Southern River (WA)

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Demographic updates from the ABS for the surrounding region, combined with address validations completed by Districts since the Census, indicate that the suburb of Southern River has an estimated population of 16,598 as of May 2026. Compared to the Census in 2021, when the resident count stood at 12,852, this represents a growth of 3,746 individuals, or 29.1%. This calculation is based on an estimated population of 16,291 derived from the June 2025 ABS release of ERP figures, supplemented by an additional 1,079 newly validated addresses since the Census date. Consequently, the suburb of Southern River has a density of 1,256 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the national average for evaluated areas. With a 29.1% increase since the 2021 Census, growth in the suburb of Southern River outpaced both the national benchmark of 9.3% and the broader SA3 region, positioning the locality as a leading growth zone. Net overseas migration was the principal contributor to these gains, accounting for roughly of the growth, though all other indicators, such as natural increase and interstate moves, also registered positive trends.

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Locally aggregated statistical data indicates a well-qualified workforce in Southern River, with strong representation in critical public service fields, an unemployment rate of 3.1%, and a 3.1% annual expansion in employment. As of March 2026, the working population comprises 9,233 employed individuals. The local unemployment rate is 1.0% lower than the Greater Perth benchmark of 4.2%, and labor force participation is exceptionally high at 75.7%, compared to 70.2% for Greater Perth. Census records indicate that a modest 7.7% of the working population performed their duties from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of pandemic lockdowns.

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Aggregated ATO statistics at the postcode level for the financial year 2023 indicate that taxpayers in Southern River recorded a median income of $65,398 and an average income of $77,041. These figures represent high levels on a national scale, comparing to $60,748 (median) and $80,248 (average) across Greater Perth. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since the financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 are positioned at approximately $72,546 for median earnings and $85,462 for the average. Census data from 2021 places weekly household incomes in the 86th national percentile, at $2,364. Income distribution analysis reveals that 39.0% of the population, representing 6,473 individuals, earn between $1,500 and which is comparable to the share in this bracket across the metropolitan area. The area's economic profile is supported by the of households earning weekly incomes above which bolsters local consumer spending. Although residential expenses absorb of household income, strong earnings help maintain disposable income levels in the th percentile, and the SEIFA index ranks the area in the th decile for income.

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Residential dwelling types in Southern River at the time of the latest Census consisted of 97.2% separate houses and 2.8% alternative housing formats such as townhouses, units, or other dwellings, compared to a mix of 77.8% houses and 22.1% alternative formats across metropolitan Perth. The home ownership rate in Southern River was lower than the metropolitan Perth benchmark, sitting at 19.8%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (63.1%) or renting (17.1%). The median monthly cost for mortgage holders was $2,100, which is higher than the Perth metropolitan median of $1,907. The median weekly rent stood at $420, compared to $350 across the wider Perth metro. Nationally, mortgage costs are higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and rent prices are above the countrywide figure of $375.

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Families make up the vast majority of households at 87.0%, which is composed of couples with children at 56.8%, couples without children at 19.5%, and single parent families at 9.6%. Non-family households account for the remaining 13.0%, with single person dwellings representing 11.4% and group households making up 1.7% of the total. The average household size is 3.3 individuals, which is larger than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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The academic credentials of the local population are elevated relative to the wider region, with 32.2% of residents aged 15 and over holding a university qualification, compared to 23.7% in the SA3 region and 27.9% across Western Australia. Undergraduate bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 21.9%, while postgraduate degrees are held by 7.9% and graduate diplomas by 2.4% of residents. Vocational and technical training is also well represented, with 31.8% of the population aged 15 and over holding vocational credentials, including 11.3% with advanced diplomas and 20.5% with certificates.

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Analysis of the local transit network shows 52 active public transport stops located within the suburb, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 5 distinct transit routes, which provide a total of 1,247 passenger trips weekly. Transport coverage is good, with homes situated an average of 246 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the residential nature of the suburb, most working residents travel outside the area for employment, with private vehicles remaining the primary transport mode at 83%, followed by train travel at 10%. The average number of motor vehicles per household is 1.9, which is higher than the regional average. A low share of 7.7% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic conditions.

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Analysis of mortality statistics and chronic disease data reveals strong health profiles across the local population, characterized by low rates of common illnesses in all age cohorts. Additionally, the proportion of residents with private health insurance is high, at approximately 58% of the population, which equates to roughly 9,591 people.

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The population features high levels of cultural diversity, with 41.6% of residents using a language other than English in their homes and 49.3% of the population having been born overseas. The primary religious affiliation is Christianity, representing 39.6% of the local population. Islam shows a notable local concentration, accounting for 14.7% of residents, which is higher than the Greater Perth average of 3.2%.

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The median age of 33 indicates a younger population profile than the Greater Perth average of 37 and the national average of 38 years. Southern River has a higher proportion of residents in the 5 - 14 age group, at 16.6%, compared to Greater Perth, but a lower share of residents in the 65 - 74 bracket, at 5.3%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of the population aged 15 to 24 grew from 14.3% to 15.5%, while the 75 to 84 cohort rose from 1.8% to 2.9%. Conversely, the 0 to 4 group decreased from 7.5% to 6.1% and the to cohort declined from to . By population projections indicate demographic shifts, with the to cohort expected to grow by , adding residents to reach a total of while the to and to cohorts are projected to decrease in size.

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Southern River currently has an estimated 1,012 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 595 children aged 0-2 and 396 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 5% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 4% by 2041 (to approximately 1,057 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 2,079. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 11.9 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 30% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.