Council (LGA) · Area profile
Murray
1,703 km²
A typical resident in Murray is 45, making the area noticeably older than the state and national figure of 38. This community has grown by 28% since 2011 and is characterized by large, detached homes and a high proportion of seniors. It is a place of high rainfall and cool temperatures compared to the rest of Western Australia, where many residents have shifted away from religious affiliation. The area is largely car-dependent, with a population that is predominantly Australian-born and English-speaking.
Rapid population growth here is outstripping school provision.
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The population is older than most areas, with 24% of residents aged 65 and over, a figure well above the national average of 17.2%. This senior population has grown by 5.1 percentage points since 2011.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the area has a far lower proportion of overseas-born people (17.7%) than the state average of 32.2%. English and Australian are the most common ancestries.
English is the dominant language, with only 3% of people using another language at home, which is far below the national figure of 22.3%. Very few residents speak little or no English.
A large number of residents report having no religion, at 48.9%, which is far above the Australian average of 38.9%. This figure has risen by 22 percentage points since 2011.
Educational qualifications are much lower than in most areas, with only 8.1% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, compared to 26.3% nationally. Year 12 completion is also far below the state average.
Typical personal income is $629 a week, which is well below the national figure of $805. However, 12.5% of people earn $2,000 or more weekly, a rate much higher than in most similar areas.
Health challenges are more common here, with 33.1% of people living with a long-term health condition, well above the national figure of 27.7%. Arthritis and mental health are the most reported conditions.
The area has a high rate of unpaid housework, with 25.2% of people doing 15 or more hours weekly, which is well above the national average. There is also a higher-than-usual proportion of Defence Force veterans.
First Nations people in the area are noticeably younger, with a typical age of 21 compared to 24 nationally. Their typical personal income of $603 is a little above the national figure.
Homes tend to be larger and more crowded than usual, with 2.5 people per home. One-parent families are slightly more common here than in most areas.
The area is dominated by separate houses, which make up 92.7% of dwellings, far above the national figure of 72.3%. Renting is much less common here than across the state.
The community is heavily reliant on cars, with 60.1% of people driving to work and very few working from home. Drive times to the city are among the highest for similar areas.
The population is relatively stable, as the proportion of recent overseas arrivals (3%) is far below the national average of 14.5%.
The unemployment rate is 6.2%, which is a little above the national figure of 5.1%. Common industries for local workers include mining and manufacturing.
While residents have high access to money and resources, the area ranks poorly for education and job skills. Population growth since 2021 has been among the highest for its level.
The climate is much wetter and cooler than the state average, with annual rainfall of 957mm, far above the Western Australian figure of 185mm.
The area is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score of 2.6, far below the state average of 5.4. Very few homes are within a 15-minute walk of health services or groceries.