South Bunbury
South Bunbury pairs WA's cheapest price band (estimated median $391,000) with meaningful mining sector exposure (7.5% of employment), a combination unique to Bunbury's role as the South West's industrial gateway. The 10.3% vacancy rate and 44-year median age (4 years above the national figure) point to a retirement and holiday housing component. Italian ancestry ranks 4th at 650 people, a legacy of post-war migration to the timber and agricultural industries that is now largely absent from WA's newer suburban corridors.
Population
8,810
Median Age
44.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,438/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
29
Median House
$391K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At an estimated $391,000, South Bunbury is one of the most affordable suburbs in WA's South West corridor. Three-bedroom homes dominate (48.4%), with 32.8% having 4+ bedrooms. The 73.9% detached share is lower than outer Perth suburbs, because 21.7% are semi-detached (villas and townhouses). Mortgage stress at 25.7% is below the 30% threshold. Three schools serve the suburb: South Bunbury Primary (ICSEA 989, 393 students) scores close to the national average, Adam Road Primary (ICSEA 933, 418 students) and Newton Moore Senior High (ICSEA 903, 485 students) sit below.
For Buyers
At an estimated $391,000, South Bunbury is one of the most affordable suburbs in WA's South West corridor. Three-bedroom homes dominate (48.4%), with 32.8% having 4+ bedrooms. The 73.9% detached share is lower than outer Perth suburbs, because 21.7% are semi-detached (villas and townhouses). Mortgage stress at 25.7% is below the 30% threshold. Three schools serve the suburb: South Bunbury Primary (ICSEA 989, 393 students) scores close to the national average, Adam Road Primary (ICSEA 933, 418 students) and Newton Moore Senior High (ICSEA 903, 485 students) sit below.
For Investors
The 10.3% vacancy rate is well above equilibrium, driven by holiday housing and an aging population. Only 31.6% of residents rent, and weekly rent of $300 against a $391,000 median gives a gross yield around 4.0%. With 29 development applications in 12 months (including a $1.68M BreastScreen office fitout and new dwellings around $554,000), construction activity is moderate. Population growth of 0.69% annually (94 people/year) is modest. The gentrification score of 4 indicates no upgrading trend. Rent grew 14.8% over the decade, below the national average.
Development Activity
Total DAs
29
Last 12 Months
29
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
$143K
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in South Bunbury iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
South Bunbury Primary School
K-6 · 393 students
Adam Road Primary School
K-6 · 418 students
Newton Moore Senior High School
7-12 · 485 students
Demographics
English ancestry dominates (4,103), with Italian heritage (650) ranking 4th, a distinctive marker of the Bunbury region's post-war migration history. Irish (993) and Scottish (970) follow English as the top ancestries. Only 20.5% were born overseas, about 1 point below the national average. University attainment at 26.6% is 3.5 points below the national benchmark. The median age of 44 is 4 years above the national figure, and the average household size of 2.2 (below the national 2.5) reflects the 33.7% of families that are couples without children.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
73.9%
Houses
21.7%
Townhouse
3.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Outright ownership at 36.3% is above the national rate, with 32.1% mortgaged and 31.6% renting, a fairly even three-way split. Detached houses at 73.9% are supplemented by 21.7% semi-detached, providing more medium-density options than typical WA suburbs. Three-bedroom homes (48.4%) are most common, though the 5.1% share of studio/one-bedroom dwellings is higher than many regional suburbs. The estimated $391,000 median keeps mortgage stress at 25.7% of income. Rent-to-income at 20.9% is comfortable for tenants.
Mortgage / mo
$1,600
Rent / wk
$300
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$791
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
10.3%
Unoccupied
420
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
33.7%
Couples, no children
6,199
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare (20.3%), education (12.8%), and construction (10.8%) are the three largest employers, but mining (7.5%) and manufacturing (7.0%) give South Bunbury an industrial depth unusual for a residential suburb. Professionals (909) are the largest occupational group, though labourers (437) and community/personal service workers (463) also rank highly. Unemployment at 4.4% is slightly below the national average. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 5 places the suburb exactly at the national midpoint. The 20.0% volunteering rate is well above the national average.
Unemployment
2.8%
Labour Force
7,715
Unemployed
215
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
62.6%
Part-time
33.0%
Participation
55.7%
Employed
3,898
Occupations
Top Industries
University
26.6%
Postgraduate
5.0%
Born Overseas
20.5%
Dwellings
3,665
Transport to Work
Three schools serve the suburb: South Bunbury Primary (ICSEA 989, 393 students), Adam Road Primary (ICSEA 933, 418 students), and Newton Moore Senior High School (ICSEA 903, 485 students). Only South Bunbury Primary approaches the national ICSEA benchmark. Public transport usage is 1.5%, with 87.9% driving. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 5 and IEO decile of 5 place the suburb exactly at the national midpoint. The 20.0% volunteering rate exceeds the national average. The 6.3% needing assistance rate is slightly above the national figure.
Drive
87.9%
Public Transport
1.5%
Walk / Cycle
3.4%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.69%/yr
(+94 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew from approximately 13,357 in 2023 to 13,623 in 2025, with the medium forecast projecting around 14,101 by 2031 (0.69% annual growth). Overseas migration adds 154 people per year while internal migration is essentially neutral at -4. Population increased 8.1% over the past decade, below the state average for WA regional centres. The senior share grew by 6 points while the working-age share dropped 3.3 points, indicating an aging trajectory. Real income growth of 3.3% over the decade is the lowest in the dataset, suggesting wage stagnation relative to inflation.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+154
Net Internal / yr
-4
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +12% since 2011
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How South Bunbury compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Bunbury a good suburb to live in?
South Bunbury sits at the national midpoint with a SEIFA IRSAD decile of 5. The estimated $391,000 median is affordable for WA, and the 20.0% volunteering rate exceeds the national average. Schools score below or near the ICSEA benchmark of 1000, and public transport usage is minimal at 1.5%.
What is the median house price in South Bunbury?
The estimated median is $391,000 based on 2025 rental data, making it one of the most affordable suburbs in WA's South West. Mortgage stress at 25.7% of income is below the 30% threshold, with monthly repayments averaging $1,600.
What schools are in South Bunbury?
Three schools serve the suburb: South Bunbury Primary (Government, ICSEA 989, 393 students), Adam Road Primary (Government, ICSEA 933, 418 students), and Newton Moore Senior High (Government, ICSEA 903, 485 students). All sit at or below the national ICSEA average of 1000.
Is South Bunbury safe?
No suburb-level crime data is available. The SEIFA IRSD decile of 5 is at the national midpoint for disadvantage, and the 4.4% unemployment rate is below the national average. The 76.2% residential stability rate indicates a reasonably settled community.
Is South Bunbury good for property investment?
The 10.3% vacancy rate is a risk factor, and population growth of just 0.69% annually limits demand pressure. Weekly rent of $300 gives a gross yield around 4.0% against the $391,000 estimated median. The 29 development applications in 12 months show moderate construction activity.
How is South Bunbury's population changing?
Population grew 8.1% over the past decade, with the forecast projecting roughly 14,101 by 2031 (up from 13,623 in 2025). The senior share increased by 6 points while working-age dropped 3.3 points, indicating an aging trajectory. Real income grew just 3.3% over the decade, the lowest in the comparison set.
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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