Caversham
With 65.8% of residents carrying a mortgage, the highest rate in this cohort alongside Googong, Caversham functions as a quintessential mortgage-belt suburb where young families (median age 33, 7 years below national) have bought into affordable detached housing. The estimated median of $499,000 positions it among Perth's most accessible entry-level markets. Despite household income in the 87th percentile nationally ($2,266/week), mortgage-to-income at 20.4% is very comfortable, suggesting these incomes can absorb rate rises better than many established suburbs with higher debt loads.
Population
7,419
Median Age
33.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,266/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
23
Median House
$499K
Estimated from rent (2025)
Separate houses dominate at 94.1%, with 66.9% having 4 or more bedrooms. The estimated median of $499,000 sits below Perth's overall median. Monthly mortgage repayments of $2,000 absorb just 20.4% of household income, one of the most comfortable ratios in this cohort. Average household size of 3.0 (0.5 above national) and 56.8% couples-with-children rate confirm family dominance. Compared to neighbouring Midland or Helena Valley, Caversham offers newer housing stock in a lower price band with better lot sizes.
For Buyers
Separate houses dominate at 94.1%, with 66.9% having 4 or more bedrooms. The estimated median of $499,000 sits below Perth's overall median. Monthly mortgage repayments of $2,000 absorb just 20.4% of household income, one of the most comfortable ratios in this cohort. Average household size of 3.0 (0.5 above national) and 56.8% couples-with-children rate confirm family dominance. Compared to neighbouring Midland or Helena Valley, Caversham offers newer housing stock in a lower price band with better lot sizes.
For Investors
Only 16.5% of residents rent, well below the national average, and vacancy at 4.5% is within a healthy range for Perth. Weekly rent of $390 against a $499,000 estimated median delivers reasonable gross yield. Development activity is modest at 11 DAs in 12 months, mostly patios and planning enquiries rather than new subdivisions, suggesting the initial development wave has passed. Net migration data is not available at the suburb level, but 39.2% overseas-born and household stability of 81.2% point to a settled base rather than rapid turnover.
Development Activity
Total DAs
23
Last 12 Months
23
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Caversham iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Caversham Valley Primary School
K-6 · 679 students
Demographics
The 39.2% overseas-born rate sits 17.6 points above the national average. Indian ancestry (622) is prominent alongside English (2,020) and a large 'Other' category (1,667). Punjabi (115 speakers), Arabic (82), Gujarati (63), Hindi (57), and Nepali (50) are the top non-English languages, reflecting South Asian migration pathways. University attainment at 34.2% sits 4.1 points above the national average. Hinduism (538) and Islam (406) together account for a significant religious minority alongside Christianity (3,187). Average household size of 3.0 is 0.5 above the national median.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
94.1%
Houses
2.0%
Townhouse
0.2%
Apartment
Tenure
At an estimated $499,000, Caversham is one of Perth's more affordable suburbs for 4-bedroom houses (66.9% of stock). The 65.8% mortgage rate and 17.7% outright ownership indicate a suburb still in its ownership maturation phase. Only 16.5% rent, and three-bedroom homes at 26.8% provide the main alternative to larger configurations. Mortgage-to-income at 20.4% and rent-to-income at 17.2% are both well below the stress threshold, making it one of the least housing-stressed suburbs in this cohort. The near-absence of apartments (0.2%) limits density and downsizing options.
Mortgage / mo
$2,000
Rent / wk
$390
HH Size
3.0
Personal Income / wk
$980
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.5%
Unoccupied
115
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.4%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
19.7%
Couples, no children
6,423
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads at 19.4%, followed by education (9.0%), construction (8.7%), mining (8.4%), and professional/technical (7.9%). The 8.4% mining employment reflects WA's FIFO economy, contributing to household incomes in the 87th percentile despite only 34.2% holding university degrees. Professionals (776) lead occupations, with clerical/admin (551) and community/personal service (466) following. Unemployment at 4.1% tracks near the national rate, and participation at 68.3% is above average, consistent with a working-age suburb where both partners tend to be employed.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
67.7%
Part-time
28.2%
Participation
68.3%
Employed
3,619
Occupations
Top Industries
University
34.2%
Postgraduate
8.1%
Born Overseas
39.2%
Dwellings
2,414
Transport to Work
Caversham Valley Primary School (Government, ICSEA 1035, 679 students) is the sole school, scoring 35 points above the national benchmark. Car dependence is high at 88.7%, with 3.5% using public transport and 1.3% walking or cycling. Need for assistance at 3.7% is near the national average. Religious diversity (Hinduism 538, Islam 406 alongside Christianity 3,187) contributes to cultural infrastructure including faith-based community organisations. Volunteering at 13% is slightly above the national rate.
Drive
88.7%
Public Transport
3.5%
Walk / Cycle
1.3%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Caversham compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Caversham a good suburb to live in?
Caversham suits young families seeking affordable 4-bedroom homes near Perth. With 66.9% of stock having 4+ bedrooms and a $499,000 estimated median, it offers space at below-metro prices. Household income at the 87th percentile and 20.4% mortgage-to-income ratio provide financial comfort. Car dependence (88.7% drive) is the main trade-off.
What is the median house price in Caversham?
The estimated median house price is $499,000, derived from 2025 rent data. Houses account for 94.1% of stock. Monthly mortgage repayments of $2,000 absorb 20.4% of household income, one of the most comfortable ratios in Perth's northern corridor.
What schools are in Caversham?
Caversham Valley Primary School is the sole school, a government primary with an ICSEA score of 1035 and 679 enrolments. The ICSEA sits 35 points above the national benchmark of 1,000. Secondary students typically access schools in neighbouring Midland.
Is Caversham safe?
Suburb-level crime data is not available for Caversham in the current dataset. The 4.1% unemployment rate and household income in the 87th percentile are indicators generally associated with lower-than-average property crime. WA Police report crime at the broader district level.
Is Caversham good for property investment?
The 16.5% renter rate is low, limiting tenant demand. Weekly rent of $390 against the $499,000 estimated median offers reasonable yield. Vacancy at 4.5% is healthy. Only 11 DAs in 12 months means minimal new supply. The main risk is the suburb's early-phase maturity, with 65.8% on mortgages who may sell under pressure during rate spikes.
How is Caversham's population changing?
Caversham has a young population (median age 33, 7 years below national) with 65.8% on mortgages, indicating a suburb still in its early ownership phase. Residential stability at 81.2% is moderate. The 39.2% overseas-born share, 17.6 percentage points above the national average, reflects migration-driven settlement.
What languages are spoken in Caversham?
Punjabi leads with 115 speakers, followed by Arabic (82), Gujarati (63), Hindi (57), and Nepali (50). With 39.2% born overseas, 17.6 percentage points above the national average, South Asian languages dominate the non-English spectrum, reflecting migration patterns from India and the subcontinent.
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 Caversham on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map