Strathalbyn
Household income in the 87.1st percentile nationally tells only part of Strathalbyn's story. This suburb of 1,165 people in greater Geraldton sits on 1.68 km2 with a density of 692 residents per km2, and its housing stock is 100% separate houses with a median price around $426,000, well below the WA state median. The SEIFA education and occupation index (IEO) sits at decile 3, indicating the workforce earns above average but holds fewer university credentials than comparable income suburbs. Gentrification signals are active: population grew 32% since 2011 and net internal migration brings in roughly 152 people per year, faster than natural increase alone explains.
Population
1,165
Median Age
43.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,261/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$426K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price of $426,000 is affordable relative to the 87.1st-percentile household income of $2,261 per week. Mortgage repayments average $1,800 per month, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.4%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. The entire housing stock is separate houses, so buyers face no trade-off between dwelling type, and 83.8% of homes have four or more bedrooms, reflecting the family-sized stock. Only 9.4% of residents rent, while 53.5% carry a mortgage and 37.1% own outright. Average household size of 2.9 people is above the national average, consistent with the couples-with-children profile where 433 families (43.4% of all families) have children at home.
For Buyers
The median house price of $426,000 is affordable relative to the 87.1st-percentile household income of $2,261 per week. Mortgage repayments average $1,800 per month, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.4%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. The entire housing stock is separate houses, so buyers face no trade-off between dwelling type, and 83.8% of homes have four or more bedrooms, reflecting the family-sized stock. Only 9.4% of residents rent, while 53.5% carry a mortgage and 37.1% own outright. Average household size of 2.9 people is above the national average, consistent with the couples-with-children profile where 433 families (43.4% of all families) have children at home.
For Investors
The investment fundamentals are modest but stable. Rental yield potential is constrained by a low renter share of 9.4% and a vacancy rate of 5.4%, which is elevated compared to typical sub-3% healthy rental markets. Weekly rent averages $318 against a $426,000 median, implying a gross yield near 3.9%. Rent grew 20% over the measured period, faster than the 3.1% real income growth, which signals affordability pressure on tenants rather than demand-driven tightness. Net internal migration averaging 152 people per year is the strongest demand driver, though the vacancy rate suggests supply is currently ahead of that absorption. Development activity was nil in the past 12 months, so no new supply is imminent to further dilute yields.
Schools in Strathalbyn iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Geraldton Christian College
PP-12 · 475 students
Demographics
The median age of 43 is 3.0 years above the national figure, and the suburb is on an aging trajectory: the senior share rose 7.1 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 3.6 points. Overseas-born residents at 12.3% are 9.3 points below the national average, reflecting a predominantly Australian-born population where English (514 residents), Scottish (98) and Irish (88) ancestries dominate. University qualifications at 15.9% run 14.2 points below national, which is a significant gap and aligns with the IEO decile 3 score despite the above-average household income. The volunteering rate of 21.4% is notably high, pointing to civic engagement that tends to correlate with stable, owner-occupied neighbourhoods. Average household size of 2.9 is 0.4 above national.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
100.0%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
All dwellings are separate houses, an unusually concentrated stock type compared to most Australian suburbs. The tenure structure favours ownership: 37.1% own outright, 53.5% hold a mortgage and just 9.4% rent, one of the lower renter shares nationally. Bedroom size skews large, with 83.8% of homes having four or more bedrooms and only 14.9% at three bedrooms. The median house price sits at approximately $426,000, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.4% confirms this is affordable for local incomes despite the 87.1st-percentile household income suggesting above-average earning capacity. The rent-to-income ratio of 14.1% is well below the 30% stress threshold, so tenants are not under pressure from housing costs. The 5.4% vacancy rate is above the healthy baseline and warrants monitoring.
Mortgage / mo
$1,800
Rent / wk
$318
HH Size
2.9
Personal Income / wk
$887
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.4%
Unoccupied
22
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
14.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.4%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
28.4%
Couples, no children
998
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads the local industry mix at 18.4% of workers (71 people), followed by Construction at 15.1% (58) and Education at 13.0% (50), with Mining at 8.1% (31) and Transport at 7.3% (28). This combination reflects Geraldton's regional service economy, where healthcare and education anchor stable employment while mining and construction provide higher-wage cyclical work. By occupation, Professionals lead at 97 workers, followed by Clerical/Admin (80), Labourers (71) and Managers (67). The unemployment rate is low at 2.8%, well below the national average, and the full-time employment rate is 66.2%. The SEIFA IRSD sits at decile 5, indicating average levels of relative disadvantage compared to other Australian suburbs.
Unemployment
2.6%
Labour Force
4,171
Unemployed
108
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
66.2%
Part-time
31.0%
Participation
64.0%
Employed
591
Occupations
Top Industries
University
15.9%
Postgraduate
2.2%
Born Overseas
12.3%
Dwellings
385
Transport to Work
Car dependence is near-total at 89.3% of workers driving, reflecting the suburban WA context where public transport use is just 1.2%. Residents who walk or cycle account for 2.7%, slightly above what the low-density layout might suggest. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families rely on schools in surrounding Geraldton areas. The IRSAD decile of 4 places Strathalbyn below the national average on combined advantage and disadvantage, though the high household income percentile of 87.1 sits in contrast, reflecting a workforce that earns well relative to assets and credentials. Only 3.3% of residents need daily assistance, and mortgage stress at 18.4% of income is well below the 30% threshold, pointing to a population that is financially secure if not highly educated.
Drive
89.3%
Public Transport
1.2%
Walk / Cycle
2.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.78%/yr
(+154 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 22% over the past decade and the suburb is tracking an established upward trend of 1.78% annually, adding roughly 154 people per year. The medium forecast has the broader statistical area growing from 8,670 in 2025 to around 9,572 by 2031. Internal migration drives growth at a net 152 people per year, with overseas migration adding 28 more. The gentrification index scores 45 with an Active stage, supported by population growth of 32% since 2011 and accelerating intensity from 11% to 19%. The young-adult share fell 1.2 points while the senior share rose 7.1 points, so growth is bringing in families and workers rather than reversing the aging trajectory. Affordability improved from 48.9% in 2011 to 46.3% in 2021, showing slow but real improvement.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+28
Net Internal / yr
+152
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +32% since 2011, Net internal migration +152/yr, Accelerating: 11% → 19%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Strathalbyn compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Strathalbyn a good suburb to live in?
Strathalbyn suits families seeking affordable detached housing with above-average incomes. Household income sits in the 87.1st percentile nationally, mortgage-to-income is a manageable 18.4%, and 100% of dwellings are separate houses with 83.8% having four or more bedrooms. The trade-offs are limited public transport at 1.2% usage and an IEO decile of 3, reflecting fewer university-qualified residents.
What is the median house price in Strathalbyn?
The median house price is approximately $426,000, estimated from 2025 rental data. Weekly rent averages $318 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,800, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.4% against a median household income of $2,261 per week.
What schools are in Strathalbyn?
No schools are recorded within the Strathalbyn suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in the broader Geraldton area. University qualifications among residents sit at 15.9%, which is 14.2 points below the national figure, though employment and income levels remain above average.
Is Strathalbyn safe?
Specific crime statistics are not available for Strathalbyn. As indirect indicators, the suburb scores IRSD decile 5 (average relative disadvantage nationally), unemployment is low at 2.8%, and only 3.3% of residents (36 people) need daily assistance. The high 83.7% residential stability rate, where most residents stayed in the area over five years, also suggests a settled community.
Is Strathalbyn good for property investment?
Gross yield is approximately 3.9% based on $318 weekly rent against a $426,000 median, which is modest. The 5.4% vacancy rate is above healthy levels, though nil new development in the past 12 months limits new supply. Net internal migration of 152 people per year supports medium-term demand, and rent grew 20% over the measured period, outpacing the 3.1% real income growth.
How is Strathalbyn's population changing?
Population grew 22% over the past decade and is forecast to continue at 1.78% annually, adding about 154 people per year. The broader statistical area is projected to reach 9,572 by 2031, up from 8,670 in 2025. Net internal migration of 152 residents per year is the primary driver, with overseas migration adding 28 more annually. The suburb is aging, with the senior share rising 7.1 points over the decade.
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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