Balcatta vs Hamersley

In both, most households own their home. In Balcatta, about half of households are people living alone. In Hamersley, the large majority of homes are detached houses and about half of households are couple families. Houses cost more in Hamersley: a median of $1.05 million, against $952,000 in Balcatta, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, Balcatta tends to suit people living alone, while Hamersley suits families with children and couples.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

Hamersley

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • carries lower crime risk (32/100 vs 81/100)
  • has more separate houses rather than flats (90% vs 53%)
  • is already more of a family suburb (66% vs 47%)
  • But Balcatta has more parks and reserves (17 vs 4)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

Balcatta

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper houses ($952,000 vs $1,050,000)

Weighs house prices and mortgage stress.

Renters

Balcatta

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (32% vs 16%)
  • has cheaper rent ($340/wk vs $380/wk)

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

Hamersley

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (83/100 vs 72/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, rail access, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

They split

one each way, out of the 5 things we measure here

  • Balcatta has more GPs (6 vs 0)
  • Hamersley carries lower crime risk (32/100 vs 81/100)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

Too close to call

Nothing among the 2 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

Balcatta and Hamersley drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Balcatta Hamersley
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Balcatta Hamersley
Walkability 72 / 83
Balcatta — Walkability: 72/100 Hamersley — Walkability: 83/100
Safety 19 / 68
Balcatta — Safety: 19/100 Hamersley — Safety: 68/100
Low fire risk 77 / 100
Balcatta — Low fire risk: 77/100 Hamersley — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 100 / 100
Balcatta — Low flood risk: 100/100 Hamersley — Low flood risk: 100/100

Demographics

Balcatta has more residents (10,813 vs 5,209); Hamersley has higher household incomes ($96,512 vs $79,924).

Balcatta Hamersley
Population 10,813
+52% vs other
 5,209
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +4.2% +4.6%
Median age 39
same for both
Median household income $79,924/yr $96,512/yr
+21% vs other
Median weekly rent $340/wk $380/wk
+12% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Balcatta Hamersley
0-4 5.9% / 7.1%
Balcatta — 0-4: 5.9% Hamersley — 0-4: 7.1%
5-14 9.6% / 12.6%
Balcatta — 5-14: 9.6% Hamersley — 5-14: 12.6%
15-19 4.3% / 5.0%
Balcatta — 15-19: 4.3% Hamersley — 15-19: 5.0%
20-24 5.2% / 4.5%
Balcatta — 20-24: 5.2% Hamersley — 20-24: 4.5%
25-34 16.7% / 12.9%
Balcatta — 25-34: 16.7% Hamersley — 25-34: 12.9%
35-44 15.8% / 14.4%
Balcatta — 35-44: 15.8% Hamersley — 35-44: 14.4%
45-54 11.9% / 12.4%
Balcatta — 45-54: 11.9% Hamersley — 45-54: 12.4%
55-64 10.1% / 9.9%
Balcatta — 55-64: 10.1% Hamersley — 55-64: 9.9%
65-74 9.0% / 12.8%
Balcatta — 65-74: 9.0% Hamersley — 65-74: 12.8%
75-84 7.5% / 6.9%
Balcatta — 75-84: 7.5% Hamersley — 75-84: 6.9%
85+ 4.0% / 1.3%
Balcatta — 85+: 4.0% Hamersley — 85+: 1.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.7%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Balcatta 32.7% couple families
Balcatta — Couple Families: 32.7% Balcatta — Lone Person: 46.4% Balcatta — One Parent Families: 14.3% Balcatta — Group Household: 4.7% Balcatta — Other Families: 1.9%
Hamersley 48.7% couple families
Hamersley — Couple Families: 48.7% Hamersley — Lone Person: 30.8% Hamersley — One Parent Families: 17.0% Hamersley — Group Household: 2.3% Hamersley — Other Families: 1.3%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Balcatta 32.4% renting
Balcatta — Owned Outright: 32.9% Balcatta — Mortgage: 34.7% Balcatta — Renting: 32.4%
Hamersley 16.2% renting
Hamersley — Owned Outright: 40.5% Hamersley — Mortgage: 43.3% Hamersley — Renting: 16.2%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Balcatta Hamersley
Bachelor Degree 14.5% / 15.5%
Balcatta — Bachelor Degree: 14.5% Hamersley — Bachelor Degree: 15.5%
Certificate III & IV 13.5% / 15.5%
Balcatta — Certificate III & IV: 13.5% Hamersley — Certificate III & IV: 15.5%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.1% / 9.8%
Balcatta — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.1% Hamersley — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.8%
Postgraduate Degree 3.8% / 3.5%
Balcatta — Postgraduate Degree: 3.8% Hamersley — Postgraduate Degree: 3.5%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.7% / 2.5%
Balcatta — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.7% Hamersley — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (15.5%).

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Balcatta Hamersley
England 3.2% / 6.8%
Balcatta — England: 3.2% Hamersley — England: 6.8%
Italy 5.2% / 0.8%
Balcatta — Italy: 5.2% Hamersley — Italy: 0.8%
India 3.8% / 1.3%
Balcatta — India: 3.8% Hamersley — India: 1.3%
New Zealand 1.5% / 3.2%
Balcatta — New Zealand: 1.5% Hamersley — New Zealand: 3.2%
Ireland 1.2% / 1.5%
Balcatta — Ireland: 1.2% Hamersley — Ireland: 1.5%
Greece 1.3% / —
Balcatta — Greece: 1.3% Hamersley — Greece: not among its largest
South Africa — / 1.2%
Balcatta — South Africa: not among its largest Hamersley — South Africa: 1.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (6.8%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Balcatta 53.0% houses
Balcatta — Houses: 53.0% Balcatta — Townhouses: 46.5% Balcatta — Flats / Apartments: 0.5%
Hamersley 90.5% houses
Hamersley — Houses: 90.5% Hamersley — Townhouses: 9.1% Hamersley — Flats / Apartments: 0.4%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Balcatta Hamersley
Median house price $952,000 $1,050,000
Median unit price $665,000 —
Median land price $768,000 —
Typical days to sell (houses) 26 days
from 96 sales
 44 days
from 59 sales

House price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Balcatta Hamersley
3 bed $908K / $982K
Balcatta — 3 bed: $908K (101 sales) Hamersley — 3 bed: $982K (40 sales)

101 vs 40 sales

4 bed $1.32M / $1.11M
Balcatta — 4 bed: $1.32M (36 sales) Hamersley — 4 bed: $1.11M (44 sales)

36 vs 44 sales

Development activity

Balcatta Hamersley
New dwellings approved 1,557
across Stirling
same for both
Approvals change year on year +23%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Balcatta Hamersley
Houses 4.5%
$778/wk on $899K
 4.9%
$890/wk on $950K
Units 5.9%
$712/wk on $624K
 —

Ranking within WA

Balcatta Hamersley
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 42% of WA Higher than 61% of WA
Schools Higher than 88% of WA Higher than 2% of WA
Walkability Higher than 91% of WA Higher than 96% of WA
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 91% of WA Higher than 80% of WA
NBN connectivity Higher than 83% of WA Higher than 86% of WA
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 58% of WA Higher than 76% of WA
Rental yield (units) Higher than 77% of WA —

Liveability

Hamersley is more walkable (83 vs 72).

Balcatta Hamersley
Grade B
same for both
Score 67/100 68/100
Socio-economic band mid-range socio-economic
decile 6/10
 advantaged area
decile 8/10

Risk profile

Balcatta carries more bushfire risk (23 vs 0); Balcatta carries more crime risk (81 vs 32).

Balcatta Hamersley
Bushfire Low
23/100
 None
0/100
Crime High
81/100
 Low
32/100
Flood None
0/100
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 4
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

Balcatta Hamersley
Inside the suburb 5 3
Rated above peers 3 0
Rated at peers 2
same for both
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 2
ECU City Campus, 9.9 km
 None

Schools in Balcatta

  • Balcatta Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • St Lawrence Primary School Catholic · Primary above peers
  • West Balcatta Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • Balcatta Senior High School Government · Secondary at peers
  • Takari Primary School Government · Primary at peers

Schools in Hamersley

  • East Hamersley Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • Glendale Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • West Coast Language Development Centre - East Hamersley Campus Government · Primary · Special school

Amenities in the suburb

Balcatta Hamersley
Supermarkets 4 0
Cafes & restaurants 1 0
Parks & reserves 17 4
Childcare 5
same for both
GPs 6 0
Pharmacies 2 0
Banks & Bank@Post 2 0
Fuel stations 2 0
EV chargers 2 0

Mobility

Balcatta Hamersley
Walkability score 72/100 83/100
Distance to Perth 14.9 km 16.1 km
+8% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 17 min 18 min
Public transport score 94/100
Bus
 79/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 308.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 259.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 1.6%
postcode 6021
 1.0%
postcode 6022
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 44
postcode 6021
 63
postcode 6022

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Balcatta Hamersley
Car (driver) 78.7% / 74.7%
Balcatta — Car (driver): 78.7% Hamersley — Car (driver): 74.7%
Worked from Home 7.3% / 10.2%
Balcatta — Worked from Home: 7.3% Hamersley — Worked from Home: 10.2%
Train 4.3% / 7.7%
Balcatta — Train: 4.3% Hamersley — Train: 7.7%
Car (passenger) 4.8% / 4.8%
Balcatta — Car (passenger): 4.8% Hamersley — Car (passenger): 4.8%
Bus 3.3% / 1.4%
Balcatta — Bus: 3.3% Hamersley — Bus: 1.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (78.7%).

Setting

Balcatta Hamersley
Elevation 29 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 32 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 6.3 km 5.8 km

NBN connectivity

Balcatta Hamersley
Connectivity score 70/100 74/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node Fibre to the premises
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 37%
6,840 premises
 51%
2,243 premises

Climate

Balcatta Hamersley
Annual rainfall 650 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) —
same for both
Winter min (Jul) —
same for both

Council rates

Balcatta Hamersley
Average residential rate $1,615/yr
same for both
Council Stirling
same for both

Federal electorate

Balcatta Hamersley
Division Cowan
same for both
Member Anne Aly
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Balcatta Hamersley
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $800,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Balcatta

Easy Commute Middle-Ring Parks Townhouses Transport Hub

Hamersley

Large Blocks Middle-Ring Parks Quiet

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Balcatta

Balcatta vs Balga Balcatta vs Nollamara Balcatta vs Yokine Balcatta vs Stirling Balcatta vs Tuart Hill Balcatta vs Carine

Other comparisons with Hamersley

Hamersley vs Duncraig Hamersley vs Balga Hamersley vs Girrawheen Hamersley vs Carine Hamersley vs Westminster Hamersley vs Warwick
Full data on Balcatta Full data on Hamersley
Unlock full address-level data — $29/month

Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

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