South Perth
High vacancy and an aging tilt define South Perth more than a simple riverside prestige label. Its 12,596 residents live at 2,443.5 people per sq km, with a 16.4% vacancy rate that is high compared with a balanced rental market. Median age is 42, 2.0 years above the national benchmark, and 39.8% were born overseas. Compared with nearby Como and Kensington, South Perth's standout is the compact mix of apartments, villas and river-facing households, because 66.0% of dwellings are not separate houses.
Population
12,596
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,026/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
141
Median House
$511K
Estimated from rent (2025)
Homebuyers need to think in segments because South Perth is not dominated by large detached stock. Separate houses are 33.9% of dwellings, semi-detached homes 36.6% and apartments 29.4%, so choice sits above a house-only search. The typical mortgage is $2,200 a month; household income sits at the 75.8 percentile, above the median, so the 25.1% mortgage-to-income ratio is not flagged as stress. Smaller households matter: 31.7% of homes have 2 bedrooms and 10.7% have 0 or 1, while 4 or more bedroom homes are 19.7%.
For Buyers
Homebuyers need to think in segments because South Perth is not dominated by large detached stock. Separate houses are 33.9% of dwellings, semi-detached homes 36.6% and apartments 29.4%, so choice sits above a house-only search. The typical mortgage is $2,200 a month; household income sits at the 75.8 percentile, above the median, so the 25.1% mortgage-to-income ratio is not flagged as stress. Smaller households matter: 31.7% of homes have 2 bedrooms and 10.7% have 0 or 1, while 4 or more bedroom homes are 19.7%.
For Investors
Investors see depth, but also competition. Renters make up 43.5% of households and median rent is $375 a week, giving higher tenant exposure than owner-only suburbs. The caution is vacancy: 16.4% is high, so holding costs can bite if the product is generic. Development is active with 112 applications over 12 months, and migration adds pressure because overseas inflow averages +484 people a year despite -132 net internal movement. Product selection matters more than simply owning near the river.
Development Activity
Total DAs
372
Last 12 Months
141
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-0.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in South Perth iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Wesley College
PP-12 · 1312 students
St Columba's Catholic Primary School
PP-6 · 381 students
South Perth Primary School
K-6 · 395 students
Hensman Street Elementary
PP-4 · 13 students
Demographics
South Perth skews older, educated and international. Median age is 42, which is 2.0 years above the national figure, while average household size is 2.1, or 0.4 below national. Overseas-born residents are 39.8%, 18.2 percentage points higher than national, and university attainment is 55.8%, 25.7 points above national. English ancestry leads at 4,626 people, followed by Irish at 1,335, Scottish at 1,180 and Chinese at 1,011. This supports a professional workforce because education levels are unusually high.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
33.9%
Houses
36.6%
Townhouse
29.4%
Apartment
Tenure
South Perth's housing pattern is mixed rather than suburban. Ownership is split between 34.0% owned outright, 22.4% with a mortgage and 43.5% renting, so renters sit higher than either owner group. Dwelling form explains that split: 33.9% are separate houses, compared with 36.6% semi-detached and 29.4% apartments. Bedroom counts also point to downsizers and couples, with 37.9% 3 bedroom homes, 31.7% 2 bedroom homes and only 19.7% at 4 or more bedrooms. A current median house price is not available.
Mortgage / mo
$2,200
Rent / wk
$375
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$1,147
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
16.4%
Unoccupied
1,102
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
39.6%
Couples, no children
8,489
Total families
Economy & Employment
South Perth's economy is white-collar and high-skill, which aligns with its top decile education profile. Healthcare employs 916 people, or 17.2%, followed by Professional and Tech at 878, Education at 606, Mining at 467 and Public Admin at 314. Professionals number 2,663 and Managers 1,149, well above a blue-collar mix. Unemployment is 4.6% with 62.9% participation and 64.2% full-time work. SEIFA is strong but uneven: IEO is decile 10 and IRSAD decile 9, while IER is lower at decile 7, likely because renters and apartment households dilute resource scores.
Unemployment
1.9%
Labour Force
12,140
Unemployed
233
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
64.2%
Part-time
31.2%
Participation
62.9%
Employed
6,646
Occupations
Top Industries
University
55.8%
Postgraduate
17.2%
Born Overseas
39.8%
Dwellings
5,620
Transport to Work
School access is practical because four local schools span Independent, Catholic and Government sectors, with ICSEA scores from 1080 to 1147. Wesley College is the largest and highest-ICSEA option at 1,312 enrolments and 1147, followed by St Columba's Catholic Primary at 1140 and South Perth Primary at 1122. Public transport is used by 12.0% of commuters, below car driving at 75.8%, while 5.8% walk or cycle. IRSAD decile 9 points to above-average advantage.
Drive
75.8%
Public Transport
12.0%
Walk / Cycle
5.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.76%/yr
(+148 people/yr)
EstablishedGrowth is steady rather than explosive. The trend path adds 0.76% a year, or about 148 people, below a high-growth fringe suburb but consistent with an established inner area. The medium path reaches 19,859 people by 2031. Migration is the driver: overseas migration averages +484 people a year, compared with -132 net internal movement, so local turnover is being replenished from offshore. The shift is aging, with senior share up 7.0 points and working-age share down 3.9 points, while gentrification is only Early signs with a score of 28.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+484
Net Internal / yr
-132
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +10% since 2011, Net internal outflow -132/yr, Strong overseas inflow +484/yr, Accelerating: -1% → 12%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How South Perth compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Perth a good suburb to live in?
Yes, especially for buyers who value schools, river amenity and a high-skill population. South Perth has 4 local schools, IRSAD decile 9 advantage and 55.8% university attainment, though car driving is still high at 75.8% of commuters.
What is the median house price in South Perth?
A current median house price is not available for South Perth. The clearer pricing signals are weekly rent of $375, typical mortgage payments around $2,200 a month and a 33.9% separate-house share.
What schools are in South Perth?
South Perth has 4 listed schools: Wesley College, St Columba's Catholic Primary School, South Perth Primary School and Hensman Street Elementary. ICSEA scores range from 1080 to 1147, with Independent, Catholic and Government options.
Is South Perth safe?
A suburb crime rate is not available, so safety should be checked at street level before buying or renting. Broader indicators are strong: South Perth sits in IRSAD decile 9 and only 2.9% of residents need assistance.
Is South Perth good for property investment?
It can be, but selection matters. Renters are 43.5% of households and median rent is $375 a week, yet vacancy is high at 16.4%. The 112 development applications over 12 months also point to active supply.
How is South Perth's population changing?
Growth is modest, with the trend path adding 0.76% a year or about 148 people. Overseas migration is the main driver at +484 people a year, offset by -132 net internal movement, and the medium path reaches 19,859 by 2031.
What languages are spoken in South Perth?
South Perth is internationally influenced, with 39.8% of residents born overseas. Mandarin is the largest listed non-English language at 165 speakers, followed by Canton at 69, Italian at 67, Persian ED at 43 and Arabic at 40.
Is there much development in South Perth?
Yes. There were 112 development applications over the past 12 months, which is notable for a 5.15 sq km established suburb. Combined with 29.4% apartment stock, that activity can affect rental competition and buyer choice.
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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