Wavell Heights

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

As of November 2025, the estimated population of Wavell Heights is around 11,143. This figure represents an increase of 807 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 10,336. The latest estimate by AreaSearch, based on examination of the ABS's ERP data release in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses, is 11,107 residents. This results in a population density ratio of approximately 2,724 persons per square kilometer, placing Wavell Heights in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's population growth rate of 7.8% since the Census date is within 1.1 percentage points of the national average (8.9%). Natural growth contributed approximately 57.99999999999999% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including overseas migration 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 or years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 and based on 2021 data are used. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 using 2022 data as the base year. Future population trends indicate a projected increase of just below the median of national areas by 2041, with Wavell Heights expected to expand by 717 persons over this period, reflecting a total gain of 6.2%.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Wavell Heights among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Wavell Heights has received around 54 dwelling approvals annually on average over the past five financial years (FY-21 to FY-25), totalling approximately 270 homes. As of FY-26, 14 approvals have been recorded. Each new dwelling has supported an average of 2.7 new residents per year during this period. The average construction cost for these dwellings is $906,000, indicating a focus on premium market developments.

In FY-26, commercial approvals valued at $794,000 have been registered, reflecting the area's residential nature. Of the new development, 96% consists of standalone homes and 4% townhouses or apartments, preserving Wavell Heights' suburban character with a focus on family homes.

The area has approximately 200 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an expanding market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Wavell Heights is projected to grow by 692 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Wavell Heights 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 31 such projects that could impact the area. Notable ones are Danby Lane, Cross River Rail, The Prince Charles Hospital Expansion, and Bakery Square. The following 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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Employment conditions in Wavell Heights rank among the top 10% of areas assessed nationally

Wavell Heights has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation. Its unemployment rate was 2.2% in the past year, with estimated employment growth of 10.8%.

As of June 2025, there are 6,816 residents employed, and the unemployment rate is 1.9% lower than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation is higher at 73.2%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Key employment industries include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training. The area specializes in professional & technical services with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Manufacturing, however, is under-represented at 4.1% compared to Greater Brisbane's 6.4%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 10.8%, while labour force grew by 10.6%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane experienced employment growth of 4.4% and a 0.4 percentage point drop in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest potential future demand within Wavell Heights. National employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Wavell Heights' employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

Wavell Heights had a median taxpayer income of $63,872 and an average income of $80,476 in the financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is notably higher than Greater Brisbane's median income of $55,645 and average income of $70,520 during the same period. By September 2025, based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99%, estimated incomes would be approximately $72,808 (median) and $91,735 (average). Census data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Wavell Heights rank highly nationally, between the 88th and 92nd percentiles. The predominant income bracket is $1,500 - 2,999, with 27.6% of locals (3,075 people) falling into this category, similar to the regional trend where 33.3% occupy this bracket. Economic strength is evident with 43.6% of households earning high weekly incomes exceeding $3,000, supporting increased consumer spending. Housing expenses account for 13.8% of income, and residents rank highly in disposable income, within the 93rd percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

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

In Wavell Heights, as per the latest Census evaluation, 90.8% of dwellings were houses and 9.2% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, or 'other' dwellings. This is in contrast to Brisbane metropolitan area's figures which stood at 0.0% for both houses and other dwellings. Home ownership in Wavell Heights was recorded at 29.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 43.2% and rented ones at 27.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,450, aligning with Brisbane metro's average, while the median weekly rent was $421, compared to Brisbane metro's figures of $0 for both. Nationally, Wavell Heights' median monthly mortgage repayments were higher at $2,450 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and median weekly rents were substantially higher at $421 compared to the national figure of $375.

Wavell Heights features high concentrations of group households, with a median household size of 2.7 people

Family households constitute 75.8% of all households, including 41.0% couples with children, 23.8% couples without children, and 9.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 24.2%, with lone person households at 20.4% and group households comprising 3.8%. The median household size is 2.7 people.

The educational profile of Wavell Heights exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Educational attainment in Wavell Heights is notably high, with 40.3% of residents aged 15 years and above having university qualifications compared to 25.7% in Queensland and 30.4% nationally. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 27.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.4%) and graduate diplomas (4.4%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 28.9% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (11.5%) and certificates (17.4%). Educational participation is high, with 30.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.3% in primary education, 8.5% in secondary education, and 6.3% pursuing tertiary education. Wavell Heights has three schools with a combined enrollment of 2,596 students, serving typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1040) with balanced educational opportunities. The area provides balanced education provision with two primary schools and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. With 23.3 school places per 100 residents, Wavell Heights demonstrates strong educational infrastructure serving both local and surrounding communities.

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

The analysis of public transport in Wavell Heights shows that there are currently 75 active transport stops operating within the area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 11 individual routes providing service to the area. Collectively, these routes facilitate 1,026 weekly passenger trips.

The report rates transport accessibility in Wavell Heights as excellent, with residents typically located an average of 148 meters from their nearest transport stop. Service frequency across all routes averages at 146 trips per day, which equates to approximately 13 weekly trips per individual stop.

Wavell Heights's residents are extremely healthy with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population and nearer the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Wavell Heights.

Prevalence of common health conditions is low among the general population and near the nation's average across older, at-risk cohorts. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 59% of the total population (6,584 people). The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, impacting 7.6% and 7.1% of residents respectively. 74.0% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 0% across Greater Brisbane. There are 12.3% of residents aged 65 and over (1,370 people). Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population despite being above average.

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

Wavell Heights, surveyed in 2016, had a cultural diversity profile roughly aligned with the wider region's average. 80.2% of its population were born in Australia, 90.9% were citizens, and 88.5% spoke English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 54.6%.

Judaism, however, was overrepresented at 0.2%, compared to 0% across Greater Brisbane. In terms of ancestry, the top groups were English (26.9%), Australian (25.1%), and Irish (10.7%). Notable divergences included German (4.4% vs 0%), Samoan (0.3% vs 0%), and New Zealand (0.8% vs 0%) groups, which were overrepresented in Wavell Heights compared to the regional averages.

Wavell Heights's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Wavell Heights has a median age of 37 years, nearly matching Greater Brisbane's average of 36 and close to Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Wavell Heights has a higher proportion of residents aged 45-54 (14.8%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (11.6%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the proportion of residents aged 15-24 has grown from 11.7% to 13.1%, while the proportion of those aged 25-34 has declined from 13.4% to 11.6%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Wavell Heights' age profile will change significantly. The 75-84 cohort is projected to grow by 72%, adding 288 residents to reach 690. Residents aged 65 and over are expected to drive 56% of population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends. Conversely, the 0-4 and 25-34 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.