Garbutt - West End

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

Garbutt - West End's population was around 6,633 as of November 2025, based on AreaSearch's analysis. This figure reflects an increase of 360 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,273 people. The growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 6,603 in June 2024 and an additional 100 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 389 persons per square kilometer. Garbutt - West End's growth rate of 5.7% since the census is within 1.2 percentage points of the SA4 region's growth rate of 6.9%. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing 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 used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so proportional growth weightings from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections are applied for each age cohort. According to projections, Garbutt - West End's population is expected to decline by 506 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts are anticipated to grow, notably the 85 and over age group, 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 approximately 25 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 127 homes. As of FY-26, there have been five recorded approvals. On average, 1.6 new residents per year per dwelling were constructed between FY-21 and FY-25, suggesting a balanced supply and demand in the area. However, this figure has increased to 5.5 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating growing popularity and potential supply constraints. The average construction value of new properties is $208,000, reflecting more affordable housing options compared to regional norms.

This financial year has seen $38.5 million in commercial approvals registered, demonstrating strong commercial development momentum. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Garbutt-West End maintains similar development levels per capita, preserving market equilibrium with surrounding areas. New building activity consists of 89.0% detached houses and 11.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining the area's low-density nature while attracting space-seeking buyers.

This trend favours detached housing more than current patterns suggest (54.0% at Census), indicating ongoing robust demand for family homes despite increasing density pressures. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 348 people, reflecting its quiet development environment. With stable or declining population expected, Garbutt-West End may experience reduced pressure on housing and potentially create opportunities for buyers.

Garbutt - West End has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 24 projects that may affect this region. Notable ones are 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 likely to be 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 had an unemployment rate of 10.4% with a skilled workforce, well-represented essential services sectors, as of September 2025. There were 3,151 residents in work while the unemployment rate was 6.3% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation was similar to Rest of Qld at 59.1%. Key industries included health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and education & training. Public administration & safety had employment levels at 2.1 times the regional average while agriculture, forestry & fishing was under-represented with only 0.3% of workforce compared to Rest of Qld's 4.5%. There were 2.0 workers per resident as at Census, indicating it functioned as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas.

Over the 12 months to September 2025, labour force levels remained unchanged while employment declined by 2.8%, resulting in a rise of unemployment rate by 2.6 percentage points compared to Rest of Qld's growth and expansion. State-level data as at 25-Nov showed QLD employment contracted by 0.01% with state unemployment rate at 4.2%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Garbutt - West End's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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 2022 shows income in Garbutt - West End SA2 is among the highest in Australia. The median income is $59,414 and the average income stands at $77,092. This contrasts with Rest of Qld's figures where the median income is $50,780 and the average income is $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Garbutt - West End SA2 would be approximately $67,726 (median) and $87,877 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household incomes sit at the 19th percentile while personal income performs better at the 52nd percentile. Income analysis shows the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 29.2% of residents (1,936 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

The 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). This compares to Non-Metro Qld's 81.3% houses and 18.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Garbutt - West End was at 18.7%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (26.8%) or rented (54.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,354, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent figure was $250, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $305. Nationally, Garbutt - West End's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure 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 constitute 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 account for the remaining 50.2%, with lone person households at 44.8% and group households comprising 5.5% of the total. The median household size is 1.9 people, which is 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

Garbutt - West End trail residents aged 15+ have 24.5% university degrees, compared to Australia's 30.4%. This indicates potential for educational development. Bachelor degrees are most common at 16.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 37.7% of residents holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (28.3%).

Educational participation is high at 28.5%, with 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

Transport analysis shows 53 active stops operating in Garbutt - West End, offering bus services. These stops are served by 6 routes, providing a total of 702 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 211 meters from the nearest stop.

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

Health data indicates significant health challenges in Garbutt - West End, with notable prevalence of common conditions across both younger and older age groups. Approximately 58% (~3,833 people) have private health cover, higher than Rest of Qld at 53.3%.

Mental health issues affect 11.1% of residents, while arthritis impacts 8.2%. About 64.5% report no medical ailments, compared to 67.8% in Rest of Qld. The area has 18.6% (1,237 people) aged 65 and over, higher than the 14.9% in Rest of Qld. Senior health outcomes present challenges broadly aligned with the general population's health profile.

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, surveyed in June 2016, had a predominantly homogeneous population: 83.9% were citizens, 82.7% born in Australia, and 91.0% spoke English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, practiced by 49.8%. The 'Other' religious category showed an overrepresentation of 0.9%, compared to Rest of Qld's 0.7%.

Ancestry-wise, English (27.5%), Australian (24.1%), and Irish (9.2%) were the top groups. Notably, Australian Aboriginal (6.1%), Maori (0.8%), and German (4.3%) showed higher representation than regional averages of 5.0%, 0.5%, and 4.0% respectively.

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

The median age in Garbutt - West End is 39 years, which is lower than Rest of Qld's average of 41 but close to the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 25-34 make up 17.2% of the population, while those aged 5-14 comprise 7.9%. Since 2021, the 25-34 age group has grown from 15.4% to 17.2%, and the 15-24 cohort has increased from 12.7% to 14.2%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort has declined from 14.5% to 10.9%, and the 5-14 group has dropped from 9.3% to 7.9%. 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 110 people (78%) from 141 to 252. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 80% 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.