Wyndham’s population is continuing to boom at unprecedented levels, growing by more than a third in the past five years, according to the latest census.
Last week the Australian Bureau of Statistics released the results of the 2016 census, in which Wyndham’s total population was recorded at 221,895 people, compared to 166,020 residents during the 2011 census.
Wyndham mayor Henry Barlow said that the census had reconfirmed Wyndham’s population as the fastest-growing in the state, with an average of about 180 new residents moving to the municipality every week.
He said that while Wyndham was a wonderful area, the booming growth came with “significant challenges” including demand for more infrastructure, such as roads and educational facilities.
Cr Barlow said at Wyndham’s current rate of growth, the area would need a new primary school every year and a new secondary school every three years.
“We need both the state and federal governments to step up and recognise the importance of planning for Wyndham’s future,” he said. “Investment in Wyndham’s infrastructure is not keeping pace with our growth.
“This latest census data highlights the needs of our community and we will continue to use this to advocate for our fair share of investment and infrastructure.”
The 2016 census figures for Wyndham included 116,500 residents who were born in Australia and more than 92,600 elsewhere.
Apart from Australia, the most common countries of birth for Wyndham’s citizens were India (23,121 people), New Zealand (7869), the United Kingdom (6537), the Philippines (5893) and China (5623).
The median mortgage repayment for a Wyndham household dropped from $1785 each week in 2011 to $1733 each week, last year. But the municipality’s median rent rose from $280 per week – five years ago – compared to $320 per week in 2016.
In terms of religion, various types of Christianity still dominate in Wyndham, with more than 101,990 devotees in the latest census.
In addition, more than 50,900 residents reported they had secular or other spiritual beliefs, or no religious affiliation at all.
