South Lake
Almost the entire dwelling stock here, 92.8%, is separate houses, with apartments at just 0.4%, which is why South Lake reads as a detached, family-oriented pocket of Perth's south rather than a unit market. Half the homes, 51.5%, carry 4 or more bedrooms and another 43.6% have 3, so the suburb is built for households averaging 2.6 people. The median house price of $425,000 sits well below Perth's premium markets, and household income lands in the 61.1st percentile nationally. SEIFA scores cluster around decile 5 to 6 across all four indexes, placing South Lake squarely in the middle band of advantage rather than at either extreme.
Population
5,831
Median Age
36.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,742/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
11
Median House
$425K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At a $425,000 median house price, South Lake is far more affordable than most metropolitan Perth, and the monthly mortgage of about $1,600 produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of only 21.2%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. That low ratio matters because 48.5% of households already carry a mortgage, the largest tenure group, and the maths stays manageable on the suburb's 61.1st-percentile household income. Buyers get space for the money: 51.5% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms and 43.6% have 3, while just 1% are one-bedroom. With separate houses at 92.8% of stock and apartments at 0.4%, almost every purchase is a standalone family home on its own lot, which suits the 2.6-person average household.
For Buyers
At a $425,000 median house price, South Lake is far more affordable than most metropolitan Perth, and the monthly mortgage of about $1,600 produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of only 21.2%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. That low ratio matters because 48.5% of households already carry a mortgage, the largest tenure group, and the maths stays manageable on the suburb's 61.1st-percentile household income. Buyers get space for the money: 51.5% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms and 43.6% have 3, while just 1% are one-bedroom. With separate houses at 92.8% of stock and apartments at 0.4%, almost every purchase is a standalone family home on its own lot, which suits the 2.6-person average household.
For Investors
Renters make up 26.5% of households and weekly rent averages $350, which against the $425,000 median implies a gross yield close to 4.3%, stronger than the sub-2% yields common in pricier Perth and Sydney suburbs. The rent-to-income ratio of 20.1% leaves tenants with headroom, so rent growth, which ran 5.9% over the period, has room to continue without tipping renters into stress. The 7.5% vacancy rate is the main caution, suggesting demand and supply are roughly balanced rather than tight. Development is minimal at 3 applications in 12 months, mostly pools and minor works, so new competing supply is negligible. Overseas migration adding about 180 residents a year is the primary demand driver, while net internal migration runs slightly negative at minus 40.
Development Activity
Total DAs
11
Last 12 Months
11
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
Schools in South Lake iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
South Lake Primary School
K-6 · 280 students
Lakeland Senior High School
7-12 · 566 students
Demographics
The median age of 36 is 4.0 years below the national figure, a younger profile that fits the family focus, though the trajectory is aging with the senior share up 4.9 points and the young share down 2.7 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents reach 34.2%, which is 12.6 points above national, making South Lake notably more migrant than the typical Australian suburb. Ancestry leans English (1,985) ahead of Scottish (457), Irish (410) and Chinese (370), and the top non-English languages are Mandarin (81), Portuguese (35) and Serbian (29). University qualifications sit at 28.1%, 2.0 points below the national level, consistent with a workforce weighted toward trades and services. Couples with children (1,755) outnumber couples without (1,108), reinforcing the household-with-kids character.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
92.8%
Houses
6.8%
Townhouse
0.4%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure tilts toward mortgaged owners: 48.5% hold a mortgage, 25.0% own outright and 26.5% rent, so nearly three quarters of households are owner-occupiers rather than tenants. The stock is overwhelmingly detached, 92.8% separate houses against 0.4% apartments and 6.8% semi-detached, which limits density and keeps the suburb low-rise. Bedroom counts skew large, with 51.5% of homes at 4 or more bedrooms and 43.6% at 3, matching the 2.6-person household size. The $425,000 median against a $1,742 weekly household income gives a price-to-income ratio well under that of premium Perth suburbs, and both the mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.2% and rent-to-income of 20.1% stay below the 30% stress line, which is why neither stress flag is triggered.
Mortgage / mo
$1,600
Rent / wk
$350
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$795
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.5%
Unoccupied
171
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
24.5%
Couples, no children
4,529
Total families
Economy & Employment
Employment concentrates in service and trade sectors: Healthcare leads at 17.7% (320 workers), Construction follows at 11.0% (199) and Education at 10.0% (181), with Professional/Tech at 8.7% and Manufacturing at 7.4%. By occupation, Professionals (486) top the list but Clerical/Admin (388), Labourers (383) and Community/Personal workers (364) follow closely, a broader spread than higher-income suburbs where professionals dominate. Unemployment runs at 6.5%, above the national rate, and the participation rate is 62.6% with 1,367 residents not in the labour force. Real income growth was slightly negative at minus 0.8% over the decade. The SEIFA indexes align with this mid-tier picture: IRSAD and IRSD both score decile 5, while IER reaches decile 6, reflecting moderate economic resources held up by the high owner-occupier base.
Unemployment
5.4%
Labour Force
7,853
Unemployed
422
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
66.1%
Part-time
27.4%
Participation
62.6%
Employed
2,804
Occupations
Top Industries
University
28.1%
Postgraduate
5.5%
Born Overseas
34.2%
Dwellings
2,133
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high, with 87.3% of residents driving to work against just 3.7% on public transport and 1.2% walking or cycling, so a vehicle is close to essential here. The suburb scores decile 5 on the IRSAD index of advantage and disadvantage, the middle band nationally, indicating a balanced rather than disadvantaged community, and only 6.7% of residents, 368 people, need daily assistance. Volunteering runs at 12.6% and residential turnover is low at 19.7%, meaning 80.3% of residents stayed put, a sign of settled, long-term households. No schools are recorded inside the South Lake boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in adjoining suburbs, a practical trade-off given the compact 3.22 km2 footprint and density of about 1,813 residents per km2.
Drive
87.3%
Public Transport
3.7%
Walk / Cycle
1.2%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.73%/yr
(+95 people/yr)
EstablishedSouth Lake is classified as established with steady rather than explosive growth: the annual rate is 0.73%, about 95 persons a year, and the area gained roughly 6.1% over the past decade. Overseas migration is the primary driver, adding about 180 residents annually, while net internal migration runs negative at minus 40, so the population would barely move without international arrivals. Medium forecasts project gradual gains from 12,886 in 2026 to 13,361 by 2031, a continuation of the trend rather than a break from it. The gentrification stage reads not gentrifying with a low score of 19, and affordability actually improved from 49.5% in 2011 to 43.0% in 2021, which is unusual and reflects income keeping pace with prices rather than the suburb pricing locals out.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+180
Net Internal / yr
-40
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +11% since 2011, Accelerating: 1% → 10%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How South Lake compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Lake a good suburb to live in?
South Lake scores decile 5 on the IRSAD index, the middle advantage band nationally, with household income in the 61.1st percentile. It suits families: 92.8% of dwellings are separate houses and the median house price of $425,000 keeps mortgage-to-income at just 21.2%, well below the 30% stress threshold.
What is the median house price in South Lake?
The median house price is $425,000, well below Perth's premium markets. Weekly rent averages $350 and the monthly mortgage runs about $1,600, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.2%, which sits comfortably below the 30% stress line.
What schools are in South Lake?
No schools are recorded inside the South Lake boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in adjoining suburbs. The suburb's median age of 36 is 4.0 years below national and couples with children (1,755) outnumber couples without, so school access nearby matters to many households.
Is South Lake safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for South Lake in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 5 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage, the middle band, and only 6.7% of its residents need daily assistance, both consistent with a stable, mid-tier community.
Is South Lake good for property investment?
Rent of $350 a week against a $425,000 median gives a gross yield near 4.3%, stronger than the sub-2% yields in pricier Perth suburbs. The 7.5% vacancy rate is a caution, but overseas migration adding about 180 residents a year supports tenant demand.
How is South Lake's population changing?
Population growth runs at 0.73% annually, about 95 persons a year, with a 6.1% rise over the past decade. Overseas migration adds about 180 residents a year while net internal migration is minus 40. The profile is aging, with the senior share up 4.9 points and the young share down 2.7 points.
What languages are spoken in South Lake?
About 34.2% of residents were born overseas, 12.6 points above the national figure. English dominates, with Mandarin (81 speakers), Portuguese (35), Serbian (29) and Cantonese (23) the most common non-English languages, reflecting a notably migrant resident mix for a Perth suburb.
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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