Bulgarra
Mining accounts for 23.7% of local employment in Bulgarra, a compact Karratha suburb with 2990 residents across 4.64 sq km and a density of 644.0 people per sq km. Its median age of 33 is 7 years below national, while household income sits at the 96.2nd percentile, creating a younger but high-earning profile. Housing is 76.3% separate houses, yet vacancy is 22.1%, so the suburb can feel more like a workforce market than a conventional family market. For buyers comparing Bulgarra with nearby Nickol or Pegs Creek, test the 3-bedroom concentration of 59.1% and rental share of 48.1% against the intended tenure and commute. The 84.5% car-driver rate reinforces its practical, employment-linked character.
Local council: Karratha
Population
2,990
Median Age
33.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,812/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Homebuyers should focus on current property condition, lot size and comparable sales, with the key affordability markers being a monthly mortgage benchmark of $1810 and weekly rent of $388. Mortgage costs are 14.9% of household income and are not flagged as stressful, although mining-linked earnings can still be cyclical. Separate houses account for 76.3% of dwellings, compared with 6.1% apartments and 17.5% semi-detached homes. Three-bedroom stock dominates at 59.1%, while 4-plus-bedroom homes make up 24.4%, so buyers seeking family space have more choice than apartment seekers. Renting at 48.1% is higher than outright ownership at 11.5%, making tenure mix important when assessing resale and neighbourhood turnover.
For Buyers
Homebuyers should focus on current property condition, lot size and comparable sales, with the key affordability markers being a monthly mortgage benchmark of $1810 and weekly rent of $388. Mortgage costs are 14.9% of household income and are not flagged as stressful, although mining-linked earnings can still be cyclical. Separate houses account for 76.3% of dwellings, compared with 6.1% apartments and 17.5% semi-detached homes. Three-bedroom stock dominates at 59.1%, while 4-plus-bedroom homes make up 24.4%, so buyers seeking family space have more choice than apartment seekers. Renting at 48.1% is higher than outright ownership at 11.5%, making tenure mix important when assessing resale and neighbourhood turnover.
For Investors
Bulgarra's investment case is tied to workforce demand, but the rental figures require careful pricing. Renting accounts for 48.1% of occupied dwellings, higher than outright ownership at 11.5%, and weekly rent is $388. The 22.1% vacancy rate is the main caution because a large pool of available homes can weaken landlord pricing power and extend letting periods. Mining represents 23.7% of employment and construction 15.0%, creating a clear economic base but also exposure to resource-sector cycles. With 0 recorded developments in the past 12 months, investors should compare Bulgarra with lower-vacancy alternatives and test tenant demand, property quality and renewal risk rather than relying on population growth alone.
Demographics
Bulgarra has a younger resident base, with a median age of 33, which is 7 years below the national figure. University attainment is 12.5%, or 17.6 percentage points below national, while the overseas-born share is 23.2%, 1.6 points above national. Compared with nearby Nickol and Pegs Creek, people assessing Bulgarra should expect a workforce-oriented population shaped by English ancestry at 1032 responses, Irish at 218 and Scottish at 187. No religion is the largest reported affiliation at 1496, followed by Christianity at 825 and Buddhism at 57. Residential movement is meaningful, with turnover at 31.1% and 68.9% staying at the same address, because employment-linked households can move as projects and contracts change.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
76.3%
Houses
17.5%
Townhouse
6.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Bulgarra's housing stock is detached-dominant: separate houses account for 76.3%, compared with 6.1% apartments and 17.5% semi-detached homes. Three-bedroom properties represent 59.1% of dwellings, followed by 4-plus-bedroom homes at 24.4%, while 0-to-1-bedroom and 2-bedroom homes account for 8.3% and 8.2%. Compared with apartment-led markets, this layout gives families more conventional housing options but fewer compact choices. Renting is higher than outright ownership, at 48.1% versus 11.5%, with 37.8% paying a mortgage and 2.5% in other tenure. Vacancy of 22.1% may reflect workforce movement or a mismatch between available stock and current demand, so buyers should compare condition, furnishing and leaseability as closely as price.
Mortgage / mo
$1,810
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$388
Census 2021
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$1,409
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
22.1%
Unoccupied
262
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
13.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
14.9%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
50.8%
Couples with children
37.0%
Couples, no children
11.4%
Single parent
657
Total families
Economy & Employment
Mining is Bulgarra's largest industry at 23.7%, representing 235 workers, above construction at 15.0% and 149 workers. Healthcare contributes 6.5% and 65 workers, education 6.4% and 64, while hospitality accounts for 6.1% and 61. The occupational mix supports this employment structure, led by trades at 412 people, labourers at 224 and machinery or drivers at 220, followed by clerical and administrative workers at 179 and managers at 154. Participation is 71.5%, unemployment is 2.7% and full-time employment is 73.1%, indicating a strongly work-focused labour market. Household income at the 96.2nd percentile is higher than a typical middle-market profile, because resource and construction roles lift earnings even while increasing exposure to industry cycles.
Unemployment
2.7%
Labour Force
1,675
Unemployed
46
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
73.1%
Part-time
19.6%
Participation
71.5%
Employed
1,629
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
12.5%
Postgraduate
1.9%
Born Overseas
23.2%
Dwellings
929
Transport to Work
Daily life in Bulgarra is strongly car-oriented. Car drivers account for 84.5% of commuting, compared with 1.3% using public transport and 5.5% walking or cycling; only 2.2% work from home. With 2990 residents across 4.64 sq km and density of 644.0 people per sq km, the compact layout can make local trips manageable, but regular regional travel is likely to be easier by car. Families should check current school options, sector availability and enrolment zones against the exact address, since catchments can cross suburb boundaries. Volunteering is reported at 15.3%, while 1.4% need assistance. Compared with transit-oriented suburbs, Bulgarra's stronger car dependence is the key practical difference. For safety decisions, check current WA Police incident information and inspect streets at different times.
Drive
84.5%
Public Transport
1.3%
Walk / Cycle
5.5%
Work from Home
2.2%
Growth Outlook
Bulgarra's growth profile is more closely tied to workforce demand than to a local construction pipeline. Mining accounts for 23.7% of employment and construction 15.0%, while 0 developments were recorded across the past 12 months. Compared with a suburb carrying active new supply, this points to limited visible expansion and makes rental conditions more important than speculative building activity. The suburb has 2990 residents today, with residential turnover at 31.1% and 68.9% staying at the same address. That combination suggests a stable core alongside meaningful movement linked to employment contracts, project timing and household relocation. Investors and buyers should monitor vacancy, major employer conditions and future approvals before assuming growth will be higher than current activity indicates.
Population trend: Karratha council area
Bulgarra sits in the Karratha council area. These are the council area's residents, not Bulgarra's.
Residents 2025
25,429
Growth, 5 yr average
+1.8%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+2.2%
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 Bulgarra compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bulgarra a good suburb to live in?
Bulgarra can suit residents who value employment access, detached housing and a younger population. The median age is 33, density is 644.0 people per sq km and 84.5% travel as car drivers, so daily life is practical rather than transit-led. The 22.1% vacancy rate is a consideration for renters, while household income ranks at the 96.2nd percentile.
What is the median house price in Bulgarra?
A reliable median house price should be checked against current Bulgarra sales and asking prices by bedroom, land type and condition. The housing profile is led by 3-bedroom homes at 59.1% and separate houses at 76.3%. A mortgage benchmark of $1810 per month and weekly rent of $388 provide useful affordability comparisons, but they do not replace recent comparable sales.
What schools are in Bulgarra?
School choices serving Bulgarra should be confirmed by exact address, current enrolment zone and sector. Families should compare nearby primary and secondary options, travel time and availability before signing a lease or contract. The suburb's 84.5% car-driver share means school travel may be more practical by car than public transport, which accounts for 1.3% of commuting.
Is Bulgarra safe?
A definitive safety ranking should be based on current local incident information rather than assumptions about the suburb. Check WA Police updates and inspect streets at different times. Bulgarra covers 4.64 sq km at a density of 644.0 people per sq km, making direct checks of lighting, parking and access practical. Compare recent incidents with nearby areas before deciding.
Is Bulgarra good for property investment?
Bulgarra may suit investors targeting workforce-linked demand, with renting at 48.1%, weekly rent of $388 and mining representing 23.7% of employment. However, vacancy is 22.1%, higher than outright ownership at 11.5%, which can reduce pricing power. With 0 recorded developments in 12 months, compare tenant demand, lease renewal risk and property condition before buying.
How is Bulgarra's population changing?
Bulgarra has 2990 residents today, with 31.1% residential turnover and 68.9% staying at the same address. The median age of 33 and the 23.7% mining employment share point to a young, employment-sensitive population. Compared with a slower-moving suburb, workforce contracts may produce more household movement, even though a substantial 68.9% remain at the same address.
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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