Perth, Australia's fourth-most-populous city, has experienced steady growth over the past few decades. As of June 2023, the Greater Perth area’s population was estimated at 2,309,338, marking a 3.6% increase from the previous year, the highest growth rate among Australia's capital cities. This growth has been fueled by a blend of immigration, urban expansion, and natural population increases.

At the 2021 census, Perth's residents reflected a wide range of ancestries, with English (36.8%) and Australian (27.8%) being the most common. Significant communities of Irish (8.8%), Scottish (8.7%), and Italian (5.5%) descent also call Perth home, alongside growing populations from countries like India, China, and South Africa. The British and Irish influence is particularly notable, with 169,938 England-born residents, outnumbering even Sydney's English-born population despite its larger size.

Historically, Perth’s demographic makeup was largely Anglo-Celtic, but the second half of the 20th century saw a significant shift. Immigrants from Europe, including Italians, Greeks, Dutch, and Germans, began arriving in large numbers after the 1950s, contributing to the city’s multicultural identity. The Italian community, in particular, has had a profound impact on the local culture, with the "Cappuccino strip" in Fremantle being a popular Italian cultural hub, and annual festivals like the Italian Blessing of the Fleet and San Nicola Festival celebrating the city’s Italian heritage.

In recent decades, Perth has attracted a significant number of immigrants from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The end of the White Australia policy in the 1970s opened the door for migrants from Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, India, and beyond. The Chinese community, for example, numbered 112,293 in 2016, representing 5.3% of the city’s population. The city has also become a prominent destination for South Africans, particularly those from the Afrikaner community, who seek a warmer climate and vast land, drawing comparisons to Cape Town’s Mediterranean conditions.

The city is home to a wide array of ethnic groups, with significant communities of Middle Eastern, Indian, and Anglo-Burmese descent. Perth is also a cultural hub for the Anglo-Burmese diaspora, with many settling here after Burma's independence. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up around 2% of Perth’s population, highlighting the city's ongoing cultural evolution.

Overall, Perth’s population continues to diversify and grow, with immigration playing a key role in shaping the city's cultural landscape. As the city continues to expand, it is expected that its multicultural character will remain one of its defining features.