East Bunbury
At 47, East Bunbury's median age is 7 years above the national comparison, making its aging resident base the clearest defining feature. The suburb has 4,019 people in only 3.53 sq km, or 1,137.6 people per sq km, while 11.0% of dwellings are vacant. Housing is detached-led, with 77.6% separate houses and 20.8% semi-detached homes. Compared with nearby Bunbury and South Bunbury, that mix points to a lower-rise residential setting, supported by healthcare and education employment. Household income sits at the 24.9th percentile, so budget and property condition matter more than prestige branding. The forecast is established, with 0.93% annual growth and a Balanced migration driver, while gentrification remains Not gentrifying at score 19.
Population
4,019
Median Age
47.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,193/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
30
East Bunbury suits buyers seeking established housing rather than a predominantly apartment-based market. Separate houses account for 77.6% of dwellings, while semi-detached homes make up 20.8% and apartments only 1.7%. The most common format is a 3-bedroom home at 54.6%, higher than the 28.3% share of 4-bedroom-plus dwellings and well above the 0.5% share of studio or 1-bedroom homes. Monthly mortgage commitments are recorded at $1,470, compared with weekly rent of $300, while mortgage costs equal 28.5% of household income. Buyers should rely on current comparable sales because a single median house price is not available, and should budget carefully for older homes, renovations and insurance.
For Buyers
East Bunbury suits buyers seeking established housing rather than a predominantly apartment-based market. Separate houses account for 77.6% of dwellings, while semi-detached homes make up 20.8% and apartments only 1.7%. The most common format is a 3-bedroom home at 54.6%, higher than the 28.3% share of 4-bedroom-plus dwellings and well above the 0.5% share of studio or 1-bedroom homes. Monthly mortgage commitments are recorded at $1,470, compared with weekly rent of $300, while mortgage costs equal 28.5% of household income. Buyers should rely on current comparable sales because a single median house price is not available, and should budget carefully for older homes, renovations and insurance.
For Investors
East Bunbury has a mixed investment case, with 29.5% of households renting and a weekly rent of $300. The 11.0% vacancy rate is high compared with a tight-rental strategy, so advertised rent alone should not be treated as a guarantee of occupancy. Rent growth of 11.1% provides a positive recent signal, but the suburb's Aging trajectory and Balanced migration driver point to steady rather than sharply expanding demand. Thirty development applications over 12 months indicate ongoing renovation and infill activity, which can improve housing stock but may also add competing rental supply. Detached homes dominate at 77.6%, making maintenance, tenant appeal and purchase price more important than apartment-style amenity.
Development Activity
Total DAs
30
Last 12 Months
30
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
$202K
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in East Bunbury
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
COOINDA PRIMARY SCHOOL
Demographics
East Bunbury has an older and smaller-household profile than Australia overall. The median age of 47 is 7 years above the national comparison, university participation at 16.5% is 13.6 percentage points below the national figure, and the average household size of 2.1 is 0.4 below the national level. Couples without children account for 48.7% of families, helping explain the mature age pattern. English ancestry is most common at 1,728 people, followed by Scottish at 388, Italian at 362 and Irish at 352. Christianity records 1,812 people versus 1,770 reporting no religion. Overseas-born residents comprise 19.9%, below the national comparison by 1.7 points, with Italian and Punjabi recorded as the leading non-English languages.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
77.6%
Houses
20.8%
Townhouse
1.7%
Apartment
Tenure
East Bunbury's housing is primarily conventional, family-sized stock, with 77.6% separate houses, 20.8% semi-detached dwellings and 1.7% apartments. Three-bedroom homes account for 54.6% of dwellings and 4-bedroom-plus homes another 28.3%, so the suburb is more suited to houses and townhouses than compact apartment living. Tenure is divided between 36.4% owning outright, 30.2% paying a mortgage and 29.5% renting, with 3.8% in other arrangements. Housing affordability improved from 47.0 in 2011 to 41.5 in 2021, while mortgage costs equal 28.5% of household income and rent equals 25.1%. Compared with higher-cost ownership markets, this mixed tenure base can support both resident buyers and renters, but current sales evidence is needed because no median house price is available.
Mortgage / mo
$1,470
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$300
Census 2021
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$679
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
11.0%
Unoccupied
218
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.5%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
30.6%
Couples with children
48.7%
Couples, no children
18.5%
Single parent
1,106
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is East Bunbury's largest recorded industry at 19.3%, employing 225 people, followed by education at 12.6% and 147 people, construction at 11.3% and 132, manufacturing at 8.4% and 98, and mining at 6.2% and 73. The occupation mix is different: trades lead at 335 workers, ahead of labourers at 259, professionals at 254, community and personal services at 249, and clerical and administrative roles at 208. That contrast reflects a local economy serving both care and education needs and practical construction, maintenance and industrial work. Unemployment is 4.6%, participation is 56.5% and full-time employment is 57.9%. Household income is at the 24.9th percentile. SEIFA results are low overall, with IEO decile 1, IRSAD decile 2, IRSD decile 3 and IER decile 4, indicating disadvantage remains more pronounced than in stronger socio-economic areas.
Unemployment
4.6%
Labour Force
1,943
Unemployed
90
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.9%
Part-time
35.6%
Participation
56.5%
Employed
1,853
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
16.5%
Postgraduate
2.5%
Born Overseas
19.9%
Dwellings
1,752
Transport to Work
East Bunbury is compact at 3.53 sq km, but daily mobility is strongly car dependent: 82.9% of workers drive, compared with 1.5% using public transport, 4.2% walking or cycling and 4.6% working from home. That makes parking, road access and proximity to services more important than transit-oriented convenience. School access includes 1 government primary school, and families should confirm enrolment zones against the exact address because catchments can cross suburb boundaries. Volunteering is 15.3%, while 7.0% of residents need assistance, reinforcing the importance of local services for an older population. The IRSAD result is in decile 2, below more advantaged areas, so livability decisions should weigh household budgets, service access and dwelling condition. No single crime rate is stated, so address-level safety checks remain appropriate.
Drive
82.9%
Public Transport
1.5%
Walk / Cycle
4.2%
Work from Home
4.6%
Population Forecast
+0.93%/yr
(+74 people/yr)
EstablishedEast Bunbury is forecast to grow at 0.93% annually, with migration classified as Balanced rather than driven mainly by one source. The wider area's population change is 4.4% over 10 years, indicating gradual expansion rather than a rapid growth cycle. Its Aging trajectory is more pronounced than its growth rate, with the senior share rising 5.6% and the young share falling 1.4%. This matters because demand is likely to be shaped by established households, downsizers and service needs as much as by new arrivals. Rent growth of 11.1% and affordability movement from 47.0 in 2011 to 41.5 in 2021 support continued market activity, but the gentrification score of 19 and Not gentrifying stage suggest change remains incremental rather than transformational.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+66
Net Internal / yr
+40
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +12% since 2011, Accelerating: -1% → 13%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How East Bunbury compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is East Bunbury a good suburb to live in?
East Bunbury can suit residents who prefer established, mostly detached housing and access to a compact urban setting. Its median age is 47, 77.6% of homes are separate houses and 82.9% of workers drive, so it is better suited to car-oriented households than transit-dependent residents.
What is the median house price in East Bunbury?
A single suburb-wide median house price is not available for East Bunbury. Buyers should compare current sales by dwelling type and condition, especially because 54.6% of homes have 3 bedrooms and 77.6% are separate houses. Renovation needs can create large differences between otherwise similar properties.
What schools are in East Bunbury?
East Bunbury has access to 1 government primary school. Families should confirm the current enrolment zone, year-level availability and transport arrangements for the exact address, since school boundaries can differ from suburb boundaries. School location alone should not be treated as a measure of educational quality.
Is East Bunbury safe?
East Bunbury's crime rate cannot be summarised reliably as one current figure. Check recent incidents around the exact address and compare nearby Bunbury and South Bunbury locations. The suburb covers 3.53 sq km and has 4,019 residents, so local conditions may vary between streets.
Is East Bunbury good for property investment?
East Bunbury has a mixed investment outlook. Rent is $300 per week and 29.5% of households rent, but the 11.0% vacancy rate is high for a low-risk rental strategy. Thirty development applications in 12 months and 11.1% rent growth support activity, while Balanced migration and an Aging trajectory suggest gradual demand.
How is East Bunbury's population changing?
East Bunbury has 4,019 residents today, with growth forecast at 0.93% annually and population change of 4.4% over 10 years across the wider area. The trajectory is Aging: the senior share has increased 5.6% while the young share has fallen 1.4%, indicating gradual older-led change rather than rapid expansion.
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 education open registers (school locations), 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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