Katanning
Low-density Katanning covers 136.7 square kilometres and has 3,637 residents, giving it a population density of 26.6 people per square kilometre. Its housing stock is strongly detached, with 89.6% separate houses, while the 13.5% vacancy rate is unusually high compared with tightly held markets. The median age is 38, or 2.0 years below the national figure, and 25.9% of residents were born overseas, 4.3 percentage points above the national share. Forecast growth is only 0.08% a year and the trajectory is ageing. Buyers comparing Katanning with nearby Kojonup or Broomehill Village should prioritise local services, vehicle access and rental demand rather than assuming rapid capital growth.
Population
3,637
Median Age
38.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,308/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Katanning suits buyers who prioritise detached housing and manageable ongoing costs over a deep apartment market. Separate houses account for 89.6% of dwellings, with 3-bedroom homes making up 48.6% and 4-bedroom or larger homes 30.5%. A current median house price is unavailable, so purchasing decisions should rely on recent address-level sales rather than a suburb-wide benchmark. The monthly mortgage measure is $1,005, while mortgage costs equal 17.7% of household income and rent costs equal 15.3%, with neither flagged as stressed. Compared with more urban housing markets, Katanning provides a much stronger house focus, but buyers should allow for car dependence and check employment, resale and service access carefully.
For Buyers
Katanning suits buyers who prioritise detached housing and manageable ongoing costs over a deep apartment market. Separate houses account for 89.6% of dwellings, with 3-bedroom homes making up 48.6% and 4-bedroom or larger homes 30.5%. A current median house price is unavailable, so purchasing decisions should rely on recent address-level sales rather than a suburb-wide benchmark. The monthly mortgage measure is $1,005, while mortgage costs equal 17.7% of household income and rent costs equal 15.3%, with neither flagged as stressed. Compared with more urban housing markets, Katanning provides a much stronger house focus, but buyers should allow for car dependence and check employment, resale and service access carefully.
For Investors
Katanning's investment case depends more on tenant demand and service-sector stability than on rapid price appreciation. Weekly rent is $200 and 33.2% of households rent, but the 13.5% vacancy rate is high compared with low-vacancy markets, which can lengthen letting periods and reduce pricing power. Rent growth of 33.3% indicates past upward movement, although it should not be treated as a guarantee of future returns. No new developments were recorded in the past 12 months, limiting near-term construction competition, while forecast growth is only 0.08% annually. Overseas migration is the primary migration driver. Because no median house price is available, gross yield cannot be calculated reliably; compare actual purchase prices, maintenance costs and vacancy risk before investing.
Schools in Katanning
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
ST PATRICK'S SCHOOL
BRAESIDE PRIMARY SCHOOL
KATANNING PRIMARY SCHOOL
KATANNING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Demographics
Katanning has 3,637 residents and a median age of 38, which is 2.0 years below the national figure, yet its forecast trajectory is ageing. The senior share has risen by 5.1 percentage points while the young share has fallen by 5.1 points, suggesting demand may increasingly centre on health, care and accessible services. Overseas-born residents account for 25.9%, 4.3 points above the national share, with English ancestry recorded for 1,144 people and smaller Scottish and Irish groups of 206 and 186. University attainment is 15.2%, 14.9 points below national levels. Christianity has 1,498 adherents, no religion 1,248 and Islam 338. Compared with the national profile, Katanning combines lower tertiary attainment with greater overseas representation.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
89.6%
Houses
9.6%
Townhouse
0.4%
Apartment
Tenure
Katanning's housing is dominated by conventional family-style dwellings: 89.6% are separate houses, compared with only 0.4% apartments and 9.6% semi-detached homes. Three-bedroom properties account for 48.6% of stock and 4-bedroom or larger homes 30.5%, so the market is oriented towards space rather than compact living. Tenure is relatively evenly divided, with 32.5% owned outright, 31.7% mortgaged and 33.2% rented. The 13.5% vacancy rate is higher than conditions in tightly held markets and may reflect a smaller or more variable local demand base. A current median house price and price-to-income ratio are unavailable, but mortgage-to-income is 17.7% and rent-to-income is 15.3%. Buyers comparing Katanning with Kojonup or Broomehill Village should examine the exact dwelling, condition and local resale evidence.
Mortgage / mo
$1,005
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$200
Census 2021
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$698
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
13.5%
Unoccupied
206
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
15.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
36.3%
Couples with children
45.3%
Couples, no children
16.5%
Single parent
896
Total families
Economy & Employment
Katanning's employment base is anchored by healthcare, education, manufacturing, agriculture and retail. Healthcare represents 17.2% of industry employment with 127 workers, followed by education at 15.4% and 114 workers, manufacturing at 11.9% and 88, agriculture at 8.3% and 61, and retail at 7.3% and 54. The labour force numbers 1,674 people, with 60.9% employed full-time, unemployment at 5.6% and participation at 57.0%. Labourers are the largest occupation group at 421, ahead of trades at 242 and professionals at 181. Household income is $1,308 a week and sits at the 31.2 percentile, lower than the national median position. SEIFA IEO decile 1 and IRSAD decile 2 indicate stronger disadvantage in education and occupation than in resources, where IER reaches decile 3.
Unemployment
5.6%
Labour Force
1,674
Unemployed
94
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.9%
Part-time
31.9%
Participation
57.0%
Employed
1,580
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
15.2%
Postgraduate
1.8%
Born Overseas
25.9%
Dwellings
1,314
Transport to Work
Daily life in Katanning is car-oriented because 77.7% of residents drive to work, compared with 4.7% using public transport, 4.7% walking or cycling and 3.3% working from home. Four local schools span primary and senior high education, with 3 government schools and 1 non-government school. Families should check enrolment zones against the exact address because boundaries can cross local streets and service areas. Compared with higher-decile communities, Katanning's IRSAD decile 2 and IEO decile 1 point to lower socioeconomic advantage, while IER decile 3 indicates somewhat stronger resources than education and occupation outcomes. Community participation is a positive feature, with volunteering at 20.2%. A current suburb crime rate is unavailable, so residents should review recent WA Police information for the 6317 area alongside lighting, transport and street-level conditions.
Drive
77.7%
Public Transport
4.7%
Walk / Cycle
4.7%
Work from Home
3.3%
Population Forecast
+0.08%/yr
(+4 people/yr)
EstablishedKatanning is an established market with a slow-growth outlook rather than a new expansion cycle. Forecast annual growth is 0.08%, and overseas migration is identified as the primary driver, so any momentum is likely to come through gradual population replacement and service demand rather than major development. The wider area's population change over 10 years is -2.0%, while the trajectory is labelled Aging. This is supported by a 5.1 percentage point rise in the senior share and a 5.1 point fall in the young share. The gentrification score is 0 and the stage is Not gentrifying, which places Katanning below markets experiencing stronger reinvestment pressure. Rent growth of 33.3% and stable affordability, moving from 28.5% to 28.0%, are relevant but do not change the underlying slow-growth profile.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+36
Net Internal / yr
-26
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Katanning compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Katanning a good suburb to live in?
Katanning can suit residents who value space, local services and a slower pace. It has 3,637 people, 89.6% separate houses and 77.7% car drivers, while public transport use is 4.7%. A car is therefore useful for everyday life, work and regional travel.
What is the median house price in Katanning?
A current median house price for Katanning is unavailable. For context, weekly rent is $200, the monthly mortgage measure is $1,005 and 89.6% of dwellings are separate houses. Compare recent sales for the exact street, dwelling condition and land size before making an offer.
What schools are in Katanning?
Katanning has 4 local schools: Braeside Primary School, Katanning Primary School, Katanning Senior High School and St Patrick's School. Three are government schools and 1 is non-government, covering primary and senior high levels. Check enrolment zones for the specific address.
Is Katanning safe?
A current suburb-level crime rate is not available, so safety should be assessed using recent WA Police information for postcode 6317 and the exact street. Katanning has 3,637 residents, and practical checks such as lighting, parking, school routes and evening activity can add useful local context.
Is Katanning good for property investment?
Katanning requires careful investment analysis. Weekly rent is $200 and 33.2% of households rent, but vacancy is 13.5%, higher than in tightly held markets. There were 0 recorded developments in 12 months and forecast growth is 0.08% annually, so tenant demand and maintenance costs matter as much as rent.
How is Katanning's population changing?
Katanning's population trend is ageing rather than expanding quickly. The wider area's 10-year population change is -2.0%, forecast annual growth is 0.08% and the senior share has increased by 5.1 percentage points. The young share has fallen by 5.1 points, while overseas migration is the primary growth driver.
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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