

The local community describes Karrinyup as a beautiful, clean and safe neighbourhood. To better understand what is means to be ‘a local’ our suburb profile seeks to understand the local stories Koora (past), Yeyi (present), Boordawan (future) and respond to Ngalang Maya (our place). This snapshot identifies the unique character of Karrinyup’s neighbourhood and helps the City rethink how we deliver services with a local focus.
Karrinyup is derived from an Aboriginal word meaning 'the place where bush kangaroos graze'. Rapid growth began in 1957 and most of the houses are relatively modern.
What it means to be a 'local'
The name "Karrinyup" was derived from the name of a local swamp called "Careniup", an Aboriginal word apparently meaning 'the place where bush kangaroos graze'. It was modified to its present form by the Lake Karrinyup Country Club in 1929.
Land at Karrinyup was first granted to Samuel Moore in the early 1840s. The property passed through many hands in the 19th Century until being acquired by W. Maley in 1909. Charles Stoneman subdivided another grant in the Karrinyup area into sixth-of-an acre lots in 1904. Many of these blocks were sold over the next ten years, however no roads were built and few houses constructed.
Development of a golf course began in the late 1920s on land previously owned by Maley. For many years, the Lake Karrinyup Country Club was the only significant development in the area.
Local sporting clubs
- Karrinyup Cricket Club
- Karrinyup Little Athletics Club
- North Beach Amateur Football Club
- Scarborough Junior Cricket Club
- Stirling Junior Football Club
- Metropolitan Veterans Cricket Association
- Hamersley Public Golf Course
- Lake Karrinyup Country Club
- Stirling Junior Football Club.
Connections with neighbours
- Neighbourhood sausage sizzles
- Street Christmas parties
- Helpful neighbours.
Local markets
Local schools
Local focus
These are the top local priorities you've told us are important for Karrinyup.
What you've told us so far
"Dog owners better educated to pick up their dog's excrement."
What we're doing
The City delivers educational messaging to promote responsible pet ownership. Patrols and equipment deployment are guided by data rather than a blanket approach, ensuring resources are focused on areas of greatest need.
To make a report, call the City's Community Patrol on 1300 365 356 (24/7 services) or report online.
Learn more about animal and pet ownership in the City.
What you've told us so far
"Better traffic and parking management."
"Street parking."
What we're doing
The City continually explores ways to improve traffic management and street parking. Requests for consideration at specific locations can be submitted to the City for review.
To make a report, call the City's Community Patrol on 1300 365 356 (24/7 services) or report online.
What you've told us so far
"Improve flow of traffic along Karrinyup Road - on and off freeway during Karrinyup shops opening hours."
What we're doing
Karrinyup Road and the Mitchell Freeway are State Government roads managed by Main Roads WA.
To make a report directly to Main Roads, call 138 138 or email enquiries@mainroads.wa.gov.au.
What you've told us so far
"More plants and nature."
What we're doing
Through the 2025/26 plan and budget, 8,000 trees will be planted in parks and verges. Approximately 100 of these will be planted in Karrinyup. Furthermore, the City has increased tree watering from two years to three years for new trees to mitigate early loss. An additional 784,000 trees and shrubs will be planted across the City by 2040.
Learn more on the Living Green Program webpage, or sign up for the Living Green newsletter for more updates.
Facts
Karrinyup population
Average number of people per household
The average age in Karrinyup is 41 years old
Top five birthplaces
Median weekly household income
86% of residents are satisfied with liveability
Local plans
Rapid growth in Karrinyup did not begin until 1957, when the 1904 subdivision was redesigned to allow extensive residential development. The dominant forms of dwellings in Karrinyup are single detached residences. The western sector of the suburb also contains a substantial number of duplex and unit developments.
Most of the houses in Karrinyup are relatively modern, though the prolonged period of development has resulted in a range of styles from various eras. Many of the homes within the suburb are of 2 storeys and the vast majority are of brick-and-tile construction.
The Lake Karrinyup Country Club is located to the northeast of the suburb, while the City's Hamersley Golf Course is situated on the western border of Karrinyup. Karrinyup's total public open space amounts to 50ha and includes 27 local open spaces, two community open spaces and three district open spaces which offer additional active and passive recreational facilities.
Karrinyup contains several public and private primary schools, as well as Saint Mary's Anglican Girls' School. The local population is also provided with a community centre and library.
The Karrinyup Shopping Centre provides the commercial focus for the suburb and contains a wide range of retail services. The area also hosts many parks and reserves, including both public and private golf courses. Watch Destination WAs Stirling Staycation episode here.
Projects and engagements




















