WA 6208 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

South Yunderup

With a median age of 47 and a vacancy rate of 21.6%, South Yunderup signals a suburb where many properties serve as holiday or investment holdings rather than primary residences. The population of 3,860 lives across 23.37 square kilometres at a density of 165 residents per km2, well below state averages. Household income sits at the 47.5th percentile nationally, while 57.7% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms, pointing to family-sized stock at relatively affordable prices. Mining accounts for 17.3% of local employment, the single largest industry, which anchors incomes despite a participation rate of just 48.9%.

South Yunderup urban fabric map

Population

3,860

Median Age

47.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,518/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

0

Median House

$441K

Estimated from rent (2025)

23.37 km²· 165.2 people/km²· Family income $1,827/wk

The median house price of $441,000 is estimated from 2025 rental data, representing accessible entry compared to metropolitan Perth medians. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,824, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.8%, below the 30% stress threshold. The housing stock is dominated by detached houses at 95.7%, with just 2.4% semi-detached and 0.3% apartments. 4-plus bedroom homes account for 57.7% of dwellings, making South Yunderup better suited to families or buyers needing space than investors chasing compact units. Outright owners at 38.9% nearly match mortgage holders at 38.6%, suggesting a stable, long-tenure owner base. Rent-to-income sits at 22.1%, which is below the 30% stress threshold for renters.

For Buyers

The median house price of $441,000 is estimated from 2025 rental data, representing accessible entry compared to metropolitan Perth medians. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,824, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.8%, below the 30% stress threshold. The housing stock is dominated by detached houses at 95.7%, with just 2.4% semi-detached and 0.3% apartments. 4-plus bedroom homes account for 57.7% of dwellings, making South Yunderup better suited to families or buyers needing space than investors chasing compact units. Outright owners at 38.9% nearly match mortgage holders at 38.6%, suggesting a stable, long-tenure owner base. Rent-to-income sits at 22.1%, which is below the 30% stress threshold for renters.

For Investors

A vacancy rate of 21.6% is the standout concern, substantially higher than the national average, indicating significant short-stay or seasonal turnover in the rental pool. Weekly rent of $335 against a $441,000 median implies a gross yield around 3.9%, which is lower than many regional WA markets. The renter share is 22.4%, well below the national average, meaning the tenant pool is thin. Development activity recorded 0 applications in the past 12 months, consistent with a suburb in a settled, slow-growth phase. The 26.7% annual turnover rate suggests a meaningful share of property changes hands, which provides acquisition opportunities but also reflects that residents do not stay indefinitely compared to more stable suburbs.

Schools in South Yunderup iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged

Austin Cove Baptist College

ICSEA 1003 Combined Independent

PP-12 · 726 students

Demographics

The median age of 47 is 7.0 years above the national figure, placing South Yunderup firmly among Australia's older suburban cohorts. University qualifications reach 14.4% of residents, which is 15.7 percentage points below the national rate, consistent with a workforce concentrated in trades and mining rather than knowledge industries. Overseas-born residents account for 20.2% of the population, 1.4 points below the national figure, and ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,952), Scottish (405) and Irish (371). Average household size is 2.4, marginally below the national figure. Couples without children make up 38.1% of all families, the most common household type, which aligns with the older age profile.

Age Distribution

0-14
17.5%
15-24
9.7%
25-44
20.8%
45-64
25.9%
65+
26.0%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
1.9%
2 bed
5.0%
3 bed
35.3%
4+ bed
57.7%

Dwelling Structure

95.7%

Houses

2.4%

Townhouse

0.3%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 38.9% Mortgage 38.6% Rent 22.4%

Separate houses dominate at 95.7%, one of the higher detached rates nationally, with apartments at just 0.3%. The bedroom distribution skews large: 57.7% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms, 35.3% have 3, and only 5.0% have 2. Outright owners (38.9%) and mortgage holders (38.6%) are nearly equal, while renters make up 22.4%. This tenure split, combined with the high vacancy rate of 21.6%, suggests a portion of the owned stock operates as holiday or weekender properties rather than permanent rental supply. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,824 and rent averages $335 per week, both below typical WA coastal town levels relative to income at the 47.5th household income percentile.

Mortgage / mo

$1,824

Rent / wk

$335

HH Size

2.4

Personal Income / wk

$708

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

21.6%

Unoccupied

402

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

22.1%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

27.8%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Afrikaans
11

Ancestry

English
1,952
Scottish
405
Irish
371
Ancestry NS
260
Other
189
Italian
132

Household Composition

38.1%

Couples, no children

2,923

Total families

Economy & Employment

Mining is the largest employment sector at 17.3% of workers (163 people), well above the national average, reflecting the suburb's position within the Peel region where fly-in fly-out and drive-in drive-out mining employment is common. Healthcare follows at 12.1% (114), Manufacturing at 11.1% (105), Education at 10.1% (95) and Construction at 9.1% (86). By occupation, Machinery and Drivers lead at 206, ahead of Managers (190), Professionals (187) and Community/Personal workers (181). The unemployment rate is 6.0%, above the national average, and the participation rate of 48.9% is low, partly because 1,283 residents are not in the labour force. Full-time employment accounts for 63.2% of those working, a rate that is broadly in line with national norms.

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Full-time

63.2%

Part-time

30.8%

Participation

48.9%

Employed

1,462

Occupations

Machinery/Drivers 206
Managers 190
Professionals 187
Community/Personal 181
Clerical/Admin 168
Labourers 158
Sales 148

Top Industries

Mining 17.3%
Healthcare 12.1%
Manufacturing 11.1%
Education 10.1%
Construction 9.1%

University

14.4%

Postgraduate

2.5%

Born Overseas

20.2%

Dwellings

1,450

Transport to Work

Car dependency is high at 86.9% of commuters driving, well above the national average, with only 3.7% using public transport. This is consistent with a low-density outer suburb requiring a vehicle for most daily needs. The volunteering rate of 14.3% indicates reasonable community participation compared to national figures. Only 5.5% of residents (197 people) require daily assistance, low for a suburb with a median age of 47. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, meaning families rely on institutions in nearby Pinjarra or Mandurah. Rent-to-income at 22.1% and mortgage-to-income at 27.8% are both below stress thresholds, giving residents meaningful financial headroom compared to capital city suburbs.

Drive

86.9%

Public Transport

3.7%

Walk / Cycle

2.2%

Work from Home

N/A

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How South Yunderup compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 14%
Household Income
Bottom 48%
Rent Level
Top 30%
Apartments
Bottom 4%
Renters
Top 44%
Uni Educated
Bottom 17%
Public Transport
Top 46%
Born Overseas
Top 29%
Density
Top 24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is South Yunderup a good suburb to live in?

South Yunderup suits buyers seeking space and affordability on WA's Peel coast. At a $441,000 median house price and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.8%, housing costs remain below stress thresholds. The trade-offs are limited public transport, no recorded schools within the suburb, and a high vacancy rate of 21.6% that signals seasonal rather than year-round community density. Median age is 47, making it one of WA's older suburban communities.

What is the median house price in South Yunderup?

The median house price is $441,000, estimated from 2025 rental data. Weekly rent averages $335 and monthly mortgage repayments average $1,824. At those figures, mortgage costs represent 27.8% of household income, below the 30% stress threshold. The suburb offers 4-plus bedroom homes for 57.7% of its detached stock, giving strong size-per-dollar value compared to Perth metro areas.

What schools are in South Yunderup?

No schools are recorded within the South Yunderup suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in nearby Pinjarra and Mandurah. The local university qualification rate of 14.4% is 15.7 percentage points below the national figure, consistent with an area where trades and mining employment are more prevalent than professional qualifications.

Is South Yunderup safe?

Detailed crime statistics are not available for South Yunderup in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, housing stress is low, with mortgage-to-income at 27.8% and rent-to-income at 22.1%, both below the 30% stress threshold. Only 5.5% of residents (197 people) require daily assistance, and 14.3% volunteer, suggesting a stable, engaged community despite the high 21.6% vacancy rate from seasonal properties.

Is South Yunderup good for property investment?

The investment case is mixed. Weekly rent of $335 against a $441,000 median implies a gross yield of roughly 3.9%, moderate by regional WA standards. However, a 21.6% vacancy rate, the highest signal in the suburb profile, indicates significant short-stay or unoccupied properties that can compress net rental returns. The renter share is just 22.4%, so the tenant pool is limited, and 0 development applications in the past 12 months points to no near-term supply pressure.

How is South Yunderup's population changing?

No forecast population data is available for South Yunderup in this brief. The current population is 3,860 across 23.37 km2. The suburb has a median age of 47, which is 7.0 years above the national figure, indicating an aging resident base. Annual turnover of 26.7% shows some churn, with 73.3% of residents having stayed in the same address, and the low participation rate of 48.9% suggests a mature, semi-retired demographic mix.

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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