Coolbinia
Household income in the 98.2nd percentile nationally tells you something unusual is happening in Coolbinia's 0.86 km2 footprint. The suburb pairs that top-tier income position with a 60.8% university qualification rate, which is 30.7 percentage points above the national average, and a workforce dominated by Professionals and Managers. Yet the median house price is estimated at $540,000, relatively modest compared to similarly credentialed Perth suburbs, which creates a gap that buyers and investors notice. Population has grown 15.1% over the past decade and the gentrification score shows early signs of further repricing.
Population
1,751
Median Age
40.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$3,229/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
11
Median House
$540K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated median house price is $540,000, with monthly mortgage repayments around $2,600. Mortgage-to-income sits at 18.6%, well below the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers at this suburb's income level carry debt comfortably compared to many Australian markets. Separate houses dominate at 85.4% of stock, with only 11.1% apartments, so the purchase market is almost entirely detached dwellings. The bedroom mix skews large: 57.3% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms, and 24.0% have 3, a profile that suits families. Outright owners at 42.0% nearly match mortgage holders at 42.5%, suggesting a stable, long-established owner base rather than a churn of recent entrants.
For Buyers
The estimated median house price is $540,000, with monthly mortgage repayments around $2,600. Mortgage-to-income sits at 18.6%, well below the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers at this suburb's income level carry debt comfortably compared to many Australian markets. Separate houses dominate at 85.4% of stock, with only 11.1% apartments, so the purchase market is almost entirely detached dwellings. The bedroom mix skews large: 57.3% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms, and 24.0% have 3, a profile that suits families. Outright owners at 42.0% nearly match mortgage holders at 42.5%, suggesting a stable, long-established owner base rather than a churn of recent entrants.
For Investors
The rental market here is thin: only 15.6% of dwellings are rented and weekly rent runs $350. Against a $540,000 median that implies a gross yield around 3.4%, below the national average for houses but serviceable given low vacancy expectations in this income tier. The vacancy rate is 6.3%, elevated compared to tighter Perth markets, suggesting rental demand has not kept pace with the suburb's appeal. Development activity is modest at 7 applications in the past 12 months, all residential additions and carports rather than new dwellings. Population growth of 15.1% over the decade and overseas migration of 344 per year to the broader area indicate sustained demand rather than a one-off spike.
Development Activity
Total DAs
11
Last 12 Months
11
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
$13K
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Coolbinia iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Coolbinia Primary School
K-6 · 401 students
Demographics
The median age is 40, matching the national figure exactly. University qualifications reach 60.8%, which is 30.7 points above the national average, the most distinctive demographic feature of the suburb. Overseas-born residents make up 23.1%, about 1.5 points above national. Ancestry is Anglo-Celtic led, with English (560 residents), Italian (269), Irish (195) and Scottish (177) the top groups, giving the suburb a strongly established European character. Average household size of 2.8 is 0.3 above national, consistent with the 57.3% share of 4-plus bedroom homes and the high proportion of couples with children (743 families). Judaism is notable as a second religion, with 175 residents, behind Christianity at 732.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
85.4%
Houses
3.4%
Townhouse
11.1%
Apartment
Tenure
With 85.4% separate houses and only 11.1% apartments, Coolbinia is a detached-dominant suburb well above the national average for house density. The tenure split between outright owners (42.0%) and mortgage holders (42.5%) is unusually even, pointing to a mix of long-held homes and active buyers. Renters at 15.6% are a minority compared to state and national norms. The bedroom distribution is large-family oriented, with 57.3% of dwellings having 4 or more bedrooms, higher than most comparable Perth suburbs. Mortgage-to-income at 18.6% and rent-to-income at 10.8% both sit well below stress thresholds, indicating the current resident income base absorbs housing costs with room to spare.
Mortgage / mo
$2,600
Rent / wk
$350
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$1,192
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.3%
Unoccupied
39
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
10.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.6%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
19.1%
Couples, no children
1,447
Total families
Economy & Employment
Professional/Tech leads the employment mix at 19.2% of local workers (138 people), followed closely by Healthcare at 16.6% (119) and Education at 10.0% (72). This services-heavy profile aligns with the 60.8% university qualification rate, which is 30.7 points above national. By occupation, Professionals (330) and Managers (205) account for the largest two groups, consistent with the household income sitting at the 98.2nd percentile. Unemployment is 3.5%, low, and the full-time employment rate is 61.8%. The IRSAD score of 1051 sits at decile 8 nationally and the IEO (education and occupation) score of 1067 reaches decile 8 as well, confirming broad advantage across multiple dimensions of socioeconomic status.
Unemployment
2.6%
Labour Force
11,251
Unemployed
293
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
61.8%
Part-time
34.7%
Participation
66.0%
Employed
889
Occupations
Top Industries
University
60.8%
Postgraduate
14.6%
Born Overseas
23.1%
Dwellings
584
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high: 81.0% of residents drive to work, compared to the national average, while only 9.6% use public transport and 3.4% walk or cycle. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families rely on institutions in surrounding areas. The IRSAD decile of 8 places Coolbinia in the upper tier for relative socioeconomic advantage nationally. Volunteering runs at 25.3% of residents, above the typical community average, reflecting the engaged, high-income resident profile. Housing stress is absent: rent-to-income at 10.8% and mortgage-to-income at 18.6% both sit well below stress thresholds. Only 5.8% of residents (99 people) need daily assistance, consistent with the relatively young median age of 40 and strong labour force participation at 66.0%.
Drive
81.0%
Public Transport
9.6%
Walk / Cycle
3.4%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.16%/yr
(+218 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 15.1% over the past decade and is forecast to continue expanding, with the broader SA2 medium-scenario projection adding roughly 218 persons per year through 2031. The primary driver is overseas migration at a net 344 per year, partly offset by net internal outflow of 11 per year. Rent grew 8.3% and real incomes grew 8.9% over the measured period, a parallel that means affordability improved: the affordability ratio shifted from 43.2% in 2011 to 34.9% in 2021. The gentrification score of 32 places the suburb at an early-signs stage, with signals including population growth above 20% since 2011 and accelerating overseas inflow. This trajectory suggests gradual repricing rather than sudden step-change.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+344
Net Internal / yr
-11
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +20% since 2011, Strong overseas inflow +344/yr, Accelerating: 4% → 15%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Coolbinia compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coolbinia a good suburb to live in?
Coolbinia sits at the 98.2nd percentile for household income nationally, with a 60.8% university qualification rate, which is 30.7 points above the national average. The IRSAD decile of 8 reflects strong socioeconomic advantage. Housing costs are manageable, with mortgage-to-income at 18.6% and the median house price estimated at $540,000.
What is the median house price in Coolbinia?
The median house price is estimated at $540,000 based on 2025 rental data. Monthly mortgage repayments run around $2,600. Weekly rent averages $350, and with household income in the 98.2nd percentile nationally, the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at a comfortable 18.6%.
What schools are in Coolbinia?
No schools are recorded inside the Coolbinia boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. The local population is highly educated, with 60.8% holding university qualifications, which is 30.7 percentage points higher than the national average, among the highest rates in WA.
Is Coolbinia safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Coolbinia in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 8 on the IRSD index nationally, placing it in the upper advantage tier. Only 5.8% of residents (99 people) need daily assistance, and the unemployment rate is low at 3.5%.
Is Coolbinia good for property investment?
At an estimated $540,000 median with $350 weekly rent, the gross yield is around 3.4%. The vacancy rate of 6.3% is somewhat elevated, and rental supply is thin at only 15.6% of dwellings rented. The 10-year population growth of 15.1% and early-stage gentrification score of 32 support a longer-term capital growth thesis more than immediate yield.
How is Coolbinia's population changing?
Population grew 15.1% over the past decade. Overseas migration drives growth at a net 344 arrivals per year for the broader area, while internal migration shows a small net outflow of 11 per year. The medium forecast adds around 218 persons per year through 2031, keeping the suburb on a steady upward trajectory.
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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