Morley (WA)

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According to assessments of ABS population updates for the broader region and newly validated addresses from Districts, the suburb of Morley has an estimated population of 25,310 as of May 2026. This figure represents an increase of 2,771 individuals, which corresponds to a 12.3% rise since the 2021 Census that recorded 22,539 people. The adjustment derives from a resident population count of 25,235 established by Districts after reviewing the latest ERP data release issued by the ABS in June 2025, plus 102 newly validated addresses since the Census date. Such a population level translates to a density of 2,410 persons per square kilometer, positioning the suburb within the upper quartile compared to other national locations evaluated by Districts. The suburb of Morley's 12.3% expansion since the 2021 census surpassed both the national average of 9.3% and the SA3 area rate, identifying it as a leading growth area in the region. The primary driver of population increase has been overseas migration, accounting for roughly of total gains during recent periods.

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The suburb of Morley is characterized by a skilled resident workforce with a notable presence in industrial and manufacturing jobs. The local unemployment rate stands at a low 3.6%, accompanied by an estimated annual employment growth rate of 3.9%, according to aggregated regional statistics. By March 2026, the employed resident population reached 14,415, while the jobless rate remained 0.6% below the 4.2% average recorded across Greater Perth. The proportion of the population participating in the labor force is close to the Greater Perth benchmark of 70.2%. Census records indicate that only a small portion of the workforce, measured at 6.4%, worked from home, though these figures may reflect the influence of temporary pandemic lockdowns.

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The latest postcode-level ATO statistics for the 2023 financial year show that incomes in the suburb of Morley are below the national average. The median income is recorded at $52,887 and the average income is $63,500, compared to the Greater Perth median of $60,748 and average of $80,248. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since the 2023 financial year, estimated incomes as of March 2026 are approximately $58,668 for the median and $70,441 for the average. According to 2021 Census data, individual, family, and household incomes in the suburb of Morley are modest, placing between the 36th and 40th percentiles. In terms of income brackets, the largest group of residents falls into the $1,500 - 2,999 range, accounting for 33.3% of the population (8,428 people), which is comparable to the regional average. Housing cost pressures are significant, with residents retaining only of their income, which ranks in the st percentile, while the SEIFA index places the area in the th decile for income.

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According to the latest Census, residential dwellings in the suburb of Morley consisted of 83.7% standalone houses and 16.3% alternative housing types, such as apartments and semi-detached properties, compared to the metropolitan Perth average of 77.8% houses and 22.1% alternative types. The level of home ownership in the suburb of Morley stood at 35.4%, exceeding the metropolitan Perth average, while the remaining homes were mortgaged (35.9%) or occupied by tenants (28.8%). Homeowners with mortgages had a median monthly payment of $1,733, which is below the metropolitan Perth average of $1,907. The median weekly rent was $360, compared to $350 across metropolitan Perth. Nationally, mortgage costs in the suburb of Morley are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are lower than the national median of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households in the suburb of Morley at 70.0%, consisting of couples with children (29.3%), couples without children (27.0%), and single-parent households (11.9%). The remaining 30.0% are non-family households, which are mostly individuals living alone (25.6%) alongside group households (4.4%). The median household size is 2.5 residents, which is slightly lower than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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Residents in the suburb of Morley have lower formal qualification levels than the surrounding region, with 25.5% of people aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 33.0% across the SA3 area. This gap indicates potential opportunities for local skill building. Among degree holders, 18.0% have a bachelor degree, 5.5% have postgraduate credentials, and 2.0% hold graduate diplomas. Technical and vocational qualifications are common, with 33.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational qualifications, split between advanced diplomas (10.9%) and certificates (22.7%).

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Public transport connectivity in the suburb of Morley includes 161 active stops, offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 30 separate transit routes that combine to provide 7,376 weekly passenger trips. Access to public transport is highly rated, with the average distance to the nearest stop being 188 meters. Due to the suburban nature of the area, most workers commute out of the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 83% and buses serving 8%. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.4 cars per home. A small proportion of residents (6.4%) worked from home, as recorded in the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 rules.

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Health indicators for the suburb of Morley are generally positive. Analysis of mortality and morbidity data by Districts shows outcomes consistent with national averages, with low rates of common health conditions across both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is slightly higher than the average SA2 area, with approximately 52% of the population holding private policies, representing about 13,264 people, compared to 59.0% across Greater Perth.

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The suburb of Morley displays high levels of cultural diversity, with 37.3% of the population speaking a non-English language at home and 44.4% of residents born overseas. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 49.4% of the population. The most distinct religious concentration relative to the metropolitan average is Judaism, which accounts for 0.7% of residents in the suburb of Morley compared to 0.3% across Greater Perth.

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The median age of residents in the suburb of Morley is 39 years, which is slightly higher than the Greater Perth median of 37 and close to the Australian median of 38. The 75 - 84 age cohort is over-represented locally at 7.3% compared to the Greater Perth average, while the 5 - 14 cohort is under-represented at 10.2%. Post-2021 Census data reveals that the 35 to 44 age group increased from 14.2% to 15.3% of the population, and the 85+ cohort grew from 2.3% to 3.4%, while the 65 to 74 group fell from 10.0% to 8.9%. Future projections for 2041 point to significant changes, with the group aged and over expected to grow by (an increase of people), rising from to . This aging trend is further highlighted by the fact that residents aged and older represent of the expected growth, while the to and to age brackets are projected to shrink.

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Morley currently has an estimated 1,290 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 761 children aged 0-2 and 506 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 3% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 0% by 2041 (to approximately 1,292 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 2,075. Birth rates in the area have averaged 11.2 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.