Bayonet Head
Almost all dwellings here are separate houses, at 98.9%, which is rare even by WA suburban standards, and 50.4% have four or more bedrooms, making Bayonet Head one of the larger-lot family formats in the Albany region. The median house price sits at $416,000, well below the national median, while household income lands in the 34.6th percentile nationally. The suburb is aging, with a median age of 42 compared to the national 40, and the senior share has grown 7.1 points over the decade. Despite modest incomes, rent-to-income at 25.9% and mortgage-to-income at 26.0% sit comfortably below the 30% stress threshold.
Population
3,272
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,350/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$416K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $416,000, the median house price sits at an affordable level, well below the national median, and housing costs are manageable. The monthly mortgage repayment averages $1,517, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.0%, below the standard 30% stress threshold. The stock is almost entirely separate houses, at 98.9%, with just 0.9% semi-detached and 0.2% apartments. Larger homes dominate: 50.4% of dwellings have four or more bedrooms and 42.5% have three bedrooms. Outright owners make up 39.3% of households, higher than the 38.6% carrying mortgages, which signals a long-established owner base rather than a suburb in active turnover. Renters represent 22.1% of households.
For Buyers
At $416,000, the median house price sits at an affordable level, well below the national median, and housing costs are manageable. The monthly mortgage repayment averages $1,517, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.0%, below the standard 30% stress threshold. The stock is almost entirely separate houses, at 98.9%, with just 0.9% semi-detached and 0.2% apartments. Larger homes dominate: 50.4% of dwellings have four or more bedrooms and 42.5% have three bedrooms. Outright owners make up 39.3% of households, higher than the 38.6% carrying mortgages, which signals a long-established owner base rather than a suburb in active turnover. Renters represent 22.1% of households.
For Investors
Renters make up 22.1% of households and weekly rent averages $350, which against the $416,000 median implies a gross yield near 4.4%, above typical metropolitan yields. However, the vacancy rate sits at 9.0%, notably elevated, signalling excess supply relative to current demand. Population growth runs at 1.47% annually, adding around 85 persons per year, and net internal migration averages 61 residents per year, providing a steady demand floor. Rent has grown 23.6% over the measured period, outpacing the 6.7% real income growth, which compresses affordability and suggests future rent headroom is limited. With no development applications in the past 12 months, new supply pressure is absent, but the high vacancy rate requires investor caution.
Demographics
The median age of 42 is 2 years above the national figure, and the trajectory is clearly aging: the senior share has risen 7.1 points while the working-age share fell 2.2 points over the decade. University qualifications reach 18.7%, which is 11.4 points below the national figure, placing Bayonet Head toward the lower end of educational attainment nationally. Overseas-born residents account for 19.6%, which is 2.0 points below the national average. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,641 residents), Scottish (340) and Irish (277). The average household size is 2.5, equal to the national figure, and couples with children represent the largest family type at 1,005 households versus 838 couples with no children. Volunteering is notable at 20.8% of residents.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
98.9%
Houses
0.9%
Townhouse
0.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits at 39.3% outright ownership, 38.6% mortgage and 22.1% renting, with outright owners marginally leading mortgage holders. That profile reflects a settled, long-hold community rather than a high-churn market. The stock is almost exclusively detached: 98.9% separate houses, consistent with the Anglo-Celtic owner-occupier identity signals. Four-plus bedroom homes dominate at 50.4%, with three-bedroom at 42.5%, giving the suburb a distinctly family-sized footprint compared to state and national averages. At $416,000 the median is affordable relative to the national median, and rent-to-income at 25.9% stays below the 30% stress level. Mortgage-to-income at 26.0% is similarly comfortable, indicating that purchase prices remain accessible against local incomes at the 34.6th income percentile nationally.
Mortgage / mo
$1,517
Rent / wk
$350
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$707
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.0%
Unoccupied
122
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.0%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
32.3%
Couples, no children
2,594
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant employer at 19.7% of the local workforce (190 workers), followed by Education at 11.9% (115), Retail at 10.2% (99), Public Administration at 9.5% (92) and Construction at 8.8% (85). This public-sector and services mix is typical of regional WA centres. By occupation, Professionals lead at 230, followed closely by Community and Personal Service workers at 218 and Clerical and Admin at 191. Unemployment is 3.8% and the full-time employment rate is 59.8%, with 567 part-time workers alongside 842 full-time. The SEIFA IRSD decile is 5, average relative disadvantage nationally, while the IEO decile of 3 reflects below-average educational and occupational advantage compared to the rest of Australia. The IER decile of 7 indicates above-average economic resource access.
Unemployment
2.3%
Labour Force
2,888
Unemployed
65
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
36.4%
Participation
55.7%
Employed
1,409
Occupations
Top Industries
University
18.7%
Postgraduate
3.0%
Born Overseas
19.6%
Dwellings
1,228
Transport to Work
Car dependence is very high at 92.2% of commuters, with public transport used by only 0.8% and walking or cycling by 0.6%, reflecting the regional location rather than any inner-city alternatives. The suburb scores decile 5 on IRSAD, which is average relative to Australia nationally, and the IEO decile of 3 indicates below-average educational and occupational conditions compared to the national distribution. No school data is recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in surrounding Albany areas. Housing stress is absent by standard measures: rent-to-income at 25.9% and mortgage-to-income at 26.0% both sit below the 30% stress threshold. Around 5.5% of residents (173 people) need daily assistance, and 20.8% volunteer, pointing to an engaged, community-oriented population despite modest income levels.
Drive
92.2%
Public Transport
0.8%
Walk / Cycle
0.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.47%/yr
(+85 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation has grown 22.3% over the past decade and the current trend runs at 1.47% annually, adding about 85 persons per year. The broader SA2 population grew from 5,561 in 2023 to 5,767 in 2025. Medium forecasts project continued growth to 6,235 by 2031, a further 8% from current levels. Net internal migration averages 61 persons per year and overseas migration adds 19, producing a balanced growth profile. The gentrification score is 33, classified as early signs, with signals including population growth of 31% since 2011, consistent net internal migration and an acceleration in university qualification share from 11% to 18% over the decade. Affordability has improved marginally, falling from 50.6% in 2011 to 47.6% in 2021, suggesting homes are becoming relatively more accessible.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+19
Net Internal / yr
+61
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +31% since 2011, Net internal migration +61/yr, Accelerating: 11% → 18%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Bayonet Head compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bayonet Head a good suburb to live in?
Bayonet Head suits families looking for affordable large homes in a quiet, established setting. Mortgage-to-income at 26.0% and rent-to-income at 25.9% are both below the 30% stress threshold, and 98.9% of dwellings are separate houses. The IRSAD decile is 5, average nationally, and volunteering runs at 20.8% of residents.
What is the median house price in Bayonet Head?
The median house price is approximately $416,000, estimated from 2025 rental data. Weekly rent averages $350 and monthly mortgage repayments run around $1,517. This positions the suburb well below the national median house price, making it one of the more affordable options in the Albany region.
What schools are in Bayonet Head?
No schools are recorded inside the Bayonet Head boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in surrounding Albany suburbs. The local university qualification rate is 18.7%, which is 11.4 points below the national figure, reflecting the broader regional profile.
Is Bayonet Head safe?
Crime statistics are not available for Bayonet Head in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores IRSAD decile 5, average disadvantage nationally, and only 5.5% of residents (173 people) require daily assistance. The high 39.3% outright ownership and 77.3% residential stability rate suggest a settled, low-transience community.
Is Bayonet Head good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $350 against a $416,000 median implies a gross yield near 4.4%, above typical metropolitan benchmarks. However, the 9.0% vacancy rate is elevated and signals oversupply. Population is growing at 1.47% annually, adding 85 persons per year, and rent has risen 23.6% over the measured period, supporting long-term rental demand.
How is Bayonet Head's population changing?
Population has grown 22.3% over the past decade and the current annual growth rate is 1.47%, adding roughly 85 persons per year. The broader SA2 population reached 5,767 in 2025 and medium forecasts project 6,235 by 2031. Net internal migration of 61 per year and net overseas migration of 19 drive a balanced growth profile.
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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