Ashfield
Small footprint, detached housing and a mostly car-based routine define Ashfield more than a high-rise inner-suburban profile. The suburb has 1,395 residents across 0.74 sq km, with density of 1,882.1 people per sq km and 89.6% separate houses. Its median age of 38 is 2 years below the national figure, while household income sits at the 57.6th percentile nationally. Compared with nearby Bassendean and Bayswater, Ashfield reads as a compact residential pocket, with 38.0% renting and 35.6% paying a mortgage. Population change of 13.7% over 10 years and a 1.05% annual trend point to measured growth rather than a sudden redevelopment cycle, because 0 developments were recorded in the past 12 months.
Local council: Bassendean
Population
1,395
Median Age
38.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,666/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Detached-home buyers get a clearer housing signal than a current price signal: 89.6% of dwellings are separate houses, including 44.5% with 3 bedrooms and 32.3% with 4 or more. The typical mortgage payment is $1,881 a month, equal to 26.1% of household income, while rent is $300 a week and rent-to-income is 18.0%. Compared with the national age profile, Ashfield is 2 years younger at a median age of 38. Ownership is split between 24.5% outright and 35.6% mortgage, so borrowing capacity and deposit size matter more than apartment choice because only 1.5% of dwellings are apartments. Check recent comparable sales by street and dwelling type before setting a budget.
For Buyers
Detached-home buyers get a clearer housing signal than a current price signal: 89.6% of dwellings are separate houses, including 44.5% with 3 bedrooms and 32.3% with 4 or more. The typical mortgage payment is $1,881 a month, equal to 26.1% of household income, while rent is $300 a week and rent-to-income is 18.0%. Compared with the national age profile, Ashfield is 2 years younger at a median age of 38. Ownership is split between 24.5% outright and 35.6% mortgage, so borrowing capacity and deposit size matter more than apartment choice because only 1.5% of dwellings are apartments. Check recent comparable sales by street and dwelling type before setting a budget.
For Investors
Investors have a tenant-oriented profile to work with: 38.0% of households rent, weekly rent is $300, and vacancy is 7.1%. That vacancy level is higher than a tightly constrained market, so leasing strategy and property presentation matter more than assuming automatic tenant competition. The stock is 89.6% detached houses, with 44.5% three-bedroom and 32.3% four-bedroom-plus homes, supporting family-oriented demand rather than a small-apartment strategy. Compared with a rapid-growth thesis, Ashfield looks measured: the annual trend is 1.05%, migration is Balanced, and 0 developments were recorded over 12 months. Rent growth of 26.1% and real income growth of 20.6% are supportive, but the Mixed trajectory means investors should stress-test vacancy and maintenance costs.
Schools in Ashfield
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
ASHFIELD PRIMARY SCHOOL
Demographics
Ashfield's 1,395 residents form a slightly younger, moderately educated and relatively settled population. Median age is 38, 2 years below the national comparison, while university attainment is 34.2%, 4.1 percentage points above nationally. Born-overseas residents account for 28.4%, 6.8 points above the national comparison, while English ancestry counts 526 people, followed by Other at 188, Scottish at 153 and Irish at 133. No religion is the largest reported affiliation at 662, compared with 517 for Christianity and 31 for Buddhism. Average household size is 2.4, 0.1 below national, and 76.2% stayed at the same address, indicating more continuity than a high-turnover pocket because 39.8% of families include children.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
89.6%
Houses
8.1%
Townhouse
1.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Detached stock dominates Ashfield: 89.6% separate houses, 8.1% semi-detached and 1.5% apartments. Bedroom supply is family-weighted, with 44.5% three-bedroom and 32.3% four-bedroom-plus homes, compared with 19.8% two-bedroom dwellings. Tenure is split between 24.5% owned outright, 35.6% mortgaged and 38.0% rented, making the suburb less owner-dominated than a low-turnover market, despite 76.2% of residents staying at the same address. Mortgage payments average $1,881 monthly at 26.1% of household income, while rent is $300 weekly at 18.0%. Compared with the national age profile, the median age of 38 is 2 years lower, which may support demand for practical family housing. Use recent comparable sales rather than a suburb median when pricing.
Mortgage / mo
$1,881
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$300
Census 2021
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$817
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.1%
Unoccupied
42
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.1%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
39.8%
Couples with children
35.9%
Couples, no children
19.6%
Single parent
357
Total families
Economy & Employment
Employment is anchored by healthcare, which accounts for 16.8% of industry jobs and 78 workers, followed by education at 10.3% and 48, professional and technical work at 9.5% and 44, mining at 7.8% and 36, and public administration at 7.8% and 36. The occupational mix is broader: professionals number 182, trades 105, managers 73, clerical and admin 72, and labourers 72. Labour-force participation is 60.0%, unemployment 6.1%, and full-time employment 59.9%. Household income sits at the 57.6th percentile nationally, so earnings are above the midpoint rather than at the top. Compared with a specialist employment enclave, this spread reduces reliance on one sector because healthcare, education, trades and public administration all have visible roles.
Unemployment
6.1%
Labour Force
701
Unemployed
43
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.9%
Part-time
35.0%
Participation
60.0%
Employed
658
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
34.2%
Postgraduate
7.3%
Born Overseas
28.4%
Dwellings
546
Transport to Work
Daily life is car-led: 71.5% drive to work, compared with 9.6% using public transport, 1.1% walking or cycling and 9.8% working from home. That pattern suits households prioritising road access and parking, but transit users should test the exact route and timetable. School access includes 1 government primary school in the suburb; check enrolment zones and nearby options because catchments can cross local boundaries. Ashfield has 1,395 residents in 0.74 sq km, so services are concentrated in a small area, while 7.8% need assistance and volunteering is 17.0%. Compared with a denser apartment precinct, the 89.6% separate-house share supports a lower-intensity setting. Compare safety using current WA Police information, as no local crime rate is available.
Drive
71.5%
Public Transport
9.6%
Walk / Cycle
1.1%
Work from Home
9.8%
Growth Outlook
Ashfield's growth outlook is steady rather than explosive. The annual trend is 1.05%, while population change across the wider area is 13.7% over 10 years. Migration is Balanced and the shift trajectory is Mixed, so momentum is not attributed to one dominant inflow source. The affordability trend is Improving, moving from 51.9 in 2011 to 44.1 in 2021, while rent growth reached 26.1%; that combination suggests demand has strengthened while cost pressure remains relevant. Gentrification is at the Early signs stage with a score of 20, and 0 developments were recorded over 12 months. Compared with a rapid redevelopment suburb, Ashfield points to incremental change because growth is occurring without a large construction pipeline.
Population trend: Bassendean council area
Ashfield sits in the Bassendean council area. These are the council area's residents, not Ashfield's.
Residents 2025
17,413
Growth, 5 yr average
+1.3%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.2%
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 Ashfield compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashfield a good suburb to live in?
That depends on priorities. Ashfield has 1,395 residents, 89.6% separate houses and a median age of 38, which is 2 years below the national comparison. It suits buyers wanting established family housing and car access, but public transport use is only 9.6%, so compare the address with your commute.
What is the median house price in Ashfield?
A suburb-wide median should not be assumed for Ashfield. For context, 89.6% of dwellings are separate houses, weekly rent is $300 and the typical mortgage is $1,881 per month. Use recent settled sales for the exact street, land size and bedroom count to establish a current purchase range.
What schools are in Ashfield?
Local access includes 1 government primary school. Check the exact enrolment zone and compare nearby government and non-government options, since school boundaries can differ across surrounding suburbs. Ashfield's 71.5% car-driver share also makes drop-off, parking and the daily commute practical considerations for families.
Is Ashfield safe?
An area-specific crime rate should be checked through current WA Police information rather than inferred from housing form. Ashfield has 1,395 residents, and 7.8% need assistance, but neither figure is a crime measure. Compare recent incident patterns with neighbouring suburbs and inspect the street at different times before deciding.
Is Ashfield good for property investment?
Ashfield can suit a selective rental strategy, but it is not a simple high-yield conclusion. Renting is 38.0%, weekly rent is $300 and vacancy is 7.1%, while annual growth is 1.05% and development count is 0 over 12 months. Detached houses make up 89.6%, so compare family-house demand, maintenance and vacancy risk against nearby alternatives.
How is Ashfield's population changing?
Population change across the wider area is 13.7% over 10 years, with an annual trend of 1.05%. Migration is Balanced and the trajectory is Mixed, while gentrification is at the Early signs stage with a score of 20. The senior share has risen 1.5 percentage points and the young share has fallen 0.8, suggesting gradual ageing alongside measured growth rather than a sharp demographic reset.
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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