Garbutt - West End

Garbutt - West End has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Garbutt - West End's population is around 6,687 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 414 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 6,273 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 6,603 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 100 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 392 persons per square kilometer. Garbutt - West End's growth rate of 6.6% since census positions it within 0.5 percentage points of the SA4 region (7.1%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 53.5% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence where utilised, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Looking at population projections moving forward, Over this period, projections indicate a decline in overall population by 506 persons by 2041 according to this methodology. However, growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, led by the 85 and over age group which is projected to expand by 125 people.

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

Garbutt-West End has received around 25 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 127 homes. In FY-26 so far, there have been 5 recorded approvals. Over these five years, an average of 1.6 new residents per year per dwelling was observed (FY-21 to FY-25). However, recent data shows this figure has increased to 5.5 people per dwelling over the past two financial years. The average construction value for new properties is $208,000.

This financial year, $38.5 million in commercial approvals have been registered. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Garbutt-West End has similar development levels per capita, maintaining market equilibrium with surrounding areas. In terms of building activity, 89% are detached houses and 11% medium and high-density housing, preserving the area's low-density nature.

This favours detached housing more than current patterns suggest (54% at Census), indicating ongoing demand for family homes despite increasing density pressures. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 348 people, reflecting its quiet development environment. Population is expected to remain stable or decline, potentially reducing pressure on housing and creating opportunities for buyers.

Garbutt - West End 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 23 projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include Army Aviation Program of Works at RAAF Base Townsville, Weststate Private Hospital, Francis Street Roadworks in West End, and Queensland Rail Support Facilities on Bolam Street. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment drivers in Garbutt - West End are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Garbutt - West End has a skilled workforce with notable representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 10.4% as of September 2025. In this month, 3,151 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 6.3% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation stood at 61.1%, lower than Rest of Qld's 65.7%. Census responses indicated that only 6.0% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Key industries for employment among residents were health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and education & training. Public administration & safety had particularly notable concentration with employment levels at 2.1 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing was under-represented with only 0.3% of Garbutt - West End's workforce compared to Rest of Qld's 4.5%. The area functioned as an employment hub with 2.0 workers for every resident as at the Census. Over the 12 months to September 2025, labour force levels increased by 0.0% while employment declined by 2.8%, resulting in a rise of 2.6 percentage points in the unemployment rate compared to Rest of Qld's 0.3 percentage point increase. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 estimate that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Garbutt - West End's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, though these are simple weighting extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localised population projections.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that Garbutt - West End SA2 has a median income of $61,224 and an average income of $76,532. This is higher than Rest of Qld's median income of $53,146 and average income of $66,593. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $67,291 (median) and $84,116 (average), based on a Wage Price Index growth of 9.91%. Census data indicates household incomes are at the 19th percentile while personal income is at the 52nd percentile. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 dominates with 29.2% of residents (1,952 people). Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 82.9% of income remaining, ranking at the 19th percentile.

Garbutt - West End displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure in Garbutt - West End, as per the latest Census, consisted of 54.3% houses and 45.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Garbutt - West End was 18.7%, with the rest being mortgaged (26.8%) or rented (54.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,354, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655 and Australia's national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure was $250, lower than Non-Metro Qld's $345 and the national average of $375.

Garbutt - West End features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 49.8% of all households, including 14.7% couples with children, 21.1% couples without children, and 12.5% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 50.2%, with lone person households at 44.8% and group households comprising 5.5%. The median household size is 1.9 people, smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Garbutt - West End faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

In Garbutt-West End trail's regional benchmarks, 24.5% of residents aged 15+ have university degrees, compared to Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 16.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Vocational credentials are held by 37.7% of residents aged 15+, including advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (28.3%). Educational participation is high, with 28.5% currently enrolled in formal education: 8.6% in primary, 7.2% in tertiary, and 6.6% in secondary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.6% in primary education, 7.2% in tertiary education, and 6.6% pursuing secondary education.

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

Public transport analysis indicates 53 active stops operating within Garbutt - West End, consisting of buses. These stops are served by six individual routes, collectively offering 702 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 211 meters from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; car remains the dominant mode at 89%, with 2% cycling. Vehicle ownership averages 1.0 per dwelling, below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 6.0% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 100 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 13 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Garbutt - West End is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Garbutt - West End faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantial across both younger and older age cohorts.

Approximately 57% (~3,811 people) have private health cover, higher than the Rest of Qld's 52.5%. Mental health issues affect 11.1% of residents, while arthritis impacts 8.2%. Around 64.5% claim to be free from medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in the Rest of Qld. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 19.1% (1,279 people) aged 65 and over, lower than the Rest of Qld's 20.4%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, aligning with national rankings for the general population.

Garbutt - West End ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Garbutt-West End was found to have below average cultural diversity, with 83.9% of its population being Australian citizens, born in Australia (82.7%), and speaking English only at home (91.0%). Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 49.8% of the population. Notably, the 'Other' category was overrepresented at 0.9%, compared to 0.8% regionally.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (27.5%), Australian (24.1%), and Irish (9.2%). There were also notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Australian Aboriginal was overrepresented at 6.1%, Maori was equally represented at 0.8%, and German was slightly underrepresented at 4.3% compared to the regional average of 4.7%.

Garbutt - West End's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Garbutt - West End is 39 years, lower than Rest of Qld's average of 41 but close to the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows a prominent group aged 25-34 (17.7%), while those aged 5-14 are relatively smaller (7.4%) compared to Rest of Qld. Between 2021 and present, the 25-34 age group grew from 15.4% to 17.7%, and the 15-24 cohort increased from 12.7% to 14.3%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group declined from 14.5% to 10.3%, and the 5-14 group dropped from 9.3% to 7.4%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Garbutt - West End's age structure. The 85+ age cohort is projected to rise substantially, increasing by 101 people (67%) from 150 to 252. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 97% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Meanwhile, the 0-4 and 65-74 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.