Ruqayyah Snyder
Perth, the capital of Western Australia, is the fourth-most populous city in Australia, with a population of over 2.3 million within Greater Perth as of 2023. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in Australia, with a staggering population growth rate of 3.6% from 2022 to 2023. Perth's population is expected to reach 3 million by the end of June 2025, accommodating the influx of residents and ensuring adequate planning for the city's future development.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 2.5 million (2025 estimate), 2.3 million (2023) |
| Population rank | 4th most populous city in Australia |
| Population growth | 3.6% (2022-23), 3.1% (since 2011) |
| Population density | 317.7 people per square kilometre (2025), 295.5 people per square kilometre (2011) |
| Densest suburb | Highgate (5,004 people per square kilometre in 2011) |
| Population by birth country | 59.6% Australia, 9.5% England, 3.1% New Zealand, 1.8% South Africa, 1.6% India, 1.4% Malaysia |
| Top ancestries | English, Australian, Irish, Scottish, Italian |
| Top languages (other than English) | Italian, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Arabic |
| Religion | 41.8% no religion, 19.5% Catholic, 9.9% Anglican, 50,000+ Buddhists and Muslims each |
| Median age | 32 |
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Population growth
Perth is the fourth-most populous city in Australia, with a population of over 2.3 million within Greater Perth as of 2023. It is the fastest-growing capital city in Australia, with a 3.6% population jump in 2022-23, marking the largest annual change to the state's population. The metro area population of Perth in 2024 is projected to be 2,143,000, a 1.18% increase from 2023. The city has experienced unprecedented growth, with 1,000 people moving to Western Australia every week due to the wealth boom.
Perth's population growth has been staggering, increasing from 1.72 million in 2011 to 2 million in 2013. Since 2011, the city's growth has averaged 3.1%, with a notable increase of 3.4% from 2011 to 2012. The population density of Perth, as of 2011, was 295.5 people per square kilometre, with the densest suburb, Highgate, having 5,004 people per square kilometre in 2011. The inner areas of Perth, such as Subiaco and Vincent, have traditionally been very densely populated. The population of Perth is divided into six planning subregions: Central, Peel, North-East, North-West, South-West, and South-East. The Peel region has recently experienced the largest growth of 4.7%.
The growth of Perth can be attributed to various factors, including the discovery of gold in Coolgardie-Kalgoorlie in 1890, the improved Fremantle harbour in 1901, and the completion of the transcontinental railway in 1917. The city's diversified industries, such as mining, heavy industries, and various manufactures, have also contributed to its economic attractiveness. Perth has a diverse ethnic makeup, with a long history of European immigration and a more recent influx of people from Southern Africa, resulting in a complex mix of ancestries and languages spoken.
With the ongoing growth, the Committee for Perth recognises the need for adequate planning to accommodate a projected population of 3.5 million by 2050. The city's population is expected to reach 3.004 million by the end of June 2025, based on the average growth rate of 4.30% over the last 13 years since 2011. Perth's population growth has been significant, adding around 20,000 to 160,000 people each year to the overall population.
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Population density
Perth, Australia, has experienced significant population growth, particularly since World War II due to a high net migration rate. Post-war immigrants were predominantly from the British Isles and Southern Europe, while more recent immigration patterns have seen an increasing population of Asian descent, including from India and Malaysia. Perth also has a small but notable Jewish community.
The population density of Perth was 295.5 people per square kilometre as of 2011, with the densest areas found in inner suburbs like Subiaco and Vincent. By 2023, Perth's population density had increased to 3.1% and 317.7 people per square kilometre, ranking it as the fourth most populated state capital city in Australia. However, compared to other global cities, Perth is still considered one of the least densely populated developed cities in the world.
Perth's population growth has been driven by the Western Australia wealth boom, with 1,000 people moving to the state each week. This has led to concerns about adequate planning to accommodate a projected population of 3.5 million by 2050. The city's median age is 32, which is lower than the Australian median of 37 or 38.3, depending on the source.
Perth's population growth has resulted in a diverse ethnic makeup, with only 59.6% of residents born in Australia, compared to a national average of 69.8%. The top countries of birth for people in Perth include Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, India, and Scotland. The city's isolation, sunny climate, and economic opportunities in the mining industry have contributed to its appeal.
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Language and religion
As of 2023, Perth's population is estimated to be just over 2.1 million people, making it the fourth-most populous city in Australia. Located in the country's west, it is the capital of Western Australia and sits where the Swan River meets the Indian Ocean. A brief overview of the language and religious demographics of this diverse city is as follows:
Language:
English is the most commonly spoken language in Perth, as it is across Australia. In the 2021 census, 72.9% of Perth residents reported that English was the only language spoken at home. However, given the city's diverse and multicultural population, a significant proportion of residents speak other languages. The next most common languages spoken in Perth are Mandarin (2.3% of residents), Cantonese (1.1%), Italian (1.1%), and Vietnamese (0.9%).
Perth also has a rich Indigenous Australian heritage, and while no Indigenous languages are widely spoken in the city today, there is a growing movement to revive and teach these traditional languages, particularly Noongar, one of the largest language groups in southern Western Australia.
Religion:
As is the case across Australia, Perth exhibits a high level of religious diversity, with a wide range of faiths represented. According to the 2021 census, the most common religion in Perth is Christianity, with just under 50% of the population identifying as Christian. This is a decrease from previous years, reflecting a broader national trend towards secularism and away from traditional religious affiliations.
The second-largest religious group in Perth is Islam, with around 5% of the population adhering to the faith. This is followed by Buddhism (also at around 5%), Hinduism (3.1%), and Sikhism (0.6%). There is also a substantial proportion of the population who identify as spiritual but not religious, and a significant portion of the population reporting no religious affiliation, standing at around 35% as of the last census.
Perth is also home to a range of religious communities that have migrated to the city, including a large Jewish community, with a history dating back to the 19th century, and a growing number of African religious communities, including African Pentecostal Christians and followers of traditional African religions.
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Occupations
Perth is one of the fastest-growing cities in Australia, with a population of over 2 million in 2023, and 2,093,000 in 2022. The population growth can be attributed to Western Australia's wealth boom, with 1,000 people moving to the state each week. The city's growth has averaged 3.1% since 2011, with a staggering growth of 1.8% between 1991 and 1996, and a similar rate between 2001 and 2006.
Perth's population is diverse, with only 59.6% of residents being Australian-born, compared to a national average of 69.8%. The city has a complex ethnic makeup, with a significant number of residents born in England (9.5%), New Zealand (3.1%), South Africa (1.8%), India (1.6%), and Malaysia (1.4%).
In terms of occupations, Perth's employment landscape is influenced by various factors, including economic conditions, education levels, and the aspirations of its population. The three most common occupations in 2021 were professionals (23.7%), managers (11.9%), and community and personal service workers (12%), accounting for 62.8% of the employed resident population. The number of professionals in Perth in 2021 was higher than any other occupation.
The job market in Perth offers a range of opportunities, including retail, consumer products, administration, defence, and tourism. The city's classification as a Beta global city in 2020 and its diverse range of industries contribute to the variety of occupations available.
Perth's labour market is analysed through data sources such as the ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) and the ABS Labour Force Survey. These tools help track employment trends and protect the confidentiality of individuals in smaller occupation groups.
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Climate
Perth, the capital of Western Australia, has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. February is the hottest month, with an average high of 31.7°C, and July is the coldest, with an average low of 8.1°C. 77.7% of the rain in Perth falls between May and September.
Perth experiences a significant variation in temperature throughout the year. During summer, maximum temperatures typically range from 25°C to 36°C, while minimum temperatures range from 14°C to 22°C. The summer nights in Perth are colder than in Sydney, Brisbane, and Darwin, with the highest minimum monthly temperature being 18.4°C in February. The summer afternoons often see a sea breeze, known locally as the "Fremantle Doctor", blowing from the southwest, providing relief from the hot north-easterly winds. Although rare, summer does experience sporadic rainfall in the form of short-lived thunderstorms and cold fronts.
Winters in Perth are relatively mild, with maximum temperatures ranging from 16°C to 22°C, and minimum temperatures between 3°C and 13°C. Frost can occasionally form, with temperatures below 2°C occurring about four times a year. Snow has never been recorded in the Perth CBD, but light snowfalls have been reported in outer suburbs like Kalamunda, Roleystone, and Mundaring, with the most recent snowfall in 1968.
Spring in Perth (September to November) is a transitional season, with warm and sunny days and little rainfall. The average temperatures range from 11.7°C to 23°C. This season showcases over 12,000 species of wildflowers in Perth's nature reserves and national parks. Summer-like weather can occur in November, with heatwaves and little rain.
Perth has an average of 8.8 hours of sunshine per day, which equates to around 3,200 hours of annual sunshine and 138.7 clear days annually, making it the sunniest among Australia's capital cities. With its sunny climate, visitors to Perth should be mindful of the UV index and take appropriate measures, such as using SPF30+ sunscreen and wearing sun-smart clothing, hats, and sunglasses.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2023, Perth is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million people.
The population density of Perth is 317.7 people per square kilometre, ranking it as the fourth most populated state capital city in Australia.
Perth is projected to reach a population of 3 million by the end of June 2025.
Perth's northern fringes, including Alkimos and Eglinton, have seen the most growth, with an increase of 11% in 2024.
