🔍

Paraburdoo

WA 6754 • Rest of WA

1,324
Population (2021)
$101,868
Median Income
153.13 km²
Area
$30/wk
Median Rent
Mining TownRemoteOutbackMulticulturalAffluent

About Paraburdoo

Paraburdoo is a remote mining town in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, located within the Shire of Ashburton approximately 426 kilometres from Karratha and around 1,400 kilometres north of Perth. Developed in the early 1970s to support Hamersley Iron's — now Rio Tinto's — iron ore mining operations, the town exists primarily to service the nearby Paraburdoo mine. With a population of 1,324 and a median age of 35, it is a relatively young community, with a high proportion of working-age residents reflected in a median household income of $3,215 per week, one of the highest in the state.

Despite its remoteness, Paraburdoo is largely self-sufficient, offering a primary and secondary school, a supermarket, sports facilities, a swimming pool, and a medical centre. Paraburdoo Airport, situated 9 kilometres from the town, provides regular flights to Perth and is heavily used by fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers and permanent residents alike. The community is notably diverse, with significant Aboriginal, Māori, Filipino, and New Zealander populations, and life here is shaped by the rhythms of the mining industry and the dramatic red-earth Pilbara landscape.

Paraburdoo falls under postcode 6754 and is governed by Ashburton Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Pilbara electorate.

📍 Location

State
Western Australia
Postcode
6754
Urban Area
Paraburdoo
LGA / Council
Ashburton
Federal Electorate
Durack
State Electorate
Pilbara
Type
Urban
Timezone
Perth (UTC+8)
Coordinates
-23.19°, 117.69°
Statistical Area
Rest of WA
Area
153.13 km²
Elevation
412m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No scheduled public bus service — Tom Price / Karratha N/A

Commute to Perth CBD

Distance
1400 km
By Train
No direct train service
By Car (Peak)
Approx. 14–15 hours drive
By Car (Off-Peak)
Approx. 13–14 hours drive

🛣️ Paraburdoo Airport (9 km) offers regular flights to Perth; flying is the practical mode of travel; a car is essential within the town and region

Walkability Car-Dependent

Basic amenities are within the small town footprint but a car is needed for most tasks and all regional travel

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$30
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,563
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
35 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
5.4%

14 state housing + 4 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,380
Census 2021
1,324
▼ 4.1% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$85,748
Income 2021
$101,868
▲ 18.8% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 784
Born Overseas 242

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. New Zealand 81
  • 2. England 31
  • 3. Philippines 25
  • 4. Indonesia 9
  • 5. India 8
  • 6. Thailand 8
  • 7. Zimbabwe 7
  • 8. Ireland 5
  • 9. Netherlands 5
  • 10. Malaysia 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 448
English 400
Irish 125
Scottish 112
Australian Aboriginal 105
Maori 54
Filipino 35
German 35
Italian 35
New Zealander 23

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

576
Both parents born in Australia
301
Both parents born overseas
151
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
45.2%
Christianity
28.9%
Islam
1.3%
Buddhism
1.1%
Hinduism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
102 (7.7%)
5-14 years
208 (15.7%)
15-19 years
55 (4.2%)
20-24 years
70 (5.3%)
25-34 years
224 (16.9%)
35-44 years
292 (22.1%)
45-54 years
200 (15.1%)
55-64 years
142 (10.7%)
65-74 years
19 (1.4%)
75-84 years
6 (0.5%)
85+ years
0 (0.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Paraburdoo known for? +

Paraburdoo is known as a purpose-built iron ore mining town in WA's Pilbara region, established in the early 1970s to support Hamersley Iron (now Rio Tinto) mining operations, and is defined by its remote location, high wages, and strong FIFO workforce.

How far is Paraburdoo from Perth? +

Paraburdoo is approximately 1,400 kilometres north of Perth by road — a drive of around 13–15 hours. Most residents and workers travel between the town and Perth via regular flights from Paraburdoo Airport, 9 kilometres from the town centre.

Does Paraburdoo have public transport? +

There is no public bus or rail service in Paraburdoo. A car is essential within the town and region, and Paraburdoo Airport provides the practical link to the outside world with regular flights to Perth.

What is the population of Paraburdoo? +

According to the 2021 Census, Paraburdoo has a population of approximately 1,324 people, with a younger-than-average median age of 35, reflecting the working-age demographic drawn by the mining industry.

Is Paraburdoo a good place to live? +

Paraburdoo suits those working in or supporting the mining industry who value high incomes, a close-knit community, and don't mind the remoteness and extreme Pilbara heat. Essential services are available, but the isolated location and long distances from major cities are the key trade-offs.

What is the postcode for Paraburdoo? +

The postcode for Paraburdoo is 6754.