Mckail
Among Western Australian suburbs with a median age of 34, McKail stands out for how thoroughly detached housing defines it: 98.2% of dwellings are separate houses, a figure well above state norms, giving the suburb a distinctly low-density, family-oriented character. The median house price sits at $428,000, accessible relative to Perth coastal markets, and mortgage repayments consume 22.8% of household income, below the 30% stress threshold. Household income ranks in the 56.8th percentile nationally. A gentrification score of 33, combined with population growth of 20.1% over the decade, signals early-stage momentum rather than an already-arrived premium market.
Population
3,970
Median Age
34.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,641/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$428K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The $428,000 median house price represents solid entry-level value in regional WA, with monthly mortgage repayments averaging $1,622 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.8%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. The housing stock is almost entirely detached houses at 98.2%, while apartments are just 0.2%, so buyers face a very uniform but limited choice of dwelling type. Bedroom distribution skews large: 54.8% of homes have four or more bedrooms and 39.9% have three, confirming a family-sized stock. With 25.8% of residents owning outright and 48.7% on mortgages, the suburb sits firmly in mortgage-belt territory. Rent-to-income at 21.3% signals a comfortable ownership environment compared to higher-stress urban markets.
For Buyers
The $428,000 median house price represents solid entry-level value in regional WA, with monthly mortgage repayments averaging $1,622 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.8%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. The housing stock is almost entirely detached houses at 98.2%, while apartments are just 0.2%, so buyers face a very uniform but limited choice of dwelling type. Bedroom distribution skews large: 54.8% of homes have four or more bedrooms and 39.9% have three, confirming a family-sized stock. With 25.8% of residents owning outright and 48.7% on mortgages, the suburb sits firmly in mortgage-belt territory. Rent-to-income at 21.3% signals a comfortable ownership environment compared to higher-stress urban markets.
For Investors
McKail carries a vacancy rate of 8.5%, elevated compared to metropolitan Perth averages, which warrants caution on void periods between tenancies. Weekly rent averages $350, giving a gross yield approaching 4.3% on the $428,000 median. The renter share is 25.5%, lower than most urban suburbs, meaning the tenant pool is shallower. Population grew 20.1% over the decade and net internal migration brings roughly 66 residents annually, with overseas migration adding 43 more, providing consistent demand support. Rent grew 28.3% over the period, outpacing the national average, suggesting that supply has lagged behind demand growth. The development pipeline shows no approvals in the past 12 months, so near-term supply additions are minimal.
Demographics
The median age of 34 is 6 years below the national figure, confirming a noticeably younger population relative to the national average. Overseas-born residents account for 18.6%, which is 3 percentage points below national. Ancestry is predominantly English (1,810 residents), followed by Scottish (347), Irish (274), and Filipino (190). University qualifications stand at 15.4%, which is 14.7 percentage points below the national rate, reflecting a trade and services workforce rather than a professional class. Average household size of 2.8 is 0.3 above national, consistent with the family-with-children profile: couples with children account for 1,628 families compared to 765 couples without children. The volunteering rate of 17.7% is a notable signal of community engagement.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
98.2%
Houses
1.6%
Townhouse
0.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Ownership patterns divide three ways: 25.8% own outright, 48.7% hold mortgages, and 25.5% rent, making this a mortgage-dominant suburb where the majority of residents are in active repayment phase. The near-total absence of apartments (0.2%) and semi-detached homes (1.6%) means the market is essentially synonymous with detached houses. Four-plus bedroom homes make up 54.8% of the stock, and three-bedroom homes a further 39.9%, making McKail one of the most bedroom-rich suburbs in the region. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,622, and rent-to-income at 21.3% stays below the 30% stress threshold, indicating the suburb is broadly affordable at current income levels. The vacancy rate of 8.5% is higher than typical suburban benchmarks, suggesting some rental market softness.
Mortgage / mo
$1,622
Rent / wk
$350
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$786
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.5%
Unoccupied
125
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
23.7%
Couples, no children
3,229
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates the local employment base at 21.0% (251 workers), followed by Construction at 10.5% (125), Education at 10.0% (120), Retail at 9.5% (114), and Public Administration at 8.3% (99). By occupation, Community and Personal Services lead with 332 workers, followed by Labourers (293), Sales (221), Professionals (215), and Clerical/Admin (209). The full-time employment rate is 63.0% and unemployment sits at 4.2%, close to the national average. Personal weekly income averages $786, and household weekly income is $1,641, placing the suburb in the 56.8th income percentile nationally. The IRSAD decile of 2 reflects a relatively lower-advantage profile compared to state and national norms, consistent with a working-class and services workforce.
Unemployment
2.7%
Labour Force
6,398
Unemployed
171
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.0%
Part-time
32.8%
Participation
62.6%
Employed
1,806
Occupations
Top Industries
University
15.4%
Postgraduate
1.9%
Born Overseas
18.6%
Dwellings
1,354
Transport to Work
Car dependence is dominant at 90.2% of commuters driving, compared to just 1.1% using public transport and 0.7% walking or cycling, which is typical for regional WA where transit infrastructure is limited. The IRSAD decile of 2 places McKail below the national median on the advantage index, pointing to fewer services and lower economic resources relative to most suburbs nationally. The IER decile of 5, however, indicates middling economic resources. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families depend on institutions in neighbouring areas within the Albany region. The need-for-assistance rate of 4.7% (180 residents) is broadly in line with national figures. Housing stress is low on both measures: rent-to-income at 21.3% and mortgage-to-income at 22.8%, both below the 30% threshold.
Drive
90.2%
Public Transport
1.1%
Walk / Cycle
0.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.61%/yr
(+201 people/yr)
EstablishedMcKail has grown 20.1% over the decade, well above the national population growth rate for established suburbs. Annual growth runs at 1.61%, adding roughly 201 residents a year, and medium forecasts project the broader SA2 population reaching 13,706 by 2031, up from 12,448 in 2025. Migration is balanced, with net internal arrivals of 66 annually and overseas migration contributing 43 more. The gentrification score of 33 places McKail in the early signs stage, supported by signals including 29% population growth since 2011 and overseas-born share accelerating from 9% to 18%. Real income growth of 13.1% over the period and improving affordability (from 45.9% in 2011 to 42.3% in 2021) suggest purchasing power has gently strengthened relative to prices. The aging trajectory, with the senior share rising 5.4 points over the decade, is a counterbalancing factor to watch.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+43
Net Internal / yr
+66
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +29% since 2011, Net internal migration +66/yr, Accelerating: 9% → 18%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Mckail compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is McKail a good suburb to live in?
McKail suits families who prefer a detached-house environment at moderate cost. The $428,000 median house price is accessible for regional WA, and mortgage repayments average $1,622 a month, a ratio of 22.8% of household income, below the 30% stress threshold. The suburb scores IRSAD decile 2, reflecting fewer services than higher-advantage areas, and car ownership is essential at 90.2% of commuters driving.
What is the median house price in McKail?
The median house price in McKail is $428,000, estimated from 2025 rental data. Weekly rent averages $350 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,622. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.8% is below the 30% stress threshold, making the suburb broadly affordable at current income levels.
What schools are in McKail?
No schools are recorded inside the McKail suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs within the Albany area. Locally, 15.4% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 14.7 percentage points below the national rate, reflecting the suburb's trade and services employment base.
Is McKail safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for McKail in this dataset. As indirect indicators, the need-for-assistance rate is 4.7% (180 residents), in line with national norms, and the volunteering rate of 17.7% points to a socially engaged community. The IRSAD decile of 2 indicates lower economic advantage compared to the national median.
Is McKail good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $350 against a $428,000 median implies a gross yield near 4.3%, reasonable by regional WA standards. However, the vacancy rate of 8.5% is elevated compared to typical suburban benchmarks, requiring attention to void risk. Rent grew 28.3% over the period and population expanded 20.1% over the decade, providing a solid demand backdrop.
How is McKail's population changing?
Population grew 20.1% over the last decade and annual growth runs at 1.61%, adding roughly 201 residents a year. Net internal migration contributes 66 arrivals annually and overseas migration adds 43 more. Medium forecasts project the broader SA2 population reaching 13,706 by 2031, up from 12,448 in 2025.
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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