Ruqayyah Snyder
Perth is the capital city of Western Australia and is known for being the most isolated city in the world. It has experienced substantial population growth since the late 19th-century gold rushes, and in 2025, its population is estimated to be over 2 million people. Perth is currently the fourth-largest city in Australia and has the fastest growth rate in the country.
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What You'll Learn
Population growth
Perth, the capital of Western Australia, has experienced significant population growth over the years, making it the fourth-largest city in Australia by population size. The city's population has grown from approximately 8,500 in 1881 to an estimated 2.1 to 2.5 million in 2025. This rapid growth has been driven by various factors, including historical events, economic conditions, and the city's role as a regional hub.
During the late 19th-century gold rushes in Western Australia, Perth's population experienced a substantial increase, reaching 61,000 in 1901. The city's role as a key supply hub for the goldfields and the prosperity brought by the mining industry contributed to this early population boom. After World War II, Perth continued to grow, with a population of approximately 280,000, attracting post-war immigrants, particularly from the British Isles and Southern Europe.
In recent decades, Perth has maintained its position as one of the fastest-growing cities in Australia. Between 2006 and 2011, the city's population grew by 14.3%, reaching 1,728,867. This growth continued, and by 2013, Perth's population exceeded 2 million. The latest estimates for 2025 put the city's population at around 2.1 to 2.5 million, with an average growth rate of 4.30% over the previous 13 years.
Several factors have contributed to Perth's recent population growth. Western Australia's wealth boom, driven by the mining industry, has attracted people to the region. Perth is home to four of the five most advantaged suburbs in the country. Additionally, the city's strong economy and job market have been significant drawcards. However, the rapid growth has also had its challenges, with a widening divide between upper- and lower-income residents, increased cost of living, and pressure on infrastructure and services.
The population of Perth is diverse, with people from various ancestries and backgrounds calling the city home. According to census data, the top ancestries in Perth include English, Australian, Irish, Scottish, and Italian. The city also welcomes immigrants from countries like England, New Zealand, South Africa, India, and Scotland. Perth's median age is 32, which is lower than the national median age of 37.
In summary, Perth's population growth has been significant, shaping it into a thriving and diverse metropolitan area. The city's historical role, economic prosperity, and regional significance have contributed to its expansion. While the rapid growth has brought challenges, Perth remains a highly liveable global city with a bright future.
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Population density
Perth, the capital of Western Australia, has experienced significant population growth throughout its history, particularly during the Western Australian gold rush in the late 19th century and after World War II. The population of Perth in 1881 was approximately 8,500, which increased to 61,000 by 1901. After World War II, the city's population stood at approximately 280,000, and it has continued to grow rapidly.
In 2011, the population density of Perth was 295.5 people per square kilometre (739.4 per square mile). The densest areas of the city are found in the inner statistical areas like Subiaco and Vincent, which have traditionally been very densely populated. In 2011, the densest suburb was Highgate, with 5,004 people per square kilometre. Most of the densely packed suburbs are located north of the river.
The metropolitan contours of Perth span 125 kilometres (78 miles) from Two Rocks in the north to Singleton in the south and 45 kilometres (28 miles) from the west coast to Sawyers Valley in the east. The metropolitan area includes urban centres such as Armadale, Fremantle, Joondalup, Midland, and Rockingham, which were originally separate settlements.
The population of Perth has continued to increase rapidly in recent years. In 2016, the population was estimated to be 2,022,044. As of 2025, the population is estimated to be 2,169,190, representing a 1.2% annual change. This rapid growth has had significant impacts on the city, including a widening divide between upper- and lower-income residents, increased housing costs, and pressure on infrastructure and services.
Perth's population growth is driven by its role as a regional headquarters for mining operations and its attractiveness as a destination for immigrants and internal migration within Australia. The city has a diverse ethnic makeup, with only 59.6% of residents born in Australia and significant populations from England, New Zealand, South Africa, India, and Malaysia.
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Demographic breakdown
Perth, the capital of Western Australia, has experienced substantial population growth throughout its history. The city's population was approximately 8,500 in 1881, and it grew to 61,000 by 1901 due to the Western Australian gold rushes. By 1950, the population had reached 310,759, and Perth entered the post-war period with around 280,000 inhabitants. The city became Australia's fourth-most populated in 1984.
Recent estimates place Perth's population at over 2 million people. As of 2025, the projected population is 2,169,190, with an earlier estimate from 2022 placing it at 2,093,000. This rapid growth has had social and economic impacts, with a widening divide between upper- and lower-income residents, and increased costs of living. Perth has been described as more expensive than New York and London, with rising rents and housing prices.
Perth's population comprises a diverse range of ancestries and cultural backgrounds. According to census data, the top ancestries in the city include English, Australian, Irish, Scottish, and Italian. The city also has a significant population of people born in other countries, with the top birth countries being Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, India, and Scotland. This diversity is further reflected in the languages spoken, with Italian, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Arabic being commonly heard alongside English.
The median age in Perth is 32, which is lower than the Australian median age of 37. In terms of marital status, 48.5% of Perth's residents are married, while 35.5% have never been married, 8.3% are divorced, and 2.9% are separated. There are also 64,533 widowed individuals in the city.
Perth's population is almost evenly split between males and females, with census data indicating that approximately 50.4% are female and 49.6% are male. The city's population density is approximately 317.7 people per square kilometre, with some areas like Subiaco and Vincent, and Highgate being traditionally denser. The metropolitan area spans 125 kilometres from north to south and 45 kilometres from the west coast to the east.
The workforce in Perth is diverse, with a range of occupations. According to the 2011 census, the main occupations of Perth's residents include professionals (22.0%), technicians and trades workers (16.0%), clerical and administrative workers (15.2%), managers (11.4%), community and personal service workers (9.7%), sales workers (9.0%), labourers (8.8%), and machinery operators and drivers (6.5%). The mining industry has been a significant contributor to the city's economic growth, along with other sectors such as professional services and public administration.
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Immigration trends
Perth, Western Australia, has experienced significant population growth throughout its history, with several factors influencing immigration trends over time.
During the late 19th-century gold rushes in Western Australia, Perth's population surged, growing from approximately 8,500 in 1881 to 61,000 in 1901. The city's role as a key hub for supplying the goldfields and the resulting prosperity contributed to this population boom.
In the post-World War II period, Perth's population stood at around 280,000, and the city witnessed substantial growth, particularly due to a high net migration rate. Immigrants during this period predominantly originated from the British Isles and Southern Europe.
Perth's population growth accelerated in the early 21st century, increasing by 14.3% between 2006 and 2011, surpassing the 2 million mark by 2013. This rapid growth has continued, with Perth's population estimated at 2,169,190 in 2025, making it Australia's fourth-largest city.
Several factors contribute to Perth's ongoing population influx. Western Australia's wealth boom, driven by mining booms in various regions, has attracted people to the region. Perth has become home to four of the five most advantaged suburbs in the country. The city's growth has averaged 3.1% annually since 2011, with some subregions, like Peel, experiencing even higher growth rates of 4.7%.
Migration patterns within Australia also play a role in Perth's population dynamics. Between 2016 and 2021, Perth had a higher rate of interstate migration compared to other cities, with 43.7% of people moving from elsewhere in Australia. During the same period, 24.6% of people moved from overseas, indicating that international migration also significantly contributes to Perth's population growth.
The COVID-19 pandemic and border restrictions temporarily disrupted immigration trends, leading to a net loss of Australian-born residents in 2023-24. However, with the reopening of borders, a period of record net overseas migration followed as a result of a catch-up in arrivals.
Perth's immigration trends have had social and economic implications. The rapid growth has widened the divide between upper- and lower-income residents, with rising housing costs and increased pressure on infrastructure and healthcare services. Nonetheless, Perth remains a highly liveable city, attracting people from across Australia and the world.
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Comparison to other cities
As of 2023, the population of Perth, the capital and largest city of Western Australia, is estimated to be just over 2.1 million people. This makes Perth the fourth-most populous city in Australia, after Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. However, when compared to other major Australian cities, Perth has a significantly smaller population. For example, Sydney, the nation's largest city, has a population of over 5 million people, while Melbourne, the second-largest city, is home to approximately 4.9 million residents. Brisbane, the third-most populous city in Australia, has a population of around 2.4 million, making it only slightly larger than Perth.
When compared to other global cities, Perth's population stands at a moderate level. It is considerably smaller than many major international metropolises such as London (9 million), Tokyo (37 million), or New York (8.5 million). However, Perth is still larger than a significant number of well-known cities. For context, Perth's population exceeds that of Dublin, Ireland (just under 2 million), Zurich, Switzerland (400,000), and Oslo, Norway (600,000).
In terms of population density, Perth is quite spread out compared to other Australian cities. Its metropolitan area covers a vast 6,418 square kilometers, resulting in a relatively low density of 330 people per square kilometer. This is significantly lower than the densities of Sydney (400 people/sq km) and Melbourne (450 people/sq km). Brisbane, with its more dispersed urban layout, has a similar density to Perth at 320 people per square kilometer.
Perth's population size and density are reflective of its unique geographical context. Being the most isolated major city in the world, it is surrounded by vast expanses of sparsely populated land. This isolation has influenced the city's growth patterns and resulted in a more dispersed urban form compared to other Australian capital cities. Nonetheless, Perth has experienced steady population growth over the years, and its status as a regional center within Western Australia ensures its position as one of the country's significant urban centers.
In summary, while Perth may not rival the population sizes of Australia's largest cities or major global metropolises, it holds its own within the Australian context and on the world stage. Its moderate population and urban density contribute to a unique character that sets it apart from other cities. As Perth continues to grow and evolve, its place among Australia's prominent cities remains secure.
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Frequently asked questions
Estimates vary, but it is thought that the population of Perth is over 2 million, with one source placing it at over 2.5 million. It is the fourth-largest city in Australia in terms of population size.
Perth's population density is 317.7 people per square kilometre, ranking it as the fourth most populated state capital city in Australia. However, it is still one of the least populated developed cities in the world.
Perth has experienced a wealth boom in recent years, with Western Australia's mining industry creating a lot of jobs. As a result, 1,000 people are moving to the state every week.
