Palmyra
Semi-detached dwellings at 37.1% outweigh separate houses at 57.1%, an unusual split for a Perth middle-ring suburb where detached housing typically exceeds 70%. University qualifications at 44.0% are 13.9 points above the national average, yet household incomes sit at the 61st percentile, a gap that suggests a well-educated population trading income maximisation for lifestyle proximity. SEIFA deciles cluster around 8 (IRSAD, IRSD, IEO), indicating solid upper-middle advantage. With a density of 2,414 per km2 packed into 3.14 km2, Palmyra is functionally an inner suburb wearing a middle-ring postcode.
Population
7,585
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,729/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$465K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated median house price of $465,000 makes Palmyra one of the more affordable options in the Melville-Fremantle corridor. Mortgage repayments of $1,950/month produce a 26.0% mortgage-to-income ratio, approaching but not breaching the 30% stress threshold. Semi-detached housing at 37.1% is the distinguishing feature, with separate houses at 57.1% and apartments at 5.8%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 48.8%, with 2-bedroom at 27.7%. Two schools serve the suburb: Our Lady of Fatima (Catholic, ICSEA 1,116, 156 students) and Palmyra Primary (Government, ICSEA 1,113, 536 students), both well above the national benchmark.
For Buyers
The estimated median house price of $465,000 makes Palmyra one of the more affordable options in the Melville-Fremantle corridor. Mortgage repayments of $1,950/month produce a 26.0% mortgage-to-income ratio, approaching but not breaching the 30% stress threshold. Semi-detached housing at 37.1% is the distinguishing feature, with separate houses at 57.1% and apartments at 5.8%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 48.8%, with 2-bedroom at 27.7%. Two schools serve the suburb: Our Lady of Fatima (Catholic, ICSEA 1,116, 156 students) and Palmyra Primary (Government, ICSEA 1,113, 536 students), both well above the national benchmark.
For Investors
Renters at 27.1% provide a reasonable tenant pool. Weekly rent of $350 against a $465,000 estimated median produces a gross yield of approximately 3.9%, above the metro average. The 8.1% vacancy rate is high, however, which could pressure returns. No development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, suggesting the suburb is fully built out. The 23.4% turnover rate is moderate. Outright ownership at 29.8% is lower than comparable suburbs, and the 37.1% semi-detached share provides entry-level rental stock that is easier to manage than detached homes. The suburb's IRSAD decile 8 and school quality (both above ICSEA 1,100) support long-term tenant demand.
Schools in Palmyra iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Our Lady of Fatima School
PP-6 · 156 students
Palmyra Primary School
K-6 · 536 students
Demographics
The median age of 39 is 1 year below national. University qualifications at 44.0% are 13.9 points above average, and the IEO decile 8 confirms strong educational advantage. Overseas-born at 25.8% is 4.2 points above national: English (3,403), Irish (1,023), Scottish (928) and Italian (590) form the main ancestries. Italian (57 speakers), French (28) and Portuguese (22) are the top non-English languages, reflecting Southern European heritage. Couples without children (26.9%) and couples with children (45.1% of families) are roughly balanced. Average household size of 2.2 is 0.3 below national, consistent with the smaller dwelling sizes.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
57.1%
Houses
37.1%
Townhouse
5.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Mortgage holders (43.1%) lead tenure, followed by outright owners (29.8%) and renters (27.1%). The 37.1% semi-detached share is the defining structural feature, far above the Perth average. Three-bedroom dwellings dominate at 48.8%, with 2-bedroom at 27.7% and 4+ at 21.0%. No price history series is available, limiting trend analysis. Mortgage stress at 26.0% is elevated compared to the national median but below the 30% threshold. Rent stress at 20.2% is comfortable. The high density of 2,414 per km2 in a 3.14 km2 footprint explains the semi-detached dominance. The 76.6% residential stability rate is moderate.
Mortgage / mo
$1,950
Rent / wk
$350
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$991
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.1%
Unoccupied
291
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.0%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
26.9%
Couples, no children
5,501
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads at 19.4% (600 workers), Education at 15.7% (484), Professional/Tech at 9.9% (306), Construction at 8.1% (250) and Public Admin at 7.9% (243). Professionals (1,308) strongly dominate occupations, with Managers (579) and Clerical/Admin (527) following. The 4.4% unemployment rate is low, and the 64.0% participation rate is above the national average. Full-time employment at 63.0% is solid. The combined healthcare and education share of 35.1% reflects proximity to Fremantle Hospital and several school catchments. IRSAD decile 8 confirms upper-middle economic positioning, with the IER decile 7 indicating moderate economic resources.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.0%
Part-time
32.6%
Participation
64.0%
Employed
3,794
Occupations
Top Industries
University
44.0%
Postgraduate
9.0%
Born Overseas
25.8%
Dwellings
3,297
Transport to Work
Public transport at 5.9% is moderate, with car driving at 86.5% dominant. Walking/cycling at 3.0% is below average. Two high-performing schools serve the suburb: Our Lady of Fatima (ICSEA 1,116, 156 students) and Palmyra Primary (ICSEA 1,113, 536 students), both well above the 1,000 national benchmark. IRSAD decile 8 places the suburb in the upper advantage tier. The 19.1% volunteering rate is above average, suggesting strong community engagement. Rent stress at 20.2% and mortgage stress at 26.0% are both manageable. The 4.6% need-assistance rate is close to the national average.
Drive
86.5%
Public Transport
5.9%
Walk / Cycle
3.0%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Palmyra compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palmyra a good suburb to live in?
Palmyra scores IRSAD decile 8, in the upper advantage tier nationally. University qualifications at 44.0% are 13.9 points above average. Two schools with ICSEA scores above 1,100 serve families. Mortgage stress at 26.0% is below the threshold. The suburb offers a compact, medium-density lifestyle at an estimated median of $465,000.
What is the median house price in Palmyra?
The estimated median is $465,000 (2025). Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,950 and weekly rent is $350. Gross yield is approximately 3.9%, above the Perth metro average. No detailed price history series is available for trend analysis.
What schools are in Palmyra?
Two schools serve the suburb: Our Lady of Fatima School (Catholic, ICSEA 1,116, 156 students) and Palmyra Primary School (Government, ICSEA 1,113, 536 students). Both score well above the national 1,000 ICSEA benchmark, with Palmyra Primary being the larger of the 2.
Is Palmyra safe?
Suburb-specific crime data is not available. SEIFA IRSD decile 8 (low disadvantage) and IRSAD decile 8 are associated with lower crime rates across Perth suburbs. The 76.6% residential stability rate and 4.4% unemployment rate are favourable indicators.
Is Palmyra good for property investment?
Gross yield of approximately 3.9% ($350/week on $465,000) is above the Perth metro average. Renters at 27.1% provide a moderate tenant pool. However, vacancy at 8.1% is high. Zero DAs in 12 months means no new supply pressure, but also no development upside. The suburb is effectively built out at 2,414 people per km2.
How is Palmyra's population changing?
Quantitative growth forecasts are not available. The zero development applications in 12 months confirm a built-out suburb. The 25.8% overseas-born share is 4.2 points above national. Turnover at 23.4% is moderate. Average household size of 2.2 is 0.3 below national, reflecting the smaller semi-detached and apartment stock.
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.
Explore Palmyra on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map