Toowong

Population growth drivers in Toowong 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, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Toowong's population is estimated at around 14,147 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 1,591 people (12.7%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,556 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 13,823, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 269 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 3,475 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's 12.7% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the national average (9.9%), along with the state, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 85.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, 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. Anticipating future population dynamics, a significant population increase in the top quartile of national statistical areas is forecast, with the suburb expected to grow by 3,793 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 24.5% in total over the 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Toowong when compared nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Toowong has seen around 150 new homes approved each year. Over the past five financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 750 homes have been approved, with a further 15 approved so far in FY-26. On average, 1.4 people moved to the area for each dwelling built over these five years, indicating balanced supply and demand, creating stable market conditions. However, this has accelerated to 10.9 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting increasing demand and tightening supply.

New properties are constructed at an average value of $1,711,000, reflecting a developer focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. This year, commercial approvals amounting to $76.8 million have been registered, indicating robust local business investment. Recent construction comprises 7.0% detached dwellings and 93.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a significant shift from existing housing patterns (currently 29.0% houses), likely due to diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. With around 370 people per dwelling approval, Toowong shows a developed market.

According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Toowong is projected to add 3,466 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Toowong has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 60 projects likely impacting the region. Key initiatives include Tricare Taringa Development, Oakman Residences, Sylvan Residences, and Monarch Residences Toowong. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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.

AreaSearch assessment positions Toowong ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Toowong has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 3.4% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 0.8% over the past year, according to AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data. As of that date, 8,995 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.6% below Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation was fairly standard at 75.7%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 70.7%. According to Census responses, 29.9% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The dominant employment sectors among residents include professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Toowong has particular specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share of 1.9 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction employs only 4.3% of local workers, below Greater Brisbane's 9.0%. The ratio of 0.7 workers for each resident indicates a level of local employment opportunities above the norm. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 0.8%, while labour force increased by 0.6%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.2 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Brisbane recorded employment growth of 3.8%, labour force growth of 3.3%, and a decrease in unemployment of 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offer insight into potential future demand within Toowong. These projections suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with growth rates differing significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Toowong's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.3% over five years and 14.7% over ten years, though these are simple weighting extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized population projections.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that median income in Toowong suburb is $58,816. Average income stands at $90,595. This contrasts with Greater Brisbane figures of a median income of $58,236 and an average income of $72,799. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, estimated median income as of September 2025 would be approximately $64,645, with average income at around $99,573. Census 2021 income data indicates that incomes in Toowong cluster around the 68th percentile nationally. Income brackets show that 34.2% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999, similar to the regional figure of 33.3%. High housing costs consume 17.6% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 59th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Toowong features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Toowong, as per the latest Census evaluation, 28.8% of dwellings were houses while 71.1% were other types such as semi-detached, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This differs from Brisbane metropolitan area's figures which stood at 73.5% for houses and 26.5% for other dwellings. Home ownership in Toowong was recorded at 21.6%, with mortgaged properties at 22.9% and rented ones at 55.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,000, exceeding Brisbane metro's average of $1,863. Meanwhile, the median weekly rent figure for Toowong was $420, compared to Brisbane metro's $380. Nationally, Toowong's median monthly mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and its median weekly rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Toowong features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 53.7% of all households, including 18.2% couples with children, 26.7% couples without children, and 6.4% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 46.3%, with lone person households at 32.1% and group households comprising 14.2%. The median household size is 2.1 people, smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Educational achievement in Toowong places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Toowong's educational attainment is notably higher than broader standards, with 57.8% of residents aged 15 years and above holding university qualifications compared to Queensland's 25.7% and Australia's 30.4%. This significant educational advantage places the area in a strong position for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 36.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (16.9%) and graduate diplomas (4.7%). Vocational pathways account for 18.6% of qualifications among those aged 15 years and above, with advanced diplomas making up 8.5% and certificates 10.1%.

Educational participation is notably high in the area, with 38.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 20.8% in tertiary education, 6.0% in secondary education, and 5.5% pursuing primary education.

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

Toowong has 71 active public transport stops offering a mix of ferry, train, and bus services. These stops are served by 110 individual routes, collectively facilitating 7,199 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 130 meters from the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential area, most commuters travel outward. Car remains the primary mode of transport at 60%, followed by train at 14% and bus at 10%. Vehicle ownership averages 0.8 per dwelling, lower than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 29.9% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 1,028 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 101 weekly trips per stop.

Toowong's residents are extremely healthy with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Toowong. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were very low across all age groups. The rate of private health cover was exceptionally high at approximately 63% of the total population (8,926 people), compared to 55.8% across Greater Brisbane and 55.7% nationally.

The most common medical conditions in the area were mental health issues and asthma, impacting 9.6 and 7.3% of residents respectively. 75.3% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 69.2% across Greater Brisbane. Working-age residents had notably low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 11.8% of residents aged 65 and over (1,669 people), which is lower than the 15.2% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors were particularly strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Toowong 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

Toowong's cultural diversity was evident with 25.5% of its population speaking a language other than English at home, as recorded on the 29th of June 2016. Additionally, 35.7% of Toowong's population were born overseas by this date. Christianity was found to be the predominant religion in Toowong, with 38.0% of people identifying as such.

However, Judaism showed an overrepresentation in Toowong at 0.2%, compared to 0.1% across Greater Brisbane. In terms of ancestry, English parents comprised 24.1% of the population, Australian 19.4%, and Irish 10.3%. Notably, Russian ancestry was higher than regional averages at 0.5%, as were French at 0.7% and Welsh at 0.7%.

Toowong hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Toowong's median age is 30, which is younger than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 and significantly lower than the Australian median of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Toowong has a higher percentage of 15-24 year-olds (23.3%) but fewer 5-14 year-olds (7.7%). This concentration of 15-24 year-olds is notably higher than the national figure of 12.5%. Between 2021 and present, the population aged 75 to 84 has increased from 3.3% to 4.6%, while the 35 to 44 age group has decreased from 13.6% to 12.8%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate substantial shifts in Toowong's age structure. The 15 to 24 age cohort is projected to increase by 573 people (17%), rising from 3,296 to 3,870. The 0 to 4 age group is expected to grow more modestly at 7%, adding only 34 residents.