Ardross
Household income in the 89.5th percentile nationally, a university qualification rate of 59.2% (29 points above national), and a SEIFA IRSD decile of 10 tell the Ardross story quickly. With only 4,578 residents across 2.26 km2, this compact suburb south of the Swan River concentrates professional and managerial households in largely detached housing, with 80.4% separate houses and 51.5% of dwellings having four or more bedrooms. The median age of 41 matches the national figure almost exactly, yet the population skews toward established families and outright owners, with 43.4% owning without a mortgage, well above average.
Population
4,578
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,361/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$623K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated median house price of $623,000 is derived from rental data as of 2025, so treat it as a reference point rather than a precise transaction figure. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,600, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.4%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold given household incomes at the 89.5th percentile nationally. Stock is overwhelmingly detached, with 80.4% separate houses and only 2.9% apartments, so buyers are competing for a specific, limited product type. Four-plus bedroom homes account for 51.5% of all dwellings, which reflects the family-oriented stock. Outright owners at 43.4% outnumber mortgage holders at 35.7%, signalling long tenure and debt-free wealth rather than a market driven by recent leveraged purchases.
For Buyers
The estimated median house price of $623,000 is derived from rental data as of 2025, so treat it as a reference point rather than a precise transaction figure. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,600, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.4%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold given household incomes at the 89.5th percentile nationally. Stock is overwhelmingly detached, with 80.4% separate houses and only 2.9% apartments, so buyers are competing for a specific, limited product type. Four-plus bedroom homes account for 51.5% of all dwellings, which reflects the family-oriented stock. Outright owners at 43.4% outnumber mortgage holders at 35.7%, signalling long tenure and debt-free wealth rather than a market driven by recent leveraged purchases.
For Investors
The rental market is relatively thin compared to the ownership profile: only 20.9% of dwellings are rented, and weekly rents average $470. Against an estimated median price of $623,000 that implies a gross yield close to 3.9%, modest but not negligible for a blue-chip location. The vacancy rate of 7.4% is elevated, suggesting the small rental pool is not under acute pressure. Net migration adds around 59 residents annually (44 internal, 15 overseas), supporting gradual demand growth. Population grew 17.4% over the past decade, and the medium forecast projects continuation at roughly 1.37% annually, reaching around 3,385 by 2031. Development approvals were 0 in the past 12 months, so new supply is not a near-term dilution risk.
Schools in Ardross iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Ardross Primary School
K-6 · 448 students
Applecross Senior High School
7-12 · 1962 students
Demographics
The median age of 41 sits right at the national figure, but the composition differs: the senior share grew 5.4 points and the young-adult share fell 3.9 points over the decade, pointing to an aging trajectory rather than a youthful mix. Overseas-born residents account for 39.9% of the population, which is 18.3 points above the national share, and English (1,539), Chinese (767) and Irish (409) are the three largest ancestry groups. University qualifications reach 59.2%, a full 29.1 percentage points above the national average, the highest marker of socioeconomic status in the profile. Average household size is 2.7, slightly above the national figure, consistent with the family-house stock. Volunteering reaches 22.4%, and only 2.8% of residents need daily assistance.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
80.4%
Houses
16.7%
Townhouse
2.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is skewed toward ownership: 43.4% own outright and 35.7% carry a mortgage, leaving renters at just 20.9%, well below national norms. The stock is detached-dominant, with 80.4% separate houses and semi-detached at 16.7%, while apartments are only 2.9%. The bedroom distribution is weighted to larger homes: 51.5% have four or more bedrooms and 38.3% have three, making studios and one-bedrooms almost non-existent at 1.1%. Monthly mortgage repayments of $2,600 sit at 25.4% of income, below stress thresholds. Rent-to-income at 19.9% is also comfortable. The high outright-ownership rate of 43.4% compared to a national average well below this level reflects a suburb where many households have been in place for decades rather than cycling through recent market purchases.
Mortgage / mo
$2,600
Rent / wk
$470
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$1,001
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.4%
Unoccupied
134
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.4%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
23.3%
Couples, no children
3,881
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads local employment at 18.4% (328 workers), followed by Professional/Tech at 15.9% (283) and Education at 11.8% (210). Mining contributes 7.4% (131 workers), which is higher than most comparable inner-ring suburbs and reflects Perth's resource-sector workforce distribution. By occupation, Professionals (898) and Managers (393) together dominate, aligning with the SEIFA IEO decile 10 score for education and occupation advantage. The unemployment rate is 5.1% and the full-time employment rate is 59.8%, with 62.7% participation. The household income percentile of 89.5 nationally, combined with decile 10 IRSD and IRSAD scores, confirms Ardross sits among the most advantaged suburbs in Australia by multiple measures. Real incomes grew 6.9% over the decade.
Unemployment
1.6%
Labour Force
7,371
Unemployed
116
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.8%
Part-time
35.1%
Participation
62.7%
Employed
2,208
Occupations
Top Industries
University
59.2%
Postgraduate
15.1%
Born Overseas
39.9%
Dwellings
1,665
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high, with 80.1% driving to work, above the national average, and only 9.2% using public transport. Walking and cycling account for 4.7%, modest for a dense inner-ring suburb. SEIFA IRSAD decile 10 places Ardross in the top tier nationally for advantage, and IRSD decile 10 confirms minimal relative disadvantage. Household income in the 89.5th percentile means housing stress is low: mortgage-to-income at 25.4% and rent-to-income at 19.9% are both below threshold. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on nearby institutions. The density of 2,026 residents per km2 is moderate and the turnover rate is 23.2%, meaning 76.8% of residents remained in place over the measured period, indicating strong attachment to the area.
Drive
80.1%
Public Transport
9.2%
Walk / Cycle
4.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.37%/yr
(+43 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 17.4% over the past decade and is forecast to add around 43 residents per year (1.37% annually), reaching approximately 3,385 by 2031 on the medium scenario. Net internal migration of 44 and overseas migration of 15 annually provide balanced drivers. The suburb did not experience a COVID-related population dip. Rent grew 83% over the period, well above inflation, reflecting sustained housing demand and low new supply. The gentrification score sits at 63, classed as Active, with affordability worsening from 21.2% in 2011 to 29.5% in 2021, a trend that typically precedes further price appreciation as lower-income households are displaced. The aging trajectory (senior share up 5.4 points) suggests household downsizing and eventual turnover rather than organic family formation as the medium-term driver.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+15
Net Internal / yr
+44
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +22% since 2011, Accelerating: -0% → 22%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Ardross compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ardross a good suburb to live in?
Ardross ranks in decile 10 on IRSAD, IEO and IRSD, the highest advantage tier nationally. Household income sits at the 89.5th percentile and university qualifications reach 59.2%, which is 29 points above the national average. The low housing-stress indicators (mortgage-to-income 25.4%, rent-to-income 19.9%) and a 76.8% resident retention rate point to a suburb residents consistently choose to stay in.
What is the median house price in Ardross?
The median house price is estimated at $623,000 based on 2025 rental data. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,600, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.4%. Weekly rent averages $470, and rents grew 83% over the past decade, reflecting sustained demand.
What schools are in Ardross?
No schools are recorded inside the Ardross boundary in this dataset. Families rely on institutions in neighbouring suburbs. Despite this, the local population is among the most highly educated in Australia, with 59.2% holding university qualifications, 29 points above the national figure.
Is Ardross safe?
Crime rate data is not available for Ardross in this dataset. As indirect indicators, the suburb scores decile 10 on IRSD (minimal relative disadvantage) and IRSAD (top advantage) nationally, the unemployment rate is 5.1%, and only 2.8% of residents (125 people) need daily assistance, all consistent with a low-disadvantage, stable community.
Is Ardross good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $470 against an estimated $623,000 median implies a gross yield near 3.9%. The vacancy rate of 7.4% is elevated, so the rental pool is not undersupplied. Population grew 17.4% over the past decade and is forecast to continue at 1.37% annually. Zero development approvals in the past 12 months means limited near-term supply competition, and rent growth of 83% over the measured period supports the long-term capital case.
How is Ardross's population changing?
Population grew 17.4% over the past decade. The current figure is 4,578, and the medium forecast projects around 3,385 by 2031 at 1.37% annual growth (roughly 43 new residents per year). The suburb did not have a COVID-related dip. The profile is aging, with the senior share up 5.4 points and the young-adult share down 3.9 points over the decade.
What languages are spoken in Ardross?
About 39.9% of residents were born overseas, which is 18.3 points above the national share. Mandarin is the most common non-English language with 141 speakers, followed by Persian (45), Cantonese (34) and Korean (19). English ancestry (1,539) leads, followed by Chinese (767), reflecting a professional international resident base.
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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