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

The population of the Wavell Heights statistical area (Lv2) was estimated at 10,336 people as per the Census in 2021. By November 2025, this figure had increased to around 11,148, reflecting a growth of 7.9%. This increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 11,109 residents following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 17 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio was calculated as 2,725 persons per square kilometer, placing Wavell Heights (SA2) in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. This growth rate of 7.9% is within 1.8 percentage points of the national average (9.7%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. 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 and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are used. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data are applied for each age cohort when utilised. Examining future population trends, a population increase just below the median of national areas is expected. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the area is expected to expand by 718 persons to reach a total population of 11,866 by 2041, reflecting a gain of 6.2% in total over the 17-year period.

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

AreaSearch analysis indicates that Wavell Heights has received approximately 53 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling around 269 homes. As of FY-26, 21 approvals have been recorded. Historically, each dwelling has supported an average of 2.7 new residents per year between FY-21 and FY-25. The average construction cost value for new dwellings is approximately $906,000, indicating a focus on premium market developments.

This financial year, commercial approvals have reached $794,000, reflecting the area's residential nature. New development primarily consists of standalone homes at 96%, with townhouses or apartments making up the remaining 4%.

The area maintains its traditional suburban character, appealing to those seeking space and family-oriented housing. There are approximately 198 people per dwelling approval in Wavell Heights, suggesting an expanding market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the location is expected to grow by around 688 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 30 projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include Danby Lane, The Prince Charles Hospital Expansion, Bakery Square, and Brisbane Housing Company - Chermside Development. The following list details those 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 conditions in Wavell Heights rank among the top 10% of areas assessed nationally

Wavell Heights has an educated workforce with professional services well represented. The unemployment rate was 2.3% in September 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 11.1%. As of that date, 7,052 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 1.7% lower than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation was higher at 73.2% compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. The leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training.

Professional & technical had a particularly strong representation with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level. Manufacturing, however, was under-represented at 4.1% compared to Greater Brisbane's 6.4%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the Census working population vs resident population count. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 11.1% while labour force increased by 11.0%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane experienced employment growth of 3.8% and labour force growth of 3.3%, with a 0.5 percentage point drop in unemployment rate. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia suggest growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Wavell Heights's 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.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

The suburb of Wavell Heights has a median taxpayer income of $63,874 and an average income of $80,479, according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. These figures are significantly higher than those for Greater Brisbane, which has a median income of $58,236 and an average income of $72,799. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since the financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $70,204 (median) and $88,454 (average). Census data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Wavell Heights all rank highly nationally, between the 88th and 92nd percentiles. The income brackets indicate that the predominant cohort consists of 3,076 people, or 27.6% of locals, earning between $1,500 and $2,999 per week, similar to the regional average of 33.3%. Economic strength is evident with 43.6% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. Housing expenses account for 13.8% of income, while strong earnings place residents in the 93rd percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Wavell Heights is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile

At the latest Census, 90.8% of dwellings in Wavell Heights were houses, with the remaining 9.2% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. Home ownership stood at 29.1%, with 43.2% of dwellings mortgaged and 27.7% rented. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,450, and the median weekly rent was $421. Nationally, Wavell Heights' mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 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

Wavell Heights has higher educational attainment than broader benchmarks. 40.3% of residents aged 15+ have university qualifications, compared to 25.7% in Queensland and 30.4% in Australia. 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 aged 15+ holding them, 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.

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 74 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 community. The combined weekly passenger trips across all routes amount to 1,031.

Residents have excellent accessibility to public transport, with an average distance of 149 meters to the nearest transport stop. On average, there are 147 trips per day across all routes, which translates 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 indicates strong performance in Wavell Heights.

Prevalence of common health conditions is low among the general population, nearing the nation's average for older, at-risk cohorts. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high, approximately 59% of the total population (6,587 people). Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 7.6% and 7.1% of residents respectively. A significant majority, 74.0%, declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 0% across Greater Brisbane. As of 2021, 12.3% of residents are aged 65 and over (1,371 people). Health outcomes among seniors in the area require more attention than those of 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 had a cultural diversity profile roughly similar to the wider region's average, with 80.2% of its population born in Australia, 90.9% being citizens, and 88.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Wavell Heights, comprising 54.6% of the population. However, Judaism was notably overrepresented, making up 0.2% compared to none across Greater Brisbane.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (26.9%), Australian (25.1%), and Irish (10.7%). There were also notable divergences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: German was overrepresented at 4.4%, Samoan at 0.3%, and New Zealand at 0.8%.

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

At age 37 years, Wavell Heights's median age is nearly matching Greater Brisbane's average of 36 years while also being close to Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Wavell Heights has a higher proportion of residents aged 45-54 years (14.8%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 years (11.6%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the population aged 15-24 years has grown from 11.7% to 13.1%, while the population aged 25-34 years has declined from 13.4% to 11.6%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Wavell Heights's age profile will change significantly. The 75-84 year cohort is projected to grow by 72%, adding 288 residents to reach 690. Residents aged 65 years and above are expected to drive 56% of population growth, reflecting demographic aging trends. Conversely, the populations aged 5-14 years and 0-4 years are projected to decline.