Kalamunda
A high outright-ownership rate is Kalamunda's clearest housing signal: 49.7% of homes are owned without a mortgage, while the suburb's median age of 49 is 9 years above the national figure. With 7,163 residents, 89.4% separate houses and 33.2% born overseas, Kalamunda has an established foothills profile rather than a high-turnover apartment market. Growth is forecast at 0.46% annually, below the 13.6% rent growth recorded in the shift indicators. Compared with nearby Lesmurdie and Maida Vale, Kalamunda suits buyers seeking larger homes, established services and a slower-growth setting.
Population
7,163
Median Age
49.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,622/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Kalamunda is more suited to buyers seeking detached housing than compact or apartment living. Separate houses account for 89.4% of dwellings, compared with 1.3% apartments and 9.3% semi-detached homes, while 49.2% of properties have 4 or more bedrooms. Ownership is substantial, with 49.7% of homes owned outright and 34.3% being purchased with a mortgage. The typical monthly mortgage figure is $2,100, equal to 29.9% of household income, below the 30% stress benchmark often used by lenders. A current median sale price is not stated, so buyers should compare recent settled sales by land size, condition and bedroom count. The 2.4-person average household size is slightly below the national comparison, but the housing mix still favours families, downsizers and home-based workers.
For Buyers
Kalamunda is more suited to buyers seeking detached housing than compact or apartment living. Separate houses account for 89.4% of dwellings, compared with 1.3% apartments and 9.3% semi-detached homes, while 49.2% of properties have 4 or more bedrooms. Ownership is substantial, with 49.7% of homes owned outright and 34.3% being purchased with a mortgage. The typical monthly mortgage figure is $2,100, equal to 29.9% of household income, below the 30% stress benchmark often used by lenders. A current median sale price is not stated, so buyers should compare recent settled sales by land size, condition and bedroom count. The 2.4-person average household size is slightly below the national comparison, but the housing mix still favours families, downsizers and home-based workers.
For Investors
Kalamunda presents a lower-turnover rental market than suburbs with larger tenant populations. Only 15.1% of dwellings are rented, while the weekly rent is $360 and vacancy is 6.9%, giving investors a useful starting point for assessing leasing conditions. The absence of recorded development activity over the past 12 months may limit near-term new supply, although it also means investors should inspect existing homes carefully for maintenance and renovation needs. Forecast growth is modest at 0.46% annually and is driven primarily by overseas migration, so the case is more defensive than speculative. With 82.1% of residents staying at the same address and a 17.9% turnover rate, tenant retention may be steadier than in higher-churn locations. Returns cannot be judged without a current purchase price, so compare rent against comparable sales and ongoing costs.
Schools in Kalamunda
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
SPRING ROAD COMMUNITY KINDERGARTEN (INC)
KALAMUNDA PRIMARY EDUCATION SUPPORT CENTRE
KALAMUNDA SECONDARY EDUCATION SUPPORT CENTRE
KALAMUNDA PRIMARY SCHOOL
KALAMUNDA SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Demographics
Kalamunda has an older population profile, with a median age of 49, which is 9 years above the national comparison. University attainment is 34.7%, or 4.6 percentage points higher than the national figure, while the overseas-born share is 33.2%, 11.6 points above national levels. English, Scottish and Irish are the largest reported ancestries at 3,636, 885 and 851 people, followed by Italian ancestry at 482. Christianity accounts for 3,330 people and no religion for 3,247, showing a close split between the two largest responses. The average household has 2.4 people, 0.1 below the national comparison, consistent with 48.5% of families being couples without children. Compared with nearby Lesmurdie, Kalamunda's older age structure points to stronger demand for accessible services, smaller household formats and downsizer-friendly homes.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
89.4%
Houses
9.3%
Townhouse
1.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Kalamunda's housing stock is dominated by established detached homes rather than apartments. Separate houses represent 89.4% of dwellings, 4 or more bedrooms account for 49.2%, and 3-bedroom homes make up 37.4%, so the suburb has more family-sized housing than compact formats. Tenure is weighted toward owners: 49.7% own outright and 34.3% hold a mortgage, compared with 15.1% renting. The weekly rent is $360, while mortgage repayments are listed at $2,100 per month. Mortgage costs equal 29.9% of household income, higher than the 22.2% rent-to-income figure but still below the stated stress threshold. Kalamunda's household income sits at the 53.2nd percentile, around the middle of the comparison range. Compared with nearby Maida Vale, buyers should focus on the trade-off between larger established homes and potentially higher upkeep.
Mortgage / mo
$2,100
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$360
Census 2021
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$773
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.9%
Unoccupied
210
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.9%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
38.8%
Couples with children
48.5%
Couples, no children
11.9%
Single parent
2,130
Total families
Economy & Employment
Kalamunda's employment base is led by education at 15.9% and healthcare at 15.5%, followed by professional and technical work at 9.6%, construction at 9.5% and mining at 8.1%. This mix is broader than a suburb dependent on one industry because it combines public-facing services, skilled trades and professional employment. The largest occupation groups are professionals at 862 people, trades at 509, managers at 501 and clerical or administrative workers at 442. Unemployment is 4.6% across a labour force of 3,477, while participation is 57.8% and full-time employment is 56.8%. The relatively large count outside the labour force, at 2,296, is consistent with Kalamunda's older age profile. SEIFA results are above the midpoint: IEO is in decile 7, IRSAD in decile 8, IRSD in decile 9 and IER in decile 9. The stronger education and economic-resource rankings sit higher than the overall disadvantage position, supporting established household purchasing power.
Unemployment
4.6%
Labour Force
3,477
Unemployed
159
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
56.8%
Part-time
37.0%
Participation
57.8%
Employed
3,318
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
34.7%
Postgraduate
7.4%
Born Overseas
33.2%
Dwellings
2,815
Transport to Work
Kalamunda functions best for residents comfortable with car-based daily travel. About 78.6% of commuters drive, compared with 3.1% using public transport and 2.2% walking or cycling, while 11.7% work from home. Local education access includes 5 government sites spanning a primary school, senior high school, community kindergarten and 2 education support centres. Enrolment zones should be checked against the exact address because they can cross suburb boundaries. Social conditions are relatively strong, with IRSAD in decile 8, IRSD in decile 9, IER in decile 9 and IEO in decile 7. Volunteering is 23.5%, which supports local participation, while 5.1% of residents report needing assistance. Compared with a more transit-oriented inner suburb, Kalamunda offers less public transport convenience but more detached housing, larger blocks and a quieter established setting. No suburb-wide crime rate is stated, so current police information and an address-level visit remain important.
Drive
78.6%
Public Transport
3.1%
Walk / Cycle
2.2%
Work from Home
11.7%
Population Forecast
+0.46%/yr
(+75 people/yr)
EstablishedKalamunda is on an established, slow-growth trajectory rather than a rapid expansion path. Forecast annual growth is 0.46%, while population change across the wider area is 4.2% over 10 years. The primary migration driver is overseas migration, but the demographic shift is explicitly Aging, with the senior share rising 6.8 percentage points and the working share falling 4.0 points. The young share is down 0.7 points, reinforcing the likelihood of gradual demand for accessible homes and services rather than a surge in family formation. Gentrification is scored at 0 and classified as Not gentrifying, so current change is not being driven by a strong upgrading cycle. Rent growth of 13.6% is higher than the 0.46% population trend, which may support landlord income but also places pressure on tenants. Kalamunda's improving affordability trend, moving from 48.1 in 2011 to 45.3 in 2021, should be considered alongside its aging profile and modest growth rate.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+142
Net Internal / yr
+24
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Kalamunda compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kalamunda a good suburb to live in?
Kalamunda suits residents who value detached homes, established services and a quieter foothills setting. The median age is 49, 49.7% of homes are owned outright and 78.6% of commuters drive. Compared with more transit-oriented suburbs, it offers less public transport but more family-sized housing.
What is the median house price in Kalamunda?
A current median house price is not stated. Buyers should compare recent settled sales by land size, condition and bedroom count, especially because 49.2% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms and 89.4% are separate houses. Weekly rent is $360, which provides one useful market reference.
What schools are in Kalamunda?
Local education provision covers 5 government sites, including a primary school, senior high school, community kindergarten and 2 education support centres. Families should check the exact enrolment zone for an address, as boundaries can differ between school types and may not align with the suburb boundary.
Is Kalamunda safe?
No suburb-wide crime rate is stated, so safety should be checked through current WA Police information and an address-level visit. Kalamunda has 7,163 residents and an IRSAD decile of 8, but those measures do not establish crime risk. Compare streets, lighting, traffic and evening activity before committing.
Is Kalamunda good for property investment?
Kalamunda may suit investors seeking an established, lower-turnover market rather than rapid growth. Rent is $360 per week, vacancy is 6.9%, renting is 15.1% and annual growth is forecast at 0.46%. Compare recent purchase prices and costs carefully because no current median house price is stated.
How is Kalamunda's population changing?
Kalamunda is ageing gradually. The wider area's population change is 4.2% over 10 years, forecast annual growth is 0.46% and the primary migration driver is overseas migration. The senior share has risen 6.8 percentage points, while the young share has fallen 0.7 points.
What languages are spoken in Kalamunda?
English is the dominant ancestry response, while Italian is the most recorded non-English language at 37 people, followed by German at 29 and Afrikaans at 13. The overseas-born share is 33.2%, which is 11.6 percentage points above the national comparison.
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.
Explore Kalamunda on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map