Lockyer
With 1,298 residents in just 1.34 sq km, Lockyer is a compact Albany suburb with a density of 965.4 people per sq km and a median age of 40. Its household income sits at the 8.9th percentile nationally, well below the national distribution, while 89.7% of homes are separate houses. Compared with nearby Orana and Spencer Park, that detached share points to a more house-led setting than an apartment-focused address. The suburb is also shifting toward older households: the senior share is up 4.6 percentage points and the young share is down 3.7 points. Lockyer suits buyers prioritising established housing and car access, but affordability and service access deserve close checking.
Local council: Albany
Population
1,298
Median Age
40.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$904/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Lockyer's buyer profile is shaped more by housing form and repayment capacity than by a published median sale price, which is not available. Separate houses account for 89.7% of dwellings, with 49.9% having 3 bedrooms and 18.6% having 4 or more, so the stock is suited to conventional family layouts. Mortgage payments are $1,196 a month, and mortgage costs absorb 30.6% of household income, higher than the 25.4% rent-to-income figure. Only 18.7% own outright and 32.9% hold a mortgage, while 47.0% rent. Compared with apartment-oriented markets, Lockyer gives buyers more detached-house choice, but a careful stress test matters because repayment pressure is above renter pressure.
For Buyers
Lockyer's buyer profile is shaped more by housing form and repayment capacity than by a published median sale price, which is not available. Separate houses account for 89.7% of dwellings, with 49.9% having 3 bedrooms and 18.6% having 4 or more, so the stock is suited to conventional family layouts. Mortgage payments are $1,196 a month, and mortgage costs absorb 30.6% of household income, higher than the 25.4% rent-to-income figure. Only 18.7% own outright and 32.9% hold a mortgage, while 47.0% rent. Compared with apartment-oriented markets, Lockyer gives buyers more detached-house choice, but a careful stress test matters because repayment pressure is above renter pressure.
For Investors
Lockyer's rental case rests on a large tenant base and modest weekly rent rather than a high-development pipeline. Renters account for 47.0% of households, versus 18.7% owning outright, and weekly rent is $230. Vacancy is 6.0%, giving tenants more choice than in a tightly supplied market, although it can make leasing speed less predictable. There were 0 developments recorded in the past 12 months, so near-term new-stock competition appears limited. Forecast growth is 1.77% annually and is driven by internal migration, while rent growth reached 18.9%. Compared with an owner-heavy suburb, Lockyer has a clearer rental audience, but investors should test yield, maintenance and vacancy assumptions rather than rely on growth alone.
Demographics
Lockyer's median age is 40, matching the national comparison, but the trajectory is older: the senior share has risen 4.6 percentage points while the young share has fallen 3.7. The ageing pattern matters because it can increase demand for accessible homes and nearby support services. University qualification rates are 13.8%, which is 16.3 points below the national level, while 23.7% of residents were born overseas, 2.1 points above the national comparison. English ancestry is the largest reported group at 567 people, followed by Scottish at 113 and Irish at 88. No religion is recorded for 636 residents, compared with 516 identifying with Christianity. Average household size is 2.3, below the national figure by 0.2, and 77.4% stayed at the same address, indicating a relatively settled population.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
89.7%
Houses
10.3%
Townhouse
0.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Lockyer is strongly detached-house oriented: 89.7% of dwellings are separate houses and 10.3% are semi-detached, with no apartment share published. A current median house price is not stated, so buyers need to assess individual sales rather than rely on a suburb-wide benchmark. Three-bedroom homes make up 49.9%, 2-bedroom homes 25.5%, and 4-plus-bedroom homes 18.6%, making family-sized stock more common than compact formats. Tenure is split between 47.0% renting, 32.9% mortgaged and 18.7% owned outright, with 1.4% in other arrangements. Mortgage payments of $1,196 monthly take 30.6% of household income, higher than rent's 25.4% share. Compared with apartment-led markets, Lockyer's housing is more land and maintenance dependent, while its 8.9th-percentile household income makes purchase budgeting important.
Mortgage / mo
$1,196
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$230
Census 2021
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$531
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.0%
Unoccupied
33
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
30.6% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
33.5%
Couples with children
34.5%
Couples, no children
30.3%
Single parent
310
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Lockyer's largest industry at 26.1% of workers, followed by manufacturing at 10.6%, retail at 9.8%, education at 9.4% and construction at 8.2%. The occupation mix leans toward labourers, numbering 121, then community and personal service workers at 82, trades at 67, sales at 55 and professionals at 44. This practical employment base aligns with the industry spread, although healthcare is far more concentrated than any other listed sector. The participation rate is 47.4%, unemployment is 6.0%, and 45.3% of workers are full time, with 212 full-time and 219 part-time workers. Household income is at the 8.9th percentile, well below the national distribution, which can constrain local spending even when employment is available.
Unemployment
6.0%
Labour Force
498
Unemployed
30
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
45.3%
Part-time
46.8%
Participation
47.4%
Employed
468
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
13.8%
Postgraduate
1.9%
Born Overseas
23.7%
Dwellings
513
Transport to Work
Lockyer is compact at 1.34 sq km, but daily movement is strongly car based: 81.3% drive to work, compared with 2.0% using public transport and 2.5% walking or cycling. Working from home is only 2.0%, so access to employment and services is likely to depend on road connections more than local active travel. The 965.4 people-per-sq-km density can support convenient trips within the suburb, yet it does not remove the need to check parking, routes and nearby facilities. Volunteering is 13.5%, while 13.3% of residents need assistance, suggesting practical support access matters. Compared with a transit-oriented pocket, Lockyer is more car dependent, so residents should check route times and nearby facilities against their daily needs.
Drive
81.3%
Public Transport
2.0%
Walk / Cycle
2.5%
Work from Home
2.0%
Growth Outlook
Lockyer is growing above zero at 1.77% a year, with internal migration identified as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 20.9% over ten years, pointing to sustained expansion rather than a flat trajectory. At the same time, the shift label is Aging: the senior share is up 4.6 percentage points and the young share is down 3.7. Gentrification signals are mixed, with a current score of 51 rated Active, while the longer shift score is 32 at Early signs. This combination suggests demand is building, but the suburb is changing through both incoming households and an older age structure. Compared with a purely greenfield growth story, Lockyer looks more like an established area undergoing incremental renewal.
Population trend: Albany council area
Lockyer sits in the Albany council area. These are the council area's residents, not Lockyer's.
Residents 2025
42,308
Growth, 5 yr average
+1.3%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.4%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Lockyer compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lockyer a good suburb to live in?
Lockyer can suit residents who value detached housing and car access in a compact setting. It has 1,298 residents, a density of 965.4 people per sq km and a median age of 40. The trade-off is transport dependence: 81.3% drive, compared with 2.0% using public transport. Compare daily routes, services and housing costs before deciding.
What is the median house price in Lockyer?
A current median house price is not stated for Lockyer, so buyers should compare recent individual sales and property condition. Mortgage payments are $1,196 per month, while weekly rent is $230. Detached houses make up 89.7% of dwellings, giving the local market a different profile from apartment-heavy suburbs.
What schools are in Lockyer?
School choices should be checked by exact address and enrolment zone, since catchments can cross suburb boundaries. Lockyer covers 1.34 sq km and 81.3% of residents drive, so travel time may matter more than distance alone. Confirm the sector, year levels and application rules directly with each school before signing a lease or purchase.
Is Lockyer safe?
Check current WA Police incident information and visit at different times before making a decision. Lockyer has 1,298 residents across 1.34 sq km, but density is not a safety measure. Compare recent incidents for the exact streets and nearby areas before deciding, rather than relying on population size alone.
Is Lockyer good for property investment?
Lockyer may suit a value-focused investor who accepts a smaller market and needs to manage vacancy carefully. Rent is $230 a week, 47.0% of households rent, vacancy is 6.0%, and the 12-month development count is 0. Growth is forecast at 1.77% annually, driven by internal migration. Compared with an owner-heavy suburb, the tenant base is stronger, but yield and maintenance assumptions should be tested against the 30.6% mortgage-to-income measure.
How is Lockyer's population changing?
Lockyer's current population is 1,298. The wider-area trend points to 1.77% annual growth and 20.9% population change over ten years, with internal migration the primary driver. The trajectory is labelled Aging: the senior share is up 4.6 percentage points and the young share is down 3.7. Compared with a younger growth profile, this suggests future demand may be shaped by older households as well as incoming residents.
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).
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