Pilbara, WA
About the Pilbara region
This WA region covers a vast 507,896 km² of land and is located in the state's northern reaches, directly below the Great Sandy Desert and the Kimberley region. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean in the west, the Northern Territory border in the east, and the Gascoyne, Mid West and Goldfields Esperance regions in the south.
It is home to the major townships of Port Hedland and Karratha, along with a number of other smaller rural communities, typically associated with the mining industry. Most of the inhabitants of the Pilbara are located in the western part of the region, as its central and eastern thirds are largely taken up by desert.
The region exists under native title, and is controlled by the representative body of the Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (or Pilbara Native Title Service). We invite readers to learn more about the traditional owners of the land on which the Pilbara region now stands, via the Aboriginal Communities State Map.
Local councils
WA's Pilbara region includes 4 municipalities: Shire of East Pilbara, Shire of Ashburton, City of Karratha, and Town of Port Hedland.
Climate information
The climate in the Pilbara region is generally hot and dry. During the summer months, average daily temperatures exceed 30 °C across the region. In the Pilbara's northern inland areas (such as Marble Bar), average daily temperatures exceed 40 °C in summer, with temperatures of over 45 °C considered common. During winter, average temperatures sit at around 20 °C across the region, and the temperature rarely drops below 10°C.
Average annual rainfall is a low 300–350 millimetres (mm) in the region's north-east, while its southern and western reaches receive closer to 250 mm annually.
Population
The estimated population of the Pilbara region is reported as 62,093 as of 2019.
Education
The Pilbara region is home to numerous primary and secondary schools, largely concentrated in the region's coastal reaches. Residents in remote areas can also choose to attend school online, via distance education. The region has 29 public schools, providing education to over 8,800 students.
Students hoping to pursue tertiary qualifications after graduation can study at the Pilbara Universities Centre. The PCU offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in partnership with CQ University and Curtin University, and has campuses in Karratha and Port Hedland. Other higher education options in the region include TAFE campuses in Karratha, Minurmarghali Mia (Roebourne), Newman, Pundulmurra (Hedland), and Tom Price.
Employment and local businesses
The Pilbara region has a Gross Regional Product of $41.9 billion, and supports 63,850 local jobs. The region's top five industries by number of people employed are mining, construction, transport, postal & warehousing, accommodation & food services, and professional, scientific & technical services.
This region is home to immense reserves of mineral resources, which are the cornerstone of its economy and render the region a significant contributor to the state and national economy, too. However, in addition to mining, the tourism, agriculture, fishing and aquaculture sectors are also important to the economy of the Pilbara.
Housing
The median house price for the Pilbara region was $289,500 as of 2019.
The region had a median weekly house rental (for a 3-bedroom home) of $400, very slightly above the WA median.
Events
Where: Tom Price, WA
When: Annually, in August and September (although the date of this festival seems to vary from year to year)
What: This charming local festival is the highlight of the social calendar in the remote WA community of Tom Price. The event has been running since 1969, during which time it has evolved from a one-day show to a week-long affair full of activities for all ages. Highlights include street parades, fireworks, dog shows, live music from the likes of Shannon Noll, Reece Mastin and Potbelleez, and of course the jewel in the event's crown — the Festival Ball.
Where: Karratha, WA
When: Annually, in July
What: The Roebourne Racecourse comes alive with colour and excitement every year during the club's Ladies Day event. Local women wear their exquisite outfits proudly in the harsh, dusty outback conditions, and there is a Fashion on the Field competition providing awards for those dressed best. The day's feature race is the Harding Cup, a thrilling 1400 m dash that has been running since the 1950s and is sure to get spectators out of their seats and cheering on their favourite combinations.
Where: Cossack, WA
When: Annually, in July and August
What: This local celebration of art and culture sprung from humble beginnings in the harsh, dry Pilbara region nearly 30 years ago, but has grown since them into a well-respected and prestigious event. Once a year, the tiny heritage-listed ghost town of Cossack comes back to life, full of hundreds of vibrant artworks submitted from across the nation and thousands of appreciative visitors.
Additional Information
Pilbara has 4 subregions. Use the list below or the map above to learn more about individual subregions.
Pilbara Schools
- Government Schools
- Independent Schools
Combined
- Jigalong Remote Community School NEWMAN WA 6753
- Marble Bar Primary School MARBLE BAR WA 6760
- Ngaanyatjarra Lands School - Kiwirrkurra Campus KIWIRRKURRA WA 872
- Nullagine Primary School NULLAGINE WA 6758
- Onslow Primary School ONSLOW WA 6710
- Pannawonica Primary School PANNAWONICA WA 6716
- Roebourne District High School ROEBOURNE WA 6718
- Roebourne District High School - Ngurrawaana Campus MILLSTREAM WA 6716
- Yandeyarra Remote Community School YANDEYARRA COMMUNITY WA 6722
Primary
- Baler Primary School SOUTH HEDLAND WA 6722
- Baynton West Primary School BAYNTON WA 6714
- Cassia Primary School SOUTH HEDLAND WA 6722
- Dampier Primary School DAMPIER WA 6713
- Karratha Primary School KARRATHA WA 6714
- Millars Well Primary School KARRATHA WA 6714
- Newman Primary School NEWMAN WA 6753
- North Tom Price Primary School TOM PRICE WA 6751
- Paraburdoo Primary School PARABURDOO WA 6754
- Pegs Creek Primary School KARRATHA WA 6714
- Port Hedland Primary School PORT HEDLAND WA 6721
- Port Hedland School Of The Air PORT HEDLAND WA 6721
- South Hedland Primary School SOUTH HEDLAND WA 6722
- South Newman Primary School NEWMAN WA 6753
- Tambrey Primary School KARRATHA WA 6714
- Tom Price Primary School TOM PRICE WA 6751
- Wickham Primary School WICKHAM WA 6720
Secondary
- Hedland Senior High School SOUTH HEDLAND WA 6722
- Karratha Senior High School KARRATHA WA 6714
- Newman Senior High School NEWMAN WA 6753
- Tom Price Senior High School TOM PRICE WA 6751
Special
- Cassia Education Support Centre SOUTH HEDLAND WA 6722
Combined
- Parnngurr Community School NEWMAN WA 6753
- Rawa Community School VIA NEWMAN WA 6753
- Rawa Community School - Kunawarritji Campus NEWMAN WA 6753
- Strelley Community School PORT HEDLAND WA 6721
- Strelley Community School - Strelley Station Campus PORT HEDLAND WA 6721
Primary
- St Cecilia's Catholic Primary School PORT HEDLAND WA 6721
- St Paul's Primary School KARRATHA WA 6714
Secondary
- St Luke's College KARRATHA WA 6714
Pilbara Census Information
-
Dwelling Type
What types of residential properties are available in Pilbara?
Source: ABS 2016 Census GCP -
Tenure Type
Which residential properties in Pilbara are owned, mortgaged or rented out?
Source: ABS 2016 Census GCP -
Change in Residence
Did people in Pilbara change address in the last year?
Source: ABS 2016 Census GCP -
Working Population
What age groups are most strongly represented in Pilbara?
Source: ABS 2016 Census GCP -
Top 5 Industries
What industries do people in Pilbara work in?
- Mining
- Construction
- Transport postal and warehousing
- Education and training
- Accommodation and food services
Source: ABS 2016 Census GCP -
Family Size
How many people live in a household in Pilbara?
Source: ABS 2016 Census GCP
What's happening in Pilbara
-
Discover your Purpose in Port Hedland, Western Australia The Great Northern Highway in Port Hedland, just south of the stunning Kimberly.
-
Expand Your Horizons in Ashburton, Western Australia The stunning colours of Mulla Mulla Drive in Ashburton. Image credit Elanor Lukale.
-
Home In The Ranger The shifting patterns and colours of the Gascoyne seen from the air. Image credit Blue Dog Digital.
-
Go Regional With Move to More Early mornings watching the sunrise, quiet afternoons with the family, vast stretches of land untouched by houses – there’s so much to...
-
Acreage for Sale in Western Australia Median acreage prices reached a record high in Western Australia this past year, up by 28.2% to $2,569 per hectare according to Rural...
Properties in Pilbara
- For Sale