Oakford (WA)

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Oakford has a projected population of approximately 3,323 as of May 2026, calculated from ABS demographic updates for the wider region and new address verifications by Districts since the Census. Compared to the 2,803 residents recorded in the 2021 Census, this shows a gain of 520 individuals (18.6%). This growth is calculated using a resident population base of 3,131, which Districts estimated from the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with 78 validated new addresses registered since the Census. With this population level, the density stands at 70 persons per square kilometer, offering generous space per resident and capacity for prospective development. Expanding by 18.6% since the 2021 Census, the suburb of Oakford outpaced the state as well as the national growth rate of 9.3%, positioning it as a regional growth leader. The primary driver of this population expansion was interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 52.0% of the total demographic gains in recent times, though natural growth and overseas migration also registered positive trends.

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Oakford has a diverse workforce composed of both blue-collar and white-collar workers, with a notable concentration in the building sector. The unemployment rate sits at only 1.9%, and the area registered an estimated 0.9% job growth over the prior year, based on compiled statistical area data from Districts. In March 2026, there were 1,779 employed residents, and the unemployment rate was 2.3% lower than the 4.2% rate seen in Greater Perth, while participation in the workforce was typical at 72.3% compared to 70.2% regionally. Census records show that a modest 13.5% of the workforce worked from home, though this figure may reflect pandemic-related lockdown measures.

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The latest postcode-level tax data from the ATO for the 2023 financial year indicates that incomes in the suburb of Oakford exceed the national benchmark, with a median of $57,232 and an average of $72,157. For comparison, the median and average figures for Greater Perth were $60,748 and $80,248. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates for March 2026 are approximately $63,487 for the median and $80,044 for the average. Census data reveals that weekly household incomes are highly ranked at the 89th percentile ($2,451 weekly), whereas individual incomes place lower at the 55th percentile. Income distribution details show that the largest segment of residents, 29.7%, earns between $1,500 - 2,999 weekly ( residents), which is similar to the wider metropolitan area where of the population falls into this category. High-earning households receiving over weekly make up of the local total, indicating strong local purchasing power. Housing costs absorb of household income, and high earnings place the area at the th percentile for disposable income, with a SEIFA income decile ranking of .

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The local housing stock at the time of the latest Census consisted of 98.5% standalone houses and 1.5% alternative dwellings like apartments, townhouses, and other formats, compared to 77.8% houses and 22.1% alternative dwellings across metropolitan Perth. Home ownership in Oakford was significantly higher than the metropolitan rate, standing at 34.6%, while the remaining properties were held under a mortgage (60.2%) or rented (5.1%). The median mortgage payment of $2,500 per month was notably higher than the metropolitan Perth average of $1,907, and the median rent was $400 per week compared to the metropolitan median of $350. Nationally, mortgage costs in Oakford are well above the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents also exceed the national benchmark of $375.

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Families make up 88.8% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 49.6%, couples without children at 30.9%, and single-parent homes at 7.4%. The remaining 11.2% are non-family households, which include lone persons at 10.0% and group households at 1.8%. The median household occupancy is 3.2 individuals, which is larger than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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The locality shows lower rates of tertiary education, with 15.9% of residents holding a university qualification compared to the national average of 30.4%. This gap highlights a clear opportunity for targeted educational support. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education qualification at 11.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.4% and graduate diplomas at 2.1%. Practical and vocational training is highly prevalent, with 43.0% of residents aged 15 and over possessing vocational qualifications, including 10.3% with advanced diplomas and 32.7% holding certificates.

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Based on Districts assessments of mortality rates and chronic illness, residents enjoy favorable health outcomes. The rate of common chronic conditions is low overall and aligns close to national averages in older, vulnerable cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is high, with approximately 56% of the population (~1,855 people) having cover, compared to 59.0% across Greater Perth.

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The population shows low cultural diversity, with 78.6% of residents born in Australia, 92.5% holding citizenship, and 93.5% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 49.5% of the population, compared to 45.0% across Greater Perth.

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The median age of 42 years in the suburb of Oakford is higher than the Greater Perth average of 37 and the national average of 38 years. The 55 to 64 age bracket is highly represented at 17.0% compared to Greater Perth, while the 25 to 34 age group is less common at 7.1%. This concentration of residents aged 55 to 64 is significantly higher than the national rate of 11.2%. Post-2021 Census data reveals the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 3.7% to 4.9% of the population, whereas the 45 to 54 group dropped from 15.9% to 14.1%. Population projections for 2041 point to significant changes, led by a increase in the to cohort (an increase of people, rising from to ). In total, residents aged and over will drive of all population growth, highlighting the aging profile of the area. Conversely, the cohorts aged to and to are projected to contract.

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Oakford currently has an estimated 156 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 121 children aged 0-2 and 81 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 30% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 8% by 2041 (to approximately 143 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 381. 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.