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53 LGAs, of which Albany is the largest (containing four SA4s with a combined population of 15,700 persons). The region partially surrounds Perth metropolitan area
Along the coast, the region is a significant tourist area, with inland areas of the Great Southern region principally involved in livestock and dairy farming. To the north of Perth, the Shires of Gingin and Dandaragin contain coastal tourist towns. The eastern fringe of the SA4 area, within the Wheatbelt region, is arid, and involved in sheep farming and mining. The remainder of the Wheat Belt region is agricultural and produces two thirds of the State's wheat production, as well as half its wool production.
Many of the townships throughout the wheatbelt are close to transport routes (especially rail lines) and are involved in the bulk transport of grain. Many of those close to Perth also benefit form tourism.
The Wheatbelt region has experienced a range of economic and climatic changes over time, and many communities, especially in the west of the region have had declining population and there are challenges facing many communities to retain population.

Key findings

Wheat Belt SA4

Growth in Albany, coastal areas and regional centres, whilst other areas maintain a stable but ageing population or experience decline.

At the base year of the forecast period, 2021, the SA2 of Albany (which corresponds to the centre of Albany and inner areas) was the most populous SA2 in the Wheat Belt SA4, with a total population of 15,400. In total the city of Albany is expected to grow by a total of 5,000 persons, from 36,000 to 41,400 to 2046. Much of this will be made up of people retiring to the area and ageing in place, with approximately 25% of the population being 70 years and over by 2046.

SA2s with regional centres, such as Northam, Chittering and Gingin are also likely to see an increase in population. Much of this will be because of ageing and people retiring from the surrounding region to be close to services. In the case of the Gingin - Dandaragan SA2, there is also the attraction of coastal resorts both to retirees and to younger adults attracted to employment opportunities linked to tourism.

The remaining areas are likely to see little change over the forecast period with most areas seeing population growth of less than 500 people, with seven SA2s having growth of less than 100, and five SA2s losing population over time. In all cases, these areas will experience considerable ageing and a loss of young adults and children.

What share of Australia's growth will occur in Western Australia?

Read our forecast results and analysis for Western Australia to learn more about how the different drivers of population change affect the distribution of growth throughout the state.

The population forecast for Western Australia

Forecast results

The following forecast information is for the entire Wheat Belt SA4 region.

Learn more about the different options to access these forecasts for Local Government Areas (LGAs), suburbs, custom catchments or the entire state or nation here.

	2021	2026	2031	2036	2041	2046
Forecast Population	141,653	145,120	147,074	149,086	151,178	153,139
Change (five year)	-	3,467	1,954	2,012	2,093	1,960
Average Annual Change (%)	-	0.48%	0.27%	0.27%	0.28%	0.26%
Forecast Dwellings	70,664	72,809	74,799	76,709	78,541	80,389
Change (five year)	-	2,145	1,990	1,909	1,832	1,848
Average Annual Change (%)	-	0.60%	0.54%	0.51%	0.47%	0.47%

Access

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