Westcourt - Bungalow

An assessment of population growth drivers in Westcourt - Bungalow reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Westcourt-Bungalow's population was 7,095 as of November 2025, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure indicates a rise of 576 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,519 people. The increase is inferred from ABS' estimated resident population of 6,833 in June 2024 and an additional 97 validated new addresses post-Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 729 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages observed across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Westcourt-Bungalow's growth rate of 8.8% since the 2021 Census surpassed both the SA4 region (7.8%) and the SA3 area, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration was the primary driver behind this population growth.

AreaSearch employs 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; thus, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Looking ahead, regional areas across the nation are projected to experience above-median population growth. Westcourt-Bungalow is expected to expand by 1,633 persons to reach a total of 8,728 individuals by 2041, reflecting an increase of 19.3% over the seventeen-year period.

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

Westcourt - Bungalow has granted approximately five residential properties approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, about 25 homes were approved, with an additional ten approved so far in FY26. On average, around 9.1 people moved to the area each year for every dwelling built during these years.

This high demand has outpaced supply, potentially putting upward pressure on prices and increasing competition among buyers. New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $276,000, which is below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options. In FY26, commercial development approvals totaled $47.8 million, indicating strong commercial development momentum. However, compared to the rest of Queensland and nationally, Westcourt - Bungalow has significantly less development activity, with 79.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction may reinforce demand and pricing for existing dwellings due to market maturity and possible development constraints.

Recent building activity consists solely of detached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional low density character and focusing on family homes appealing to those seeking space. Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (40.0% at Census), indicating continued strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. The estimated population count per dwelling approval is 4535 people in the area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Westcourt - Bungalow will gain approximately 1,371 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Westcourt - Bungalow has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 68 projects likely to affect the area. Notable projects include Barlow Park Upgrade, Cairns Health and Innovation Centre (CHIC), Far North Private Hospital, and Mulgrave Rd, Westcourt. 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 conditions in Westcourt - Bungalow face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Westcourt - Bungalow has an unemployment rate of 8.8%. As of September 2025, there are 3,313 residents employed with an unemployment rate of 4.8%, which is 0.7 percentage points higher than the Rest of Queensland's rate of 4.1%.

The workforce participation rate is 52.6%, significantly lower compared to the Rest of Queensland's rate of 59.1%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. Notably, accommodation & food has an employment share that is 1.8 times higher than the regional level. In contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 1% of local workers, lower than Rest of Queensland's rate of 4.5%.

There are 2.2 workers for every resident in Westcourt - Bungalow, indicating it functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between September 2024 and September 2025, the labour force decreased by 1.5% while employment declined by 5%, leading to a rise of 3.4 percentage points in unemployment rate. Meanwhile, Rest of Queensland experienced employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%. As of 25-Nov-2025, Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% growth over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Westcourt - Bungalow's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by approximately 6.4% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, although these figures are illustrative extrapolations and do not account for localized population projections.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

The Westcourt - Bungalow SA2's median income among taxpayers was $51,414 in financial year 2022, according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. The average income stood at $63,944 during this period. These figures compare to Rest of Qld's median and average incomes of $50,780 and $64,844 respectively in financial year 2022. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% from financial year 2022 to September 2025, current estimates for Westcourt - Bungalow SA2's median income would be approximately $58,607 and the average income around $72,890. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Westcourt - Bungalow fall between the 10th and 24th percentiles nationally. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 dominates with 28.3% of residents (2,007 people). This mirrors the surrounding region where 31.7% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Westcourt - Bungalow, with only 80.0% of income remaining, ranking at the 9th percentile nationally.

Westcourt - Bungalow displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Westcourt - Bungalow's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 39.7% houses and 60.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This contrasts with Non-Metro Qld's figures of 68.4% houses and 31.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Westcourt - Bungalow was at 18.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 19.4% and rented ones at 61.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent figure stood at $280, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $315. Nationally, Westcourt - Bungalow's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 47.4% of all households, including 12.9% couples with children, 20.6% couples without children, and 12.5% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 52.6%, with lone person households at 44.6% and group households comprising 7.9%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.4.

Westcourt - Bungalow performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

Westcourt-Bungalow Trail has educational qualifications that lag behind national benchmarks. As of 2021, 21.9% of residents aged 15 and above hold university degrees, compared to the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 16.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 3.4% and graduate diplomas at 2.3%. Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.5% of residents aged 15 and above holding them, including advanced diplomas at 11.7% and certificates at 29.8%.

Educational participation is high, with 31.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of the 2021 census. This includes 8.9% in primary education, 8.3% in secondary education, and 5.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis indicates that Westcourt - Bungalow has 22 active public transport stops in operation. These are served by a mix of buses operating along nine different routes. The total number of weekly passenger trips facilitated by these routes is 1,217.

Residents' accessibility to transport is rated as good, with an average distance of 223 meters to the nearest stop. The service frequency averages 173 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 55 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Westcourt - Bungalow is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts

Westcourt's Bungalow faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across various age groups, particularly so among older cohorts.

Approximately 51% (~3,632 people) have private health cover, slightly lower than the average SA2 area. The most common medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 7.9% and 7.9% of residents respectively. However, 67.4% report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 71.7% in Rest of Qld. The area has 18.1% (1,284 people) aged 65 and over, higher than the 15.7% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention due to these higher proportions.

Westcourt - Bungalow 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

Westcourt-Bungalow has a higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 31.9% of its residents born overseas and 25.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Westcourt-Bungalow, accounting for 47.3% of the population. Buddhism, however, is more prevalent here compared to the rest of Queensland, making up 3.8% versus 2.1%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (22.6%), Other (19.1%), and Australian (17.8%). There are also significant differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Australian Aboriginal is higher at 8.4% compared to the regional average of 6.7%, Korean is at 0.9% versus 0.4%, and Filipino is at 2.5% compared to 1.8%.

Westcourt - Bungalow's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Westcourt - Bungalow is 38 years, which is slightly below Rest of Qld's average of 41 but aligns with Australia's median age of 38 years. The 25-34 age group comprises 19.7% of the population in Westcourt - Bungalow, higher than Rest of Qld's percentage and significantly above the national average of 14.5%. The 5-14 age group makes up 7.5%, lower than both Rest of Qld and the national average. According to the 2021 Census data, the 25-34 age group has increased from 17.4% to 19.7% while the 5-14 cohort has decreased from 9.0% to 7.5%. The 45-54 age group has also dropped from 13.3% to 12.2%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes for Westcourt - Bungalow. Notably, the 25-34 age group is expected to grow by 29%, adding 399 people and reaching a total of 1,796 from its current figure of 1,396. Conversely, the 5-14 and 15-24 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.