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National Forecasting Program
Population and housing forecast for Bunbury
Our latest population and housing forecasts for Bunbury, which covers Western Australia's South West, including Bunbury, Busselton, Margaret River, Collie, Harvey, Waroona, Bridgetown, Manjimup and the surrounding shires.
- Region
- Bunbury · SA4 501
- Councils
- Augusta Margaret River, Boyup Brook, Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Bunbury, Busselton, Capel, Collie, Dardanup, Donnybrook-Balingup, Harvey, Manjimup, Nannup, Waroona
- Built on
- 2025 national forecast (2021.2024.3)
- Released
- 07/08/2026
- Status
- Current
- Boundaries
- ASGS 2021 Ed. 3
- Horizon
- 2046
- Bunbury
- Australind
- Eaton
- Harvey
- Collie
- Donnybrook
- Busselton
- Dunsborough
- Margaret River
- Augusta
- Bridgetown
- Manjimup
Where this region sits
- NationAustralia+8.6m to 2046Population growth, 2021 to 20462025 forecast
- StateWestern Australia+1.18m to 2046Population growth, 2021 to 20462025 forecast
- You are here: RegionBunbury+89,0487.5% of Western Australia's growth2021.2024.3.1.2 · Aug 2026
- Below the region23 small areas, all forecastSmall-area forecasts available through Placemaker.
Western Australia's share of national growth is set from the national drivers. This region's share of Western Australia is built from development assessed on the ground.
Since our last review of the region, there has been further acceleration of property development, fast-forwarding of land releases, and identification of additional capacity. In addition to the usual suburbs driving growth (various suburbs of Busselton, and those sprawling out of Bunbury), we have noted a surprising level of activity in relatively less known locations, such as the town of Capel and localities along the Bussell Highway south of Margaret River.
The forecast
194,976
Population, 2021
284,024
Population, 2046
+89,048
Total growth to 2046
+36,998
Additional dwellings
Population, dwellings and age structure, five-yearly
| Population | Dwellings | Age structure, % | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Total | Change | Total | Change | 0–14 | 15–64 | 65+ |
| 2021 | 194,976 | — | 89,787 | — | 19.3 | 60.8 | 19.9 |
| 2026 | 215,248 | +20,272 | 95,199 | +5,412 | 17.5 | 60.1 | 22.3 |
| 2031 | 231,660 | +16,412 | 101,759 | +6,560 | 16.5 | 58.2 | 25.3 |
| 2036 | 248,413 | +16,753 | 109,680 | +7,921 | 16.2 | 56.3 | 27.5 |
| 2041 | 266,281 | +17,868 | 118,349 | +8,669 | 16.5 | 54.8 | 28.7 |
| 2046 | 284,024 | +17,743 | 126,785 | +8,436 | 16.6 | 54.3 | 29.1 |
What we assess, and where
Different things drive population change at different scales. We form a view at each level, and each level constrains the one below it.
- Nation
- Overseas migration
- Fertility and life expectancy
- Housing completions
- State
- Share of overseas migration
- Interstate migration
- State housing policy
- Region (this page)
- Intrastate migration
- Development pipeline
- Capacity and limiting factors
- Ageing in place
- Suburb and site
- Site-by-site development assessment
- Dwelling type and density
Housing capacity, by area
| Sub-area (SA3) | Area character | Capacity used by 2046 |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta – Margaret River – Busselton | 74.3% | |
| Bunbury | 39.3% | |
| Manjimup | 88.3% | |
| Bunbury total | 51.7% |
How to read this
Capacity used is the share of an area's assessed dwelling capacity that the forecast draws down by 2046. Assessed capacity is post-census capacity across 378 tracked residential development sites, so it counts what those sites can hold, not every theoretical dwelling a planning control would permit.
The major sites that shape this forecast
| Site | Location | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wanju - Millars | 607 Clifton Road WATERLOO | Greenfield | Structure plan / Under-utilised (med-high density) |
| Dalyellup South Structure Plan | DALYELLUP | Greenfield | Structure plan / Under-utilised (med-high density) |
| Development Investigation Areas M1, 2, 3 - East Margaret District Structure Plan | 167 Andrews Retreat MARGARET RIVER | Greenfield | Potential long-term supply |
| Treendale East Proposed Structure Plan | 146 Victoria Road ROELANDS | Greenfield | Structure plan / Under-utilised (med-high density) |
| Binningup Residential Development Area – Lakes Parade | 22- Valentine Road BINNINGUP | Greenfield | Structure plan / Under-utilised (med-high density) |
Our forecasting team
Places covered by this forecast
The largest of the 243 suburbs and localities in this region. Every one of them is forecast at small-area level, and any combination can be built into a custom catchment through Placemaker.
- Australind
- Dalyellup
- Margaret River
- West Busselton
- Eaton
- South Bunbury
- Collie
- Dunsborough
- Carey Park
- Broadwater
- Manjimup
- East Bunbury
- Bunbury
- Geographe
- Harvey
- Bridgetown
- Glen Iris
- Vasse
- Donnybrook
- Withers
- + 223 more
Plus 223 more. Search for any suburb or locality on our forecast analysis page.
Common questions about the forecast for Bunbury
A credible, independent forecast
Independent of government
Our forecasts are not commissioned by any government, so they give an independent view.
Granular forecasts for custom catchments
Forecast at small-area level, so they can be built up into any catchment you need, such as a school catchment, a retail trade area or a utility service area.
Every region, on one basis
A single national model, not a collection of unconnected local studies.
Assessed site by site
Built on a national development sites layer maintained by our own forecasters. 378 development sites assessed in this region alone.
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See the forecast for your exact area
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