Margaret River
Population surged 39.2% over the past decade in Margaret River, growing at 2.36% annually, one of the fastest rates among regional WA towns. Gentrification is officially 'active' with a score of 54, the highest band, driven by net internal migration of +156/year as domestic movers relocate from Perth and elsewhere. Yet hospitality (11.1%) ranks as the third-largest employer after healthcare and education, reflecting the wine-and-tourism economy that shapes the town's character. The 19.2% vacancy rate hints at a large holiday-home stock that inflates the denominator.
Population
8,918
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,640/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$457K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $457,000 estimated median, Margaret River is affordable by Perth standards but requires context: the 19.2% vacancy rate suggests a significant portion of housing stock is holiday rentals or second homes, not permanent residences. Detached houses at 92.4% dominate, with 43.8% having 4+ bedrooms and 40.8% with 3 bedrooms. Mortgage-to-income at 23.9% is below the stress threshold. Walking and cycling account for 7.5% of commuting, unusually high for a regional town, reflecting the lifestyle focus. Buyers should note that only 54.7% of workers are full-time, well below the national average, because the seasonal economy creates part-time and casual patterns.
For Buyers
At $457,000 estimated median, Margaret River is affordable by Perth standards but requires context: the 19.2% vacancy rate suggests a significant portion of housing stock is holiday rentals or second homes, not permanent residences. Detached houses at 92.4% dominate, with 43.8% having 4+ bedrooms and 40.8% with 3 bedrooms. Mortgage-to-income at 23.9% is below the stress threshold. Walking and cycling account for 7.5% of commuting, unusually high for a regional town, reflecting the lifestyle focus. Buyers should note that only 54.7% of workers are full-time, well below the national average, because the seasonal economy creates part-time and casual patterns.
For Investors
The 27.5% rental share and $380/week rent are reasonable, but the 19.2% vacancy rate is the highest on this list, roughly 6-7 times the metro norm. This extreme figure almost certainly reflects holiday homes counted as vacant rather than genuine rental oversupply. The town logged zero development applications in 12 months, which is unusual and may reflect a data reporting gap. Population growth at 2.36% annually and strong internal migration (+156/year) indicate genuine demand. Rent grew 26.7% over the decade. The gentrification score of 54 (active) suggests the demographic is upgrading, which typically supports long-term price growth.
Schools in Margaret River iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Margaret River Montessori School - Margaret River campus
PP-11 · 141 students
St Thomas More Catholic Primary School
PP-6 · 173 students
Margaret River Senior High School
7-12 · 1196 students
Margaret River Primary School
K-6 · 568 students
Rapids Landing Primary School
K-6 · 425 students
Demographics
Median age of 39 is 1 year below the national figure, but the senior share has expanded by 5.7 percentage points over the decade, the highest ageing rate on this list. University attainment at 31.5% is 1.4 points above the national rate, and overseas-born residents at 26.9% are 5.3 points above average. English (4,016), Irish (959), and Scottish (955) ancestry dominate, with French (59 speakers) the top non-English language, a cultural marker of the wine region. The volunteering rate of 23.9% is among the highest nationally, nearly double the average, reflecting strong community networks in a regional setting.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
92.4%
Houses
6.8%
Townhouse
0.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Owner-occupiers control 72.5% of dwellings: 29.7% outright and 42.8% on mortgage. Stock is 92.4% separate houses with negligible apartments (0.3%). Three and four-bedroom homes make up 84.6% of the stock. Rent at $380/week and rent-to-income at 23.2% are both manageable. Mortgage-to-income at 23.9% is below the stress mark. The 19.2% vacancy rate deserves scrutiny: in a tourist town, many properties cycle between short-term holiday letting and Census 'vacant' classification, so the true long-term rental vacancy is likely lower than the headline figure suggests.
Mortgage / mo
$1,694
Rent / wk
$380
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$839
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
19.2%
Unoccupied
733
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.9%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
26.3%
Couples, no children
6,296
Total families
Economy & Employment
Employment is spread across healthcare (12.5%), education (11.5%), hospitality (11.1%), construction (10.4%), and manufacturing (9.7%), a remarkably even distribution that reflects the town's dual identity as both a service centre and tourism/wine hub. Labourers (641) rank second after professionals (839) in occupations, and managers (590) are third, the latter reflecting farm and business operators. The full-time rate of 54.7% is well below the national average, consistent with seasonal and casual employment patterns in tourism. Unemployment at 3.3% is below the national rate, and SEIFA economic resources decile 8 indicates solid household wealth despite lower incomes.
Unemployment
1.7%
Labour Force
7,313
Unemployed
127
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
54.7%
Part-time
42.0%
Participation
61.3%
Employed
4,142
Occupations
Top Industries
University
31.5%
Postgraduate
5.7%
Born Overseas
26.9%
Dwellings
3,055
Transport to Work
Five schools serve the area with strong ICSEA scores: Margaret River Montessori (1094, 141 students), St Thomas More Catholic Primary (1060, 173), Margaret River Senior High (1048, 1196), Margaret River Primary (1043, 568), and Rapids Landing Primary (1013, 425). All exceed the national benchmark. The 7.5% walking/cycling rate is the highest among regional suburbs on this list, reflecting the town's compact layout and lifestyle character. Crime data is not available at the suburb level in WA reporting. IRSAD decile 6 places the suburb in the upper-middle nationally.
Drive
83.3%
Public Transport
1.4%
Walk / Cycle
7.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+2.36%/yr
(+285 people/yr)
EstablishedMargaret River is growing at 2.36% per year, adding 285 people annually, the fastest rate on this list. The medium forecast projects 13,564 by 2031, up from 12,077 in 2025. Both internal migration (+156/year) and overseas migration (+171/year) contribute, a balanced pattern. The gentrification score of 54 is the highest in this batch, rated as 'active,' with population accelerating from 21% to 30% growth between decades. Real income grew 8.8%, but the senior share expanded 5.7 points, meaning the growth is partly driven by retirees and semi-retirees relocating for lifestyle rather than young workers.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+171
Net Internal / yr
+156
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +58% since 2011, Net internal migration +156/yr, Accelerating: 21% → 30%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Margaret River compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Margaret River a good suburb to live in?
Margaret River suits those seeking a lifestyle-focused regional town with strong schools (all ICSEA 1013+), high walkability for a regional area (7.5% walk/cycle), and a volunteering rate of 23.9% that reflects deep community ties. The trade-offs are seasonal employment (only 54.7% full-time work), a 19.2% vacancy rate inflated by holiday homes, and limited public transport at 1.4%.
What is the median house price in Margaret River?
The estimated median house price is $457,000 based on 2025 rental yield data. This places it well below Perth's median of around $700,000. With household income in the 56.7th percentile, mortgage-to-income at 23.9% stays below the 30% stress threshold, making it affordable for permanent residents.
What schools are in Margaret River?
Five schools serve the area: Margaret River Montessori (ICSEA 1094, 141 students), St Thomas More Catholic Primary (1060, 173), Margaret River Senior High (1048, 1196), Margaret River Primary (1043, 568), and Rapids Landing Primary (1013, 425). All score above the national ICSEA benchmark of 1000.
Is Margaret River safe?
Crime data is not published at the suburb level in WA reporting for Margaret River. The 3.3% unemployment rate (below the national average) and SEIFA disadvantage decile 7 suggest a relatively low-risk profile. The 23.9% volunteering rate and 75.8% residential stability indicate an engaged, settled community compared to more transient urban areas.
Is Margaret River good for property investment?
The 2.36% annual population growth and active gentrification (score 54) are strong long-term signals. However, the 19.2% vacancy rate is the highest on this list, largely due to holiday homes. Rent at $380/week and internal migration of +156/year suggest genuine rental demand, but investors must account for seasonal income fluctuations in a tourism-dependent economy where only 54.7% of jobs are full-time.
How is Margaret River's population changing?
Population grows at 2.36% per year, adding 285 residents annually, the fastest growth rate in this batch. Both internal (+156/year) and overseas (+171/year) migration contribute. The medium projection forecasts 13,564 by 2031, up from 12,077 in 2025. Senior share grew 5.7 percentage points over the decade, the highest ageing rate on this list, suggesting retirees and semi-retirees are a major 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 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.
Explore Margaret River on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map