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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
Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Westlake's population is around 4,505 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 61 people (1.4%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,444 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,502 from the ABS as of June 2025 and an additional 1 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,371 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Westlake's 1.4% growth since census positions it within 1.6 percentage points of the SA3 area (3.0%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals.
Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 70.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and for years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data, are adopted. It should be noted that these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence where utilised, AreaSearch is applying proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort. Considering the projected demographic shifts, Over this period, projections indicate a decline in overall population, with the area's population expected to decline by 328 persons by 2041 according to this methodology. However, growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, led by the 75 to 84 age group, which is projected to grow by 151 people. See the age section for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Westlake has averaged around 1 new dwelling approvals per year, totalling 6 homes over the past 5 financial years. So far in FY-26, 0 approvals have been recorded. As the area has experienced population decline, new supply has likely been keeping up with demand, offering good choice to buyers, while new properties are constructed at an average value of $391,000—slightly above the regional average—suggesting a focus on quality developments. Additionally, $390,000 in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, indicating minimal commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Westlake records markedly lower building activity (72.0% below regional average per person).
This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established dwellings, though building activity has accelerated in recent years. This is also below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and pointing to possible planning constraints. Meanwhile, recent development has been entirely comprised of detached dwellings, preserving the area's suburban nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. Given stable or declining population forecasts, Westlake may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions 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 $21.4 billion. 5 are already under construction and 4 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics 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
Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects and planning initiatives. In total 3 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects 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, with the below list detailing those likely to be of most relevance.
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.
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.
Darra Mixed-Use Commercial
A mixed-use development featuring 9 buildings and 56 units. The development will showcase a mix of industrial, showroom, office, and storage spaces.
2,324 residents of Westlake are employed, from a labour force of 2,409. Unemployment sits at 3.5%, with participation at 65.2%. 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 highly educated workforce, with professional services showing strong representation, and an unemployment rate of only 3.5%. As of March 2026, 2,324 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 0.8% below Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.3%, and workforce participation lags significantly (65.2% compared to Greater Brisbane's 70.4%). Based on Census responses, a high 26.2% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The key industries of employment among residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical.
The area shows particularly strong specialization in professional & technical, with an employment share of 1.4 times the regional level. In contrast, construction employs just 6.0% of local workers, below Greater Brisbane's 9.0%. The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, the 12-month period saw labour force decreasing by 2.5% alongside a 3.4% employment decline, resulting in the unemployment rate rise by 1.0 percentage points. This compares to Greater Brisbane, where employment grew by 3.2%, labour force expanded by 3.4%, and unemployment rose 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Westlake. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Westlake's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.0% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).
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
AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 reveals that income in the Westlake SA2 is extremely high nationally, with the median assessed at $67,156 while the average income stands at $82,244. This contrasts to Greater Brisbane's figures of a median income of $58,236 and an average income of $72,799. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $74,785 (median) and $91,587 (average) as of March 2026. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes all rank highly in Westlake, between the 79th and 93rd percentiles nationally.
Income brackets indicate the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 30.2% of residents (1,360 people), consistent with broader trends across the metropolitan region showing 33.3% in the same category. A significant 44.9% earn above $3,000 weekly, reflecting pockets of prosperity that drive robust local economic activity. After housing costs, residents retain 89.0% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.
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
Dwelling structure within Westlake, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 96.9% houses and 3.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Brisbane metro's 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Westlake was well beyond that of Brisbane metro, at 44.0%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (44.8%) or rented (11.2%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was well above the Brisbane metro average at $2,275, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $550, compared to Brisbane metro's $1,863 and $380.
Nationally, Westlake's mortgage repayments are significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially above the national 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
Family households dominate at 88.1% of all households, comprising 47.2% couples with children, 31.7% couples without children, and 8.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 11.9%, with lone person households at 10.4% and group households comprising 1.5% of the total. The median household size of 3.0 people is larger than the Greater Brisbane average 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
Educational attainment in Westlake significantly surpasses broader benchmarks, with 44.9% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications compared to 25.7% in QLD and 30.4% in Australia. This substantial educational advantage positions the area strongly for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees lead at 28.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.9%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 25.4% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (11.3%) and certificates (14.1%). Educational participation is notably high, with 29.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.7% in primary education, 8.8% in secondary education, and 6.7% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Westlake reaches 8 stops on 4 routes, timetabled for about 270 services a week. The typical home sits about 300 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.9 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport analysis reveals 8 active transport stops operating within Westlake comprising a mix of buses. These stops are serviced by 4 individual routes, collectively providing 271 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 303 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward - car remains the dominant mode at 87%, with 6% by train. Vehicle ownership averages 1.9 per dwelling, above the regional average. A high 26.2% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).
Service frequency averages 38 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 33 weekly trips per individual stop.
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 outcomes data demonstrates outstanding results across Westlake, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups , and the rate of private health cover found to be exceptionally high at approximately 60% of the total population (2,698 people). This compares to 55.8% across Greater Brisbane. The most common medical conditions in the area were found to be asthma and arthritis, impacting 7.4 and 6.5% of residents, respectively, while 71.9% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 69.2% across Greater Brisbane.
Working-age residents are notably healthy with low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 23.1% of residents aged 65 and over (1,038 people), which is higher than the 15.1% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.
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
Westlake was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets, with 26.0% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 36.6% born overseas. The main religion in Westlake was found to be Christianity, which makes up 51.0% of people in Westlake. However, the most apparent overrepresentation was in Judaism, which comprises 0.3% of the population, compared to 0.1% across Greater Brisbane. In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Westlake are English, comprising 25.7% of the population, Australian, comprising 19.3% of the population, and Other, comprising 9.9% of the population.
Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Vietnamese is notably overrepresented at 3.0% of Westlake (vs 0.8% regionally), Sri Lankan at 0.6% (vs 0.2%) and Russian at 0.5% (vs 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Westlake is 43. 19.3% 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
The 43-year median age in Westlake is significantly above Greater Brisbane's average of 36 similarly considerably older than Australia's 38 years. The 65 - 74 age group shows strong representation at 13.0% compared to Greater Brisbane, whereas the 25 - 34 cohort is less prevalent at 5.8%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 4.5% to 8.0% of the population, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 11.9% to 13.5%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 15.9% to 13.0% and the 25 to 34 group dropped from 8.2% to 5.8%.
Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Westlake. Leading the demographic shift, the 85+ group will grow by 142% (132 people), reaching 225 from 92. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 97% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, the 15 to 24 and 0 to 4 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.
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 Aug 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) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 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 5 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) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 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 — 1 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 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 May 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.