Kidsplosion: Perth’s fringe tops nationwide ‘family-friendly suburbs’ list

Perth has taken out nine out of the top 10 spots in a new analysis that used Australian Bureau of Statistics data to identify the nation’s “most family-friendly suburbs” based on two metrics: house price growth in past year and proportion of children under 14.

Ray White Group senior data analyst Atom Go Tian said the most striking result in their analysis was the dominance of Perth in the list.

“Perth claimed nine out of the top ten spots, with seven of these located in the south of the city,” he said.

“This reflects not only areas that are popular with families but also the strength of the Perth market right now.”

Seville Grove emerged as the most in-demand family-friendly suburb with 26.6 per cent of its population aged under 14 years and a 31.6 per cent house price growth over the past year.

Despite this growth, it remained relatively affordable, with an average house price of $612,773 – the second lowest among the top-ranked suburbs.

Close behind is Karnup, another Perth suburb, boasting similar demographics but a higher price point of $714,158.

It was closely followed by Wellard, Betram, Baldivis and Alkimos-Eglinton.

The only non-Perth suburb to make the top of the list was Munno Para West–Angle Vale in the north of Adelaide. With a quarter of its population under 14 and 27 per cent price growth over the past year, it was the most affordable suburb on the list.

Strategic Property Group managing director Trent Fleskens pointed out that a lack of housing stock in general had led to record-breaking prices in Perth’s generally least-desirable locations.

“As interest rates remain high, our more affordable suburbs continue leading the price growth tables,” he said.

“This is due to a chronic shortage of housing across the state, which has caused buyers to prioritise access over traditional value and amenities preference.”

Fleskens said that trend would likely continue until interest rates start decreased.

“When that happens, buyers will be able to afford more expensive, amenity-rich properties as banks increase borrowing limits, and the buyer pool will start to migrate back towards these suburbs,” he said.

Regionally the report identified Newman, South Hedland and Karratha as the most family-friendly suburbs in WA.

Despite having the smallest overall population among Australia’s regions, regional NT boasts the highest proportion of young people, with 22.3 per cent of its population under the age of 14.

Following closely behind is regional WA, where 19.5 per cent of the population is under 14 (in Perth it’s 18.9 per cent).

Data released by CoreLogic on Monday reported Perth house values increased a further 2 per cent in August, taking growth to 24 per cent across the year.

The median dwelling value in Perth ($785,250) and Adelaide ($790,800) has overtaken Melbourne ($776,044), making Perth’s median the fifth-highest among the capital city markets.

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