Salter Point
An older, high-income suburb, Salter Point has 2,913 residents, a median age of 47, and household income in the 92.6th percentile nationally. University attainment is 51.6%, which is 21.5 percentage points above the national comparison and helps explain the concentration of professionals and managers. Detached homes account for 84.7% of dwellings, while 45.6% are owned outright. Compared with nearby Como and Manning, Salter Point presents a compact and settled housing pattern, with 80.3% of residents staying at the same address. Its appeal is strongest for buyers seeking established family housing rather than high-turnover apartment living.
Local council: South Perth
Population
2,913
Median Age
47.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,529/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
24
Buyer demand is likely to centre on established detached housing because 84.7% of dwellings are separate houses and 56.9% have 4 or more bedrooms, while only 7.4% are apartments. With no current suburb-wide median house price, purchasers should compare recent sales by street, land size and dwelling condition rather than rely on a single benchmark. The typical mortgage repayment is $2,860 monthly against household income of $2,529 weekly, with mortgage costs at 26.1% of income, below the stated mortgage stress flag. Compared with apartment-heavier parts of Como, Salter Point may suit households wanting space, although buyers should allow for maintenance and limited turnover.
For Buyers
Buyer demand is likely to centre on established detached housing because 84.7% of dwellings are separate houses and 56.9% have 4 or more bedrooms, while only 7.4% are apartments. With no current suburb-wide median house price, purchasers should compare recent sales by street, land size and dwelling condition rather than rely on a single benchmark. The typical mortgage repayment is $2,860 monthly against household income of $2,529 weekly, with mortgage costs at 26.1% of income, below the stated mortgage stress flag. Compared with apartment-heavier parts of Como, Salter Point may suit households wanting space, although buyers should allow for maintenance and limited turnover.
For Investors
Salter Point has a relatively small rental base, with 12.1% of homes rented and a weekly rent of $450. Vacancy is 6.6%, so investors should compare leasing conditions with nearby suburbs and test likely days on market rather than assume immediate tenant competition. The suburb recorded 24 development applications across 12 months, although the applications do not state dwelling totals or project costs. Household income of $2,529 weekly and a 92.6th national percentile indicate solid local purchasing power, while 80.3% of residents staying at the same address points to stability. The trade-off is that detached housing may require more capital and maintenance than smaller dwellings.
Development Activity
Total DAs
65
Last 12 Months
24
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+41.2%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Salter Point
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
AQUINAS COLLEGE
Demographics
Salter Point's median age is 47, which is 7 years above the national comparison and helps explain its 2.6-person average household size and high outright ownership of 45.6%. Couples with children form 49.7% of families, while couples without children account for 38.5%, creating a mix of family households and an established older cohort. University attainment is 51.6%, or 21.5 percentage points above the national comparison. Leading ancestries include English at 1,082 people, Irish at 326, Chinese at 300 and Scottish at 273. Overseas-born residents comprise 27.4%, 5.8 points above the national comparison. Compared with younger areas around Como, Salter Point is more settled because 80.3% stayed at the same address.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
84.7%
Houses
7.9%
Townhouse
7.4%
Apartment
Tenure
Detached housing dominates Salter Point: 84.7% of dwellings are separate houses, compared with 7.4% apartments and 7.9% semi-detached homes. Larger properties are common, with 56.9% offering 4 or more bedrooms and 30.7% offering 3 bedrooms. Tenure is relatively stable, as 45.6% are owned outright and 34.2% are mortgaged, while only 12.1% are rented. Mortgage costs average $2,860 per month and equal 26.1% of household income, below the mortgage stress flag. Rent is $450 weekly and represents 17.8% of income, also below the rent stress flag. Compared with nearby Manning, this mix points to stronger owner occupation and less rental churn, though the absent median price means value must be judged property by property.
Mortgage / mo
$2,860
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$450
Census 2021
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$878
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.6%
Unoccupied
65
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
49.7%
Couples with children
38.5%
Couples, no children
9.4%
Single parent
720
Total families
Economy & Employment
Salter Point's employment base leans towards knowledge and essential services. Healthcare accounts for 16.2% of workers, Professional and Technical services 15.8%, Education 15.6%, Mining 8.9% and Construction 7.7%. The occupation mix reinforces that profile, with 502 Professionals and 250 Managers compared with 170 Clerical and Administrative workers and 92 Trades workers. Unemployment is 4.1% and participation is 56.0%, while 57.6% of employed residents work full time. Household income sits at $2,529 weekly, in the 92.6th percentile nationally and therefore above the national midpoint. This employment mix helps support demand for established housing, although 936 people are outside the labour force, consistent with a median age of 47.
Unemployment
4.1%
Labour Force
1,377
Unemployed
56
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.6%
Part-time
38.2%
Participation
56.0%
Employed
1,321
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
51.6%
Postgraduate
14.1%
Born Overseas
27.4%
Dwellings
921
Transport to Work
Daily life is car-oriented: 70.5% of commuters drive, compared with 6.5% using public transport and 2.9% walking or cycling. Working from home is 14.4%, which may reduce peak commuting for some households. Aquinas College is the named local school and operates in the non-government sector; families should check enrolment requirements and travel routes against the exact address because school access can differ across boundaries. A volunteering rate of 28.1% supports local participation, while 7.2% of residents need assistance, making accessibility and service proximity relevant for some households. Salter Point's compact 1.84 square kilometre footprint and density of 1,581.6 people per square kilometre make local trips manageable by car, but the transport split is less active and less transit-oriented than inner Perth areas. For safety, compare current police and council updates with a street-level visit at different times.
Drive
70.5%
Public Transport
6.5%
Walk / Cycle
2.9%
Work from Home
14.4%
Growth Outlook
Current growth signals point to gradual change rather than a rapid turnover cycle. Salter Point has 2,913 residents, a 19.7% turnover rate and 80.3% of residents staying at the same address, so housing demand appears anchored by an established population. There were 24 development applications over the latest 12-month period, indicating ongoing project activity within a compact 1.84 square kilometre suburb, although dwelling totals are not stated. The aging resident base suggests that accessibility, renovations and replacement demand may matter more than large-scale expansion. Compared with denser parts of Como, Salter Point is more likely to change incrementally through renovations and selective redevelopment than through a rapid apartment cycle.
Population trend: South Perth council area
Salter Point sits in the South Perth council area. These are the council area's residents, not Salter Point's.
Residents 2025
48,745
Growth, 5 yr average
+1.6%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.2%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Salter Point compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salter Point a good suburb to live in?
Salter Point suits households seeking established detached housing, with 84.7% separate houses, 45.6% outright ownership and a median age of 47. Car use is higher than public transport at 70.5% versus 6.5%, so it is a stronger fit for drivers than transit-dependent households.
What is the median house price in Salter Point?
A current median house price is not available for suburb-wide comparison, so buyers should compare recent sales by street, land size and condition. Salter Point has 84.7% separate houses, 56.9% with 4 or more bedrooms and a typical mortgage of $2,860 monthly, providing context but not a substitute for a sale benchmark.
What schools are in Salter Point?
Aquinas College is the named school in Salter Point and operates in the non-government sector. Families should check the exact address, enrolment requirements and travel route before committing, because school boundaries can differ. Car use is 70.5% and public transport use is 6.5%, making vehicle access relevant for daily school travel.
Is Salter Point safe?
Treat safety as an address-level question and inspect the street during daytime and evening, alongside checking current police updates. Salter Point has 2,913 residents across 1.84 square kilometres, and 70.5% commute by car; these figures describe scale and travel patterns, not a crime rating. Compare multiple local sources before deciding.
Is Salter Point good for property investment?
It can suit investors seeking established detached stock, with 84.7% separate houses, 12.1% renting and a weekly rent of $450. Vacancy is 6.6%, so compare leasing conditions with nearby suburbs and test likely days on market. The 24 development applications recorded over 12 months also warrant project-by-project checking.
How is Salter Point's population changing?
Salter Point has 2,913 residents and an older profile, with a median age of 47, or 7 years above the national comparison. Turnover is 19.7%, while 80.3% stayed at the same address, indicating more stability than a high-churn suburb. Development activity reached 24 applications over 12 months, suggesting incremental change rather than a rapid population surge.
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).
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