Ridgewood (WA)

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The suburb of Ridgewood (WA) currently holds an estimated population of 5,176 as of May 2026, according to findings from ABS population updates and address validations conducted by Districts. This figure represents a rise of 553 individuals, which corresponds to a 12.0% increase compared to the 2021 Census count of 4,623 people. The adjustment is derived from a resident population of 5,173 determined by Districts after reviewing the most recent ERP data released by the ABS in June 2025, plus 42 newly confirmed addresses recorded since the census date. At this level, the area achieves a density of 2,654 persons per square kilometer, positioning it within the top quarter of national locations evaluated by Districts. The suburb's 12.0% expansion since the 2021 census surpassed the national average of 9.3%, identifying it as a leading growth area in the region. Recent population increases have been largely attributed to overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 67.0% of the total gains observed in recent years.

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Ridgewood displays a workforce that includes both white and blue collar jobs, with manufacturing and industry playing significant roles, an unemployment rate of 7.3%, and an estimated employment growth of 3.0% over the previous year, according to Districts aggregation of statistical area data. By March 2026, 2,715 residents are employed while the unemployment rate sits at 4.2%, which is 3.1% higher than the rate in Greater Perth, indicating potential for improvement, and workforce participation remains close to Greater Perth's 70.2%. According to Census responses, only 6.6% of residents worked from home, although the effects of Covid-19 lockdowns should be taken into account.

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Postcode-level taxation data compiled for the 2023 financial year indicates a median taxpayer income of $55,267 and an average of $69,397. This represents a position slightly above the national average, though it sits below the Greater Perth median of $60,748 and average of $80,248. Adjusted for Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since the 2023 financial year, current figures are estimated at approximately $61,308 for the median and $76,982 for the average as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census places local personal, family, and household incomes in a modest bracket, ranking between the 31st and 38th percentiles. The weekly earnings band of $1,500 - 2,999 contains 32.7% of local taxpayers (representing 1,692 individuals), matching the broader regional pattern where of tax filers occupy this range. Financial pressure from housing costs is pronounced, with only of income remaining after mortgage or rent payments, placing the area in the rd percentile for affordability.

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According to the latest Census, the housing mix consists of 95.5% separate houses and 4.4% alternative dwelling types like semi-detached residences, townhouses, and apartments, compared to the Perth metropolitan division where separate houses make up 77.8% and other options comprise 22.1%. Home ownership rates trail the metropolitan benchmark at 15.4%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents holding a mortgage (55.8%) or renting (28.7%). The median monthly home loan payment was lower than the metropolitan average at $1,760, while the median weekly rent was equal to the metropolitan figure at $350, compared to Perth's benchmarks of $1,907 for mortgages and $350 for rent. Nationally, local mortgage commitments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and average rents also track below the national figure of $375.

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Family units constitute the vast majority of households at 77.5%, consisting of couples with children at 34.7%, couples without children at 27.0%, and single-parent households at 14.5%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 22.5%, with single-person households representing 21.4% and group shared households making up 1.3%. The median household size of 2.7 residents is slightly larger than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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Educational profiles indicate challenges, with university completion rates standing at 14.8%, which is below the national average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education qualification at 10.6%, with postgraduate degrees and graduate diplomas each held by 2.1% of the population. Vocational and trade qualifications are common, with 42.3% of residents aged 15 and over possessing vocational certificates, consisting of advanced diplomas at 12.5% and certificates at 29.8%.

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Analysis of public transit options indicates 19 bus stops are located within the neighborhood boundary, serviced by 1 distinct transit route which provides a combined total of 278 passenger journeys each week. Local access to transit is favorable, with an average distance of 205 meters to the nearest transit stop. Given the residential nature of the suburb, the majority of working residents commute to other districts, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel at 81%, followed by train travel at 11%. Private vehicle ownership levels average 1.4 cars per home. A modest proportion of the working population, at 6.6%, worked from home during the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era travel guidelines.

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Mortality and chronic disease data indicate notable health concerns, with common ailments observed across both younger and older demographics. The rate of private health insurance coverage is high, encompassing approximately 55% of the local population (~2,833 people), compared to a coverage rate of 59.0% across the Greater Perth region.

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The local area displays higher levels of cultural diversity than most benchmarked markets, with 14.1% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 41.2% of the population born outside of Australia. Christianity is the dominant religious affiliation, representing 45.6% of the community. In terms of relative concentration, the Jewish faith exhibits the most distinct local divergence, accounting for 0.1% of residents compared to 0.3% across Greater Perth.

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The median age of residents is 37, matching the Greater Perth average of 37 and close to the Australian median of 38 years. The cohort aged 75 to 84 is highly represented at 8.4% compared to Greater Perth, while the 25 to 34 age bracket is less common at 13.2%. Since 2021, the 55 to 64 group has increased its share of the population from 9.2% to 11.4%, and the 65 to 74 group rose from 7.0% to 8.2%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 group declined from 14.8% to 12.9%, and the 45 to cohort fell from to . Projections out to indicate shifts in the local age profile, led by a increase in the to cohort (representing people), growing from to . The trend toward an older demographic is clear, with residents aged and over accounting for of the projected population growth, while the cohorts aged to and to are expected to decrease in size.

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Ridgewood currently has an estimated 248 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 173 children aged 0-2 and 115 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 9% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 2% by 2041 (to approximately 244 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 561. Birth rates in the area have averaged 10.5 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.