🔍

Geraldton

WA 6530 • Rest of WA

3,246
Population (2021)
$33,540
Median Income
4.47 km²
Area
$220/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRegional CityHistoricAffordableBeachside

About Geraldton

Geraldton is a major regional city on Western Australia's Mid West coast, approximately 420 kilometres north of Perth within the City of Greater Geraldton. With a population of 3,246 in the central urban locality, the broader Geraldton–Greenough urban area is home to more than 40,000 residents, making it one of WA's largest regional centres. The suburb has a median age of 47 and a median household income of $1,142 per week, reflecting a working-class and retiree demographic mix typical of coastal regional cities. Housing ranges from heritage federation homes in the older streets to more modern residential developments closer to the waterfront.

Geraldton is renowned for its Indian Ocean beaches, reliably sunny climate, and world-class lobster industry — the town is often called the "Lobster Capital of Western Australia". The HMAS Sydney II Memorial, overlooking the city from Mount Scott, is one of the region's most visited landmarks, commemorating the 645 Australians lost in WWII. The restored foreshore precinct offers cafés, restaurants, and the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery, while the historic St Francis Xavier Cathedral is a striking architectural landmark. Geraldton suits those seeking a relaxed coastal lifestyle with regional city conveniences, strong community ties, and easy access to the Midwest's wildflower fields and Abrolhos Islands.

Geraldton falls under postcode 6530 and is governed by Greater Geraldton Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Geraldton electorate.

📍 Location

State
Western Australia
Postcode
6530
Urban Area
Geraldton - Central
LGA / Council
Greater Geraldton
Federal Electorate
Durack
State Electorate
Geraldton
Type
Urban
Timezone
Perth (UTC+8)
Coordinates
-28.78°, 114.61°
Statistical Area
Rest of WA
Area
4.47 km²
Elevation
12m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Geraldton Bus Service (local routes) — Geraldton CBD and surrounding suburbs 10-25 min within city

Commute to Perth CBD

Distance
420 km
By Train
No commuter rail; Transwa coach takes approximately 5-6 hours to Perth
By Car (Peak)
4-4.5 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
4-4.5 hours

🛣️ Geraldton is a self-contained regional city; daily commuting to Perth is not practical. Flights available from Geraldton Airport to Perth (~1 hour)

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

The city centre and foreshore areas are walkable with footpaths and services; outer residential areas require a car

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Northgate Shopping Centre17 Chapman Road Geraldton 6530 WA
  • Woolworths
    Centro Stirling, 54 Sanford Street Geraldton 6530 WA

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$220
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,400
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
47 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
10%

106 state housing + 23 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,148
Census 2021
3,246
▲ 3.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$29,380
Income 2021
$33,540
▲ 14.2% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,292
Born Overseas 605

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 123
  • 2. New Zealand 63
  • 3. Philippines 53
  • 4. India 44
  • 5. South Africa 38
  • 6. Italy 29
  • 7. Scotland 23
  • 8. Malaysia 19
  • 9. United States 17
  • 10. Vietnam 16

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,115
Australian 1,092
Irish 361
Scottish 277
Australian Aboriginal 263
Italian 138
German 99
Dutch 57
Filipino 55
Indian 46

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,766
Both parents born in Australia
715
Both parents born overseas
342
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
45.4%
No Religion
38.3%
Islam
2.0%
Buddhism
1.2%
Hinduism
0.7%
Sikhism
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
143 (4.4%)
5-14 years
314 (9.7%)
15-19 years
183 (5.6%)
20-24 years
187 (5.8%)
25-34 years
353 (10.9%)
35-44 years
364 (11.2%)
45-54 years
356 (11.0%)
55-64 years
438 (13.5%)
65-74 years
352 (10.8%)
75-84 years
321 (9.9%)
85+ years
232 (7.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Geraldton known for? +

Geraldton is best known as WA's Lobster Capital and a major Indian Ocean coastal city, famous for its beautiful beaches, the HMAS Sydney II Memorial, the historic St Francis Xavier Cathedral, and its reliably warm and sunny climate.

How far is Geraldton from Perth CBD? +

Geraldton is approximately 420 kilometres north of Perth CBD, a drive of around 4 to 4.5 hours via the Brand Highway or Indian Ocean Drive.

Does Geraldton have public transport? +

Geraldton has a local bus network covering the city and surrounding suburbs. There is no regular commuter train to Perth; Transwa operates coach services (approximately 5-6 hours to Perth), and there are regular flights from Geraldton Airport.

What is the population of Geraldton? +

The central Geraldton urban locality had a population of 3,246 at the 2021 Census, while the wider Geraldton-Greenough urban area is home to more than 40,000 residents, making it one of WA's largest regional cities.

Is Geraldton a good place to live? +

Geraldton offers an affordable coastal lifestyle with a warm climate, beautiful beaches, and a strong community feel. It suits retirees, families, and those in fishing, agriculture, or mining industries; the trade-off is remoteness from major city services.

What is the postcode for Geraldton? +

The postcode for Geraldton is 6530.