Upper Swan (WA)

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Analyzing ABS updates for the region alongside new addresses verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Upper Swan has a population estimated at approximately 2,267 as of May 2026. This represents a rise of 1,718 people (312.9%) from the 2021 Census, when 549 people were counted. This variation is calculated from a resident population of 2,178, which Districts estimated after evaluating the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with an extra 733 verified new addresses recorded after the Census date. With this population level, the density ratio stands at 111 persons per square kilometer, indicating plenty of room per resident and capacity for upcoming expansion. The 312.9% expansion in the suburb of Upper Swan since the 2021 Census outpaced the national average (9.3%) as well as state trends, positioning it as a leading growth area. This demographic expansion was chiefly propelled by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 59.0% of the total population gains in recent times, though natural increase and overseas migration also registered positive gains.

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The local workforce is evenly divided between blue-collar and white-collar occupations, with construction workers particularly well-represented, an unemployment rate of just 3.4%, and an estimated job growth of 21.3% over the past year based on compiled statistical area data. In March 2026, 1,275 residents were employed, while the local unemployment rate was 0.8% lower than the Greater Perth average of 4.2%. Participation in the labor force is typical, at 74.1% compared to 70.2% in Greater Perth. Census records indicate that a modest 11.4% of workers operated from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic restrictions.

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ATO records for the 2023 financial year show that incomes in the suburb of Upper Swan are below the national benchmark, with a median of $41,794 and an average of $50,061. This is lower than the Greater Perth median of $60,748 and average of $80,248. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to a median of roughly $46,362 and an average of $55,533 as of March 2026. According to the Census, household, family, and individual incomes are modest, falling between the 20th and 34th percentiles. The $800 - 1,499 bracket contains 29.5% of the population (668 people), whereas the $1,500 - 2,999 range is the most common regionally at . After housing costs, residents retain of their income for other living expenses, and the area sits in the th decile of the SEIFA income index.

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At the time of the Census, the local housing mix consisted of 98.6% separate houses and 1.4% alternative dwellings like apartments or townhouses, compared to 77.8% separate houses and 22.1% alternative dwellings across metro Perth. Homeownership rates were high, with 51.0% of homes owned outright, while the remaining properties were mortgaged (38.9%) or rented (10.1%). The median mortgage payment of $1,885 per month was below the Perth metro average of $1,907, and the median rent was $300 per week compared to the metro average of $350. Nationally, local mortgage payments exceed the Australian median of $1,863, while weekly rents remain well below the national median of $375.

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Families make up 74.3% of local households, consisting of couples with children (23.8%), couples without children (37.4%), and single parents (10.7%). The remaining 25.7% are non-family households, which are mostly lone persons (24.8%) along with group households (1.5%). The median household size is 2.5 occupants, slightly smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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Educational attainment levels show some challenges, as the university qualification rate of 13.0% is much lower than the national figure of 30.4%. This highlights a clear opportunity for targeted education programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education qualification at 8.7%, with postgraduate qualifications at 2.8% and graduate diplomas at 1.5%. Vocational skills are strong, with 37.4% of residents aged 15+ holding trade qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.7%) and certificates (27.7%).

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There are 22 active public transit stops in Upper Swan, consisting of various bus options. These stops are served by 4 distinct routes that provide a total of 274 passenger trips each week. Transit access is very convenient, with residents living an average of 165 meters from their nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, leading most workers to commute elsewhere; private cars are the primary mode of transport at 94%, while 5% of residents walk. Households own an average of 2.3 vehicles, which is higher than the regional average. A low 11.4% of residents worked from home at the time of the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-related working arrangements.

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Health indicators for the local population are generally positive, with mortality rates and medical conditions aligning closely with national averages across all age brackets. Private health insurance is uncommon, held by approximately 47% of residents (~1,067 people), which is lower than the Greater Perth average of 59.0% and the national average of 55.7%.

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Cultural diversity metrics are below average, with 79.6% of residents born in Australia, 89.1% holding citizenship, and 97.2% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 47.8% of the local population, compared to 45.0% across Greater Perth.

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The median age of 48 years in the suburb of Upper Swan is higher than the Greater Perth average of 37 and the national average of 38. Residents aged 65 - 74 represent a large share of the community at 11.6%, while the 25 - 34 age bracket is small (9.7%) compared to the wider city. The median age has decreased by 4.4 years since 2021, falling to 48 from 52. Notable changes include the 35 to 44 age cohort growing from 8.3% to 13.5% of the population, and the 5 to 14 cohort increasing from 8.7% to 13.1%. In contrast, the 65 to group fell from to and the to cohort declined from to . Population forecasts for show significant demographic changes, with the to bracket projected to grow by , adding residents to reach . Senior citizens aged and older will account for of the area's expected growth, while the to and to cohorts are projected to contract.

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Upper Swan currently has an estimated 117 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 80 children aged 0-2 and 53 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 516% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 12% by 2041 (to approximately 103 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 277. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 14.3 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally.