Our Community

The most recent population estimate for the Shire of Northam provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is 11,730 in 2013, around 62% of this population live in the Northam townsite.  Average population growth since 2006 has been at 1.49% though the Northam townsite has experienced growth of 2.53%.

The Shire of Northam Local Planning Strategy 2013 has adopted population targets for the Shire of 12,300 (27.5% increase) in 2021 and 13,200 in 2031.  The areas of highest growth are predicted to be the Northam townsite and the Western part of the Shire.  The Western localities of Wundowie and Bakers Hill are ideal for ‘tree changers’ seeking small rural lifestyle blocks in close proximity to the metropolitan area.  The predicted growth rates are significantly higher than the Wheatbelt (17.1%) and also higher than the State (23.7%).

The Shire of Northam Council’s vision with respect to population growth and community need is to promote and accommodate population growth having regards to the principles of ecologically sustainable development and provide for the needs of all sectors of the community including the elderly and Indigenous.  (Source: Shire of Northam Local Planning Strategy)