Orelia (WA)

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According to evaluations of ABS demographic releases for the wider region alongside newly verified residential addresses since the Census, the suburb of Orelia has an estimated population of 5,002 as of May 2026. This represents a rise of 467 residents (10.3%) from the 2021 Census, when the count stood at 4,535 individuals. The estimation is based on a localized population of 4,937 calculated by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP release, with an additional 19 validated new addresses added after the Census. This population level results in a density of 1,707 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the typical figure recorded across national areas monitored by Districts. The 10.3% growth rate in the suburb of Orelia since the 2021 census was higher than the country's average of 9.3%, placing it among the faster-growing localities in the region. Demographic expansion was mostly driven by arrivals from overseas, who made up roughly 53.0% of the net gains, although natural increase and interstate migration also contributed positive growth.

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The labor profile in the suburb of Orelia comprises a mix of white-collar and blue-collar occupations, with notable representation in industrial and manufacturing fields, alongside an unemployment rate of 15.2%. As of March 2026, there are 2,181 employed locals. The unemployment rate is 11.0% higher than the Greater Perth average of 4.2%, indicating potential for employment growth, and the participation rate of 62.7% is lower than the metropolitan average of 70.2%. Census figures show that only 3.6% of workers operated from home, though this data may reflect the influence of pandemic restrictions.

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Based on ATO taxpayer records for the 2023 financial year, residents in the suburb of Orelia recorded a median income of $56,169 and an average income of $65,524. These figures sit slightly below national levels and compare to median and average incomes of $60,748 and $80,248 across Greater Perth. Applying the 10.93% Wage Price Index increase since the 2023 financial year yields estimated values of $62,308 for median income and $72,686 for average income as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed local household, family, and personal incomes between the 16th and 17th percentiles nationwide. The largest income bracket contains 30.1% of local taxpayers (1,505 people) earning between $1,500 and $2,999, similar to the broader metropolitan distribution where 32.0% fall into this bracket. Affordability pressures are high, with residents retaining only of their income, which ranks at the th percentile.

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According to the latest Census, the housing mix in the suburb of Orelia consisted of 81.8% detached houses and 18.3% other dwelling types such as townhouses, apartments, and alternative structures, compared to 77.8% houses and 22.1% alternative dwellings across metropolitan Perth. The home ownership rate was 23.4%, which is lower than the metropolitan average, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (43.3%) or rented (33.3%). The median mortgage payment was $1,343 per month, and the median rent was $250 per week, compared to metropolitan averages of $1,907 and $350. Nationally, local mortgage costs are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are below the national median of $375.

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Family households represent 64.6% of the local area, consisting of couples with children at 24.8%, couples without children at 21.1%, and single-parent households at 17.4%. Non-family households account for 35.4% of the total, with lone-person households representing 31.5% and group living arrangements at 3.7%. The typical household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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Tertiary education rates in the suburb of Orelia are below the national trend, with 10.4% of residents holding a university qualification compared to 30.4% across Australia. Among university graduates, bachelor degrees are the most common at 7.6%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 1.7% and graduate diplomas at 1.1%. Vocational and technical skills are highly represented, with 41.8% of residents aged 15 and over holding qualification credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (8.8%) and certificates (33.0%).

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Analysis of local transit shows 44 active passenger stops within the suburb of Orelia, consisting of bus services. These stops are connected to 5 separate bus routes, which support a total of 609 weekly passenger journeys. Accessibility is high, with residents living an average of 149 meters from their nearest transit point. Because the area is mostly residential, most workers commute out of the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 82%, followed by trains at 8% and buses at 5%. Average vehicle ownership stands at 1.3 cars per home, which is lower than the metropolitan average. At the 2021 Census, 3.6% of residents worked from home, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

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Health indicators highlight some challenges in the suburb of Orelia based on analysis of mortality and chronic illness rates across younger and older demographics. Private health insurance coverage is slightly higher than the average SA2 region, with approximately 53% of residents (~2,662 people) covered, compared to 59.0% across Greater Perth.

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The suburb of Orelia displays higher levels of cultural diversity than most comparable locations, with 14.3% of the population speaking a non-English language at home and 30.6% born outside Australia. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 40.3% of residents. The most pronounced religious overrepresentation relative to the metropolitan area is Judaism, which accounts for 0.2% of the local population compared to 0.3% across Greater Perth.

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The median age in the suburb of Orelia is 38 years, which is close to the Greater Perth median of 37 and identical to the national median of 38. Compared to the metropolitan area, there is a higher share of residents aged 45 - 54 (14.0%) but a smaller proportion aged 25 - 34 (13.2%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket grew from 12.8% to 14.4%, and the 75 to 84 bracket increased from 4.5% to 5.7%, while the 35 to 44 age group fell from 14.9% to 13.5%. Demographic projections for 2041 indicate that the to cohort will increase by ( people) to reach up from . Residents aged and over are expected to account for of total population growth, while declines are projected for children aged to and to .

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Orelia currently has an estimated 270 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 171 children aged 0-2 and 114 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 2% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 5% by 2041 (to approximately 256 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 497. Birth rates in the area have averaged 11.7 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.