Capital City · Area profile
Rest of WA
2,520,216 km²
Full-time employment is much higher than in most similar areas across the Rest of WA, where 61.2% of the workforce is in permanent roles. This vast region is home to over 534,000 people and is defined by a high proportion of separate houses and large families. It is a community with a strong connection to the land, featuring a First Nations population well above the state average. While typical incomes are slightly lower than the national figure, there is a growing trend of households earning over $3,000 a week.
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The area is a little older than the state and national typical age of 38, with a typical resident being 40. It has a higher proportion of children and seniors than most similar areas, and a First Nations population that is well above the national figure at 8.4%.
The population is predominantly Australian or English, and far fewer people were born overseas compared to the state average. Most residents were born in Australia, representing 72.1% of the community.
English is the primary language for 80.9% of the population. The proportion of people using another language at home is far below the national figure, and very few residents speak little or no English.
A little above the state average, 45.9% of people report no religion. This figure has risen by 12 percentage points since 2016, making it much higher than most similar areas.
The number of adults with a bachelor degree or higher is far below the national figure at 13.5%. However, more people have completed Year 12 than in 2016, and many hold Certificate III or IV qualifications.
Typical family income is $2,013 a week, which is a little below the state figure. While typical personal incomes are about the same as the national average, the share of households earning $3,000 or more a week has risen since 2016.
The area is around the middle for its level regarding long-term health conditions, which affect 26.6% of people. Those needing help with daily activities are fewer here than in most similar areas.
Volunteering is very common, with 19.3% of people participating, which is well above the national figure. This high level of community activity sits alongside a high rate of people doing significant unpaid housework.
First Nations people make up a significant part of the population, with 23.8% speaking a First Nations language, far above the national average. However, household and personal incomes for this group are lower than those of the wider community.
Homes tend to be larger than in most similar areas, with an average of 2.5 people per home. About 54.2% of households are couples with children.
Separate houses are very common, making up 87.9% of all dwellings, far above the national figure. Typical weekly rent of $265 is well below the national and state averages, and 81% of homes have three or more bedrooms.
The region is heavily reliant on cars, as only 2.3% of people commute by public transport. Public transport options are much lower than in the rest of the state, and very few people work from home.
The community is relatively stable, with fewer people moving in the last five years compared to most other areas. Recent arrivals from overseas have also fallen since 2016.
Mining, health care, and agriculture are the main industries. The unemployment rate is 4.2%, which is much lower than in most similar areas.
The population has grown by 6.1% since 2021, though this is well below the state's growth rate of 10.7%.
The region is hot and dry, with an average maximum temperature of 31.2 degrees and annual rainfall that is much lower than most similar areas.
The area is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score well below the state average. Most homes are far from groceries, health services, and public transport.