Busselton · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
An overall advantage score of 985 puts Busselton in a strong position, with a level of wealth and resource access that exceeds about 72% of similar areas. This creates a prosperous environment where most residents have a high level of financial security.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Busselton — higher than 71% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
Residents have significant access to money and resources, ranking higher than about 90% of similar areas. This is supported by a strong level of education and job skills, which is also higher than about 70% of comparable places.
8
Higher 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.
8
Higher 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.
9
Higher than 86% 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.
7
Higher than 64% 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.
985
Higher than 72% 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 9.9% since 2021, a rate much higher than most areas and roughly the same as the Western Australian average.
46,184
Higher than 72% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
9.9%
Higher than 87% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
With 4,727 businesses, Busselton is larger than about 74% of similar areas. This commercial activity is paired with a high level of development, as 470 new dwellings were approved, a figure larger than about 81% of similar areas.
4,727
Higher than 72% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
470
Higher than 80% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Busselton [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA51260/busselton/topic/economy-advantage
