Guildford
At 640.3 residents per square kilometre, Guildford packs 2,040 people into 3.19 square kilometres while retaining a detached-house character. Its median age of 46 is 6 years above the national figure, and 42.3% hold a university qualification, 12.2 percentage points above national. Growth is also notable: the annual trend is 3.04%, with internal migration the primary driver. Compared with nearby Midland, Guildford's 81.2% separate-house share points to a more established residential pattern, although a 49.4% ten-year population change across the wider area keeps redevelopment relevant. Household income sits at the 83.8th percentile, supporting a mortgage-belt profile, but the forecast trajectory remains Mixed and the resident base is ageing.
Local council: Swan
Population
2,040
Median Age
46.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,207/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
74
Guildford suits buyers prioritising established houses over apartment stock, with 81.2% separate homes, 44.9% three-bedroom dwellings and 28.3% with four or more bedrooms. The monthly mortgage figure is $2,300, while mortgage payments equal 24.1% of household income and rent is $350 weekly. Compared with a more apartment-led market, this mix provides greater access to conventional family-sized housing, but only 3.8% of homes are apartments, limiting entry-level choice. The 44.3% mortgage tenure share is higher than outright ownership at 33.8%, showing a substantial active-buyer base. Affordability changed from 46.2 in 2011 to 38.3 in 2021, so buyers should test repayments against rate changes. A current median house price is not stated, making recent settled sales essential for price comparisons.
For Buyers
Guildford suits buyers prioritising established houses over apartment stock, with 81.2% separate homes, 44.9% three-bedroom dwellings and 28.3% with four or more bedrooms. The monthly mortgage figure is $2,300, while mortgage payments equal 24.1% of household income and rent is $350 weekly. Compared with a more apartment-led market, this mix provides greater access to conventional family-sized housing, but only 3.8% of homes are apartments, limiting entry-level choice. The 44.3% mortgage tenure share is higher than outright ownership at 33.8%, showing a substantial active-buyer base. Affordability changed from 46.2 in 2011 to 38.3 in 2021, so buyers should test repayments against rate changes. A current median house price is not stated, making recent settled sales essential for price comparisons.
For Investors
Guildford presents a mixed rental case. Weekly rent is $350 and 19.9% of occupied dwellings are rented, while vacancy is 9.2%, a higher holding risk than in a tightly supplied market. Rent growth of 18.2% provides a positive counterpoint, but yield cannot be calculated responsibly without a current median house price. The 49 development applications in 12 months add activity and possible amenity, because examples include a change from office or warehouse use to a small craft distillery, landscaping approval and residential additions rather than a clearly stated dwelling pipeline. Internal migration is the primary growth driver and the annual trend is 3.04%, which is stronger than a flat-growth setting. Detached housing dominates at 81.2%, so investors should focus on maintenance, tenant demand and resale depth in three-bedroom homes, which represent 44.9% of stock.
Development Activity
Total DAs
74
Last 12 Months
74
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Guildford
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
GUILDFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL
GUILDFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL
Demographics
Guildford has an older profile than the national average: median age is 46, or 6 years above national. University attainment is 42.3%, 12.2 percentage points above national, while overseas-born residents account for 26.2%, 4.6 points above national. The smaller 2.3-person household size is 0.2 below national, helping explain the prominence of couples without children at 41.2%, alongside couples with children at 43.5% and one-parent families at 14.1%. English ancestry is recorded for 881 people, followed by Scottish at 265 and Irish at 256. No religion is the largest recorded affiliation at 1,026, ahead of Christianity at 869. Compared with a typical high-turnover area, Guildford is more settled, with 75.8% staying at the same address and turnover of 24.2%.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
81.2%
Houses
13.7%
Townhouse
3.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Guildford's housing profile is detached and family-sized, with 81.2% separate houses, 13.7% semi-detached dwellings and 3.8% apartments. Three-bedroom homes make up 44.9% of stock, while four-bedroom-plus homes account for 28.3%, so the market is weighted toward larger formats than a compact apartment precinct. Tenure is split between 33.8% owned outright and 44.3% with a mortgage; 19.9% rent. That mortgage share is higher than outright ownership, reflecting a substantial active-buyer base, while the 2.3-person average household size is lower than national by 0.2 and may leave some larger homes under-occupied. Guildford's $2,300 monthly mortgage figure compares with $350 weekly rent, but a median house price and price-to-income ratio are not stated. Compared with nearby Midland, the 81.2% separate-house share supports a more established residential housing pattern despite Guildford's 640.3 residents per square kilometre.
Mortgage / mo
$2,300
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$350
Census 2021
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$875
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.2%
Unoccupied
72
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
15.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.1%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
43.5%
Couples with children
41.2%
Couples, no children
14.1%
Single parent
469
Total families
Economy & Employment
Guildford combines a relatively high household-income position with middle-range socioeconomic deciles. Household income sits at the 83.8th percentile, above average, yet IRSAD and IRSD are both decile 5, while IER is decile 6 and IEO decile 5. The contrast likely reflects a small, established population with solid earners but uneven education and employment conditions across households. Healthcare leads employment at 17.3% or 126 workers, followed by Education at 17.0% or 124, Professional/Tech at 12.3% or 90, Public Administration at 8.4% or 61 and Mining at 7.8% or 57. Professionals number 346 and managers 141, ahead of clerical/admin at 125 and trades at 113. Unemployment is 3.6%, participation 58.7% and full-time work 59.9%, giving Guildford a more stable labour profile than a high-unemployment suburb. However, 613 people are not in the labour force.
Unemployment
3.6%
Labour Force
1,016
Unemployed
37
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.9%
Part-time
35.2%
Participation
58.7%
Employed
979
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
42.3%
Postgraduate
10.2%
Born Overseas
26.2%
Dwellings
707
Transport to Work
Guildford is practical for residents who rely on cars, with 67.4% driving to work compared with 10.1% using public transport, 5.6% walking or cycling and 14.5% working from home. That split reflects an established, detached setting, so access is likely to be easier by car than on foot for many daily trips. Two local schools are identified: a government primary school and a non-government school, giving families both sector types, with enrolment zones still worth checking against the exact address. The suburb has 2,040 residents at a density of 640.3 people per square kilometre, while IRSAD sits at decile 5, close to the middle rather than the most advantaged deciles. Compared with a transit-oriented precinct, Guildford is more car-dependent, but its school mix, moderate density and 21.2% volunteering rate support everyday local connection. No suburb-level crime rate is stated, so safety decisions should include current incident checks and visits at different times.
Drive
67.4%
Public Transport
10.1%
Walk / Cycle
5.6%
Work from Home
14.5%
Growth Outlook
Guildford's growth outlook is strong but not one-dimensional. The annual trend is 3.04%, driven primarily by internal migration, while population change across the wider area is 49.4% over 10 years. The shift trajectory is Mixed, with rent growth of 18.2% and a senior-share increase of 1.4 percentage points, so demand is rising alongside an older resident base. Development activity is material at 49 applications in 12 months, supporting the forecast label New development with a gentrification score of 0. A separate shift measure records a score of 19 and stage Not gentrifying, indicating that construction and property adaptation are occurring without a clear displacement signal. Compared with slower established suburbs, Guildford has stronger momentum, but its median age of 46 and 75.8% residential stability mean growth is layering onto an existing community rather than replacing it.
Population trend: Swan council area
Guildford sits in the Swan council area. These are the council area's residents, not Guildford's.
Residents 2025
187,090
Growth, 5 yr average
+4.0%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+4.0%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Guildford compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Guildford a good suburb to live in?
Guildford can suit households wanting established detached housing, access to 2 local schools and a settled setting. The median age is 46, density is 640.3 people per square kilometre and 67.4% drive to work, so it feels more car-oriented than a transit-led precinct. Check the exact address for school zones, traffic and current safety conditions.
What is the median house price in Guildford?
A current median house price is not stated for Guildford. The housing mix is 81.2% separate houses, including 44.9% three-bedroom and 28.3% four-bedroom-plus homes. Compare recent settled sales by street and dwelling type, then test repayments against the $2,300 monthly mortgage figure and your own deposit.
What schools are in Guildford?
Guildford has Guildford Primary School, a government primary school, and Guildford Grammar School, a non-government school. The 2-school mix gives families different sector options, but enrolment rules can vary by address. Confirm catchments, year-level availability and transport before committing to a property, especially where school access is a purchase priority.
Is Guildford safe?
Guildford's suburb-level crime rate is not stated, so safety should not be inferred from population size or housing type. The suburb has 2,040 residents, and conditions can differ around transport routes and commercial areas. Review current WA Police information, inspect the exact street in daylight and after dark, and ask local residents about recurring issues.
Is Guildford good for property investment?
Investment prospects are mixed. Weekly rent is $350, 19.9% of households rent and vacancy is 9.2%, while rent growth is 18.2%. The 49 development applications in 12 months may improve activity but can also add competition. Without a median house price, calculate yield only from a verified purchase price and compare maintenance costs for 81.2% detached stock.
How is Guildford's population changing?
Guildford's growth outlook is above a flat-growth setting, with an annual trend of 3.04% and internal migration as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 49.4% over 10 years, while the shift trajectory is Mixed. The median age is 46 and 75.8% stayed at the same address, indicating growth alongside an established resident base rather than a fully transient market.
What development is happening in Guildford?
Development activity is material, with 49 applications recorded over 12 months. Examples include a change from office or warehouse use to a small craft distillery, landscaping approval and a rear addition with an upper-level room. This points to ongoing adaptation of established properties, so buyers should check each approval's timing, scale and likely neighbourhood effect.
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).
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