Nedlands (WA)

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According to ABS population releases and new location data confirmed by Districts following the Census, the suburb of Nedlands has an estimated population of 12,570 in May 2026. This represents a rise of 2,009 residents (19.0%) relative to the 2021 Census, which recorded 10,561 individuals. This adjustment is based on a resident count of 12,520 calculated by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with 157 newly validated addresses post-Census. Such a population size translates to 2,362 persons per square kilometer, placing the suburb of Nedlands in the highest national quartile of locations evaluated. The area's 19.0% expansion rate since the 2021 census outpaced both the national benchmark (9.3%) and the surrounding SA3 region, positioning it as a local growth frontrunner. This population lift was almost entirely powered by overseas migration, which served as the primary contributor to demographic additions in recent times.

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Nedlands features a highly credentialed workforce with substantial employment in professional sectors, an unemployment rate of only 1.4%, and an annual job growth rate estimated at 2.5% based on statistical area data compiled by Districts. In March 2026, there were 6,768 employed residents, with the unemployment rate tracking 2.8% lower than the Greater Perth level of 4.2%, while labor force participation is notably lower at 64.6% compared to 70.2% across the wider metropolitan area. Census returns indicate that a moderate 14.1% of working locals operated from home, though this may have been influenced by pandemic containment measures.

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Data from the ATO for financial year 2023 at the postcode level indicates that taxpayers in the suburb of Nedlands had a median income of $79,102 and an average income of $214,131. These figures place the area in the highest national percentile, compared to Greater Perth averages of $60,748 and $80,248. Adjusted for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.93% since financial year 2023, the current estimates stand at roughly $87,748 for the median and $237,536 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census confirms that household, family, and individual incomes are all highly ranked, positioning the area between the 86th and 95th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows a predominant group of 38.5% of residents (4,839 people) earning weekly incomes of +, differing from Greater Perth where the largest group () falls within the - bracket. High earners are highly represented, with of the population receiving over per week, showing significant financial capacity. Residents keep of their earnings after meeting housing expenses, and the area is positioned in the th decile on the SEIFA index.

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According to the last Census, the housing inventory in Nedlands was made up of 75.2% standalone houses and 24.8% alternative residences like townhouses and apartments, compared to 77.8% houses and 22.1% alternative residences across the Perth metropolitan region. Home ownership rates were considerably higher than the metropolitan benchmark, standing at 44.9%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (28.2%) or renting tenants (26.9%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $3,347, significantly higher than the metropolitan average of $1,907, while the median weekly rent was $500 compared to $350 across wider Perth. On a national level, Nedlands mortgage costs are much higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are also well above the countrywide figure of $375.

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Families make up 73.1% of all households, consisting of 37.4% couples with children, 27.3% couples without children, and 7.5% single parents. The remaining 26.9% are non-family households, which include lone person households at 20.5% and shared group households at 6.3%. The median household size is 2.7 residents, slightly higher than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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The proportion of residents with tertiary qualifications in Nedlands is substantially higher than state and metropolitan levels, with 64.6% of individuals aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 27.9% in WA and 30.1% in Greater Perth. This high level of educational attainment prepares the area well for professional and academic opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 38.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 20.8% and graduate diplomas at 5.3%. Vocational and technical training makes up 13.4% of qualifications for those aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas (7.5%) and certificates (5.9%).

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Public transit data shows 91 active stops within Nedlands, consisting of bus services. These stops accommodate 18 different routes, which support a total of 4,223 weekly passenger journeys. Accessibility is excellent, with homes located an average of 176 meters from the nearest stop. Because the area is mostly residential, the majority of commuters travel out of the suburb, with private vehicles being the primary mode of travel at 72%, followed by buses at 12% and walking at 7%. Households own an average of 1.5 vehicles. Around 14.1% of residents work from home, based on 2021 Census data which may reflect pandemic-related changes.

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Analysis of mortality statistics and chronic health conditions indicates excellent wellness outcomes in Nedlands, with very low rates of common illnesses across all age cohorts. The private health insurance rate is extremely high, covering approximately 112% of the population (14,101 people). This compares to 59.0% in Greater Perth and a national average of 55.7%.

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Nedlands displays higher cultural diversity than most comparable areas, with 18.4% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 35.7% born outside Australia. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 47.3% of the population. The most prominent religious overrepresentation is Judaism, which accounts for 0.6% of residents compared to 0.3% across Greater Perth.

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With a median age of 40, the suburb of Nedlands is slightly older than Greater Perth at 37 and Australia at 38. Compared to the metropolitan average, the 15 - 24 age bracket is highly represented at 21.7% of the population, whereas 35 - 44 year-olds are underrepresented at 10.0%. The concentration of young adults aged 15 - 24 is much higher than the national figure of 12.7%. Since 2021, younger arrivals have reduced the median age by 1.7 years to 40. The 15 to 24 cohort expanded from 14.6% to 21.7% of the population, and the 25 to 34 group rose from 9.5% to . In contrast, the to bracket dropped from to , while the to age group fell from to . Long-term forecasts for suggest major demographic changes, led by a growth in the + cohort (an increase of people), rising from to . The combined cohorts aged and over will account for of overall population growth, indicating a graying demographic trend. Conversely, the to and to groups are projected to contract.

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Nedlands currently has an estimated 427 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 207 children aged 0-2 and 138 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 8% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 3% by 2041 (to approximately 440 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,059. Birth rates in the area have averaged 4.7 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a low rate (among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.