Wilston

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

Wilston's population was approximately 4,173 as of May 2026. This figure represents a rise of 142 individuals, equivalent to a 3.5% increase from the 2021 Census total of 4,031 people. The change is estimated based on ABS data showing an ERP of 4,168 in June 2025 and the addition of 8 new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 3,002 persons per square kilometer, placing Wilston in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch assessments. Overseas migration accounted for roughly 79.2% of recent population growth in the area.

For projections, AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia data from 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. However, these state projections lack age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections from 2023 using 2022 data for each age cohort. Future population projections indicate a near-median increase nationally, with Wilston expected to grow by 328 persons to reach approximately 4,501 by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 7.7% over the 16-year period based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Wilston, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Wilston has recorded approximately five residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, 28 homes were approved, with an additional ten approved so far in FY26. On average, around 0.6 people moved to the area per year for each dwelling built during these years, indicating that supply has met or exceeded demand, providing greater buyer choice and potential for population growth above projections.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $1,089,000, suggesting developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties. This financial year, commercial development approvals totalled $997,000, indicating a predominantly residential focus compared to Greater Brisbane, where Wilston records markedly lower building activity, 80.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new properties typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. New development consists of 80.0% detached dwellings and 20.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving the area's suburban nature while attracting space-seeking buyers. Wilston reflects a highly mature market with around 668 people per dwelling approval.

Looking ahead, Wilston is expected to grow by 323 residents through to 2041, as estimated by AreaSearch quarterly. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects expected to impact this region: Brisbane Stadium (Victoria Park), Queensland Cancer Centre, Brisbane 2032 Games Venue Infrastructure Program, and Zaria Residences Kelvin Grove. The following details the most relevant projects.

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

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The labour market in Wilston shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions

Wilston has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 2.8% as of December 2025, showing an estimated employment growth of 0.7% over the past year. This is lower than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%, and its workforce participation is higher at 78.0%.

According to Census responses, 32.8% of residents work from home. The dominant employment sectors are health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training. Wilston has a notably high concentration in professional & technical services, with employment levels at 2.0 times the regional average. However, manufacturing is under-represented, with only 2.7% of Wilston's workforce compared to Greater Brisbane's 6.4%.

Over the year to December 2025, employment increased by 0.7%, while labour force grew by 1.3%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane recorded employment growth of 3.2% and a fall in unemployment rate by 0.1 percentage points. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Wilston's employment should increase by 7.7% over five years and 15.4% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to its employment mix.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

The Wilston SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $75,552 and an average income of $106,022 in financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. These figures are notably high compared to Greater Brisbane's median income of $58,236 and average income of $72,799 during the same period. By March 2026, estimates suggest the median income will be approximately $84,135 and the average income around $118,066, based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023. Census figures from 2021 indicate that household, family, and personal incomes in Wilston rank highly nationally, between the 93rd and 96th percentiles. Income analysis shows that 39.2% of the community (1,635 individuals) earn $4,000 or more per week, contrasting with regional levels where the dominant earnings band is $1,500 to $2,999 at 33.3%. A substantial proportion of residents (50.2%) earn above $3,000 per week, indicating strong economic capacity in the suburb. After housing costs, residents retain 88.2% of their income, reflecting robust purchasing power, and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

Wilston is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Wilston's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 71.8% houses and 28.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Brisbane metro had 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wilston was at 31.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 35.6% and rented ones at 33.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,708, higher than Brisbane metro's average of $1,863. Median weekly rent in Wilston was recorded at $400, compared to Brisbane metro's $380. Nationally, Wilston's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Wilston features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 71.6% of all households, including 38.4% couples with children, 23.2% couples without children, and 8.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 28.4%, with lone person households at 23.1% and group households comprising 5.9%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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

Wilston's educational attainment exceeds state and national averages. Among residents aged 15+, 53.6% possess university qualifications, compared to Queensland's 25.7% and Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 35.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.9%) and graduate diplomas (5.3%). Vocational pathways account for 20.0%, with advanced diplomas at 8.7% and certificates at 11.3%.

Educational participation is high, with 32.9% currently enrolled in formal education: secondary (9.9%), primary (9.6%), and tertiary (9.2%).

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

Wilston has 26 operational public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 24 unique routes, facilitating 2,601 weekly passenger trips in total. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically living just 151 meters away from the nearest stop. Primarily residential, Wilston sees most residents commuting outward. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport at 72%, while trains account for 13% and walking for 6%. On average, there are 1.4 vehicles per dwelling.

Notably, 32.8% of residents work from home (as per the 2021 Census; this figure may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions). The service frequency averages 371 trips per day across all routes, equating to roughly 100 weekly trips per individual stop.

Wilston's residents are extremely healthy with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis shows strong health performance in Wilston. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were low, particularly among younger residents. Private health cover was high at approximately 73%, compared to 55.8% in Greater Brisbane and 55.7% nationally.

Common medical conditions included mental health issues (8.3%) and asthma (6.3%). A total of 75.9% reported no medical ailments, higher than the 69.2% in Greater Brisbane. Working-age residents had low chronic condition prevalence. The area had 12.9% of residents aged 65 and over (537 people), lower than Greater Brisbane's 15.1%. Senior health outcomes were above average but ranked lower nationally compared to the broader population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Wilston records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Wilston's population was found to be approximately in line with the wider area's average regarding cultural diversity, with 80.4% of residents born in Australia, 91.3% being citizens, and 89.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity was identified as the primary religion in Wilston, comprising 52.4% of the population, compared to 47.8% across Greater Brisbane. The top three ancestry groups in Wilston were English (28.8%), Australian (23.3%), and Irish (14.0%), which was notably higher than the regional average of 8.2%.

Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Polish residents made up 0.9% of Wilston's population, compared to 0.5% regionally; Welsh residents were at 0.7%, versus 0.5%; and Scottish residents stood at 8.8%, compared to 7.4%.

Wilston's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Wilston's median age is 38, which is slightly higher than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 but equal to Australia's median age of 38. The age group of 45-54 shows strong representation in Wilston at 15.7%, compared to Greater Brisbane. However, the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent in Wilston at 12.1%. Between 2021 and present, the 75-84 age group has grown from 2.8% to 4.8% of Wilston's population, while the 55-64 cohort increased from 11.7% to 13.7%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort has declined from 17.0% to 15.7%, and the 25-34 group dropped from 13.3% to 12.1%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Wilston's age structure. The 75-84 age group is expected to grow by 63 people, reaching 327 from a previous figure of 200. This growth will contribute significantly to the overall increase in those aged 65 and above, who are projected to comprise 58% of Wilston's population growth by 2041. Conversely, the 0-4 and 25-34 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.