
Perth, the capital of Western Australia, is the fourth-largest city in the country and the fastest-growing of all Australia's major cities. It is also one of the world's most liveable cities. Perth's population has been growing rapidly, with a 3.6% jump in 2022-23, the largest annual change to the state's population. The metropolitan area population of Perth in 2024 was 2,143,000, and the estimated population in 2025 is 2,169,190. The population growth in Perth is driven by overseas migration and a high net migration rate. The city has a diverse ethnic makeup, with a significant wave of people arriving from Southern Africa and an increasing population of Asian descent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population of Perth, Australia | Approximately 2.1 million as of 2023 |
| Population Growth Rate | 1.6% annually (2022-2023) |
| Population Density | Approximately 3,340 people per square kilometer |
| Metropolitan Area | Covers approximately 6,418 square kilometers |
| Demographic Makeup | Diverse, with a significant proportion of immigrants; known for its high standard of living |
| Life Expectancy | 82.7 years on average (80.7 years for males and 84.6 years for females) |
| Age Distribution | Varied, with a median age of approximately 37 years |
| Household Income | Median weekly household income is AUD$1,749 |
| Housing Characteristics | Varied, with a mix of detached houses, apartments, and townhouses; the average rent in Perth is AUD$450 per week |
| Transportation | Well-developed road and rail networks; the city is served by Perth Airport, which handled over 13 million passengers in 2022 |
| Economy | Strong and diverse, with key sectors including mining, services, construction, and tourism |
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Population growth
Perth, the capital of Western Australia, is the country's fastest-growing capital city and fourth-largest city overall. It has experienced significant population growth in recent years, with a 3.6% jump in 2022-23 marking the biggest annual change. This increase is largely due to Western Australia's wealth boom, attracting people from other states and overseas migration.
Historically, Perth's population growth can be traced back to the late 19th-century gold rushes and post-World War II net migration, particularly from the British Isles and Southern Europe. The city's population entered a new phase of expansion in the 2000s, coinciding with a series of mining booms and major urban infrastructure projects.
The population of Perth has been steadily increasing over the years, with the 2024 estimate for the Perth Metropolitan Area standing at 2,384,371, a 3.15% increase from the previous year. The city's population density, as of 2011, was 295.5 people per square kilometre, with certain inner suburbs like Subiaco, Vincent, and Highgate being traditionally very densely populated.
The growth in population has resulted in a diverse ethnic makeup in Perth. While only 59.6% of its residents are Australian-born, there are significant populations of English, New Zealander, South African, Indian, and Malay descent. The city also has a long history of European immigration and a small Jewish community.
Perth's rapid growth has transformed it into a thriving and dynamic city, attracting people from all over the world and contributing to its status as one of the world's most liveable cities.
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Population density
Perth, the capital of Western Australia, has experienced significant population growth over the years, particularly after World War II due to a high net migration rate. The city's population density is currently 317.7 people per square kilometre, ranking it as the fourth most populated state capital city in Australia. However, despite its high ranking within the country, Perth is still considered one of the least populated developed cities globally.
Historically, Perth's population witnessed substantial growth during the late 19th-century Western Australian gold rushes, increasing from approximately 8,500 in 1881 to 61,000 in 1901. This growth continued into the 20th century, with the city's population reaching 310,759 by 1950. After World War II, Perth's population stood at approximately 280,000, and it has since expanded rapidly.
In recent years, Perth's population growth has been propelled by Western Australia's wealth boom, attracting people to the region. Between 2011 and 2013, the population grew from 1.72 million to 2 million, a staggering increase of 14.3% in just two years. By 2022, the metropolitan area population had surpassed 2 million, with an estimated population of over 2.5 million people, accounting for 8.58% of Australia's national population.
The population density of Perth, as of 2011, was 295.5 people per square kilometre (739.4 per square mile). The densest areas of the city are typically found in the inner statistical areas, such as Subiaco and Vincent, which have traditionally been densely populated. The metropolitan contours of Perth span 125 kilometres from north to south and 45 kilometres from the west coast to the east.
Perth's population growth has had notable impacts on the city's dynamics. The ethnic makeup of the city has become increasingly diverse, with a growing population of Asian descent and a history of European immigration. Additionally, the divide between upper- and lower-income residents has widened, contributing to rising living costs and housing prices. Despite these challenges, Perth remains a highly liveable city, renowned for its abundant parkland areas, nature reserves, and sunshine.
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Immigration
Perth, Australia, has witnessed significant population growth over the years, emerging as one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. In 2024, the metropolitan area's population stood at 2,143,000, reflecting a consistent annual increase since 2021. This growth is attributed to various factors, including a post-World War II high net migration rate, successive economic booms, and Perth's reputation as one of the world's most liveable cities.
Historically, Perth's population dynamics have been influenced by several factors. Initially established as a free settlement, the city started accepting transported convicts from 1850 to bolster its labour force for public works and construction. Queen Victoria proclaimed Perth as a city in 1856, and the late 19th-century Western Australian gold rushes further fuelled population growth.
During the post-World War II period, Perth experienced another wave of immigration, attracting settlers predominantly from the British Isles and Southern Europe. This period also witnessed a notable influx of European immigrants from countries like Italy, Greece, and Germany during the 1950s and 1960s, contributing to the city's ethnic diversity.
In recent times, Perth's population growth has been remarkable. Between 2006 and 2011, the population surged by 14.3%, reaching 1,728,867. By 2013, the city's population surpassed the 2 million mark, and as of 2025, the estimated population stands at 2,169,190. This growth has been propelled by Western Australia's wealth boom and the expansion of various industries, including mining and construction.
To facilitate immigration, Perth offers various visa options, including skilled independent visas, working holiday visas, graduate visas, employer-sponsored visas, and partner visas. The presence of migration agents and agencies in the city further underscores the importance of immigration in Perth's population growth and reflects the complexity of the Australian immigration system.
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Historical population
Perth, the capital of Western Australia, has experienced significant population growth throughout its history, particularly during the late 19th-century gold rushes and in the post-World War II era.
In the late 19th century, the discovery of gold in Western Australia sparked a mining boom, with Perth serving as a key hub. This period saw Perth's population surge from approximately 8,500 in 1881 to 61,000 in 1901. The city's infrastructure benefited from this newfound prosperity, with the construction of important public buildings, roads, and railways.
Following World War II, Perth continued to attract migrants, particularly from the British Isles and Southern Europe. By 1950, the population had reached 310,759. The city's growth during this period was also influenced by its high net migration rate, contributing to its expansion beyond the central business district into surrounding areas like Armadale, Fremantle, Joondalup, Midland, and Rockingham.
Perth's population growth accelerated further in the early 21st century, driven by Western Australia's wealth boom. Between 2006 and 2011, the population grew by 14.3%, reaching 1,728,867. This rapid expansion continued, with Perth's population surpassing 2 million by 2013.
The most recent estimates place Perth's population at around 2 million as of 2022, with some sources giving a figure of 2,143,000 for 2024. Perth's growth rate has been impressive, with an average of 3.1% from 2011 to 2012 and a staggering 9.58% in 2012. The city's liveability, economic opportunities, and tourism appeal have all contributed to its emergence as one of the fastest-growing cities in Australia.
Perth's population is expected to continue its upward trajectory, with predictions of reaching 2.4 million by 2035.
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Perth's suburbs
Perth, the capital of Western Australia, is the country's fourth-largest city and fastest-growing major city. Its population has been increasing steadily, from 1,512,105 in 2006 to 1,728,867 in 2011, and 2 million in 2013. The 2025 population is estimated to be 2,169,190.
The densest areas of Perth are found in the inner suburbs like Subiaco and Vincent, with the densest suburb being Highgate, which had 5,004 people per square kilometre in 2011. Most of the densely packed suburbs are north of the river. The central business district of Perth is bounded by the Swan River to the south and east, with Kings Park on the western end and the railway reserve as the northern border.
Perth's beachside suburbs are a popular attraction, with residents and tourists alike enjoying swimming, surfing, snorkelling, and socialising. The city's most well-known coastal hubs are Fremantle, Scarborough, and Cottesloe. Fremantle is a historic suburb, home to the World Heritage-listed Fremantle Prison, while Scarborough Beach draws kite surfers and cafes with its warm breeze. Cottesloe is known for its gentle ocean swell and picnic-ready lawns shaded by Norfolk Pine trees.
Other notable suburbs in Perth include Northbridge, which is known for its bars, cocktail lounges, Asian eateries, and vibrant LGBTQI+ nightlife, as well as its museums, theatres, and galleries. Elizabeth Quay is a lively precinct by the river, and King Street is known for its high-fashion boutiques and hip speakeasy bars. Mount Lawley's Beaufort Street is a popular shopping destination, and the suburb of Subiaco is one of the most densely populated areas in Perth.
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Frequently asked questions
The population of Perth, Australia, has been growing rapidly. As of June 30, 2024, the population estimate for the Perth Metropolitan Area was 2,384,371. In 2025, the population is estimated to be 2,169,190. Perth is the fourth-largest city in Australia and the fastest-growing capital city.
The population density of Perth as of 2011 was 295.5 people per square kilometre (739.4 per square mile). The highest-density areas were in Perth and Highgate (4300 people per square kilometre), East Perth (4000) and Scarborough (3900).
Perth's population growth rate has been varying over the years. From 2011 to 2012, it grew by 3.4%. In 2022-23, it saw a 3.6% jump, the largest annual change.
The metropolitan area of Perth spans 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 population is distributed across 6 planning subregions: Central, Peel, North-East, North-West, South-West, and South-East. Peel has experienced the most recent growth.





























