WA 6255 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Bridgetown

An older resident base is the defining feature of Bridgetown: its median age is 52, or 12 years above the national benchmark. The town has 3,168 residents, an 18.2% vacancy rate and a housing stock that is 94.2% separate houses. Average household size is 2.2 people, 0.3 below the national comparison, while household income sits at the 16.7th percentile. Bridgetown's role as a local service centre distinguishes it from nearby Greenbushes and Nannup, with established housing, health, education and retail functions supporting the surrounding district. The result is a low-density setting with strong owner occupation, but also an ageing trajectory and a need to assess rental demand carefully.

Bridgetown urban fabric map

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

35.0 km²· 90.5 people/km²· Family income $1,462/wk

Bridgetown suits buyers prioritising detached space, established services and a lower-density setting rather than apartment living. Separate houses account for 94.2% of dwellings, compared with just 0.6% apartments, while 43.8% of homes have 3 bedrooms and 35.5% have 4 or more. The available mortgage figure is $1,400 per month, and mortgage costs represent 29.9% of household income without a mortgage stress flag. Average household size is 2.2 people, 0.3 below the national comparison, so larger homes may have less consistent demand than in family-growth suburbs. With 42.9% of residents owning outright and 34.9% paying a mortgage, buyers should compare recent settled sales, renovation needs and resale depth rather than rely only on headline affordability.

For Buyers

Bridgetown suits buyers prioritising detached space, established services and a lower-density setting rather than apartment living. Separate houses account for 94.2% of dwellings, compared with just 0.6% apartments, while 43.8% of homes have 3 bedrooms and 35.5% have 4 or more. The available mortgage figure is $1,400 per month, and mortgage costs represent 29.9% of household income without a mortgage stress flag. Average household size is 2.2 people, 0.3 below the national comparison, so larger homes may have less consistent demand than in family-growth suburbs. With 42.9% of residents owning outright and 34.9% paying a mortgage, buyers should compare recent settled sales, renovation needs and resale depth rather than rely only on headline affordability.

For Investors

Bridgetown's investment case combines a $300 weekly rent with a high 18.2% vacancy rate and a relatively small renting sector at 18.8%. Compared with a tighter rental market, that vacancy level can mean longer leasing periods and greater sensitivity to property condition, tenant appeal and local employment. Rent growth of 44.4% indicates stronger recent pricing momentum, but the result should be balanced against the town's ageing trajectory and 0 development approvals in the past 12 months. The growth outlook is 1.51% annually and is driven by internal migration, which may support demand for well-located, low-maintenance homes. Investors should test actual asking rents, leasing times and property management costs before assuming the recent rent increase will continue.

Schools in Bridgetown

Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.

BRIDGETOWN HIGH SCHOOL

High Schools Government

ST BRIGID'S SCHOOL

NON-GOVT SCHOOLS Non-Government

BRIDGETOWN PRIMARY SCHOOL

Primary Schools Government

Demographics

Bridgetown has a median age of 52, which is 12 years above the national comparison, and its demographic direction is older than many expanding regional centres. University attainment is 20.7%, 9.4 percentage points below the national figure, while 25.7% of residents were born overseas, 4.1 points above the national comparison. English ancestry is recorded for 1,679 people, followed by Scottish at 376 and Irish at 368. No religion is the largest recorded affiliation at 1,627 people, ahead of Christianity at 1,130. Household size is 2.2, or 0.3 below national levels, consistent with 56.3% of families being couples without children and 31.5% couples with children. A 70.4% stay rate indicates more residential continuity than turnover, which helps reinforce Bridgetown's established social profile relative to nearby Greenbushes and Nannup.

Age Distribution

0-14
15.6%
15-24
8.2%
25-44
16.7%
45-64
29.5%
65+
30.3%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
4.7%
2 bed
16.0%
3 bed
43.8%
4+ bed
35.5%

Dwelling Structure

94.2%

Houses

4.4%

Townhouse

0.6%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 42.9% Mortgage 34.9% Rent 18.8% Other 3.3%

Bridgetown's housing stock is overwhelmingly detached, with separate houses representing 94.2% of dwellings, far higher than the 0.6% apartment share. Semi-detached homes account for 4.4%, while 43.8% of properties have 3 bedrooms and 35.5% have 4 or more. Ownership is substantial, with 42.9% of homes owned outright and 34.9% carrying a mortgage; renting accounts for 18.8%. The $300 weekly rent is accessible in absolute terms, although the vacancy rate of 18.2% points to uneven demand between properties. Affordability worsened from 38.0 in 2011 to 40.7 in 2021, while mortgage costs equal 29.9% of household income and rent costs equal 27.7%. Compared with apartment-oriented urban markets, Bridgetown provides more land and detached living, but buyers should allow for maintenance and resale limits.

Mortgage / mo

$1,400

Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.

$300

Census 2021

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

English
1,679
Scottish
376
Irish
368
Ancestry NS
221
Other
141
Italian
102

Household Composition

31.5%

Couples with children

56.3%

Couples, no children

12.0%

Single parent

877

Total families

Economy & Employment

Bridgetown's employment base is led by healthcare at 15.9% of jobs, or 139 positions, followed by mining at 14.7% and 128, education at 13.6% and 119, retail at 8.6% and 75, and public administration at 6.8% and 59. This mix supports essential services and regional employment, while the main occupations are trades at 222 people, professionals at 210, community and personal services at 170, labourers at 159 and managers at 151. Labour-force participation is 50.7%, unemployment is 4.5% and the full-time rate is 49.6%, indicating a sizeable part-time and non-labour-force population. SEIFA results are mixed: IEO is decile 4 and IRSAD decile 4, both below the midpoint, IRSD is decile 5 at the midpoint, while IER is decile 6 above it. The contrast with the 16.7th household-income percentile may reflect the difference between current cash income and broader household resources, creating a more uneven economy than a single ranking suggests.

Unemployment

4.5%

Labour Force

1,355

Unemployed

61

Source: ABS Census 2021

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Overall advantage
4
Disadvantage
5
Economic resources
6
Education & occupation
4

Full-time

49.6%

Part-time

41.9%

Participation

50.7%

Employed

1,294

Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021

Occupations

Trades 222
Professionals 210
Community/Personal 170
Labourers 159
Managers 151
Machinery/Drivers 142
Clerical/Admin 116
Sales 106

Top Industries

Healthcare 15.9%
Mining 14.7%
Education 13.6%
Retail 8.6%
Public Admin 6.8%

University

20.7%

Postgraduate

3.1%

Born Overseas

25.7%

Dwellings

1,267

Transport to Work

Daily life in Bridgetown is strongly car-led: 77.2% of residents drive to work, compared with 1.3% using public transport and 5.1% walking or cycling. The 35.0 square kilometre area and density of 90.5 people per square kilometre help explain why public transport use is lower than private vehicle dependence. Working from home accounts for 10.5%, providing some flexibility where employment allows. Families have access to 3 local schools: a government primary school, a government high school and a non-government primary school. Exact enrolment zones should be checked against the address. IRSAD is decile 4, below the national midpoint, while volunteering reaches 27.3%, supporting local participation. The median age of 52 also means health, access and low-maintenance housing are more important daily considerations than in a younger suburb.

Drive

77.2%

Public Transport

1.3%

Walk / Cycle

5.1%

Work from Home

10.5%

Population Forecast

+1.51%/yr

(+120 people/yr)

Established

Bridgetown has an established outlook, but its growth signals are stronger than a static town profile might imply. The annual trend is 1.51%, with internal migration identified as the primary driver. Across the wider area, population change is 19.6% over 10 years, while the shift is classified as Aging: the senior share has increased by 8.2 percentage points and the young share has fallen by 3.5 points. Gentrification is scored at 44 and classified as Active, while rent growth is 44.4%. These trends suggest demand is being refreshed by incoming households even as the resident base becomes older. Affordability worsened from 38.0 in 2011 to 40.7 in 2021, so future growth is likely to depend on whether incoming buyers and renters can absorb rising costs without reducing local workforce access.

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

44

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

Population
Top 16%
Household Income
Bottom 17%
Rent Level
Top 41%
Apartments
Top 23%
Renters
Top 41%
Uni Educated
Bottom 40%
Public Transport
Bottom 27%
Born Overseas
Top 19%
Density
Top 27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bridgetown a good suburb to live in?

Bridgetown can suit residents seeking detached housing, local services and a quieter regional setting. Its population is 3,168, median age is 52 and 94.2% of dwellings are separate houses. Car dependence is high at 77.2%, so access to a vehicle is important for many households.

What is the median house price in Bridgetown?

A reliable current median house price cannot be stated for Bridgetown. Buyers should compare recent settled sales, land size and dwelling condition across individual properties. The housing stock is 94.2% separate houses, and the typical rent is $300 per week, providing useful context when assessing purchase costs.

What schools are in Bridgetown?

Bridgetown has 3 listed schools: Bridgetown Primary School and Bridgetown High School, both government schools, plus St Brigid's School, a non-government school. Families should confirm the relevant enrolment zone and year-level availability for the exact address before committing to a property.

Is Bridgetown safe?

There is not enough comparable crime information to label Bridgetown safer or less safe than another town. With 3,168 residents, conditions can still vary between streets and housing areas. Visit the property at different times, review recent local police information and speak with nearby residents before deciding.

Is Bridgetown good for property investment?

Bridgetown has a $300 weekly rent and 44.4% rent growth, but the 18.2% vacancy rate is a significant risk compared with tighter rental markets. There were 0 development approvals in the past 12 months. Internal migration and a 1.51% annual growth trend are supportive, but investors should verify leasing times and tenant demand.

How is Bridgetown's population changing?

Growth across the wider area is running at 1.51% annually and is driven by internal migration. The 10-year population change is 19.6%, but the trajectory is Aging: the senior share has risen 8.2 percentage points while the young share has declined 3.5 points. This points to growth with an older resident mix.

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). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.

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