Kalgoorlie-Boulder · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
Population growth in Kalgoorlie-Boulder has slowed significantly, rising just 1.9% since the last census. While the area remains larger than many similar regions, it now sees a much smaller increase in residents compared to the rest of Western Australia. This shift comes as the region maintains a relatively strong overall advantage score of 980.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Kalgoorlie-Boulder — higher than 64% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The area scores a 7 out of 10 for overall advantage, which is larger than about 70% of similar areas. Residents have good access to money and resources, though job skills and education levels are lower than in 60% of other areas.
7
Higher than 64% 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.
8
Higher 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.
4
Lower 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.
980
Higher than 69% 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 reached 31,268 people. However, the 1.9% growth since 2021 is lower than most areas and well below the Western Australian figure of 10.7%.
31,268
Higher than 64% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
1.9%
Lower than 68% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
There are 2,157 businesses operating in the region, which is more than about 61% of similar areas. This business activity is matched by 64 approved dwellings, a figure larger than about 56% of comparable places.
2,157
Higher than 59% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
64
Higher than 53% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Kalgoorlie-Boulder [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA54280/kalgoorlie-boulder/topic/economy-advantage
