Westcourt - Bungalow
Statistical Area - sa2

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 around 7,095 as of November 2025. From the 2021 Census figure of 6,519, this shows an increase of 576 people (8.8%). The change is inferred from ABS estimated resident population of 6,833 in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 729 persons per square kilometer, roughly inline with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Westcourt-Bungalow's growth exceeded regional averages; it was 8.8% compared to SA4 region's 7.8%. Overseas migration primarily drove population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses 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; these were released in 2023 based on 2021 data but do not provide age category splits. AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Future population projections indicate above median growth for regional areas nationally, with Westcourt-Bungalow expected to expand by 1,633 persons to 2041, a total increase of 19.3% over the 17 years.

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, around 25 homes have been approved, with an additional ten approved so far in FY26. This results in an average of 9.1 people moving to the area per year for each dwelling built during these years.

Demand significantly outpaces supply, putting upward pressure on prices and increasing competition among buyers. The average expected construction cost value of new homes is $276,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options. This financial year has seen $47.8 million in commercial development approvals, indicating strong commercial development momentum. However, compared to the rest of Queensland and nationally, Westcourt - Bungalow has significantly less development activity, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. All recent building activity consists of detached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 4535 people, indicating a quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts project Westcourt - Bungalow to gain 1,371 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Westcourt - Bungalow has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 49thth percentile nationally

"Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 68 projects likely impacting the region. Notable initiatives include Barlow Park Upgrade, Cairns Health and Innovation Centre (CHIC), Far North Private Hospital, and Mulgrave Rd, Westcourt. The following list details those expected to be most relevant.".

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

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The labour market performance in Westcourt - Bungalow lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Westcourt - Bungalow has an unemployment rate of 7.2% as of June 2025, with 3,375 residents employed. The area's unemployment rate is 3.3% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation in Westcourt - Bungalow is lower at 52.6%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. The area shows strong specialization in accommodation & food, with an employment share of 1.8 times the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 1.0% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 4.5%.

As at the Census, there are 2.2 workers for every resident, indicating it functions as an employment hub. During the year to June 2025, the labour force decreased by 1.5%, and employment declined by 3.7%, resulting in a rise of 2.1 percentage points in unemployment rate. In contrast, Rest of Qld experienced employment growth of 1.8% and labour force growth of 2.0%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Westcourt - Bungalow's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.4% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

Westcourt - Bungalow's median income among taxpayers was $51,414 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $63,944. These figures compare to Rest of Qld's median income of $50,780 and average income of $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Westcourt - Bungalow would be approximately $58,607 (median) and $72,890 (average) as of September 2025. 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). Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 80.0% of income remaining after housing costs, 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

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

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

Family households constitute 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 account for 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

In Westcourt-Bungalow Trail region, 21.9% of residents aged 15+ hold university degrees, compared to Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common (16.2%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.3%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 41.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them; advanced diplomas account for 11.7%, while certificates make up 29.8%. Educational participation is high, with 31.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 8.9% in primary, 8.3% in secondary, and 5.0% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational facilities seem to be located outside the immediate catchment boundaries, requiring families to access schools in neighboring areas.

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

Transport analysis reveals 22 active transport stops operating within Westcourt-Bungalow. These stops are serviced by a mix of buses along nine individual routes, collectively providing 1,217 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 223 meters from the nearest transport stop.

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 faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across all age groups but particularly high among older residents.

Approximately 51% of Westcourt's total population (~3632 people) has private health cover, which is 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% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 71.7% across Rest of Qld. Westcourt has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 18.1%, with 1284 people falling into this age group, compared to 15.7% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

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 population born overseas and 25.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Westcourt-Bungalow, making up 47.3%. Buddhism, however, is more prevalent here than across Queensland as a whole, comprising 3.8% compared to 2.1%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (22.6%), Other (19.1%), and Australian (17.8%). Notably, Australian Aboriginal, Korean, and Filipino ethnicities have higher representations in Westcourt-Bungalow than the regional average: Australian Aboriginal at 8.4% vs 6.7%, Korean at 0.9% vs 0.4%, and Filipino at 2.5% vs 1.8%.

Westcourt - Bungalow's population is slightly older than the national pattern

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. The 25-34 age group constitutes a strong 19.7% of the population compared to Rest of Qld, while the 5-14 cohort makes up 7.5%, which is less prevalent than in Rest of Qld. Notably, Westcourt - Bungalow's 25-34 concentration is significantly higher than the national average of 14.5%. Post-2021 Census data reveals that the 25 to 34 age group has increased from 17.4% to 19.7%, while the 5 to 14 cohort has decreased from 9.0% to 7.5%, and the 45 to 54 group has dropped from 13.3% to 12.2%. Population forecasts for 2041 project substantial demographic changes in Westcourt - Bungalow, with the 25 to 34 age group expected to grow by 29%, reaching 1,796 people from 1,396. Conversely, the 5 to 14 and 15 to 24 cohorts are anticipated to experience population declines.