Federal Electorate · Area profile
Swan
151 km²
A large and diverse population makes Swan a standout area among similar regions. It is a relatively young community where the typical resident is 36, and it has grown by 19% since 2011. The area is marked by a high proportion of overseas-born residents and a well-qualified workforce. This combination of professional skills and international backgrounds creates a dynamic environment with a strong connection to the city.
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The population is a little younger than the state and national figures, with 16.2% of residents being children under 15. People aged 65 and over make up 14.8% of the community, a figure that has risen by 2.1 points since 2011.
Swan is far more multicultural than the rest of Australia, with 38.9% of people born overseas. English is the most common ancestry at 31.4%, while 55.4% of the population was born in Australia.
Many residents use a language other than English at home, at 28.0%, which is well above the national figure. English remains the primary language for 65.8% of the community, while Mandarin is the most common other language.
About 39.6% of people report having no religion, a figure that has risen by 16 points since 2011. This is well below the Western Australian average of 42.9%.
The community is well-qualified, with 31.4% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, well above the national average. This high level of education is reflected in the 65.6% of residents who completed Year 12.
Typical weekly personal income is $897, which is a little above the national figure. The number of people earning $2,000 or more per week has risen by 6.2 points since 2011 to reach 14.7%.
The area reports better health than most, with long-term health conditions affecting 24.2% of people, which is well below the national figure. Only 4.4% of residents need help with daily activities.
Volunteer rates are 15.2%, slightly above the national figure. However, the proportion of people providing unpaid care or doing housework is much lower than in most other areas.
Living arrangements are varied, with 30.2% of people living alone, which is well above the state average. Around 55.2% of households consist of couples with children.
Renting is very common here at 38.8%, far above the state average. Detached houses are less common than elsewhere, making up 63.5% of homes, while the typical weekly rent is $350.
Public transport use is among the highest at this level, with 7.8% of people commuting this way. This is supported by a very high number of stops and departures compared to the rest of the state.
The population is quite mobile, with 45.3% of people moving in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals make up 18.0% of the community, though this is down from 34.0% in 2011.
A high number of residents are working or looking for work at 66.3%, which is well above the national figure. Many work in professional roles, with 25.7% of the workforce employed as professionals.
The area is very walkable, with nearly 90% of homes within a 15-minute walk of key amenities. Most of the community lives within a short walk of public transport, parks, and groceries.