Bunbury · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A population growth of 4.7% since 2021 marks Bunbury as a growing regional centre. While the area is expanding and supports nearly 3,000 businesses, it faces higher levels of disadvantage compared to most of the country.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Bunbury — lower than 71% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
Bunbury has an overall advantage score of 921, which is smaller than about 74% of similar areas. This reflects a trend across the board, with access to money, resources, and job skills all ranking lower than about 70% of other areas.
3
Lower than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
3
Lower than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
3
Lower than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
3
Lower than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
921
Lower than 73% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
The population has grown by 4.7%, a rate higher than most similar areas. However, this is well below the Western Australia figure of 10.7%.
35,730
Higher than 67% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
4.7%
Higher than 60% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
The area is a significant local hub with 2,937 businesses, making it larger than about 66% of similar areas. This activity is matched by a steady building pipeline, with 117 new dwellings approved.
2,937
Higher than 64% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
117
Higher than 61% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Bunbury [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA51190/bunbury/topic/economy-advantage
