REAL ESTATE | Eight WA regions growing so quickly, infrastructure is struggling to keep up

New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, analysed by the Regional Australia Institute, reveals a striking picture of a state where the gravitational pull of lifestyle living on Perth's fringe has become one of the most powerful forces reshaping where Western Australians choose to call home.

Leading the nation is Serpentine-Jarrahdale, south-east of the Perth metro area, which recorded a population growth rate of 4.5 per cent between 2024 and 2025.

It has the highest population growth of any regional local government area in Australia.

The shire's population climbed from 38,793 to 40,531 in just twelve months, driven by a wave of new estates including Constellar at Cardup Junction, The Whitby Estate and Taylor Springs Mundijong.

Between them, more than 5000 new homes will be delivered.

Not far behind is the Murray Shire, further south along the coastal plain, which posted a 3.9 per cent growth rate as suburbs like South Yunderup continue to attract buyers priced out of the city.

The Austin Lakes estate has been among the key projects absorbing that demand.

Dandaragan and Chittering, both north of Perth, also recorded 3.9 per cent growth, while Augusta Margaret River and Gingin each came in at 3.5 per cent. Mandurah — now home to more than 106,000 people — grew by 3.4 per cent, adding nearly 3500 residents in a single year.

Toodyay rounded out WA's representation on the national top ten with a 3 per cent rise.

The numbers put paid to the theory that the pandemic-era regional migration surge was a temporary blip.

Nationally, capital-to-regional migration in the final quarter of 2025 outpaced movement in the opposite direction by 31 per cent — the second highest level recorded since 2022.

For WA, the pattern is clear: buyers and renters are fanning outward from Perth along familiar lifestyle corridors, drawn by space, affordability and scenery but still close enough to the city to remain connected.

However, when population swells rapidly in relatively small communities, the knock-on effect to home prices, traffic congestion and the strain on schools, hospitals and roads can be severe.

With all eligible WA regions still recording strong inflows heading into the second half of 2025, the pressure on planners and developers to stay ahead of demand shows no sign of easing.