Get a property report and suburb profile for any property in Kelmscott

Kelmscott sits on the Canning River in Perth’s south-east and is a riverside township built around a historic main street and a railway station on the Armadale line. It has a population of 10,575 and a median age of 40. Housing ranges from older weatherboard and brick homes on established lots to newer infill and larger semi-rural blocks at the edges, and couple families make up about three in four families. Homes are mostly owner-occupied (31.1% owned outright and 41.4% owned with a mortgage), so the suburb tends to attract families and people who want easy rail access alongside bush and river recreation.

Shops and services cluster along the highway corridor through the centre, and riverfront parks and walking routes give a green, outdoors feel. The rail precinct has seen major transport and public-realm upgrades, including a rebuilt station, improved pedestrian and cycling links and restoration of the heritage station master’s house, while planning and town centre revitalisation continue, including proposals for social and affordable housing nearby. Whether Kelmscott suits you depends on whether that mix of river, bush and rail access fits your needs.

On the figures for Kelmscott, both renting and buying sit well above what a typical local household earned at the most recent Census. Average house rent of $640 a week would take about 47.2% of a typical local household's weekly income at the last Census, and unit rent of $580 a week would take about 42.8% — both of these are large shares of income. The median house price of $800,500 works out to roughly 11.4 times a typical local annual household income at the last Census, which sits well above local incomes.

Whether that feels expensive depends on your own income and circumstances, and which option — renting or buying — matters most to you.

Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's important to consider your own circumstances when deciding which suburb is right for you.

House values in Kelmscott climbed 22.3% over the past 12 months, a strong rise in what houses are worth. House rents rose 6.7% over the same period, a solid increase, so on the houses side capital growth outpaced rental income growth this year.

Unit values rose 8.0%, a solid gain, while unit rents increased 3.6%, a modest rise. Overall, houses recorded larger percentage gains than units both in values and in rents over the year. If capital growth is your priority the value movements are the most relevant figures to watch; if rental income matters more, focus on the rent changes. Whether that balance suits you depends on your goals and circumstances.

This information has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. It is not meant to be a substitute for professional financial advice. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness of the information and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.