Its local government area is the City of Stirling, whose council offices and administration centre are located in the southwest of the mostly residential suburb.

Throughout the wetland regions, Aboriginals hunted for kangaroo, emu, snakes, tortoise, mudfish, gilgies and water birds and their eggs, to name a few food sources.

[4] Its initial growth in importance as an agricultural area in the 1920s came from three major factors:[5] retired Chinese miners from the Eastern Goldfields, the post-World War I Soldier Settlement Scheme (many of whom had no experience in intensive farming), and an influx of Italians prior to Mussolini's effective banning of emigration in 1927, who mostly started life in Western Australia as miners and woodcutters.

Dino Gava[6] noted: "The process of (Italian) chain migration was strong in Osborne Park and Wanneroo.

They arrived ill-prepared with regard to language and education but their youth and willingness to work made them desirable settlers."

Lake estates and public parks, including the Stirling Civic Gardens, make up a moderate percentage of the suburb's area.

The suburb is one of Perth's most ethnically diverse - in 2001, 23% were of Italian descent, 24% of Macedonian, 6% Asian and 4% Greek,[10] and this reflects strongly in the architectural styles which have been adopted in the area.