Kojonup
With a vacancy rate of 20.8% and a median house price of $262,000, Kojonup sits well below the national average for both housing cost and occupancy pressure. The town spans 351.65 square kilometres at a density of just 3.3 people per km2, and its 1,157 residents skew noticeably older than the national norm, with a median age of 46, which is 6 years above the national figure. Agriculture drives 27.8% of local employment, making the economy more industry-specific than most comparable regional centres. Household income sits at the 28.9th percentile nationally, and the IRSAD decile of 4 places Kojonup in the lower-advantage tier by national standards.
Population
1,157
Median Age
46.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,273/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$262K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $262,000, the median house price in Kojonup is far below the national median, and mortgage repayments average $1,083 per month. The mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 19.6%, well below the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers face genuine affordability compared to most Australian markets. The housing stock is overwhelmingly detached, with 92.5% separate houses and only 6.4% semi-detached, and 3-bedroom homes account for 50.2% of all dwellings. The 38.8% outright ownership rate reflects a stable long-term resident base, while 25.6% carry a mortgage. At this price point, buyers accept trade-offs: a vacancy rate of 20.8% is notably high, suggesting the town has spare housing relative to current demand.
For Buyers
At $262,000, the median house price in Kojonup is far below the national median, and mortgage repayments average $1,083 per month. The mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 19.6%, well below the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers face genuine affordability compared to most Australian markets. The housing stock is overwhelmingly detached, with 92.5% separate houses and only 6.4% semi-detached, and 3-bedroom homes account for 50.2% of all dwellings. The 38.8% outright ownership rate reflects a stable long-term resident base, while 25.6% carry a mortgage. At this price point, buyers accept trade-offs: a vacancy rate of 20.8% is notably high, suggesting the town has spare housing relative to current demand.
For Investors
The 35.6% renter share provides a reasonable tenant pool, but the high vacancy rate of 20.8% is a significant caution flag, well above typical regional benchmarks. Weekly rent of $200 against a $262,000 median implies a gross yield near 4.0%, which is competitive, but that headline number must be weighed against structural population decline of about 12 persons per year. Net internal migration is negative at an average of minus 14 annually, and overseas arrivals average plus 22, leaving a modest net balance. Development activity recorded 0 applications in the past 12 months, signalling no new supply pressure but also limited growth momentum. The low mortgage stress at 19.6% of income means existing owners are not under pressure to sell.
Schools in Kojonup iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Bernard's School
PP-6 · 64 students
Kojonup District High School
K-10 · 224 students
Demographics
The median age of 46 is 6.0 years above the national figure, and the senior share of the population rose 5.7 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 2.2 points, a clear aging trajectory. Overseas-born residents account for 18.2% of the population, which is 3.4 points below the national average. Ancestry leans heavily Anglo-Celtic: English (472 residents) leads, followed by Scottish (118), Irish (87) and Italian (53). University qualifications reach 24.3%, which is 5.8 points below the national figure, consistent with a regional agricultural economy where vocational and trade skills are more prevalent. Average household size is 2.2, slightly below the national norm, and couples with children (345 families) outnumber couples without children (261).
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
92.5%
Houses
6.4%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Kojonup's housing market is defined by very low prices and high detached-house dominance. The $262,000 median sits substantially below the national median, and 92.5% of dwellings are separate houses, compared to much lower shares in coastal and metropolitan markets. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 50.2%, and 4-plus bedroom homes account for a further 30.1%, pointing to a family-oriented stock rather than the investor-grade apartments found in city markets. Tenure splits show 38.8% outright owners, 25.6% with a mortgage and 35.6% renting. Rent-to-income at 15.7% is well within comfortable range. The 20.8% vacancy rate is the standout concern, indicating supply exceeds current demand.
Mortgage / mo
$1,083
Rent / wk
$200
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$793
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
20.8%
Unoccupied
123
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
15.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.6%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
32.7%
Couples, no children
799
Total families
Economy & Employment
Agriculture dominates at 27.8% of employed residents (71 workers), a far higher share than the national average for urban areas, reflecting Kojonup's position in a grain and sheep farming belt. Education follows at 13.3% and Healthcare at 11.0%, providing the public-service base typical of regional service towns. By occupation, Managers (116) and Labourers (107) lead, which directly mirrors the agri-trade employment profile. Unemployment is low at 2.2%, and the full-time employment rate is 59.5%, suggesting a healthy but seasonal and flexible labour market. The IRSAD decile of 4 and household income at the 28.9th percentile nationally reflect that regional primary-industry wages run below metropolitan professional incomes. Real incomes grew 35.1% over the decade, outpacing inflation despite the lower base.
Unemployment
2.5%
Labour Force
2,354
Unemployed
58
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.5%
Part-time
38.3%
Participation
53.6%
Employed
489
Occupations
Top Industries
University
24.3%
Postgraduate
0.7%
Born Overseas
18.2%
Dwellings
466
Transport to Work
With 79.0% of residents driving to work, car ownership is near-universal, and only 2.6% use public transport, lower than the state average for regional towns. A notable 10.5% walk or cycle, which reflects short distances in a compact town centre surrounded by agricultural land. The IRSAD decile of 4 places Kojonup below the national median for relative advantage. The volunteering rate of 30.5% is exceptionally high compared to national averages, pointing to a community where residents are actively engaged in local institutions. Housing stress is low on both measures: rent-to-income at 15.7% and mortgage-to-income at 19.6% both sit well below the standard 30% stress threshold. No schools are listed in the data for this specific suburb boundary.
Drive
79.0%
Public Transport
2.6%
Walk / Cycle
10.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
-0.28%/yr
(-12 people/yr)
EstablishedKojonup's population trajectory is gently declining, with an annual rate of minus 0.28% and a 10-year fall of 3.4%. The current population of 1,157 is part of a broader rural shire population that has moved from 4,222 in 2023 to 4,269 in 2025 with medium forecasts declining to approximately 4,123 by 2031. Internal migration averages minus 14 per year, partially offset by overseas arrivals averaging plus 22 annually. The gentrification score is 0, categorised as not gentrifying, consistent with a stable agricultural community rather than a suburb undergoing lifestyle-change transformation. Rent growth of 42.1% over the decade outstripped population gains, reflecting broader WA regional rental tightening despite local demographic headwinds.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+22
Net Internal / yr
-14
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Kojonup compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kojonup a good suburb to live in?
Kojonup offers very affordable housing with a $262,000 median house price and a low mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.6%, well below the 30% stress threshold. Housing costs are far below the national median and the volunteering rate of 30.5% reflects strong community engagement. The IRSAD decile of 4 is below the national midpoint, which reflects lower service access and incomes compared to metropolitan areas.
What is the median house price in Kojonup?
The median house price in Kojonup is estimated at $262,000 (based on 2025 rent data). Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,083, and the weekly rent is $200. At $262,000, the price is substantially below both the WA state median and the national median, making it one of the more affordable regional options.
What schools are in Kojonup?
No schools are recorded within the Kojonup suburb boundary in this dataset. With a population of 1,157 across 351.65 square kilometres, families in the area rely on schools in the broader district. University qualifications among residents reach 24.3%, which is 5.8 points below the national figure.
Is Kojonup safe?
Specific crime statistics are not available for Kojonup in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb records a low unemployment rate of 2.2% and housing stress measures of 15.7% rent-to-income and 19.6% mortgage-to-income, both well below stress thresholds. The IRSD decile of 4 places it in the lower-advantage national tier.
Is Kojonup good for property investment?
The gross rental yield is approximately 4.0%, calculated from $200 weekly rent against a $262,000 median. However, the 20.8% vacancy rate is a significant risk factor, indicating excess supply relative to demand. Population is declining at 0.28% per year, and development activity was 0 applications in the past 12 months, suggesting limited capital growth drivers in the short term.
How is Kojonup's population changing?
The population is declining at approximately 0.28% per year, or around 12 fewer residents annually. The 10-year change shows a fall of 3.4%, driven by net internal outflow of 14 people per year, partially offset by overseas arrivals averaging 22 per year. The median age of 46 is 6.0 years above national, and the senior share grew 5.7 points over the decade.
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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