Waterford West

Population growth drivers in Waterford West are above average 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, Waterford West's estimated population is around 7,825. This reflects an increase of 883 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,942. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 7,752 residents following examination of ABS ERP data release in Jun 2024 and additional 52 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,372 persons per square kilometer, above average national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Waterford West's growth of 12.7% since the 2021 Census exceeded SA3 area (8.5%) and national averages, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 44.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including natural growth and interstate migration being positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. 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, with proportional growth weightings applied for age cohorts lacking specific splits. Looking ahead, a population increase just below median national statistical areas is expected by 2041, with Waterford West projected to grow by 888 persons reflecting an increase of 9.8% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Waterford West among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data indicates Waterford West averaged approximately 32 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 163 homes. As of FY-26, 20 approvals have been recorded. On average, 3.9 new residents per year were associated with each home built between FY-21 and FY-25, suggesting demand significantly outpaces supply, which may exert upward pressure on prices and increase competition among buyers. The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings in Waterford West is $277,000, aligning with broader regional development trends.

This financial year has seen $3.6 million in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Waterford West maintains similar construction rates per person, supporting market stability in line with regional patterns. Recent construction comprises 39.0% standalone homes and 61.0% medium and high-density housing, marking a significant shift from existing housing patterns (currently 74.0% houses), potentially due to diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. With around 203 people per dwelling approval, Waterford West exhibits characteristics of a growth area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Waterford West is projected to grow by 763 residents through to 2041.

At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Waterford West 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 18 projects that may affect the region. Notable ones include Cantabria Village Estate, Yarrabilba Priority Development Area, Waterford West Community Hub & Town Centre Redevelopment, and Holmview Central Shopping Centre Stage 2 Expansion. The following list details those likely to be 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.

Waterford West shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Waterford West has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, strongly represented by manufacturing and industrial sectors. Its unemployment rate was 6.3% as of the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 6.0%.

As of September 2025, 3,388 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.3% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation in Waterford West lags at 49.7%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, construction, and manufacturing. Manufacturing particularly stands out with employment levels at 1.6 times the regional average.

Conversely, professional & technical services have lower representation at 3.2% versus the regional average of 8.9%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population compared to resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 6.0%, while labour force increased by 2.2%, resulting in a fall in unemployment by 3.4 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Brisbane recorded employment growth of 3.8% during the same period. State-level data as of 25-Nov shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Waterford West's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.0% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

The suburb of Waterford West had a median taxpayer income of $48,395 and an average income of $51,921 in the financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. These figures are below the national averages of $58,236 (median) and $72,799 (average) for Greater Brisbane. Based on a Wage Price Index growth rate of 9.91% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $53,191 (median) and $57,066 (average). Census 2021 data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Waterford West all fall within the 12th percentile nationally. Income distribution data indicates that 29.4% of Waterford West's population, equating to 2,300 individuals, have incomes ranging from $1,500 to $2,999. This figure is consistent with broader trends across regional levels, where 33.3% fall within the same income category. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Waterford West, with only 80.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 11th percentile nationally.

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

Waterford West's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 74.3% houses and 25.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Brisbane metro had 82.9% houses and 17.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Waterford West was at 27.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.5% and rented ones at 42.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,439, lower than Brisbane metro's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Waterford West was $310, compared to Brisbane metro's $360. Nationally, Waterford West's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,439 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 65.6% of all households, including 26.4% couples with children, 21.7% couples without children, and 15.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 34.4%, with lone person households at 30.4% and group households comprising 4.1% of the total. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.8.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 12.5%, significantly lower than Greater Brisbane's average of 30.5%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.1%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 41.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.8%) and certificates (31.3%). Educational participation is high at 32.9%, with 12.8% in primary education, 9.4% in secondary education, and 3.5% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 32.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.8% in primary education, 9.4% in secondary education, and 3.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Waterford West has 25 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 9 different routes that together facilitate 719 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as good, with residents on average being located 284 meters from the nearest stop.

On a daily basis, there are an average of 102 trips across all routes, which equates to approximately 28 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Waterford West is well below average with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Waterford West faces significant health challenges, as indicated by data from various sources. The rate of private health cover in the area is low, at approximately 48%, compared to 50.6% across Greater Brisbane and a national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (9.6%) and asthma (8.8%), while 64.3% of residents report having no medical ailments, slightly lower than the 66.8% in Greater Brisbane.

As of 2016, 19.1% of Waterford West's population is aged 65 and over (1,494 people), higher than the 16.7% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors in Waterford West are broadly similar to those of the general population.

Waterford 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

Waterford West had a higher cultural diversity than most other local areas, with 23.7% of its residents speaking a language other than English at home and 35.3% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion in Waterford West, comprising 47.6% of the population. Notably, the 'Other' religious category comprised 2.5% of the population, higher than the 1.2% average across Greater Brisbane.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (25.5%), Australian (21.9%), and Other (15.9%), with the latter being significantly higher than the regional average of 10.9%. There were also notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Maori at 4.0% compared to the regional average of 2.6%, Samoan at 3.0% versus 1.5%, and Hungarian at 0.4% compared to 0.3%.

Waterford West's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Waterford West has a median age of 36 years, equal to Greater Brisbane's but younger than Australia's national average of 38 years. The 75-84 age group makes up 7.2% of Waterford West's population compared to Greater Brisbane, while the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 12.0%. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has increased from 13.4% to 14.6%, but the 25-34 cohort has declined from 13.8% to 12.0%. By 2041, population forecasts show significant demographic changes in Waterford West. The 75-84 age group is projected to grow by 275 people (49%), from 563 to 839. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 64% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, both the 5-14 and 0-4 age groups are expected to decrease in numbers.