Waroona
At 11.9 residents per square kilometre, Waroona combines a spacious 240.92 sq km footprint with an older population profile: the median age is 48, or 8.0 years above the national comparison. Detached housing dominates at 90.6%, while 43.3% of homes are owned outright. Compared with nearby Pinjarra, Waroona reads as a quieter, lower-density town with a strong car-based routine, reflected in 80.8% driving to work. Its 19.4% rental share and 16.2% vacancy rate point to a less tightly held market than a tightly supplied rental location.
Local council: Waroona
Population
2,868
Median Age
48.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,264/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Homebuyers are choosing a predominantly detached market: 90.6% of dwellings are separate houses, and 46.2% have 4 or more bedrooms, so land and family-sized stock shape the search more than apartment supply. The typical mortgage repayment is $1,517 monthly, while weekly rent is $270, giving buyers a useful holding-cost comparison even though a current median sale price is not stated. Mortgage payments equal 27.7% of household income and renting equals 21.4%, with neither carrying a stress flag. Compared with higher-density regional centres, Waroona suits buyers who value space, while the median age of 48 points to less young-professional demand.
For Buyers
Homebuyers are choosing a predominantly detached market: 90.6% of dwellings are separate houses, and 46.2% have 4 or more bedrooms, so land and family-sized stock shape the search more than apartment supply. The typical mortgage repayment is $1,517 monthly, while weekly rent is $270, giving buyers a useful holding-cost comparison even though a current median sale price is not stated. Mortgage payments equal 27.7% of household income and renting equals 21.4%, with neither carrying a stress flag. Compared with higher-density regional centres, Waroona suits buyers who value space, while the median age of 48 points to less young-professional demand.
For Investors
Waroona's investor case is income-oriented but requires care on vacancy. Weekly rent is $270, the rental share is 19.4%, and vacancy is 16.2%, a high level that can lengthen leasing periods because available stock is not being absorbed as tightly as in a low-vacancy market. The mortgage-to-income ratio is 27.7%, while rent-to-income is 21.4%, indicating moderate measured housing costs. No development applications were recorded in the last 12 months, limiting near-term new-supply pressure, while forecast migration is Balanced and annual growth is 1.16%. Compared with a high-demand rental corridor, investors should prioritise property condition, tenant appeal and conservative vacancy assumptions.
Schools in Waroona
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
WAROONA DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL
ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL
Demographics
Waroona has an established, older resident base, with a median age of 48, or 8.0 years above the national comparison. Only 10.9% of residents hold a university qualification, 19.2 percentage points below the national figure, while overseas-born residents account for 19.0%, 2.6 points below the national comparison. English ancestry is most common at 1,286 people, followed by Italian at 360 and Scottish at 289; Christianity counts 1,396 and no religion 1,172. Household size averages 2.4, and 79.8% stayed at the same address, which helps explain the area's continuity compared with more mobile communities.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
90.6%
Houses
8.3%
Townhouse
0.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Waroona's tenure pattern points to a settled, detached market. Outright owners account for 43.3% of occupied dwellings, mortgage holders 34.2% and renters 19.4%, while 3.2% sit in other tenure categories. The bedroom profile is substantial: 46.2% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms, 37.6% have 3, and only 2.9% have 0 or 1. That mix supports family and land-oriented demand because 90.6% of dwellings are separate houses and average household size is 2.4. Compared with apartment-heavy coastal markets, Waroona offers more detached stock, but the 16.2% vacancy rate means availability should be checked street by street.
Mortgage / mo
$1,517
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$270
Census 2021
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$615
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
16.2%
Unoccupied
213
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
37.6%
Couples with children
47.8%
Couples, no children
13.8%
Single parent
780
Total families
Economy & Employment
Waroona's employment base is practical and production-linked. Manufacturing is the largest listed industry at 15.8% with 101 workers, followed by mining at 14.7% and 94, healthcare at 12.5% and 80, construction at 11.9% and 76, and education at 9.1% and 58. Occupations reinforce that pattern: trades number 278, machinery and drivers 209, and labourers 152, ahead of managers at 126. The labour force is 1,248, participation is 52.6% and unemployment is 7.2%, while household income sits at $1,264 weekly and the 28.3rd percentile nationally. SEIFA IEO is decile 1 versus IER decile 5, suggesting education and occupation disadvantage is sharper than the economic-resource result. Compared with knowledge-economy centres, local work is more hands-on because industry and occupational demand align.
Unemployment
7.2%
Labour Force
1,248
Unemployed
90
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
56.3%
Part-time
34.6%
Participation
52.6%
Employed
1,158
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
10.9%
Postgraduate
1.2%
Born Overseas
19.0%
Dwellings
1,099
Transport to Work
Daily life is strongly car dependent: 80.8% travel as car drivers, compared with 1.7% using public transport and 4.2% walking or cycling; 7.5% work from home. This matters because errands and school access are likely to be easier for households with a vehicle than for residents relying on scheduled services. Waroona has 2 local schools, spanning a government district high school and a non-government school, giving families a choice of sector while enrolment zones still need checking by address. Community participation is a positive signal, with volunteering at 23.2%, but IRSAD is in decile 2 and 6.6% need assistance, pointing to varied household capacity. Compared with a transit-oriented town, Waroona rewards space and local connection more than car-free convenience.
Drive
80.8%
Public Transport
1.7%
Walk / Cycle
4.2%
Work from Home
7.5%
Growth Outlook
Growth is measured rather than explosive: the annual trend is 1.16%, and population change across the wider area is 18.1% over 10 years. Migration is classified as Balanced, so expansion is not being attributed to one dominant inflow. The shift trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 8.5 percentage points and the young share down 3.9 points, which can gradually redirect demand toward smaller homes, services and accessible town living. Gentrification remains limited, with a score of 15 and a stage of Not gentrifying, although a separate shift indicator records 24 and Early signs. Compared with a fast-growth corridor, Waroona's outlook is steadier because demographic aging tempers headline expansion.
Population trend: Waroona council area
Waroona sits in the Waroona council area. These are the council area's residents, not Waroona's.
Residents 2025
4,665
Growth, 5 yr average
+1.6%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+2.4%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Waroona compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waroona a good suburb to live in?
Waroona can suit households seeking detached homes, space and a quieter routine. The median age is 48, 80.8% travel by car and 43.3% own their homes outright. Compared with denser towns, public transport is limited at 1.7%, so access to a vehicle is important for work, shopping and school travel.
What is the median house price in Waroona?
A reliable median house price should be checked against recent settled sales rather than inferred from rent. Waroona's housing is 90.6% separate houses, and 46.2% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms. Compared with a simple suburb-wide median, buyers should compare like-for-like homes by land, condition and bedroom count.
What schools are in Waroona?
Waroona has 2 local schools: Waroona District High School, a government district high school, and St Joseph's School, a non-government school. Compared with a single-sector choice, the local mix gives families access to both government and non-government schooling. Enrolment zones should be checked against the exact address.
Is Waroona safe?
The 6.6% need-assistance figure is not a crime measure, so it should not be used as a safety proxy. Compare recent police statistics for the specific street and time of day before deciding. Public transport use is only 1.7%, and an in-person visit can help assess activity, lighting and convenience compared with busier town centres.
Is Waroona good for property investment?
Waroona may suit an investor seeking a lower-rent regional market, but vacancy needs close attention. Weekly rent is $270, rental tenure is 19.4% and vacancy is 16.2%, while no development applications were recorded in the last 12 months. Compared with low-vacancy markets, use conservative leasing assumptions and focus on property condition and tenant appeal.
How is Waroona's population changing?
Waroona has 2,868 residents today, while the wider area's population change is 18.1% over 10 years. Forecast annual growth is 1.16% and migration is Balanced. The trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 8.5 percentage points and the young share down 3.9 points. Compared with a younger growth area, change is steadier and more age-shaped.
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 education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
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