Ashby
Density is Ashby's standout feature: 2,850 residents occupy 1.4 sq km, or 2,031.4 people per sq km, and 93.1% of dwellings are separate houses. The median age is 39, 1.0 year below national, while 43.7% were born overseas, 22.1 points above national. Compared with nearby Sinagra, Ashby appears more settled and detached, with an aging trajectory: senior share is up 4.9 points and young share down 3.8. That pattern fits 81.4% of residents staying at the same address. Household income ranks at the 41.1 percentile, but mortgage costs reach 30.4% of income, above rent at 26.8%. Growth still runs at 2.16% annually, driven by overseas migration.
Local council: Wanneroo
Population
2,850
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,416/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Homebuyers are choosing a house-led market rather than an apartment product. Separate houses account for 93.1% of dwellings, compared with 3.1% apartments and 3.7% semi-detached homes; 51.2% have four or more bedrooms. That mix suits families and long-term owners because 43.7% of couples have children and 34.0% own outright. Affordability pressure is clearer for mortgagors: the monthly mortgage figure is $1,863, and mortgage costs equal 30.4% of income, above the 26.8% rent share. Household income is $1,416 weekly and sits at the 41.1 percentile, so buyers should stress-test rates and repairs rather than assume detached housing is lower-cost than smaller homes.
For Buyers
Homebuyers are choosing a house-led market rather than an apartment product. Separate houses account for 93.1% of dwellings, compared with 3.1% apartments and 3.7% semi-detached homes; 51.2% have four or more bedrooms. That mix suits families and long-term owners because 43.7% of couples have children and 34.0% own outright. Affordability pressure is clearer for mortgagors: the monthly mortgage figure is $1,863, and mortgage costs equal 30.4% of income, above the 26.8% rent share. Household income is $1,416 weekly and sits at the 41.1 percentile, so buyers should stress-test rates and repairs rather than assume detached housing is lower-cost than smaller homes.
For Investors
Investors face a relatively small rental segment, with 22.3% of households renting compared with 34.0% owning outright and 39.9% paying a mortgage. Weekly rent is $380 and vacancy is 5.2%, while rent growth is negative at 2.4%, pointing to softer rental momentum than a rising market. Development activity recorded 0 projects in the last 12 months, limiting the immediate supply pipeline. The 2.16% annual growth trend and overseas migration as the primary driver may support tenant demand, but the detached housing mix means acquisition costs, maintenance and achievable rent should be tested carefully before assuming strong returns.
Demographics
At 39, Ashby's median age is 1.0 year below national, but the suburb has an international profile: 43.7% were born overseas, 22.1 points above national. English ancestry counts 1,314, Scottish 317, Irish 294 and Indian 128; Guj, Punjabi, Afrikaans and Mandarin are also recorded. Christianity counts 1,283 and no religion 1,202. University attainment is 29.0%, 1.1 points below national, and average household size is 2.4, 0.1 below national. The population is relatively settled because 81.4% stayed at the same address, while turnover is 18.6%. Compared with a younger, more mobile district, Ashby is likely to feel more stable as the senior share rises 4.9 points.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
93.1%
Houses
3.7%
Townhouse
3.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Ashby's housing stock is strongly detached, with 93.1% separate houses compared with 3.1% apartments and 3.7% semi-detached dwellings. Larger homes dominate: 51.2% have four or more bedrooms, while 21.3% have three and 21.1% have two. Tenure is split between 34.0% owned outright, 39.9% mortgaged and 22.3% rented, creating a higher owner presence than the rental share. The mortgage stress flag is true, with mortgage costs at 30.4% of income versus 26.8% for rent. A suburb-wide median house price cannot be stated, so recent settled sales should be compared by dwelling size and tenure, especially because larger detached homes can carry higher running costs than compact dwellings.
Mortgage / mo
$1,863
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$380
Census 2021
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$760
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.2%
Unoccupied
63
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
30.4% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
43.7%
Couples with children
38.7%
Couples, no children
16.6%
Single parent
803
Total families
Economy & Employment
Ashby's employment base is led by healthcare at 20.4% or 169 workers, followed by construction at 13.0% or 108, education at 10.5% or 87, professional and technical work at 8.7% or 72, and retail at 7.4% or 61. Occupations are headed by trades at 242, professionals at 239, clerical and administration at 197, community and personal services at 163, and managers at 137. The labour force is 1,400, participation is 61.3%, unemployment is 4.6% and full-time employment is 59.5%. SEIFA is uneven: IEO decile 5 is below IER decile 10, while IRSD decile 8 and IRSAD decile 7 are above the middle range. Household income at $1,416 weekly ranks at the 41.1 percentile, showing that strong resource scores do not translate evenly across households.
Unemployment
4.6%
Labour Force
1,400
Unemployed
64
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.5%
Part-time
34.2%
Participation
61.3%
Employed
1,336
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
29.0%
Postgraduate
5.7%
Born Overseas
43.7%
Dwellings
1,149
Transport to Work
Ashby is practical for drivers, with 82.0% travelling as car drivers compared with 4.4% using public transport and 1.1% walking or cycling. Work from home accounts for 7.8%, so daily life remains more car dependent than transit oriented because the local transport split is heavily weighted to driving. At 2,031.4 people per sq km across 1.4 sq km, services and traffic should be considered at street level. Current safety checks should use WA Police information and direct inspection, since a suburb-wide crime rate is not available. Social conditions are relatively favourable overall: IRSAD is decile 7 and IRSD decile 8, both above the middle range, while 4.9% need assistance with core activities.
Drive
82.0%
Public Transport
4.4%
Walk / Cycle
1.1%
Work from Home
7.8%
Growth Outlook
Ashby's growth signal is active despite its established classification. Annual growth is 2.16%, higher than the negative 2.4% rent growth rate, and overseas migration is the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 8.2% over 10 years. The shift trajectory is Aging: senior share is up 4.9 points, young share is down 3.8 and working share is down 1.7. Gentrification signals are mixed: the score is 30 at the Early signs stage, while the shift measure is 15 and labels the suburb Not gentrifying. With 0 development projects in the last 12 months, change is more likely to come through household turnover and migration than a large new-build pipeline. The suburb is more established than youthful, even as annual growth remains above a flat market.
Population trend: Wanneroo council area
Ashby sits in the Wanneroo council area. These are the council area's residents, not Ashby's.
Residents 2025
246,147
Growth, 5 yr average
+3.0%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+3.2%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Ashby compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashby a good suburb to live in?
Ashby can suit households seeking detached housing and established streets. Separate houses account for 93.1% of dwellings, the median age is 39 and 81.4% stayed at the same address. Daily life is more car dependent than transit based, with 82.0% driving and 4.4% using public transport.
What is the median house price in Ashby?
A reliable suburb-wide median house price cannot be quoted for Ashby. Request recent settled sales and compare properties by bedroom count, land size and condition. This matters because 51.2% of dwellings have four or more bedrooms, while only 3.1% are apartments.
What schools are in Ashby?
School options serving Ashby should be confirmed by exact address because enrolment zones and campuses can sit across suburb boundaries. Check public or private sector, year levels, intake rules and travel times directly. Ashby has 2,850 residents and only 4.4% use public transport, so car based school travel is worth testing.
Is Ashby safe?
Safety should be checked at street level using current WA Police information, local reports and an inspection at different times. No suburb-wide crime rate can be used to label Ashby safer or riskier than nearby areas. The suburb covers 1.4 sq km and has 2,850 residents, so conditions may vary between streets.
Is Ashby good for property investment?
Ashby may suit an investor seeking detached rental housing, but returns need careful testing. Renting accounts for 22.3%, weekly rent is $380, vacancy is 5.2% and rent growth is negative at 2.4%. Overseas migration drives growth at an annual 2.16%, while development activity was 0 projects in the last 12 months.
How is Ashby's population changing?
Ashby has an aging trajectory alongside continued growth. Annual growth is 2.16%, overseas migration is the primary driver and population change across the wider area is 8.2% over 10 years. The senior share rose 4.9 points, while the young share fell 3.8 points, making the suburb more established than youthful.
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 education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
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