Subiaco (WA)

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Drawing from ABS population revisions for the surrounding region and subsequent address validations by Districts following the Census, the suburb of Subiaco is home to approximately 11,701 people as of May 2026. This indicates a growth of 1,761 residents (17.7%) compared to the 2021 Census, which counted 9,940 individuals. This projection stems from a resident base of 11,475 estimated by Districts using the ABS ERP release from June 2025, combined with 616 validated new addresses verified after the Census. This population scale translates to a density of 3,738 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality in the top quartile of all areas evaluated by Districts. The suburb of Subiaco's 17.7% expansion rate since the 2021 census was faster than both the state and national averages (9.3%), indicating its position as a regional growth leader. This expansion was mostly powered by overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 84.0% of the total population gains in recent times, though interstate migration and natural increase also made positive contributions.

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The local workforce is characterized by high levels of education, with a strong presence of professional services, an unemployment rate of just 3.1%, and a modest annual job growth rate of 0.7%, based on Districts aggregations of local statistical areas. As of March 2026, there are 6,732 employed residents, with the local jobless rate sitting 1.1% lower than the Greater Perth figure of 4.2%, and labor force participation matching the Greater Perth rate of 70.2% closely. Census records show that a low proportion of residents (13.4%) worked from home, though this figure should be interpreted in the context of COVID-19 restrictions.

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Based on Districts' analysis of postcode-level tax data from the ATO for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in Subiaco recorded a median income of $78,667 and an average income of $126,501. These figures rank in the top percentile nationwide, comparing to Greater Perth averages of $60,748 and $80,248. Adjusted for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.93% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates would sit at roughly $87,265 for the median and $140,328 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census confirms high earnings, with individual weekly income ranking in the 95th percentile nationally at $1,330. Income brackets are dominated by the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which contains 28.3% of residents ( people), closely matching the wider metropolitan rate of . A high level of affluence is evident, with of residents earning more than weekly, driving local demand for high-end retail and services. While housing costs consume of income, strong earning power keeps disposable incomes in the th percentile, and the area ranks in the th decile for SEIFA relative financial advantage.

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The mix of housing types in Subiaco at the time of the latest Census stood at 38.8% detached houses and 61.2% other types of dwellings (including townhouses, apartments, and alternative structures), compared to 77.8% houses and 22.1% other dwellings across the broader Perth metropolitan area. Meanwhile, the home ownership rate in Subiaco was recorded at 29.3%, matching the Perth metropolitan average, with the remaining properties being purchased under a mortgage (24.6%) or occupied by tenants (46.1%). Homeowners with mortgages faced a median monthly repayment of $2,498, which is much higher than the Perth metro median of $1,907, while median weekly rent was $438, compared to $350 in the wider metro area. Nationwide, Subiaco's mortgage repayments are significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are also well above the national median of $375.

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Families make up the largest share of local households at 56.6%, consisting of couples with children (20.8%), couples without children (27.9%), and single-parent households (6.8%). The remaining 43.4% are non-family households, which are predominantly single-person households (39.1%) alongside group households at 4.5%. The median household size is 2.1 persons, which is smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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The level of education in Subiaco is significantly higher than broader geographic averages, with 62.5% of residents aged 15+ holding a tertiary degree, compared to 27.9% across WA and 30.1% in Greater Perth. This educational profile leaves the area well-placed for professional and knowledge-based employment. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 38.8%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 18.8% and graduate diplomas at 4.9%. Vocational qualifications are held by 18.4% of those aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.1%) and certificates (9.3%).

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Public transport connectivity is supported by 67 active bus and train stops located within Subiaco. These stops are serviced by 35 different routes, which together accommodate 7,651 weekly passenger journeys. Access to transport is rated as excellent, with residents living an average of 143 meters from their nearest transit stop. Given the suburb's residential focus, the majority of working residents travel outwards, with cars being the primary mode of travel for 58% of commuters, followed by bus at 13% and train at 12%. Average motor vehicle ownership stands at 0.9 per dwelling, which is below the wider metropolitan average. A relatively low proportion of residents (13.4%) worked from home at the time of the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

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Health indicators for Subiaco show exceptional outcomes based on Districts' evaluation of mortality data and the prevalence of chronic illnesses, with a very low incidence of common health issues across all demographics. Furthermore, the rate of private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high, encompassing approximately 77% of the population (9,057 people). This is considerably higher than the 59.0% recorded across Greater Perth and the national average of 55.7%.

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Subiaco displays higher levels of cultural diversity than most benchmark markets, with 19.8% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 39.2% born outside Australia. The most common religion is Christianity, accounting for 41.8% of the local population. However, the most pronounced religious concentration relative to the wider city is Judaism, which accounts for 0.4% of local residents compared to 0.3% across Greater Perth.

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The median age of 39 years in Subiaco is slightly above the Greater Perth average of 37 and very close to the national median of 38. Compared to the wider Perth metropolitan area, there is a notable concentration of residents aged 25 - 34, who make up 19.9% of the local population, compared to a lower proportion of 5 - 14 year-olds at 9.4%. This high proportion of young adults aged 25 - 34 is also well above the national share of 14.6%. Post-2021 Census data indicates the 15 to 24 cohort has increased from 9.6% to 11.6% of the population, and the 75 to 84 cohort rose from 6.0% to 7.8%. In contrast, the to cohort fell from to and the to group decreased from to . Long-term forecasts for point to significant changes in local demographics. Leading this transition, the to age bracket is projected to expand by ( people), growing from to . This demographic aging trend is highlighted by the fact that seniors aged and over will account for of all projected population growth. Conversely, the to and to age cohorts are projected to contract over this period.

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Subiaco currently has an estimated 409 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 265 children aged 0-2 and 177 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 4% by 2041 (to approximately 393 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 931. Birth rates in the area have averaged 8.0 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a low rate (among the bottom 30% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.