🔍

Boulder

WA 6432 • Rest of WA

4,872
Population (2021)
$102,336
Median Household Income
4.40 km²
Area
$300/wk
Median Rent
Mining TownHistoricAffordableMulticultural

About Boulder

Boulder is a historic mining town in the Goldfields region of Western Australia, situated immediately south-east of Kalgoorlie and forming part of the combined Kalgoorlie-Boulder urban area, roughly 600 kilometres east of Perth. It falls within the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and had a population of 4,872 at the 2021 Census, with a median age of 35. The suburb is closely linked to the region's gold and nickel mining industry, which has shaped its character since the 1890s gold rush, and household incomes sit close to the national median, underpinned by resources-sector employment.

Boulder is home to the legendary Golden Mile — historically one of the world's richest gold-bearing ore deposits — and the Loopline Railway Museum, which preserves the town's remarkable heritage. The suburb has a working-class, community-spirited character with a diverse population including a notable Aboriginal community representing around 8 per cent of residents. Affordable housing, wide tree-lined streets, and close proximity to Kalgoorlie's town centre and services make Boulder a practical and historically rich base for those living and working in the Goldfields.

Boulder falls under postcode 6432 and is governed by Kalgoorlie/Boulder Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Kalgoorlie electorate.

📍 Location

State
Western Australia
Postcode
6432
Urban Area
Kalgoorlie
LGA / Council
Kalgoorlie/Boulder
Federal Electorate
O'connor
State Electorate
Kalgoorlie
Type
Urban
Timezone
Perth (UTC+8)
Coordinates
-30.78°, 121.48°
Statistical Area
Rest of WA
Area
4.40 km²
Elevation
357m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$300
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,302
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
35 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.6%

59 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Boulder City / Kalgoorlie
4 km
N/A

Bus Services

  • Goldfields route — Kalgoorlie CBD and surrounds 10-15 min

Commute to Perth CBD

Distance
600 km
By Train
Approx 8 hrs on Transwa Prospector service
By Car (Peak)
6 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
5 hrs 45 min

🛣️ Great Eastern Highway connects to Perth. Transwa Prospector provides rail. Flights from Kalgoorlie Airport (1 hr 15 min).

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Compact mining town with walkable main street; car recommended for accessing the Super Pit and regional attractions.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
4,825
Census 2021
4,872
▲ 1.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$43,316
Personal Income 2021
$52,988
▲ 22.3% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$52,988 / yr
$1019/wk
Household
$102,336 / yr
$1968/wk
Family
$121,524 / yr
$2337/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,206
Born Overseas 894

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. New Zealand 335
  • 2. Philippines 125
  • 3. England 95
  • 4. South Africa 51
  • 5. Thailand 33
  • 6. Zimbabwe 23
  • 7. India 21
  • 8. Papua New Guinea 18
  • 9. Indonesia 16
  • 10. Scotland 14

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,631
Australian 1,594
Scottish 411
Irish 410
Australian Aboriginal 397
Maori 206
German 165
Filipino 143
Italian 116
New Zealander 94

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,364
Both parents born in Australia
1,107
Both parents born overseas
603
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
46.9%
Christianity
32.9%
Buddhism
1.0%
Islam
0.6%
Hinduism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
360 (7.4%)
5-14 years
749 (15.4%)
15-19 years
252 (5.2%)
20-24 years
328 (6.7%)
25-34 years
741 (15.2%)
35-44 years
685 (14.1%)
45-54 years
633 (13.0%)
55-64 years
634 (13.0%)
65-74 years
363 (7.5%)
75-84 years
109 (2.2%)
85+ years
21 (0.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Boulder known for? +

Boulder is known as the historic gold mining twin of Kalgoorlie, with the famous Kalgoorlie-Boulder Super Pit — one of the world's largest open-cut gold mines — visible from lookout points. The town has a rich gold rush heritage with heritage streetscapes.

How far is Boulder from Perth? +

Boulder is approximately 600 kilometres east of Perth, around a 6 hour drive via the Great Eastern Highway. The Transwa Prospector train takes approximately 8 hours.

Does Boulder have public transport? +

Boulder is connected to Kalgoorlie by local bus services, and the Transwa Prospector train service connects Kalgoorlie-Boulder to Perth (approximately 8 hours). Kalgoorlie Airport also provides daily flights to Perth (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes).

What is the population of Boulder? +

According to the 2021 Census, Boulder has a population of approximately 4,872 residents, forming part of the greater Kalgoorlie-Boulder urban area.

Is Boulder a good place to live? +

Boulder offers affordable mining community living with direct access to resources sector employment at the Super Pit and surrounding mines. The heritage character, low cost of living, and resources wages make it an attractive proposition for those in the mining industry.

What is the postcode for Boulder? +

The postcode for Boulder is 6432.

What is the average income in Boulder? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Boulder is about $1,019 per week (around $53,000 per year). The median household income is $1,968 per week and the median family income is $2,337 per week.

What is the age profile of Boulder? +

The median age in Boulder is 35. The largest age group is 5–14 (749 residents, around 15%). Around 28% of residents are under 20 and about 10% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

How much is rent in Boulder? +

In Boulder, the median weekly rent is $300, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,302 (2021 Census).