Snapshot of Census 2016 for Greater Perth vs. Australia
| Greater Perth | Australia | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2011 | Increase | 2016 | 2011 | Increase | |
| Population | 1,943,858 | 1,728,867 | 12.4% | 23,401,892 | 21,507,717 | 8.8% |
| Median Age | 36 | 36 | – | 38 | 37 | +1 Year |
| Median household income | $1,643 | $1,459 | 12.6% | $1,438 | $1,234 | 16.5% |
| Median weekly rent | $360 | $320 | 12.5% | $335 | $285 | 17.5% |
| Median monthly mortgage | $2,000 | $2,000 | 0.0% | $1,755 | $1,800 | -2.5% |
| Occupied private dwellings | 690,284 | 627,096 | 10.1% | 8,286,073 | 7,760,320 | 6.8% |
| Separate house | 76.9% | 78.6% | -1.7 pp | 72.9% | 75.6% | -2.7 pp |
| Semi/townhouse etc | 16.0% | 11.9% | +4.1 pp | 12.7% | 9.9% | +2.8 pp |
| Flat/unit/apartment | 6.6% | 9.1% | -2.5 pp | 13.1% | 13.6% | -0.5 pp |
Source: ABS, PVA(WA) Research
- The ‘average’ person living in Greater Perth is:
- Female
- 6 years old
- Married or in a couple family with children
- Born in Australia, with one or both parents born overseas
- Speaking only English at home
- Earning a personal weekly income of $728, family income of $1,955, and household income of $1,643
- Living in a stand-alone house with 4 or more bedrooms
- Paying a mortgage of $2,000 per month or rent of $360 per week
- Despite a recent population growth slow-down, the population in Greater Perth increased by 12.4% over the five years between the 2011 and 2016 Census’, compared with an 8.8% increase nationally.
- At 36 the median age has not changed since the 2011 Census, but is 2 years lower than the national median age.
- The 65+ years age group were the fastest growing cohort, increasing by 24.4% over the five years since the 2011 Census, almost double the population growth overall.
- The average number of people per household is 2.6.
- Family structure and dwelling composition is little changed over the period 2011 to 2016.
- There has been a large increase in the number of townhouses/semi-detached houses/terraces since 2011. However, the average number of bedrooms remains the same at 3.3.
- A smaller proportion of dwellings are rented in Greater Perth than in Australia as a whole, 26.7% compared with 30.9%, possibly reflective of more affordable housing.
- While the proportion of dwellings owned outright is lower in Greater Perth, there is a significantly higher percentage of dwellings which are owned with a mortgage – 41.9% compared with 34.5% nationally.
- Median income levels are higher in Greater Perth than in Australia, but growth has been lower over the five years since 2011.
2016 POPULATION – GREATER PERTH
The total population of Greater Perth was 1,943,858.
Gender
- 50.4% female
- 49.6% male
Age Profile
The most prominent age groups are 25-44 years (29.8%) and 45-64 years (24.3%). The median age is 36 years, compared with the median age in Australia of 38 years.
Age Profile
| 2016 | 2011 | Increase in Population | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-14 years | 19.1% | 19.2% | 11.4% |
| 15-24 years | 13.0% | 14.3% | 2.70% |
| 25-44 years | 29.8% | 29.3% | 14.7% |
| 45-64 years | 24.3% | 24.7% | 10.2% |
| 65+ years | 13.8% | 12.5% | 24.4% |
The 65+ age group was the fastest growing age group, while people aged 15-24 years experienced the lowest growth, thus highlighting the ageing population in Greater Perth.
2016 FAMILY STRUCTURE – GREATER PERTH
Source: ABS, PVA(WA) Research
The average number of persons per household is 2.6, which is the same as Western Australia and Australia in total. Family households account for 73.0% of all households, with 37.5% couple families without children; 46.3% couple families with children; 14.5% one parent families; and 1.8% other family structures. Of the single parent families, 82.1% are female and 17.9% are male.
DWELLINGS
Dwelling Structure
In 2016 there were 776,014 dwellings in Greater Perth, of which 85,730 were unoccupied (11.0%). This unoccupied proportion has increased from 9.6% in the 2011 Census and is in line with the national average of 11.2%. The number of occupied dwellings has increased by 10.1%, compared with an increase of 6.1% nationally. Of the occupied dwellings:
Source: ABS, PVA(WA) Research
Separate houses are the most prominent dwelling type (76.9%). The predominant growth in dwelling structure over the five year period is that of townhouses/semi-detached housing/terraces, which has grown from 9.1% of occupied dwellings to 16.0% between 2011 and 2016.
Source: ABS, PVA(WA) Research
The most prominent number of bedrooms is four or more (45.2%), and the average number of bedrooms per dwelling remained the same over the five years to 2016 at 3.3.
Source: ABS, PVA(WA) Research
The most prominent tenure type is owned with mortgage (41.9%). The number of dwellings owned with a mortgage has increased since 2011 by 15.9%.
INCOMES
The following table shows median weekly income levels in 2016, which in Greater Perth are higher than both state and national averages.
Median Weekly Incomes
| Greater Perth | Western Australia | Australia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal | $728 | $724 | $662 |
| Family | $1,955 | $1,910 | $1,734 |
| Household | $1,643 | $1,595 | $1,438 |
While the median incomes in Greater Perth are still higher than national median incomes, growth has been slower than Australia as a whole since 2011. Personal, family and household incomes increased by 8.8%, 9.8% and 12.6% respectively in Greater Perth, and by 14.7%, 17.1% and 16.5% nationally.
For more information on the 2016 Census results go to ABS Census 2016.
Gavin Chapman – Managing Director
gavin.chapman@pvawa.com.au
(08) 6500 3600
Property Valuation & Advisory (WA)
Unit 2, 168 Stirling Highway, Nedlands WA 6009
Follow Us