Pallara - Willawong

Pallara - Willawong lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Pallara-Willawong's population was approximately 15,851 as of November 2025. This figure represents a growth of 5,631 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 10,220. The increase is inferred from the estimated resident population of 15,458 in June 2024 and an additional 1,346 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 593 persons per square kilometer. Pallara-Willawong's growth rate of 55.1% since the 2021 census exceeded the national average of 8.9%. Interstate migration contributed approximately 75.8% of overall population gains during recent periods, with other factors such as natural growth and overseas migration also being positive contributors.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. These state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Future population dynamics forecast a significant increase in Pallara-Willawong's top quartile of statistical areas, with an expected increase of 4,965 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 28.8% over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Pallara - Willawong was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Pallara-Willawong averaged approximately 450 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, with a total of 2,253 homes approved during this period. In FY26 up to date, there have been 43 dwelling approvals. On average, 3.6 people moved to the area for each dwelling built annually over these five years.

This indicates that supply is significantly lagging demand, which typically results in heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $280,000. In FY26, $260.5 million worth of commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Pallara-Willawong has 415.0% more development activity per person, suggesting ample choice for buyers, although recent periods show a moderation in development activity. This level is significantly higher than the national average, reflecting strong developer confidence in the location.

All new construction in the area since FY21 has been detached houses, maintaining Pallara-Willawong's traditional low-density character and focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The location currently has approximately 48 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Pallara-Willawong is forecasted to gain 4,572 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Pallara - Willawong has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 52 projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Oxley Wedge Industrial Precinct, Pallara Shopping Village, Pallara Development Project at 78-88 Vied Road, and Forest Lake Shopping Centre ALDI Extension. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Employment performance in Pallara - Willawong exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Pallara-Willawong has a highly educated workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 3.5% as of September 2021.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 0.7%. As of September 2025, 8,543 residents were in work, with an unemployment rate of 3.5%, compared to Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation was 75.6%, higher than Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Leading employment industries among residents included health care & social assistance, retail trade, and transport, postal & warehousing.

Health care & social assistance had particularly notable concentration with employment levels at 1.2 times the regional average. Construction had limited presence with 6.3% employment compared to the regional average of 9.0%. The ratio of workers per resident was substantial, indicating significant local employment opportunities. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 0.7%, while labour force increased by 1.7%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 1 percentage point. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment growth of 3.8% and a decrease in unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. State-level data from November 2021 showed Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. National employment forecasts from May-25 projected national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates differed significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Pallara-Willawong's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.2% over ten years.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

The Pallara-Willawong SA2 had lower incomes than average nationally in financial year 2022, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data. Its median taxpayer income was $52,687 and the average stood at $59,146, compared to Greater Brisbane's figures of $55,645 and $70,520 respectively. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $60,058 (median) and $67,421 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99%. The 2021 Census showed household, family, and personal incomes ranked highly in Pallara-Willawong, between the 77th and 87th percentiles nationally. Income analysis revealed that 46.3% (7,339 individuals) earned $1,500-$2,999 weekly, consistent with broader regional trends of 33.3%. Notably, 32.2% earned above $3,000 weekly. High housing costs consumed 17.3% of income, but strong earnings placed disposable income at the 84th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 7th decile.

Pallara - Willawong is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Pallara-Willawong's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 96.1% houses and 3.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Brisbane metro had 82.0% houses and 18.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Pallara-Willawong was 12.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 60.6% and rented ones at 26.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,100, higher than Brisbane metro's $1,872. Median weekly rent in Pallara-Willawong was $450, compared to Brisbane metro's $400. Nationally, Pallara-Willawong's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,100 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households compose 89.3% of all households, including 55.0% couples with children, 24.0% couples without children, and 9.4% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 10.7%, with lone person households at 8.9% and group households comprising 1.9%. The median household size is 3.2 people, larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 3.0.

Pallara - Willawong shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Educational attainment in Pallara-Willawong is notably higher than state and national averages. In this area, 40.4% of residents aged 15 years and over have university qualifications, compared to 25.7% in Queensland and 30.4% in Australia. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 26.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (11.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 28.4% of residents aged 15 years and over holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas account for 12.2% and certificates for 16.2%.

Educational participation is high in Pallara-Willawong, with 31.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.9% in primary education, 6.8% in secondary education, and 5.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Pallara-Willawong has 31 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by seven different routes that together facilitate 1,063 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is considered good, with residents typically residing 307 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 151 daily trips across all routes, translating to approximately 34 weekly trips per individual stop.

Pallara - Willawong's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Pallara - Willawong shows excellent health outcomes, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. Approximately 49% (~7,782 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (5.5%) and mental health issues (4.8%), while 83.0% report no medical ailments, higher than Greater Brisbane's 77.2%. Only 5.4% (860 people) are aged 65 and over, compared to Greater Brisbane's 12.1%. Seniors' health outcomes align with the general population's profile.

Pallara - Willawong is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Pallara-Willawong is one of the most culturally diverse areas in Australia, with 55.4% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 52.3% born overseas. Christianity is the dominant religion in Pallara-Willawong, making up 36.1% of people. Hinduism is notably overrepresented, comprising 14.7% of the population compared to the Greater Brisbane average of 6.1%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are Other at 23.3%, English at 14.3%, and Australian at 13.0%. There are significant differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Indian is overrepresented at 12.5% compared to the regional average of 7.0%, Vietnamese at 6.0% (regional average 2.3%), and Samoan at 1.8% (regional average 1.3%).

Pallara - Willawong hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Pallara-Willawong's median age is 31 years, which is younger than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 and Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Pallara-Willawong has a higher percentage of residents aged 35-44 (22.6%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (3.9%). This concentration of 35-44 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.2%. According to data from the 2021 Census, the percentage of residents aged 35-44 has increased from 19.1% to 22.6%, while those aged 5-14 have risen from 15.3% to 18.5%. Conversely, the percentage of residents aged 25-34 has decreased from 21.0% to 16.0%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Pallara-Willawong's age profile. The number of residents aged 45-54 is expected to increase by 78%, from 1,718 to 3,059 people. Meanwhile, the number of residents aged 25-34 is projected to decrease.