Collie
Mining at 18.3% of employment and Utilities at 8.1% anchor Collie's economy in resource extraction, but real income declined 13.7% over the decade, the only negative income growth in this batch. The estimated $318,000 median house price is the lowest in this dataset, yet the IRSAD decile 1 is also the lowest, placing Collie in the bottom 10% nationally for socioeconomic advantage. University qualifications at 8.8% are 21.3 points below the national average. The population contracted 3.5% over 10 years, and unemployment at 9.4% is more than double the national rate. The 12.6% vacancy rate, the highest in this batch, signals structural oversupply.
Population
7,599
Median Age
43.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,177/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$318K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated $318,000 median is the lowest in this batch, making Collie one of WA's most affordable entry points. Monthly mortgage of $1,263 produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.8%, below stress levels despite low incomes. Detached houses dominate at 92.3%, with 48.6% having 3 bedrooms and 35.1% having 4+ bedrooms. Outright owners at 41.7% reflect long-term residents who bought at lower prices. Five schools serve the area, with ICSEA scores ranging from 838 to 996, all below or near the national benchmark. Car dependency at 85.5% is high, though walking/cycling at 3.4% is above average for regional WA, reflecting the compact town layout.
For Buyers
The estimated $318,000 median is the lowest in this batch, making Collie one of WA's most affordable entry points. Monthly mortgage of $1,263 produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.8%, below stress levels despite low incomes. Detached houses dominate at 92.3%, with 48.6% having 3 bedrooms and 35.1% having 4+ bedrooms. Outright owners at 41.7% reflect long-term residents who bought at lower prices. Five schools serve the area, with ICSEA scores ranging from 838 to 996, all below or near the national benchmark. Car dependency at 85.5% is high, though walking/cycling at 3.4% is above average for regional WA, reflecting the compact town layout.
For Investors
Renters at 22.0% form a moderate pool. Weekly rent of $250 against the $318,000 estimated median delivers gross yield of approximately 4.1%, above the national average. However, the 12.6% vacancy rate is the highest in this batch and indicates structural oversupply linked to the mining sector's contraction. Zero development applications in 12 months means no new supply, but existing stock is clearly underutilised. Population grows at just 0.23% per year (22 persons). Internal migration of 71 per year provides some demand, but the declining income base (-13.7% real growth) and 9.4% unemployment create significant investment risk.
Schools in Collie iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Brigid's School
PP-6 · 178 students
Fairview Primary School
K-6 · 172 students
Amaroo Primary School
K-6 · 331 students
Collie Senior High School
7-12 · 537 students
Wilson Park Primary School
K-6 · 79 students
Demographics
The median age of 43 is 3 years above the national median. University qualifications at 8.8% are 21.3 points below the national average, the largest gap in this batch. Overseas-born at 12.0% is 9.6 points below national, the lowest share in this dataset, with English (3,399), Scottish (708), Irish (600) and Italian (426) ancestries. Italian (15 speakers) is the only recorded non-English language, reflecting extreme linguistic homogeneity. Average household size of 2.3 is 0.2 below national. Couples without children at 32.6% outnumber those with children (1,952). The aging trajectory is severe: senior share up 9.0 points, working-age share down 5.8 points over the decade.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
92.3%
Houses
3.7%
Townhouse
3.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Outright owners at 41.7% lead tenure, followed by mortgage holders at 36.3% and renters at 22.0%. The 78.0% combined ownership rate is strong despite low incomes, because historical prices were very low. Stock is 92.3% detached, with small shares of apartments (3.5%) and semi-detached (3.7%). Mortgage-to-income at 24.8% and rent-to-income at 21.2% are both below stress thresholds, reflecting the low absolute price level. The IRSD decile 2 and IRSAD decile 1 are the lowest in this dataset, indicating broad socioeconomic disadvantage. The 12.6% vacancy rate confirms excess housing stock relative to current demand.
Mortgage / mo
$1,263
Rent / wk
$250
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$574
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
12.6%
Unoccupied
424
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
32.6%
Couples, no children
5,393
Total families
Economy & Employment
Mining leads at 18.3% (297 workers), followed by Healthcare at 14.3% (232), Education at 11.6% (189), Manufacturing at 8.9% (144) and Utilities at 8.1% (131). Mining + Utilities (26.4%) shows heavy resource dependency. The top occupations are Machinery/Drivers (460) and Labourers (458), reflecting the industrial workforce. Professionals (238) rank 5th, well below most suburbs. Unemployment at 9.4% is more than double the national rate, and participation at 45.9% is very low, with 2,550 people not in the labour force. The IEO decile 1 is the lowest tier nationally. Real income shrank 13.7% over the decade, the only negative figure in this batch.
Unemployment
5.5%
Labour Force
4,684
Unemployed
259
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
61.7%
Part-time
28.9%
Participation
45.9%
Employed
2,584
Occupations
Top Industries
University
8.8%
Postgraduate
0.9%
Born Overseas
12.0%
Dwellings
2,949
Transport to Work
Five schools serve Collie: St Brigid's (Catholic primary, ICSEA 996, 178 students), Fairview Primary (government, ICSEA 955, 172), Amaroo Primary (government, ICSEA 927, 331), Collie Senior High (government, ICSEA 920, 537) and Wilson Park Primary (government, ICSEA 838, 79). All score below or near the national 1,000 benchmark. Car dependency at 85.5% is high, with walking/cycling at 3.4%. The IRSAD decile 1 is the lowest national tier. No crime data is available. Volunteering at 18.4% is above the national average, indicating community cohesion despite economic challenges. Need for assistance at 7.5% (522 people) is above average.
Drive
85.5%
Public Transport
2.8%
Walk / Cycle
3.4%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.23%/yr
(+22 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation contracted 3.5% over 10 years, the only decline in this batch and well below the national growth rate. Current growth is minimal at 0.23% per year (22 persons). Medium forecasts project 9,460 by 2031 from 9,561 in 2025, essentially flat. Internal migration of 71 per year and overseas migration of 32 per year provide small inflows. The gentrification score of 9 (not gentrifying) confirms stable or declining demographics. Affordability worsened from 35.9% (2011) to 42.3% (2021) because incomes fell while costs rose. The aging trajectory is the second-most severe in this batch: senior share up 9.0 points, working-age share down 5.8 points.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+32
Net Internal / yr
+71
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal migration +71/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Collie compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Collie a good suburb to live in?
Collie offers WA's most affordable housing with a $318,000 estimated median but faces significant challenges. The IRSAD decile 1 is the bottom national tier. Unemployment at 9.4% is more than double the national rate, and real income declined 13.7% over the decade. Volunteering at 18.4% is above average, indicating community engagement despite economic pressure.
What is the median house price in Collie?
The estimated median house price is $318,000 (2025 rent-derived), the lowest in this batch. Monthly mortgage of $1,263 produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.8%. Weekly rent is $250. Despite low absolute prices, affordability worsened from 35.9% (2011) to 42.3% (2021) because incomes fell 13.7% in real terms.
What schools are in Collie?
Five schools serve Collie: St Brigid's (Catholic primary, ICSEA 996, 178 students), Fairview Primary (government, 955, 172), Amaroo Primary (government, 927, 331), Collie Senior High (government secondary, 920, 537) and Wilson Park Primary (government, 838, 79). All score at or below the 1,000 national benchmark.
Is Collie safe?
No crime rate data is currently available for Collie. The IRSD decile 2 indicates socioeconomic disadvantage. The town's 7,599 census population spans 52.77 km2 at a low density of 144 per km2. Need for assistance at 7.5% (522 people) is above the national average.
Is Collie good for property investment?
Gross yield of approximately 4.1% ($250/week on $318,000) is above average, but the 12.6% vacancy rate is the highest in this batch, indicating structural oversupply. Population contracted 3.5% over 10 years and unemployment sits at 9.4%. Zero DAs in 12 months and declining real incomes (-13.7%) present significant headwinds for capital growth.
How is Collie's population changing?
Population contracted 3.5% over 10 years, the only decline in this batch. Current growth is minimal at 0.23% per year (22 persons). Medium projections are essentially flat at 9,460 by 2031. The senior share grew 9.0 points over the decade, the second-largest aging shift. Internal migration of 71 per year provides a small inflow.
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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