Lathlain
At 1.54 square kilometres and 3,699 residents, Lathlain sits in the 76th income percentile nationally yet carries an estimated median house price of just $490,000, a combination that signals compressed entry costs relative to the resident profile. University qualifications reach 46.8%, which is 16.7 points above the national figure, and the suburb scores decile 8 on both IRSD and IRSAD, placing it firmly in the upper advantage tier. Population grew 16.2% over the decade and the current trajectory adds roughly 323 people a year, driven almost entirely by overseas migration of 642 net arrivals annually. The identity of the suburb is shaped by its detached-house dominance at 77.7% and an aging trajectory where the senior share rose 3.3 points over ten years.
Population
3,699
Median Age
35.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,040/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$490K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated median house price of $490,000 sits below most comparable inner-metropolitan Perth markets, making entry accessible at a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.5%, well within the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses account for 77.7% of stock, with apartments at 13.1% and semi-detached at 9.2%, so buyers generally find a traditional detached home. Three-bedroom dwellings are the most common at 40.5%, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 33.1% adding meaningful family-sized supply. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167 against household weekly income of $2,040, giving a manageable serviceability position compared with national averages. Outright owners stand at 29.3% and mortgage holders at 35.1%, suggesting a mix of established long-term residents alongside newer buyers.
For Buyers
The estimated median house price of $490,000 sits below most comparable inner-metropolitan Perth markets, making entry accessible at a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.5%, well within the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses account for 77.7% of stock, with apartments at 13.1% and semi-detached at 9.2%, so buyers generally find a traditional detached home. Three-bedroom dwellings are the most common at 40.5%, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 33.1% adding meaningful family-sized supply. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167 against household weekly income of $2,040, giving a manageable serviceability position compared with national averages. Outright owners stand at 29.3% and mortgage holders at 35.1%, suggesting a mix of established long-term residents alongside newer buyers.
For Investors
A rental share of 35.6% gives investors solid tenant demand, and the $350 weekly rent sits at a level that generates reasonable gross yield against the $490,000 median. The vacancy rate of 9.2% is elevated, signalling some softness in the rental market that warrants attention before committing. Population growth averaging 323 persons per year, driven by net overseas migration of 642 annually versus net internal outflow of 176, points to sustained demand for rental accommodation from newly arrived residents who tend to rent before buying. Affordability improved from 41.1% in 2011 to 33.1% in 2021, indicating the suburb has become more accessible relative to income over the decade. Rent grew 6.1% over the period, and real incomes rose 7.2%, so renter incomes are keeping pace with rents.
Development Activity
Total DAs
39
Last 12 Months
0
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
Schools in Lathlain iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Lathlain Primary School
K-6 · 673 students
Demographics
The median age of 35 is 5.0 years below the national figure, giving Lathlain a comparatively young profile despite an aging trajectory where the senior share increased 3.3 points over ten years. Overseas-born residents make up 29.6%, which is 8.0 points above the national rate, reflecting consistent overseas migration inflows of 642 net arrivals per year. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,393), Irish (360) and Scottish (329), with Italian (339) as a notable non-British tradition. University qualifications at 46.8% run 16.7 points above national, clustering the workforce into Professionals (621) and Managers (302) as the top occupational groups. Average household size of 2.4 is marginally below the national figure, with couples with children (1,233 families) the dominant household type.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
77.7%
Houses
9.2%
Townhouse
13.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is distributed across outright owners at 29.3%, mortgage holders at 35.1% and renters at 35.6%, a relatively balanced split compared with the national skew toward ownership. The stock leans heavily detached at 77.7%, making it more house-oriented than the Perth metropolitan average. Three-bedroom homes at 40.5% and 4-plus bedroom at 33.1% together account for nearly three quarters of dwellings, which aligns with the family household profile. The $490,000 median produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.5% and a rent-to-income ratio of 17.2%, both comfortably below stress thresholds. The vacancy rate of 9.2% is the main caution: some rental stock is sitting empty, which can suppress rent growth and add risk for buy-to-let investors.
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wk
$350
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$1,025
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.2%
Unoccupied
148
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.5%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
28.2%
Couples, no children
2,737
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employer at 14.8% of the resident workforce (231 workers), followed by Professional/Tech at 12.8% (199) and Education at 11.6% (181). Public Administration at 8.5% and Mining at 7.7% round out the top five, giving the local economy both stable government-sector anchoring and exposure to Western Australia's resources sector. The unemployment rate of 4.1% sits close to the national average, and the full-time employment rate of 64.1% is solid. The suburb scores decile 9 on IEO, reflecting the high proportion of residents in professional and managerial roles, while the IER sits at decile 4 because a 35.1% mortgage-holder share and moderate property values temper aggregate wealth measures. Real income grew 7.2% over the decade.
Unemployment
2.4%
Labour Force
12,749
Unemployed
301
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
64.1%
Part-time
31.8%
Participation
69.0%
Employed
2,036
Occupations
Top Industries
University
46.8%
Postgraduate
11.4%
Born Overseas
29.6%
Dwellings
1,464
Transport to Work
Car dependence runs high at 77.8% of commuters, while public transport accounts for 12.3% and walking or cycling 4.3%, broadly in line with Perth suburban norms. No schools are recorded inside the 1.54 square kilometre boundary in this dataset, so families draw on institutions in neighbouring suburbs. The suburb scores decile 8 on IRSAD nationally, placing it in the upper advantage tier. Only 3.4% of residents, about 122 people, require daily assistance, and the volunteering rate of 20.4% is high relative to comparable suburbs. Rent-to-income at 17.2% and mortgage-to-income at 24.5% both sit below stress thresholds, indicating affordable housing costs relative to resident incomes and supporting overall quality of life.
Drive
77.8%
Public Transport
12.3%
Walk / Cycle
4.3%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.72%/yr
(+323 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation expanded 16.2% over the ten years to 2025 and the medium forecast adds roughly 323 persons per year through to 2031, when the suburb area is projected to reach around 20,203 residents across the broader SA2. Overseas migration is the primary engine at 642 net arrivals annually, offset by net internal outflow of 176, which is consistent with a suburb attracting new international arrivals while longer-established residents move to larger dwellings in outer areas. The gentrification score of 34 places Lathlain at an early signs stage, supported by signals including a population rise of 28% since 2011 and overseas inflows accelerating from 4% to 23% of net movement. Affordability improving from 41.1% to 33.1% over the decade suggests the suburb is becoming more accessible as incomes grow faster than prices.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+642
Net Internal / yr
-176
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +28% since 2011, Net internal outflow -176/yr, Strong overseas inflow +642/yr, Accelerating: 4% → 23%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Lathlain compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lathlain a good suburb to live in?
Lathlain scores decile 8 on IRSAD, placing it in the upper advantage tier nationally. Household income sits in the 76th percentile, university qualifications reach 46.8% (16.7 points above national), and housing costs are manageable with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.5%. The main trade-off is car dependence at 77.8% and no schools recorded inside its 1.54 km2 boundary.
What is the median house price in Lathlain?
The estimated median house price is $490,000, based on 2025 rental data. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167 against weekly household income of $2,040, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.5%, well below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $350.
What schools are in Lathlain?
No schools are recorded inside the Lathlain boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. Despite this, educational attainment is high locally, with 46.8% of residents holding university qualifications, which is 16.7 points above the national figure.
Is Lathlain safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Lathlain in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 8 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage, the upper advantage tier nationally, and only 3.4% of residents (122 people) require daily assistance, both consistent with a low-disadvantage area.
Is Lathlain good for property investment?
The $350 weekly rent against a $490,000 median implies a gross yield near 3.7%, moderate for Perth. The renter share of 35.6% provides a solid tenant base, and net overseas migration of 642 per year supports ongoing demand. The vacancy rate of 9.2% is elevated and warrants monitoring, but population growth of 323 persons per year underpins medium-term demand.
How is Lathlain's population changing?
Population grew 16.2% over the decade and is currently adding around 323 persons per year. Overseas migration drives growth at 642 net arrivals annually, partially offset by net internal outflow of 176 per year. The medium forecast projects the broader SA2 reaching around 20,203 residents by 2031.
What is the demographic profile of Lathlain?
The median age is 35, which is 5.0 years below the national figure. Overseas-born residents make up 29.6%, which is 8.0 points above national. Professionals and Managers account for the two largest occupational groups, and 46.8% of residents hold university qualifications.
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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