Chermside West
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Chermside West reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Chermside West's population was around 7,008 as of Aug 2025. This reflected an increase of 397 people from the 6,611 reported in the 2021 Census, indicating a growth rate of 6.0%. This change was inferred from ABS estimated resident population figures and validated new addresses between June 2024 and the Census date. The resulting population density was 2,061 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Chermside West's growth rate of 6.0% since census placed it within 1.2 percentage points of the SA3 area's 7.2%, suggesting competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration drove this population growth, contributing approximately 66.4% of overall gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by these data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections lack age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 using 2022 data. Looking ahead, population projections indicate a growth of 754 persons by 2041, based on the latest numbers, resulting in a total gain of 10.8% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Chermside West according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Chermside West has had approximately 12 new homes approved annually. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, with 62 dwellings approved over the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25 and three recorded so far in FY-26. On average, 4.8 people moved to the area for each dwelling built over these five years. This significant demand outpaces supply, putting upward pressure on prices and increasing competition among buyers.

New properties are constructed at an average value of $641,000, which is moderately above regional levels, indicating a focus on quality construction. Additionally, $1.1 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Chermside West records markedly lower building activity, with 57.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new homes typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Nationally, this is also below average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints.

All new construction has been comprised of detached dwellings, preserving the area's suburban nature and attracting space-seeking buyers with an average of 636 people per dwelling approval. Population forecasts indicate Chermside West will gain 754 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Chermside West has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified eight projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include Brisbane Metro Extension - Northern Transitway, Fifth Avenue, Rode Rd in Stafford Heights, and Gympie Road Bypass Tunnel. The following details projects likely to be most relevant:.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Chermside West ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Chermside West has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 2.8% as of June 2025, lower than the Greater Brisbane average of 4.1%.

The area saw an estimated employment growth of 10.6% over the past year. As of June 2025, 4,063 residents were employed with a workforce participation rate of 67.4%, similar to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance (1.3 times the regional average), education & training, and retail trade. Manufacturing has limited presence at 4.0% compared to the regional average of 6.4%.

The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data. Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 10.6%, keeping unemployment relatively stable at 3.7%. By comparison, Greater Brisbane recorded employment growth of 4.4% and a fall in unemployment of 0.4 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.23% with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, compared to the national average of 4.5%. National employment forecasts suggest growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local projections based on Chermside West's industry mix estimate growth rates of approximately 7.0% over five years and 14.5% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Chermside West had a median taxpayer income of $57,504 and an average of $68,950. This is higher than national averages, with Greater Brisbane having a median of $55,645 and an average of $70,520. Based on Wage Price Index growth from financial year 2022 to March 2025 (11.71%), estimated incomes for Chermside West are approximately $64,238 median and $77,024 average as of March 2025. Census data indicates incomes in Chermside West cluster around the 73rd percentile nationally. Income distribution shows 33.9% (2,375 individuals) earning between $1,500-$2,999 weekly, aligning with surrounding regions at 33.3%. Notably, 31.7% earn above $3,000 weekly. Housing costs account for 13.5% of income, and residents rank in the 80th percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Chermside West is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Chermside West's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, comprised 92.5% houses and 7.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Brisbane metro had 67.2% houses and 32.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Chermside West was at 36.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 37.6% and rented ones at 25.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,058, lower than Brisbane metro's average of $2,100. Median weekly rent in Chermside West was $455, higher than Brisbane metro's $390. Nationally, mortgage repayments were higher at $1,863 and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Chermside West features high concentrations of family households and group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 77.6% of all households, including 36.6% couples with children, 27.0% couples without children and 11.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 22.4%, with lone person households at 18.6% and group households comprising 3.9%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.4.

The educational profile of Chermside West exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's educational profile is notable regionally with university qualification rates at 33.0% among residents aged 15+, exceeding Queensland's average of 25.7%. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 22.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.5%) and graduate diplomas (3.6%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 31.7% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 11.6% and certificates at 20.1%.

Educational participation is high, with 29.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.1% in primary education, 8.3% in secondary education, and 6.7% pursuing tertiary education. The area has educational provision including Craigslea State High School and Craigslea State School, serving a total of 1,798 students. Chermside West demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions with an ICSEA score of 1071. Educational provision is conventional, split between one primary and one secondary institution. The area functions as an education hub with 25.7 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 16.0, attracting students from surrounding communities.

Transport servicing is good compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

The analysis of public transport in Chermside West shows that there are currently 32 active transport stops operating, all serving buses. These stops are served by 13 different routes combined, which provide a total of 1,816 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as good, with residents typically situated about 204 meters away from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 259 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 56 weekly trips per individual stop.

Chermside West's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Chermside West residents show relatively positive health outcomes. Prevalence of common health conditions is low across both younger and older age cohorts.

Private health cover rate is approximately 54% (3,763 people), compared to Greater Brisbane's 56.0%. Mental health issues impact 8.2% of residents, while asthma affects 7.1%. 70.1% report no medical ailments, slightly higher than Greater Brisbane's 69.1%. As of 2021, 16.6% of residents are aged 65 and over (1,160 people). Health outcomes among seniors are above average, aligning with the general population's health profile.

Chermside West was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Chermside West, surveyed in 2016, had a higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 26.4% of its residents born overseas and 19.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, making up 54.1%, compared to 52.2% in Greater Brisbane. The top three ancestral groups were English (24.2%), Australian (23.8%), and Irish (9.6%).

Some ethnic groups had significant representation: Samoan at 0.7% (regional average 0.4%), Indian at 3.9% (2.1%), and Maori at 0.8% (0.6%).

Chermside West's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Chermside West's median age is 37 years, nearly matching Greater Brisbane's average of 36 and close to Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Chermside West has a higher concentration of residents aged 85+, at 3.1%, but fewer residents aged 25-34, at 12.9%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the population aged 15-24 has grown from 12.6% to 13.9%, while the age group of 55-64 has declined from 11.0% to 9.9%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Chermside West's age profile. The strongest projected growth is for the 45-54 cohort, with a 25% increase adding 222 residents to reach 1,103. Conversely, both the 0-4 and 25-34 age groups are projected to decrease in numbers.