# Shoalwater

Suburb / Locality · Area profile

Located in: Western Australia › Greater Perth › Rockingham › 6169, WA

Area: 3 km²

Seniors make up a significant part of the community in Shoalwater, where the typical resident is 49 years old. This is far older than the national figure, and nearly 28% of the population are aged 65 and over. Many people live alone here, which helps explain why households are generally smaller than in other areas. The neighborhood is highly walkable and well-connected, with most residents living within a short stroll of parks, schools, and groceries.

## Demographics & Identity

The community is notably older than most areas, with a typical age of 49 and a high proportion of seniors. In contrast, children under 15 make up only 14.4% of the population, which is well below the state and national figures.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total population | 4,368 | +13.5% since 2011 |
| Median age | 49 yrs | +8.9% since 2011 |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander population | 1.9% | +107.9% since 2011 |
| People aged 65 and over | 27.4% | +11.9% since 2011 |
| Children under 15 | 14.4% | -7.1% since 2011 |
| People in a de facto relationship | 11.9% | +11.3% since 2011 |

**Age structure** — Older adults (45–64) 27.7%, Seniors (65+) 27.4%, Young adults (25–44) 21.2%, Children (0–14) 14.4%, Youth (15–24) 9.4%

**Marital status** — Married 42.4%, Never married 31.5%, Divorced 12.6%, Widowed 8.8%, Separated 4.6%

## Ancestry & Birthplace

English and Australian ancestries are the most common here. About 28.2% of residents were born overseas, a figure that is about the same as the national average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People born overseas | 28.2% | -13.3% since 2011 |

**Country of birth** — Australia 62.8%, England 12.0%, New Zealand 3.2%, South Africa 1.4%, Philippines 0.7%, India 0.6%, China 0.3%, Italy 0.1%

**Ancestry** — English 46.0%, Australian 32.7%, Scottish 10.3%, Irish 9.6%, German 3.9%, Dutch 2.6%, Italian 2.4%, Filipino 1.1%, Indian 0.8%, Chinese 0.7%, Greek 0.3%, Vietnamese 0.1%

## Language

English is the main language for 84.1% of the area. While more people use another language at home than in most similar areas, the rate is still far below the state and national figures.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People using another language at home | 7.0% | +8.4% since 2011 |
| People who speak little or no English | 0.6% | -28.2% since 2016 |

**Language used at home** — English only 84.1%, Tagalog 0.5%, Mandarin 0.4%, Punjabi 0.4%, Arabic 0.2%, Italian 0.2%, Greek 0.1%, Vietnamese 0.1%, Hindi 0.1%

## Religion

People with no religion make up 44.4% of the population, which is well above the national figure. Christianity is also common, accounting for 42.5% of residents.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with no religion | 44.4% | +80.4% since 2011 |

**Religious affiliation** — No religion 44.4%, Christianity 42.5%, Not stated 11.1%, Buddhism 0.8%, Other religions 0.6%, Islam 0.5%, Hinduism 0.1%

## Education & Qualifications

Adults with a bachelor degree or higher make up 16.1% of the population, which is far below the national figure. Year 12 completion is also far below state and national levels at 46.8%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Completed Year 12 | 46.8% | +16.5% since 2011 |
| Adults with a bachelor degree or higher | 16.1% | +34.3% since 2011 |
| Schools within 3 km | 11 | — |
| Average school size | 445 | — |
| Average school ICSEA | 979 | — |

**Highest year of school** — Year 12 46.8%, Year 10 25.2%, Year 11 10.5%, Year 9 or below 6.8%

**Highest qualification level** — Certificate III / IV 32.8%, Bachelor degree 17.9%, Advanced diploma / diploma 15.6%, Postgraduate degree 4.5%, Certificate I / II 2.8%, Graduate diploma / certificate 2.1%

**Field of qualification** — Engineering & related 18.9%, Management & commerce 13.7%, Society & culture 11.0%, Health 10.1%, Education 8.9%, Architecture & building 4.9%, Food, hospitality & personal services 4.7%, Creative arts 2.4%, Natural & physical sciences 1.9%, Agriculture & environment 1.6%, Information technology 1.3%

## Income

Typical household income is $1,225 a week, which is well below the state and national figures. Personal income is also lower than most areas, with 43.3% of people earning under $650 a week.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median personal income (weekly) | $679 | +28.1% since 2011 |
| Median household income (weekly) | $1,225 | +31.6% since 2011 |
| Median family income (weekly) | $1,896 | +30.1% since 2011 |
| People earning $2,000+ a week | 12.2% | — |
| Households earning $3,000+ a week | 15.9% | — |

**Household income distribution** — $650–$1,499 27.5%, Under $650 25.0%, $1,500–$2,999 22.4%, $3,000–$3,999 8.1%, $4,000 or more 7.8%

**Personal income distribution** — Under $650 43.3%, $650–$1,499 25.1%, $1,500–$2,999 15.9%, $3,000 or more 4.8%

## Health & Disability

Health challenges are more common here than in most areas, with 31.7% of people reporting a long-term health condition. This is well above the state average, and 6.1% of residents need help with daily activities.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with a long-term health condition | 31.7% | — |
| People with a mental health condition | 10.3% | — |
| People needing help with daily activities | 6.1% | -21.6% since 2011 |

**Long-term health conditions reported** — Arthritis 11.8%, Mental health 10.3%, Other condition 8.2%, Asthma 7.0%, Heart disease 5.5%, Diabetes 5.0%, Cancer 4.3%, Lung condition 2.8%, Stroke 1.3%, Dementia 0.5%

**Number of long-term health conditions** — None 56.6%, One condition 20.0%, Two conditions 7.7%, Three or more 4.1%

## Community Participation

A high number of residents have served in the Defence Force, at 6.7%, which is well above the national figure. However, volunteering rates are a little below the state average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Volunteers | 14.4% | -11.3% since 2011 |
| People providing unpaid care | 11.2% | +8.3% since 2011 |
| People caring for children unpaid | 22.6% | -6.5% since 2011 |
| People who served in the Defence Force | 6.7% | — |
| People doing 15+ hours of unpaid housework | 21.0% | -7.9% since 2011 |

## First Nations

First Nations residents are noticeably older than those in the state and nation, with a typical age of 29. This group experiences much lower incomes and a higher unemployment rate than most areas.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people | 85 | — |
| First Nations median age | 29 yrs | — |
| First Nations Year 12 completion | 40.0% | — |
| First Nations unemployment rate | 14.3% | — |
| First Nations median personal income | $408 | — |
| First Nations household income | $933 | — |
| Speaks a First Nations language | 12.9% | — |

## Family & Households

Many people live alone here, accounting for 39.2% of households, which is far above the national figure. Consequently, the average home has just 2.1 people, much lower than in most areas.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Average household size | 2.1 | +0.0% since 2011 |
| One-parent families | 16.3% | +7.5% since 2011 |
| People living alone | 39.2% | +3.8% since 2011 |

**Family composition** — Couples with children 48.6%, Couples without children 33.8%, One-parent families 16.3%, Other families 1.2%

**Household size** — 1 person 39.2%, 2 people 33.7%, 3 people 11.4%, 4 people 9.8%, 5 people 4.0%, 6 or more 1.8%

## Housing & Dwellings

Renters make up 33.3% of the population, which is well above the state average. Outright home ownership is also well above the state and national figures at 35.5%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median rent (weekly) | $260 | +12.6% since 2011 |
| Median mortgage repayment (monthly) | $1,668 | -14.5% since 2011 |
| Average people per bedroom | 0.70 | -30.0% since 2011 |
| Households renting | 33.3% | -17.0% since 2011 |
| Homes owned outright | 35.5% | +13.0% since 2011 |
| Separate (detached) houses | 76.6% | +15.4% since 2011 |
| Homes with three or more bedrooms | 72.6% | +5.4% since 2011 |

**How homes are owned or rented** — Owned outright 35.5%, Rented 33.3%, Owned with a mortgage 29.1%, Not stated 1.6%, Other tenure 0.8%

**Types of homes** — Separate house 76.6%, Flat or apartment 16.2%, Townhouse / semi-detached 6.6%

**Bedrooms per home** — 3 bedrooms 37.2%, 4 bedrooms 31.8%, 2 bedrooms 22.8%, 1 bedroom 3.6%, 5 or more 3.6%

**Weekly rent distribution** — $200–$349 53.9%, $350–$549 22.2%, Under $200 18.1%, $550–$749 1.3%

**Monthly mortgage distribution** — $1,000–$1,799 38.5%, $1,800–$2,999 27.5%, Under $1,000 17.2%, $3,000 or more 12.0%

## Transport & Vehicles

The area is well served by public transport stops, and 4.5% of people commute using these services. However, 7.7% of people work from home, which is far below the national figure.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Homes with no motor vehicle | 7.5% | -25.6% since 2011 |
| People working from home | 7.7% | +128.3% since 2011 |
| Commuting by public transport | 4.5% | -16.5% since 2011 |
| Public transport stops | 28 | — |
| PT stops per 1,000 people | 6.41 | — |
| Weekly PT departures per 1,000 people | 777.7 | — |
| Public transport routes | 2 | — |
| Walk to nearest stop (min) | 4 | — |
| Drive time to the city (min) | 38 | — |
| People reachable in 30 min by transit | 0 | — |
| People reachable in 45 min by transit | 12,039 | — |

**How people get to work** — Car (driver) 60.6%, Worked at home 7.7%, Car (passenger) 3.6%, Bus 2.3%, Train 2.2%, Walked 1.4%, Bicycle 0.3%

**Motor vehicles per home** — 1 vehicle 43.1%, 2 vehicles 35.2%, 3 vehicles 9.4%, No vehicle 7.5%, 4 or more 4.9%

## Migration & Movement

Movement is high in this area, with 40.3% of people having moved house in the last five years. This is a little above the state average, though recent overseas arrivals are far below the national figure.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People who moved in the last 5 years | 40.3% | -17.9% since 2011 |
| Recent arrivals from overseas | 4.2% | -76.0% since 2011 |

## Jobs & Industry

Fewer adults are working or looking for work compared to most areas, at 52.1%. The unemployment rate is 8.2%, which is well above the state and national figures.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unemployment rate | 8.2% | +25.3% since 2011 |
| Labour-force participation | 52.1% | -0.9% since 2011 |
| Employed full-time | 58.7% | -4.8% since 2011 |

**Industries people work in** — Health care & social assistance 13.1%, Construction 10.9%, Education & training 9.7%, Public administration & safety 9.7%, Retail trade 7.7%, Manufacturing 7.0%, Mining 6.9%, Professional & technical 5.8%, Accommodation & food 5.3%, Other services 4.2%, Transport & warehousing 3.1%, Administrative & support 2.9%, Rental & real estate 2.1%, Wholesale trade 1.8%, Finance & insurance 1.6%, Arts & recreation 1.2%, Electricity, gas & water 0.9%, Agriculture, forestry & fishing 0.7%, Media & telecommunications 0.4%

**Occupations people work in** — Professionals 18.6%, Technicians & trades 18.5%, Community & personal service 13.8%, Clerical & administrative 11.1%, Managers 10.8%, Labourers 9.7%, Sales workers 7.8%, Machinery operators & drivers 7.4%

## Walkability

The area is very walkable, with nearly 90% of homes within a 15-minute walk of key amenities. Every home is within a 15-minute walk of a park and groceries, though no homes are within that distance of health services.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Walkability score | 6.1 | — |
| Amenity types within a 15-minute walk | 5.7 | — |
| Homes with a 15-minute-city walkshed | 89.1% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of groceries | 100.0% | — |
| Homes within 10 min walk of public transport | 100.0% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a school | 95.4% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a park | 100.0% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of health services | 0.0% | — |
| Walkable amenities per 1,000 residents | 17.6 | — |
| Street connectivity (intersections/km²) | 177 | — |
| Mean terrain slope | 3.1% | — |

## Schools serving Shoalwater

11 schools, 4,893 students, average ICSEA 979.

By sector: Government 9, Catholic 1, Independent 1

By type: Primary 7, Secondary 3, Combined 1

Nearest 10 shown:

| School | Sector | Type | Distance | Students |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Safety Bay Primary School | Government | Primary | 0.6 km | 592 |
| Rockingham Beach Primary School | Government | Primary | 2.1 km | 406 |
| Rockingham Beach Education Support Centre | Government | Primary | 2.1 km | 67 |
| Star of the Sea Primary School | Catholic | Primary | 2.6 km | 638 |
| Bungaree Primary School | Government | Primary | 2.9 km | 233 |
| Rockingham Senior High School | Government | Secondary | 3.0 km | 1,035 |
| Rockingham Senior High School Education Support Centre | Government | Secondary | 3.0 km | 76 |
| Safety Bay Senior High School | Government | Secondary | 3.1 km | 1,148 |
| Malibu School | Government | Combined | 3.4 km | 114 |
| Rockingham Montessori School | Independent | Primary | 3.5 km | 272 |

## Nearby areas

[Peron](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL51229/peron) · [Safety Bay](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL51319/safety-bay) · [Rockingham](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL51301/rockingham) · [Hillman](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL50639/hillman) · [Waikiki](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL51502/waikiki) · [East Rockingham](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL50467/east-rockingham) · [Cooloongup](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL50329/cooloongup) · [Warnbro](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL51534/warnbro)

Interactive profile: https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL51348/shoalwater