Carlisle
Carlisle's most distinctive feature is its compact, internationally connected population: 39.1% of residents were born overseas, 17.5 percentage points above the national figure, while 44.5% hold university qualifications, 14.4 points above the national rate. With 6,733 residents across 2.54 square kilometres, density reaches 2,648.4 people per square kilometre. Renting at 43.6% is higher than outright ownership at 22.1%, supporting a mobile housing market. The median age is 36, four years below the national figure. Its position beside East Victoria Park and Lathlain adds access to established inner-south services, while forecast growth of 1.41% annually points to continued change rather than stagnation.
Population
6,733
Median Age
36.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,766/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Carlisle suits buyers seeking established housing close to Perth's inner-south employment and amenity areas, with a mix that is broader than a detached-house market. Separate houses account for 66.1% of dwellings, while semi-detached homes make up 30.9% and apartments 3.0%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 57.5%, followed by four or more bedrooms at 19.1%, so the suburb suits couples, small families and shared households more than very large families. A $1,900 monthly mortgage figure equates to 24.8% of household income, higher than the 19.3% rent-to-income measure but below a typical mortgage-stress threshold. Compare recent sales by dwelling type because the semi-detached share is materially higher than in many detached-only suburbs.
For Buyers
Carlisle suits buyers seeking established housing close to Perth's inner-south employment and amenity areas, with a mix that is broader than a detached-house market. Separate houses account for 66.1% of dwellings, while semi-detached homes make up 30.9% and apartments 3.0%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 57.5%, followed by four or more bedrooms at 19.1%, so the suburb suits couples, small families and shared households more than very large families. A $1,900 monthly mortgage figure equates to 24.8% of household income, higher than the 19.3% rent-to-income measure but below a typical mortgage-stress threshold. Compare recent sales by dwelling type because the semi-detached share is materially higher than in many detached-only suburbs.
For Investors
Carlisle has a substantial rental base, with 43.6% of occupied dwellings rented compared with 22.1% owned outright and 32.4% held with a mortgage. Weekly rent is $340, while the 7.6% vacancy rate should be tested against nearby East Victoria Park and wider Perth conditions before purchase. There were 0 development applications recorded in the past 12 months, so the investment case is more about established stock than a construction pipeline. Overseas migration is the primary forecast growth driver, which can support rental demand where smaller households and internationally connected workers seek access to inner-south locations. Forecast population change across the wider area is 15.0% over ten years, while annual growth is 1.41%, both above a no-growth baseline.
Development Activity
Total DAs
59
Last 12 Months
0
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
Demographics
Carlisle has a younger age profile than Australia overall: the median age is 36, four years below the national figure. Its overseas-born share is 39.1%, or 17.5 percentage points above the national rate, and university attainment is 44.5%, 14.4 points higher than nationally. English ancestry is recorded for 2,199 people, followed by Other at 1,177, Irish at 606, Scottish at 580 and Chinese at 504. No religion is the largest religious category at 2,956 people, compared with 2,427 identifying with Christianity and 305 with Islam. Mandarin is the most common listed non-English language at 129 speakers, ahead of Italian at 46. Smaller households are common because 43.6% of couples have no children and average household size is 2.2, 0.3 below the national figure.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
66.1%
Houses
30.9%
Townhouse
3.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Carlisle's housing profile is more varied than a traditional detached suburb. Separate houses account for 66.1% of dwellings, but semi-detached properties represent 30.9%, more than ten times the 3.0% apartment share. Three-bedroom homes make up 57.5% of stock, with four or more bedrooms at 19.1% and two-bedroom homes at 18.0%. Tenure is renter-heavy: 43.6% rent, compared with 32.4% paying a mortgage and 22.1% owning outright. That renter share is higher than outright ownership and helps explain the suburb's turnover rate of 28.1%. The $340 weekly rent is associated with rent costs equal to 19.3% of household income, while mortgage costs are 24.8%, higher than the rental measure. Buyers should compare houses, semis and unit-style properties separately because the dwelling mix can make suburb-wide price comparisons less useful.
Mortgage / mo
$1,900
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$340
Census 2021
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$963
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.6%
Unoccupied
235
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
38.5%
Couples with children
43.6%
Couples, no children
15.0%
Single parent
1,661
Total families
Economy & Employment
Carlisle's employment base is led by healthcare at 15.7% of workers, followed by professional and technical services at 13.6%, education at 9.8%, mining at 7.9% and public administration at 7.9%. This mix supports demand from both service professionals and public-sector households. Professionals are the largest occupation group at 1,075 people, ahead of trades at 512, clerical and administrative workers at 486, managers at 419 and community or personal service workers at 387. Labour-force participation is 66.9%, full-time employment is 63.3% and unemployment is 5.4%. Carlisle's household income percentile is 62.1, above the national midpoint. Its SEIFA pattern is mixed: education and occupation sit in decile 8, while economic resources are in decile 4; both disadvantage and relative advantage indexes are in decile 7. The gap between IEO decile 8 and IER decile 4 suggests strong skills and qualifications do not translate evenly into household financial resources.
Unemployment
5.4%
Labour Force
3,861
Unemployed
209
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.3%
Part-time
31.4%
Participation
66.9%
Employed
3,652
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
44.5%
Postgraduate
10.9%
Born Overseas
39.1%
Dwellings
2,861
Transport to Work
Carlisle's compact 2.54 square kilometre footprint and density of 2,648.4 people per square kilometre can make access to local services practical, but transport habits remain strongly car-oriented. Car drivers account for 71.3% of journeys, compared with 11.4% using public transport and 2.3% walking or cycling; working from home accounts for 9.1%. The 71.3% driving share is substantially higher than public transport use, so households without a car should assess their exact route and timetable carefully. Socioeconomic conditions are above the middle range overall, with an IRSAD decile of 7, while need for assistance is 6.7%. A suburb-wide crime rate is not available for comparison, so residents should check current incident information and street-level conditions before deciding. Carlisle's 71.9% resident-stability rate is higher than its 28.1% turnover rate, supporting a settled base despite the sizeable rental sector.
Drive
71.3%
Public Transport
11.4%
Walk / Cycle
2.3%
Work from Home
9.1%
Population Forecast
+1.41%/yr
(+281 people/yr)
EstablishedCarlisle is forecast to grow at 1.41% annually, a positive rate above a zero-growth baseline, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 15.0% over ten years, indicating sustained expansion rather than a short-lived rebound. The trajectory is classified as Mixed because rental growth, demographic change and affordability pressures are moving at different speeds. Gentrification remains at an Early signs stage, with a score of 33, so the suburb is earlier in its transition than a mature gentrifying area. Rent growth of 11.5% adds pressure for tenants but can improve investor income, while real income growth of 16.8% provides some counterweight. The working-age share has increased by 1.5 percentage points and the senior share by 1.5 points, pointing to gradual change across several age groups rather than a single dominant trend.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+552
Net Internal / yr
-165
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +25% since 2011, Net internal outflow -165/yr, Strong overseas inflow +552/yr, Accelerating: 8% → 16%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Carlisle compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carlisle a good suburb to live in?
Carlisle can suit residents who value a compact inner-south setting and access to established services. Its median age is 36, below the national figure, while 71.3% of commuters drive compared with 11.4% using public transport. The lifestyle is more car-oriented than transit-led.
What is the median house price in Carlisle?
There is no single current median house price to quote for Carlisle. Buyers should compare recent sales by dwelling type and street because 66.1% of homes are separate houses, 30.9% are semi-detached and 3.0% are apartments. The mix is broader than a detached-only market.
What schools are in Carlisle?
School access should be checked against the exact Carlisle address and enrolment zone before committing to a property. The suburb covers 2.54 square kilometres, but nearby education options can differ by sector and boundary. Confirm current public and independent choices rather than relying on a suburb-wide assumption.
Is Carlisle safe?
A suburb-wide crime rate is not available for a direct comparison. Check current police incident information and the immediate street environment before buying or renting, particularly because Carlisle has a density of 2,648.4 people per square kilometre and conditions can vary within a compact area.
Is Carlisle good for property investment?
Carlisle has a sizeable renter base at 43.6%, a weekly rent of $340 and a vacancy rate of 7.6%. Renting is higher than outright ownership at 22.1%. Overseas migration is the main growth driver, but 0 development projects in the past 12 months means the case relies on established housing.
How is Carlisle's population changing?
Population change across the wider area is forecast at 15.0% over ten years, with annual growth of 1.41%. Overseas migration is the primary driver. The gentrification score is 33 and the stage is Early signs, indicating change that is developing but remains less advanced than a mature transition.
What languages are spoken in Carlisle?
Mandarin is the most common listed non-English language, with 129 speakers, followed by Italian at 46, Cantonese at 39, Hindi at 37 and Korean at 36. The overseas-born share is 39.1%, which is 17.5 percentage points above the national figure.
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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