Parmelia
Parmelia's most striking feature is its 94.4% separate-house share alongside a household income percentile of 30.8, giving the 6,184-resident suburb a practical mortgage-belt profile. At a median age of 37, residents are 3 years younger than the national figure, yet the wider trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 3.6 points and the young share down 2.4 points. Overseas-born residents account for 32.5%, 10.9 points above national, while 81.6% stayed at the same address. Compared with the denser Kwinana Town Centre precinct, Parmelia reads as more detached and car-oriented because 82.4% drive to work. That combination supports established households but points to gradual rather than fast demographic change.
Population
6,184
Median Age
37.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,297/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Parmelia suits buyers prioritising a detached family home over apartment living. Separate houses make up 94.4% of dwellings, including 51.3% with 3 bedrooms and 40.8% with 4 or more, while apartments account for only 1.1%. A current median house price is not quoted, so buyers should compare recent sales by bedroom count and land size before setting a budget. The monthly mortgage figure is $1,300, and 46.2% of households are paying a mortgage. Mortgage costs equal 23.1% of household income, with the mortgage stress flag false. Compared with renting at $280 a week, ownership needs more upfront capital but may suit households seeking space and longer tenure.
For Buyers
Parmelia suits buyers prioritising a detached family home over apartment living. Separate houses make up 94.4% of dwellings, including 51.3% with 3 bedrooms and 40.8% with 4 or more, while apartments account for only 1.1%. A current median house price is not quoted, so buyers should compare recent sales by bedroom count and land size before setting a budget. The monthly mortgage figure is $1,300, and 46.2% of households are paying a mortgage. Mortgage costs equal 23.1% of household income, with the mortgage stress flag false. Compared with renting at $280 a week, ownership needs more upfront capital but may suit households seeking space and longer tenure.
For Investors
Parmelia's investment case is anchored in established houses and rental demand rather than a fast development pipeline. Weekly rent is $280, vacancy is 7.8%, and 28.7% of households rent, so investors should test cash flow carefully because higher vacancy can mean longer letting periods. Rent growth of 8.0% provides recent income momentum, while development activity was 0 projects in the last 12 months, limiting near-term new-build competition. Compared with a suburb undergoing major construction, Parmelia has fewer immediate supply catalysts. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, but unemployment is 9.6%, so tenant affordability and arrears assumptions should remain conservative.
Schools in Parmelia
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
ST VINCENT'S SCHOOL
NORTH PARMELIA PRIMARY SCHOOL
Demographics
Parmelia combines a 37-year median age with an Aging trajectory: the senior share has risen 3.6 points and the young share has fallen 2.4 points. The suburb is more overseas-born than the national profile, at 32.5%, which is 10.9 points higher, while university attainment is 15.8%, 14.3 points below national. English is the leading ancestry at 2,568 people, followed by Other at 671 and Scottish at 508. No religion is recorded for 3,006 residents, compared with 2,301 identifying with Christianity. Household size is 2.5, equal to the national comparison, and 81.6% stayed at the same address. Because local stability sits alongside overseas diversity, services should cater for both aging households and varied cultural backgrounds.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
94.4%
Houses
4.5%
Townhouse
1.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Parmelia is overwhelmingly detached: 94.4% of homes are separate houses, compared with 1.1% apartments and 4.5% semi-detached dwellings. The bedroom mix reinforces that pattern, with 51.3% of homes offering 3 bedrooms and 40.8% offering 4 or more. Tenure is tilted toward mortgages at 46.2%, while 24.4% is owned outright and 28.7% rented. A median sale price is not quoted, so buyers should compare current comparable sales rather than rely on one suburb-wide figure. Rent is $280 a week, equal to 21.6% of household income, and mortgage costs are 23.1%; both stress flags are false. Compared with denser Kwinana Town Centre, Parmelia is more detached-house oriented because its 4.12 square kilometres still hold 1,502.1 people per square kilometre.
Mortgage / mo
$1,300
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$280
Census 2021
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$617
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.8%
Unoccupied
199
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
37.8%
Couples with children
34.2%
Couples, no children
26.1%
Single parent
1,619
Total families
Economy & Employment
Parmelia's employment base is led by healthcare at 16.9% and 243 workers, followed by manufacturing at 10.3% and 148, construction at 10.0% and 143, retail at 9.1% and 130, and education at 7.7% and 110. The mix spans essential services and trade-linked work because the top five industries cover care, production, building, shops and schools. Trades are the largest occupation group at 499 people, ahead of labourers at 413 and machinery or drivers at 370. Participation is 56.5%, full-time employment is 59.9%, and unemployment is 9.6%. Household income is at the 30.8th percentile, while IRSAD and IRSD are in decile 1, IER in decile 2 and IEO in decile 1, all below the middle deciles nationally. Compared with higher-income suburbs, local demand is likely to be more budget-conscious.
Unemployment
9.6%
Labour Force
2,800
Unemployed
269
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.9%
Part-time
32.8%
Participation
56.5%
Employed
2,531
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
15.8%
Postgraduate
2.7%
Born Overseas
32.5%
Dwellings
2,350
Transport to Work
Parmelia offers practical, car-based access, with 82.4% of commuters driving and only 5.4% using public transport; walking or cycling accounts for 1.6% and working from home 4.8%. That pattern means daily convenience is likely to depend more on road access than rail or bus frequency. There are 2 local schools, providing a mixed sector choice with government primary and non-government provision. Check enrolment zones against the exact address because boundaries can differ across nearby streets. The IRSAD decile is 1, below the national middle, and 7.6% of residents need assistance, so practical service access may matter more than amenity branding. A suburb-level crime rate is not quoted; compare current official incidents before deciding.
Drive
82.4%
Public Transport
5.4%
Walk / Cycle
1.6%
Work from Home
4.8%
Population Forecast
+0.77%/yr
(+98 people/yr)
EstablishedParmelia is forecast to grow at 0.77% a year across the wider area, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver. The longer shift is labelled Aging, and population change over 10 years is 4.1%, pointing to measured expansion rather than a high-growth cycle. The forecast gentrification score is 19 with stage Not gentrifying, while the longer-shift gentrification score is 0, so there is little evidence of a major tenure or price-led transformation. Rent growth of 8.0% has been stronger than the 0.77% annual population trend, which can increase pressure on tenants even without major development. Affordability improved from 46.3% in 2011 to 42.7% in 2021, but real income growth was -4.8%. Compared with rapidly changing corridors, Parmelia's established status favours incremental change.
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 Parmelia compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parmelia a good suburb to live in?
Parmelia can suit households seeking detached housing at a practical price point, with 94.4% separate houses and 51.3% three-bedroom homes. Its 82.4% car-driver share supports road-based routines, while the 37-year median age is 3 years below national. Weigh transport, school zones and the IRSAD decile 1 against your priorities.
What is the median house price in Parmelia?
A current median house price is not quoted for Parmelia, so avoid treating an estimate as a firm valuation. Compare recent sales with similar bedrooms, land and condition, and allow for the $1,300 monthly mortgage figure. The housing mix is 94.4% separate houses, so like-for-like comparisons matter more than apartment sales.
What schools are in Parmelia?
Parmelia has 2 local schools, with a government primary option and a non-government school. This creates a mixed sector choice but a smaller local selection compared with larger centres. Confirm the exact enrolment zone and year level before buying, because boundaries can differ across nearby streets.
Is Parmelia safe?
A suburb-specific crime rate is not quoted, so safety should be checked using current official incident data and an inspection at different times. Parmelia has 6,184 residents, and 82.4% of commuters drive, meaning street activity and transport patterns may vary by pocket. Also consider lighting, property condition and routes between home, shops and school.
Is Parmelia good for property investment?
Parmelia may suit an investor targeting established houses and moderate rental entry costs, but the numbers call for careful due diligence. Weekly rent is $280, vacancy is 7.8%, and 28.7% of households rent, while development activity was 0 projects in the last 12 months. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver and rent growth reached 8.0%, but unemployment is 9.6%.
How is Parmelia's population changing?
Parmelia's population is 6,184 today. The wider-area forecast points to 0.77% annual growth and 4.1% population change over 10 years, with overseas migration the primary driver. The trajectory is labelled Aging: the senior share has risen 3.6 points while the young share has fallen 2.4 points. Compared with a rapidly expanding, younger suburb, growth is likely to be gradual.
What languages are spoken in Parmelia?
Overseas-born residents make up 32.5%, which is 10.9 percentage points above the national comparison. Hindi is spoken by 17 residents, Mandarin by 16, Portuguese by 15, Arabic by 14 and Punjabi by 13. English is the leading ancestry at 2,568 people, followed by Scottish at 508. Check communication support for a specific school, service or transaction.
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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