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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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Wavell Heights has an estimated 11,247 residents, up from 10,336 at the 2021 Census — a change of 911 people, or 8.8%. Growth has averaged 1.5% a year over five years. Natural increase accounts for 58.0% of that increase. That puts 2,750 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
Evaluations by AreaSearch synthesizing regional ABS updates with newly validated post-Census addresses indicate the suburb of Wavell Heights has a population of approximately 11,247 as of Aug 2026. This marks an expansion of 911 people (8.8%) from the 10,336 people recorded in the 2021 Census. Such figures are derived from an estimated resident baseline of 11,233 established after reviewing the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with 20 validated new addresses added following the Census date. Consequently, the suburb of Wavell Heights registers a density of 2,749 persons per square kilometer, ranking it in the top quartile of AreaSearch's nationwide assessments.
Its 8.8% post-Census increase sits within 0.7 percentage points of the 9.5% nationwide benchmark, highlighting solid underlying expansion. Natural increase was the primary catalyst, generating roughly 57.99999999999999% of total demographic additions in recent times, with interstate and overseas migration also delivering positive net inflows. Projections utilize 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia data benchmarked to 2022 across individual SA2 boundaries. Where coverage is absent or extends beyond 2032, 2023 Queensland State Government SA2 forecasts based on 2021 numbers are incorporated. Because these state figures omit age breakdowns, AreaSearch allocates cohort distributions using proportional weightings derived from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region release (grounded in 2022 data). Demographic trajectories suggest the suburb of Wavell Heights will experience expansion slightly under the national median, adding 662 persons by 2041 under consolidated SA2 modelling, representing an overall increase of 5.8% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
275 new dwellings have been approved in Wavell Heights over the past five years, an average of 55 a year. That places the area in the 75th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 5 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 54 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 96% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 48, broadly in line with 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
ABS residential building permit data collated by AreaSearch reveals that Wavell Heights has averaged roughly 55 home approvals annually, translating to approximately 275 dwellings over the last 5 financial years. In FY-25 to date, 48 approvals have been logged. Population influx averaged 2.9 people per year for every newly built residence over the recent 5 financial years (spanning FY-21 to FY-25), demonstrating steady demand that supports local real estate fundamentals. Developers are clearly targeting the upper tier, with construction costs averaging $1,012,000 per dwelling. Meanwhile, commercial construction activity remains subdued, registering just $794,000 in approvals over the ongoing financial year.
Detached houses make up 96.0% of recent residential building activity compared to 4.0% for attached formats, reinforcing the traditional low-density suburban landscape favored by families requiring generous layouts. The ratio of roughly 191 people per dwelling approval suggests capacity exists for future residential expansion. Demographic projections indicate an influx of 648 residents into Wavell Heights by 2041 relative to the latest quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. Prevailing rates of home building appear well-positioned to satisfy incoming demand, fostering favorable conditions for property purchasers and potentially facilitating expansion above current baseline expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Wavell Heights
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Wavell Heights, worth an estimated $19 million. A further 64 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $22.3 billion. 15 are already under construction and 19 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. 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
Infrastructure investments, planning initiatives, and major developments serve as key catalysts for local performance. AreaSearch has pinpointed 30 projects poised to influence the surrounding region, highlighted by significant undertakings such as Danby Lane, Bakery Square, Brisbane Housing Company - Chermside Development, and The Prince Charles Hospital Expansion.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Sandgate Road and Hamilton Road Intersection Upgrade
Traffic capacity and safety upgrade at the key intersection of Sandgate Road and Hamilton Road in Wavell Heights. Works include signal optimization, dedicated turning lane improvements, and upgraded active transport pedestrian crossings to reduce congestion along the arterial corridor.
Danby Lane - Nundah Village
Mixed-use development at the corner of Danby Lane, Buckland Road and Sandgate Road in Nundah Village, comprising a 12-storey tower of 93 apartments (one to four bedrooms) above ground-floor retail and first-floor commercial space. Amenities include a podium pool, gym, function room and rooftop terrace with city views, plus 135 car spaces across five basement levels. Building height is 40m. Art Deco-inspired brick archway podium references Nundah's architectural heritage. Developer Gardner Vaughan Group will relocate its head office into the development.Construction commenced February 2025 with completion targeted for mid-2027.
Danby Lane
12-storey mixed-use project in Nundah Village delivering 84 apartments above ground floor retail with resident amenities including pool deck, gym, function room and rooftop terrace. Construction commenced in Feb 2025 with completion targeted for early 2027.
The Prince Charles Hospital Expansion
The Prince Charles Hospital Expansion is a major health project delivered by Queensland Health and Metro North Health, with Hutchinson Builders leading detailed design and construction. The project delivers a new multi-storey acute services building adding 93 inpatient beds, a significantly expanded emergency department with 53 treatment bays, new operating theatres, and paediatric outpatient services. Site works and construction activities are actively underway at the Chermside campus.
Clayfield Residential Development Program
Ongoing program of medium-density residential redevelopment across Clayfield comprising apartment buildings, townhouses and infill housing on multiple privately owned sites. Numerous approved developments are progressing through construction while additional applications continue to be lodged under Brisbane City Plan, supporting gradual urban renewal and increased housing supply within the established suburb.
26-30 Kuran Street Development
Proposed 6-storey residential building with 29 apartments. Existing dwellings will be demolished to make way for the new development.
23-25 Sammells Drive Residential Development
Development approval for a multi-unit residential project comprising 33 apartments (10 one-bedroom and 23 two-bedroom configurations) across a 1,093 sqm site. The proposal involves the demolition of two existing residential dwellings to facilitate the mid-rise apartment complex. The site represents an infill development opportunity close to Westfield Chermside and key transport corridors.
12 Kelso Street Build-to-Rent
A proposed 10-storey build-to-rent residential development featuring 226 studio, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments tailored for key worker housing. The scheme includes communal co-working spaces, landscaped ground-floor gardens, outdoor areas, and a rooftop amenity deck. The application was submitted to Brisbane City Council under development application A006388483.
7,254 residents of Wavell Heights are employed, from a labour force of 7,423. Unemployment sits at 2.3%, with participation at 82.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.9% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 8,516, about 76% 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
A highly qualified labor force characterizes Wavell Heights, highlighted by a notable concentration of professional services personnel, an exceptionally low 2.3% jobless rate, and an estimated annual employment rise of 7.2% according to AreaSearch statistical aggregations. By March 2026, employed locals numbered 7,254, while local unemployment sat 2.1% under the 4.3% benchmark for Greater Brisbane, supported by an exceptional labor participation rate of 82.6% (versus 70.1% across Greater Brisbane). Furthermore, Census returns indicated that 25.5% of workers operated from home, a metric partly influenced by Covid-19 restrictions. The primary employment sectors for residents consist of health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training.
Professional & technical roles are exceptionally prominent, capturing a local share 1.3 times the wider regional baseline. Conversely, manufacturing engages only 4.1% of resident workers, trailing Greater Brisbane's 6.4%. Because the suburb is primarily residential, local job opportunities within its borders remain limited when comparing Census workplace figures against resident worker counts. AreaSearch assessment of ABS and SALM metrics shows that throughout the twelve months to March 2026, both the local workforce and overall employment grew by 7.2%, leaving joblessness practically unchanged. Across Greater Brisbane, employment rose by 3.2% and the labor pool expanded by 3.4%, accompanied by a 0.1 percentage points uptick in unemployment. Future requirements can be gauged via Jobs and Skills Australia national forecasts from Mar-26. Projected nationwide growth sits at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying widely across industries. Projecting these industry trends onto the local occupational profile suggests Wavell Heights employment could expand by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years (representing an illustrative weighting model that excludes localized population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Wavell Heights is $2,615 a week (about $136,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,147 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $63,874 a year against an average of $80,479. 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
Aggregated postcode ATO figures compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 place the median taxpayer income in Wavell Heights at $63,874, with the mean reaching $80,479, far exceeding nationwide standards and outpacing Greater Brisbane counterparts of $58,236 and $72,799. Factoring in Wage Price Index movement of 11.36% since financial year 2023 yields updated March 2026 estimates of roughly $71,130 (median) and $89,621 (average). Census 2021 returns position personal, family, and household earnings between the 88th and 92nd percentiles across Australia. Earnings distribution indicates 27.6% of the local cohort (3,104 individuals) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, aligning with the 33.3% observed regionally.
Affluence is underscored by the 43.6% earning above $3,000/week. Housing costs absorb 13.8% of income, placing local disposable earnings in the 93rd percentile and positioning the suburb in the 9th decile for SEIFA income.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Wavell Heights had 3,724 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 91% detached houses and 6% apartments. 43% are owned with a mortgage, 28% rented and 29% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $421 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,450 a month, a total housing cost higher than 84% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 16.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, the housing landscape in Wavell Heights was composed of 90.8% standalone houses and 9.2% other dwellings (including semi-detached units, apartments, and other residential types), compared with 73.5% standalone houses and 26.5% other dwellings throughout Brisbane metro. Fully owned homes represented 29.1%, outperforming Brisbane metro, while 43.2% were under a mortgage and 27.7% were occupied by tenants. Typical monthly mortgage costs reached $2,450, comfortably higher than Brisbane metro's $1,863 and the Australian average of $1,863. Median weekly rents stood at $421, exceeding both the metropolitan level of $380 and the Australian benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Wavell Heights counted 3,724 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 4,052 today, averaging 2.7 people each. 41% are couples with children, more than in 81% of areas nationally, against 24% couples without children. 20% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.4 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units account for 75.8% of all households, encompassing couples with children at 41.0%, couples without children at 23.8%, and single parent families at 9.8%. Non-family living arrangements make up the other 24.2%, divided into lone person households (20.4%) and group setups (3.8%). Average household occupancy sits at 2.7 people, outpacing the Greater Brisbane benchmark of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
40.3% of adults in Wavell Heights hold a university qualification, including 27.5% with a bachelor degree and 8.4% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 17.4% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 2,596 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,040 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
Academic credentials in Wavell Heights substantially exceed regional and national averages, with 40.3% of individuals aged 15+ possessing university degrees, compared to 25.7% across QLD and 30.4% across Australia, creating an advantageous environment for knowledge-intensive sectors. Bachelor degrees represent the largest share at 27.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.4%) and graduate diplomas (4.4%). Vocational and technical training is likewise widespread, with 28.9% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (11.5%) and certificates (17.4%). Academic engagement is elevated throughout the locality, with 30.4% of residents undertaking formal study.
Enrolments comprise 10.3% in primary education, 8.5% in secondary education, and 6.3% in tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Wavell Heights 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
74.0% of residents in Wavell Heights report no long-term health condition. 3.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 59.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.9 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of chronic illnesses and mortality indicate favorable health metrics for Wavell Heights, marked by minimal illness rates across age groups and a notable private health insurance coverage rate of approximately 59% (6,645 people), exceeding the 55.8% recorded for Greater Brisbane. The primary recorded health conditions in the locality are mental health issues and asthma, diagnosed in 7.6 and 7.1% of the population, respectively, while 74.0% reported no medical conditions, comparing favorably to 69.2% across Greater Brisbane. Residents under 65 exhibit strong health standards. Seniors aged 65 and over constitute 12.4% of the population (1,394 people), lower than Greater Brisbane's 15.0%, with older cohorts maintaining above-average health results consistent with nationwide patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Wavell Heights is largely Australian-born, at 80.2% of residents, with 11.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (26.9%) and Australian (25.1%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural demographics in Wavell Heights align closely with broader regional baselines, with 80.2% of residents Australian-born, 90.9% holding Australian citizenship, and 88.5% speaking exclusively English at home. Christianity represents the primary religious affiliation, accounting for 54.6% of residents. A modest overrepresentation appears in Judaism, which accounts for 0.2% locally compared to 0.1% across Greater Brisbane. Examining parental ancestry reveals the primary backgrounds in Wavell Heights to be English (26.9%), Australian (25.1%), and Irish (10.7%). Specific differences emerge across other heritages, with German background slightly higher at 4.4% (vs 4.2% regionally), Samoan representing 0.3% (vs 0.9%), and New Zealand heritage at 0.8% (vs 1.0%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Wavell Heights is 37. 26.0% 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
Demographic age distributions in Wavell Heights mirror Greater Brisbane closely, staying within 2.6 percentage points of regional averages across all cohorts. The median age remains at an estimated 37, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting 1 year older than the Greater Brisbane median of 36 recorded at that Census. By 2041, the retiree and elderly cohorts (65+) are projected to experience the greatest growth, rising by 560 residents (40%) to 1,955, whereas young to middle aged adults, children, and young adults are expected to see minor contractions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Wavell Heights
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 | Sep 2026 last month all 1 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 Sep 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 — 20 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (10,336 at the 2021 Census → 11,247 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 (SAL33015). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.