Population
−50.3% since 2016.
Rottnest Island, WA
Rottnest Island had a population of 166 at the 2021 Census (−50.3% since 2016). Median age 33.0. Median weekly household income $2,042. Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. Census 2026 data arrives June 2027.
Rottnest Island at a glance
What the 2021 Census says, compared with Western Australia.
Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Rottnest Island's population shrank by 50.3% to 166, slower than Western Australia as a whole (+7.5%). With a median age of 33.0, it is younger than the WA average (38.0). Children under 10 make up 6.6% of residents, and people aged 70 and over 3.6%.
60.0% of households rent, a larger share than the WA average of 27.7%. 0.0% own their home outright. Almost every home is a house; flats and apartments are 0.0% of homes. The 2021 Census counted 61 households.
The median household earns $2,042 a week, above the WA average of $1,815. Renters pay a median $113 a week, and households with a mortgage repay $1 a month.
46.8% of residents were born overseas, more than the WA average of 34.2%. 21.1% use a language other than English at home. 51.4% report no religion, higher than the WA average (46.7%).
Key figures
2021 Census, Rottnest Island beside WA and Australia.
| Measure | Rottnest Island | WA | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 166 | 2,660,026 | 25,422,788 |
| Growth since 2016 | −50.3% | +7.5% | +8.6% |
| Median age | 33.0 | 38.0 | 38.0 |
| Households | 61 | 964,734 | 9,275,217 |
| Flats and apartments | 0.0% | 6.5% | 14.3% |
| Renting | 60.0% | 27.7% | 31.1% |
| Owned outright | 0.0% | 29.6% | 31.4% |
| Median household income a week | $2,042 | $1,815 | $1,746 |
| Median rent a week | $113 | $340 | $375 |
| Median mortgage repayment a month | $1 | $1,842 | $1,863 |
| Born overseas | 46.8% | 34.2% | 29.3% |
| Other language at home | 21.1% | 19.6% | 23.6% |
| No religion | 51.4% | 46.7% | 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.
Age
Median age 33.0, against 38.0 for Western Australia.
Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built
Cultural background
The largest groups in Rottnest Island at the 2021 Census.
Ancestry
Languages at home
Country of birth
Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built
Around Rottnest Island
The places it belongs to, sits beside and contains.
Part of
Nearby
Explore Rottnest Island in Censible
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