Esperance, WA: suburb profile

The population of Esperance WA is 2,080 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Esperance is $696 per week ($36,192 per year). Median rent in Esperance is $235 per week ($1,018 per month). Esperance has a median age of 52 years, older than the national median of 38. Esperance has a population density of 829 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Esperance is England. The most common religion is No religion (42.5% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Afrikaans. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Esperance is $1,500.

Population
2,080
Census 2021
Median income
$696/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$235/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
52years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021.

Esperance vs the typical WA suburb

The median personal income in Esperance is $696 a week, 14% below the typical WA suburb ($806). That ranks 517th of 701 WA suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $235 a week, $85 less than the typical WA suburb. Rent takes 21.6% of the median household income here, against 18.6% in the typical WA suburb. The median resident is 52, 11 years older than in the typical WA suburb (41).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureEsperanceTypical WADifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$696/wk$806/wk −14%$766/wk
Household income$1,087/wk$1,722/wk −37%$1,637/wk
Rent$235/wk$320/wk −27%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,500/mo$1,759/mo −15%$1,733/mo
Median age5241 +11 yrs42
Rent share of household income21.6%18.6% +3.0 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Esperance, the typical WA suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Esperance Population

2,080 residents at the 2021 Census.

Esperance Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$696/wk
$36,192 per year
Ranked 5,566 of 14,663
Median Rent
$235/wk
$1,018 per month
Ranked 6,749 of 14,663
Median Age
52years
14 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,500/mo
Avg household size: 1.9 · 0.7 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Esperance Rent Prices & Affordability

22% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $1,087/wk
Median rent $235/wk
Rent to income 21.6%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Esperance against your income

About $4,710 a month
Median rent $235/wk
Left after rent $852/wk
Rent share 21.6%

Esperance Schools

8
schools nearby
5
government
941
avg ICSEA score
2,357
total students
Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · PP-6 · 99 students
1011
ICSEA
Esperance Primary School Government
Primary · K-6 · 453 students
1010
ICSEA
Esperance Anglican Community School Independent
Secondary · 7-12 · 308 students
1004
ICSEA
Castletown Primary School Government
Primary · K-6 · 488 students
957
ICSEA
Esperance Senior High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 761 students
946
ICSEA
Esperance Education Support Centre Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 14 students
912
ICSEA
Esperance Christian School Independent
Primary · PP-6 · 41 students
858
ICSEA
Nulsen Primary School Government
Primary · K-6 · 193 students
833
ICSEA

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Esperance, with a map

Esperance Map

Esperance, Western Australia Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Esperance, Western Australia: 33.8615°S, 121.8916°E

Esperance Schools (8)

People in Esperance

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 47.2% (978) Female 52.8% (1,095)

Population Density

829
people per km²
2,080 people · 2.5 km²

Households

1.9
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$1,956
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
5.0%
New Zealand
3.4%
South Africa
1.6%
Germany
0.9%
Philippines
0.8%
Scotland
0.8%
Thailand
0.6%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Afrikaans
0.8%
Sinhalese
0.6%
Filipino
0.5%
Vietnamese
0.5%
Thai
0.5%
Mandarin
0.3%
German
0.3%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

English
41.3%
Australian
39.9%
Scottish
11.6%
Irish
9.1%
German
4.3%
Italian
3.2%
Australian Aboriginal
2.5%
Dutch
1.3%
Filipino
1.1%
Maori
1.0%
New Zealander
1.0%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
42.5%
Anglican
13.8%
Catholic
12.1%
Not stated
11.8%
Christian (other)
4.6%
Uniting Church
3.2%
Christinty Jehvahs Witnses
2.3%
Baptist
2.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

2.6%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
36.8% 666
Separated
4.6% 83
Divorced
12.9% 234
Widowed
13.0% 236
Never married
32.6% 590

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: no children
37.5%
Couple: children under 15
36.2%
Couple: no children under 15
9.8%
One parent: children under 15
8.4%
One parent: no children under 15
8.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
48.8%
2 persons
30.8%
3 persons
9.6%
4 persons
7.6%
5 persons
2.2%
6+ persons
1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Esperance

Housing Tenure

Of the 910 occupied private dwellings in Esperance at the 2021 Census, 45.4% were rented, 30.8% owned outright and 16.2% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
3.8% 35 dwellings
Owned outright
30.8% 280 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
16.2% 147 dwellings
Rented
45.4% 413 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
3.4% 31 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
69.8%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
27.1%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
3.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
13.2%
2 bedrooms
27.5%
3 bedrooms
39.0%
4 bedrooms
16.3%
5 bedrooms
3.4%
6+ bedrooms
0.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
6.9%
$450-$599/mo
2.1%
$600-$799/mo
7.6%
$800-$999/mo
6.2%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
24.8%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
21.4%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
20.0%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
9.0%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
2.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
13.2%
1 vehicle
45.0%
2 vehicles
29.7%
3 vehicles
8.0%
4+ vehicles
4.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Esperance

Employment

Employed full-time
33.5% 524 people
Employed part-time
17.3% 270 people
Unemployed
1.7% 27 people
Not in labour force
47.5% 742 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
23.9%
Technicians & Trade Workers
18.5%
Managers
13.1%
Community & Personal Service
12.5%
Clerical & Administrative
10.6%
Labourers
10.2%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
6.4%
Sales Workers
4.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
2.6%
$1-$149/wk
2.3%
$150-$299/wk
2.6%
$300-$399/wk
5.1%
$400-$499/wk
14.8%
$500-$649/wk
8.4%
$650-$799/wk
6.8%
$800-$999/wk
4.6%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
7.2%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
6.7%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.1%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
4.6%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
12.2%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
4.7%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
4.6%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
2.3%
$4,000+/wk
4.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
7.3%
$1-$149/wk
5.0%
$150-$299/wk
5.4%
$300-$399/wk
5.6%
$400-$499/wk
6.5%
$500-$649/wk
4.8%
$650-$799/wk
8.4%
$800-$999/wk
10.5%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
12.2%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.7%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.9%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.5%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
8.6%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.9%
$3,500+/wk
1.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
70.8%
Did not go to work
12.6%
Walked only
7.6%
Car (passenger)
4.6%
Bicycle
2.4%
Truck
1.0%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.5%
Other
0.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
48.0%
Year 10 or equivalent
29.6%
Year 11 or equivalent
14.1%
Year 9 or equivalent
8.3%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
46.9%
Bachelor Degree
23.1%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
17.8%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
4.2%
Certificate I/II
4.2%
Postgraduate Degree
3.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Engineering
17.8%
Management & Commerce
16.4%
Health
15.2%
Society & Culture
10.9%
Education
10.3%
Architecture & Building
10.3%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
6.9%
Agriculture & Environment
6.3%
Information Technology
2.2%
Creative Arts
1.8%
Natural & Physical Sciences
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
43.7%
Secondary: Government
24.6%
Vocational Education
11.9%
Pre-school
6.7%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
6.3%
Primary: Catholic
2.8%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
2.0%
Secondary: Catholic
2.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
80.0%
Has need for assistance
9.8%
Need for assistance not stated
10.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
189
Arthritis
97
Asthma
78
Lung condition
77
Heart disease
74
Diabetes
62
Stroke
43
Cancer
37
Kidney disease
27
Dementia
19

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
10.5% 169
Did not provide
89.5% 1,437

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
25.2% 409
Not a volunteer
74.8% 1,217

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Previously served
4.4% 72
Never served
95.6% 1,547

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
25.6%
1 child
11.1%
2 children
31.3%
3 children
19.6%
4 children
10.1%
5+ children
2.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
11
1951: 1960
30
1961: 1970
40
1971: 1980
35
1981: 1990
40
1991: 2000
41
2001: 2010
66
2011: 2015
31
2016
4
2017
19
2018
11
2019
12
2020
8
2021
6

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

17.7%
moved in the last year
46.6%
moved in the last 5 years
3.2%
unemployment rate (Census)
49.1%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
1,507
Moved: same area (SA2)
180
Moved from WA
98
Moved from VIC
15
Moved from overseas
7
Moved from SA
7
Moved from QLD
4
Moved from NSW
4

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
20.7%
5: 14 hours
27.5%
15: 29 hours
12.0%
30+ hours
9.0%
Did not do domestic work
30.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
85.0%
Step family: no other children
10.7%
Blended family: no other children
4.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Wagin
Income: $621/wk Rent: $195/wk $40/wk less rent
Mount Barker (WA)
Income: $602/wk Rent: $225/wk $10/wk less rent
Geraldton
Income: $645/wk Rent: $220/wk $15/wk less rent
Kojonup
Income: $793/wk Rent: $200/wk $35/wk less rent
Beachlands
Income: $735/wk Rent: $200/wk $35/wk less rent
Wonthella
Income: $615/wk Rent: $230/wk $5/wk less rent
Moora (WA)
Income: $743/wk Rent: $230/wk $5/wk less rent
Merredin
Income: $756/wk Rent: $220/wk $15/wk less rent

Suburbs near Esperance

The closest suburb to Esperance is Nulsen, 2.0 km away.

Nulsen
2.0 km away · income $513/wk · rent $220/wk
Castletown
3.4 km away · income $833/wk · rent $300/wk
West Beach (WA)
3.8 km away · income $994/wk · rent $350/wk
Pink Lake
7.8 km away · income $851/wk · rent $300/wk

Compare Esperance

Frequently Asked Questions About Esperance

What is the population of Esperance WA?

The population of Esperance WA is 2,080 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 829 people per km². Esperance is ranked #2,960 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Esperance?

The median personal income in Esperance WA is $696 per week, or $36,192 per year. The median household income is $1,087 per week. Family income is $1,956 per week. Esperance is ranked #5,566 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Esperance?

Median rent in Esperance WA is $235 per week ($1,018 per month). Rent represents 21.6% of household income, which is considered affordable. Esperance ranks #6,749 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Esperance?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Esperance WA is $1,500. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Esperance?

The median age in Esperance WA is 52 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Esperance a good suburb to live in?

Esperance is a suburb in Western Australia with a population of 2,080. The median income is $696/wk, which is below the typical WA suburb ($806/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (21.6% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

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Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 50492. All dollar figures in AUD.