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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Waterford (Qld) has an estimated 5,840 residents, up from 5,796 at the 2021 Census. That puts 934 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to evaluations of broader regional ABS demographic releases and new address validations conducted by AreaSearch after the Census, the suburb of Waterford (Qld) records an estimated population of approximately 5,840 as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 44 people (0.8%) compared to the 5,796 people recorded in the 2021 Census. Such movement is drawn from an AreaSearch resident population estimate of 5,819 following the release of ABS ERP data in June 2025 alongside 37 validated new addresses identified post-Census. Consequently, the suburb of Waterford (Qld) exhibits a population density of 934 persons per square kilometer, aligning closely with typical benchmarks recorded across AreaSearch locations.
Inflow from interstate migration served as the primary contributor to local expansion, generating roughly 67.0% of recent population increases. Projections published in 2024 utilizing a 2022 baseline by ABS/Geoscience Australia are applied by AreaSearch across SA2 boundaries. For years following 2032 or locations outside that series, AreaSearch uses Queensland State Government SA2 figures released in 2023 from a 2021 baseline, adjusting cohorts via proportional weighting from 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections (2022 baseline) due to the absence of state-level age distributions. Across the 16 years leading to 2041, aggregated SA2 modeling indicates lower quartile growth relative to national statistical divisions for the suburb of Waterford (Qld), anticipating an overall expansion of 267 persons or 4.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
207 new dwellings have been approved in Waterford (Qld) over the past five years, an average of 41 a year. That is 6.4 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 37 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 84% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 8, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Statistical area records processed by AreaSearch show that building approvals in Waterford have averaged approximately 41 residential dwellings per year, totaling 207 approved properties across the 5 financial years between FY-21 and FY-25, including 8 during FY-25 to date. An average influx of 0.6 new residents per approved dwelling annually over the 5 financial years between FY-21 and FY-25 indicates that construction is keeping pace with or exceeding local demand, expanding purchasing opportunities and facilitating above-trend demographic expansion. Furthermore, residential units carry an average construction value of $277,000—sitting below broader regional averages to offer comparatively affordable building options—while current financial year commercial approvals reached $20.6 million to underline sustained non-residential investment.
Per capita residential approvals in Waterford stand 69.0% higher than Greater Brisbane benchmarks, providing prospective purchasers with extensive options despite a recent deceleration in overall building momentum. Detached houses account for 84.0% of recent residential building activity while medium and high-density builds make up 16.0%, reinforcing the low-density fabric of the neighborhood and catering to buyers seeking standalone properties. The ratio of 778 people per approved dwelling highlights an overall subdued and steady building climate. Projections indicate that Waterford will add 246 residents up to 2041 based on the most recent AreaSearch quarterly release. Ongoing residential construction volumes appear well-positioned to satisfy incoming housing requirements, fostering supportive purchasing conditions and establishing the capacity to accommodate growth beyond current projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Waterford (Qld)
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 2 current infrastructure and development projects inside Waterford (Qld), worth an estimated $205 million. A further 48 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $9.99 billion. 15 are already under construction and 22 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, retail and communities, precincts & urban renewal. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Regional performance is closely tied to public planning, major works, and transport connectivity, with AreaSearch cataloging 11 projects likely to shape the district. Notable developments include the Bethania to Logan Village Rail Trail, Holmview Central Shopping Centre Stage 2 Expansion, Beenleigh Train Station Upgrade, and Yarrabilba Town Centre, which lead the major infrastructure initiatives slated for the surrounding area.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Holmview Central Shopping Centre Stage 2 Expansion
Proposed expansion of Holmview Central by Lancini Property Group. The proposal includes a second full-line supermarket with click and collect, family hotel, specialty retail, drive-thru food outlets, tyre and auto operator, additional parking, new road connections and supporting infrastructure. The project remains in the planning phase with the expansion continuing to be promoted as a future development.
Beenleigh Train Station Upgrade
The Beenleigh Train Station Upgrade is being delivered as part of the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail program. The existing station will be relocated approximately 650 metres north to between Zander Street and Victoria Street, providing a modern accessible station with lifts, improved walking and cycling links, a new bus interchange, expanded park and ride facilities and improved connections to Beenleigh Town Square. The project also supports rail duplication and removal of nearby level crossings.
Bethania to Logan Village Rail Trail
Proposed walking and cycling trail connecting Bethania and Logan Village along the former railway corridor. Will provide safe recreational and commuter pathway through heritage areas.
Brookhaven Master Planned Community
Large-scale master-planned residential community delivering approximately 1,980 lots across a 150-hectare hinterland-fringed site in Bahrs Scrub, Logan City. The estate includes parks, green corridors, a future retail centre, and a display village. Developed by Frasers Property Australia, it holds a 5 Star Green Star Communities rating and is located midway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, 4.8km from the M1 Motorway.
Holmview Central Shopping Centre Stage 2 Expansion
Major expansion of Holmview Central Shopping Centre by Lancini Property and Development. The proposal includes a second full-line supermarket, new specialty retail, a family hotel, food and beverage outlets, drive-thru tenancies, tyre and auto services, about 475 additional car parks, a new signalised intersection and internal road upgrades. Community updates issued during 2025 indicate the project remains in the development approvals process.
Cantabria Village Estate
Boutique residential community delivering 120 townhomes and apartments with resort-style facilities in the heart of Waterford West, directly opposite the future town centre site.
Logan Water Major Infrastructure Program
Ongoing Logan Water capital works program delivering new water and wastewater infrastructure, including trunk pipelines, pump station upgrades, water main relocations, network renewals and planning for the future Chambers Flat Wastewater Treatment Plant. The program supports population growth, improved water security and long-term servicing of Logan's southern growth corridor.
Rosebank Estate
Boutique residential estate by KDL Property Group with 272 lots across 6 stages. Features lots from 400-550sqm priced from $329,900. Includes community parkland with basketball court, picnic shelters, and exercise equipment. Located by Logan River with proximity to schools and transport.
2,875 residents of Waterford (Qld) are employed, from a labour force of 2,998. Unemployment sits at 4.1%, with participation at 67.3%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 4,990, about 85% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Data compiled across statistical areas by AreaSearch indicates Waterford possesses a capable workforce with pronounced representation in construction and an unemployment level of 4.1%. Employed persons numbered 2,875 as of March 2026, accompanied by an unemployment rate 0.2% lower than the 4.3% reported for Greater Brisbane, while labor force participation registered at 67.3% against 70.1% regionally. Census returns also showed that 11.3% of workers operated from home, a metric shaped in part by prevailing Covid-19 restrictions at the time. Health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade represent the principal sectors employing local residents.
Construction displays notable local concentration, capturing a workforce proportion 1.6 times that of the surrounding region. Conversely, professional & technical roles account for only 2.9% of employment locally compared to 8.9% across the wider region, while comparisons between the Census working population and resident counts point to a modest volume of jobs situated within the suburb itself. Aggregated ABS and SALM figures evaluated by AreaSearch show that in the year to March 2026, Waterford experienced a 3.6% contraction in its labor force and a 4.2% drop in employed residents, raising the local jobless rate by 0.6 percentage points, whereas Greater Brisbane saw employment rise by 3.2%, labor supply increase by 3.4%, and unemployment edge up by 0.1 percentage points. National employment modeling by Jobs and Skills Australia from Mar-26 provides broader context for future staffing requirements, projecting nationwide growth of 6.6% across five years and 13.7% over ten years. Mapping these sectoral rates across Waterford's specific occupational distribution suggests local employment gains of 6.1% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, based on illustrative weighted extrapolations independent of local population models.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Waterford (Qld) is $1,623 a week (about $84,000 a year), with median personal income at $806 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $57,013 a year against an average of $61,831. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO figures aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 place taxpayer earnings in the suburb of Waterford below national standards. Taxpayers recorded a median income of $57,013 and an average of $61,831, trailing Greater Brisbane levels of $58,236 and $72,799. Following an 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated estimates reach roughly $63,490 for the median and $68,855 for the average as of March 2026. Across personal, family, and household categories, Census income ranks between the 42nd and 50th percentiles, with the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket accounting for 38.9% of residents (2,271 people) versus 33.3% regionally.
Housing costs exert notable pressure, leaving 80.6% of income uncommitted and placing the area in the 39th percentile for affordability.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Waterford (Qld) had 1,917 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 74% detached houses and 5% apartments. 37% are owned with a mortgage, 42% rented and 21% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $400 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,700 a month. Rent absorbs 24.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 24.2%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census findings show that standalone houses represented 74.4% of Waterford's housing stock while 25.6% consisted of medium-to-high density formats and other dwellings, closely matching the 73.5% house and 26.5% other dwelling split across Brisbane metro. Fully owned properties accounted for 20.7% of residences, trailing the metropolitan benchmark, with mortgaged homes making up 37.1% and rental properties comprising 42.2%. Typical monthly mortgage payments sat at $1,700 compared to $1,863 across Brisbane metro and $1,863 nationally, whereas weekly rent was $400 compared to $380 for Brisbane metro and $375 across Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Waterford (Qld) counted 1,917 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.8 people each. 34% are couples with children, against 23% couples without children. 21% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute 75.6% of all local domestic arrangements, comprising couples with children (34.0%), couples without children (22.8%), and single parent households (17.2%). Non-family setups make up 24.4% of dwellings, including single occupant residences at 21.2% and shared group homes at 3.2%. The area records a median household size of 2.8 people, exceeding the 2.6 person average across Greater Brisbane.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
17.8% of adults in Waterford (Qld) hold a university qualification, including 12.7% with a bachelor degree and 3.4% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 29.3% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 1,964 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,016 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Attainment figures show that 17.8% of Waterford residents hold tertiary degrees, trailing the Greater Brisbane proportion of 30.5%. Within higher education, bachelor qualifications lead at 12.7%, with postgraduate qualifications at 3.4% and graduate diplomas at 1.7%. Vocational education forms a major pillar of local capability, as 42.0% of individuals aged 15+ hold technical qualifications, comprising certificates (29.3%) and advanced diplomas (12.7%). Overall engagement in study is substantial, with 33.0% of the population attending an educational institution. This encompasses 12.4% enrolled in primary education, 9.5% attending secondary schools, and 3.4% enrolled in tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Waterford (Qld) means driving: households keep an average of 1.5 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
68.4% of residents in Waterford (Qld) report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 83% of areas nationally. 6.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 51.7% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.9 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch analysis of chronic condition incidence and mortality metrics indicates significant health burdens in Waterford, where common ailments are more prevalent than average—particularly among older residents—while private hospital coverage extends to approximately 52% of the community (~3,019 people), trailing the 55.8% mark recorded across Greater Brisbane. Asthma and mental health conditions rank as the most frequently identified ailments, reported by 8.9% and 9.3% of the community respectively, while 68.4% of residents reported no long-term illnesses compared to 69.2% in Greater Brisbane. Working-age cohorts exhibit higher rates of chronic illness, while residents aged 65 and over comprise 11.0% of the population (642 people) against 15.0% regionally, encountering distinct health challenges that nonetheless rank below wider national trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
30.6% of Waterford (Qld) residents were born overseas and 18.4% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (26.7%) and Australian (23.7%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Waterford exceeds most local markets, with 30.6% of residents born abroad and 18.4% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity forms the largest religious affiliation at 44.3%, while the Other category demonstrates noticeable divergence at 1.9% of the local population compared to 1.3% throughout Greater Brisbane. Top ancestral backgrounds reported by parents' place of birth comprise English (26.7%), Australian (23.7%), and Other (12.5%). Several specific cultural backgrounds show distinct local concentrations, including Maori at 3.9% (versus 1.1% regionally), Samoan at 2.4% (versus 0.9%), and New Zealand at 1.6% (versus 1.0%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Waterford (Qld) is 32, younger than 90% of areas nationally. 31.8% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Waterford maintains a younger demographic distribution than Greater Brisbane, with August 2026 figures showing children and young adults (0 - 24) representing 37.5% of the community versus 31.8% regionally, while the 45 - 64 bracket makes up 17.3% compared to 22.6% across Greater Brisbane. The median age remains at 32, matching the 2021 Census result, sitting 4 years below Greater Brisbane's 36 and trailing the national Census figure of 38. Young to middle-aged adults (25 - 44) have risen from 32.2% at the Census to an estimated 34.3%. Moving toward 2041, senior cohorts (65+) are forecast to see the largest expansion, climbing by 238 (37%) to 880, while both young to middle-aged adults and young people (0 - 24) are anticipated to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Waterford (Qld)
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2026 3 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jul 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 37 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (5,796 at the 2021 Census → 5,840 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL33004). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.