Orelia
Affordability is the defining feature of Orelia: the estimated median house price of $327,000 sits well below Perth metro averages, yet the suburb carries a SEIFA decile 1 score on three of four indexes, placing it among the most disadvantaged suburbs nationally. That tension explains the community: household income sits at the 27.6th percentile, unemployment runs at 11.0%, and real incomes fell 4.8% over the decade. The suburb spans 2.93 km2 with 4,535 residents at a density of 1,549 per km2, and 81.8% of dwellings are separate houses on a mortgage-belt profile. Overseas-born residents reach 30.6%, which is 9.0 percentage points above the national figure, driven mainly by English, Scottish and Irish ancestry groups.
Population
4,535
Median Age
38.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,246/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$327K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated median house price of $327,000 makes Orelia one of the more accessible entry points in Perth's southern corridor, with monthly mortgage repayments averaging $1,343. Mortgage-to-income sits at 24.9%, below the 30% stress threshold, so buyers at the median price are not immediately in financial strain despite household income at the 27.6th percentile nationally. Separate houses account for 81.8% of stock, and 4-plus bedroom dwellings make up 40.2% of the mix, followed by 3-bedroom at 42.4%. Only 2.2% of stock is semi-detached, giving buyers a predominantly standalone house market. Outright owners make up 23.2% of households, below typical established suburb levels, while 43.4% carry a mortgage, reflecting the suburb's working-age, mortgage-belt character.
For Buyers
The estimated median house price of $327,000 makes Orelia one of the more accessible entry points in Perth's southern corridor, with monthly mortgage repayments averaging $1,343. Mortgage-to-income sits at 24.9%, below the 30% stress threshold, so buyers at the median price are not immediately in financial strain despite household income at the 27.6th percentile nationally. Separate houses account for 81.8% of stock, and 4-plus bedroom dwellings make up 40.2% of the mix, followed by 3-bedroom at 42.4%. Only 2.2% of stock is semi-detached, giving buyers a predominantly standalone house market. Outright owners make up 23.2% of households, below typical established suburb levels, while 43.4% carry a mortgage, reflecting the suburb's working-age, mortgage-belt character.
For Investors
Orelia's 33.4% renter share provides a solid tenant base, and weekly rent of $250 implies a gross yield near 3.9% against the $327,000 median, higher than inner-city alternatives. The vacancy rate of 9.8% is elevated and warrants caution, suggesting rental supply may exceed current demand in some segments. Population growth is modest at 0.77% annually, adding roughly 35 residents per year to the suburb's own population, with overseas migration of 114 persons annually at the broader SA2 level as the primary driver. Gentrification scores at 19 and is rated not gentrifying, with affordability improving from 46.3% in 2011 to 42.7% in 2021. Rent grew 8.0% over the reference period, suggesting positive rental momentum, though the low income base and high unemployment rate of 11.0% mean tenant quality is a key underwriting consideration.
Schools in Orelia iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Gilmore College
7-12 · 1251 students
Orelia Primary School
K-6 · 301 students
Demographics
The median age of 38 is 2.0 years below the national figure, indicating a relatively younger population than the Australian average. Overseas-born residents at 30.6% run 9.0 percentage points above national. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic: English (1,722), Scottish (410) and Irish (323) lead, with small communities speaking Italian, Bengali and Punjabi. University qualifications reach only 13.8%, which is 16.3 percentage points below the national average, reflecting the suburb's blue-collar character. Average household size is 2.4, marginally below the national figure, and the dominant family type is couples with children (1,199 families), followed by couples without children at 22.9%. The population trajectory is aging, with the senior share rising 3.6 points over the decade while the young share fell 2.4 points.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
81.8%
Houses
2.2%
Townhouse
16.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Orelia's housing market is distinctly detached and family-oriented, with 81.8% separate houses and only 16.1% apartments. The bedroom profile skews large: 40.2% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms and 42.4% have 3 bedrooms, with only 14.9% at 2 bedrooms. Tenure divides between 43.4% on a mortgage, 33.4% renting, and 23.2% owning outright. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.9% is below stress levels, while rent-to-income at 20.1% is also comfortable for tenants, suggesting the suburb avoids acute housing stress despite income at the 27.6th percentile nationally. The estimated median of $327,000 compares favourably to Perth metro medians, making Orelia accessible for first-home buyers priced out of higher-decile suburbs.
Mortgage / mo
$1,343
Rent / wk
$250
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$637
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.8%
Unoccupied
191
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.9%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
22.9%
Couples, no children
3,297
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 17.8% of employed residents (186 workers), followed by Construction at 10.5% (109), Manufacturing at 9.7% (101), Education at 9.5% (99) and Retail at 9.4% (98). The occupation profile reflects this blue-collar mix: Labourers (302) are the single largest group, ahead of Machinery and Drivers (284) and Community and Personal service workers (273). These patterns align with the SEIFA picture: Orelia scores decile 1 on both IRSD and IRSAD, placing it in the most disadvantaged tier nationally for relative socio-economic outcomes. The unemployment rate of 11.0% is considerably higher than the national average, and the participation rate of 54.5% is low, with 1,231 residents not in the labour force. Personal weekly income averages $637 and family income averages $1,568.
Unemployment
13.9%
Labour Force
6,551
Unemployed
913
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.7%
Part-time
25.3%
Participation
54.5%
Employed
1,778
Occupations
Top Industries
University
13.8%
Postgraduate
2.5%
Born Overseas
30.6%
Dwellings
1,754
Transport to Work
Orelia is a heavily car-dependent suburb, with 85.4% of residents driving to work and only 4.1% using public transport, well above the national reliance on private vehicles. Walkability is low at 1.7% walking or cycling. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary in the available data, so families rely on schools in surrounding Kwinana-area suburbs. Crime data is not available for this suburb in the current dataset. At the SEIFA level, Orelia ranks in decile 1 on IRSAD nationally, the lowest tier for socio-economic advantage, and decile 2 on IER, indicating limited economic resources relative to most Australian suburbs. Volunteering participation runs at 10.3%, and 6.9% of residents (289 people) need daily assistance with core activities. Resident stability is high, with 80.9% of people at the same address as five years prior, indicating low turnover despite the 33.4% renter share.
Drive
85.4%
Public Transport
4.1%
Walk / Cycle
1.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.77%/yr
(+98 people/yr)
EstablishedOrelia's own population of 4,535 is growing at 0.77% per year, adding roughly 35 persons annually. The broader SA2 population stands at 12,669 (2025) and is projected to reach 12,903 by 2031 under the medium scenario, representing modest but steady growth. Overseas migration at 114 persons net per year is the primary growth driver, compared to modest internal net inflow of 41, making Orelia relatively dependent on migrant demand rather than interstate relocation. Population is up 4.1% over the decade. The suburb shows no signs of gentrification, scoring 19 out of 100 on the gentrification index and classified as not gentrifying, consistent with a stable working-class suburban profile where the SEIFA decile 1 positioning has persisted across census periods.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+114
Net Internal / yr
+41
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +11% since 2011, Accelerating: -1% → 13%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Orelia compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Orelia a good suburb to live in?
Orelia suits buyers who prioritise affordability and space over amenity and prestige. The $327,000 median house price is accessible, the mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.9% is below stress levels, and 81.8% of stock is separate houses with 3-4 bedrooms. The trade-offs are a SEIFA decile 1 ranking nationally, an 11.0% unemployment rate and high car dependence at 85.4%.
What is the median house price in Orelia?
The estimated median house price is $327,000, with monthly mortgage repayments averaging $1,343. Weekly rent averages $250, implying a gross yield near 3.9%. Mortgage-to-income sits at 24.9% and rent-to-income at 20.1%, both below the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Orelia?
No schools are recorded inside Orelia's 2.93 km2 boundary in the available data. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs in the broader Kwinana area. The suburb's university qualification rate of 13.8% is 16.3 percentage points below the national average, reflecting the local workforce profile.
Is Orelia safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Orelia in this dataset. As a contextual indicator, the suburb scores decile 1 on the SEIFA IRSD index nationally, placing it among the most disadvantaged suburbs for relative socio-economic outcomes, which often correlates with higher reported crime. Unemployment at 11.0% is elevated compared to national averages.
Is Orelia good for property investment?
Orelia offers a gross yield near 3.9% against a $327,000 median and $250 weekly rent, stronger than many inner-city options. However, the vacancy rate is elevated at 9.8%, and the unemployment rate of 11.0% raises tenant quality risk. Rent grew 8.0% over the reference period, and overseas migration of 114 net persons per year at the SA2 level supports demand. No gentrification is occurring.
How is Orelia's population changing?
Orelia's population of 4,535 is growing at 0.77% per year, up 4.1% over the decade. The broader SA2 population grew from 12,139 in 2023 to 12,669 in 2025 and is projected to reach 12,903 by 2031. Overseas migration at 114 net persons annually is the primary driver, compared to internal net inflow of 41. The profile is aging, with the senior share rising 3.6 points over the decade.
What languages are spoken in Orelia?
About 30.6% of residents were born overseas, which is 9.0 percentage points above the national figure. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic with English (1,722), Scottish (410) and Irish (323) leading. Non-English languages include Italian, Bengali, Punjabi and Serbian, though English dominates as the primary household language.
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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