Wacol
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Wacol's population is around 7014 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 794 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 6220 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 6908 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 9 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 368 persons per square kilometer, providing significant space per person and potential room for further development. Wacol's growth rate of 12.8% since the 2021 census exceeded the national average of 8.6%. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 50.6% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth were positive factors.

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 released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. These state projections do not provide age category splits, so proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data are applied for each age cohort where utilised. Future population dynamics anticipate an increase just below the median of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 370 persons and 3.8% over the 17 years.

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

Wacol averaged approximately 7 new dwelling approvals per year. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, 36 dwellings were approved, with none yet recorded in FY26. On average, 22.1 people moved to the area per dwelling built over these five years.

This supply lag suggests heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $145,000, below regional levels, offering more affordable housing choices for buyers. In FY26, commercial approvals totalled $306.0 million, indicating robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Wacol has significantly less development activity, 69.0% below the regional average per person, which typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. This is also lower than national levels, suggesting market maturity and possible development constraints.

All new construction consists of detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character focused on family homes. With approximately 1697 people estimated in the area per dwelling approval, Wacol has a quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate an increase of 264 residents by 2041. Current construction levels should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Wacol has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 26 projects potentially impacting the region. Notable initiatives include the Wacol Youth Remand Centre, Waterford Business Park, Wacol Logistics Hub, and South Queensland Correctional Facilities Expansion. Below is a list detailing those most relevant.

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

Employment conditions in Wacol face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Wacol has a balanced workforce with representation from white and blue collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are strongly represented, with an unemployment rate of 13.8% as of June 2025.

There are 1,040 residents employed while the unemployment rate is 9.7% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation in Wacol lags significantly at 18.8%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Leading employment industries among residents include manufacturing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Manufacturing employment is particularly notable, with levels at 2.5 times the regional average.

Conversely, professional & technical employs just 3.8% of local workers, lower than Greater Brisbane's 8.9%. There are 2.0 workers for every resident in Wacol, indicating it functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from nearby areas. Over the year to June 2025, labour force levels increased by 0.2% while employment declined by 1.0%, resulting in a rise in unemployment rate by 1.1 percentage points. This contrasts with Greater Brisbane where employment rose by 4.4%. State-level data to Sep-25 shows Queensland employment contracted by 0.23%, with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, slightly lower than the national unemployment rate of 4.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest potential future demand within Wacol, projecting national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Wacol's employment mix suggests local growth could be approximately 5.6%% over five years and 12.4% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that Wacol's median income is $51,773 and average income is $57,797. This is lower than Greater Brisbane's median income of $55,645 and average income of $70,520. Based on a 11.71% growth in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for March 2025 would be approximately $57,836 (median) and $64,565 (average). The 2021 Census data indicates that household, family and personal incomes in Wacol fall between the 3rd and 14th percentiles nationally. Income brackets show that the $800 - $1,499 band captures 29.6% of Wacol's population (2,076 individuals), differing from broader area patterns where the $1,500 - $2,999 band dominates at 33.3%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Wacol, with only 80.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 12th percentile nationally.

Wacol is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Wacol, as per the latest Census evaluation, 87.2% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 12.9% being other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and others. This compares to Brisbane metropolitan's figures of 80.2% houses and 19.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wacol stood at 19.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 22.4% and rented ones at 58.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, below Brisbane metro's average of $1,630. The median weekly rent in Wacol was $290, compared to Brisbane metro's $355. Nationally, Wacol's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Wacol features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 72.2% of all households, including 27.0% couples with children, 16.3% couples without children, and 27.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 27.8%, with lone person households at 22.4% and group households comprising 5.1%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which aligns with the Greater Brisbane average.

Wacol faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 10.9%, significantly lower than the Greater Brisbane average of 30.5%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 1.1% and graduate diplomas at 0.5%. Vocational pathways account for 18.4% of qualifications among those aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 3.1% and certificates at 15.3%.

Educational participation is high, with 68.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 24.2% in primary education, 24.2% in secondary education, and 6.0% pursuing tertiary education. Wacol's 4 schools have a combined enrollment of 368 students. The educational mix includes 1 primary school and 3 K-12 schools. Limited local school capacity, at 5.2 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 13.3, means many families travel outside the area for schooling. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

Wacol has 32 active public transport stops, a mix of train and bus. These stops are served by 50 routes, offering 1,742 weekly passenger trips in total. Residents enjoy good transport accessibility, with an average distance of 399 meters to the nearest stop.

Service frequency stands at 248 trips daily across all routes, translating to about 54 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Wacol is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data shows significant issues in Wacol, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 49% of the total population (around 3,429 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 11.2 and 9.8% of residents respectively. About 64.0% of residents report being completely free from medical ailments, lower than the 72.1% rate in Greater Brisbane. As of 2021, 8.2% of Wacol's population is aged 65 and over (around 573 people), lower than the 13.6% figure for Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, generally mirroring those of the wider population.

Wacol 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

Wacol has a higher cultural diversity than most nearby areas, with 23.2% of its residents born overseas and 32.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Wacol, accounting for 47.7% of the population. However, Buddhism is more prevalent in Wacol at 7.3%, compared to 8.7% across Greater Brisbane.

The top three ancestral groups are Australian (20.1%), English (19.6%), and Other (12.5%). Some ethnic groups have notable differences: Samoan is overrepresented at 5.3% in Wacol (regional average is 2.7%), Vietnamese is underrepresented at 7.3% (regional average is 11.3%), and New Zealand-born residents are slightly more represented at 1.3%.

Wacol hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Wacol's median age is 35 years, nearly matching Greater Brisbane's average of 36, but slightly younger than Australia's 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Wacol has a higher percentage of residents aged 35-44 (23.6%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (7.1%). This concentration of residents aged 35-44 is significantly higher than the national average of 14.2%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, Wacol's residents have aged on average by 1.2 years, with the median age rising from 34 to 35. Specifically, the percentage of residents aged 45-54 increased from 13.1% to 15.0%, while those aged 35-44 rose from 22.4% to 23.6%. Conversely, the percentage of residents aged 25-34 decreased from 25.6% to 21.8%, and those aged 15-24 dropped from 14.9% to 12.9%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for Wacol. The 45-54 age group is projected to grow by 26%, adding 276 residents and reaching a total of 1,326. Meanwhile, both the 15-24 and 35-44 age groups are expected to decrease in numbers.