Furnissdale
With a median age of 58, Furnissdale sits 18 years above the national figure, making it one of WA's most distinctly retirement-oriented small communities. Population stands at 1,061 across 6.94 km2, and household income falls in the 4.8th percentile nationally, well below the Australian average. Yet 55.6% of residents own their home outright, a figure far higher than the national norm, because many have paid off mortgages accumulated over decades. The suburb is almost entirely detached houses at 85.2% of stock, with a vacancy rate of 9.9% that reflects slower demand relative to the broader Peel region.
Population
1,061
Median Age
58.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$813/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$333K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price is estimated at $333,000, substantially lower than the WA state median, making Furnissdale one of the more accessible entry points along the Mandurah corridor. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,509, but the mortgage-to-income ratio reaches 42.9%, above the 30% stress threshold, because household incomes are in the bottom 4.8th percentile nationally. Detached houses dominate at 85.2% of stock, and 2-bedroom dwellings account for 32.0% of the mix, with 4-plus bedroom homes making up 28.0%. The 22.3% mortgage-holder share is modest compared to the 55.6% who own outright, suggesting fewer recent buyers and less turnover pressure.
For Buyers
The median house price is estimated at $333,000, substantially lower than the WA state median, making Furnissdale one of the more accessible entry points along the Mandurah corridor. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,509, but the mortgage-to-income ratio reaches 42.9%, above the 30% stress threshold, because household incomes are in the bottom 4.8th percentile nationally. Detached houses dominate at 85.2% of stock, and 2-bedroom dwellings account for 32.0% of the mix, with 4-plus bedroom homes making up 28.0%. The 22.3% mortgage-holder share is modest compared to the 55.6% who own outright, suggesting fewer recent buyers and less turnover pressure.
For Investors
Weekly rent of $231 against a $333,000 median produces a gross yield near 3.6%, higher than most metropolitan WA markets. The renter share sits at 22.1%, and the vacancy rate of 9.9% is elevated compared to regional averages, indicating limited rental demand relative to available stock. No development applications were recorded in the past 12 months, consistent with a static rather than growing supply environment. The labour market is constrained, with an 11.9% unemployment rate well above the national average, and only 35.0% of residents participate in the workforce because 485 are not in the labour force, reflecting the older age profile.
Demographics
The median age of 58 is 18 years above the national figure, the defining characteristic of this community. Overseas-born residents at 22.3% are 0.7 points above the national average. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic: English (535), Scottish (108) and Irish (98) are the top three groups, with Christianity the dominant religion (439 residents). University qualification rates reach only 9.3%, which is 20.8 points below the national figure, a gap that reflects both the older cohort and the blue-collar occupational base. Average household size is 2.0, which is 0.5 below the national figure, consistent with couples-without-children dominating at 42.5% of all families.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
85.2%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
0.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Ownership patterns reveal a community that has largely settled its housing situation: 55.6% own outright compared to 22.3% on mortgages and 22.1% renting, a split that heavily favours debt-free tenure. The stock is detached-house dominant at 85.2%, with apartments accounting for only 0.6%. Bedroom distribution shows 2-bedroom dwellings leading at 32.0%, followed by 4-plus at 28.0% and 3-bedroom at 21.2%. The rent-to-income ratio of 28.4% stays below the 30% stress threshold, while mortgage-to-income of 42.9% exceeds it, meaning renters are under less pressure than buyers despite the low absolute income base of the suburb.
Mortgage / mo
$1,509
Rent / wk
$231
HH Size
2.0
Personal Income / wk
$503
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.9%
Unoccupied
51
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
42.9% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
42.5%
Couples, no children
677
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads local industry at 19.4% of workers (36 people), followed by Mining at 11.3% (21) and Manufacturing at 10.8% (20), with Construction and Retail each at 10.2%. By occupation, Machinery and Drivers (43) and Labourers (42) together form the largest groups, reflecting a predominantly blue-collar workforce. The unemployment rate is 11.9%, well above the national average, partly because participation is only 35.0%, with 485 residents not in the labour force. Full-time employment accounts for 53.9% of those who work, and 136 work part-time. Volunteering at 15.4% is moderate, and 9.2% of residents require daily assistance, consistent with the aging profile rather than economic disadvantage alone.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
53.9%
Part-time
34.2%
Participation
35.0%
Employed
295
Occupations
Top Industries
University
9.3%
Postgraduate
0.6%
Born Overseas
22.3%
Dwellings
465
Transport to Work
Car dependency is extreme at 89.4% driving to work, compared to the national average and well above urban WA norms, because no public transport routes serve the suburb effectively, with just 1.3% using public transport. Walking or cycling accounts for 4.3% of commutes. The vacancy rate of 9.9% suggests housing is not under pressure, but services and amenities are limited given the small 1,061-person population. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, meaning families depend on neighbouring suburbs for education. The 15.4% volunteering rate indicates a degree of community engagement above what income alone would predict, and mortgage stress at 42.9% of income is the main financial pressure point for the minority still carrying debt.
Drive
89.4%
Public Transport
1.3%
Walk / Cycle
4.3%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Furnissdale compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Furnissdale a good suburb to live in?
Furnissdale suits retirees and older residents particularly well, with 55.6% owning their homes outright and a median age of 58, which is 18 years above the national figure. The $333,000 median house price is affordable compared to the WA state median, but car dependency is high at 89.4% and services are limited in this 1,061-person community.
What is the median house price in Furnissdale?
The median house price is estimated at $333,000, well below the WA state median. Weekly rent averages $231, and monthly mortgage repayments run around $1,509. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 42.9% is above the stress threshold because household incomes sit in the 4.8th percentile nationally.
What schools are in Furnissdale?
No schools are recorded within the Furnissdale boundary in this dataset. With a population of 1,061 and a median age of 58, the suburb has a relatively small number of school-age children, and families rely on schools in nearby Mandurah and surrounding suburbs in the Peel region.
Is Furnissdale safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Furnissdale in this dataset. As contextual indicators, the suburb has a stable long-term resident base with 79.5% staying at the same address over five years, and volunteering at 15.4% suggests community engagement. The low-density, low-turnover character is generally associated with lower crime exposure.
Is Furnissdale good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $231 against a $333,000 median implies a gross yield near 3.6%, higher than many metropolitan WA suburbs. However, a vacancy rate of 9.9% is elevated, indicating limited rental demand. With an unemployment rate of 11.9% and no development activity in the past 12 months, capital growth prospects are constrained compared to higher-demand corridors.
How is Furnissdale's population changing?
Furnissdale has a population of 1,061 with a median age of 58, which is 18 years above the national figure. The turnover rate was 20.5%, meaning 79.5% stayed at the same address over five years. No development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, and the aging demographic profile points to slow or flat population growth rather than 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 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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