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, as of November 2025, is approximately 13,948. This figure represents an increase of 1,520 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 12,428. The growth from June 2024's estimated resident population of 13,665, along with an additional 276 validated new addresses, accounts for this increase. This results in a density ratio of 3,594 persons per square kilometer, placing Toowong in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's population growth rate of 12.2% since the 2021 census exceeds both the SA3 area average (9.5%) and the national average. Overseas migration contributed approximately 84.9% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving this growth.

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 used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings using ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 with a base year of 2022. Looking ahead, significant population growth is forecast for Toowong, with an expected increase of 3,781 persons by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers. This reflects a total increase of 25.1% over the 17-year period.

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, indicating a balanced supply and demand creating stable market conditions. However, recent data shows this has increased to 10.3 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, reflecting Toowong's growing popularity and potential supply constraints. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $535,000, suggesting developers focus on the premium market with high-end developments.

In FY26, there have been $76.8 million in commercial approvals, indicating 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, suggesting 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 and affordability requirements. With around 359 people per dwelling approval, Toowong shows a developed market.

According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Toowong is forecasted to gain 3,498 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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 45 projects likely to affect this region. Notable ones include Oakman Residences, Sylvan Residences, Monarch Residences Toowong, and Viridian Residences. The following details the most relevant projects.

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 professional services showing strong representation. The unemployment rate in Toowong is 3.5%, which is lower than the Greater Brisbane average of 4.0%. Over the past year, there has been an estimated employment growth of 0.9% in Toowong.

As of September 2025, 8,916 residents are employed with an unemployment rate of 3.0%, which is 1 percentage point lower than Greater Brisbane's rate. Workforce participation in Toowong stands at 75.9%, higher than the Greater Brisbane average of 70.8%. According to Census responses, 29.9% of residents work from home, although Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The key industries of employment among Toowong residents are professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training.

The area has a particularly strong specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share that is 1.9 times the regional level. Conversely, construction shows lower representation at 4.3% compared to the regional average of 9.0%. As of the Census, there are 0.7 workers for each resident, indicating a level of local employment opportunities above the norm. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment in Toowong increased by 0.9%, while the 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%, the labour force grow by 3.3%, and unemployment fall by 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 provide insight into potential future demand within Toowong. These projections estimate that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Toowong's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.3% over five years and 14.7% over ten years, although it is important to note that this extrapolation does not take into account localised population projections.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023 shows Toowong SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $60,519 and an average of $90,097. Nationally, these figures are extremely high, compared to Greater Brisbane's median of $58,236 and average of $72,799. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Toowong as of September 2025 would be approximately $66,516 (median) and $99,026 (average). Census data indicates household, family and personal incomes in Toowong cluster around the 68th percentile nationally. The largest income segment comprises 34.0% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, with 4,742 residents falling into this range, similar to patterns seen at regional levels where 33.3% occupy 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

In Toowong, as per the latest Census, dwelling structures consisted of 30.1% houses and 69.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Brisbane metropolitan's 73.5% houses and 26.5% 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, above Brisbane metro's average of $1,863. Median weekly rent in Toowong was $420, compared to Brisbane metro's $380. Nationally, Toowong's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher than 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 constitute 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 account for 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 2.6.

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

Toowong's residents aged 15+ have a notably higher proportion with university qualifications (58.0%) compared to Queensland's state average of 25.7% and Australia's national average of 30.4%. Among these residents, bachelor degrees are the most common at 36.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 17.0% and graduate diplomas at 4.7%. Vocational pathways account for 18.5%, with advanced diplomas making up 8.5% and certificates 10.0%. Educational participation is 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

The analysis of public transportation in Toowong shows that there are 69 active transport stops currently operating. These include a mix of ferry, train, and bus services. A total of 110 individual routes serve these stops, collectively providing 7,199 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility to transport is rated as excellent, with residents typically located an average of 129 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward from Toowong. The dominant mode of transportation remains car use at 60%, while 14% use train and 10% use bus services.

The average vehicle ownership per dwelling is 0.9, which is below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, a high percentage of residents, specifically 29.9%, work from home, which may reflect conditions related to COVID-19. The service frequency averages 1,028 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's health outcomes show remarkable results based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are very low across all age groups. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 66% of the total population (9,191 people), compared to 55.8% in Greater Brisbane and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues affecting 9.7% of residents and asthma impacting 7.4%. Notably, 75.1% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, higher than the 69.2% in Greater Brisbane. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 11.1% of residents aged 65 and over (1,553 people), lower than Greater Brisbane's 15.0%. While health outcomes among seniors are strong, they rank lower nationally compared to the broader population.

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 be more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 24.9% speaking a language other than English at home and 35.3% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion in Toowong, accounting for 38.0% of its population. However, Judaism was notably overrepresented, comprising 0.2% compared to 0.1% across Greater Brisbane.

The top three ancestry groups were English (24.2%), Australian (19.5%), and Irish (10.4%). Other ethnic groups with notable divergences included French at 0.7% in Toowong versus 0.5% regionally, Chinese at 8.1% versus 3.4%, and Welsh at 0.7% versus 0.5%.

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

Toowong's median age is 30, which is younger than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 and substantially lower than 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 significantly higher than the national average of 12.5%. Between 2021 and present, the proportion of Toowong's population aged 15 to 24 has increased from 22.5% to 23.5%, while the proportion of residents aged 35 to 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 to 24 is projected to increase by 585 people (an 18% rise), reaching 3,858 from the current figure of 3,272. Meanwhile, the 0 to 4 age group is expected to grow modestly, with an increase of 32 residents (a 7% rise).