Region (SA4) · Area profile
Bunbury
24,802 km²
Situated in the southwest of Western Australia, Bunbury is a growing regional hub with a noticeably older population than the national average. The community is largely established, with many residents owning their homes outright and a strong tendency toward volunteering. It is a place of spacious living, where detached houses dominate the landscape and the typical resident is 43 years old. This stability is reflected in a population that is less mobile and less diverse than the state average.
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The area is older than most, with 20.5% of people aged 65 and over, a figure that rose 6.7 points since 2011. While children under 15 make up 18.9% of the population, the typical resident is 43, which is noticeably older than the national figure of 38.
Most residents were born in Australia (74.4%), and the proportion of overseas-born people is far below the state average at 19.2%. English and Australian are the most common ancestries, totaling over 84%.
English is the primary language for 86.8% of the community. Only 6.7% of people use another language at home, which is far below the national figure of 22.3%.
About half of the population (49.4%) report having no religion, a figure that is far above the national average and has risen 21 points since 2011.
Education levels are lower than most areas, with only 15.0% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. However, Year 12 completion has improved, rising 8.0 points since 2011 to reach 45.8%.
Typical incomes are a little below the state and national figures, with the typical household earning $1,478 a week. High-income households earning $3,000 or more per week are less common here than in most other areas.
About 29.7% of people live with a long-term health condition, which is a little above the national average. Arthritis is the most common condition, affecting 10.2% of the population.
This is a civic-minded community where 19.7% of people volunteer, well above the national figure of 14.1%. Unpaid housework is also more common here than in most other areas.
First Nations people make up 2.8% of the population, with a typical age of 22, which is much lower than most areas. Unemployment in this group is 14.3%, slightly above the national average.
Household sizes are typical for the region, with 2.4 people per home. About 53.8% of families are couples with children, while 26.0% of people live alone.
The area is dominated by separate houses (89.3%) and large homes, with 84.5% having three or more bedrooms. Home ownership is strong, as 34.5% of homes are owned outright, well above the national average.
The community is highly reliant on cars, with 64.6% of people driving to work and only 1.5% using public transport. Very few homes (3.6%) have no motor vehicle, which is among the lowest rates for similar areas.
The population is relatively stable, as fewer people moved house in the last five years compared to most areas. Recent arrivals from overseas have also fallen significantly since 2011.
Full-time employment is lower than the state average at 56.1%. The most common industries are health care, construction, and retail, while technicians and trades are the most frequent occupations.
Since 2021, the population has grown by 8.2%, a rate that is higher than most similar areas.
The climate is much milder than the state average, with an average maximum temperature of 22.5 degrees and rainfall (812mm) far above the Western Australian figure.
The area is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score well below the state average. Only 37.7% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of basic amenities.