State

Western Australia

Western Australia had a population of 2,660,026 at the 2021 Census (+7.5% since 2016). Median age 38.0. Median weekly household income $1,815. Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. Census 2026 data arrives June 2027.

Explore Western Australia freeSee the figures

Western Australia at a glance

What the 2021 Census says, compared with Australia.

Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Western Australia's population grew by 7.5% to 2,660,026, slower than Australia as a whole (+8.6%). Its median age of 38.0 is close to the national average (38.0). Children under 10 make up 12.6% of residents, and people aged 70 and over 11.1%.

27.7% of households rent, a smaller share than the national average of 31.1%. 29.6% own their home outright. Flats and apartments are 6.5% of homes (14.3% across Australia). The 2021 Census counted 964,734 households.

The median household earns $1,815 a week, in line with the national average of $1,746. Renters pay a median $340 a week, and households with a mortgage repay $1,842 a month.

34.2% of residents were born overseas, more than the national average of 29.3%. 19.6% use a language other than English at home. 46.7% report no religion, higher than the national average (41.9%).

Key figures

2021 Census, Western Australia beside Australia.

Western AustraliaAustralia
Population2,660,02625,422,788
Growth since 2016+7.5%+8.6%
Median age38.038.0
Households964,7349,275,217
Flats and apartments6.5%14.3%
Renting27.7%31.1%
Owned outright29.6%31.4%
Median household income a week$1,815$1,746
Median rent a week$340$375
Median mortgage repayment a month$1,842$1,863
Born overseas34.2%29.3%
Other language at home19.6%23.6%
No religion46.7%41.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Population and age

Each census since 2011, and the age profile in 2021.

Population

+7.5% since 2016.

Population · each census
  1. 2,239,1702011
  2. 2,474,4102016
  3. 2,660,0262021

Age

Median age 38.0, against 38.0 for Australia.

Western Australia Australia
0–912.6%
10–1912.2%
20–2912.6%
30–3914.9%
40–4913.3%
50–5912.6%
60–6910.6%
70–797.3%
80+3.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Cultural background

The largest groups in Western Australia at the 2021 Census.

Ancestry

Top 5 · ancestry
  1. English40.3%
  2. Australian31.8%
  3. Irish9.4%
  4. Scottish9.4%
  5. Italian5.5%

Languages at home

Top 5 · languages at home
  1. Mandarin2.1%
  2. Italian1.0%
  3. Vietnamese0.9%
  4. Punjabi0.8%
  5. Cantonese0.8%

Country of birth

Top 5 · country of birth
  1. England7.9%
  2. New Zealand3.0%
  3. India2.4%
  4. South Africa1.8%
  5. the Philippines1.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Around Western Australia

The places it belongs to, sits beside and contains.

Part of

Council areas in Western Australia

Largest first.

Explore Western Australia in Censible

Every census figure for Western Australia, mapped and compared with any other place. A free account takes a minute.

Free accountHow the figures are built