Council (LGA) · Area profile
Toodyay
1,692 km²
A rapidly ageing population defines the change in Toodyay, where the typical resident is now 54 years old. This Western Australian town has seen its senior population jump by 11 percentage points since 2011, while the number of children has fallen. It is a place of stability and ownership, with a high proportion of detached houses and few renters. The community is predominantly English-speaking and increasingly secular, reflecting a quiet, mature character in a rural setting.
A fast-growing area where schools haven't kept pace per child.
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Toodyay is far older than the national average, with 26.9% of people aged 65 and over. This shift is reflected in the age structure, where older adults and seniors make up over 60% of the population.
While 21.9% of residents were born overseas, this is far below the state and national figures. The most common ancestries are English, Australian, Scottish and Irish.
English is the primary language for 85.5% of the community. Only 3.4% of people use another language at home, which is far below the national figure.
A large number of residents report no religion, accounting for 47.2% of the population. This figure has risen by 18 percentage points since 2011.
Education levels are lower than most areas, with 39.2% of residents completing Year 12, which is far below the national average of 58.8%.
Typical weekly household income is $1,272, which is well below the national figure of $1,746. However, the proportion of households earning $3,000 or more a week has risen since 2011.
More people here live with a long-term health condition (32.3%) than in most other areas, with arthritis being the most common report at 11.9%.
The town has a strong culture of volunteering, with 20.7% of people participating, well above the national figure. It also has a higher rate of former Defence Force members than most similar areas.
First Nations residents in Toodyay have a much higher Year 12 completion rate (42.2%) and a lower unemployment rate (0.0%) than the state and national averages.
Homes are typically occupied by two people, and 43.9% of households consist of couples without children. The number of people living alone has risen slightly since 2011.
Housing is overwhelmingly detached, making up 97.6% of dwellings. Ownership is high, with 42.8% of homes owned outright, far above the national figure.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, as 98.2% of homes own a motor vehicle. Public transport is very limited, with only two stops serving the population.
Toodyay is a stable community where fewer people have moved in the last five years (29.5%) compared to the national average. Recent arrivals from overseas are also among the lowest for similar areas.
About 50.8% of adults are working or looking for work, which is far below the national figure. The most common industries are health care, construction and mining.
The town shows a strong level of access to money and resources, ranking higher than about 80% of similar areas. Recent population growth has been among the highest for its level.
Toodyay receives an average annual rainfall of 506mm, which is far above the Western Australian average. Summer maximum temperatures typically reach 25.8 degrees.
The area is highly car-dependent, with a low walkability score of 1.4. Only 18.4% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of basic amenities.