Rockingham (WA)

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Analysis of ABS demographic updates for the wider region, alongside new address points validated by Districts since the Census, indicates the population of the suburb of Rockingham (WA) is approximately 17,693 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 2,381 residents or 15.5% since the 2021 Census, which recorded 15,312 people. The calculation is derived from the resident population of 17,693, estimated by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP release and 100 validated new addresses added since the Census date. This population level corresponds to a density of 1,383 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the typical average across national locations evaluated by Districts. The 15.5% expansion rate in the suburb of Rockingham (WA) since the 2021 census outpaced the national benchmark of 9.3% as well as the state average, positioning it as a regional growth leader. Population increases were primarily supported by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 62.0% of the overall population gains in recent times.

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Rockingham has a balanced employment profile split between professional and trade roles, with a strong presence in essential services and an unemployment rate of 9.3% according to statistical area data aggregated by Districts. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 7,985, while the unemployment rate was 5.1% higher than the Greater Perth rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation is relatively low at 56.8% compared to 70.2% in Greater Perth. Census data indicates that only 5.8% of residents worked from home, although this may have been influenced by COVID-19 restrictions.

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ATO postcode data for the financial year 2023 shows median income in Rockingham is $54,442 and average income is $65,809, which is slightly below the national average. In comparison, Greater Perth recorded a median of $60,748 and an average of $80,248. Adjusted for Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes stand at $60,393 for the median and $73,002 for the average as of March 2026. In the 2021 Census, local household, family, and personal incomes fell between the 11th and 23rd percentiles nationally. The income distribution shows 26.8% of the population, or 4,741 residents, earning between $400 - 799, whereas the wider region is dominated by the $1,500 - 2,999 range at . Housing affordability is highly constrained, with only of income remaining after housing costs, placing the area in the th percentile.

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At the time of the latest Census, residential dwellings in Rockingham consisted of 65.6% standalone houses and 34.4% other formats such as townhouses and apartments, compared to 77.8% houses and 22.1% other dwellings across metro Perth. Home ownership stood at 34.8%, with 27.1% of properties mortgaged and 38.1% rented. The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,517, and the median weekly rent was $300, compared to metro Perth averages of $1,907 and $350. Nationally, mortgage repayments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are below the national median of $375.

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Families make up 56.9% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 17.6%, couples without children at 27.7%, and single parents at 10.7%. Non-family households account for the remaining 43.1%, with single-person households at 40.1% and group houses at 3.0%. The median household size of 2.0 people is below the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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University completion rates are low, with 13.9% of residents holding a degree compared to the national average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are held by 9.7% of the population, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 2.4% and graduate diplomas at 1.8%. Vocational and technical education is common, with 43.0% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas at 10.9% and certificates at 32.1%.

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Public transport infrastructure consists of 166 active stops served by buses. These stops accommodate 13 distinct routes that provide 2,893 passenger trips weekly. The average distance to a stop is 181 meters, indicating high accessibility. Private vehicles are the primary commuting mode at 82%, while 8% of residents use the train. Vehicle ownership averages 1.0 per household, which is below the metropolitan average. Working from home was recorded for 5.8% of residents at the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

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Health indicators point to significant local challenges based on mortality and chronic disease rates across various age groups. Private health insurance coverage stands at approximately 53% of the population, representing about 9,435 people, which is slightly above the average SA2 area but below the Greater Perth average of 59.0%.

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Cultural diversity is high compared to most regional markets, with 37.4% of residents born overseas and 10.2% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religion, adhered to by 48.3% of the population. Judaism is represented by 0.1% of residents, compared to 0.3% across Greater Perth.

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The median age of 49 is higher than the Greater Perth average of 37 and the national average of 38. Residents aged 65 - 74 comprise a prominent 14.4% of the population, while the 35 - 44 cohort is smaller at 10.8% compared to the wider metro area. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 9.3% to 10.2%, while the 45 to 54 cohort decreased from 12.7% to 10.7%. Projections to 2041 indicate that the 75 to 84 cohort will grow by 62% or 1,127 people, rising from to . Residents aged and over are expected to account for of total growth, while the cohorts aged to and to are projected to contract.

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Rockingham currently has an estimated 690 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 391 children aged 0-2 and 260 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 10% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 3% by 2041 (to approximately 669 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,141. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been low, with approximately 7.4 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.