Moora
A median house price of $276,000 and a vacancy rate of 20.8% tell the core story of Moora: a regional agricultural hub where housing is affordable compared to the national median, but oversupply reflects thin buyer demand. The population sits at 1,755 across 360 square kilometres, giving a density of just 4.9 people per km2. Household income falls at the 35.5th percentile nationally, roughly half the weekly income of typical metro households. The suburb scores decile 5 on IRSAD, placing it at the national midpoint for relative disadvantage. Rent-to-income at 16.8% is comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, making day-to-day costs manageable for residents despite the lower income base.
Population
1,755
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,371/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$276K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $276,000, the median house price in Moora sits well below the national average, and mortgage repayments average $1,016 per month, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 17.1%, far below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses dominate at 90.8% of the housing stock, with semi-detached at 7.9%, so buyers get genuine freestanding homes rather than apartments. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 47.8%, while 4-plus bedroom homes represent 34.3%, pointing to larger family-sized dwellings. Outright owners make up 38.9% of households compared to 32.3% on mortgages, a sign that many properties are held debt-free by long-term residents, which can limit turnover and keep the market relatively illiquid.
For Buyers
At $276,000, the median house price in Moora sits well below the national average, and mortgage repayments average $1,016 per month, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 17.1%, far below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses dominate at 90.8% of the housing stock, with semi-detached at 7.9%, so buyers get genuine freestanding homes rather than apartments. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 47.8%, while 4-plus bedroom homes represent 34.3%, pointing to larger family-sized dwellings. Outright owners make up 38.9% of households compared to 32.3% on mortgages, a sign that many properties are held debt-free by long-term residents, which can limit turnover and keep the market relatively illiquid.
For Investors
The 20.8% vacancy rate is the most important number for investors, sitting well above typical investment benchmarks and signalling an oversupplied rental market. Weekly rent averages $230, and with rent-to-income at just 16.8%, tenants are not under pressure, but gross yields against a $276,000 median remain modest. The renter share is 28.8%, providing a tenant base, but net internal migration runs negative at minus 54 people per year, with overseas migration adding only 34, resulting in a slow decline. The 10-year population change was minus 3.7%, and medium forecasts show continued gradual decline toward around 4,520 residents by 2031. Capital growth prospects are limited by population trends and the current vacancy position.
Schools in Moora iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Moora Primary School
K-6 · 124 students
Central Midlands Senior High School
7-12 · 196 students
St Joseph's School
PP-6 · 142 students
Demographics
The median age of 42 is 2.0 years above the national figure, and the senior share rose 6.0 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 2.2 points, confirming an aging trajectory. Overseas-born residents make up just 11.9%, which is 9.7 points below the national average, reflecting a predominantly locally-born population. Ancestry is predominantly English (671 people), Scottish (148), and Irish (127), a pattern consistent with the Anglo-Celtic heritage of many WA agricultural regions. University qualifications reach only 14.1%, which is 16.0 points below the national figure, pointing to a workforce oriented toward trade, agriculture and community services rather than professional occupations. Average household size of 2.3 is slightly below the national figure.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
90.8%
Houses
7.9%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Moora's housing stock is almost entirely separate houses at 90.8%, with semi-detached dwellings at 7.9% and no significant apartment presence. Three-bedroom homes are the dominant type at 47.8%, and 4-plus bedroom properties account for 34.3%, reflecting the family-sized homes typical of regional WA towns. The tenure split shows 38.9% own outright, 32.3% hold a mortgage, and 28.8% rent, meaning outright owners are more common here than mortgage holders, which is higher than the national ownership mix. The median house price of $276,000 with average monthly mortgage repayments of $1,016 places housing well below national affordability stress levels at a mortgage-to-income ratio of 17.1%. The high vacancy rate of 20.8% indicates supply exceeds current demand.
Mortgage / mo
$1,016
Rent / wk
$230
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$743
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
20.8%
Unoccupied
163
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
16.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.1%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
32.1%
Couples, no children
1,130
Total families
Economy & Employment
Education leads Moora's employment base at 17.1% of workers (66 people), followed by Healthcare at 12.4% (48) and Agriculture at 10.3% (40), with Construction at 8.5% and Retail at 8.0%. This distribution reflects the town's role as a regional service centre for surrounding farming districts. By occupation, Labourers (105), Clerical/Admin (96), Managers (93), and Machinery/Drivers (93) each account for significant shares, consistent with agriculture and community services. The unemployment rate is 6.2%, above the national average, and the participation rate is just 53.7%, partly explained by the high share of residents not in the labour force (432 people). Real income grew 20.1% over the decade, but household income at the 35.5th percentile remains well below state and national medians.
Unemployment
2.3%
Labour Force
2,739
Unemployed
63
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
67.5%
Part-time
26.3%
Participation
53.7%
Employed
713
Occupations
Top Industries
University
14.1%
Postgraduate
2.7%
Born Overseas
11.9%
Dwellings
619
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 85.1% of commuters, which is typical for a regional centre covering 360 square kilometres where public transport serves only 0.8% of trips. Walking and cycling account for 7.9%, reflecting the compact town core. No schools are recorded in the suburb dataset. The IRSAD decile of 5 places Moora at the national midpoint for relative socioeconomic advantage, neither strongly advantaged nor disadvantaged. The volunteering rate of 25.8% is notably high, indicating strong community participation relative to most suburbs. Rent-to-income at 16.8% means housing costs are comfortable for renters, and mortgage-to-income at 17.1% keeps ownership accessible for those with stable incomes.
Drive
85.1%
Public Transport
0.8%
Walk / Cycle
7.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
-0.4%/yr
(-19 people/yr)
EstablishedMoora's population declined 3.7% over the past decade, and the current annual trend shows a further loss of approximately 19 people per year. Medium-scenario forecasts project the broader SA2 area declining from around 4,701 to approximately 4,523 by 2031. Net internal migration runs at minus 54 people annually, meaning more residents leave for other parts of Australia than arrive. Overseas migration adds a partial offset of around 34 people per year. The gentrification score is 0, classified as not gentrifying, consistent with a regional town with an established population base and limited investment pressure. Rent growth of 58.5% over the period outpaced the modest price base, suggesting some rental demand despite the broader population decline.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+34
Net Internal / yr
-54
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Moora compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Moora a good suburb to live in?
Moora suits those who want affordable regional living: the median house price is $276,000 and rent-to-income is just 16.8%, both comfortable compared to metro areas. The volunteering rate of 25.8% reflects an engaged community. Car ownership is essential as public transport serves only 0.8% of commuters, and amenities are more limited than in larger centres.
What is the median house price in Moora?
The median house price in Moora is $276,000 (estimated from 2025 rental data). Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,016, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 17.1%, well below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $230, and rent-to-income sits at 16.8%.
What schools are in Moora?
No schools are recorded in this dataset for Moora. The suburb has a university qualification rate of just 14.1%, which is 16.0 points below the national figure, reflecting an economy oriented toward trades, agriculture, and community services rather than professional education pathways.
Is Moora safe?
Crime statistics are not available in this dataset for Moora. The suburb scores decile 5 on IRSAD, placing it at the national midpoint for relative disadvantage, neither highly advantaged nor disadvantaged. Housing stress is low, with rent-to-income at 16.8% and mortgage-to-income at 17.1%, suggesting manageable financial conditions for most residents.
Is Moora good for property investment?
The high vacancy rate of 20.8% and a negative net internal migration of minus 54 people per year are the main cautions for investors. Weekly rent of $230 against a $276,000 median gives a modest gross yield, and medium-scenario population forecasts show continued gradual decline through 2031. Entry costs are low compared to metro areas, but capital growth prospects are limited.
How is Moora's population changing?
Moora's population has declined 3.7% over the past 10 years and is falling at roughly 19 people per year. The aging trajectory is clear: the senior share rose 6.0 points while the working-age share fell 2.2 points over the decade. Medium forecasts project the broader area continuing to decline from around 4,701 toward approximately 4,523 residents by 2031.
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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