Wacol

Population growth drivers in Wacol are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Wacol's population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, was approximately 7011 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 791 people, a rise of 12.7% since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 6220. The change is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 6908 in June 2024 and an additional 8 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 367 persons per square kilometer, indicating significant space per person and potential for further development. Wacol's growth rate exceeded the national average of 8.9%, making it a growth leader in its SA3 area. Interstate migration contributed approximately 50.6% to overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth were positive factors.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. 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. These state projections do not provide age category splits; thus, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 using 2022 data. Future population dynamics anticipate a median increase, with Wacol expected to grow by 370 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an overall increase of 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 from FY-21 to FY-25, with a total of 36 homes approved during this period. No dwelling approvals have been recorded in FY-26 so far. On average, 22.1 people moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating substantial demand outstripping supply.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $149,000, which is below regional levels. Commercial approvals totalled $306.0 million in this financial year, suggesting strong local business investment. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Wacol has significantly less development activity, with 69.0% fewer approvals per person. This scarcity of new dwellings typically increases demand and prices for existing properties. All new construction between FY-21 and FY-25 consisted of detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional low density character focused on family homes.

The estimated population count is 1697 people per dwelling approval, reflecting Wacol's quiet development environment. AreaSearch quarterly estimates indicate that Wacol will gain 267 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth to exceed current forecasts.

Wacol has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 24 projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include Waterford Business Park, Wacol Youth Remand Centre, Wacol Logistics Hub, and South Queensland Correctional Facilities Expansion. The following list details those 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.

Employment drivers in Wacol are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Wacol has a balanced workforce consisting of white and blue collar employees. The manufacturing and industrial sectors are strongly represented in the area.

As of September 2025, the unemployment rate is 13.6%. There has been an estimated employment growth of 3.8% over the past year. In September 2025, 1,054 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 9.6% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation in Wacol is significantly lower at 18.8%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%.

The leading employment industries among residents are manufacturing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Manufacturing has a particularly notable concentration with employment levels at 2.5 times the regional average. Professional & technical services have limited presence in Wacol with only 3.8% of employment compared to the regional average of 8.9%. There are approximately 2.0 workers for every resident, indicating that the area functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 3.8% while labour force increased by 3.2%, causing a fall in unemployment rate of 0.5 percentage points. This compares similarly with Greater Brisbane where employment grew by 3.8%, labour force expanded by 3.3%, and unemployment fell by 0.5 percentage points. State-level data to November 25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, broadly in line with the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offer further insight into potential future demand within Wacol. These projections suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Wacol's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 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 ending June 2022 shows median income in Wacol SA2 was $51,773 and average income was $57,797. This is lower than Greater Brisbane's median income of $55,645 and average income of $70,520. Based on a 13.99% increase in Wage Price Index since financial year ending June 2022, estimated median income for Wacol as of September 2025 would be approximately $59,016 and average income would be around $65,883. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Wacol fall between the 2nd and 13th percentiles nationally. The largest earnings segment in Wacol comprises 29.6% earning $800 - $1,499 weekly, contrasting with the regional pattern where 33.3% earn $1,500 - $2,999 weekly. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Wacol, with only 80.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 11th 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 data, 87.2% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 12.9% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types of dwellings. In comparison, Brisbane metropolitan area had 80.2% houses and 19.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wacol stood at 19.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 22.4% and rented dwellings at 58.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, below Brisbane's average of $1,630. Median weekly rent in Wacol was $290, lower than Brisbane'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's university qualification rate is 10.9%, significantly lower than Greater Brisbane's average of 30.5%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.1%) and graduate diplomas (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.

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 operating within its boundaries. These stops offer a mix of train and bus services, with a total of 50 individual routes in operation. Collectively, these routes facilitate 1,742 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport in Wacol is rated as good, with residents typically located an average of 399 meters from the nearest transport stop. Across all routes, service frequency averages 248 trips per day, equating to approximately 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 indicates significant health challenges in Wacol, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Approximately 49% of the total population (~3,428 people) has private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 11.2% and 9.8% of residents respectively. About 64.0% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 72.1% in Greater Brisbane. In Wacol, 8.2% of residents are aged 65 and over (573 people), lower than the 13.6% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors show similar challenges as the general population's health profile.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Wacol was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Wacol has a higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 23.2% of its population 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 notably overrepresented, comprising 7.3% compared to 8.7% across Greater Brisbane.

The top three ancestry groups are Australian (20.1%), English (19.6%), and Other (12.5%). Some ethnic groups have notable differences in representation: Samoan at 5.3% (vs regional 2.7%), Vietnamese at 7.3% (vs 11.3%), and New Zealand at 1.3% (vs 0.9%).

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 years but younger than Australia's average of 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 35-44 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.2%. Between the 2021 Census and the current time, Wacol's residents have aged by an average of 1.2 years, with the median age rising from 34 to 35 years. Specifically, the 45-54 age group has grown from 13.1% to 15.0%, while the 35-44 cohort increased from 22.4% to 23.6%. Conversely, the 25-34 age group declined from 25.6% to 21.8%, and the 15-24 age group dropped from 14.9% to 12.9%. Population forecasts for Wacol in 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes, with the 45-54 age group projected to grow by 26%, adding 277 residents to reach a total of 1,326. Meanwhile, both the 15-24 and 35-44 age groups are expected to decrease in number.