Thornlie vs Southern River

Southern River is the younger of the two, with a median age of 33 against 38 in Thornlie. In both, the large majority of households own their home and the large majority of homes are detached houses. In Thornlie, about half of households are couple families. In Southern River, most households are couple families. Houses cost more in Southern River: a median of $1.05 million, against $840,000 in Thornlie, and rent is higher there too. Thornlie is closer to the city centre: 17.8 km, against 27.9 km. On these figures, Thornlie tends to suit buyers on a tighter budget, while Southern River 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

Southern River

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more schools rated above their peers (3 vs 2)
  • carries lower crime risk (55/100 vs 72/100)
  • is already more of a family suburb (83% vs 66%)
  • But Thornlie has more schools inside the suburb (7 vs 4)

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

First-home buyers

Thornlie

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has cheaper land ($450,000 vs $735,000)
  • has cheaper houses ($840,000 vs $1,047,500)

Weighs house prices, land prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Thornlie

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper rent ($330/wk vs $420/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Thornlie

ahead on 3 of the 4 things we measure here

  • sits closer to the CBD (17.8 km vs 27.9 km)
  • has a shorter drive in (28 min vs 33 min)
  • is more walkable (76/100 vs 66/100)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Thornlie

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (6 vs 2)
  • has more residents already 65 and over (17% vs 7%)
  • is more walkable (76/100 vs 66/100)
  • But Southern River carries lower crime risk (55/100 vs 72/100)

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

Investors

Southern River

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (24.2% vs 2.2%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Thornlie Southern River
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.

Thornlie Southern River
Walkability 76 / 66
Thornlie — Walkability: 76/100 Southern River — Walkability: 66/100
Safety 28 / 45
Thornlie — Safety: 28/100 Southern River — Safety: 45/100
Low fire risk 100 / 50
Thornlie — Low fire risk: 100/100 Southern River — Low fire risk: 50/100
Low flood risk 58 / 74
Thornlie — Low flood risk: 58/100 Southern River — Low flood risk: 74/100

Demographics

Thornlie has more residents (23,665 vs 12,852); Southern River has higher household incomes ($122,928 vs $81,692).

Thornlie Southern River
Population 23,665
+46% vs other
 12,852
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +2.2% +24.2%
Median age 38 33
Median household income $81,692/yr $122,928/yr
+50% vs other
Median weekly rent $330/wk $420/wk
+27% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Thornlie Southern River
0-4 6.0% / 7.5%
Thornlie — 0-4: 6.0% Southern River — 0-4: 7.5%
5-14 13.4% / 17.7%
Thornlie — 5-14: 13.4% Southern River — 5-14: 17.7%
15-19 6.1% / 7.6%
Thornlie — 15-19: 6.1% Southern River — 15-19: 7.6%
20-24 6.1% / 6.7%
Thornlie — 20-24: 6.1% Southern River — 20-24: 6.7%
25-34 12.7% / 12.7%
Thornlie — 25-34: 12.7% Southern River — 25-34: 12.7%
35-44 14.1% / 18.1%
Thornlie — 35-44: 14.1% Southern River — 35-44: 18.1%
45-54 12.8% / 13.9%
Thornlie — 45-54: 12.8% Southern River — 45-54: 13.9%
55-64 11.9% / 8.6%
Thornlie — 55-64: 11.9% Southern River — 55-64: 8.6%
65-74 10.4% / 5.0%
Thornlie — 65-74: 10.4% Southern River — 65-74: 5.0%
75-84 5.2% / 1.8%
Thornlie — 75-84: 5.2% Southern River — 75-84: 1.8%
85+ 1.4% / 0.3%
Thornlie — 85+: 1.4% Southern River — 85+: 0.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (18.1%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Thornlie 48.3% couple families
Thornlie — Couple Families: 48.3% Thornlie — Lone Person: 28.4% Thornlie — One Parent Families: 17.6% Thornlie — Group Household: 3.8% Thornlie — Other Families: 2.0%
Southern River 70.5% couple families
Southern River — Couple Families: 70.5% Southern River — Lone Person: 14.0% Southern River — One Parent Families: 12.1% Southern River — Group Household: 2.0% Southern River — Other Families: 1.4%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Thornlie 21.8% renting
Thornlie — Owned Outright: 34.3% Thornlie — Mortgage: 43.9% Thornlie — Renting: 21.8%
Southern River 16.9% renting
Southern River — Owned Outright: 20.0% Southern River — Mortgage: 63.1% Southern River — Renting: 16.9%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Thornlie Southern River
Certificate III & IV 14.9% / 11.9%
Thornlie — Certificate III & IV: 14.9% Southern River — Certificate III & IV: 11.9%
Bachelor Degree 10.6% / 14.9%
Thornlie — Bachelor Degree: 10.6% Southern River — Bachelor Degree: 14.9%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.7% / 7.7%
Thornlie — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.7% Southern River — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.7%
Postgraduate Degree 3.1% / 5.3%
Thornlie — Postgraduate Degree: 3.1% Southern River — Postgraduate Degree: 5.3%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.3% / 1.6%
Thornlie — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.3% Southern River — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (14.9%).

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.

Thornlie Southern River
England 6.6% / 5.2%
Thornlie — England: 6.6% Southern River — England: 5.2%
India 4.0% / 7.6%
Thornlie — India: 4.0% Southern River — India: 7.6%
Malaysia 3.5% / 4.2%
Thornlie — Malaysia: 3.5% Southern River — Malaysia: 4.2%
China 2.5% / 3.2%
Thornlie — China: 2.5% Southern River — China: 3.2%
New Zealand 3.0% / 2.2%
Thornlie — New Zealand: 3.0% Southern River — New Zealand: 2.2%
South Africa — / 3.1%
Thornlie — South Africa: not among its largest Southern River — South Africa: 3.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (7.6%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Thornlie 91.1% houses
Thornlie — Houses: 91.1% Thornlie — Townhouses: 7.6% Thornlie — Flats / Apartments: 1.2%
Southern River 97.1% houses
Southern River — Houses: 97.1% Southern River — Townhouses: 2.4% Southern River — Flats / Apartments: 0.5%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Thornlie Southern River
Median house price $840,000 $1,047,500
Median unit price $542,500 —
Median land price $450,000 $735,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 20 days
from 222 sales
 30 days
from 149 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.

Thornlie Southern River
3 bed $805K / $780K
Thornlie — 3 bed: $805K (182 sales) Southern River — 3 bed: $780K (43 sales)

182 vs 43 sales

4 bed $885K / $1.08M
Thornlie — 4 bed: $885K (185 sales) Southern River — 4 bed: $1.08M (171 sales)

185 vs 171 sales

5 bed $1.04M / $1.39M
Thornlie — 5 bed: $1.04M (22 sales) Southern River — 5 bed: $1.39M (16 sales)

22 vs 16 sales

Development activity

Thornlie Southern River
New dwellings approved 660
across Gosnells
same for both
Approvals change year on year +17%
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.

Thornlie Southern River
Houses 4.6%
$750/wk on $850K
 4.2%
$815/wk on $1M
Units 5.4%
$580/wk on $560K
 —

Ranking within WA

Thornlie Southern River
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 44% of WA Higher than 88% of WA
Schools Higher than 58% of WA Higher than 98% of WA
Walkability Higher than 93% of WA Higher than 89% of WA
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 61% of WA Higher than 73% of WA
NBN connectivity Higher than 94% of WA Higher than 95% of WA
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 65% of WA Higher than 40% of WA
Rental yield (units) Higher than 48% of WA —

Liveability

Southern River scores higher overall (68 vs 54); Thornlie is more walkable (76 vs 66).

Thornlie Southern River
Grade B
same for both
Score 54/100 68/100
Socio-economic band mid-range socio-economic
decile 4/10
 very advantaged area
decile 9/10

Risk profile

Southern River carries more bushfire risk (50 vs 0); Thornlie carries more flood risk (42 vs 26).

Thornlie Southern River
Bushfire None
0/100
 Moderate
50/100
Crime High
72/100
 Moderate
55/100
Flood Moderate
42/100
 Low
26/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 11
within 5 km
 1
within 5 km

Schools

Thornlie Southern River
Inside the suburb 7 4
Rated above peers 2 3
Rated at peers 4 0
Rated below peers 1
same for both
Universities within 10 km 1
Curtin University of Technology, 7.5 km
 None

Schools in Thornlie

  • South Thornlie Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • Thornlie Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • Australian Islamic College (Thornlie) Independent · Combined at peers
  • Forest Crescent Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • Sacred Heart Primary School Catholic · Primary at peers
  • Thornlie Senior High School Government · Secondary at peers

Schools in Southern River

  • Bletchley Park Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • Providence Christian College Independent · Combined above peers
  • Southern Grove Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • Yarralinka Primary School Government · Primary below peers

Amenities in the suburb

Thornlie Southern River
Supermarkets 6 4
Cafes & restaurants 6 7
Parks & reserves 17 18
Childcare 13 10
GPs 6 2
Pharmacies 2 1
Banks & Bank@Post 2 0
Fuel stations 3 5
EV chargers 1
same for both
Waterways 1
same for both

Mobility

Southern River sits further from the CBD (27.9 km vs 17.8 km).

Thornlie Southern River
Walkability score 76/100 66/100
Distance to Perth 17.8 km 27.9 km
+57% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 28 min 33 min
Public transport score 94/100
Rail · Bus
 79/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 537.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 152.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 0.6%
postcode 6108
 0.8%
postcode 6110
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 64
postcode 6108
 67
postcode 6110

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.

Thornlie Southern River
Car (driver) 79.4% / 78.5%
Thornlie — Car (driver): 79.4% Southern River — Car (driver): 78.5%
Worked from Home 5.5% / 8.0%
Thornlie — Worked from Home: 5.5% Southern River — Worked from Home: 8.0%
Car (passenger) 5.9% / 5.3%
Thornlie — Car (passenger): 5.9% Southern River — Car (passenger): 5.3%
Train 5.6% / 5.3%
Thornlie — Train: 5.6% Southern River — Train: 5.3%
Bus 2.7% / 2.1%
Thornlie — Bus: 2.7% Southern River — Bus: 2.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (79.4%).

Setting

Thornlie Southern River
Elevation 18 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 24 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 18.9 km 18.6 km
3.1 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Thornlie Southern River
Connectivity score 86/100 87/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 49%
9,524 premises
 75%
5,318 premises

Climate

Thornlie Southern River
Annual rainfall 745 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 31.4°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 7.6°C
same for both

Council rates

Thornlie Southern River
Average residential rate $2,067/yr
same for both
Council Gosnells
same for both

Federal electorate

Thornlie Southern River
Division Burt
same for both
Member Matt Keogh
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Thornlie Southern River
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $800,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Thornlie

Easy Commute Middle-Ring Parks Transport Hub

Southern River

Family Large Blocks Middle-Ring Multicultural Parks Quiet

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Thornlie

Thornlie vs Canning Vale Thornlie vs Gosnells Thornlie vs Maddington Thornlie vs Beckenham Thornlie vs Huntingdale Thornlie vs Parkwood

Other comparisons with Southern River

Southern River vs Canning Vale Southern River vs Gosnells Southern River vs Harrisdale Southern River vs Huntingdale Southern River vs Champion Lakes Southern River vs Forrestdale
Full data on Thornlie Full data on Southern River
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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