🔍

Capel

WA 6271 • Rest of WA

2,606
Population (2021)
$74,100
Median Household Income
66.35 km²
Area
$320/wk
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalTourismFamily-FriendlyHistoric

About Capel

Capel is a charming rural town in Western Australia's South West region, located 212 kilometres south of Perth and positioned midway between Bunbury and Busselton on the scenic Capel River. With a population of around 2,600 residents, this historic township was established in 1897 and has evolved from traditional dairy farming into a diverse agricultural hub featuring hobby farms, wineries, and innovative pursuits like alpaca farming and viticulture. The town enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.

Life in Capel centres around rural tranquillity and outdoor recreation, with residents enjoying access to stunning attractions like Peppermint Beach for swimming and sunrise watching, and the renowned Tuart Forest National Park offering bushwalking and wildlife viewing. The area features local wineries, cafes serving farm-fresh produce, and proximity to Forest Adventures South West for high-rope courses and zip-lining. The community attracts families seeking affordable rural living, retirees drawn to the peaceful lifestyle, and professionals who appreciate the balance of country charm with reasonable access to larger centres.

Capel falls under postcode 6271 and is governed by Capel Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Collie-Preston electorate.

📍 Location

State
Western Australia
Postcode
6271
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Capel
Federal Electorate
Forrest
State Electorate
Collie-Preston
Type
Rural
Timezone
Perth (UTC+8)
Coordinates
-33.56°, 115.57°
Statistical Area
Rest of WA
Area
66.35 km²
Elevation
23m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$320
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,498
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
42 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.9%

34 state housing + 4 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Bunbury Station
17 km
Not walkable
Busselton (former)
23 km
Not walkable
Coolingup (former)
2 km
Not walkable
Collie Station
45 km
Not walkable

Bus Services

  • SW120 Perth-Bunbury-Busselton — Perth/Bunbury/Busselton 3h 20m to Perth, 30m to Bunbury
  • South West Coach Lines — Regional connections 45m to Bunbury, 30m to Busselton

Commute to Perth

Distance
212 km
By Train
No direct service - requires bus to Bunbury then Australind train (4+ hours total)
By Bus
3h 20m via South West Coach Lines
By Car (Peak)
2h 30m via Kwinana Freeway
By Car (Off-Peak)
2h 15m via Kwinana Freeway

🛣️ Regional location - limited public transport options

Walkability Car Dependent

Rural setting requiring private vehicle for most daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,509
Census 2021
2,606
▲ 3.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$31,824
Personal Income 2021
$36,556
▲ 14.9% 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
$36,556 / yr
$703/wk
Household
$74,100 / yr
$1425/wk
Family
$90,220 / yr
$1735/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,093
Born Overseas 356

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 155
  • 2. New Zealand 66
  • 3. South Africa 24
  • 4. Scotland 15
  • 5. Canada 13
  • 6. India 10
  • 7. Ireland 10
  • 8. Netherlands 9
  • 9. Germany 8
  • 10. United States 8

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,269
Australian 1,157
Scottish 264
Irish 226
Australian Aboriginal 91
Dutch 87
German 85
Italian 84
Welsh 31
New Zealander 29

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,574
Both parents born in Australia
475
Both parents born overseas
393
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
55.1%
Christianity
35.4%
Buddhism
0.7%
Islam
0.2%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
131 (5.0%)
5-14 years
394 (15.1%)
15-19 years
166 (6.4%)
20-24 years
111 (4.3%)
25-34 years
255 (9.8%)
35-44 years
320 (12.3%)
45-54 years
391 (15.0%)
55-64 years
341 (13.1%)
65-74 years
317 (12.2%)
75-84 years
149 (5.7%)
85+ years
39 (1.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Capel known for? +

Capel is known for Capel Vale winery — one of WA's premium wine producers — and as a service town for the surrounding Shire of Capel. The area has a strong viticulture and dairy farming character in WA's premium South West agricultural belt.

How far is Capel from Perth? +

Capel is approximately 200 kilometres south of Perth, around a 2 hour 15 minute drive via the South Western Highway.

Does Capel have public transport? +

Capel has limited public transport with Transwa bus connections to Bunbury and Perth. A car is the most practical option for daily living.

What is the population of Capel? +

According to the 2021 Census, Capel has a population of approximately 2,606 residents, a growing rural town in the South West.

Is Capel a good place to live? +

Capel offers an affordable rural lifestyle in WA's premium South West, with the Capel Vale winery, dairy country, and easy access to Bunbury's regional city services. It suits families and those seeking a South West lifestyle.

What is the postcode for Capel? +

The postcode for Capel is 6271.

What is the average income in Capel? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Capel is about $703 per week (around $36,600 per year). The median household income is $1,425 per week and the median family income is $1,735 per week.

What is the age profile of Capel? +

The median age in Capel is 42. The largest age group is 5–14 (394 residents, around 15%). Around 27% of residents are under 20 and about 19% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

How much is rent in Capel? +

In Capel, the median weekly rent is $320, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,498 (2021 Census).