Mount Hawthorn
Household incomes in Mount Hawthorn rank at the 96.7th percentile nationally, placing it in the top 3% of Australian suburbs by earnings. This wealth powers a 56.4% university degree rate, 26.3 percentage points above the national average. Yet the estimated median house price of $579,000 looks cheap relative to those incomes because Perth pricing sits well below Sydney and Melbourne equivalents. Population has grown 15.3% over the past decade, with 1.4% annual growth (187 persons/yr) making it one of Perth's fastest-growing established suburbs.
Population
8,183
Median Age
37.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,890/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
83
Median House
$579K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated $579,000 median house price delivers remarkable value for a top-3% income suburb. Separate houses at 77.7% dominate, with 3-bedrooms at 45.3% and 4-plus at 29.8% providing family-sized options. Mortgage-to-income at just 20.1% is exceptionally low, far below the 30% stress threshold. Monthly repayments of $2,518 are comfortable given the $2,890 weekly household income. Turnover at 19.1% indicates moderate listing flow. The 17.3% semi-detached share shows infill development is already diversifying stock. Development activity is strong with 76 DAs in 12 months, including second-storey additions and garage extensions.
For Buyers
The estimated $579,000 median house price delivers remarkable value for a top-3% income suburb. Separate houses at 77.7% dominate, with 3-bedrooms at 45.3% and 4-plus at 29.8% providing family-sized options. Mortgage-to-income at just 20.1% is exceptionally low, far below the 30% stress threshold. Monthly repayments of $2,518 are comfortable given the $2,890 weekly household income. Turnover at 19.1% indicates moderate listing flow. The 17.3% semi-detached share shows infill development is already diversifying stock. Development activity is strong with 76 DAs in 12 months, including second-storey additions and garage extensions.
For Investors
Weekly rent of $420 against a $579,000 median produces roughly 3.8% gross yield, solid for Perth's inner-ring market. The 26.5% renter share provides adequate tenant demand. Vacancy at 6.9% is slightly above Perth's tight average, but the suburb's population growth (1.4%/yr) should absorb slack. 76 DAs in 12 months include a $630,000 second-storey addition, reflecting homeowner upgrading rather than multi-dwelling supply. Internal migration is essentially flat (-5/yr) while overseas arrivals add 216/yr. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 10 and gentrification score of 33 (early signs) suggest continued price growth.
Development Activity
Total DAs
86
Last 12 Months
83
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+4050.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
$363K
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Mount Hawthorn iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Mount Hawthorn Primary School
K-6 · 936 students
Demographics
English ancestry leads at 3,034, followed by Irish (1,039), Italian (935), and Scottish (805). The Italian heritage creates a distinct dining and retail strip. University attainment at 56.4% is 26.3pp above the national average, and household income at the 96.7th percentile is among Perth's highest. The median age of 37 sits 3 years below national, reflecting young professional families. Couples with children (3,669) make up the largest family group. Italian (94 speakers), Greek (43), and Mandarin (40) are top non-English languages. The volunteering rate of 23.2% is one of the highest in Perth.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
77.7%
Houses
17.3%
Townhouse
4.3%
Apartment
Tenure
The estimated median is $579,000 for a suburb where houses make up 77.7% of stock. Mortgage holders at 42.7% are the largest tenure group, consistent with young families buying in. Outright owners at 30.8% and renters at 26.5% make up the rest. Three-bedroom homes (45.3%) dominate, but 4-plus bedrooms at 29.8% shows a substantial family-sized segment. Mortgage stress is remarkably low at 20.1%, the lowest among comparable Perth suburbs. Rent-to-income at 14.5% is equally comfortable. The combination of high incomes and moderate prices creates one of the least stressed housing markets in Australia.
Mortgage / mo
$2,518
Rent / wk
$420
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$1,262
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.9%
Unoccupied
221
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
14.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
20.6%
Couples, no children
6,813
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare (16.8%), professional/tech (15.8%), and education (12.1%) are the top three employers. Mining at 9.1% reflects Perth's FIFO economy, with 329 workers in the sector. Professionals (1,871) overwhelmingly dominate occupations, followed by managers (819). Unemployment is just 3.1%, among the lowest nationally, and participation at 72.3% is exceptionally high, 10+ percentage points above the national average. SEIFA decile 10 across IRSAD and IRSD confirms top-tier socioeconomic advantage. Full-time work at 63.2% and low need-for-assistance (3.5%) paint a picture of economic vitality.
Unemployment
4.5%
Labour Force
8,415
Unemployed
376
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.2%
Part-time
33.7%
Participation
72.3%
Employed
4,424
Occupations
Top Industries
University
56.4%
Postgraduate
14.4%
Born Overseas
25.9%
Dwellings
2,973
Transport to Work
Public transport usage at 11.8% and walk/cycle at 6.8% are both well above Perth averages, reflecting the suburb's proximity to the city. Car dependence at 75.7% is among the lowest in Perth. Mount Hawthorn Primary School (Government, ICSEA 1140, 936 students) is the sole local school, scoring in the top 15% nationally for educational advantage. The SEIFA IEO decile of 10 confirms top-tier educational opportunity. Need for assistance is just 3.5%, the lowest among comparable suburbs. The 23.2% volunteering rate ranks among Perth's highest.
Drive
75.7%
Public Transport
11.8%
Walk / Cycle
6.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.4%/yr
(+187 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grows at 1.4% annually, adding 187 people per year, well above the national average growth rate. Over the past decade, population grew 15.3%. Overseas migration (+216/yr) drives growth while internal migration is essentially neutral (-5/yr). The medium forecast projects 14,313 residents by 2031, up from 13,377 in 2026. Gentrification scores 33 (early signs), with acceleration from 3% to 19% growth rates. The working-age share dipped 1.9pp while the senior share rose 2.6pp, but the young family influx (couples with children at 3,669) offsets the aging trajectory.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+216
Net Internal / yr
-5
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +23% since 2011, Strong overseas inflow +216/yr, Accelerating: 3% → 19%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Mount Hawthorn compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mount Hawthorn a good suburb to live in?
Mount Hawthorn ranks in SEIFA IRSAD decile 10, the top 10% nationally. Unemployment is just 3.1%, and household income sits at the 96.7th percentile. Walk/cycle rates (6.8%) and public transport usage (11.8%) are well above Perth averages. Mount Hawthorn Primary has an ICSEA of 1140.
What is the median house price in Mount Hawthorn?
The estimated median house price is $579,000, based on rental data. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,518, but mortgage-to-income sits at just 20.1%, far below the 30% stress threshold, because household incomes are among the highest in Perth.
What schools are in Mount Hawthorn?
Mount Hawthorn has 1 school: Mount Hawthorn Primary School (Government, ICSEA 1140, 936 students). The ICSEA score ranks in the top 15% nationally. The SEIFA IEO decile of 10 confirms the suburb offers top-tier educational opportunity.
Is Mount Hawthorn safe?
Suburb-level crime data is not available for Mount Hawthorn. The SEIFA IRSD decile of 10 (lowest disadvantage nationally), 3.1% unemployment, and 72.3% workforce participation rate are all strongly correlated with lower crime in Australian research.
Is Mount Hawthorn good for property investment?
Gross yield sits at roughly 3.8% ($420/week vs $579,000 median), solid for inner Perth. Population grows at 1.4% annually (187 persons/yr), supporting demand. Vacancy at 6.9% is moderate. The 76 DAs in 12 months mostly involve owner-occupier upgrades rather than new rental supply.
How is Mount Hawthorn's population changing?
Population grows at 1.4% per year, adding 187 people annually. Over the past decade population grew 15.3%, well above the national average. Overseas migration adds 216/yr while internal flows are neutral. The forecast projects 14,313 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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