Bridgetown
With a median age of 52, Bridgetown sits 12 years above the national figure, making it one of WA's most distinctly older-demographic regional towns. At 3,168 residents spread across 35 square kilometres, density is just 90.5 per km2. Household income ranks in the 16.7th percentile nationally, pointing to a low-income base that aligns with the suburb's affordable $368,000 median house price. Rent grew 44.4% over the study period, outpacing the 9.6% real income gain, which is why housing stress indicators are now brushing their thresholds. The vacancy rate of 18.2% is a notable overhang for such a compact market.
Population
3,168
Median Age
52.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,082/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$368K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The $368,000 median house price is well below the WA state average, making entry accessible for buyers priced out of Perth. Housing is almost entirely detached: 94.2% of dwellings are separate houses, with apartments at just 0.6%. Bedroom distribution skews large, with 43.8% of homes having 3 bedrooms and 35.5% having 4 or more. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,400, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 29.9% sits just below the 30% stress threshold, leaving limited buffer. Outright owners make up 44.4% of households, a high share compared to national norms, indicating that many residents are long-term holders rather than recent buyers. The 36.1% on mortgages and 19.5% renting complete a tenure mix typical of an established regional centre.
For Buyers
The $368,000 median house price is well below the WA state average, making entry accessible for buyers priced out of Perth. Housing is almost entirely detached: 94.2% of dwellings are separate houses, with apartments at just 0.6%. Bedroom distribution skews large, with 43.8% of homes having 3 bedrooms and 35.5% having 4 or more. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,400, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 29.9% sits just below the 30% stress threshold, leaving limited buffer. Outright owners make up 44.4% of households, a high share compared to national norms, indicating that many residents are long-term holders rather than recent buyers. The 36.1% on mortgages and 19.5% renting complete a tenure mix typical of an established regional centre.
For Investors
A weekly rent of $300 against a $368,000 median implies a gross yield around 4.2%, above the level available in most metropolitan Perth suburbs. However, the 18.2% vacancy rate is a material risk, signalling that tenant demand is thin relative to stock. The renter share of 19.5% is modest, limiting the tenant pool. Net internal migration averages 146 arrivals per year, providing some demand support, and overseas migration adds 21 annually. Population grew 19.6% over the past decade and the gentrification score sits at 44 with signals classed as Active, suggesting incremental uplift rather than rapid capital growth. Rent growth of 44.4% over the period has compressed yields relative to pre-pandemic levels, so entry timing matters.
Schools in Bridgetown iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Brigid's School
PP-6 · 148 students
Bridgetown Primary School
K-6 · 228 students
Bridgetown High School
7-10 · 152 students
Demographics
The median age of 52 is 12 years above the national median, and the trend is deepening: the senior share rose 8.2 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 5.4 points. The young adult share also contracted by 3.5 points. Overseas-born residents account for 25.7%, which is 4.1 points above the national rate. Ancestry is overwhelmingly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,679 residents), followed by Scottish (376) and Irish (368). Average household size is 2.2, which is 0.3 below national, consistent with couples-without-children as the dominant household type: 42.4% of families fit that profile. University qualifications at 20.7% are 9.4 points below national, in line with a regional working and retired population. The volunteering rate of 27.3% is high, suggesting strong community participation.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
94.2%
Houses
4.4%
Townhouse
0.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Separate houses dominate at 94.2%, one of the highest detached-dwelling rates among WA regional towns of similar size. Outright ownership at 44.4% outnumbers mortgage holders at 36.1%, reflecting the older, debt-free profile of the resident base. Renters at 19.5% represent a smaller share than the state average. Three-bedroom homes account for 43.8% of stock and 4-plus bedroom dwellings make up 35.5%, so the housing supply is geared toward families and downsizers rather than smaller households. Weekly rent of $300 is affordable relative to median income, with rent-to-income at 27.7%, below the 30% stress threshold. The $368,000 median sits at the affordable end for WA, though affordability has worsened: the ratio moved from 38.0% in 2011 to 40.7% in 2021 as rent growth ran ahead of incomes.
Mortgage / mo
$1,400
Rent / wk
$300
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$580
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
18.2%
Unoccupied
281
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.9%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
42.4%
Couples, no children
2,269
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employer at 15.9% of local workers (139 people), followed by Mining at 14.7% (128) and Education at 13.6% (119). This mix reflects Bridgetown's dual role as a service centre for surrounding agricultural and mining regions. Retail accounts for 8.6% and Public Administration 6.8%. By occupation, Professionals lead at 210 workers, followed by Community and Personal service roles at 170 and Labourers at 159. The participation rate of 46.6% is below national averages, driven by the large retired cohort of 1,117 people not in the labour force. Full-time employment accounts for 54.2% of employed residents and unemployment sits at 4.9%. The SEIFA IRSD decile of 5 places Bridgetown at roughly the national median for relative disadvantage, while the IEO decile of 4 indicates below-average educational and occupational advantage compared to national standards.
Unemployment
2.4%
Labour Force
4,196
Unemployed
101
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
54.2%
Part-time
40.9%
Participation
46.6%
Employed
1,184
Occupations
Top Industries
University
20.7%
Postgraduate
3.1%
Born Overseas
25.7%
Dwellings
1,267
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 86.3% driving to work, well above the national average, which reflects the regional setting and limited public transport: only 1.5% use public transport. Walking and cycling account for 5.7%. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families depend on nearby facilities. The IRSAD decile of 4 places Bridgetown below the national median on the combined advantage-disadvantage index, and the IEO decile of 4 confirms below-average educational and occupational resources compared nationally. The need-for-assistance rate of 6.9% (202 people) is above national norms, consistent with the older age profile. Rent-to-income at 27.7% keeps rental costs below the stress threshold for now, though the gap to 30% has narrowed as rents rose 44.4% faster than the 9.6% real income gain over the period. Residential stability is high, with 70.4% of residents remaining in the same address over the prior 5 years.
Drive
86.3%
Public Transport
1.5%
Walk / Cycle
5.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.51%/yr
(+120 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 19.6% over the past decade, above the trend for comparable WA regional towns, and the current annual growth rate is 1.51%, adding approximately 120 people per year. Internal migration is the primary driver, averaging 146 net arrivals annually, with overseas migration contributing 21. The gentrification score of 44 is classified as Active, supported by a population increase of 31% since 2011 and an acceleration in the internal migration share from 6% to 24%. Medium forecasts project the broader SA2 population reaching 8,498 by 2031. The aging trajectory remains the dominant structural shift: the senior share gained 8.2 points while working-age residents declined 5.4 points. Affordability has worsened since 2011, which may dampen future in-migration if income growth continues to lag rent growth.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+21
Net Internal / yr
+146
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +31% since 2011, Net internal migration +146/yr, Accelerating: 6% → 24%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Bridgetown compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bridgetown a good suburb to live in?
Bridgetown suits retirees and lifestyle buyers drawn to affordable regional WA. The median house price is $368,000, well below metropolitan Perth, and 44.4% of households own their home outright. The IRSAD decile of 4 places it below the national median on the combined advantage index, and car ownership is essentially mandatory given 86.3% drive to work. Volunteering runs at 27.3%, suggesting an engaged local community.
What is the median house price in Bridgetown?
The median house price is $368,000, estimated from 2025 rental data. Weekly rent averages $300 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,400. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 29.9% sits just under the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners account for 44.4% of households and mortgaged households make up 36.1%.
What schools are in Bridgetown?
No schools are recorded inside the Bridgetown suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on educational facilities in the broader Bridgetown-Greenbushes local government area. University qualifications among residents stand at 20.7%, which is 9.4 points below the national average, reflecting the regional and retirement-oriented demographic.
Is Bridgetown safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Bridgetown in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the IRSD decile is 5, placing the suburb at roughly the national median for relative disadvantage rather than at the high-disadvantage end. Residential stability is high, with 70.4% of residents remaining at the same address over 5 years, which is generally associated with lower transient crime risks.
Is Bridgetown good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $300 against a $368,000 median implies a gross yield around 4.2%, higher than most Perth suburbs. The main risks are the 18.2% vacancy rate and a modest renter share of 19.5%. Net internal migration of 146 per year supports demand, and rent grew 44.4% over the study period. The gentrification score of 44 is rated Active, suggesting gradual capital appreciation rather than rapid growth.
How is Bridgetown's population changing?
Population grew 19.6% over the past decade at an annual rate of 1.51%, adding around 120 people per year. Internal migration averaging 146 net arrivals annually is the primary driver. The structural shift is toward aging: the senior share rose 8.2 points and the working-age share fell 5.4 points over the decade. Medium forecasts project the broader area reaching 8,498 by 2031.
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.
Explore Bridgetown on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map