WA 6038 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Alkimos

One of Perth's fastest-growing greenfield suburbs, adding 1,259 residents per year at a 5.6% annual growth rate, yet recording zero development applications in the past 12 months because growth is driven by master-planned lot releases rather than individual DA-led infill. The median age of 31 is 9 years below the national figure, the youngest profile in the northern coastal corridor, reflecting the suburb's role as a first-home-buyer destination for young families. Nearly half the population (48.0%) was born overseas, 26.4 percentage points above the national average, with Afrikaans (125 speakers), Punjabi (48) and Portuguese (40) indicating South African, Indian and Brazilian migration streams. Household income sits at the 76.1 percentile nationally ($2,035 weekly), well above median, and SEIFA places Alkimos at IRSAD decile 6.

Alkimos urban fabric map

Population

10,203

Median Age

31.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$2,035/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

0

Median House

$472K

Estimated from rent (2025)

17.25 km²· 591.4 people/km²· Family income $2,247/wk

No median house price is available in the dataset, so valuation benchmarks must come from external sources. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,950 produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.1%, comfortably below the 30% stress line and one of the lowest ratios in Perth's northern suburbs. Mortgage holders dominate tenure at 63.6% of households, the highest mortgage share in the corridor, while outright owners account for just 7.7%, confirming the suburb's youth and recent settlement. Detached houses make up 97.7% of stock, virtually the only housing type available, with 55.9% having four or more bedrooms and 40.9% having three bedrooms. The household size of 2.8 and 18.1% couples-without-children share both point to a family-formation market where young couples are stretching into larger homes before children arrive.

For Buyers

No median house price is available in the dataset, so valuation benchmarks must come from external sources. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,950 produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.1%, comfortably below the 30% stress line and one of the lowest ratios in Perth's northern suburbs. Mortgage holders dominate tenure at 63.6% of households, the highest mortgage share in the corridor, while outright owners account for just 7.7%, confirming the suburb's youth and recent settlement. Detached houses make up 97.7% of stock, virtually the only housing type available, with 55.9% having four or more bedrooms and 40.9% having three bedrooms. The household size of 2.8 and 18.1% couples-without-children share both point to a family-formation market where young couples are stretching into larger homes before children arrive.

For Investors

Renters make up 28.7% of households, providing a reasonable tenant base, though the 6.8% vacancy rate sits above the national equilibrium of 3% and warrants monitoring. Median weekly rent of $360 keeps yields in line with Perth fringe suburbs, though without a median house price, precise yield calculations are not possible. The zero DA count in 12 months is misleading for a suburb this size: Alkimos grows through master-planned subdivisions that bypass the traditional DA process, so supply is actually expanding rapidly. Net internal migration of 1,423 per year is the primary growth driver, indicating domestic relocators from established Perth suburbs rather than overseas arrivals. The 94.4% rent growth over the decade signals persistent rental inflation that benefits landlords, but the continuously expanding housing supply from new lot releases creates a cap on how far rents can rise.

Schools in Alkimos iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged

St James' Anglican School

ICSEA 1053 Combined Independent

PP-12 · 1137 students

Northshore Christian Grammar School

ICSEA 1046 Combined Independent

PP-12 · 776 students

Alkimos Beach Primary School

ICSEA 1030 Primary Government

K-6 · 600 students

Alkimos College

ICSEA 1006 Secondary Government

7-12 · 1219 students

Shorehaven Primary School

ICSEA 998 Primary Government

K-6 · 778 students

Demographics

English ancestry leads at 4,845 residents, but the 48.0% overseas-born share, 26.4 percentage points above national, makes Alkimos one of the most culturally diverse fringe suburbs in Australia. Afrikaans speakers (125) point to a significant South African community, while Punjabi (48), Portuguese (40), Hindi (28) and Mandarin (27) reflect broader migration patterns to Perth's affordable northern corridor. The median age of 31 is 9 years below the national figure, the youngest in the corridor, and the 18.1% couples-without-children share compared to the national pattern confirms the early life-stage demographic. University qualifications at 26.7% sit 3.4 percentage points below the national average, a smaller gap than the IEO decile 5 might suggest, reflecting a workforce that entered employment through vocational pathways. Christianity (4,001) is followed by Hinduism (174) and Islam (115).

Age Distribution

0-14
26.6%
15-24
11.6%
25-44
36.9%
45-64
19.0%
65+
5.9%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
0.3%
2 bed
2.9%
3 bed
40.9%
4+ bed
55.9%

Dwelling Structure

97.7%

Houses

2.2%

Townhouse

0.1%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 7.7% Mortgage 63.6% Rent 28.7%

Tenure is heavily skewed toward mortgages: 63.6% of households are paying off a loan, compared to just 7.7% owning outright and 28.7% renting. This 63.6% mortgage share is among the highest nationally and reflects the greenfield nature of the suburb, where virtually every dwelling has been purchased within the last 10 to 15 years. Detached houses account for 97.7% of stock, semi-detached just 2.2%, and apartments 0.1%. Four-plus bedroom homes dominate at 55.9%, followed by three-bedroom at 40.9%, with two-bedroom stock at just 2.9%. This extreme concentration in large detached housing means there is almost no entry-level product for singles or downsizers. Without a price history in the dataset, historical capital growth cannot be assessed, but the 22.1% mortgage-to-income ratio suggests current buyers are not under financial stress.

Mortgage / mo

$1,950

Rent / wk

$360

HH Size

2.8

Personal Income / wk

$977

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

6.8%

Unoccupied

257

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

17.7%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

22.1%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Afrikaans
125
Punjabi
48
Portuguese
40
Hindi
28
Mandarin
27
French
27

Ancestry

English
4,845
Other
1,396
Scottish
980
Irish
967
Ancestry NS
493
Sth African
375

Household Composition

18.1%

Couples, no children

8,575

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare leads at 18.5% of employment (670 workers), followed by Education at 11.3% (410), Construction at 11.1% (403), Mining at 9.0% (326) and Retail at 7.3% (266). The 9.0% mining share is well above the national average and reflects Perth's FIFO workforce, which concentrates in affordable outer suburbs like Alkimos. Professionals form the largest occupational group at 930, with Community/Personal service workers at 825 and Clerical/Admin at 672. The 6.0% unemployment rate sits above the national average, partly because the 71.5% participation rate, which is notably high, draws more marginal workers into the labour force. SEIFA shows IER decile 8 (strong economic resources, boosted by mining and trade incomes) against IEO decile 5 (average education), a gap that signals income reliance on sector-specific wages rather than broadly transferable credentials.

Unemployment

4.2%

Labour Force

12,342

Unemployed

514

Quarterly Trend

Mar-24 Dec-25

Source: SALM Dec-25

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Overall advantage
6
Disadvantage
7
Economic resources
8
Education & occupation
5

Full-time

66.6%

Part-time

27.4%

Participation

71.5%

Employed

5,027

Occupations

Professionals 930
Community/Personal 825
Clerical/Admin 672
Managers 527
Labourers 466
Sales 440
Machinery/Drivers 405

Top Industries

Healthcare 18.5%
Education 11.3%
Construction 11.1%
Mining 9.0%
Retail 7.3%

University

26.7%

Postgraduate

4.9%

Born Overseas

48.0%

Dwellings

3,520

Transport to Work

Car dependence at 84.7% is high but 7.3% public transport use is notably better than many outer suburbs, reflecting the planned Alkimos station on the Yanchep rail extension. Walking and cycling account for just 1.6%. Schools are a strength: 6 schools serve approximately 5,192 students. St James' Anglican School leads with ICSEA 1,053 (Independent, 1,137 students), followed by Northshore Christian Grammar (1,046, 776), Alkimos Beach Primary (1,030, 600) and Alkimos College (1,006, 1,219). All schools sit above or at the ICSEA 1,000 national benchmark, a rare achievement for a greenfield suburb. IRSAD decile 6 nationally places Alkimos slightly above the national median. The 3.2% need-for-assistance rate is well below the national average, consistent with the young median age of 31.

Drive

84.7%

Public Transport

7.3%

Walk / Cycle

1.6%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+5.6%/yr

(+1,259 people/yr)

High Growth

Alkimos is one of Australia's fastest-growing suburbs at 5.6% annually, adding 1,259 residents per year. Historical population jumped from 17,756 (2023) to 22,493 (2025), and the medium projection puts it at 27,867 by 2031. Internal migration at 1,423 net per year dwarfs overseas migration (296 net), confirming the suburb draws primarily from established Perth suburbs seeking affordability. The young share grew 11.3 percentage points over the decade while the senior share declined 10.0 points, the inverse of Australia's overall aging trend, because Alkimos is being settled by young families. Rent grew 94.4% over the decade, one of the highest rates nationally, driven by the demand-supply lag as infrastructure and services catch up to population. Affordability worsened from 25.7% mortgage-to-income in 2011 to 35.6% in 2021, crossing the stress threshold, though current data shows 22.1%.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Internal Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+296

Net Internal / yr

+1,423

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Alkimos compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 4%
Household Income
Top 24%
Rent Level
Top 24%
Apartments
Bottom 0%
Renters
Top 30%
Uni Educated
Top 42%
Public Transport
Top 21%
Born Overseas
Top 3%
Density
Top 18%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alkimos a good suburb to live in?

Alkimos suits young families wanting large 4-bedroom detached homes (55.9% of stock) with mortgage stress at 22.1%, well below the 30% line. All 6 local schools score at or above the ICSEA 1,000 benchmark. Trade-offs include 84.7% car dependence and distance from Perth CBD. IRSAD decile 6 and household income at the 76.1 percentile place it above the national median.

What is the median house price in Alkimos?

No median house price is available in the current dataset for Alkimos. Monthly mortgage repayments sit at $1,950, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.1%. Median weekly rent is $360 with a vacancy rate of 6.8%. Rent grew 94.4% over the past decade, one of the highest growth rates nationally.

What schools are in Alkimos?

Alkimos has 6 schools enrolling roughly 5,192 students. All sit at or above the national ICSEA 1,000 benchmark: St James' Anglican (1,053, 1,137 students), Northshore Christian Grammar (1,046, 776), Alkimos Beach Primary (1,030, 600), Alkimos College secondary (1,006, 1,219), Shorehaven Primary (998, 778) and Alkimos Primary (988, 682).

Is Alkimos safe?

Crime-specific data is not available for Alkimos. The IRSD decile 7 and low need-for-assistance rate of 3.2% suggest a stable community. The young median age of 31 and high participation rate of 71.5% are positive indicators. Unemployment at 6.0% is slightly above the national average but typical for Perth's outer growth suburbs.

Is Alkimos good for property investment?

The 28.7% renter share provides a moderate tenant pool, but the 6.8% vacancy rate is above the 3% equilibrium. Rent growth of 94.4% over a decade is exceptional. Population growth at 5.6% annually (1,259 persons/year) ensures ongoing demand. The risk is continuous new lot supply from master-planned releases, which caps both rent and capital growth. Mining income exposure (9.0% of employment) adds cyclical risk.

How is Alkimos's population changing?

Alkimos is growing at 5.6% per year (1,259 persons/year), one of Australia's fastest rates. Population jumped from 17,756 in 2023 to 22,493 in 2025, with a medium projection of 27,867 by 2031. Internal migration (1,423 net/year) is the primary driver. The median age of 31, which is 9 years below national, reflects the young family demographic drawn by affordable house-and-land packages.

What languages are spoken in Alkimos?

With 48.0% of residents born overseas, 26.4 percentage points above the national average, Alkimos is linguistically diverse for a fringe suburb. Afrikaans leads non-English languages at 125 speakers, followed by Punjabi (48), Portuguese (40), Hindi (28) and Mandarin (27). The mix reflects South African, Indian and Brazilian migration patterns common to Perth's affordable northern corridor.

How to read these comparisons

Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.

Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.

Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.

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