Stirling (WA)

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Based on evaluation of ABS demographic updates for the surrounding region, alongside new address points verified by Districts since the Census, the population of the suburb of Stirling (WA) is estimated to be approximately 11,254 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 1,089 individuals (10.7%) compared to the 2021 Census, when the population stood at 10,165 residents. The variance is calculated from a resident base of 11,228, estimated by Districts analyzing the ABS demographic release from June 2025 and 95 validated new addresses since the Census. This population level translates to a density of 2,320 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the typical level recorded across national regions studied by Districts. The 10.7% expansion rate in the suburb of Stirling (WA) since the 2021 census was higher than the national metric of 9.3%, positioning the locality as a regional leader in expansion. Population gains in the area were chiefly driven by overseas migration, which made up approximately 76.0% of the total demographic growth over recent times.

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Stirling has a highly educated labor force with a substantial share of professional services workers, a low unemployment rate of 2.5%, and an annual employment growth rate estimated at 3.2% based on Districts compilation of regional statistical data. As of March 2026, 6,390 local citizens are employed, with the unemployment rate tracking 1.6 percentage points lower than the 4.2% rate recorded in Greater Perth, while participation in the workforce matches the Greater Perth level of 70.2%. Census data reveals that a modest 11.1% of working residents performed their jobs from home, though this figure was likely influenced by Covid-19 restrictions.

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Tax statistics compiled by Districts for financial year 2023 indicate that personal earnings in the suburb of Stirling are higher than the national average. The median income among local taxpayers is $57,518 and the average income is $72,411, compared to Greater Perth metrics of $60,748 and $80,248 respectively. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since financial year 2023, current estimates indicate levels of roughly $63,805 for median income and $80,326 for average income as of March 2026. The 2021 Census indicates that household income sits at the 79th percentile ($2,221 per week), and individual income is at the 62nd percentile. Distribution statistics show that the largest cohort comprises 27.0% of local taxpayers (3,038 individuals) earning in the - bracket, mirroring the broader region where fall into this category. Local economic capacity is highlighted by the of households that earn high weekly incomes above which supports local retail and service spending. Discretionary funds remain strong with residents keeping of their earnings after housing expenses, and the neighborhood is positioned in the th decile of the SEIFA index for income.

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According to the latest Census, the housing mix in Stirling consisted of 86.9% separate houses and 13.1% multi-unit housing types like townhouses and apartments, compared to 77.8% houses and 22.1% alternative dwellings across metropolitan Perth. Home ownership rates in Stirling were significantly higher than the Perth metro average, sitting at 44.7%, while the remaining houses were under mortgage (39.9%) or rented (15.5%). The median monthly home loan payment was $2,348, which is higher than the Perth metro average of $1,907, and the median weekly rent was $410, compared to $350 in metropolitan Perth. On a national scale, mortgage costs in Stirling are higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and rent costs exceed the national benchmark of $375.

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Families make up 80.5% of all local households, consisting of 40.8% couples with children, 30.5% couples without children, and 8.2% single parent households. The remaining 19.5% of households are non-family arrangements, with single person dwellings representing 17.9% and group living situations comprising 1.7% of the total. The median size of households is 2.7 people, which is slightly larger than the average of 2.6 across Greater Perth.

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The educational credentials of the local population are notable within the region, with university graduation rates representing 35.3% of residents aged 15 and over, which is higher than the WA average of 27.9% and the SA4 regional average of 29.0%, showing a strong orientation toward tertiary study. Bachelor degrees are the most common credential at 24.2%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 8.2% and graduate diplomas at 2.9%. Technical and vocational training is also well represented, with 27.2% of residents aged 15 and over holding practical qualifications, split between advanced diplomas at 10.5% and certificates at 16.7%.

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Public transit records show 63 active stops operating within Stirling, comprising a combination of bus and train access. These locations are connected to 15 distinct transit routes, which support 4,530 passenger journeys weekly. Transit proximity is high, with residents living an average of 188 meters from their closest stop. Due to the residential character of the suburb, most workers travel to other areas, with private vehicles remaining the primary transit choice at 82%, followed by train travel at 11%. Car ownership stands at an average of 1.7 vehicles per household, which is higher than the regional average. A relatively low proportion of 11.1% of workers reported working from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 rules.

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Health profiles for Stirling show highly favorable outcomes based on Districts measurements of mortality rates and chronic illnesses, which reveal a very low rate of common conditions across all age brackets, while private health insurance rates are strong, covering roughly 56% of the population (~6,296 residents) compared to 59.0% across Greater Perth.

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Stirling displays a relatively high level of cultural diversity, with 36.3% of residents using a language other than English for home communication and 40.5% having been born outside Australia. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 60.9% of the local population, compared to 45.0% for Greater Perth.

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The median age of residents in Stirling is 42 years, which is older than the Greater Perth average of 37 and the national average of 38 years. The 65 - 74 age bracket is well represented at 10.6% compared to Greater Perth, while the 25 - 34 cohort is less common, also at 10.6%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has increased from 6.3% to 7.5%, whereas the 55 to 64 bracket has decreased from 12.9% to 12.0%. Long-term population forecasts for 2041 point to notable demographic shifts in Stirling, led by a 64% increase in the 75 to 84 cohort (an increase of people), moving from to . The combined age brackets from upward are projected to make up of all demographic growth, highlighting the aging trend in the area, whereas the to and to age groups are projected to contract.

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Stirling currently has an estimated 562 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 327 children aged 0-2 and 218 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 8% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 1% by 2041 (to approximately 558 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 862. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 10.6 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area within the middle tier nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.