Chittering
With a population density of just 6.1 persons per km2 across 170 square kilometres, Chittering sits at the low-density edge of WA's peri-urban fringe, yet household income ranks in the 74th percentile nationally. The suburb's most distinctive data point is its vacancy rate of 16.4%, well above typical metro averages, while 100% of dwellings are separate houses, reflecting a rural-residential character with no medium-density stock whatsoever. Population grew 33.8% over the past decade, driven largely by internal migration averaging 183 arrivals per year, and gentrification is now classified as Active with a score of 56.
Population
1,034
Median Age
44.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,972/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$461K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price is $461,000, estimated from rental data as of 2025, which is lower than most Perth metro markets and makes Chittering accessible to buyers priced out of the inner suburbs. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000, and mortgage-to-income sits at 23.4%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. All dwellings are separate houses, so buyers face no compromise on dwelling type. The bedroom split favours large homes: 55.6% have four or more bedrooms and 31.5% have three bedrooms, compared to national suburban norms where three-bedroom homes typically dominate. Outright owners account for 30.6% of households while 64.1% carry a mortgage, a tenure profile consistent with a suburb drawing active, mortgaged owner-occupiers rather than long-settled retirees.
For Buyers
The median house price is $461,000, estimated from rental data as of 2025, which is lower than most Perth metro markets and makes Chittering accessible to buyers priced out of the inner suburbs. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000, and mortgage-to-income sits at 23.4%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. All dwellings are separate houses, so buyers face no compromise on dwelling type. The bedroom split favours large homes: 55.6% have four or more bedrooms and 31.5% have three bedrooms, compared to national suburban norms where three-bedroom homes typically dominate. Outright owners account for 30.6% of households while 64.1% carry a mortgage, a tenure profile consistent with a suburb drawing active, mortgaged owner-occupiers rather than long-settled retirees.
For Investors
Chittering's rental market is small but under genuine pressure. Only 5.2% of households rent, which limits the tenant pool compared to urban markets where renters commonly exceed 30%. Weekly rent averages $335, and rent-to-income at 17.0% means tenants are not stressed, supporting stable occupancy. The 16.4% vacancy rate is elevated and warrants caution, as it suggests supply currently exceeds active rental demand in this low-density area. Net internal migration of 183 people per year is the key demand driver, and with medium-scenario population forecasts projecting growth from roughly 7,039 to 7,900 by 2031, sustained inflow should gradually tighten conditions. Rent grew 6.7% over the recent period, outpacing inflation, which signals an improving rental dynamic despite the high current vacancy.
Demographics
The median age of 44 is 4 years above the national figure of 40, and the senior share has risen 4.3 percentage points over the decade while the working-age share fell 1.1 points, confirming an aging trajectory. Average household size is 2.7, marginally above the national 2.5. Overseas-born residents make up 25.7% of the population, 4.1 percentage points above the national average. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic: English (521 residents) leads, followed by Scottish (101) and Irish (88). University qualifications reach only 17.2%, which is 12.9 percentage points below the national figure, reflecting a trade and practical-skills workforce rather than a credentialled professional base. Volunteering sits at 18.2%, above many comparable rural-residential areas.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
100.0%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Every dwelling in Chittering is a separate house, giving it a 100% detached rate that stands apart from suburban and regional averages. The four-plus bedroom share of 55.6% is high nationally, where most markets see 4-plus bedrooms representing 30-40% of stock, indicating that buyers come here specifically for large-lot, large-home living. Thirty point six percent of households own outright and 64.1% are mortgaged, while just 5.2% rent, one of the lowest renter proportions recorded in WA peri-urban areas. The median house price of $461,000 implies a price-to-weekly-income ratio of roughly 4.5x annual household income of $102,516, which is moderate by WA standards. Rent at $335 per week and mortgage payments of $2,000 per month leave housing costs manageable relative to income.
Mortgage / mo
$2,000
Rent / wk
$335
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$828
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
16.4%
Unoccupied
70
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.4%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
34.4%
Couples, no children
852
Total families
Economy & Employment
Construction leads local employment at 12.7% (43 workers), followed closely by Mining at 11.8% (40 workers), a pairing typical of WA's peri-urban corridors where residents commute to regional mine sites or construction projects. Education accounts for 10.6% and Healthcare 9.4%, reflecting a full-time resident population with school-age children and older residents needing services. By occupation, Managers and Clerical/Admin each account for 69 workers, with Machinery/Drivers at 66, a profile consistent with both owner-operator rural businesses and shift-roster mine workers. The unemployment rate is 5.1%, above the 4% national average, while full-time employment reaches 68.7% of those employed. Real income grew 15.2% over the decade. SEIFA deciles show a middle-ground profile: IRSD and IRSAD both sit at decile 6 nationally, but IER (economic resources, primarily property and investment income) reaches decile 10, reflecting the land-holding wealth of large-lot rural-residential owners.
Unemployment
1.0%
Labour Force
3,747
Unemployed
38
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
68.7%
Part-time
26.2%
Participation
58.4%
Employed
470
Occupations
Top Industries
University
17.2%
Postgraduate
2.3%
Born Overseas
25.7%
Dwellings
357
Transport to Work
Car dependence is near-total: 89.1% of residents commute by car and only 2.8% use public transport, the lowest end of WA's peri-urban spectrum. The low density of 6.1 persons per km2 across 170 square kilometres means services are dispersed, so residents accept long travel times as a trade-off for acreage living. No schools are recorded within the Chittering suburb boundary itself, meaning families rely on schools in adjacent localities. The IRSAD decile of 6 places the area at the national mid-range for advantage, not disadvantaged but not high-advantage. Housing stress is minimal: rent-to-income at 17.0% and mortgage-to-income at 23.4% are both below stress thresholds. Only 4.9% of residents need daily assistance, which is below the national average, reflecting a predominantly working-age and active population.
Drive
89.1%
Public Transport
2.8%
Walk / Cycle
3.1%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+2.34%/yr
(+165 people/yr)
EstablishedChittering's population grew 33.8% over the past decade, far above the national average, driven almost entirely by internal migration averaging 183 net arrivals per year versus only 15 from overseas. The current population of approximately 7,039 is forecast to reach 7,900 by 2031 under medium projections, representing 2.34% annual growth and roughly 165 additional residents per year. Gentrification is classified as Active with a score of 56, backed by signals including 55% population growth since 2011 and rising urbanisation of the incoming cohort from 22% to 27%. Affordability improved from 53.3% in 2011 to 40.1% in 2021 as incomes grew faster than prices, which has continued to draw owner-occupiers. The young share fell 3.2 percentage points over the decade, so while the suburb is growing, the incoming population skews toward families and working adults rather than younger first-home buyers.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+15
Net Internal / yr
+183
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +55% since 2011, Net internal migration +183/yr, Accelerating: 22% → 27%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Chittering compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chittering a good suburb to live in?
Chittering suits buyers who prioritise space and acreage living over urban convenience. Household income sits in the 74th percentile nationally and housing stress is low, with mortgage-to-income at 23.4%. The trade-off is near-total car dependence at 89.1% and no recorded schools within the suburb boundary. The area scores decile 6 on IRSAD, at the national mid-range for advantage.
What is the median house price in Chittering?
The median house price is $461,000 as estimated from rental data in 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000, and rent averages $335 per week. All dwellings are separate houses, with 55.6% having four or more bedrooms, so the price reflects large rural-residential properties rather than townhouses or apartments.
What schools are in Chittering?
No schools are recorded within the Chittering suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in surrounding localities. University qualification rates locally are 17.2%, which is 12.9 percentage points below the national figure, reflecting a practical-trades workforce rather than a highly credentialled resident base.
Is Chittering safe?
Specific crime rate data is not available for Chittering in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, Chittering scores decile 6 on IRSAD nationally, at the mid-range for relative advantage, and just 4.9% of residents (approximately 47 people) require daily assistance, below the national average, consistent with a stable rural-residential community.
Is Chittering good for property investment?
The rental market is small, with only 5.2% of households renting, which limits tenant demand compared to urban markets where renters exceed 30%. Rent grew 6.7% recently and net internal migration averages 183 per year, supporting gradual tightening. However, the 16.4% vacancy rate is elevated and gross yields on a $461,000 median with $335 weekly rent are modest at around 3.8%.
How is Chittering's population changing?
Chittering grew 33.8% over the past decade, far above national average, reaching roughly 7,039 residents by 2025. Internal migration drives almost all growth at 183 net arrivals per year. The medium forecast projects the population reaching 7,900 by 2031, adding around 165 people per year at 2.34% annually. The gentrification stage is classified as Active with a score of 56.
What industries employ Chittering residents?
Construction (12.7%, 43 workers) and Mining (11.8%, 40 workers) are the two largest industries, typical of WA's peri-urban belt where residents commute to construction sites and mine operations. Education at 10.6% and Healthcare at 9.4% follow, and real income grew 15.2% over the decade. Full-time employment reaches 68.7% of those in work.
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.
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