South Perth · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A top score of 10 for overall advantage marks South Perth as one of the most prosperous areas in the country. Residents here have a very high level of education and job skills, which helps drive the local economy.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is South Perth — higher than 99% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The area is among the most advantaged in Australia, with an overall score of 1,086. This is reflected in its top ranking for education and job skills, as well as a high level of access to money and resources.
10
Higher than 99% 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.
10
Higher than 99% 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.
10
Higher than 99% 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.
1,086
Higher than 92% 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 8.4% since 2021, which is much higher than most similar areas. While this growth is strong, it is a little below the Western Australian figure of 10.7%.
48,745
Higher than 73% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
8.4%
Higher than 83% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
Economic activity is high with 5,500 businesses operating in the area. There is continued development, with 162 new dwellings approved, a figure larger than about 67% of similar areas.
5,500
Higher than 74% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
162
Higher than 66% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in South Perth [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA57840/south-perth/topic/economy-advantage
