Mount Barker (WA)

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According to ABS demographic updates and quarterly residential address checks by Districts, the suburb of Mount Barker (WA) has an estimated residency of 3,090 as of May 2026. This is a rise of 235 people (8.2%) relative to the 2,855 people documented in the 2021 Census. This adjustment stems from an Districts calculation of 3,076 residents using the June 2025 ERP release by the ABS, supplemented by 30 validated new addresses added after the Census. Consequently, the local density stands at 6.3 persons per square kilometer, indicating low-density living conditions. Over the last ten years, the suburb of Mount Barker (WA) recorded steady development with a 1.1% compound annual growth rate, which was faster than the SA4 region. Population expansion was driven mostly by interstate relocations, which represented 76.0% of the overall gains, though overseas arrivals and natural expansion also remained positive.

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The local workforce shows a mix of white-collar and blue-collar employment with a strong presence in essential services, alongside an unemployment rate of 3.8%. As of March 2026, there are 1,435 residents holding jobs. The local jobless rate is 0.2% higher than the Regional WA rate of 3.5%, and the participation rate of 58.0% is lower than the Regional WA rate of 65.6%. Census records indicate that 8.1% of working residents performed their jobs from home, which may have been influenced by pandemic-related restrictions.

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Tax data from the ATO for the 2023 financial year shows that personal incomes in the suburb of Mount Barker (WA) are below the national average. Local taxpayers recorded a median income of $42,665 and an average income of $51,918, compared to Regional WA figures of $59,973 and $74,392. Adjusting for a 10.93% increase in the Wage Price Index since the 2023 financial year, estimated incomes as of March 2026 are approximately $47,328 for the median and $57,593 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes all ranked between the 7th and 12th percentiles across Australia. The most common weekly income band is $400 - 799, containing 30.7% of residents (948 people), whereas the wider region has its largest share in the - bracket at . Although housing costs are relatively low, leaving residents with of their income, overall disposable income sits at the th percentile nationally.

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Census data reveals that houses accounted for 95.7% of the dwelling stock in the suburb of Mount Barker (WA), with other types of accommodation making up 4.3%. This contrasts with Regional WA, where houses accounted for 88.5% and other properties made up 11.6%. Home ownership stood at 42.9%, which is higher than the rate in Regional WA, with mortgaged properties representing 31.5% and rented properties making up 25.6%. The median monthly mortgage cost was $1,226 and the median weekly rent was $225, compared to Regional WA figures of $1,560 and $265. Locally, mortgage costs are lower than the national median of $1,863, and weekly rents are below the Australian median of $375.

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Families make up 70.0% of local households, consisting of couples with children at 25.2%, couples without children at 34.2%, and single-parent households at 9.3%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 30.0%, with single-person households at 27.6% and group households at 1.8%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is slightly lower than the Regional WA average of 2.5.

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Tertiary attainment is relatively low, with 14.6% of residents holding a university degree compared to the national average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are held by 11.6% of residents, followed by postgraduate degrees at 1.8% and graduate diplomas at 1.2%. Vocational qualifications are common, with 43.1% of residents aged 15+ holding a trade certificate, including 11.5% with advanced diplomas and 31.6% with certificates.

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The local transport network features 1 active stop, which is serviced by buses. This stop is connected to 2 distinct routes, which provide 24 passenger services each week. Transport access is low, with residents living an average of 839 meters from the nearest stop. The area is mostly residential and many workers travel outside the suburb, with private vehicles being the primary mode of travel for 94% of workers, while 4% walk. Households average 1.7 vehicles. A small share of the workforce, 8.1%, worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

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Health assessments indicate significant challenges, particularly regarding mortality rates and the prevalence of chronic health conditions across various age groups. Private health insurance coverage is low, with only 48% of residents (~1,477 people) having private cover, compared to 56.4% in Regional WA and a national average of 55.7%.

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Cultural diversity matches regional averages, with citizens making up 82.7% of the population, Australian-born residents accounting for 78.2%, and monolingual English speakers comprising 90.9%. Christianity is the largest religious group, representing 42.8% of the population. The most distinct religious concentration is Islam, which accounts for 4.2% of residents compared to 0.8% across Regional WA.

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The local median age is 48 years, which is older than the Regional WA median of 40 and the national median of 38. The 65 - 74 age group is highly represented at 15.4% of the population compared to Regional WA, while 25 - 34 year-olds are underrepresented at 9.1%. This concentration of 65 - 74 year-olds is higher than the national share of 9.4%. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age bracket increased from 9.9% to 10.9% of the population, while the 55 to 64 bracket fell from 16.0% to 15.0%. Projections for 2041 suggest the age structure will change, with the to cohort expected to grow by people () from to while the to and + cohorts are projected to contract.

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Mount Barker currently has an estimated 160 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 88 children aged 0-2 and 59 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 13% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 27% by 2041 (to approximately 203 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 276. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 8.5 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.