Cowaramup leads regional town growth with 30 per cent population rise in latest Census

Already known as one of the fastest-growing regional towns in Australia, figures reveal Cowaramup has added almost 600 new residents since the 2016 Census. That number – a jump of 580 new people calling Cow Town home – is more astonishing for the Australian Bureau of Statistics figures listing the total 2016 population at just 1902 residents. Last year’s audit found 2482 people were now living in the booming hamlet, representing a growth rate of 30.5 per cent across five years. Cowaramup also added 224 new homes during that time. The town has experienced rapid growth in its subdivisions, particularly west of Bussell Highway, with FIFO families and others drawn to the region’s lifestyle while balancing small-town aesthetics. That growth only accelerated through two years of COVID-19 in which many Perth families and young professionals relocated. Realtor Joe White, also the Real Estate Institute of WA deputy president, said more new arrivals had taken up in the Augusta-Margaret River shire’s smaller settlements than ever before. The growth in people working from home also spurred more to move. But Mr White sounded a note of caution, saying rapid population growth also put pressure on existing infrastructure beyond what could be sustained by the local government rates base. Shire sustainable development and infrastructure director Nick Logan said subdivisions including Parkwater were positioned to absorb newcomers. “These high growth rates are a reflection of Cowaramup as a desirable place to live, with a strong community spirit, and great local facilities and attractions,” he said. “The growth rates are within the higher levels anticipated in strategic planning for the townsite. “However, high growth rates bring forward needs and desires for improved infrastructure to accommodate growth.” Stocker Preston realtor Mark Murray said newcomers frequently asked about the timeline for a new supermarket, which was echoed by local councillor Ian Earl. “The need for a supermarket is becoming greater by the day,” Cr Earl told the Times. Mr Murray said the town needed a developer “with the commercial intestinal fortitude to make that leap”. The census also showed a big jump in the earnings of the average Cowaramupper, with a weekly income of $1559 in 2016 compared to $1925 last year. Residential growth in the hamlet was stark in house figures, with 788 private dwellings registered in 2016 and 1012 in 2021. That figure was reflected in a further 159 families added to the 477 registered in 2016. Many of those families had just one child, with the average people per household climbing fractionally from 2.8 people in 2016 to 2.9 in 2021. Despite that, average mortgage repayments dropped $50 to $1950 per month, while average rents jumped $67 to $390 per week.