Median house price
—
No data available
WA · South Perth Council
Kensington, 6151
Est. population · Jun 2025
5,257
Growth (1 yr)
+1.7%
Growth (5 yr)
+8.2%
Median age
38
Median income
$2,496/wk
Employment rate
67.3%
Languages at home
10.3%non-English
Most common: Mandarin, Italian, Arabic
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Education hub
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
Kensington is a well-connected mid-sized suburb in South Perth Council with everyday amenities close at hand. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Education outcomes and school provision stand out relative to comparable suburbs.
Green space punches above what many metro suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus, and buses help with longer trips. Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers.
Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. An emerging neighbourhood feel is building here, with new households gradually reshaping local life.
Against similar metro suburbs, community and employment stand out and the overall desirability rating is good, with local dining and lifestyle amenities less decisive.
At a glance
Kensington snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$765/wk
Population (ERP)
5,257
+1.7% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
8.5%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#18
among Metro Perth · Emerging
Safety
17th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
64th
percentile in WA
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
84th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 56.7/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 20% of Western Australia's suburbs
- National rank
- 1372nd in Australia
- State rank
- 134th in WA
- Peer rank
- #18 among Metro Perth · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #104 among Metro Perth suburbs
- Data confidence
- 78%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (wa-rental-bond/Monthly Bond Lodgement Summary (CSV)-(01-12-2025-31-12-2025).csv)
- $765
- Rental bonds lodged (wa-rental-bond/Monthly Bond Lodgement Summary (CSV)-(01-12-2025-31-12-2025).csv)
- 2,728
Median weekly rent from WA rental bond lodgements. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- WA rental bond lodgements — Department of Communities (WA) · wa-rental-bond/Monthly Bond Lodgement Summary (CSV)-(01-12-2025-31-12-2025).csv · Updated · Monthly bond summaries
Population
Estimated resident population
5,257(June 2025)
+1.7% annual · +8.2% over 5 years · 64th percentile in WA
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.7%
- 5-year growth
- +8.2%
- Change in 1 year
- +88
- Change in 5 years
- +398
- Growth rank in WA
- 64th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~5,450), extrapolated at +0.7% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 4,627
- Median age
- 38
- Median household income / week
- $2,496
- Dwelling vacancy
- 8.5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 152 of 1,784
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,600
- Employment rate
- 67.3%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,337 / 203 / 95
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences are running lower than the same point last year.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2026 to Aug 2026)
- 14,034
- Against the person
- 3,038
- Against property
- 8,831
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 2,669.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 2 residents
- State safety percentile
- 17.2th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate, partial year)
- -21.1%
Most common offence types
- Assault (Family)1296
- Drug Offences1447
- Fraud & Related Offences1434
- Property Damage1416
- Stealing4650
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- WA Police district crime statistics — Western Australia Police Force · Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 → Jan 2026 to Aug 2026; Jan 2026 to Aug 2026 · Updated · Quarterly timeseries XLSX; district-level aggregates
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 10
- Median school ICSEA (10 schools)
- 1,100.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 84th
School list
- Kensington Secondary SchoolSpecial · Government · ICSEA 1008 · 51th percentile · LBOTE 41% · 82 students · Top SEA quarter 18% · 0.1 km awayView on My School →
- Kensington Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1121 · 90th percentile · LBOTE 31% · 447 students · Top SEA quarter 53% · 0.5 km awayView on My School →
- Kent Street Senior High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1041 · 65th percentile · LBOTE 30% · 1,215 students · Top SEA quarter 22% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
- Collier Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1076 · 77th percentile · LBOTE 44% · 298 students · Top SEA quarter 38% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
- Regent CollegePrimary · Independent · ICSEA 1142 · 94th percentile · LBOTE 81% · 340 students · Top SEA quarter 55% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
- Victoria Park Christian SchoolPrimary · Independent · ICSEA 1035 · 62th percentile · LBOTE 52% · 113 students · Top SEA quarter 17% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
- Penrhos CollegeCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1143 · 94th percentile · LBOTE 29% · 1,033 students · Top SEA quarter 59% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
- Victoria Park Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1127 · 91th percentile · LBOTE 70% · 510 students · Top SEA quarter 51% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
- Wesley CollegeCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1147 · 95th percentile · LBOTE 23% · 1,312 students · Top SEA quarter 61% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
- Hensman Street ElementaryPrimary · Independent · ICSEA 1080 · 78th percentile · LBOTE 15% · 13 students · Top SEA quarter 22% · 2.0 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Public transport
43 public transport stops in this suburb
- Canning Hwy After Douglas Av
- Canning Hwy After Way Rd
- Canning Hwy Before Brandon St
- Canning Hwy Before Collins St
- Canning Hwy Before Renwick St
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Amenities
78 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
3 cafes · 1 supermarkets · 4 playgrounds · 6 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus
- Great for outdoor family life — 5 parks mapped in suburb, 4 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 43 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 12 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 61/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.65
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.65
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.08
Food & drink(3)
- Hoopla EspressoCafe
- Sprolo Specialty CoffeeCafe
138
- The Little BanksiaCafe
Shopping(1)
- IGA ExpressSupermarket
Health & services(1)
- South Perth Medical Centre & After Hours GPMedical clinic
148 Douglas Avenue
Sport & outdoors(12)
- Bill McGrath ReservePlayground
- Mackie Street playgroundPlayground
- Morris Mundy ReservePlayground
- Playground
- Morris Mundy ReserveSports field
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (6)
Transport(35)
35 bus stops
Other(11)
- Bbq
- Bench (7)
- Bicycle Parking (6)
- Deli
- Drinking water
- White FrameFrame
128 Canning Highway, South Perth
- Hairdresser
- Picnic Table (2)
- Australia PostPost Box
- Vending machine (3)
- Waste Basket (2)
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Parks & reserves
8 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Bill McGrath ReservePark
- David Vincent ReservePark
- George Street ReserveNature reserve
- Gwenyfred ReservePark
- Harold Rossiter ParkPark
- Kensington Bushland ReserveNature reserve
- Kent Street Sand PitNature reserve
- Moresby Street ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 11
- Parks (OSM)
- 5
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 1
- Nearest hospital
- South Perth Community Centre Hospital (1.9 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- South Perth Medical Centre & After Hours GPDouglas AvenueDoctor
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 77
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 14.6
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 29° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 51 mm · ~6 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 24° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 198 mm · ~25 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 17° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 552 mm · ~69 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 212 mm · ~26 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Heritage
1 heritage place
- Kent Street Senior High School89 Kent St, Kensington3372
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via WA bush fire prone area mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Swan
- Member of Parliament
- Zaneta MASCARENHAS (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 116,105
- Turnout (2025)
- 87.3%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +4.6 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 36.0%Labor 64.0%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 2.4 km away).
Coalition 35.3%Labor 64.8%
0.8 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +6.0 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- KensingtonLabor 64.8% · Coalition 35.2% TPP (2025)0.7 km away
- Kensington EastLabor 72.1% · Coalition 27.9% TPP (2025)0.9 km away
- Como EastLabor 59.2% · Coalition 40.8% TPP (2025)1.1 km away
- South Perth CentralLabor 50.9% · Coalition 49.1% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
- Victoria ParkLabor 69.2% · Coalition 30.8% TPP (2025)1.8 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 10/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
This suburb ranks highly for
More in South Perth Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Western Australia.