What is the population of Karratha, Western Australia?
The population of Karratha is 17,482. This is what passes for a major hub in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Once you get north of Perth, Western Australia gets empty very quickly. There are a few decent-sized settlements such as Lancelin and Jurien Bay on the way up to Geraldton. But after that, it’s basically just a handful of service towns such as Exmouth near the Ningaloo Reef or mining towns. Western Australia is very big, and sparsely populated.
Karratha in the Pilbara is one of those mining towns. It has surprisingly decent facilities for somewhere so isolated, but that’s mainly about keeping the miners happy. Many miners just fly into Karratha Airport for two week shifts, then fly back to their home in Perth. Nevertheless, for visitors, Karratha is somewhere to potentially spend a night on the drive from Perth to Broome. You can also do Indigenous-guided rock art tours here.
Karratha population statistics
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the population of Karratha, WA, is 17,482. That Karratha population figure is for 2020, as per the regional population report published in March 2021.
The Karratha population is steadily growing, too. In 2010, the population of Karratha was 16,265.
For an idea of how big Karratha is compared to other Australian towns, we can delve a bit further into the Australian Bureau of Statistics report.
Karratha population comparisons
The population of Karratha is almost identical to that of Broken Hill in New South Wales. It is slightly bigger than Ulladulla, Singleton or Batemans Bay, but a little smaller than Camden Haven. Karratha is also a smidge bigger than Horsham in Victoria or Port Lincoln in South Australia. But it’s a tiny bit smaller than Mount Isa in Queensland.
Where to stay in Karratha
Booking ahead in Karratha is strongly advised, as hotels can fill up with mine workers and get very expensive if you just rock up on the day. The best Karratha accommodation options are:
- For a relatively cheap, decent bed for the night: Econo Lodge Karratha.
- For overall quality, a pool and a restaurant: Best Western Plus The Ranges or Karratha International Hotel.
- For facilities, space and self-catering: Karratha Central Apartments.
More Australia population stats
Population of: Alice Springs, Bacchus Marsh, Bairnsdale, Ballina, Broome, Cairns, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Goulburn, Melton, Port Augusta, Port Macquarie, Port Pirie, Rockhampton, Toowoomba, Townsville, Wagga Wagga, Warrnambool.