Chermside West

Population growth drivers in Chermside West are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, as of Nov 2025, the estimated population of Chermside West is around 7,365. This reflects an increase of 400 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,965. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 7,363 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, along with an additional 8 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 2,092 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Chermside West's growth rate of 5.7% since the census positions it within 1.6 percentage points of the SA3 area (7.3%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 67.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary population growth for the suburb.

AreaSearch adopts 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 and based on 2021 data. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence where utilised, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Anticipating future population dynamics, a population increase just below the median of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch is expected for Chermside West, with an expected increase of 817 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an overall increase of 11.3% in total over the 17 years.

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

Chermside West averaged approximately 12 new dwelling approvals per year based on AreaSearch analysis. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 62 homes were approved, with an additional 8 approved in FY-26. Each dwelling built attracted about 5.2 people annually over the past five financial years.

This indicates supply lagging demand, potentially leading to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $641,000, which is moderately above regional levels, suggesting a focus on quality construction. In FY-26, commercial approvals totaled $1.1 million, predominantly reflecting residential development. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Chermside West has significantly less development activity, with 59.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity may strengthen demand and prices for existing properties.

Nationally, it is also lower, indicating market maturity and possible development constraints. All new construction in the area comprised detached houses, maintaining its traditional suburban character focused on family homes. With approximately 664 people per dwelling approval, it demonstrates an established market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Chermside West is forecasted to gain around 833 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Chermside West has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 13 projects that could impact this region. Notable projects include Brisbane Metro Extension - Northern Transitway, Fifth Avenue, Rode Rd, Stafford Heights, and Stafford Heights Aged Care & Retirement Village Expansion. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

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Chermside West ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Chermside West has a highly educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 2.8% as of June 2025, lower than Greater Brisbane's 4.1%.

The area experienced an estimated employment growth of 10.6% over the past year. As of June 2025, 4,206 residents were employed, with a workforce participation rate similar to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. The leading industries for Chermside West residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. Notably, employment in health care & social assistance is at 1.3 times the regional average.

Manufacturing has limited presence in the area with only 4.0% of residents employed in this sector compared to the regional average of 6.4%. The predominantly residential nature of Chermside West suggests limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the Census working population count versus resident population. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 10.6% while labour force increased by 10.6%, keeping the unemployment rate relatively stable at 1.3%. In comparison, Greater Brisbane saw employment growth of 4.4% and a decrease in unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. For future insights, Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Chermside West's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.5% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

Chermside West's median income among taxpayers was $55,611 in financial year 2022, according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This figure is just above the national average and compares with Greater Brisbane's median income of $55,645. The average income in Chermside West stood at $66,690 during this period, compared to Greater Brisbane's average of $70,520. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates for median and average incomes in Chermside West would be approximately $63,391 and $76,020 respectively as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Chermside West cluster around the 69th percentile nationally. Income analysis reveals that 33.4% of the population (2,459 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, consistent with broader trends across the region showing 33.3% in the same category. A significant 30.6% earn above $3,000 weekly, reflecting pockets of prosperity that drive robust local economic activity. Housing accounts for 13.8% of income while strong earnings rank residents within the 76th percentile for disposable income and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

Chermside West's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census evaluation, consisted of 89.1% houses and 10.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This contrasts with Brisbane metro's figures of 67.2% houses and 32.8% other dwellings. The home ownership level in Chermside West was 37.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 37.3% and rented ones at 25.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,058, lower than Brisbane metro's average of $2,100. The median weekly rent figure for Chermside West was $455, higher than Brisbane metro's average of $390. Nationally, Chermside West's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 76.5% of all households, including 35.3% couples with children, 28.1% couples without children, and 11.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 23.5%, with lone person households at 19.5% and group households comprising 3.8%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.4.

The educational profile of Chermside West exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 32.4% of residents aged 15+, surpassing Queensland's average of 25.7%. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 22.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.5%) and graduate diplomas (3.4%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 31.4% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas at 11.5% and certificates at 19.9%.

Educational participation is high, with 28.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 9.0% in primary, 8.2% in secondary, and 6.7% pursuing tertiary education. The area offers educational provision through Craigslea State High School and Craigslea State School, serving a total of 1,798 students, with above-average socio-educational conditions (ICSEA: 1071). Educational institutions are conventionally split between one primary and one secondary school. As an education hub, the area offers 24.4 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 16.0, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Chermside West has 33 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 14 different routes that together facilitate 1,952 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents on average located 203 meters from the nearest stop.

Across all routes, there are an average of 278 trips per day, which equates to approximately 59 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Chermside West faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across all age groups but notably higher among older cohorts. Approximately 54% of residents (~3949 people) have private health cover, compared to Brisbane's 56%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common conditions, affecting 8.3% and 7.4% respectively, while 67.9% report no medical ailments. This compares to 69.1% across Greater Brisbane. As of 2020-21, 18.5% of residents are aged 65 or over (1362 people), higher than the Greater Brisbane average of 16.6%. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those in the broader population.

Chermside West 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

Chermside West had a higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 26.0% of its residents born overseas and 18.7% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Chermside West, making up 55.4% of the population, compared to 52.2% across Greater Brisbane. The top three ancestry groups were English (24.7%), Australian (23.5%), and Irish (9.8%).

Notably, Samoan representation was higher at 0.7%, Indian at 3.7%, and Italian at 4.4%, compared to regional averages of 0.4%, 2.1%, and 4.0% respectively.

Chermside West's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Chermside West has a median age of 38, which is slightly higher than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 but equal to Australia's median age of 38 years. The population aged 85 and above constitutes 4.1% in Chermside West, compared to the Greater Brisbane figure. Meanwhile, the 25-34 age group makes up 12.5%, which is less prevalent than in Greater Brisbane. Between 2021 and present, the percentage of the population aged 15 to 24 has increased from 12.0% to 13.4%. Conversely, the 75-84 age group has decreased from 7.9% to 6.2%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Chermside West's age structure. The 85+ population is expected to grow by 83%, reaching 552 people from the current 301. Both the 0-4 and 25-34 age groups are projected to decrease in numbers.