South Fremantle
At 48, South Fremantle's median age is 8 years above the national figure, making its aging-resident base the standout feature. The suburb contains 3,398 people within 1.53 sq km, with household income at the 71.5th percentile and 35.9% born overseas. University attainment is 54.6%, or 24.5 percentage points above national levels, helping explain its professional profile. Compared with nearby Fremantle, South Fremantle is smaller and more concentrated, while 45.6% of residents own their homes outright. Gentrification is rated Active at score 64, so established wealth sits alongside ongoing change.
Population
3,398
Median Age
48.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,914/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
19
South Fremantle suits buyers prioritising established tenure and compact housing over one dominant dwelling type. Outright ownership is 45.6%, mortgage ownership 25.5% and renting 28.1%, while 57.7% of homes are separate houses, 20.4% semi-detached and 12.2% apartments. Three-bedroom homes lead at 39.6%, followed by two-bedroom dwellings at 27.0%. The reported mortgage cost is $2,249 monthly, with payments at 27.1% of household income, lower than the 28.1% renting share. Compared with a larger neighbouring market such as Fremantle, buyers should focus closely on exact dwelling condition, parking and renovation needs because the local housing mix is varied.
For Buyers
South Fremantle suits buyers prioritising established tenure and compact housing over one dominant dwelling type. Outright ownership is 45.6%, mortgage ownership 25.5% and renting 28.1%, while 57.7% of homes are separate houses, 20.4% semi-detached and 12.2% apartments. Three-bedroom homes lead at 39.6%, followed by two-bedroom dwellings at 27.0%. The reported mortgage cost is $2,249 monthly, with payments at 27.1% of household income, lower than the 28.1% renting share. Compared with a larger neighbouring market such as Fremantle, buyers should focus closely on exact dwelling condition, parking and renovation needs because the local housing mix is varied.
For Investors
For investors, the main case is rental depth rather than a tightly constrained vacancy story. Renting accounts for 28.1% of occupied tenure, weekly rent is $450 and vacancy is 9.6%, giving tenants more choice than in a tighter market and requiring conservative leasing assumptions. Rent growth has reached 20.3%, which can support income growth if demand persists, while overseas migration is the primary growth driver. Fifteen development applications in 12 months indicate ongoing additions and alterations, although that volume is below a heavy construction cycle. The mix of 57.7% separate houses and 27.0% two-bedroom homes broadens the tenant pool compared with a market dominated by one dwelling format.
Development Activity
Total DAs
19
Last 12 Months
19
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
South Fremantle has an older and more university-educated profile than Australia overall. The median age is 48, or 8 years above national levels, while 54.6% hold a university qualification, 24.5 percentage points above the national comparison. Overseas-born residents account for 35.9%, 14.3 points above national levels. English, Irish and Scottish ancestry lead at 1,577, 507 and 445 people, with Italian ancestry at 236. No religion is recorded for 2,050 residents compared with 1,010 identifying with Christianity. The average household has 2.2 people, 0.3 below the national figure, helping explain the couples-without-children share of 51.4%. A 74.8% stay rate indicates more continuity than a highly transient area, despite 25.2% turnover.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
57.7%
Houses
20.4%
Townhouse
12.2%
Apartment
Tenure
South Fremantle's tenure pattern points to established housing wealth alongside a meaningful rental segment. Outright ownership is 45.6%, higher than the 25.5% with a mortgage and above the 28.1% renting share. Separate houses make up 57.7% of dwellings, but semi-detached homes reach 20.4% and apartments 12.2%, giving the suburb a more mixed format than a purely detached market. Bedrooms are distributed across 0 to 1 bedroom at 15.1%, 2 bedrooms at 27.0%, 3 bedrooms at 39.6% and 4 or more at 18.3%. Average household size is 2.2, which helps explain the role of smaller and medium-sized homes. Weekly rent is $450, while the mortgage-to-income ratio is 27.1%, below the 28.1% renting proportion.
Mortgage / mo
$2,249
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$450
Census 2021
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$963
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.6%
Unoccupied
153
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
34.9%
Couples with children
51.4%
Couples, no children
12.1%
Single parent
893
Total families
Economy & Employment
South Fremantle's employment base is led by Healthcare at 18.6% or 250 workers, Education at 14.7% or 198, and Professional/Tech at 13.8% or 186. Mining contributes 7.4% or 99 and Construction 6.4% or 86. Professionals number 728 and managers 270, reinforcing a knowledge and service orientation, while unemployment is 5.1% and labour-force participation 61.9%. The IEO sits in decile 9, ranking higher than the IER decile 4; that gap points to strong education and occupation outcomes alongside more uneven economic resources. Household income is at the 71.5th percentile, and full-time employment is 55.8%, supporting above-average earning capacity but not uniform prosperity.
Unemployment
5.1%
Labour Force
1,845
Unemployed
95
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
55.8%
Part-time
38.2%
Participation
61.9%
Employed
1,750
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
54.6%
Postgraduate
16.5%
Born Overseas
35.9%
Dwellings
1,429
Transport to Work
Daily life benefits from a compact 1.53 sq km footprint and density of 2,224.5 people per sq km. Car travel dominates at 61.2%, compared with 6.7% using public transport and 10.8% walking or cycling, although 16.5% work from home. That pattern means local errands can be active while longer commutes remain car-oriented. IRSAD is in decile 8 and IRSD in decile 7, indicating relative advantage above the midpoint, while 4.2% need assistance and volunteering is 23.3%. Families should check enrolment zones against the exact address because catchments cross suburb boundaries, then compare sector, year level and travel time. The 9.6% vacancy rate may provide more rental choice than a tighter market.
Drive
61.2%
Public Transport
6.7%
Walk / Cycle
10.8%
Work from Home
16.5%
Population Forecast
+1.84%/yr
(+376 people/yr)
EstablishedSouth Fremantle's growth outlook combines an established base with continued change. The forecast trend is 1.84% annually, faster than a flat market, and overseas migration is the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 26.2% over 10 years, while the shift trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 3.9% and the working share down 3.1%. Gentrification is rated Active at score 64, stronger than the shift measure of 28 and its Early signs stage, suggesting visible renewal alongside demographic aging. Rent growth of 20.3% and improving affordability, from 41.1% in 2011 to 36.4% in 2021, add momentum, although affordability remains important for younger households.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+416
Net Internal / yr
+338
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +43% since 2011, Net internal migration +338/yr, Strong overseas inflow +416/yr, Accelerating: 9% → 31%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How South Fremantle compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Fremantle a good suburb to live in?
Yes, it can suit residents who value a compact footprint and an established population. The median age is 48, 8 years above the national figure, and 16.5% work from home. Buyers and renters should compare exact streets, dwelling condition, parking and travel needs because the housing mix includes 57.7% separate houses, 20.4% semi-detached homes and 12.2% apartments.
What is the median house price in South Fremantle?
A dependable suburb-level median house price is not currently available. Compare recent sales by dwelling type and bedroom count instead: 57.7% of homes are separate houses, 20.4% are semi-detached and 39.6% have 3 bedrooms. Weekly rent is $450, which provides a useful cross-check when assessing affordability and likely holding costs.
What schools are in South Fremantle?
Families should check enrolment zones and nearby options against the exact address because catchments can cross suburb boundaries. South Fremantle covers 1.53 sq km, but proximity alone does not establish suitability. Compare sector, year level, transport and out-of-school care before choosing, especially where a child needs a particular program or support service.
Is South Fremantle safe?
A suburb-level crime rate is not currently available, so review recent incidents and visit different streets at different times before deciding. South Fremantle has 3,398 residents and 74.8% stayed at the same address, which may support local familiarity but is not a crime measure. Also assess lighting, parking areas and walking routes around the specific property.
Is South Fremantle good for property investment?
It can suit an investor seeking an established rental market, but returns need careful testing. Weekly rent is $450, renting represents 28.1% of tenure, and vacancy is 9.6%, higher than a tightly supplied market. Rent growth of 20.3% is supportive, while 15 development applications in 12 months indicate some ongoing supply and renovation activity.
How is South Fremantle's population changing?
South Fremantle's population is 3,398 today, and population change across the wider area is 26.2% over 10 years. Growth is forecast at 1.84% annually with overseas migration the primary driver, but the trajectory is Aging: the senior share rose 3.9% while the working share fell 3.1%. That points to continued demand alongside an older resident base.
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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