Manly West

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

By Nov 2025, Manly West's population is estimated at around 12,917, reflecting a 3.9% increase from the 2021 Census figure of 12,436 people. This growth is inferred from AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024, indicating a resident population of 12,900 plus an additional 57 validated new addresses since the Census date. The suburb's population density stands at 2,517 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Manly West's growth rate of 3.9% since census is within 2.5 percentage points of its SA3 area (6.4%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Natural growth contributed approximately 51.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. For projections, 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 released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data are applied where utilized. Looking ahead, lower quartile growth is anticipated for national statistical areas, with Manly West expected to increase by 427 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 3.3% over the 17 years.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, Manly West has experienced around 23 dwellings receiving development approval annually over the past five financial years ending June 2025. This totals an estimated 118 homes approved in that period. By April 2026, four approvals have been recorded. On average, 3.1 people moved to Manly West annually for each dwelling built between July 2021 and June 2025, indicating demand significantly exceeds new supply.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $495,000. This financial year has seen $49.6 million in commercial approvals, suggesting robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Manly West shows substantially reduced construction activity, with 58.0% fewer approvals per person. This constrained new construction usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing properties. This level is also lower than the national average, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. Recent construction comprises 62.0% detached houses and 38.0% medium to high-density housing, with a growing mix of townhouses and apartments providing options across different price points.

This marks a significant shift from existing housing patterns, which are currently 78.0% houses, suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. With around 693 people per dwelling approval, Manly West reflects a highly mature market. Future projections show Manly West adding approximately 426 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 15 projects that may impact this region. Notable projects include Mayfair Village Shopping Centre Expansion, New Special School on Brisbane's Bayside (starting late 2023), Rivermakers Precinct (scheduled for completion in 2024), and Manly Road Residences (commencing October 2022). The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

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AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Manly West performing better than 85% of local markets assessed across Australia

Manly West has a skilled workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 2.4% as of June 2025, lower than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.7%. As of June 2025, 7,381 residents were employed with an unemployment rate of 1.7% below Greater Brisbane's rate and workforce participation similar to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction.

However, health care & social assistance is under-represented in Manly West with only 15.2% of the workforce compared to 16.1% in Greater Brisbane. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by Census data comparing working population and resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 4.7% while labour force increased by 4.2%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. Greater Brisbane recorded similar trends with employment growth of 4.4%, labour force growth of 4.0%, and a reduction in unemployment of 0.4 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, published in Sep-22, project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Manly West's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, assuming constant population projections for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

Manly West's median income among taxpayers was $60,155 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $77,751 during the same period. These figures compare to Greater Brisbane's median and average incomes of $55,645 and $70,520 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated median income would be approximately $68,571 and average income would be around $88,628 as of September 2025. Census data shows that incomes in Manly West cluster around the 66th percentile nationally. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 captures 30.3% of Manly West's community (3,913 individuals), consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing 33.3% in the same category. A significant 30.3% earn above $3,000 weekly. After housing costs, 84.9% of income remains for other expenses. Manly West's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

Manly West's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census evaluation, consisted of 78.1% houses and 21.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This is similar to Brisbane metro's composition of 78.0% houses and 22.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Manly West was higher at 32.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 43.4% and rented ones at 23.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,053, lower than Brisbane metro's average of $2,100. The median weekly rent figure in Manly West was $430, slightly higher than Brisbane metro's $420. Nationally, Manly West's median monthly mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,053 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while median weekly rents were substantially above the national figure of $375 at $430.

Manly West has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 76.6% of all households, including 36.8% couples with children, 26.0% couples without children, and 12.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 23.4%, with lone person households at 21.4% and group households comprising 1.9%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which aligns with the Greater Brisbane average.

Manly West shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Manly West has 27.5% of its residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications, which is higher than the SA4 region average of 23.7%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 18.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.6%) and graduate diplomas (3%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 35.9% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (11.9%) and certificates (24%).

Educational participation is high, with 29.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.7% in primary education, 9.4% in secondary education, and 4.5% pursuing tertiary education. Manly West has 4 schools with a combined enrollment of 2,712 students. The area's socio-educational conditions are above average (ICSEA: 1076), functioning as an education hub with 21 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 13.6. It includes 2 primary and 2 K-12 schools.

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

Public transport analysis shows 50 active stops operating in Manly West, serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are covered by 8 individual routes, collectively offering 491 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 209 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 70 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 9 weekly trips per stop.

Health outcomes in Manly West are marginally below the national average with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Manly West shows below-average health indicators with common conditions being somewhat typical but higher than national averages among older residents.

Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 58% of the total population of 7,493 people. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, affecting 8.4 and 7.7% of residents respectively. 68.6% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments compared to 69.4% in Greater Brisbane. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 18.9% (2,441 people) compared to Greater Brisbane's 16.7%. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

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

Manly West's population, born in Australia, is 78.2%, similar to the wider region's average. Citizenship stands at 88.8%, with English spoken exclusively at home by 91.0%. Christianity is the predominant religion, at 55.1%, slightly higher than Greater Brisbane's 52.5%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (31.1%), Australian (24.4%), and Irish (9.9%). Notably, New Zealanders comprise 1.2% of Manly West's population, slightly above the regional average of 1.3%, while Maori representation is 1.1%, compared to 1.4% regionally. South African residents make up 0.8% in both Manly West and the wider region.

Manly West hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Manly West has a median age of 41, which is higher than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 and marginally higher than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to the Greater Brisbane average, Manly West has an over-representation of the 45-54 age cohort (15.2% locally) and an under-representation of the 25-34 year-olds (8.0%). Between 2021 and present, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 11.0% to 12.0%, while the 25 to 34 cohort has declined from 9.9% to 8.0%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Manly West's age profile will change significantly. The 85+ age cohort is projected to increase dramatically by 474 people (119%), from 400 to 875. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 73% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Meanwhile, the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.