Nollamara
Population density reaches 3,422.3 people per sq km in Nollamara, where 52.2% of residents were born overseas and the median age is 34, six years below the national comparison. Its 12,779 residents live in a compact, renter-heavy suburb: 46.9% rent, while 52.8% of dwellings are semi-detached. Unlike the more detached suburban image associated with nearby Yokine and Balcatta, Nollamara has a more attached housing form. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver behind a 2.13% annual trend, while household income sits at the 46.6th percentile.
Population
12,779
Median Age
34.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,492/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
104
Buyer decisions in Nollamara centre on dwelling type and weekly holding costs because a current median sale price is not available. Weekly rent is $340, while the reported mortgage repayment is $1,582 a month and mortgage costs equal 24.5% of household income. The 33.4% mortgage-held share is below the 46.9% renting share, highlighting a large tenant market. Three-bedroom homes account for 76.3% of stock, compared with 7.6% for four or more bedrooms. Separate houses and semi-detached dwellings split the market at 47.0% and 52.8%, so buyers should compare parking, outdoor space, renovation needs and any strata obligations carefully.
For Buyers
Buyer decisions in Nollamara centre on dwelling type and weekly holding costs because a current median sale price is not available. Weekly rent is $340, while the reported mortgage repayment is $1,582 a month and mortgage costs equal 24.5% of household income. The 33.4% mortgage-held share is below the 46.9% renting share, highlighting a large tenant market. Three-bedroom homes account for 76.3% of stock, compared with 7.6% for four or more bedrooms. Separate houses and semi-detached dwellings split the market at 47.0% and 52.8%, so buyers should compare parking, outdoor space, renovation needs and any strata obligations carefully.
For Investors
Nollamara presents a tenant-led investment profile because 46.9% of households rent, a higher share than the 18.5% who own outright and the 33.4% with a mortgage. Weekly rent is $340 and the vacancy rate is 8.0%, giving renters more choice than in a tightly supplied market. Development activity is substantial, with 98 applications in 12 months, including grouped dwellings that may add competing stock. Rent growth is 6.2%, and the wider forecast runs at 2.13% annually with overseas migration the primary driver. Investors should stress-test maintenance and vacancy assumptions rather than rely on rent growth alone.
Development Activity
Total DAs
104
Last 12 Months
104
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 Nollamara
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL
WEST COAST STEINER SCHOOL
NOLLAMARA PRIMARY SCHOOL
Demographics
With a median age of 34, Nollamara is 6 years younger than the national comparison, and 39.2% of residents hold a university qualification, 9.1 percentage points above the national figure. Overseas-born residents comprise 52.2%, or 30.6 points above the national comparison, giving the suburb a strong migration-shaped identity. Recorded ancestry counts include Other at 3,567, English at 2,680, Irish at 902 and Indian at 825. Punjabi is the most common listed non-English language at 229 speakers, followed by Arabic at 187. Average household size is 2.2, or 0.3 below the national comparison, while one-parent families account for 20.0%.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
47.0%
Houses
52.8%
Townhouse
0.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Nollamara's tenure pattern is more rental-oriented than outright ownership: 46.9% rent, versus 18.5% owning outright and 33.4% with a mortgage. A current median house price is not available, so the $1,582 monthly mortgage figure and $340 weekly rent are useful cost markers rather than a sale benchmark. Semi-detached dwellings account for 52.8%, above separate houses at 47.0%, while apartments make up only 0.3%. The 76.3% share of three-bedroom homes points to a family and share-house format. Rent-to-income at 22.8% is below mortgage-to-income at 24.5%. Compared with nearby Yokine and Balcatta, Nollamara's attached-home concentration supports more compact living.
Mortgage / mo
$1,582
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$340
Census 2021
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$839
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.0%
Unoccupied
466
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.5%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
37.5%
Couples with children
39.4%
Couples, no children
20.0%
Single parent
3,264
Total families
Economy & Employment
Nollamara's labour market combines service work and practical trades. Healthcare is the largest industry at 19.2% with 919 workers, followed by Professional and Technical services at 9.4% and Education at 8.4%; Construction and Retail contribute 7.9% and 7.4%. Occupations are led by Professionals at 1,395, Trades at 988 and Community and Personal Services at 960. Participation is 66.7%, unemployment is 6.3% and full-time employment is 61.1%. Household income is $1,492 weekly, at the 46.6th percentile. SEIFA IEO decile 5 is higher than IER decile 2, while IRSD and IRSAD both sit at decile 3, indicating education and occupation conditions are stronger than measured economic resources.
Unemployment
6.3%
Labour Force
7,073
Unemployed
443
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
61.1%
Part-time
33.1%
Participation
66.7%
Employed
6,630
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
39.2%
Postgraduate
10.1%
Born Overseas
52.2%
Dwellings
5,316
Transport to Work
Daily life is strongly car-oriented: 78.2% drive, compared with 8.8% using public transport and 1.2% walking or cycling; 6.0% work from home. That pattern matters because access to jobs, shopping and schools is easier for households with a vehicle. Nollamara has 3 nearby schools, comprising 1 government primary school and 2 non-government schools, providing a mix of sector and type options. Check enrolment zones against the exact address, since they can cross suburb boundaries. Nollamara's IRSAD decile is 3, below its IEO decile of 5, so amenity decisions should be tested street by street across the 3.73 sq km area. Review current police and council incident information before choosing a home.
Drive
78.2%
Public Transport
8.8%
Walk / Cycle
1.2%
Work from Home
6.0%
Population Forecast
+2.13%/yr
(+491 people/yr)
EstablishedGrowth is above zero at 2.13% a year and is primarily driven by overseas migration. Population change across the wider area is 31.6% over 10 years, while the trajectory is Stable rather than a sharp boom. Gentrification remains at the Early signs stage with a score of 39, and the shift profile also records an Early signs score of 29. Rent growth is 6.2%, while real income growth is 11.3%, helping explain why the affordability trend is labelled Improving even though the affordability measure moved from 53.9 in 2011 to 41.8 in 2021. Development activity is material, with 98 applications in 12 months, so change is more likely to come through incremental infill than a sudden reset.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+664
Net Internal / yr
-328
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +43% since 2011, Net internal outflow -328/yr, Strong overseas inflow +664/yr, Accelerating: 16% → 23%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Nollamara compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nollamara a good suburb to live in?
Nollamara suits households seeking a dense, multicultural and relatively rental-oriented setting. It has 12,779 residents, a median age of 34, 52.2% overseas-born residents and 3 local schools. Car use is high at 78.2%, so check transport needs, parking and the exact street before committing.
What is the median house price in Nollamara?
A current median house price is not available. Useful cost markers are weekly rent of $340, a reported monthly mortgage repayment of $1,582 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.5%. Because 52.8% of dwellings are semi-detached, compare recent sales by dwelling type rather than applying one suburb-wide assumption.
What schools are in Nollamara?
Nollamara has 3 local schools, with 1 government primary school and 2 non-government schools. Enrolment zones, fees, transport and year-level availability can differ, so confirm those details for the exact address before signing a contract or choosing between school options.
Is Nollamara safe?
Safety should be checked at street level using current WA Police and council incident information, especially before a lease or purchase. Nollamara covers 3.73 sq km and has 12,779 residents, so local conditions may differ between pockets. Visit at different times and ask nearby residents about lighting, traffic and noise.
Is Nollamara good for property investment?
It can suit investors targeting a substantial tenant pool, with 46.9% renting, $340 weekly rent and an 8.0% vacancy rate. However, 98 development applications in 12 months may add competing dwellings. Annual trend growth is 2.13% and overseas migration is the main driver, so assess property type, maintenance and vacancy risk.
How is Nollamara's population changing?
Nollamara's current population is 12,779. Growth is forecast at 2.13% annually, with overseas migration the primary driver, while population change across the wider area is 31.6% over 10 years. The trajectory is Stable and gentrification is at the Early signs stage with a score of 39, pointing to ongoing change rather than a sudden transformation.
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 education open registers (school locations), 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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