Suburb Snapshot: Scarborough
Scarborough is an established suburb located approximately 12km north-west of the Perth CBD.
Sitting on the coast alongside West Coast Highway, Scarborough has a laid-back vibe which has made it attractive to a number of buyers in recent years including young singles, couples, and families. Its location is a major drawcard for many people as it is not too far from the city yet it enjoys a prime position on the coast with its own beach (Scarborough Beach) and a number of amenities including local shops, cafes, nightlife, and even short-stay accommodation.
It’s nestled between the more premium suburbs of Doubleview, Karrinyup, Wembley Downs and City Beach. It enjoys easy access in and out of the suburb via major routes including West Coast Highway, Scarborough Beach Road, Karrinyup Road, and the Mitchell Freeway and Stirling train station are also just a few kilometers away.
Scarborough has a lot of potential as it’s currently the cheapest beach side suburb between Fremantle and Hillarys. It has been viewed as the poorer cousin of its surrounding neighbours for many years but that perception is looking to set to change. The local council Amendments 457 and 458, and the Scarborough Environs Area Strategy, are working towards improving the amenity of the suburb to turn it into a more upscale community to boost the social, cultural and tourism potential of the area. The plans include allowing conservative multi-storey developments in selected pockets and along the beachfront to house retail, tourism, residential and commercial spaces.
There is an eclectic mix of housing opportunities within the suburb. There are original homes on large undeveloped plots, new homes and townhouses on smaller subdivided plots, original homes on small plots, both new and old villas in large and small groups, as well as apartment complexes. Some properties may even boast glorious ocean views. Over the years many owners have capitalised on the opportunity for higher density living within this suburb; however there are still a number of original homes waiting to be developed.
Prices are quite mixed due to the wide range of housing types, the varied age of the housing, and also unique features such as ocean views or being within walking distance to the beach. Generally speaking prices start from as low as $260,000 for an apartment or unit, $350,000 for a villa (although most larger villa’s in smaller complexes start from $450,000), and from $450,000 for townhouses. Original homes on subdivided land start from $500,000, newer homes/townhouses on small plots from high $600,000’s, and original homes on sub-dividable plots from $800,000. Rents also vary with most typically falling between $250 - $450, with more premium homes fetching as much as $1,000 per week.
Key Statistics
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Growth rate (1 year average)
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0.8%
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Growth rate (5 year average)
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7.3%
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Growth rate (10 year average)
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11.5%
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Population
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12,591
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Median age of residents
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34
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Median weekly household income
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$1,076
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Percentage of rentals
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42%
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Source: REIWA.com.au, July 2011.
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