Kirwan - West
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Kirwan-West's population is around 15,204 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 260 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 14,944 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 15,209 in June 2024 and an additional 27 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,627 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth was primarily driven by natural growth contributing approximately 61.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. It should be noted that these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort are applied where utilized. Considering projected demographic shifts, population is expected to decline by 659 persons by 2041 according to this methodology. However, growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, led by the 25 to 34 age group projected to grow by 422 people.

The level of residential development activity in Kirwan - West is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Kirwan-West has averaged approximately five new dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, 26 dwellings were approved, with no approvals recorded so far in FY26. The area's population decline suggests that new supply has likely kept pace with demand, providing good choice for buyers.

New properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost value of $534,000. This financial year has seen $22.7 million in commercial approvals, indicating steady commercial investment activity. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Kirwan-West records significantly lower building activity, with 92.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established dwellings. Nationally, building activity is also lower, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints.

Recent building activity consists entirely of detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional suburban character focused on family homes appealing to those seeking space. With approximately 2782 people per dwelling approval, Kirwan-West reflects a highly mature market. Given stable or declining population forecasts, Kirwan-West may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Kirwan - West has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 28thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 13 projects that could affect the region. Notable initiatives include Kirwan Health Campus Expansion, Willowbank Estate, Townsville Connection Road (Stuart Drive) Upgrade, and Garbutt-Upper Ross Road Safety Improvements. The following list details those expected to have the most relevance.

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

The labour market in Kirwan - West demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Kirwan - West has a skilled workforce with an unemployment rate of 3.5% as of June 2025. It has 8,149 residents in work, with an unemployment rate 0.5% lower than the Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation is high at 68.3%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. The dominant employment sectors are health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and retail trade. Public administration & safety has a particularly strong representation with an employment share 2.1 times the regional level. However, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented at 0.3% compared to Rest of Qld's 4.5%.

The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data analysis. From June 2024 to June 2025, the labour force decreased by 1.8% and employment declined by 3.0%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.2 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment grow by 1.8% and labour force expand by 2.0%. 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 rate of 4.5%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 project a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kirwan - West's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.5%% over five years and 13.5% over ten years.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch released postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 on Kirwan - West. The median income among taxpayers was $62,946, with an average of $71,397. This is higher than the national average and compares to Rest of Qld's median of $50,780 and average of $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, estimates for March 2025 would be approximately $70,317 (median) and $79,758 (average). Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes in Kirwan - West cluster around the 62nd percentile nationally. The dominant income bracket is $1,500 - 2,999 with 40.1% of residents (6,096 people), consistent with surrounding region trends at 31.7%. After housing, 86.4% of income remains for other expenses and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Kirwan - West's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 92.7% houses and 7.3% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This compares to Non-Metro Qld's 81.3% houses and 18.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kirwan - West was at 26.3%, aligning with Non-Metro Qld's level. The remaining dwellings were either mortgaged (40.3%) or rented (33.4%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,517, similar to Non-Metro Qld's average. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $350, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $305. Nationally, Kirwan - West's median monthly mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were less than the national figure of $375 per week.

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

Family households account for 78.1 percent of all households, including 32.9 percent couples with children, 29.0 percent couples without children, and 15.1 percent single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 21.9 percent, with lone person households at 18.5 percent and group households comprising 3.4 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Educational outcomes in Kirwan - West fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area faces educational challenges with university qualification rates at 18.3%, significantly below the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 13.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 2.5% and graduate diplomas at 2.2%. Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 40.4% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas at 11.0% and certificates at 29.4%.

Educational participation is high, with 31.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.9% in primary education, 10.5% in secondary education, and 4.9% pursuing tertiary education. Kirwan - West's 4 schools have a combined enrollment reaching 3,611 students as of the latest data. Kirwan - West demonstrates typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 970) with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes 2 primary, 1 secondary, and 1 K-12 school. School capacity exceeds typical residential needs (23.8 places per 100 residents vs 16.7 regionally), indicating the area serves as an educational center for the broader region. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments please refer to parent campus.

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

Transport analysis indicates 28 operational stops in Kirwan - West area, all bus services. Six routes serve these stops, offering 1,296 weekly passenger trips. Residential accessibility to transport is rated good, with residents usually located 330 meters from nearest stop.

Average daily service frequency is 185 trips across all routes, translating to approximately 46 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Kirwan - West are marginally below the national average with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Kirwan - West shows below-average health outcomes, with common health conditions being somewhat typical but higher than national averages among older cohorts.

Approximately 55% (~8,362 people) of the total population has private health cover, which is very high. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most prevalent medical conditions in the area, affecting 9.5% and 8.4% of residents respectively. 67.4% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.8% across Rest of Qld. The area has 15.1% (2,292 people) of residents aged 65 and over, with health outcomes among seniors requiring more attention than the broader population.

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

Kirwan-West had a cultural diversity index below average, with 86.7% of its residents born in Australia, 90.3% being citizens, and 92.5% speaking English exclusively at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Kirwan-West, accounting for 58.2% of the population, compared to 52.7% across the rest of Queensland. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (28.5%), English (27.5%), and Irish (8.3%).

Notable differences existed in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Australian Aboriginal was overrepresented at 5.4%, Maori at 0.6%, and German at 3.9%.

Kirwan - West's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Kirwan-West's median age is 37, which is significantly below the Rest of Qld average of 41 and essentially aligned with Australia's median age of 38. Compared to the Rest of Qld average, the 15-24 cohort is notably over-represented at 14.8% locally, while the 75-84 year-olds are under-represented at 4.7%. Post the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 3.4% to 4.7% of the population. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has decreased from 14.7% to 12.8%, and the 45 to 54 group has dropped from 14.7% to 13.5%. Demographic modeling indicates Kirwan-West's age profile will significantly change by 2041. The 25 to 34 cohort is projected to grow strongest at 17%, adding 333 residents to reach 2,316. Demographic aging continues as residents aged 65 and older represent 51% of anticipated growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 65 to 74 and 35 to 44 cohorts.