🔍

Northam

WA 6401 • Rest of WA

6,679
Population (2021)
$33,956
Median Income
26.78 km²
Area
$250/wk
Median Rent
HistoricRegional CentreRuralAffordableRiver Town

About Northam

Northam is a historic town in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, situated at the confluence of the Avon and Mortlock Rivers approximately 97 kilometres northeast of Perth. With a population of around 6,700 residents, it is the largest town and regional centre of the Avon Valley. Founded in 1833, Northam has a rich colonial heritage and serves as a gateway to the eastern Wheatbelt. The town covers 26.8 square kilometres at an elevation of 170 metres.

Northam offers a country lifestyle with strong community facilities including schools, a regional hospital, sporting clubs, and cultural venues such as the Northam Town Hall. The Avon River provides scenic walking trails and is famous for the annual Avon Descent white-water race. The town has a diverse economy based on agriculture, services, and transport, and its relatively affordable housing attracts families and retirees seeking a quieter pace of life. A suspension footbridge over the Avon River and the heritage-listed town centre are local highlights.

Northam falls under postcode 6401 and is governed by Northam Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Central Wheatbelt electorate.

📍 Location

State
Western Australia
Postcode
6401
Urban Area
Northam
LGA / Council
Northam
Federal Electorate
Bullwinkel
State Electorate
Central Wheatbelt
Type
Urban
Timezone
Perth (UTC+8)
Coordinates
-31.65°, 116.66°
Statistical Area
Rest of WA
Area
26.78 km²
Elevation
169m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Northam
0.5 km
6 min

Bus Services

  • TransWA — Perth (Elizabeth Quay Bus Station) 90-100 min
  • Town bus — Northam local loop 10-15 min

Commute to Perth

Distance
97 km
By Train
85-95 min via AvonLink (limited weekday service)
By Bus
90-100 min via TransWA coach
By Car (Peak)
75-90 min via Great Eastern Highway
By Car (Off-Peak)
65-75 min

🛣️ AvonLink train runs limited weekday services. Most residents commute by car.

Walkability Car-Dependent

The town centre is walkable with shops and services along Fitzgerald Street, but outer residential areas require a car for most errands.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    10 Beamish Avenue Northam 6401 WA
  • Woolworths
    165 Fitzgerald Street Northam 6401 WA

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$250
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,300
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
42 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
8.5%

194 state housing + 17 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
6,548
Census 2021
6,679
▲ 2.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$30,108
Income 2021
$33,956
▲ 12.8% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 4,983
Born Overseas 986

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 241
  • 2. New Zealand 154
  • 3. Philippines 122
  • 4. India 56
  • 5. Germany 51
  • 6. South Africa 40
  • 7. Netherlands 23
  • 8. Scotland 18
  • 9. Zimbabwe 18
  • 10. Ireland 16

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,648
Australian 2,611
Scottish 562
Irish 543
Australian Aboriginal 523
German 252
Italian 175
Filipino 150
Polish 133
Dutch 132

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,812
Both parents born in Australia
1,319
Both parents born overseas
769
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
45.0%
No Religion
40.4%
Islam
0.7%
Buddhism
0.5%
Hinduism
0.4%
Sikhism
0.0%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
389 (5.8%)
5-14 years
896 (13.4%)
15-19 years
429 (6.4%)
20-24 years
366 (5.5%)
25-34 years
731 (10.9%)
35-44 years
728 (10.9%)
45-54 years
809 (12.1%)
55-64 years
926 (13.9%)
65-74 years
799 (12.0%)
75-84 years
425 (6.4%)
85+ years
182 (2.7%)

Nearby Suburbs