Lakelands (WA)

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According to ABS demographic updates for the wider region and new addresses verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Lakelands (WA) has an estimated population of 9,305 in May 2026. This indicates a growth of 3,134 residents (50.8%) relative to the 2021 Census, which counted 6,171 individuals. This adjustment is calculated from a resident population of 8,733, calculated by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with an additional 1,310 verified new addresses registered after the Census. The population level corresponds to a density of 1,325 residents per square kilometer, which exceeds the typical figure for national locations analyzed by Districts. The growth rate of 50.8% in the suburb of Lakelands (WA) since the 2021 Census outpaced the national benchmark of 9.3% as well as state figures, positioning the area as a regional growth leader. Population expansion was primarily driven by interstate migration, which accounted for approximately 67.0% of total gains, though all contributors, including overseas migration and natural increase, remained positive.

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The local workforce is evenly divided between professional and manual occupations, with a notable presence in industrial and manufacturing sectors. The unemployment rate is low at 2.5%, and employment grew by an estimated 11.6% over the past year. In March 2026, there were 4,405 working residents. The unemployment rate is 1.7% below the Greater Perth average of 4.2%, while the participation rate is slightly below average at 66.6% compared to 70.2% for the wider capital. According to Census records, a minor share of 6.2% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure was influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns.

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Taxpayer statistics for the 2023 financial year show a median income of $53,666 and an average of $72,311. This exceeds the national average, though it is below the Greater Perth median of $60,748 and average of $80,248. Adjusted for Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since the 2023 financial year, current figures are estimated at $59,532 for the median and $80,215 for the average in March 2026. At the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes clustered around the national median. The largest income bracket is the weekly range of $1,500 - 2,999, containing 34.3% of households (3,191 residents), which is comparable to the metropolitan average of 32.0%. Housing costs absorb 17.1% of income, leaving disposable income at the nd percentile nationally, while the SEIFA index places the area in the th decile.

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Residential architecture is dominated by detached houses, which made up 99.7% of dwellings at the latest Census, compared to 0.3% for medium and high-density options. This compares to 77.8% houses and 22.1% alternative dwellings across metropolitan Perth. The rate of outright home ownership stood at 20.6%, which is lower than the metropolitan average, with the remaining properties being purchased with a mortgage (55.9%) or rented (23.5%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,750, which is below the metropolitan Perth average of $1,907, while the median weekly rent was $350, matching the metropolitan benchmark of $350. Nationally, local mortgage payments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are below the national median of $375.

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Families represent 79.7% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 38.2%, couples without children at 26.3%, and single parent households at 14.7%. Single person households make up 18.1% of the total, while group living arrangements account for 2.2%, bringing total non-family households to 20.3%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is higher than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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Educational attainment levels show that 16.3% of residents hold a university qualification, which is below the national average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary qualification at 11.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.5% and graduate diplomas at 1.9%. Vocational and technical qualifications are highly prevalent, with 45.3% of residents aged 15 and over holding credentials, including 11.1% with advanced diplomas and 34.2% with certificates.

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The public transport network consists of 43 active train and bus stops. These stops are served by 8 distinct routes, which accommodate 1,967 passenger journeys each week. Accessibility is good, with residents living an average of 235 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, and 85% of commuters travel by car. Private vehicle ownership averages 1.5 per household. Working from home was recorded for 6.2% of residents at the 2021 Census, which was likely affected by pandemic restrictions.

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Mortality and chronic illness statistics indicate below-average health outcomes, with the general population showing typical illness rates, though older cohorts experience higher rates than the national average. Private health insurance coverage is high, with approximately 56% of residents (~5,202 people) having cover, compared to 59.0% across Greater Perth.

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The local community displays higher cultural diversity than most areas, with 12.2% of residents speaking a language other than English at home and 32.9% born outside Australia. Christianity is the main religious affiliation, representing 43.3% of the population. The most distinct relative overrepresentation is Judaism, which accounts for 0.1% of the population, compared to 0.3% across Greater Perth.

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The median age of 32 years is younger than the Greater Perth average of 37 and the national average of 38. Compared to Greater Perth, there is a higher proportion of children aged 5 - 14 (15.7%) but a lower share of people aged 55 - 64 (8.2%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket has increased from 12.1% to 13.7%, and the 55 to 64 group has risen from 7.0% to 8.2%. Meanwhile, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 17.7% to 15.7%, and children aged 0 to dropped from to . By the age profile is expected to change, with the to cohort projected to grow by , adding residents to reach . Residents aged and older are expected to account for of total population growth, while the population of children aged to and to is projected to decrease.

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Lakelands currently has an estimated 632 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 333 children aged 0-2 and 222 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 22% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 5% by 2041 (to approximately 598 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,052. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 10.9 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area within the middle tier nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.