Girrawheen
Unemployment in Girrawheen runs at 10.4%, more than double the national rate, while household income sits in just the 27.4th percentile, placing SEIFA scores at decile 1 across all four indices, the lowest possible ranking. Yet 43.3% of residents were born overseas, 21.7 points above the national average, creating a suburb where international diversity coexists with significant economic disadvantage. Vietnamese ancestry (623 residents) is the fourth-largest group, and the housing stock is dominated by 3-bedroom detached homes (69.0% of all dwellings).
Population
8,897
Median Age
36.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,239/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$363K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $363,000, Girrawheen is one of Perth's most affordable suburbs, priced at roughly half the metro median. Three-bedroom homes make up 69.0% of stock, the highest single-bedroom-count concentration on this list. Separate houses at 77.0% dominate, with 22.5% semi-detached providing townhouse alternatives. Mortgage-to-income at 26.1% is elevated relative to the low income base ($1,239/week household), approaching the caution zone. Buyers should note the SEIFA decile 1 ranking, which affects school quality, services, and resale values. The 80.9% residential stability rate is moderate, suggesting the community is more settled than the economic data alone might suggest.
For Buyers
At $363,000, Girrawheen is one of Perth's most affordable suburbs, priced at roughly half the metro median. Three-bedroom homes make up 69.0% of stock, the highest single-bedroom-count concentration on this list. Separate houses at 77.0% dominate, with 22.5% semi-detached providing townhouse alternatives. Mortgage-to-income at 26.1% is elevated relative to the low income base ($1,239/week household), approaching the caution zone. Buyers should note the SEIFA decile 1 ranking, which affects school quality, services, and resale values. The 80.9% residential stability rate is moderate, suggesting the community is more settled than the economic data alone might suggest.
For Investors
Renters at 35.3% and $293/week rent on a $363,000 asset deliver a gross yield above 4.0%, among the highest in metro Perth. Vacancy at 6.7% is above the healthy benchmark but below the extreme levels seen in some regional areas. Zero development applications in 12 months means no new supply threat. Overseas migration of +190/year is the primary population driver. The 10.4% unemployment and SEIFA decile 1 status create tenant risk: higher probability of arrears and turnover. Real income declined 4.4% over the decade, a rare negative figure that indicates the suburb's economic position is eroding rather than improving.
Schools in Girrawheen iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Our Lady of Mercy Primary School
PP-6 · 334 students
Emmanuel Christian Community School
PP-12 · 711 students
Hudson Park Primary School
K-6 · 212 students
Girrawheen Senior High School
7-12 · 458 students
Roseworth Primary School
K-6 · 299 students
Demographics
Overseas-born residents at 43.3% are 21.7 points above the national average, with Vietnamese (623), Macedonian (Macedon language 74 speakers), and Arabic (98 speakers) the most distinctive community groups. English ancestry leads at 2,405, but 'other' ancestry (2,387) is nearly equal, indicating high diversity. University attainment at 22.4% is 7.7 points below the national rate. Median age of 36 is 4 years below the national figure. The 10.1% volunteering rate and 80.9% residential stability suggest a community that stays and participates despite economic constraints. Participation rate of 53.9% is well below the national norm.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
77.0%
Houses
22.5%
Townhouse
0.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Owner-occupiers hold 64.7% of dwellings: 25.4% outright and 39.3% on mortgage. The 35.3% rental share is higher than the national average, consistent with the low-income profile. Stock is 77.0% separate houses, 22.5% semi-detached, and 0.5% apartments. The 69.0% share of 3-bedroom homes is the highest concentration of any single bedroom count in this batch, reflecting the suburb's 1970s-era estate housing origins. Without historical price data, long-term capital growth cannot be assessed. Rent-to-income at 23.6% and mortgage-to-income at 26.1% both approach the upper comfort zone given the low income base.
Mortgage / mo
$1,400
Rent / wk
$293
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$582
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.7%
Unoccupied
235
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
20.8%
Couples, no children
6,775
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates at 20.3%, followed by construction (10.3%), retail (8.8%), education (8.8%), and hospitality (6.2%). Labourers (641) are the top occupation, ahead of community/personal services (549) and professionals (447), which inverts the national pattern where professionals typically lead. Machinery/drivers (353) are also prominent. Unemployment at 10.4% is more than double the national rate, and participation at 53.9% is well below average. SEIFA decile 1 across all indices confirms Girrawheen is in the bottom 10% nationally for socioeconomic outcomes, driven by the combination of low education, low income, and high unemployment.
Unemployment
14.0%
Labour Force
5,244
Unemployed
735
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
61.3%
Part-time
28.3%
Participation
53.9%
Employed
3,452
Occupations
Top Industries
University
22.4%
Postgraduate
4.4%
Born Overseas
43.3%
Dwellings
3,259
Transport to Work
Five schools serve the area across a wide ICSEA range: Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Primary (997, 334 students), Emmanuel Christian Community School (973, 711), Hudson Park Primary (937, 212), Girrawheen Senior High (899, 458), and Roseworth Primary (899, 299). The 98-point gap between the top and bottom ICSEA scores reflects socioeconomic variation. Public transport at 3.5% is low. Crime data is not available at the suburb level in WA reporting. IRSAD decile 1 and the 10.4% unemployment rate indicate significant disadvantage. The 7.0% needing assistance is above the national average.
Drive
87.5%
Public Transport
3.5%
Walk / Cycle
1.0%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.82%/yr
(+84 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grows at 0.82% per year (+84 people), driven almost entirely by overseas migration (+190/year) with minimal internal movement (+10/year). The medium forecast projects 10,404 by 2031, up from 10,268 in 2025. The decade growth rate of 6.8% is below the Perth average. Gentrification score of 21 shows early signs, with growth accelerating from 3% to 14% between decades, but real income declined 4.4%, making this population-driven rather than income-driven gentrification. Affordability improved from 56.6% to 50.3% (mortgage-to-median-income), but this likely reflects flat house prices rather than income gains.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+190
Net Internal / yr
+10
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +17% since 2011, Accelerating: 3% → 14%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Girrawheen compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Girrawheen a good suburb to live in?
Girrawheen is highly affordable ($363,000 median) with a diverse community (43.3% overseas-born). However, SEIFA decile 1 across all indices, 10.4% unemployment, and schools scoring below the national benchmark (highest ICSEA is 997) indicate significant disadvantage. The 80.9% stability rate and 5 local schools (334-711 students) provide some community infrastructure despite the economic challenges.
What is the median house price in Girrawheen?
The estimated median house price is $363,000 based on 2025 rental yield data. This is roughly half Perth's metro median. With household income in just the 27.4th percentile ($1,239/week), mortgage-to-income at 26.1% is manageable but higher than the figure suggests because of the low income base.
What schools are in Girrawheen?
Five schools operate locally: Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Primary (ICSEA 997, 334 students), Emmanuel Christian Community School (973, 711), Hudson Park Primary (937, 212), Girrawheen Senior High (899, 458), and Roseworth Primary (899, 299). None reaches the national ICSEA benchmark of 1000, with the highest school sitting 3 points below it.
Is Girrawheen safe?
Crime data is not available at the suburb level in WA reporting. However, SEIFA decile 1 across all indices, 10.4% unemployment, and a household income in the 27th percentile are indicators typically associated with higher-than-average property crime and social challenges. The 7.0% need-for-assistance rate is above the national average.
Is Girrawheen good for property investment?
Gross yield above 4.0% ($293/week rent on $363,000) is attractive, and zero DAs in 12 months mean no new supply competition. Overseas migration of +190/year supports tenant demand. Key risks are 10.4% unemployment increasing tenant arrears probability, SEIFA decile 1 limiting capital growth, and real income declining 4.4% over the decade. Suited to experienced investors comfortable managing higher-risk tenant profiles.
How is Girrawheen's population changing?
Population grows at 0.82% per year, adding about 84 people annually. Overseas migration (+190/year) is the dominant driver, with internal migration near neutral (+10/year). The medium projection forecasts 10,404 by 2031. Growth is accelerating from 3% to 14% between decades, showing early gentrification signs (score 21), but real income declined 4.4%, meaning the economic base is not upgrading alongside population growth.
What languages are spoken in Girrawheen?
With 43.3% born overseas, Girrawheen is linguistically diverse. Arabic (98 speakers), Macedonian (74), Punjabi (30), Serbian (25), and Italian (24) are the top non-English languages. Vietnamese ancestry (623 residents) is the fourth-largest heritage group. The 'other' ancestry category at 2,387 nearly equals English (2,405), reflecting the breadth of cultural backgrounds.
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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