

Kenwick is home to an experienced workforce with prominent manufacturing and industrial sectors, an unemployment rate of 7.7%, and an estimated job growth rate of 1.5% over the past year, according to Districts compiling local statistical files. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 3,233 while the local unemployment rate was 3.5% higher than the Greater Perth rate of 4.2%, indicating potential for betterment, and labor force participation is lower at 64.8% compared to 70.2% in Greater Perth. Census records show a minor 5.5% share of local workers operating from home, though coronavirus lockdown factors must be taken into account.

Detail

The most recent postcode-level ATO data compiled by Districts for financial year 2023 shows that personal earnings in Kenwick fall below the national average, with a median of $48,887 and an average of $57,219. This is lower than the Greater Perth median of $60,748 and average of $80,248. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since financial year 2023, current equivalent levels would be approximately $54,230 for the median and $63,473 for the average as of March 2026. From the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes all rank in the lower brackets, falling between the 25th and 31st percentiles. Income distributions show the largest concentration of residents is the 33.2% of locals (2,208 people) earning in the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which matches the wider metropolitan pattern where this bracket accounts for . Financial pressure from housing is high, leaving residents with only of their income, which sits in the th percentile.

Detail

Residential configurations in Kenwick at the time of the latest Census consisted of 98.2% detached houses and 1.8% alternative dwellings like apartments, townhouses, and other structures, differing from the Perth metropolitan breakdown of 77.8% houses and 22.1% other dwellings. Home ownership rates in Kenwick were below the metropolitan average at 25.1%, with the remaining properties occupied by households with a mortgage (45.6%) or renting tenants (29.3%). The median monthly home loan payment was significantly below the Perth metropolitan average at $1,517, while the median weekly rent stood at $300, compared to metropolitan benchmarks of $1,907 and $350. On a national level, mortgage costs in Kenwick are notably lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rental costs are well below the national median of $375.

Detail

Families make up the majority of households at 69.9%, consisting of couples with children at 35.3%, couples without children at 20.6%, and single parent households at 12.3%. Non-family households account for the remaining 30.1%, with single-person households at 26.0% and group households representing 4.1% of the total. The median household occupancy of 2.7 residents is slightly larger than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

Detail

Educational attainment levels present some challenges in the area, with tertiary qualification rates at 18.6%, which is well below the Australian benchmark of 30.4%. This highlights a clear opportunity for focused educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary qualification at 12.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 4.6% and graduate diplomas at 1.5%. Vocational and technical training is highly represented, with 35.9% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 10.2% and certificates at 25.7%.

Detail

Transport networks include 33 active transit stops in Kenwick, incorporating both rail and bus services. These points of access are connected to 4 distinct routes, which combine to support 889 passenger journeys every week. Accessibility is good, with homes situated an average of 345 meters from the nearest transit point. Because the suburb is primarily residential, most workers travel outside the area, with private vehicles remaining the primary choice for 83% of commuters, followed by 9% using train services. Households own an average of 1.6 vehicles. A low 5.5% of workers worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic regulations.

Detail

Kenwick faces notable public health concerns, based on Districts assessments of mortality patterns and the occurrence of chronic illnesses across both younger and older demographics, while the share of residents with private health insurance is low at roughly 50% of the population (~3,320 people). This stands in contrast to the 59.0% recorded across Greater Perth and the national average of 55.7%.

Detail

Kenwick exhibits a high degree of cultural diversity, with 40.3% of residents communicating in a language other than English at home and 44.6% born outside Australia. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, encompassing 46.8% of the local population. Islam shows the most notable local concentration, representing 8.6% of residents, which is significantly higher than the Greater Perth average of 3.2%.

Detail

The median age of 35 years in Kenwick is slightly below the Greater Perth average of 37 and the national average of 38. Young children aged 0 - 4 are highly represented at 6.7% compared to Greater Perth, while older residents in the 65 - 74 bracket are less common at 7.5%. Since 2021, the 75 to 84 age cohort has increased from 4.3% to 5.3% of the total population, while the 5 to 14 youth cohort fell from 13.3% to 11.4%. Population projections for 2041 point to significant demographic shifts, with the 75 to 84 cohort expected to grow by 212 people () from to while the to and to cohorts are projected to contract.

Detail

Kenwick currently has an estimated 445 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 252 children aged 0-2 and 168 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 7% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 0% by 2041 (to approximately 447 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 661. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 13.4 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.