Midland
Two facts define this Perth fringe centre: a $359,000 median house price that sits well below most metropolitan markets, and a 14.4% vacancy rate that is unusually high. The two are linked, because 64% of residents rent and the stock skews to semi-detached dwellings (50.8%) and apartments (16.8%), leaving only 32.3% as separate houses. Household income lands in the 21.2nd percentile nationally, and university qualifications reach just 19.9%, which is 10.2 points below the national figure. The median age of 39 runs 1 year under national, while 38.3% of residents were born overseas, 16.7 points above the national share, reflecting a steady overseas migration inflow of 243 people a year.
Population
6,335
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,138/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
107
Median House
$359K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $359,000, the median house price is one of the more accessible entries into greater Perth, and the affordability case strengthens because monthly mortgage repayments average just $1,350. That produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.4%, which sits below the 30% stress threshold even though household incomes rank in the 21.2nd percentile nationally. The stock favours smaller, denser homes: three-bedroom dwellings dominate at 49.7% and two-bedroom at 34.2%, while four-plus bedroom homes are scarce at 7.6%. Separate houses make up only 32.3% of dwellings against 50.8% semi-detached, so buyers chasing a standalone home face thinner supply than the affordable price tag suggests, which is why entry-level townhouses and units anchor the market here.
For Buyers
At $359,000, the median house price is one of the more accessible entries into greater Perth, and the affordability case strengthens because monthly mortgage repayments average just $1,350. That produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.4%, which sits below the 30% stress threshold even though household incomes rank in the 21.2nd percentile nationally. The stock favours smaller, denser homes: three-bedroom dwellings dominate at 49.7% and two-bedroom at 34.2%, while four-plus bedroom homes are scarce at 7.6%. Separate houses make up only 32.3% of dwellings against 50.8% semi-detached, so buyers chasing a standalone home face thinner supply than the affordable price tag suggests, which is why entry-level townhouses and units anchor the market here.
For Investors
A 64% renter share is one of the highest in metropolitan Perth and gives landlords a deep tenant pool, but the headline numbers demand care. Weekly rent of $295 against the $359,000 median implies a gross yield near 4.3%, stronger than most inner-city markets because the entry price is so low. The catch is a 14.4% vacancy rate, well above a balanced market, signalling genuine oversupply that can erode rental returns. Demand support comes from net overseas migration of 243 people a year, partly offset by net internal outflow of 26. Development activity is moderate at 68 applications over 12 months, and rent-to-income at 25.9% leaves tenants room before stress, so the investment case rests on yield and migration-led demand rather than rapid capital growth.
Development Activity
Total DAs
107
Last 12 Months
107
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Midland iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Helena River Waldorf School
PP-7 · 101 students
Indie School Western Australia
9-12 · 362 students
Moorditj Noongar Community College
K-6 · 121 students
Demographics
The median age of 39 sits 1 year below the national figure, and 38.3% of residents were born overseas, 16.7 points above national, marking this as a notable migrant gateway on Perth's eastern fringe. Average household size is 1.9 people, which is 0.6 below national, consistent with a high share of smaller rental dwellings rather than family homes. Ancestry leans Anglo-Celtic, led by English (2,104), Irish (473) and Scottish (447), while the leading non-English languages are Italian (44 speakers), Hindi (32) and Punjabi (27). University qualifications reach only 19.9%, 10.2 points below national, because the workforce concentrates in trade, care and labouring roles rather than knowledge professions. Couples without children make up 30.3% of families, edging out couples with children.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
32.3%
Houses
50.8%
Townhouse
16.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure here is renter-dominated: 64% rent, 19% carry a mortgage and only 17% own outright, an inversion of the typical Australian owner-majority pattern. The stock reinforces this, with semi-detached dwellings at 50.8%, separate houses at 32.3% and apartments at 16.8%, so detached family homes are the minority. Three-bedroom dwellings lead at 49.7% and two-bedroom follow at 34.2%, while four-plus bedroom homes sit at just 7.6%. The median house price of $359,000 stays affordable relative to incomes: rent-to-income reads 25.9% and mortgage-to-income 27.4%, both below the 30% stress line. The low outright-ownership rate of 17% reflects a transient, renting population rather than long-held household wealth, which is why turnover runs high at 33.2%.
Mortgage / mo
$1,350
Rent / wk
$295
HH Size
1.9
Personal Income / wk
$716
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
14.4%
Unoccupied
488
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.4%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
30.3%
Couples, no children
3,448
Total families
Economy & Employment
The local workforce is anchored in service and trade sectors rather than professional ones. Healthcare leads decisively at 21.9% (384 workers), well ahead of Retail at 9.0% (158), Public Administration at 8.4% (148), Construction at 7.2% (127) and Manufacturing at 6.9% (121). By occupation, Community and Personal Service workers (441) and Labourers (413) outnumber Professionals (354), which explains why university qualifications sit 10.2 points below national. Unemployment is elevated at 7.8% and participation is low at 51.9%, partly because 1,838 residents are not in the labour force. The SEIFA scores tell a consistent story: IEO decile 4, IER decile 2, IRSD decile 2 and IRSAD decile 3, all in the lower half nationally, reflecting an economy built on lower-paid, essential-service employment.
Unemployment
8.0%
Labour Force
7,084
Unemployed
564
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.7%
Part-time
26.5%
Participation
51.9%
Employed
2,653
Occupations
Top Industries
University
19.9%
Postgraduate
4.6%
Born Overseas
38.3%
Dwellings
2,892
Transport to Work
Daily life leans heavily on the car, with 79.0% of residents driving to work, while public transport carries just 6.1% and 7.3% walk or cycle, below the active-transport share of denser inner suburbs despite Midland being a recognised rail and bus interchange. The suburb scores in the lower advantage tiers nationally, with IRSAD at decile 3 and IRSD at decile 2, and 10.1% of residents (568 people) need daily assistance, a share elevated by the older and lower-income profile. Rent-to-income at 25.9% keeps housing costs manageable relative to the $359,000 median, which is why the area draws renters priced out of central Perth. Volunteering runs at 10.3%, modest for the population of 6,335.
Drive
79.0%
Public Transport
6.1%
Walk / Cycle
7.3%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.27%/yr
(+156 people/yr)
EstablishedThis is an established suburb on a steady growth path, expanding at 1.27% a year, or about 156 people, with the broader catchment population already up 15.5% over the past decade. Overseas migration is the primary driver, adding 243 residents annually, while net internal migration removes 26, so the inflow is almost entirely international. Medium forecasts project the catchment population rising from 12,387 in 2026 toward 13,169 by 2031, a continuation of the recent trend rather than acceleration. The gentrification stage reads not gentrifying, scoring 17, despite a 21% population rise since 2011, because incomes remain in the 21.2nd percentile and the renter base stays dominant. Affordability still improved markedly, from 52.2% in 2011 to 40.1% in 2021.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+243
Net Internal / yr
-26
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +21% since 2011, Strong overseas inflow +243/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Midland compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Midland a good suburb to live in?
Midland suits buyers and renters who value affordability and transport access. The median house price is $359,000, well below most of Perth, and rent-to-income sits at 25.9%, below the 30% stress line. The trade-offs are lower SEIFA scores, with IRSAD at decile 3, and a high 14.4% rental vacancy rate.
What is the median house price in Midland?
The median house price in Midland is $359,000, one of the more affordable entries into greater Perth. Weekly rent averages $295 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,350, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.4%, which stays below the 30% mortgage stress threshold.
What schools are in Midland?
No schools are recorded inside the 4.19 square kilometre Midland boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. The local population is less tertiary-educated than average, with university qualifications at 19.9%, which is 10.2 points below the national figure.
Is Midland safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Midland in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 2 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage, in the lower tier nationally, and 10.1% of its 6,335 residents need daily assistance, consistent with a higher-needs area.
Is Midland good for property investment?
Rent of $295 a week against a $359,000 median gives a gross yield near 4.3%, strong for metropolitan Perth, but the 14.4% vacancy rate signals oversupply. Net overseas migration of 243 people a year supports tenant demand, so returns lean on yield more than rapid capital growth.
How is Midland's population changing?
The population is growing about 1.27% a year, roughly 156 people, with the wider catchment up 15.5% over the past decade. Overseas migration drives the gain, adding 243 residents annually, while net internal migration removes 26, so growth is almost entirely international.
What languages are spoken in Midland?
About 38.3% of residents were born overseas, 16.7 points above the national figure. English is the dominant language, with Italian (44 speakers), Hindi (32), Punjabi (27) and Mandarin (26) the most common non-English languages, reflecting a strong migrant presence on Perth's eastern fringe.
How much development is happening in Midland?
There were 68 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, moderate for a 4.19 square kilometre suburb. The mix includes subdivision clearances and planning enquiries rather than large new estates, consistent with an established area growing at 1.27% a year.
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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