Living in the Regions
Western Australia is a big state and not everyone lives in Perth. The state has nine vast and varying non-metropolitan regions. The regions are diverse and each offers a unique lifestyle, climate, business and employment opportunities.
Regional Western Australia is divided into the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne, Mid West, Goldfields/Esperance, Wheatbelt, Peel, South West and Great Southern. Information and assistance on living, working or establishing a business in these areas is available from the Regional Development Commissions.
|
| Pilbara |
Area: 507,896 km2
Population: 39,229 (2004)
Key Industries:
 mining
tourism
pastoral
Major Commodities:
iron ore
gas
oil
beef cattle
salt
Social Characteristics:
55% male (2004)
45% female (2004)
18% population born overseas
Distance from Perth:
Port Hedland: 1660 km
Tom Price: 1556 km
Paraburdoo: 1538 km
Karratha: 1535 km
Onslow: 1389 km
Newman: 1186 km
|
| Kimberley |
Area: 421,451 km2
Population: 34,928 (2004)
Key Industries:
mining
tourism
agriculture
pastoral
Major Commodities:
diamonds
lead
sugar cane
zinc
nickel
mangoes
high value grain crops
beef cattle
Social Characteristics:
53% male (2004)
47% female (2004)
10% population born overseas
Distance from Perth:
Wyndham: 3216 km
Kununurra: 3206 km
Halls Creek: 2846km
Fitzroy Crossing: 2558 km
Derby: 2383 km
Broome: 2230 km
|
| Gascoyne |
Area: 140,912 km2
Population: 9,928 (2004)
Key Industries:
mining
fishing
tourism
Major Commodities:
gypsum
salt
seafood
fruit & vegetables
cattle
Social Characteristics:
53% male (2004)
47% female (2004)
21% population born overseas
Distance from Perth:
Exmouth: 1262 km
Gascoyne Junction: 989 km
Carnavon: 894 km
Denham: 823 km
|
| Goldfields-Esperance |
Area: 770,488 km2
Population: 54,174 (2004)
Key Industries:
mining
manufacturing
agriculture
tourism
pastoral
Major Commodities:
gold
nickel
Social Characteristics:
54% male (2004)
46% female (2004)
19% population born overseas
Distance from Perth:
Laverton: 956 km
Leonora: 829 km
Esperance: 725 km
Norseman: 722 km
Kalgoorlie: 600 km
|
| Mid West |
Area: 466,766 km2
Population: 48,981 (2004)
Key Industries:
mining
agriculture
fishing
tourism
Major Commodities:
gold
nickel
mineral sands
wheat
rock lobsters
Social Characteristics:
51% male (2004)
49% female (2004)
12% population born overseas
Distance from Perth:
Meekatharra: 763 km
Mt Magnet: 571 km
Kalbarri: 586 km
Geraldton: 424 km
Dongara: 362 km
|
| Wheatbelt |
Area: 155,256 km2
Population: 70,582 (2004)
Key Industries:
mining
agriculture
fishing
aquaculture
Major Commodities:
grain
meat
wool
mineral
sands
Social Characteristics:
52% male (2004)
48% female (2004)
12% population born overseas
Distance from Perth:
Jurien Bay: 270 km
Merredin: 260 km
Wagin: 229 km
Narrogin: 192 km
Moora: 172 km
Northam: 97 km |
| Great Southern |
Area: 39,007 km2
Population: 53,544 (2004)
Key Industries:
agriculture
tourism
plantation forestry
fishing
retail
Major Commodities:
wine
crops
wool
livestock
woodchips
Social Characteristics:
51% male (2004)
49% female (2004)
15% population born overseas
Distance from Perth:
Denmark: 421 km
Kojonup: 364 km
Mt Barker: 359 km
Katanning: 295 km
Albany: 416 km |
| South West |
Area: 23,998 km2
Population: 136,286 (2004)
Key Industries:
mining & mineral processing
tourism
timber
agriculture
Major Commodities:
coal
mineral sands
alumina
plantation timber (woodchips)
Social Characteristics:
50% male (2004)
50% female (2004)
15% population born overseas
Distance from Perth:
Pemberton: 340 km
Margaret River: 270 km
Bridgetown: 271 km
Busselton: 239 km
Bunbury: 180 km |
| Peel |
Area: 5,650 km2
Population: 87,608 (2004)
Key Industries:
mining
manufacturing
construction
retail/wholesale
Major Commodities:
alumina
manufacturing
agriculture
Social Characteristics:
Fastest growing population in WA at 4.0%
50% male (2004)
50% female (2004)
17.4% population born overseas
Distance from Perth:
Boddington: 123 km
Waroona: 112km
Pinjarra: 87 km
Mandurah: 75 km
Mundijong: 50 km |
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