🔍

Tom Price

WA 6751 • Rest of WA

2,910
Population (2021)
$90,532
Median Income
73.77 km²
Area
$48/wk
Median Rent
Mining TownRemoteOutbackAffluent

About Tom Price

Tom Price is a planned mining town situated in the heart of the Pilbara region of Western Australia, approximately 1,500 kilometres north of Perth within the Shire of Ashburton. With a population of around 2,910 and a youthful median age of 32, the town exists primarily to service the Hamersley Range iron ore operations and is surrounded by spectacular red-rock country, including Karijini National Park. The median household income of $3,125 per week is exceptionally high — a hallmark of resource industry towns — and the town sits at an elevation of 733 metres above sea level, giving it a more temperate climate than the broader Pilbara.

Tom Price offers a surprisingly well-equipped range of amenities for its size, including a supermarket, medical centre, primary and secondary schools, sporting facilities, and a small shopping precinct. The town is a gateway to Karijini National Park, one of Western Australia's most spectacular natural attractions, drawing visitors and residents alike to its dramatic gorges, waterfalls, and ancient rock formations. The community has a strong outdoors culture shaped by the surrounding landscape, and while it is remote and car-dependent, residents benefit from generous housing allowances and community infrastructure funded by the resources sector.

Tom Price falls under postcode 6751 and is governed by Ashburton Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Pilbara electorate.

📍 Location

State
Western Australia
Postcode
6751
Urban Area
Tom Price
LGA / Council
Ashburton
Federal Electorate
Durack
State Electorate
Pilbara
Type
Urban
Timezone
Perth (UTC+8)
Coordinates
-22.70°, 117.80°
Statistical Area
Rest of WA
Area
73.77 km²
Elevation
733m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited community bus services — Paraburdoo / local areas Varies

Commute to Perth CBD

Distance
1500 km
By Train
No passenger rail service; fly-in fly-out via Tom Price Airport is common for workers
By Car (Peak)
Approx. 14–16 hrs by road via Great Northern Highway
By Car (Off-Peak)
Approx. 13–15 hrs

🛣️ Tom Price Airport serves fly-in fly-out workers; commercial flights via Rex/Virgin to Perth. Car is essential for all local travel.

Walkability Car-Dependent

The compact town centre has some walkable amenities but a car is needed for most travel, and distances between facilities are significant

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Central Road Tom Price 6751 WA

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$48
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,200
Avg Household Size
2.9 people
Median Age
32 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
6.4%

41 state housing + 11 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,005
Census 2021
2,910
▼ 3.2% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$83,928
Income 2021
$90,532
▲ 7.9% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,955
Born Overseas 540

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. New Zealand 165
  • 2. England 69
  • 3. Philippines 44
  • 4. South Africa 29
  • 5. Indonesia 25
  • 6. Thailand 24
  • 7. Ireland 18
  • 8. Sri Lanka 18
  • 9. India 16
  • 10. Canada 15

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,059
English 944
Australian Aboriginal 283
Scottish 224
Irish 218
German 102
Maori 98
Italian 68
Filipino 62
Dutch 48

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,436
Both parents born in Australia
700
Both parents born overseas
377
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
50.6%
Christianity
30.5%
Buddhism
1.7%
Islam
0.9%
Hinduism
0.5%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
318 (10.9%)
5-14 years
593 (20.4%)
15-19 years
139 (4.8%)
20-24 years
107 (3.7%)
25-34 years
473 (16.3%)
35-44 years
605 (20.8%)
45-54 years
365 (12.5%)
55-64 years
242 (8.3%)
65-74 years
56 (1.9%)
75-84 years
14 (0.5%)
85+ years
0 (0.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tom Price known for? +

Tom Price is known as a major iron ore mining town in the Pilbara and as the gateway to Karijini National Park, renowned for its ancient gorges, rock formations, and waterfalls. It is one of the highest-altitude towns in Western Australia at 733 metres above sea level.

How far is Tom Price from Perth? +

Tom Price is approximately 1,500 kilometres north of Perth, a drive of around 14–16 hours via Great Northern Highway, or a 2-hour flight via Tom Price Airport.

Does Tom Price have public transport? +

Tom Price has very limited public transport. There is no passenger rail service in the Pilbara region; a car is essential for local travel. Fly-in fly-out access via Tom Price Airport is common for mining workers.

What is the population of Tom Price? +

According to the 2021 Census, Tom Price has a population of approximately 2,910 residents, with a young median age of 32 reflecting its mining workforce character.

Is Tom Price a good place to live? +

Tom Price offers exceptional incomes and a strong outdoor lifestyle for those who value remote living and access to Karijini National Park. The town is well-serviced for its size, but the remote location, extreme heat, and fly-in fly-out culture mean it suits those who specifically seek the Pilbara lifestyle.

What is the postcode for Tom Price? +

The postcode for Tom Price, WA is 6751.