West End (Brisbane - Qld)

West End lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

As of November 2025, the estimated population of West End (Brisbane - Qld) is around 17,659. This figure reflects a growth of 2,929 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 14,730. The increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 17,217 based on the latest ABS ERP data release (June 2024) and an additional 863 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 9,149 persons per square kilometer, placing West End in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's growth rate of 19.9% since the 2021 census exceeded both the national average (8.9%) and state average, indicating its status as a growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 61.0% to West End's population gains during recent periods, with other factors such as interstate migration and natural growth also being positive contributors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. 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, with proportional growth weightings applied for age cohorts where necessary. Future population dynamics predict exceptional growth for West End, placing it in the top 10% of national statistical areas. According to aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb is expected to expand by 11,571 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 62.9% over the 17-year period.

The level of residential development activity in West End was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

AreaSearch analysis indicates West End averaged around 246 new dwelling approvals per year. Between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 1,233 homes were approved, with another 100 so far in FY-26. This averages out to about 3.1 people moving to the area for each dwelling built over these five years.

Supply is lagging demand, leading to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. New homes are being built at an average value of $1,128,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In FY-26, $151.2 million in commercial approvals have been registered, demonstrating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Brisbane, West End shows moderately higher new home approvals (10.0% above regional average per person over the 5 year period). This maintains good buyer choice while supporting existing property values, though building activity has slowed in recent years. The national average is significantly lower, indicating robust developer interest in the area.

New development consists of 2.0% detached dwellings and 98.0% medium and high-density housing, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. The location has approximately 125 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. Future projections show West End adding 11,105 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

West End 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 54 projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones include Callista on Park - West Village Final Stage, The Adler, Rivara West End, and 53-59 High Street Mixed-Use Development. Relevant projects are detailed below.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Employment performance in West End exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

West End has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation. Its unemployment rate was 3.7% in the past year, showing a growth of 3.8%.

As of June 2025, 11,569 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.4% below Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%, and workforce participation at 72.7% compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Key industries for employment are professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area specializes in professional & technical jobs, with a share twice the regional level, but construction shows lower representation at 4.6% versus the regional average of 9.0%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data.

Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 3.8%, labour force grew by 2.9%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.9 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Brisbane saw employment grow by 4.4% and unemployment fall by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to West End's employment mix suggests local employment should grow by 7.2% in five years and 14.6% in ten years.

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

AreaSearch released postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022. West End's median income among taxpayers was $60,015, with an average of $86,642. Nationally, these figures are extremely high. Greater Brisbane had a median income of $55,645 and an average of $70,520. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022, current estimates for West End would be approximately $68,411 (median) and $98,763 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows West End's household, family, and personal incomes rank highly nationally, between the 73rd and 87th percentiles. Income distribution shows that 35.0% of residents earn $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (6,180 people), mirroring the surrounding region at 33.3%. Higher earners represent a substantial presence with 31.0% exceeding $3,000 weekly. High housing costs consume 17.7% of income. Despite this, strong earnings place disposable income at the 70th percentile nationally. West End's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

West End features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The latest Census evaluation showed that West End's dwelling structure comprised 19.6% houses and 80.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Brisbane metro had 12.9% houses and 87.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in West End was at 18.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 22.0% and rented dwellings at 59.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in West End was $2,100, compared to Brisbane metro's $2,000. The median weekly rent figure for West End was recorded at $450, compared to Brisbane metro's $440 nationally, West End's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 56.4% of all households, including 19.4% couples with children, 28.1% couples without children, and 7.3% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 43.6%, with lone person households at 33.8% and group households comprising 9.8%. The median household size is 2.1 people, larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 1.9.

Educational achievement in West End places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Educational attainment in West End is significantly higher than broader benchmarks. 57.5% of residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, compared to 25.7% in Queensland and 30.4% in Australia. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 34.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 18.2% and graduate diplomas at 4.6%. Vocational pathways account for 19.5% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 9.5% and certificates at 10.0%.

Educational participation is high, with 32.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 14.0% in tertiary education, 6.7% in primary education, and 6.3% pursuing secondary education. West End State School and Arethusa College - West End Temporary Facility serve a total of 1,474 students. The area has significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement, with an ICSEA score of 1142. Educational provision follows conventional lines, with one primary and one secondary institution. However, local school capacity is limited at 8.3 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 18.0, leading many families to travel for schooling. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

Transport analysis shows 58 active transport stops operating within West End. These include a mix of ferry and bus services. Seven individual routes serve these stops, collectively providing 4,380 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 121 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 625 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 75 weekly trips per stop.

West End's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

West End's health outcomes show excellent results, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 62% (10,865 people), compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.3%. Nationally, this figure stands at 55.3%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions in West End, affecting 9.8 and 7.0% of residents respectively. A total of 75.4% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Brisbane's 75.5%. The area has 11.2% (1,977 people) of residents aged 65 and over. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

West End is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

West End's population comprises 30.2% speaking a language other than English at home, with 40.4% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion, accounting for 31.9%. Judaism, however, is overrepresented at 0.4%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 0.2%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (22.1%), Australian (16.0%), and Other (12.0%). Notably, Spanish (1.1% vs 1.0%) and Vietnamese (2.0% vs 1.2%) are overrepresented in West End compared to regional averages.

West End hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

West End's median age is 35 years, nearly matching Greater Brisbane's average of 36 and somewhat younger than Australia's 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane, West End has a higher concentration of 25-34 year-olds at 23.4%, but fewer 5-14 year-olds at 8.9%. This 25-34 age group is well above the national average of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 75-84 age group has grown from 2.4% to 3.5% of West End's population. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort has declined from 25.2% to 23.4%, and the 15-24 age group has dropped from 14.4% to 13.2%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in West End, with the strongest projected growth in the 45-54 cohort at 87%, adding 1,995 residents to reach 4,291.