Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
Ferndale suburb profile
Ferndale, WA · Postcode 6148
This Ferndale suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for Ferndale, WA (postcode 6148). Use it as a free suburb report covering population, median rent, household income, age, housing tenure and employment, plus how those figures changed since Census 2016— then compare Ferndale with nearby suburbs.
Ferndale at a glance
Population
4,457
Median rent
$314/wk
Household income
$1,533/wk
Median age
41
Ferndale trends (2016 → 2021)
Change since the previous Census. Historical figures are mapped from State Suburbs (SSC) to today's suburb boundaries.
Population
Census 2011 → 2016 → 2021
+4.6% over 10 years
Population
4,457
was 4,330 in 2016
+127 · +2.9%
Median rent
$314/wk
was $330/wk in 2016
$16 · -4.8%
Household income
$1,533/wk
was $1,392/wk in 2016
+$141 · +10.1%
Median age
41
was 39 in 2016
+2 · +5.1%
Dig deeper: Ferndale population growth · Ferndale then and now
Ferndale vs nearby & Greater Perth
Median Census 2021 figures for Ferndale, nearby suburbs (8), and the Perth metro median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
-14% vs area
- Ferndale$314/wk
- Nearby$390/wk
- Perth$365/wk
Household income
-22.7% vs area
- Ferndale$1,533/wk
- Nearby$1,893/wk
- Perth$1,982/wk
Median age
+5.1% vs area
- Ferndale41
- Nearby42
- Perth39
Personal income
-15.9% vs area
- Ferndale$745/wk
- Nearby$746.5/wk
- Perth$886/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in WA. See Perth rankings.
Socio-economic profile
How Ferndale compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
Ferndale sits around the national middle for socio-economic advantage.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 51,003.3
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 5985.5
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 4998
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 6989.6
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
Ferndale on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for Ferndale, WA.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
Ferndale people
- Population
- 4,457
- Median age
- 41
- Born overseas
- 36.1%
- Average household size
- 2.4
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
Ferndale income
- Median household income
- $1,533/wk
- Median personal income
- $745/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
Ferndale housing
- Median rent
- $314/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $1,700/mo
- Separate houses
- 76.2%
- Flats & apartments
- 0.3%
- Owned outright
- 32.9%
- Mortgaged
- 37.2%
- Rented
- 20%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 7.8%
Median weekly rent for rented dwellings
Median monthly mortgage repayment
Percentage of dwellings that are separate houses
Percentage of dwellings that are flats or apartments
Percentage of dwellings owned without a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings with a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings rented
Percentage of private dwellings unoccupied on Census night
Ferndale work
- Employment to population
- 56.3%
- Unemployment rate
- 5.2%
- Year 12 or above
- 59.9%
Employed persons as a percentage of population aged 15+
Unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force
Percentage with Year 12 or equivalent as highest school level
Nearby suburb profiles (near 6148)
Compare Ferndale with nearby suburbs
Ferndale in numbers
Ferndale had 4,457 residents at the 2021 Census, making it the 205th most populous suburb or locality in WA out of 1,594. The median age is 41, 3% above the typical WA suburb. The average household has 2.4 people. 36.1% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 32.9% own their home outright, 37.2% are paying a mortgage, 20% rent. Separate houses make up 76.2% of dwellings, with 0.3% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $314/wk, 8% below the typical WA suburb.
Median household income was $1,533/wk, 14% below the typical WA suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 5.2%. 59.9% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 5 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 2.9% (from 4,330 to 4,457). Median rent moved from $330/wk to $314/wk (-4.8%).
Ferndale suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in Ferndale, WA?
- The median weekly rent in Ferndale was $314/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in Ferndale, WA?
- Ferndale had 4,457 residents at the 2021 Census, up 2.9% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in Ferndale?
- Median household income in Ferndale was $1,533/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in Ferndale?
- 20% of occupied homes in Ferndale were rented, 32.9% were owned outright and 37.2% were owned with a mortgage.
About this Ferndale suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching Ferndale (WA). Where shown, 2016 values come from the 2016 State Suburbs (SSC) profile, linked via ABS geographic correspondence — boundaries are not always identical. Medians may be suppressed for very small areas. This is not financial or relocation advice — use it alongside current market data.
Source: ABS Census 2021. Methodology · Richest suburbs in Perth