Full-time 26.6%Part-time 22.0%Unemployed 1.7%Not in labour 49.7%
Dwelling Types
Margaret River
House 91.8%Semi-detached 6.7%Other 1.2%
Commute Mode
Margaret River
Car 79.7%Transit 1.3%Bicycle 2.0%Walk 4.6%WFH 12.4%
Country of Birth
Australia
67.4%
England
7.6%
New Zealand
2.9%
South Africa
1.1%
Philippines
0.8%
Language at Home
English only
89.2%
Italian
0.6%
Spanish
0.6%
Mandarin
0.2%
Cantonese
0.1%
Frequently Asked Questions about Margaret River
Is Margaret River safe?
Margaret River has a safety score of 71/100, which is above average for Perth suburbs. A higher score means lower reported crime per resident. Crime is split fairly evenly between property and violent offences. Crime has been trending up in recent years. Nearby suburbs for comparison: Gnarabup (87/100), Cowaramup (94/100), Yallingup (94/100). (Data as of July 2026)
How much does it cost to rent in Margaret River?
Median weekly rent in Margaret River is $800/wk, putting it on the pricier side for Perth. Nearby suburbs for comparison: Gnarabup ($750/wk), Cowaramup ($835/wk), Yallingup ($1000/wk). (Data as of July 2026)
What are schools like in Margaret River?
Margaret River has a school rating of 53/100 across 5 schools, which is around average for Perth. Top-rated schools include Margaret River Senior High School (Secondary), Margaret River Montessori School - Margaret River campus (Combined), St Thomas More Catholic Primary School (Primary). The rating is based on NAPLAN results for schools within the suburb. (Data as of July 2026)
Is Margaret River affordable to buy in?
The median house price in Margaret River is $1.1M, up 17.2% over the past year. Units are more accessible at a median of $690K. For renters, median weekly rent is $800/wk. Nearby suburbs for comparison: Gnarabup ($2.8M), Cowaramup ($1.2M), Yallingup ($4.5M). (Data as of July 2026)
Margaret River is WA's premium lifestyle escape, a laid-back south-west town anchored by world-class wineries, powerful surf breaks and ancient limestone caves. Families, retirees and outdoors enthusiasts are drawn to its slower pace, vibrant food and wine scene, and access to stunning coastline and karri forests. A car is essential; public transport is minimal. Housing costs have surged sharply, and tensions between the town's bohemian roots and its increasingly upscale tourism economy are keenly felt.
Property prices sit at a median of $1.05M and rent of $800/week, which is close to the Perth metro median. Crime rates are well below average, and the 71/100 safety score sits 19 points above the metro mean of 52, with low rates of both property crime and violent offences. School quality is above average, with 5 schools holding a combined 53/100 rating. At a median age of 39, households here bring in $1,640/week.
“It's wanker central. It's just a congregation of wealthy people cosplaying country folk, rich anti-vaxxers, the obligatory wannabe puffer vest brigade, and backpackers who are dumb enough to think that they're in the deepest, darkest regions of the outback.”— 233 upvotes in community discussion