Subiaco
With 64.0% university-qualified residents and an IEO decile 10 rating, Subiaco is Perth's most credentialed inner suburb, yet its 12.0% vacancy rate and 46.0% renter share create an unusual cocktail of elite education and rental market softness. Mining employs 9.4% of the workforce despite the inner-city location, reflecting Perth's resource-economy reach into white-collar professional hubs. Walking and cycling capture 15.1% of commutes, the second highest in this dataset, while public transport takes 20.3%. Personal incomes of $1,330/week place households at the 84.3rd percentile nationally. Perth Modern School (ICSEA 1,230) ranks among Australia's highest-scoring government schools.
Population
9,940
Median Age
40.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,219/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$589K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated $589,000 median (rent-derived) appears low for a suburb with IRSAD decile 10, likely reflecting the apartment-heavy sales mix (41.8% of stock). Two-bedroom units (33.1%) and studios/one-bedrooms (19.7%) dominate, so buyers wanting a house must compete for the 38.8% detached share. Mortgage-to-income at 26.0% is comfortable. Subiaco's walkability stands out: 15.1% walk or cycle and 20.3% use public transport, bringing car-free commuting to 35.4%, far above the national average. Perth Modern School (ICSEA 1,230, 1,472 students) and Bob Hawke College (ICSEA 1,129, 1,972 students) provide elite public secondary options within the suburb.
For Buyers
The estimated $589,000 median (rent-derived) appears low for a suburb with IRSAD decile 10, likely reflecting the apartment-heavy sales mix (41.8% of stock). Two-bedroom units (33.1%) and studios/one-bedrooms (19.7%) dominate, so buyers wanting a house must compete for the 38.8% detached share. Mortgage-to-income at 26.0% is comfortable. Subiaco's walkability stands out: 15.1% walk or cycle and 20.3% use public transport, bringing car-free commuting to 35.4%, far above the national average. Perth Modern School (ICSEA 1,230, 1,472 students) and Bob Hawke College (ICSEA 1,129, 1,972 students) provide elite public secondary options within the suburb.
For Investors
Renters at 46.0% provide a deep tenant pool, but the 12.0% vacancy rate is a red flag suggesting structural oversupply, possibly from short-stay accommodation displacement or apartment overbuilding. Median weekly rent of $438 against a $589,000 estimated median produces a gross yield around 3.9%. Rent growth of just 9.5% over the decade is the lowest in this cohort, barely keeping pace with inflation. Net overseas migration of +512 per year is the primary demand driver. No DAs were lodged in 12 months, meaning the pipeline has paused, which could eventually tighten supply if the vacancy issue is demand-driven rather than structural.
Schools in Subiaco iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Perth Modern School
7-12 · 1472 students
Subiaco Primary School
K-6 · 706 students
Bob Hawke College
7-12 · 1972 students
Demographics
University qualifications at 64.0% are 33.9 percentage points above the national average, the second highest in this batch. English ancestry leads (3,802) with Chinese (711) as the largest non-European group, and 39.2% were born overseas, 17.6 points above national. The median age of 40 aligns with national, but the senior share expanded 5.7 percentage points over the decade while the working-age share contracted 5.3 points, the sharpest aging shift in this dataset. Average household size of 2.1 sits well below national (2.5), consistent with the smaller dwelling stock. Couples without children (37.0%) outnumber couples with children, reflecting the professional-DINK demographic.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
38.8%
Houses
19.3%
Townhouse
41.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Subiaco's dwelling stock is evenly split: 38.8% detached houses, 41.8% apartments and 19.3% semi-detached, giving buyers choice across all typologies. Studios and one-bedrooms (19.7%) are plentiful compared to most suburbs. Ownership is divided: 29.4% own outright, 24.6% carry mortgages, and 46.0% rent, creating a renter-majority suburb. The $589,000 estimated median sits well below comparable inner-city suburbs in eastern capitals, though this is rent-derived and may understate actual sales. Mortgage-to-income at 26.0% and rent-to-income at 19.7% are both below stress thresholds, indicating comfortable affordability for those who can secure a property.
Mortgage / mo
$2,498
Rent / wk
$438
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$1,330
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
12.0%
Unoccupied
610
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.0%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
37.0%
Couples, no children
6,678
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare (21.8%, 999 workers) and Professional/Tech (19.9%, 911) together employ over 40% of the workforce, forming a knowledge-economy core. Education (10.2%) and Mining (9.4%) follow, with Mining's presence reflecting Perth's unique resource-sector overlay. Professionals dominate occupations at 2,676, more than triple the next category (Managers, 893). The unemployment rate of 4.0% is below national, and volunteering at 23.5% is notably high, suggesting strong community engagement. The SEIFA split between IEO decile 10 and IER decile 6 indicates world-class educational credentials but moderate accumulated economic resources, consistent with a suburb where many residents rent rather than own.
Unemployment
3.2%
Labour Force
11,899
Unemployed
375
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
67.0%
Part-time
29.0%
Participation
64.7%
Employed
5,296
Occupations
Top Industries
University
64.0%
Postgraduate
20.9%
Born Overseas
39.2%
Dwellings
4,475
Transport to Work
Subiaco's transport profile is among the best: only 58.7% drive, with 20.3% using public transport and 15.1% walking or cycling, producing combined active/transit commuting of 35.4%, far above the national average. Perth Modern School (ICSEA 1,230, 1,472 students) ranks among Australia's top government schools, and Bob Hawke College (ICSEA 1,129, 1,972) provides another elite secondary option. Subiaco Primary (ICSEA 1,169, 706) rounds out an exceptional school offering. The IRSAD decile 10 and IRSD decile 9 confirm top-tier socio-economic advantage. The volunteering rate of 23.5% is the highest in this batch.
Drive
58.7%
Public Transport
20.3%
Walk / Cycle
15.1%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.46%/yr
(+302 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grows at 1.46% per year (302 persons), with 16.4% growth over the past decade, below the national average for inner-city suburbs. Overseas migration at +512 per year is the dominant driver, the highest absolute inflow in this batch, while net internal migration is a modest +84. Medium projections forecast 21,845 by 2031, up from 20,645 in 2025. The gentrification score of 45 (active stage) and affordability improving from 39.4% to 33.7% suggest the suburb is becoming more affordable relative to income, an unusual direction. The working-age share contracted 5.3 points while seniors gained 5.7 points, higher than the national aging trend.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+512
Net Internal / yr
+84
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +28% since 2011, Net internal migration +84/yr, Strong overseas inflow +512/yr, Accelerating: 7% → 20%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Subiaco compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Subiaco a good suburb to live in?
Subiaco is one of Perth's most livable suburbs: IRSAD decile 10, 64.0% university qualifications, 35.4% active/transit commuting, and Perth Modern School (ICSEA 1,230). The estimated $589,000 median is accessible by inner-city standards. The 12.0% vacancy rate and 46.0% renter share signal a transient element.
What is the median house price in Subiaco?
The estimated median is $589,000 (rent-derived for 2025), reflecting the apartment-heavy mix (41.8% of stock). Monthly mortgage repayments of $2,498 produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.0%. Median weekly rent is $438 with rent-to-income at a comfortable 19.7%.
What schools are in Subiaco?
Subiaco has 3 schools, all elite by national standards. Perth Modern School (ICSEA 1,230, 1,472 students) is a selective government secondary ranking among Australia's highest. Bob Hawke College (ICSEA 1,129, 1,972 students) provides another strong government secondary. Subiaco Primary (ICSEA 1,169, 706 students) completes the set.
Is Subiaco safe?
Crime data is not available for Subiaco in the current dataset. The IRSD decile 9 indicates very low disadvantage, which nationally correlates with lower crime rates. The 4.0% unemployment rate is below average, and the 23.5% volunteering rate signals strong community cohesion.
Is Subiaco good for property investment?
The 46.0% renter share provides a large tenant pool, and gross yield is roughly 3.9% ($438/week on $589,000). The 12.0% vacancy rate is a significant concern, suggesting oversupply. Rent grew only 9.5% over the decade, the lowest in this cohort. Net overseas migration of +512/year supports demand, but no DAs were lodged in 12 months.
How is Subiaco's population changing?
Growth averages 1.46% (302 people) per year, driven by overseas migration at +512/year. The 16.4% gain over the decade is moderate. The senior share expanded 5.7 points while working-age contracted 5.3 points, the sharpest aging shift in this batch. Medium projections forecast 21,845 by 2031.
What languages are spoken in Subiaco?
With 39.2% born overseas (17.6 points above national), Subiaco has a cosmopolitan language mix. Mandarin (119 speakers), Japanese (71), French (57), Italian (48) and Cantonese (36) lead. The European and East Asian language profile contrasts with South Asian-dominated migration in other Perth suburbs.
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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