Wacol

Population growth drivers in Wacol 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, as of May 2026 the suburb of Wacol's population is estimated at around 4,618. This reflects an increase of 365 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,253 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 4,618, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 7 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 260 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Wacol has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 51.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth were positive factors.

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. Considering the projected demographic shifts, lower quartile growth of national areas is anticipated, with the suburb expected to increase by 18 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 0.4% in total over the 16 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis indicates Wacol has annually approved around 6 residential properties since FY-21. Over the past five financial years (FY-21 to FY-25), approximately 32 homes were granted approval, with none yet recorded in FY-26. On average, 14.1 new residents arrived per dwelling constructed during this period.

This supply lagging demand suggests heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. New dwellings are developed at an average cost of $145,000, below the regional average, indicating more affordable housing options. Commercial development approvals totalled $208.2 million in FY-26, reflecting robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Wacol shows substantially reduced construction (60.0% below regional average per person), which typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing properties. This level is also below national averages, possibly due to planning constraints or area maturity.

Recent development has been exclusively detached houses, maintaining the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (83.0% at Census), indicating continued strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 1286 people, reflecting Wacol's quiet development environment. Future projections show the area adding 18 residents by 2041, with current development rates expected to comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 22 projects that may affect this region. Notable projects include the Wacol Youth Remand Centre, Wacol Logistics Hub, Maplewood Estate, and South Queensland Correctional Facilities Expansion. The following list details those likely 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.

Employment drivers in Wacol are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Wacol has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, heavily represented in manufacturing and industrial sectors. The unemployment rate was 10.8% as of the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 12.1%. As of December 2025444 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 6.7%, which is 2.6 percentage points higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation in Wacol lags behind Greater Brisbane at 11.3% compared to 69.6%. According to Census responses, only 11.9% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries include manufacturing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Manufacturing is particularly strong, with an employment share 2.2 times the regional level.

Conversely, education & training is under-represented, with only 5.3% of Wacol's workforce compared to 9.4% in Greater Brisbane. There are 2.8 workers for every resident, indicating that Wacol functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 12.1%, while the labour force grew by 10.4%, leading to a 1.4 percentage point decrease in unemployment rate. In contrast, Greater Brisbane experienced employment growth of 3.2% and labour force growth of 3.0%, with a 0.1 percentage point drop in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Wacol's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.7% over five years and 12.4% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2023 shows Wacol had a median taxpayer income of $54,868 and an average income of $61,252. Nationally, the median was $58,236 and the average was $72,799. Considering Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% from financial year 2023 to March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $61,101 (median) and $68,210 (average). Census data indicates individual income at the 4th percentile was $514 weekly, while household income was at the 26th percentile. The predominant income cohort in Wacol spans 32.3% of locals earning between $1,500 and $2,999 per week. This aligns with the regional trend where this cohort represents 33.3%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.1% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 26th percentile.

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

Dwelling structure in Wacol, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 82.9% houses and 17.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Brisbane metro had 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wacol was at 27.2%, similar to Brisbane metro's level. The remaining dwellings were either mortgaged (24.3%) or rented (48.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,387, below Brisbane metro's average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $320, compared to Brisbane metro's $380. Nationally, Wacol's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Wacol features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 65.1% of all households, including 21.3% couples with children, 20.9% couples without children, and 20.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 34.9%, with lone person households at 24.7% and group households comprising 8.4%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Wacol faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

In the area, university qualification rates are 10.8%, significantly lower than Greater Brisbane's average of 30.5%. Bachelor degrees comprise 10.0% of qualifications, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 0.6% and graduate diplomas at 0.2%. Technical qualifications account for 12.4% among residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 1.3% and certificates at 11.1%. Educational participation is high, with 84.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 29.6% in secondary education, 25.2% in primary education, and 7.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis shows 19 active transport stops operating within Wacol, consisting of a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 59 individual routes, collectively providing 1,650 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 699 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 76%, with 17% by train. Vehicle ownership averages 1.1 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 11.9% of residents work from home. Service frequency averages 235 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 86 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Wacol is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Wacol faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high, affecting both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 51% of the total population (~2,377 people), compared to 55.8% across Greater Brisbane. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, impacting 16.4 and 8.2% of residents respectively. Conversely, 58.4% of residents claim to be completely clear of medical ailments, lower than the 69.2% reported in Greater Brisbane. Working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 6.4% of residents aged 65 and over (295 people), which is lower than the 15.1% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings higher than those of the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Wacol was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Wacol has a higher than average cultural diversity, with 17.9% of its population born overseas and 21.9% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Wacol, accounting for 46.6% of the population. Buddhism, however, is more prevalent in Wacol at 2.9%, compared to the regional average of 2.0%.

The top three ancestral groups in Wacol are Australian (22.0%), English (21.3%), and Other (9.5%). Notably, Samoan (2.8%) and New Zealand (2.4%) ethnicities are overrepresented in Wacol compared to the regional averages of 0.9% and 1.0%, respectively. Maori ethnicity is also higher at 2.1% compared to the regional average of 1.1%.

Wacol's population is younger than the national pattern

Wacol's median age is 36 years, equal to Greater Brisbane's but younger than the national average of 38 years. The 35-44 age group makes up 28.8% of Wacol's population, higher than Greater Brisbane's percentage and well above the national average of 14.3%. Meanwhile, the 5-14 age group comprises only 2.9%, less prevalent than in Greater Brisbane. Between 2021 and present, residents have aged on average by 1.4 years, with the median rising from 35 to 36. During this period, the 35-44 age group grew from 27.1% to 28.8%, while the 45-54 cohort increased from 13.7% to 15.2%. Conversely, the 25-34 age group declined from 31.2% to 26.8%, and the 15-24 group dropped from 14.1% to 11.2%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic shifts in Wacol. The 45-54 age group is projected to grow by 26%, adding 181 residents to reach 883. In contrast, both the 35-44 and 25-34 age groups are expected to decrease in number.