Wonthella
A vacancy rate of 11.9% in a suburb where 45% of residents rent is the clearest signal that Wonthella sits in a buyer's and tenant's market, not a seller's one. Located in Greater Geraldton, the suburb has a population of 1,711 across 3.71 square kilometres with a density of 461 people per km2. Household income falls in the 15.3rd percentile nationally, well below average, while the median age of 43 runs 3 years above the national figure. Detached houses make up 80.9% of the stock at a median price of $308,000, far lower than the WA state median, pointing to an affordable but low-growth market driven by blue-collar and community services employment.
Population
1,711
Median Age
43.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,061/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$308K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $308,000, the median house price in Wonthella sits well below the WA state average, giving first-home buyers and downsizers a low-cost entry point into a predominantly detached market. Separate houses account for 80.9% of all dwellings, with semi-detached at 12.6% and apartments at just 6.6%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 50.9% of stock, followed by two-bedroom at 25.5% and four-plus at 17.9%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.3%, just below the common 30% stress threshold. Outright owners represent 29.5% of households compared to 25.5% on mortgages, meaning a significant share of existing owners are already debt-free. The low entry price is offset by household income in the 15.3rd percentile nationally, so buyers should verify serviceability carefully against local income levels.
For Buyers
At $308,000, the median house price in Wonthella sits well below the WA state average, giving first-home buyers and downsizers a low-cost entry point into a predominantly detached market. Separate houses account for 80.9% of all dwellings, with semi-detached at 12.6% and apartments at just 6.6%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 50.9% of stock, followed by two-bedroom at 25.5% and four-plus at 17.9%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.3%, just below the common 30% stress threshold. Outright owners represent 29.5% of households compared to 25.5% on mortgages, meaning a significant share of existing owners are already debt-free. The low entry price is offset by household income in the 15.3rd percentile nationally, so buyers should verify serviceability carefully against local income levels.
For Investors
Wonthella's rental market carries clear risk signals alongside its yield upside. The 45% renter share is substantial, supporting demand for rental stock, and the $230 weekly median rent against a $308,000 purchase price implies a gross yield around 3.9%, higher than many coastal WA markets. However, the 11.9% vacancy rate is elevated, indicating oversupply relative to current tenant demand and putting downward pressure on rents. Development activity recorded zero applications in the past 12 months, suggesting no new supply pressure in the near term, which may help vacancies tighten over time. Household income at the 15.3rd percentile nationally means tenant affordability is sensitive to any rent increases. The 21.6% annual turnover rate indicates relatively mobile renters, which increases re-letting costs for landlords.
Demographics
Wonthella's median age of 43 is 3 years above the national figure, reflecting an aging profile typical of regional WA towns. Overseas-born residents account for 14.7% of the population, which is 6.9 percentage points below the national average, making this a predominantly Australian-born community. English ancestry leads at 655 residents, followed by Irish (164), Scottish (149) and unspecified (158). University qualifications reach just 14.0%, which is 16.1 percentage points below the national rate, consistent with an economy led by healthcare, construction, retail and blue-collar trades rather than knowledge industries. Average household size is 2.1, slightly below the national figure of 2.5. Christianity is the dominant religion at 708 residents, with Islam at 20 and Buddhism at 16.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
80.9%
Houses
12.6%
Townhouse
6.6%
Apartment
Tenure
The housing stock in Wonthella is almost entirely detached houses at 80.9%, with semi-detached at 12.6% and apartments at 6.6%, making it a low-density, suburban streetscape typical of regional WA. Tenure splits into 29.5% owning outright, 25.5% on a mortgage and 45.0% renting, so renters form the largest single tenure group. Three-bedroom homes are the backbone of supply at 50.9%, with two-bedroom dwellings at 25.5% and four-plus at 17.9%, giving most buyers a mid-sized family home. The median price of $308,000 is affordable compared to Perth's WA median, and the rent-to-income ratio of 21.7% keeps rental costs manageable for most tenants. The 11.9% vacancy rate stands out as higher than healthy market levels, which typically sit below 3%, suggesting supply has outpaced demand in recent years.
Mortgage / mo
$1,300
Rent / wk
$230
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$615
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
11.9%
Unoccupied
100
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.3%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
30.5%
Couples, no children
1,111
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 20.0% of local employment (84 workers), more than double any other sector, which reflects Wonthella's role as part of the broader Geraldton service hub for the mid-west region. Construction, retail and education each account for 10.3% (43 workers each), while public administration contributes 8.4% (35 workers). By occupation, community and personal services lead at 121 workers, followed by labourers (111) and sales (91). Professionals represent only 84 workers, consistent with the 14.0% university qualification rate that is 16.1 points below national. The unemployment rate is 6.6%, above the national average, and the participation rate of 50.7% is low, partly because 513 residents are not in the labour force. Household income in the 15.3rd percentile nationally signals that wage growth and economic diversification remain key challenges for the suburb.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.1%
Part-time
34.3%
Participation
50.7%
Employed
680
Occupations
Top Industries
University
14.0%
Postgraduate
2.4%
Born Overseas
14.7%
Dwellings
732
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high in Wonthella, with 84.4% of residents commuting by car and only 1.9% using public transport, which is well below national urban averages. Walking and cycling accounts for 5.6% of commutes, modest but meaningful for a regional suburb. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families depend on schools in the wider Geraldton area. Crime statistics are not available for Wonthella specifically. The rent-to-income ratio of 21.7% keeps housing costs manageable for renters, sitting below the 30% stress threshold. SEIFA disadvantage scores are not available for this suburb, limiting direct comparison to state and national deciles. Volunteering participation at 13.8% and the 6.5% of residents (100 people) needing daily assistance indicate a community with moderate but real support needs.
Drive
84.4%
Public Transport
1.9%
Walk / Cycle
5.6%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Wonthella compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wonthella a good suburb to live in?
Wonthella offers affordable housing with a median price of $308,000, well below the WA state average, and a rent-to-income ratio of 21.7%, keeping costs manageable. Car access is essential as only 1.9% of residents use public transport. Household income sits at the 15.3rd percentile nationally, so amenities and services reflect a regional, working-class community rather than a high-income urban one.
What is the median house price in Wonthella?
The median house price in Wonthella is $308,000, based on 2025 estimates. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300 and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 28.3%, just below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent is $230, giving a gross rental yield of around 3.9% for investors.
What schools are in Wonthella?
No schools are recorded inside the Wonthella suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in the broader Geraldton area. Local education attainment is modest, with university qualifications at 14.0%, which is 16.1 percentage points below the national average, reflecting the suburb's blue-collar and service-sector employment base.
Is Wonthella safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Wonthella in this dataset. As a contextual indicator, the suburb has a 6.6% unemployment rate, above the national average, and household income sits at the 15.3rd percentile nationally. These socioeconomic factors are often associated with higher-than-average crime rates, though direct suburb-level data is not available here.
Is Wonthella good for property investment?
The 45% renter share supports rental demand and the $230 weekly rent against a $308,000 median implies a gross yield around 3.9%, higher than many metropolitan markets. However, the 11.9% vacancy rate is significantly above the healthy 3% threshold, signalling oversupply. Zero development applications in 12 months means no new competing stock in the near term. Investors should factor in slow capital growth potential given the 15.3rd percentile household income.
How is Wonthella's population changing?
Wonthella has a current population of 1,711 with a residential turnover rate of 21.6% annually. The suburb's aging profile, with a median age of 43 that is 3 years above the national figure, and low university participation at 14.0% suggest a stable but slowly aging community. The 45% renter share and elevated vacancy rate indicate demand has not kept pace with supply in recent years.
What industries employ people in Wonthella?
Healthcare is the largest employer at 20.0% of local workers (84 people), followed by construction, retail and education each at 10.3% (43 workers each). Public administration accounts for 8.4% (35 workers). The participation rate is 50.7% and unemployment sits at 6.6%, above national average, reflecting a regional labour market with limited professional sector growth.
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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