The population of Girrawheen was ethnically mixed — while 53.3% were born in Australia, the next most common countries of birth were England 5.4%, Vietnam 5.1%, Burma (Republic of the Union of Myanmar) 3.5%, New Zealand 2.8% and Sudan 1.7%.

The most popular religious affiliations in descending order in the 2011 census were Roman Catholic 22.8%, no religion 20.6%, Anglican 13.5%, Buddhism 6.1% and Islam 6.0%.

Larger shopping centres at Marangaroo (Kingsway City), Warwick Grove and The Square Mirrabooka are all located within 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) of the suburb's boundaries.

The suburb contains four churches—Uniting and Baptist churches in Salcott Road, and Catholic and non-denominational on Girrawheen Avenue—as well as the Maha Bodhi Buddhist monastery which adheres to the Burmese Theravada tradition.

The socio-economic profile of the suburb together with the high numbers of Vietnamese, Sudanese and Aboriginal students, some of whom have low literacy or English language skills, mean that all schools in the suburb have been a high priority for Commonwealth and State funding and offer specialist literacy support services not found at many other metropolitan schools.

In partnership with Edith Cowan University and the Fogarty Foundation, the new school will include a research facility for teaching methods and behaviour management techniques.

[6] Girrawheen Senior High School, whose catchment area covers the suburb as well as neighbouring Koondoola, Marangaroo and Alexander Heights, was built in 1974 and accommodates 521 students, 42 teachers and 44 other staff.