Cloverdale
Nearly half (46.1%) of Cloverdale's residents were born overseas, 24.5 percentage points above the national average, yet the suburb sits in only the 4th SEIFA IRSAD decile. This combination of high migrant share and modest socioeconomic ranking makes Cloverdale a gateway suburb where new arrivals trade proximity to Perth's airport corridor for affordability. The estimated median of $430,000 and 45% renter share confirm a transient, rental-heavy market. Overseas migration adds 240 people annually while internal migration runs negative at -89 per year, indicating residents leave once they build enough capital for higher-ranked suburbs.
Population
8,864
Median Age
34.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,520/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$430K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At an estimated $430,000 median, Cloverdale is one of Perth's most affordable inner-east options, just 9km from the CBD. The 74.1% detached housing share is lower than Perth's outer suburbs, with 19.7% semi-detached and 5.8% apartments providing alternative entry points. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 50.7%, and mortgage stress sits at a manageable 25.8% of income. Notre Dame Catholic Primary (ICSEA 1090) scores above the national average, while Belmay (ICSEA 958) and Cloverdale Primary (ICSEA 958) sit below. Buyers should note the high 26.6% population turnover.
For Buyers
At an estimated $430,000 median, Cloverdale is one of Perth's most affordable inner-east options, just 9km from the CBD. The 74.1% detached housing share is lower than Perth's outer suburbs, with 19.7% semi-detached and 5.8% apartments providing alternative entry points. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 50.7%, and mortgage stress sits at a manageable 25.8% of income. Notre Dame Catholic Primary (ICSEA 1090) scores above the national average, while Belmay (ICSEA 958) and Cloverdale Primary (ICSEA 958) sit below. Buyers should note the high 26.6% population turnover.
For Investors
The 11.3% vacancy rate is elevated, partly because 45% of residents rent, creating a large but somewhat fluid tenant pool. Weekly rent at $340 against a $430,000 median gives a gross yield around 4.1%. The population grew 21.9% over 10 years, driven by overseas migration averaging 240 net per year. Gentrification scores of 35-48 (Early to Active signs) suggest the suburb is in transition, with real income growing 13.6% over the decade. However, the SEIFA IER decile of 2 (bottom 20% for economic resources) flags financial vulnerability among tenants.
Schools in Cloverdale iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Notre Dame Catholic Primary School
PP-6 · 418 students
Belmay Primary School
K-6 · 243 students
Cloverdale Primary School
K-6 · 346 students
Demographics
Chinese ancestry (658) is the 4th largest group after English (2,402), reflecting Cloverdale's diverse migrant base. Mandarin (151 speakers), Arabic (100), Punjabi (84), and Nepali (50) are the top non-English languages. At 46.1% born overseas, the suburb is 24.5 points above the national average. The median age of 34 is 6 years below the national figure, and university attainment at 32.2% sits 2 points above the benchmark. Islam (701 adherents) and Buddhism (377) are significant minority faiths alongside Christianity (3,456). Average household size of 2.4 is close to the national norm.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
74.1%
Houses
19.7%
Townhouse
5.8%
Apartment
Tenure
The tenure split skews heavily toward renting: 22.5% own outright, 32.5% have mortgages, and 45.0% rent, well above the national renting average. Three-bedroom homes (50.7%) dominate, with only 26.4% having 4+ bedrooms, lower than Perth's outer suburban norm. The estimated $430,000 median keeps mortgage repayments at $1,700/month, and rent-to-income at 22.4% is comfortable for most tenants. The 19.7% semi-detached share provides infill density that many Perth suburbs lack. Affordability improved from 53.0% of income in 2011 to 41.9% in 2021.
Mortgage / mo
$1,700
Rent / wk
$340
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$812
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
11.3%
Unoccupied
431
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
25.5%
Couples, no children
6,320
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare (16.2%), construction (8.6%), professional services (8.3%), hospitality (8.2%), and education (7.5%) spread employment across 5 sectors, with no single industry exceeding 17%. This diversification is healthier than mining-dependent WA towns. The 6.4% unemployment rate is above the national average, and the SEIFA IER decile of 2 indicates economic vulnerability. Community and personal service workers (557) nearly match professionals (760), and machinery/drivers (472) and labourers (481) together account for a significant blue-collar segment.
Unemployment
5.9%
Labour Force
5,924
Unemployed
350
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.1%
Part-time
28.5%
Participation
60.5%
Employed
4,153
Occupations
Top Industries
University
32.2%
Postgraduate
6.9%
Born Overseas
46.1%
Dwellings
3,390
Transport to Work
Three primary schools serve Cloverdale: Notre Dame Catholic (ICSEA 1090, 418 students) scores above the national average, while Belmay Primary (ICSEA 958, 243 students) and Cloverdale Primary (ICSEA 958, 346 students) fall below. Public transport usage at 7.3% is higher than Perth's outer suburbs, reflecting proximity to bus routes and the airport corridor. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 4 and IRSD decile of 3 place the suburb in the lower-middle range nationally. The 5.4% needing assistance and 11.6% volunteering rate are close to national figures.
Drive
82.4%
Public Transport
7.3%
Walk / Cycle
2.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.65%/yr
(+167 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew from about 9,703 in 2023 to 10,126 in 2025, and the medium forecast projects approximately 10,990 by 2031 at 1.65% annual growth. Overseas migration (+240/year) drives growth while internal migration runs at -89/year, a classic gateway suburb pattern where arrivals eventually move to more established areas. Population has increased 31% since 2011. The gentrification score of 35 (Early signs) is based on accelerating growth from 10% to 20%, but the SEIFA IER decile of 2 means meaningful upgrading has not yet translated into wealth accumulation.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+240
Net Internal / yr
-89
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +31% since 2011, Strong overseas inflow +240/yr, Accelerating: 10% → 20%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Cloverdale compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cloverdale a good suburb to live in?
Cloverdale offers affordable housing ($430,000 estimated median) close to Perth CBD (9km). The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 4 is below the national midpoint, and the high 45% renter share creates population turnover. Notre Dame Catholic Primary (ICSEA 1090) provides a strong school option above the national average.
What is the median house price in Cloverdale?
The estimated median is $430,000 based on 2025 rental data. Mortgage stress at 25.8% of income sits below the 30% threshold. Affordability has improved since 2011, when mortgage-to-income was 53.0% compared to 41.9% in 2021.
What schools are in Cloverdale?
There are 3 primary schools: Notre Dame Catholic Primary (Independent, ICSEA 1090, 418 students), Cloverdale Primary (Government, ICSEA 958, 346 students), and Belmay Primary (Government, ICSEA 958, 243 students). Only Notre Dame scores above the national ICSEA average of 1000.
Is Cloverdale safe?
No suburb-level crime data is available. The SEIFA IRSD decile of 3 places Cloverdale in the bottom 30% for disadvantage, and the 6.4% unemployment rate exceeds the national average. The 73.4% residential stability rate is moderate for a Perth suburb.
Is Cloverdale good for property investment?
The 11.3% vacancy rate is a risk factor, though the large 45% renter share and net overseas migration of 240 per year provide demand. Weekly rent of $340 gives a gross yield around 4.1%. Gentrification is showing early signs (score 35), with growth accelerating from 10% to 20% over the decade.
How is Cloverdale's population changing?
Population grew 21.9% over 10 years, driven by overseas migration (+240/year). Internal migration is negative at -89/year, a gateway suburb pattern. The forecast projects approximately 10,990 residents by 2031, up from 10,126 in 2025. The 46.1% born overseas is 24.5 points above the national average.
What languages are spoken in Cloverdale?
Mandarin (151 speakers), Arabic (100), Punjabi (84), Nepali (50), and Cantonese (49) are the top non-English languages. With 46.1% born overseas (24.5 points above the national average), Cloverdale is one of Perth's most linguistically diverse suburbs.
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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