Kewdale
Nearly half of Kewdale's residents (47.5%) were born overseas, 25.9 percentage points above the national average, yet SEIFA scores cluster around decile 5 across all 4 indices, placing the suburb at the exact national midpoint. This middle-ranking disguises internal diversity: English ancestry (1,932) and Chinese (626) sit alongside Islam as the second-largest religion (1,210 adherents, compared to Christianity's 2,705). At an estimated $440,000 median house price, Kewdale functions as Perth's inner-ring affordable gateway, only 8km from the CBD with population growth at 1.49% annually.
Population
7,397
Median Age
36.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,597/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$440K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $440,000 estimated median, Kewdale sits well below Perth's metropolitan median. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,733 consume 25.1% of household income, safely below the stress threshold. Detached housing at 71.7% dominates, but semi-detached at 23.8% provides meaningful diversity. The bedroom mix centres on 3-bedroom homes (51.9%), with 27.7% having 4+ bedrooms. With 30.1% owning outright and 32.3% holding mortgages, the buyer market is mature but not saturated. Vacancy at 9.4% is a concern, significantly above the balanced benchmark of 3%.
For Buyers
At $440,000 estimated median, Kewdale sits well below Perth's metropolitan median. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,733 consume 25.1% of household income, safely below the stress threshold. Detached housing at 71.7% dominates, but semi-detached at 23.8% provides meaningful diversity. The bedroom mix centres on 3-bedroom homes (51.9%), with 27.7% having 4+ bedrooms. With 30.1% owning outright and 32.3% holding mortgages, the buyer market is mature but not saturated. Vacancy at 9.4% is a concern, significantly above the balanced benchmark of 3%.
For Investors
The 37.6% rental share offers a deep tenant pool, and $350/week rent on a $440,000 property implies a gross yield of 4.1%, above Perth averages. However, the 9.4% vacancy rate is nearly triple the balanced benchmark, suggesting unit oversupply or low demand pockets. Population growth of 1.49% annually (126 persons/year) driven by overseas migration (+228/year net) should gradually absorb stock. Zero DAs in 12 months mean no new supply pipeline, which favours existing landlords if demand continues to rise.
Schools in Kewdale iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Carlisle Primary School
K-6 · 315 students
Australian Islamic College (Kewdale)
PP-12 · 1947 students
Kewdale Primary School
K-6 · 219 students
Demographics
The 47.5% overseas-born share makes Kewdale one of Perth's most diverse inner-ring suburbs. English ancestry (1,932) slightly trails 'Other' ancestries combined (1,960), with Chinese (626), Irish (503), and Scottish (472) following. Mandarin (149 speakers), Urdu (124), Arabic (111), and Bengali (98) reflect South and East Asian migration patterns. Islam (1,210 adherents) is the second-largest religion, notably higher than the national proportion. University attainment at 38.9% sits 8.8pp above the national average, contrasting with the midpoint IRSAD decile of 5.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
71.7%
Houses
23.8%
Townhouse
4.4%
Apartment
Tenure
Detached houses account for 71.7% of stock, with semi-detached at 23.8% and apartments at 4.4%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 51.9%, the highest concentration among Perth inner suburbs at this price point. Tenure splits three ways: outright owners (30.1%), mortgage holders (32.3%), and renters (37.6%). The 9.4% vacancy rate is remarkable for a suburb 8km from the CBD. Mortgage-to-income at 25.1% and rent-to-income at 21.9% both sit below stress thresholds, making either pathway affordable at current income levels.
Mortgage / mo
$1,733
Rent / wk
$350
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$798
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.4%
Unoccupied
297
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
25.3%
Couples, no children
5,527
Total families
Economy & Employment
Employment spreads across Healthcare (14.2%, 352 workers), Professional/Tech (10.3%, 255), Education (9.3%, 230), Construction (9.2%, 227), and Transport (7.6%, 188). The Transport share, higher than most residential suburbs, reflects Kewdale's freight precinct and airport proximity. Professionals lead occupations at 733 workers. Unemployment at 5.2% sits slightly above the national average. Labour force participation at 60.8% is moderate. The SEIFA profile is uniformly mid-range: IEO decile 6, IER decile 4, IRSD decile 5, IRSAD decile 5.
Unemployment
4.2%
Labour Force
4,756
Unemployed
200
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
66.1%
Part-time
28.7%
Participation
60.8%
Employed
3,457
Occupations
Top Industries
University
38.9%
Postgraduate
11.1%
Born Overseas
47.5%
Dwellings
2,858
Transport to Work
Three schools serve the suburb: Carlisle Primary (Government, ICSEA 1,062, 315 students), Australian Islamic College Kewdale (Independent combined, ICSEA 1,037, 1,947 students), and Kewdale Primary (Government, ICSEA 993, 219 students). All score near or above the national benchmark. Public transport usage at 9.0% is higher than most Perth suburbs, benefiting from Kewdale train station access. Walking/cycling at 2.4% is modest. The 4.4% needing-assistance rate sits near the national average.
Drive
82.1%
Public Transport
9.0%
Walk / Cycle
2.4%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.49%/yr
(+126 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation is forecast to grow from 8,443 (2025) to 9,053 by 2031, at 1.49% annually. Overseas migration is the primary driver at +228 net per year, while internal migration runs at -88, meaning the suburb gains from international arrivals but loses some residents to outer Perth. Population grew 29% since 2011, and the growth rate is accelerating from 10% to 17% per period. Gentrification score of 35 (early signs) reflects demographic change rather than income-driven upgrading, as real income grew only 5.0% over the decade.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+228
Net Internal / yr
-88
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +29% since 2011, Strong overseas inflow +228/yr, Accelerating: 10% → 17%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Kewdale compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kewdale a good suburb to live in?
Kewdale suits buyers seeking inner-ring affordability ($440,000 median) with 9.0% public transport usage, above typical Perth suburbs. SEIFA scores at decile 5 across all indices place it at the national midpoint. The 47.5% overseas-born share creates a culturally diverse community, though the 9.4% vacancy rate signals some housing market softness.
What is the median house price in Kewdale?
The estimated median house price is $440,000 (2025 rent-derived), with monthly mortgage repayments of $1,733 at 25.1% of household income. This positions Kewdale well below Perth's metropolitan median, roughly half the price of inner suburbs like Victoria Park while being only 8km from the CBD.
What schools are in Kewdale?
Kewdale has 3 schools: Carlisle Primary (ICSEA 1,062, 315 students), Australian Islamic College Kewdale (ICSEA 1,037, 1,947 students), and Kewdale Primary (ICSEA 993, 219 students). The Islamic College is one of Perth's larger combined schools serving K-12.
Is Kewdale safe?
Suburb-level crime data is not available for Kewdale. SEIFA IRSD decile of 5 places it at the national midpoint for disadvantage. The proximity to the Kewdale industrial/freight precinct and airport may influence property crime patterns, though 79.4% residential stability suggests a settled community.
Is Kewdale good for property investment?
Gross yield of 4.1% ($350/week on $440,000) exceeds Perth averages, and population growth at 1.49%/year adds tenant demand. However, the 9.4% vacancy rate is a significant risk factor. Zero DAs in 12 months mean no new supply competition. Best suited for investors comfortable with a transitional inner-ring market.
How is Kewdale's population changing?
Population is forecast to grow from 8,443 to 9,053 by 2031 at 1.49% annually. Overseas migration adds 228 net people per year, the primary driver, while internal migration loses 88/year. Growth has accelerated from 10% to 17% per period, with the 47.5% overseas-born share reflecting this migration-led expansion.
What languages are spoken in Kewdale?
With 47.5% born overseas (25.9pp above national average), Kewdale is linguistically diverse. Mandarin (149 speakers), Urdu (124), Arabic (111), Bengali (98), and Italian (61) are the most common non-English languages. Islam has 1,210 adherents, the second-largest religious group after Christianity (2,705).
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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