Dundas

The area is far older than most, with the typical resident aged 50 and a high proportion of seniors. This shift is clear since 2011, when the typical age was only 37. Conversely, children under 15 make up only 12.1% of the population, which is well below the national figure.

Most residents were born in Australia, and those with English or Australian ancestry are the most common. While 18.9% of people were born overseas, this is far below the Western Australian average.

English is the main language here, and the 6.4% who use another language at home is far below the state and national figures. Notably, no one in the community reports speaking little or no English.

About 40.2% of people report having no religion, a figure that has risen 14 points since 2011. Christianity is the next most common affiliation at 34.6%.

Educational attainment is much lower than most areas, with only 26.5% of residents completing Year 12. Only 6.7% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher, which is far below the national average.

Incomes are very low in Dundas, where the typical household earns just $827 a week. This is far below the national figure of $1,746, and the typical personal weekly income has fallen by $142 since 2011.

Health challenges are more common here than in most areas, with 31.0% of people living with a long-term health condition. This includes arthritis, asthma, and mental health issues, and the number of people needing help with daily activities has risen since 2011.

Participation in unpaid work is low, with only 10.5% of people volunteering and very few caring for children. However, the area has a higher rate of former Defence Force members than most other regions.

First Nations people in Dundas face significant challenges, with an unemployment rate of 33.3% and a typical household income of $739, which is far below the state and national averages. Around 15.1% speak a First Nations language.

Living arrangements are unusual, with nearly half of all people (49.6%) living alone. One-parent families are also very common at 23.0%, which is well above the national average.

Most residents live in separate houses, and 42.2% own their homes outright. Rent is very affordable compared to the rest of the country, with a typical weekly rent of just $150.

While 40.8% of workers drive to work, a surprising 19.1% walk, and 4.2% use public transport. About 9.6% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is higher than in most areas.

The population has become more stable over time, as the proportion of people who moved in the last five years fell from 44.4% in 2011 to 32.7% in 2021.

Full-time employment is quite high at 65.3%, but the number of adults working or looking for work is far below the state average. Local jobs are concentrated in accommodation, food, mining, and retail.

Dundas ranks among the lowest areas for overall advantage, scoring 1 out of 10 for access to money, resources, and job skills.

The area is cooler than most of the state, with an average maximum temperature of 24.4 degrees and an average annual rainfall of 204mm.

The community is somewhat walkable, with a high number of amenities like health services and groceries within a 15-minute walk. However, very few homes are within a short walk of public transport.