Port Hedland (WA)

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Following an examination of ABS demographic data updates for the wider region alongside newly validated addresses by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Port Hedland has an estimated population of 4,142 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 61 individuals (1.5%) since the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 4,081 people. The shift is calculated from the resident population of 4,142, which was calculated by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP release combined with 87 validated new addresses identified since the Census. This population level yields a density of 61 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious environment. Natural growth was the primary contributor to demographic gains, accounting for approximately 63.0% of the overall population growth in recent times.

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A highly capable workforce characterizes the suburb of Port Hedland, with heavy representation in manufacturing and industrial operations, an unemployment rate of only 0.8%, and estimated annual employment growth of 3.7% based on compiled regional data from Districts. In March 2026, 2,745 residents were employed, and the unemployment rate was 2.7% lower than the 3.5% rate in Regional WA, with participation in the workforce reaching a high level of 84.7% compared to 65.6% across Regional WA. According to Census records, a minor 2.7% of the workforce worked from home, though this may have been influenced by pandemic containment measures.

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Taxpayer income in the suburb of Port Hedland is positioned in the top national percentile based on 2023 financial year ATO records compiled by Districts. The median taxpayer income is $100,747 and the average income is $121,565, compared to regional averages of $59,973 and $74,392. Adjusting for a 10.93% increase in the Wage Price Index since the 2023 financial year, current estimates sit at approximately $111,759 for the median and $134,852 for the average as of March 2026. Census findings show household, family, and personal incomes all ranking between the 99th and 99th percentiles nationwide. The income distribution is led by the $4000+ weekly bracket, which accounts for 40.3% of residents (1,669 people), contrasting with the wider region where of residents fall into the - range. High income earners are highly represented, with earning more than weekly, pointing to significant spending power. Residents retain of their income after paying for housing, and the area is positioned in the th decile of the SEIFA income index.

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Residential structures in the suburb of Port Hedland at the last Census consisted of 68.1% standalone houses and 31.8% alternative dwellings such as townhouses and apartments, compared to 88.5% houses and 11.6% other options in Regional WA. Home ownership was lower than the regional rate, standing at 8.6%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (14.7%) or renting (76.7%). The median monthly payment for mortgages was $1,812, which is higher than the regional average of $1,560, while the median weekly rent was $210, compared to $265 in Regional WA. Nationally, local mortgage costs are below the Australian median of $1,863, and rents are also lower than the national median of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 69.5%, consisting of couples with children at 36.7%, couples without children at 26.3%, and single parent families at 5.3%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 30.5%, comprising single person households at 27.8% and group households at 3.1%. The median household size of 2.5 residents is identical to the regional average.

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Educational attainment in the community is high compared to the region, with university graduation rates at 25.8% of residents aged 15 and over, exceeding the Rest of WA rate of 17.6% and the SA4 regional figure of 20.5%. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 18.3%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 4.8% and graduate diplomas at 2.7%. Vocational skills are also prominent, with 50.1% of residents aged 15 and over holding qualification credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (12.5%) and certificates (37.6%).

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An analysis of public transport reveals 68 active stops operating in the suburb of Port Hedland, which are serviced by bus transport. These stops are connected by 1 different routes that provide 73 passenger trips weekly. Accessibility is high, with residents living an average of 138 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, and most commuters travel out of the area, with private cars remaining the primary transport mode at 91%, followed by walking at 5%. Households own an average of 1.6 vehicles. A minor 2.7% of the workforce worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era circumstances.

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The suburb of Port Hedland displays positive health outcomes according to Districts data on mortality and chronic illness, with both youth and older groups showing low rates of common health conditions. The level of private health insurance is high, covering approximately 75% of the population (3,125 people), compared to 56.4% across Regional WA and a national average of 55.7%.

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Cultural diversity is high in the suburb of Port Hedland, where 12.5% of the population speaks a language other than English at home and 23.7% of residents were born overseas. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 40.2% of the population. A notable divergence from regional patterns is found in Judaism, which accounts for 0.1% of residents compared to a rate of exactly zero percent across Regional WA.

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With a median age of 34, the population of the suburb of Port Hedland is younger than the Regional WA average of 40 and the national median of 38. The 35 - 44 age cohort is highly represented at 23.8% compared to the regional pattern, while the 65 - 74 group is less common at 2.9%. The concentration of residents aged 35 - 44 is higher than the national share of 14.3%. Since 2021, the 35 to 44 age bracket expanded from 21.6% to 23.8% of the population, and the 25 to 34 age bracket rose from 19.6% to 21.3%. On the other hand, the 0 to age group contracted from to , and the to cohort declined from to . Demographic projections for suggest changes in the age profile, led by a growth in the to cohort (increasing by people from to ), while the + and to cohorts will experience declines.

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Port Hedland currently has an estimated 302 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 178 children aged 0-2 and 118 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 20% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 17% by 2041 (to approximately 353 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 439. Birth rates in the area have averaged 12.2 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a high rate (among the top 30% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.