Wattle Grove (WA)

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Wattle Grove (WA) has an estimated population of approximately 7,170 as of May 2026, calculated from ABS demographic updates and fresh addresses verified by Districts since the Census. This represents an expansion of 623 people (9.5%) from the 2021 Census, which counted 6,547 individuals. This variation is derived from a resident population of 7,160, calculated by Districts using the ABS June 2025 release of ERP figures alongside an additional 119 validated new addresses registered after the Census date. The population size yields a density of 860 persons per square kilometer, a level that aligns closely with typical averages recorded across Districts assessment regions. The 9.5% expansion rate of Wattle Grove (WA) since the 2021 census outpaced the national average (9.3%), placing it among the regional leaders for growth. Overseas migration served as the primary contributor, accounting for approximately 39.0% of the total population gains in recent times, though positive results were also seen across other metrics including interstate relocation and natural increase.

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Wattle Grove boasts a highly skilled labor pool dominated by manufacturing and industrial enterprises, with an unemployment rate of just 4.0% and a projected employment growth of 0.7% over the previous year according to Districts aggregated statistics. By March 2026, 4,067 residents were employed, and the local unemployment rate stood at 0.2% lower than Greater Perth's 4.2% figure, while workforce participation reached 79.2% against Greater Perth's 70.2% benchmark. Census data indicates that only 7.6% of residents worked from home, a figure that may be influenced by the lingering effects of Covid-19 lockdowns.

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The suburb of Wattle Grove registered a median taxpayer income of $62,677 and an average income of $73,454, according to postcode-level ATO data compiled by Districts for the 2023 financial year. These amounts exceed national benchmarks, contrasting with a median of $60,748 and an average of $80,248 in Greater Perth. Adjusting for Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to approximately $69,528 for median income and $81,483 for average income as of March 2026. The 2021 Census shows that household, family, and individual incomes are positioned high nationally, falling between the 75th and 87th percentiles. Income distribution shows a concentration in the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which accounts for 41.3% of residents ( people), matching metropolitan patterns where of the population falls into this category. High earning capacity is evident with of the community earning more than weekly, which underpins demand for premium retail and service options. Housing costs absorb of income, while strong household earnings place residents in the th percentile for disposable income, and the local SEIFA income ranking falls within the th decile.

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The composition of residential properties in Wattle Grove at the time of the last Census consisted of 99.7% separate houses and 0.3% other housing types like townhouses and apartments, differing from the Perth metro split of 77.8% houses and 22.1% alternative dwellings. The level of outright home ownership stood at 21.2%, trailing the Perth metro average, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (64.2%) or rented (14.7%). The median monthly mortgage payment was higher than the Perth metro median of $1,907 at $1,993, while the median weekly rent was recorded at $430 compared to $350 in the metro area. On a national level, Wattle Grove's mortgage costs exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are also notably higher than the national median of $375.

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Families comprise the vast majority of households at 87.2%, consisting of 55.3% couples with children, 21.0% couples without children, and 9.8% single parent homes. Non-family households account for the remaining 12.8%, which includes single person households at 11.0% and group housing at 2.1% of the total. The median household size of 3.3 individuals is larger than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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The educational profile of the area is distinct when compared regionally, with university graduation rates representing 31.6% of residents aged 15 and over, exceeding the SA3 average of 22.5% and the WA state figure of 27.9%, highlighting local attainment levels. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education qualification at 21.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 8.6% and graduate diplomas at 2.0%. Technical and trade qualifications are also common, with 33.9% of residents aged 15 and over holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas at 11.8% and certificate level qualifications at 22.1%.

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Analysis of transit options indicates there are 70 active transport stops in Wattle Grove, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 5 distinct routes, which accommodate 459 passenger trips weekly. Transit access is rated as good, with residents living an average of 201 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the residential nature of the area, most workers commute outside the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary transport mode at 89%. Car ownership stands at an average of 1.9 vehicles per household, which is higher than the regional average. A small proportion of 7.6% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

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Health metrics reflect positive outcomes across Wattle Grove, based on Districts analysis of mortality rates and chronic illness rates, showing low rates of common health conditions among both younger and older residents. The proportion of residents with private health insurance is high at approximately 56% of the population (~4,041 people), compared to 59.0% across Greater Perth.

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The suburb has notable levels of cultural diversity, with 41.0% of residents born outside Australia and 41.0% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 41.6% of the population. However, the most significant variance from regional averages is seen in the Islamic community, which accounts for 10.5% of residents, compared to the Greater Perth benchmark of 3.2%.

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Wattle Grove has a median age of 34 years, which is younger than the Greater Perth average of 37 and the national median of 38 years. Compared to the wider metropolitan area, the suburb has a higher proportion of children aged 5 - 14 (17.9%) but a lower share of young adults aged 25 - 34 (11.4%). The concentration of residents aged 5 - 14 is higher than the national figure of 12.0%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has risen from 1.5% to 3.2%, and the cohort aged 15 to 24 grew from 11.5% to 13.2%, whereas the share of children aged to fell from to . Demographic projections for indicate significant shifts, with the to cohort expected to grow by , adding residents to reach while the cohorts aged to and to are projected to contract.

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Wattle Grove currently has an estimated 537 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 253 children aged 0-2 and 169 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 6% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 7% by 2041 (to approximately 502 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 790. Birth rates in the area have averaged 12.3 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a high rate (among the top 30% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.