Girrawheen
A 43.3% overseas-born share is the standout feature of Girrawheen, alongside a population of 8,897 in a compact 4.08 sq km area. Its density reaches 2,178.7 people per sq km, while 77.0% of dwellings are separate houses. At a median age of 36, residents are 4 years younger than the national figure, but university attainment is 7.7 percentage points below it. Compared with nearby Marangaroo and Koondoola, Girrawheen's defining contrast is its compact density alongside a strongly detached-house setting and household income at the 27.4th percentile.
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
Homebuyers are choosing a predominantly family-sized market: 69.0% of dwellings have 3 bedrooms and another 20.9% have 4 or more, while 77.0% are separate houses. The typical mortgage payment is $1,400 a month, equal to 26.1% of household income, and the mortgage-stress flag is false. Ownership is split between 25.1% outright and 38.8% with a mortgage, with 34.9% renting. A current median house price is not available, so compare recent sales by condition, land size and bedroom count rather than relying on a single suburb figure. Compared with apartment-oriented options, Girrawheen suits buyers seeking space, but household income at the 27.4th percentile should temper borrowing plans.
For Buyers
Homebuyers are choosing a predominantly family-sized market: 69.0% of dwellings have 3 bedrooms and another 20.9% have 4 or more, while 77.0% are separate houses. The typical mortgage payment is $1,400 a month, equal to 26.1% of household income, and the mortgage-stress flag is false. Ownership is split between 25.1% outright and 38.8% with a mortgage, with 34.9% renting. A current median house price is not available, so compare recent sales by condition, land size and bedroom count rather than relying on a single suburb figure. Compared with apartment-oriented options, Girrawheen suits buyers seeking space, but household income at the 27.4th percentile should temper borrowing plans.
For Investors
Rental demand has a meaningful base, with 34.9% of households renting and weekly rent at $293. Vacancy is 6.7%, so investors should allow for letting periods rather than assume every property leases immediately. There were 0 developments recorded in the past 12 months, which limits near-term new supply but also means returns depend more on established stock and tenant retention. Annual growth is forecast at 0.82%, driven primarily by overseas migration, while the gentrification profile has a score of 21 and an Early signs stage. Compared with a development-led growth corridor, the case is more defensive: assess yield, maintenance and street-level tenant appeal, not just capital-growth narratives.
Schools in Girrawheen
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
ROSEWORTH EDUCATION SUPPORT CENTRE
EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL
OUR LADY OF MERCY PRIMARY SCHOOL
HUDSON PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL
ROSEWORTH PRIMARY SCHOOL
Demographics
Girrawheen combines a younger-than-national age profile with substantial overseas migration links. The median age is 36, 4 years below the national figure, and 43.3% of residents were born overseas, 21.7 percentage points above the national share. English ancestry counts 2,405 people and Vietnamese ancestry 623, while Christianity records 3,809 adherents, no religion 3,010 and Islam 618. Average household size is 2.6, only 0.1 above national, with couples with children making up 39.6% of families and one-parent families 26.6%. Compared with nearby Marangaroo and Koondoola, this mix supports services and community networks that need to work across older residents, families and multiple language groups.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
77.0%
Houses
22.5%
Townhouse
0.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Housing is detached-dominant but not exclusively low-density: 77.0% of dwellings are separate houses, 22.5% are semi-detached and just 0.5% are apartments. Three-bedroom homes account for 69.0% of stock and 4-plus-bedroom homes another 20.9%, explaining the suburb's family orientation. Tenure is mixed, with 25.1% owned outright, 38.8% mortgaged and 34.9% rented. Weekly household income is $1,239, while the mortgage-to-income measure is 26.1% and rent-to-income is 23.6%, both without a recorded stress flag. Compared with apartment-heavy parts of Perth, Girrawheen provides more land-based housing choice, but its income sits at the 27.4th percentile, so price and upkeep remain important filters.
Mortgage / mo
$1,400
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$293
Census 2021
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
39.6%
Couples with children
31.1%
Couples, no children
26.6%
Single parent
2,232
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Girrawheen's largest industry at 20.3% of employed residents, followed by construction at 10.3%, retail and education at 8.8% each, and hospitality at 6.2%. The occupational mix reinforces a practical service economy: trades account for 645 people, labourers 641, community and personal service 549, professionals 447 and clerical or administrative work 371. Labour-force participation is 56.8%, unemployment is 9.9%, and full-time employment is 57.8%. Household income of $1,239 per week sits at the 27.4th percentile, below the midpoint, while IRSAD, IER, IEO and IRSD all sit in decile 1. Compared with higher-income suburbs, those deciles point to constrained resources, even as healthcare and construction provide important employment anchors.
Unemployment
9.9%
Labour Force
4,065
Unemployed
402
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.8%
Part-time
36.5%
Participation
56.8%
Employed
3,663
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
22.4%
Postgraduate
4.4%
Born Overseas
43.3%
Dwellings
3,259
Transport to Work
Daily life is car-oriented: 83.9% of commuters drive, compared with 3.3% using public transport, 1.0% walking or cycling and 4.1% working from home. That pattern matters because a density of 2,178.7 people per sq km does not translate into transit-led mobility. Six local schools span government and non-government sectors, with primary, senior high and education support options, including 4 government and 2 non-government campuses. IRSAD is in decile 1, while 7.0% of residents need assistance, so access to health, disability and family services is a practical part of livability. For safety, check current WA Police incident information and inspect the exact street at different times. Compared with transit-oriented suburbs, Girrawheen suits households comfortable with driving.
Drive
83.9%
Public Transport
3.3%
Walk / Cycle
1.0%
Work from Home
4.1%
Population Forecast
+0.82%/yr
(+84 people/yr)
EstablishedGirrawheen's established trajectory points to measured rather than explosive change. Annual growth is forecast at 0.82%, with overseas migration the primary driver, while population change across the wider area is 6.8% over 10 years. The shift profile is Aging: the senior share has risen 4.3 percentage points and the young share has fallen 2.2 points, helping explain why demand may favour accessible homes and services over rapid family-driven expansion. The gentrification profile is mixed: score 21 is Early signs, while another reading records 15 and Not gentrifying. Compared with a high-growth corridor, this is a slower, migration-supported outlook, with rent growth at 4.6% and the recorded affordability trend marked Improving alongside values of 56.6 in 2011 and 50.3 in 2021.
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 can suit households seeking detached housing, with 77.0% of dwellings separate houses and 83.9% of commuters driving. The median age is 36, which is 4 years below national, while the IRSAD decile is 1, so services, budget and street-level preferences should be weighed against nearby suburbs.
What is the median house price in Girrawheen?
A current median house price is not available for Girrawheen. Buyers should compare recent sales by land size, condition and bedroom count; 69.0% of homes have 3 bedrooms and 20.9% have 4 or more. That is more useful than applying a single figure across every property.
What schools are in Girrawheen?
Six schools serve the suburb across 4 government and 2 non-government campuses. The mix includes primary, senior high and education support settings. Check enrolment zones carefully, because the right school can differ by address and sector compared with assuming every nearby campus is equally accessible.
Is Girrawheen safe?
A suburb-wide crime rate is not available, so a blanket yes or no would be misleading. Check current WA Police information and visit the exact street at different times. Girrawheen has 8,897 residents and 83.9% car commuting, so local traffic and street conditions can vary compared with quieter settings.
Is Girrawheen good for property investment?
Girrawheen may suit investors seeking established rental stock rather than a development-heavy play. Weekly rent is $293, 34.9% of households rent and vacancy is 6.7%, while 0 developments were recorded over 12 months. Forecast growth is 0.82%, so compare yield and tenant demand with nearby alternatives before assuming strong capital growth.
How is Girrawheen's population changing?
Population change across the wider area is forecast at 6.8% over 10 years, with annual growth of 0.82% driven primarily by overseas migration. Girrawheen is on an Aging trajectory: the senior share is up 4.3 percentage points and the young share is down 2.2. Compared with a rapid-growth corridor, change is measured rather than explosive.
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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