Lexi Webster
Perth is the biggest city in Western Australia, with a population of over 2.3 million within Greater Perth as of 2023. It is the fourth-largest city in Australia and is the only city along the country's western coastline with more than 1 million people. Perth is the capital city of Western Australia and is located on the banks of the Swan River, with most of its metropolitan area on the Swan Coastal Plain between the Indian Ocean and the Darling Scarp. The city has a rich history, dating back to its establishment as a British settlement in 1829 and has since become a major industrial and cultural centre, known for its diverse natural attractions and liveability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Perth |
| Population | Over 2.3 million within Greater Perth as of 2023 |
| Population rank in Australia | Fourth |
| Year founded | 1829 |
| Founder | Captain James Stirling |
| Metropolitan area | Covers 125 kilometres (78 mi) from Two Rocks in the north to Singleton in the south, and 45 kilometres (28 mi) from the west coast to Sawyers Valley in the east |
| Climate | Moderate for eight months of the year, hot in January and February, cool and damp in June and July |
| Accessibility | Accessible via several highways, the transcontinental railway, the port of Fremantle, and Perth Airport |
| Universities | The University of Western Australia, Curtin University of Technology, Murdoch University, Edith Cowan University, and a campus of the University of Notre Dame Australia |
| Industries | Heavy industries include petroleum refineries and food-processing plants; diversified manufactures include paint, plaster, printed materials, sheet metal, cement, rubber, tractors, steel, aluminium, and nickel |
| Tourism sites and attractions | Fremantle Harbour, Perth Airport, Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Cottesloe Beach, Rottnest Island, Perth Mint, WA Museum Boola Bardip, Fremantle Prison |
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Perth's population
Perth is the capital city of Western Australia and the fourth-most populous city in Australia, with a population of over 2 million within Greater Perth as of 2023. Perth's population has been growing rapidly, with a staggering 14.3% growth between 2006 and 2011. The city has experienced sustained population growth since the late 19th-century Western Australian gold rushes, and particularly after World War II due to a high net migration rate.
The population of Perth was approximately 8,500 in 1881, and by 1901 it had grown to 61,000. By 1950, the population was 310,759, and in 2006 it was 1,512,105. As of 2011, the population was estimated to be 1,728,867, and in 2013 it exceeded 2 million. The metro area population of Perth in 2022 was 2,093,000, and in 2024 it was 2,143,000. The most recent estimate for 2025 is 2,169,190.
The population of Perth is diverse, with only 59.6% of residents being born in Australia. Significant groups within the population include those born in England (9.5%), New Zealand (3.1%), South Africa (1.8%), India (1.6%), and Malaysia (1.4%). Perth has a long history of ethnic complexity, with waves of European immigrants arriving in the 1950s and 1960s, and more recently, an influx of people from Southern Africa, including white minorities.
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Climate and transport
Perth is the biggest city in Western Australia. It is the state's capital and, as of 2023, has a population of over 2.3 million within Greater Perth, making it the fourth-most populous city in Australia.
Climate
Western Australia has a diverse range of climates. The Kimberley region experiences tropical conditions, the interior is desertic, and the southwest and southern coastal areas have a Mediterranean climate. The state's winemaking regions are concentrated in the cooler climate of the southwestern portion, with major wine-producing regions including Margaret River, Swan Valley, and Perth Hills.
Transport
The Trans-Australian Railway and the Eyre Highway traverse the Nullarbor Plain in the southeast of Western Australia, providing the principal connection to population centres in the eastern states.
Perth is served by Fremantle Harbour and Perth Airport. The central business district and port of Fremantle are situated on the Swan River, upon which the city was originally established. The metropolitan area spans 125 kilometres (78 mi) from north to south and 45 kilometres (28 mi) from the west coast to the east. Predominant urban centres within the metropolitan area include Armadale, Fremantle, Joondalup, Midland, and Rockingham.
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History
Perth is the biggest city in Western Australia. It is the fourth-most populous city in Australia, with a population of over 2.3 million within Greater Perth as of 2023. The city is part of the South West Land Division of Western Australia, with most of its metropolitan area on the Swan Coastal Plain between the Indian Ocean and the Darling Scarp.
Before the founding of the Swan River Colony, the indigenous Noongar people were well established in the southwest corner of Western Australia, hunting and gathering. They called the area on which Perth now stands Boorloo. Boorloo formed part of Mooro, the tribal lands of Yellagonga, whose group was one of several based around the Swan River, known collectively as the Whadjuk.
Perth was founded by Captain James Stirling in 1829 as the administrative centre of the Swan River Colony. The first fleet of settlers arrived in June 1829, disembarking with their possessions onto Garden Island. No land had been allocated, and no buildings had been constructed. The colony was renamed Western Australia in February 1832. The main settlement was officially named Perth, after Sir George Murray's seat in Perthshire, Scotland. The first newspaper, the Perth Gazette, was launched in 1833.
In 1856, Perth was proclaimed a city by Queen Victoria. The discovery of gold in the 1880s led to substantial population growth, and the city has continued to expand, particularly after 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 arrivals have contributed to a growing population of Asian descent.
In the first decade of the 21st century, driven by the Western Australian mining boom and associated economic development, Perth became Australia's fastest-growing capital.
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Geography and nature
Perth is the biggest city in Western Australia, both in terms of land area and population. It is the fourth-largest city in Australia, with a population of over 2.3 million within Greater Perth as of 2023. It is also the capital city of Western Australia. The city is situated on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people, where Aboriginal Australians have lived for at least 48,000 years. It was founded by Captain James Stirling in 1829 as the administrative centre of the Swan River Colony and was named after the city of Perth in Scotland.
Perth has a moderate climate for most of the year, but January and February are quite hot, and June and July are cool and damp. The city is located on the banks of the Swan River, about 12 miles (19 km) from its mouth, which forms the inner harbour of the neighbouring port city of Fremantle. The metropolitan area of Perth spans 125 kilometres (78 mi) from Two Rocks in the north to Singleton in the south and 45 kilometres (28 mi) from the west coast to Sawyers Valley in the east. The city's central business district and the state's Parliament House are situated near the intersection of the Swan and Canning rivers.
Perth is known for its natural beauty and is a nature lover's paradise, with 43 parks covering 116 hectares of land. Kings Park and Botanic Garden, located between the northern banks of the Swan River and the Indian Ocean, is one of the world's largest inner-city parks. The park provides a habitat for land animals and migratory birds, including the splendid fairy-wren and the black-striped snake. Cottesloe Beach and Rottnest Island are also popular natural features in the area.
The city has a diverse landscape, with residential areas, commercial and industrial zones, and agricultural fields. The land surface of Perth is characterised by residential houses with pinkish-red roofs and commercial or industrial areas with light-coloured roofs. The city is accessible by several highways, a transcontinental railway, the port of Fremantle, and Perth Airport, which is one of the busiest airports in the country.
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Economy
Perth is the largest city in Western Australia, with 2,309,388 inhabitants as of 2023. It is also the state's capital and administrative centre for business and government. As such, Perth dominates the Western Australian economy, despite the major mining, petroleum, and agricultural export industries being located elsewhere.
Perth's role as the economic base for the state has created development opportunities for many businesses oriented towards local or more diversified markets. The city's economy has been shifting towards service industries since the 1950s, with most people in Perth working in jobs that provide services to other residents.
Perth has a relatively isolated location, which has prevented the development of significant manufacturing industries beyond those serving the immediate needs of its residents. However, the city has a diverse range of economic activities, including mining, petroleum, and agriculture-related services, as well as tourism.
Tourism is a significant contributor to Perth's economy, with approximately 2.8 million domestic visitors and 0.7 million international visitors in the year ending in March 2012. The city's tourist attractions include Kings Park, one of the world's largest inner-city parks, Fremantle, the coast, and the Swan River. The Swan Valley, known for its wineries and restaurants, is also a popular tourist destination.
In addition to tourism, Perth's economy is supported by the mining and petroleum industries. The city serves as a major centre for associated services, and its post-war economic development was fuelled by large-scale public works, the success of attracting foreign investment, and the post-war immigration program.
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Frequently asked questions
Perth is the biggest city in Western Australia, with a population of over 2.3 million within Greater Perth as of 2023.
Yes, Perth is the capital city of Western Australia.
Perth is located on the Swan River, with the central business district and port of Fremantle situated on the river.
Perth is known for its natural features, such as Cottesloe Beach and Rottnest Island, as well as its heritage buildings and cultural sites, including the World Heritage-listed Fremantle Prison and Perth Mint.
As of the 2021 Australian census, Western Australia had a population of 2,660,026, making it the fourth most populous state in Australia.
