Swan · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A growth rate of 17.9% defines the current trajectory for Swan, which is well above the Western Australian average. The area is seeing a rapid increase in residents alongside a strong overall advantage score of 974. This combination of fast population growth and relative prosperity marks it as a key expansion zone in Greater Perth.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Swan — higher than 64% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
Residents generally have good access to money and resources, scoring a 9 out of 10. This helps drive an overall advantage score that is larger than about 70% of similar 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.
7
Higher than 64% 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.
6
Higher than 57% 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.
974
Higher than 66% 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 surged by 17.9% since 2021, a figure that is well above the state's 10.7% increase. With 187,090 people, it is now among the largest areas of its kind.
187,090
Higher than 87% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
17.9%
Higher than 99% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
Commercial activity is high with 14,058 businesses, which is more than about 90% of similar areas. This activity is mirrored in the housing sector, where 2,112 approved dwellings make it one of the largest for new building.
14,058
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
2,112
Higher than 89% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Swan [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA58050/swan/topic/economy-advantage
