Toowong

Population growth drivers in Toowong are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Toowong's population was around 13,944 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 1,516 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,428. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 13,665 in June 2024 and an additional 276 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 3,593 persons per square kilometer, placing Toowong in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate of 12.2% since the 2021 census exceeded the national average of 8.9%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 84.9% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth in the area.

AreaSearch adopts 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 are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Looking ahead, a significant population increase is forecast for Toowong, with an expected expansion of 3,781 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 25.1% over the 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Toowong when compared nationally

Toowong has recorded approximately 151 residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years, totalling 755 homes. As of FY26, 15 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.4 new residents per dwelling were constructed annually between FY21 and FY25. However, this figure increased to 10.3 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, reflecting Toowong's growing popularity. The average construction value of new properties is $535,000, indicating a focus on the premium market.

In FY26, there have been $76.8 million in commercial approvals, suggesting robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Toowong shows 137.0% higher construction activity per person, offering buyers greater choice. However, development activity has moderated recently. This activity is significantly above the national average, indicating strong developer interest in the area. New development consists of 7.0% standalone homes and 93.0% townhouses or apartments, providing accessible entry options for downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. This trend reflects reduced availability of development sites and shifting lifestyle demands. With around 359 people per dwelling approval, Toowong shows a developed market.

Population forecasts indicate Toowong will gain 3,502 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

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

Area infrastructure significantly impacts local performance. AreaSearch identified 45 projects likely affecting the area. Notable projects include The Wesley Hospital Expansion (Chasely Street Health Hub), Oakman Residences, Sylvan Residences, and Monarch Residences Toowong. Below is a list of projects expected to be 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.

The employment environment in Toowong shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Toowong has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate is 3.5%, showing an estimated employment growth of 0.9% over the past year.

As of September 2025, there are 8,916 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.5% below Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation in Toowong is 71.3%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. The key industries of employment among residents are professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Professional & technical services show strong specialization with an employment share of 1.9 times the regional level, while construction shows lower representation at 4.3% compared to the regional average of 9.0%.

The ratio of 0.7 workers per resident indicates a level of local employment opportunities above the norm. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 0.9%, while labour force grew by 0.6%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment rise by 3.8% and unemployment fall by 0.5 percentage points. State-level data as of 25-Nov shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Toowong's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.3% over five years and 14.7% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Toowong SA2 had a median income of $59,258 and an average income of $90,960. Nationally, these figures are high compared to Greater Brisbane's median of $55,645 and average of $70,520. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% from financial year 2022 to September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $67,548 (median) and $103,685 (average). Census data indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Toowong cluster around the 68th percentile nationally. Income distribution shows that 34.0% of residents earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, reflecting regional patterns where 33.3% fall within this range. High housing costs consume 17.7% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 59th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Toowong features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The dwelling structure in Toowong, as per the latest Census evaluation, consisted of 30.1% houses and 69.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Brisbane metro's 56.6% houses and 43.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Toowong stood at 21.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.2% and rented ones at 55.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,052, below Brisbane metro's average of $2,513. The median weekly rent in Toowong was $420, compared to Brisbane metro's $430. Nationally, Toowong's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,052 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 54.0% of all households, including 18.5% couples with children, 26.7% couples without children, and 6.4% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 46.0%, with lone person households at 32.0% and group households comprising 14.1%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.5.

Educational achievement in Toowong places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

In Toowong, 58.0% of residents aged 15 years and above have university qualifications, exceeding Queensland's (25.7%) and Australia's (30.4%) averages. This high educational attainment is beneficial for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent (36.3%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (17.0%) and graduate diplomas (4.7%). Vocational pathways account for 18.5%, with advanced diplomas at 8.5% and certificates at 10.0%.

Educational participation is notably high, with 37.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 20.7% in tertiary education, 5.7% in secondary education, and 5.5% pursuing primary education.

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

Toowong has 69 active public transport stops, offering a mix of ferry, train, and bus services. These stops are served by 96 individual routes, facilitating 7,223 weekly passenger trips in total. The area's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents located an average of 129 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 1,031 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 104 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Toowong exhibits exceptional health outcomes, with a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The private health cover rate is notably high at approximately 67% of the total population (9300 people), compared to Greater Brisbane's 72.2%. Nationally, this figure stands at 55.3%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions in the area, affecting 9.7% and 7.4% of residents respectively. Conversely, 75.1% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Brisbane's 74.7%. The area has 11.1% of residents aged 65 and over (1553 people), with seniors exhibiting strong health outcomes broadly in line with the general population's profile.

Toowong was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Toowong's population was found to have higher cultural diversity than most other local areas, with 24.9% speaking a language other than English at home and 35.3% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Toowong, comprising 38.0% of its residents. Notably, Judaism has an overrepresentation in Toowong compared to Greater Brisbane, with 0.2% versus 0.2%.

The top three ancestry groups are English at 24.2%, Australian at 19.5%, and Irish at 10.4%. Some ethnic groups have notable differences: French is equally represented at 0.7% in Toowong as regionally, Chinese is overrepresented at 8.1% versus 3.3%, and Welsh is equally represented at 0.7%.

Toowong hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Toowong's median age of 30 is lower than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 and the Australian median of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Toowong has a higher proportion of residents aged 15-24 (23.5%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (7.7%). This concentration of 15-24 year-olds is above the national average of 12.5%. From 2021 to present, the percentage of Toowong's population aged 15-24 has increased from 22.5% to 23.5%, while the percentage of those aged 35-44 has decreased from 13.7% to 13.0%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Toowong's age structure. The number of residents aged 15-24 is projected to increase by 586 people (an 18% rise) from 3,271 to 3,858. The 0-4 age group is expected to grow more modestly, with an increase of 32 residents (a 7% rise).