North Perth
North Perth packs 9,623 residents into 3.07 square kilometres, producing a density of 3,137.7 people per square kilometre. Household income sits at the 88.6th percentile, while 56.0% of residents hold university qualifications, 25.9 percentage points above national. That profile supports demand for compact housing and local services. Compared with nearby Leederville and Mount Lawley, North Perth is a tightly settled inner-north option, with 30.7% overseas-born residents and a 2.3-person average household supporting varied housing. Its 9.7% vacancy rate gives renters more choice than tighter markets, while buyers should compare dwellings at street level.
Population
9,623
Median Age
38.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,323/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
43
For buyers, North Perth's main advantage is choice of dwelling format rather than a single price point. Separate houses account for 65.4%, while semi-detached homes represent 18.5% and apartments 15.9%, so a search can extend beyond detached stock. Three-bedroom homes make up 46.9%, ahead of four-plus-bedroom homes at 21.3%, which suits many established households. Mortgage costs are $2,473 monthly, equal to 24.6% of household income, compared with weekly rent of $400. The 33.2% renting share also supports rental and resale comparables, but buyers should compare like-for-like homes because the housing mix is broader than a house-only market.
For Buyers
For buyers, North Perth's main advantage is choice of dwelling format rather than a single price point. Separate houses account for 65.4%, while semi-detached homes represent 18.5% and apartments 15.9%, so a search can extend beyond detached stock. Three-bedroom homes make up 46.9%, ahead of four-plus-bedroom homes at 21.3%, which suits many established households. Mortgage costs are $2,473 monthly, equal to 24.6% of household income, compared with weekly rent of $400. The 33.2% renting share also supports rental and resale comparables, but buyers should compare like-for-like homes because the housing mix is broader than a house-only market.
For Investors
North Perth has a sizeable renter base, with 33.2% renting and weekly rent of $400. The 9.7% vacancy rate may give tenants more choice and can limit rapid rent escalation, so investors should underwrite conservatively rather than rely on headline demand. Turnover is 26.5%, meaning tenant churn can create leasing and maintenance costs even in a well-located market. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver. Compared with a low-vacancy strategy, North Perth suits investors who value tenant depth over maximum short-term rental pressure.
Development Activity
Total DAs
47
Last 12 Months
43
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+4200.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
$579K
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in North Perth
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
KYILLA PRIMARY SCHOOL
NORTH PERTH PRIMARY SCHOOL
Demographics
North Perth's median age is 38, which is 2.0 years below the national figure, and its 56.0% university-educated share is 25.9 percentage points above national. The average household has 2.3 people, 0.2 below the national average, helping explain the strong presence of couples without children at 43.0%. Overseas-born residents account for 30.7%, 9.1 points above national, with Italian, Mandarin and Greek among the recorded languages. English, Italian and Irish are the leading ancestry responses at 3,281, 1,222 and 1,149 people. Compared with nearby Leederville and Mount Lawley, North Perth's compact household profile supports a mix of professionals, couples and established families. Residential stability is evident because 73.5% stayed at the same address.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
65.4%
Houses
18.5%
Townhouse
15.9%
Apartment
Tenure
North Perth's housing profile is led by separate houses at 65.4%, but the 18.5% semi-detached and 15.9% apartment shares create more choice than a conventional detached-only suburb. Three-bedroom dwellings account for 46.9%, followed by two-bedroom homes at 22.6% and four-plus-bedroom homes at 21.3%; only 9.2% have zero or one bedroom. Tenure is split across 29.1% owned outright, 35.9% with a mortgage and 33.2% rented, indicating a mixed resale and rental market. Compared with Leederville or Mount Lawley, buyers should inspect each street and dwelling type rather than assume one North Perth benchmark. Mortgage costs are $2,473 monthly, while rent is $400 weekly, so holding costs need to be tested against the exact property.
Mortgage / mo
$2,473
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$400
Census 2021
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$1,147
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.7%
Unoccupied
419
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.6%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
43.7%
Couples with children
43.0%
Couples, no children
11.4%
Single parent
2,420
Total families
Economy & Employment
North Perth has a high human-capital and income profile: household income ranks at the 88.6th percentile, while IEO and IRSD sit in decile 9, and IRSAD also reaches decile 9. IER is lower at decile 7, an important variation suggesting economic advantage is strong but not uniform across every measure. Professional/Tech is the largest industry at 17.4% with 757 workers, followed by Healthcare at 16.6% and 725, Education at 12.0% and 523, Public Admin at 7.4% and 322, and Mining at 7.3% and 318. Professionals number 2,247 and managers 911, while clerical/admin, community/personal and trades account for 589, 536 and 502. Participation is 71.8%, unemployment 4.1% and full-time employment 62.8%. Compared with national norms, North Perth's education and advantage scores are higher, supporting local spending and resilience.
Unemployment
4.1%
Labour Force
5,838
Unemployed
240
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
62.8%
Part-time
32.5%
Participation
71.8%
Employed
5,598
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
56.0%
Postgraduate
13.8%
Born Overseas
30.7%
Dwellings
3,884
Transport to Work
North Perth's 3,137.7 people per square kilometre supports a walkable, service-oriented inner-suburban routine, although commuting remains mixed: 62.4% travel as car drivers, 14.1% use public transport, 6.3% walk or cycle, and 13.0% work from home. North Perth has 2 local schools, both government primary schools, so families should check enrolment zones and the exact route from each address rather than infer access from the suburb name. IRSAD sits in decile 9, above the national midpoint, aligning with strong socioeconomic resources. For safety, compare current incident information, lighting and passive surveillance street by street. Compared with a car-only location, North Perth provides more transport alternatives, but its density makes parking and peak-hour access worth testing.
Drive
62.4%
Public Transport
14.1%
Walk / Cycle
6.3%
Work from Home
13.0%
Population Forecast
+1.32%/yr
(+145 people/yr)
EstablishedNorth Perth's outlook is measured rather than explosive. The annual trend is 1.32%, and overseas migration is the primary growth driver, giving the suburb a demand base linked to continued inner-Perth arrivals. Population change across the wider area is 13.6% over 10 years, while the shift trajectory is Stable. Gentrification remains at the Early signs stage, with a score of 22, and the shift measure records a score of 28. Rent growth is 6.7%, real income growth is 10.8%, and the affordability measure is labelled Improving, moving from 44.5 in 2011 to 34.8 in 2021. Compared with a high-growth fringe market, this profile points to gradual renewal around an established housing base rather than a sudden transformation.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+172
Net Internal / yr
+40
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +21% since 2011, Accelerating: 1% → 20%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How North Perth compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Perth a good suburb to live in?
Yes, if you value inner-suburban access, professional employment and mixed housing. North Perth has 9,623 residents across 3.07 square kilometres, 56.0% university-educated residents and 14.1% public transport use. The trade-offs are 3,137.7 people per square kilometre and a 9.7% vacancy rate, so parking and rental conditions vary by street.
What is the median house price in North Perth?
For North Perth, use current comparable sales rather than a single suburb-wide median. The housing mix includes 65.4% separate houses, 18.5% semi-detached homes and 15.9% apartments, so one headline figure could blur major differences. Compare recent 3-bedroom sales with the exact street, lot and dwelling type.
What schools are in North Perth?
North Perth has 2 local schools, both government primary schools: Kyilla Primary School and North Perth Primary School. Check the enrolment zone and daily route for the exact address, as the suburb covers 3.07 square kilometres and school access can change across a compact inner-city area.
Is North Perth safe?
North Perth has 9,623 residents, but population size alone cannot establish whether one street is safer than another. Check current WA Police incident information, lighting, activity and passive surveillance at the exact address, and compare the pocket with nearby Leederville or Mount Lawley before committing. Treat safety as a street-level decision, not a suburb-wide assumption.
Is North Perth good for property investment?
It can suit an income-focused investor, but the numbers call for conservative modelling. Weekly rent is $400, 33.2% rent and vacancy is 9.7%, while 43 development applications were recorded over 12 months. Compared with a low-vacancy strategy, North Perth offers tenant depth but less certainty on near-term rent pressure, so allow for turnover at 26.5%.
How is North Perth's population changing?
North Perth's current population is 9,623. The annual growth trend is 1.32%, population change across the wider area is 13.6% over 10 years, and overseas migration is the primary driver. The trajectory is Stable, while gentrification is at the Early signs stage with a score of 22. Compared with a high-growth corridor, this suggests gradual change rather than a rapid population surge.
What languages are spoken in North Perth?
Italian is the leading listed language, with 184 speakers, followed by Mandarin at 58, Greek at 47 and Canton at 45. Overseas-born residents represent 30.7% of North Perth, 9.1 percentage points above the national figure. This is higher than the national overseas-born share, so local services and businesses may need multilingual communication.
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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