Manly West
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Manly West's population is approximately 12,336 as of August 2025. This figure reflects a growth of 476 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 11,860. The increase was inferred from ABS estimates and validated new addresses between June 2024 and the Census date. As of August 2025, Manly West's population density is around 2,512 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch assessments. The area has experienced a 4.0% growth since the Census, which is within 2.4 percentage points of its SA3 area's growth rate of 6.4%. Natural population growth contributed approximately 53.6% 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 and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023 (based on 2021 data) are adopted, with proportional growth weightings applied for age cohorts based on ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data. According to demographic trends, Manly West is expected to expand by 236 persons to reach a total population of approximately 12,572 by 2041, representing an increase of 1.8% over the 17-year period.

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

Manly West has approximately 22 residential properties granted approval annually. Development approval data from the ABS indicates a total of 113 approvals over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, with an additional two approved in FY-26 so far. On average, each dwelling accommodates around 2.8 new residents per year over these five years, indicating consistent demand that supports property values. The average construction cost of new homes is $473,000.

This financial year has seen $49.6 million in commercial approvals, reflecting robust commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Manly West exhibits significantly reduced construction levels, at 57.0% below the regional per capita average, which typically supports stronger demand and values for established properties. New development comprises 63.0% detached houses and 37.0% attached dwellings, expanding medium-density options and creating diverse housing alternatives. This marks a notable shift from the current 81.0% house dominance, suggesting diminishing developable land availability and adapting to evolving lifestyle preferences and affordability needs. Manly West has an established market with approximately 742 people per dwelling approval. Population forecasts project an increase of 220 residents by 2041.

Given current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially exceeding current population growth projections.

Manly West has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 34thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 13 projects that could influence the area. Notable projects include Wynnum Manly Lota Foreshores Master Plan, East Village Mixed-Use Precinct, Mayfair Village Shopping Centre Expansion, and New Special School on Brisbane's Bayside. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Manly West performing better than 85% of local markets assessed across Australia

Manly West has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate was 2.3% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 4.7%.

As of June 2025, 7,151 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.8%, below Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation is 67.0% compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction.

Health care & social assistance employs 15.3% of local workers, below Greater Brisbane's 16.1%. Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 4.7%, labour force grew by 4.2%, reducing unemployment by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment rise by 4.4% and unemployment fall by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows QLD employment contracted by 0.23%, with a state unemployment rate of 4.2%. National forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but industry-specific projections suggest Manly West's local growth could be approximately the same over these periods.

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

Manly West's median income among taxpayers was $61,697 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $79,865 during the same period. Greater Brisbane's median and average incomes were $55,645 and $70,520 respectively. Based on a Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, estimated median income for Manly West by March 2025 would be approximately $68,922, with the average being around $89,217. Census data shows household, family and personal incomes in Manly West cluster at the 72nd percentile nationally. In this area, 31.4% of individuals (3,873) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, mirroring the region where 33.3% occupy this bracket. A substantial proportion, 31.5%, earn above $3,000 per week, indicating strong economic capacity throughout Manly West. Housing consumes 14.7% of income, while residents rank within the 75th percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

Manly West's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 80.6% houses and 19.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Brisbane metro had 78.0% houses and 22.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Manly West was 32.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 44.4% and rented ones at 23.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,050, lower than Brisbane metro's $2,100. Median weekly rent in Manly West was $435, compared to Brisbane metro's $420. Nationally, Manly West's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,050 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 78.7% of all households, including 38.2% couples with children, 26.5% couples without children, and 13.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 21.3%, with lone person households at 19.1% and group households comprising 2.0%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Manly West shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Manly West has 27.5% of its residents aged 15+ with university qualifications, exceeding the SA4 region average of 23.7%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 19.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.9%). Vocational credentials are held by 36.2% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 12.1% and certificates at 24.1%.

Current educational participation is high, with 29.6% enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.6% in primary, 9.3% in secondary, and 4.5% in tertiary education. Manly West's four schools have a combined enrollment of 2,712 students. The area has above-average socio-educational conditions (ICSEA: 1076) and functions as an education hub with 22.0 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 13.6. It includes two primary and two K-12 schools, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

The analysis of public transport in Manly West shows that there are 46 active transport stops currently operating. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 8 individual routes providing service to the area. Together, these routes facilitate 491 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport in Manly West is rated as good, with residents on average being located approximately 212 meters from their nearest transport stop. The service frequency across all routes averages around 70 trips per day, which equates to roughly 10 weekly trips per individual stop.

Manly West's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Manly West's health metrics are close to national benchmarks.

Common health conditions among its general population are somewhat typical but higher than the national average among older cohorts. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 60% of the total population (7,376 people). The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, impacting 8.0 and 7.8% of residents respectively. 69.1% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 69.4% across Greater Brisbane. As of 2021, 17.7% of Manly West's residents are aged 65 and over (2,187 people), which is higher than the 16.7% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges requiring more attention than the broader population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Manly West records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Manly West's cultural diversity is roughly comparable to the broader region, with 78.3% of its population born in Australia, 89.0% being citizens, and 90.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the dominant religion in Manly West, accounting for 54.9% of the population, slightly higher than the Greater Brisbane average of 52.5%. The top three ancestry groups in Manly West are English (31.0%), Australian (24.4%), and Irish (9.9%).

Notably, New Zealanders make up 1.2%, Maori 1.1%, and South Africans 0.8% of the population, with New Zealanders being slightly overrepresented compared to regional averages.

Manly West's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Manly West is 40 years, which is higher than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 years and slightly exceeds the national average of 38 years. The 45-54 age group is over-represented in Manly West at 15.5%, compared to Greater Brisbane's average, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 8.0%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 15-24 age group grew from 11.2% to 12.2% of the population, whereas the 25-34 cohort declined from 9.9% to 8.0%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Manly West. Notably, the 85+ age group is expected to grow by 118%, reaching 714 people from 326. Residents aged 65 and older will represent 71% of the anticipated growth. Conversely, the 0-4 and 5-14 age groups are projected to experience population declines.