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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Westlake has an estimated 4,505 residents, up from 4,444 at the 2021 Census — a change of 61 people, or 1.4%. That puts 2,371 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Westlake records a population of approximately 4,505 people as of Aug 2026, according to analysis by AreaSearch. Compared to the 4,444 people enumerated at the 2021 Census, this represents an addition of 61 people (1.4%). This demographic shift is derived from address validation completed post-Census alongside the ABS estimated resident population figure of 4,502 from June 2025. Across assessed national areas, Westlake's density of 2,371 persons per square kilometer ranks in the upper quartile. Growth fundamentals remain resilient, with the 1.4% post-census increase trailing the wider SA3 area (3.0%) by 1.6 percentage points.
The primary growth driver has been overseas migration, which made up around 70.0% of the overall population expansion in recent timeframes. Projections for each SA2 district utilise 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia models baseline-referenced to 2022. For SA2 territories not captured in that release, as well as horizons past 2032, Queensland State Government SA2 releases from 2023 (using 2021 data) are integrated. Because those state models omit age breakdowns, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings sourced from 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections (based on 2022 data) across each age cohort. Applying this framework, forecasts point to an overall population contraction of 346 persons by 2041. In contrast, several specific age cohorts will expand, most notably persons aged 75 to 84, who are projected to increase by 152 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building approvals across Westlake have remained exceptionally subdued, with only 4 homes approved throughout the last 5 financial years. Alongside recent population reductions, this level of development has remained adequate on a relative scale, benefiting prospective purchasers. Newly built dwellings carry an average construction valuation of $587,000, tracking above regional standards and highlighting a focus on premium construction. Furthermore, approvals for commercial construction stand at $390,000 for the current financial year, underscoring an environment heavily tilted toward residential use. Per capita residential construction in Westlake lags significantly behind Greater Brisbane, sitting 89.0% below the broader regional standard.
While this scarcity of new builds helps sustain values and demand across existing stock, building activity has shown recent increases. Slower building volumes relative to both regional and national markets illustrate neighborhood maturity and potential physical development boundaries. In addition, all newly approved housing has consisted entirely of standalone houses, preserving the suburban setting and providing spacious properties tailored for families. Given anticipated flat or declining demographic trajectories, Westlake could see reduced residential market pressure, creating an advantageous environment for buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Westlake
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 39 current infrastructure and development projects close to Westlake, worth an estimated $22.5 billion. 4 are already under construction and 9 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, residential development and business parks & technology hubs. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local capital programs and planning frameworks play a central role in guiding regional development. AreaSearch has pinpointed 3 projects with significant local relevance. Prominent works include Centenary Motorway Upgrade Planning, Middle Park Intersection Upgrade (Eumong Street/Riverhills Road), Metro Middle Park Mixed-Use Redevelopment, and McLeod Country Golf Club Retirement Village.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre Entertainment Precinct
Cinema, dining and entertainment precinct extension to Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre including 6-storey building with cinema, community use and retail tenancies. Features additional gross floor area including multi-screen cinema, gym, dining and entertainment precinct, and rebuilt community centre. Designed by Blight Raynor.
Verandah Estate
Newest residential estate in Seventeen Mile Rocks featuring contemporary homes on large blocks (875sqm+) surrounded by trees and nature. Estate includes building covenants ensuring homes are designed in harmony with natural environment. Features permanent ridge top reserve and bushwalking tracks to Rocks Riverside Park.
Middle Park Intersection Upgrade (Eumong Street/Riverhills Road)
A $1.7 million project by Brisbane City Council to upgrade the intersection of Eumong Street and Riverhills Road to combat congestion and reduce travel times.
Darra Mixed-Use Commercial
Darra Mixed-Use Commercial is a 56-unit strata industrial and business precinct spread across nine buildings. Delivered by Prekaro Projects, the development provides versatile warehouse, showroom, commercial office, and storage tenancies configured for light industrial and trade services. Construction is actively underway with practical completion anticipated in 2026.
McLeod Country Golf Club Retirement Village
Aura Holdings to develop retirement living project at McLeod Country Golf Club with 126 apartments across four buildings over two stages. Designed to integrate with community, minimizing disruption to club operations.
Centenary Motorway Upgrade Planning
The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is developing a masterplan for the Centenary Motorway between Darra and Toowong to address heavy congestion. The shortlisted options include a tunnel with surface upgrades or widening the existing motorway and constructing a new arterial road. Community consultation on these options is scheduled for early to mid-2025, with finalisation of the masterplan expected in 2025.
Metro Middle Park Mixed-Use Redevelopment
Acquisition of a 2.1-hectare neighbourhood shopping centre anchored by Coles, with longer-term mixed-use development potential of up to four storeys and future uplift via retail repositioning. The current centre comprises 6,411sqm of gross lettable area with 38 specialty tenancies and 301 parking spaces.
Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre Rebel Sport Extension
Internal amalgamation of existing retail tenancies and extension to accommodate new 1,418sqm Rebel Sport store. Involves removal of part of existing food court and repurposing of 9 tenancies with new loading dock and facade amendments.
2,324 residents of Westlake are employed, from a labour force of 2,409. Unemployment sits at 3.5%, with participation at 64.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.8% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 3,448, about 77% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Westlake features a well-educated labor pool with a prominent professional services footprint and a low unemployment rate of 3.5%. As of March 2026, employed residents stand at 2,324, with joblessness tracking 0.8% below the 4.3% benchmark for Greater Brisbane, even as labor force participation (64.6%) trails the regional figure of 70.1%. Census records show 26.2% of workers performing their roles from home, a metric influenced in part by Covid-19 restrictions. Primary industries of employment among residents comprise health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical. The professional & technical segment shows exceptional local strength, employing residents at 1.4 times the regional proportion.
Meanwhile, construction accounts for only 6.0% of the resident workforce, underperforming the 9.0% recorded for Greater Brisbane. The gap between Census local working population numbers and total resident workers indicates that local employment capacity remains constrained within the suburb. Analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that in the 12 months to March 2026, the local labor pool contracted by 2.5% while total jobs fell by 3.4%, causing the unemployment rate to climb by 1.0 percentage points. Across Greater Brisbane over the same timeframe, employment expanded by 3.2%, the workforce grew by 3.4%, and joblessness edged up by 0.1 percentage points. National projections from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide context on medium- and long-term labor demand. Aligning these industry trajectories with the local employment distribution suggests Westlake jobs could grow by 6.8% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, against national projections of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years (note this is an illustrative sector-weighted extrapolation excluding local population variations).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Westlake is $2,706 a week (about $141,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,008 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $67,156 a year against an average of $82,244. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to postcode-level ATO data released by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, taxable individuals in the Westlake SA2 recorded a median income of $67,156 and an average of $82,244, placing local earnings among the top tier nationwide and exceeding the Greater Brisbane median of $58,236 and average of $72,799. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, updated estimates reach roughly $74,785 (median) and $91,587 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census positions personal, household, and family earnings between the 79th and 93rd percentiles across the country.
The $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket forms the largest share at 30.2% of residents (1,360 people), mirroring the regional rate of 33.3%. High earners are well represented, with 44.9% earning above $3,000/week, demonstrating strong financial standing. Residents keep 89.0% of earnings after housing outlays, and the suburb sits in the 9th decile on the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Westlake had 1,473 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 97% detached houses and 0% apartments. 45% are owned with a mortgage, 11% rented and 44% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $550 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,275 a month. Rent absorbs 20.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 19.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the most recent Census, standalone houses accounted for 96.9% of local residential dwellings, while other dwellings (comprising apartments, semi-detached, and alternative residences) represented 3.1%, in contrast to Brisbane metro where houses made up 73.5% and other dwellings constituted 26.5%. Outright home ownership reached 44.0%, substantially above metropolitan levels, with remaining properties held under a mortgage (44.8%) or rented (11.2%). The typical monthly mortgage repayment of $2,275 sat well above the Brisbane metro figure of $1,863 and the national average of $1,863. Median weekly rent stood at $550, surpassing the Brisbane metro benchmark of $380 as well as the nationwide figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Westlake counted 1,473 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 3.0 people each. 47% are couples with children, more than in 92% of areas nationally, against 32% couples without children. 10% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute 88.1% of all local households, divided between couples with children at 47.2%, couples without children at 31.7%, and single parent families at 8.3%. Non-family living arrangements account for the other 11.9%, comprising lone person households (10.4%) and group households (1.5%). Household occupancy averages 3.0 people, exceeding the Greater Brisbane benchmark of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
44.9% of adults in Westlake hold a university qualification, including 28.7% with a bachelor degree and 12.3% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 14.1% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Qualifications among Westlake residents exceed broader averages, with 44.9% of individuals aged 15+ holding tertiary degrees, compared with 25.7% in QLD and 30.4% across Australia. This educational background underpins strong alignment with the knowledge economy. Bachelor qualifications are the most common at 28.7%, alongside postgraduate qualifications (12.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.9%). Vocational attainment is likewise widespread, with 25.4% of those aged 15+ holding technical credentials, including advanced diplomas (11.3%) and certificates (14.1%). A significant 29.7% of residents are currently undertaking structured study. Within this student population, 9.7% attend primary school, 8.8% are in secondary schooling, and 6.7% are enrolled in tertiary education programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Westlake means driving: households keep an average of 1.9 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
71.9% of residents in Westlake report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 89% of areas nationally. 4.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 59.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 3.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments by AreaSearch reflect excellent well-being across Westlake, characterized by low mortality and minimal chronic illness prevalence across all age cohorts. Approximately 60% of the population (2,698 people) maintains private health cover, outperforming the Greater Brisbane average of 55.8%. Asthma and arthritis represent the most prevalent health conditions locally, diagnosed in 7.4 and 6.5% of the community, while 71.9% of residents report no chronic health conditions, outperforming the Greater Brisbane benchmark of 69.2%. Working-age cohorts exhibit solid health profiles with minimal chronic illness. Seniors aged 65 and over comprise 22.5% of residents (1,012 people), compared with 15.0% regionally, and this older demographic demonstrates strong health outcomes that align with nationwide standards.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
36.6% of Westlake residents were born overseas and 26.0% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 75% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are English (25.7%) and Australian (19.3%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Westlake tracks above typical benchmarks, with 36.6% of the population born abroad and 26.0% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity forms the largest religious affiliation, representing 51.0% of residents. The most pronounced proportional concentration is seen in Judaism at 0.3%, compared to 0.1% for Greater Brisbane. English ancestry represents the largest background among residents at 25.7%, followed by Australian at 19.3% and Other at 9.9%. Westlake also displays notable concentrations across several ethnic groups relative to Greater Brisbane, including Vietnamese residents at 3.0% (versus 0.8%), Sri Lankan residents at 0.6% (versus 0.2%), and Russian residents at 0.5% (versus 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Westlake is 43. 20.8% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Westlake presents a more mature demographic structure relative to Greater Brisbane. Updated figures to August 2026 indicate that retiree and elderly cohorts (65+) account for 22.5% of the local population, compared to 15.0% across Greater Brisbane, whereas young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) make up 18.5% locally versus 30.6% regionally. The estimated median age is 43, holding steady since the 2021 Census and sitting 7 years above the Greater Brisbane median of 36 and above the Australian figure of 38 at that Census. The share of retiree and elderly cohorts has risen from 18.3% at the Census to 22.5% on current estimates.
Forecasts to 2041 suggest that retiree and elderly cohorts will represent the main source of growth, increasing by 150 residents (15%) to a total of 1,163, while counts of children and young adults as well as young to middle aged adults are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Westlake
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (4,444 at the 2021 Census → 4,505 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (304011085). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.