Urban Area · Area profile
Esperance
480 km²
A smaller population than most similar areas defines Esperance, which has seen its total number of residents shrink by 58% since 2011. This community is noticeably older than the state and national average, with a typical resident aged 42 and a high proportion of seniors. It is a place where people are active in their community, with very high volunteering rates. The area feels traditional and stable, with most residents born in Australia and a strong preference for detached housing.
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The typical resident is 42, which is noticeably older than the national figure, and the number of seniors has risen 13 points since 2011. The population is also slightly more likely to be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander than the state average.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the proportion of people born overseas has fallen 17 points since 2011 to 13.1%, which is far below the national average.
English is the primary language for 85.3% of the community, and only 4.3% use another language at home—a figure far below both the state and national averages.
Nearly half the population (49.5%) report having no religion, which is far above the national average and represents a 23 point increase since 2011.
Education levels are much lower than in most similar areas, with only 11.4% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher and far fewer completing Year 12 compared to the state average.
Typical personal weekly income is $785, which is about the same as the national figure. While 11.7% of people earn $2,000 or more a week, typical household incomes are a little below the national average.
Residents are much less likely to need help with daily activities or have a mental health condition than people in most other areas.
Volunteering is very common here; 23.3% of people volunteer, which is well above the national figure. This community focus exists alongside a decline in unpaid childcare since 2011.
Living alone is more common than usual, with 29.8% of people in one-person homes. This is a significant increase from 2011, though over half of households remain couples with children.
Detached houses are far more common here than nationally, and 81.6% of homes have three or more bedrooms. Weekly rent is $270, which is well below the state and national figures.
Cars are essential for most, with 69.8% of people driving to work and very few using public transport. Only 5.6% of the workforce works from home, far below the national average.
The population has become more stable over time, as the proportion of people who moved in the last five years fell 22 points since 2011 to 35.2%.
The unemployment rate is 2.8%, which is among the lowest for its level. Many residents work in health care, retail, or transport and warehousing.
The area is somewhat walkable, though residents are far less likely to have health services, groceries, or schools within a 15-minute walk compared to the state average.