Westlake

Westlake has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Westlake's population, as of November 2025, is estimated at around 4,539 people. This figure reflects a decrease of 8 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,547. AreaSearch calculated this estimate by examining the latest ERP data release from the ABS (June 2024) and validating addresses since the Census date. The suburb's population density is estimated at 2,315 persons per square kilometer, above the national average assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 56.99999999999999% of overall population gains in recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort. Looking ahead, projections indicate a decline in Westlake's overall population by 358 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts are expected to grow, notably the 75 to 84 age group, projected to increase by 193 people.

The level of residential development activity in Westlake is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Westlake shows approximately one residential property granted approval per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around nine homes were approved, with no approvals recorded so far in FY26. Despite population decline, development activity has been adequate relative to other areas, benefiting buyers.

The average expected construction cost value of new homes is $516,000. This financial year, Westlake has recorded $50,000 in commercial development approvals, reflecting its residential nature. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Westlake has significantly lower building activity, at 57.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established homes. Nationally, Westlake's building activity is also lower, indicating market maturity and possible development constraints.

Recent building activity consists solely of standalone homes, preserving Westlake's suburban nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 3015 people per approval, Westlake is a mature, established area. Population projections showing stability or decline suggest reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

Westlake has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Four projects are identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area: Middle Park Interchange upgrade at Eumong Street/Riverhills Road, Metro Middle Park Mixed-Use Redevelopment, McLeod Country Golf Club Retirement Village, and Centenary Motorway Upgrade Planning.

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

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AreaSearch analysis reveals Westlake significantly outperforming the majority of regions assessed nationwide

Westlake has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate is 2.0%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of June 2025, 2,437 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.1% compared to Greater Brisbane's 4.1%. Workforce participation in Westlake is similar to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services. Westlake has a particularly strong specialization in professional & technical services with an employment share of 1.4 times the regional level.

However, construction shows limited presence with 6.2% employment compared to the regional 9.0%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Over the 12 months to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.5%, while employment declined by 1.0%, resulting in a fall of 0.5 percentage points in unemployment rate compared to Greater Brisbane's growth and decline rates. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest Westlake's employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to Westlake's employment mix.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released on June 30, 2022, Westlake had a median income among taxpayers of $63,560 with the average level standing at $79,820. Nationally, these figures are extremely high compared to levels of $55,645 and $70,520 across Greater Brisbane respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $72,452 (median) and $90,987 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes all rank highly in Westlake, between the 79th and 93rd percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that the largest segment comprises 30.1% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (1,366 residents), reflecting patterns seen in the broader area where 33.3% similarly occupy this range. The area demonstrates considerable affluence with 44.7% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. After housing costs, residents retain 89.1% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

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

As of the latest Census, Westlake's dwelling structure consisted of 96.9% houses and 3.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Brisbane metro's 96.9% houses and 8.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Westlake stood at 44.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 44.8% and rented ones at 11.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,247, higher than Brisbane metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in Westlake was $550, compared to Brisbane metro's $450. Nationally, Westlake's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,247 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially higher at $550 compared to the national figure of $375.

Westlake features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 87.8% of all households, including 46.8% couples with children, 31.7% couples without children, and 8.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 12.2%, with lone person households at 10.5% and group households comprising 1.5%. The median household size is 3.0 people, which is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.8.

Westlake demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

In Westlake, 44.9% of residents aged 15 and above possess university qualifications, exceeding Queensland's 25.7% and Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 28.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.3%) and graduate diplomas (4.0%). Vocational credentials are held by 25.6% of residents, with advanced diplomas at 11.2% and certificates at 14.4%. Educational participation is high, with 29.7% currently enrolled in formal education: 9.8% in primary, 8.9% in secondary, and 6.6% in tertiary education.

Schools are located outside Westlake's immediate boundaries, requiring residents to access educational facilities in neighboring areas.

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

Transport analysis indicates eight active public transport stops in Westlake, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by four distinct routes, collectively facilitating 271 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents typically residing 303 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 38 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 33 weekly trips per individual stop.

Westlake's residents are extremely healthy with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Westlake.

Prevalence of common health conditions was very low across all age groups. Private health cover rate was exceptionally high at approximately 59% of the total population (2,670 people). The most common medical conditions were asthma and arthritis, impacting 7.4 and 6.5% of residents respectively. 72.0% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 71.2% across Greater Brisbane. Westlake has 22.0% of residents aged 65 and over (998 people), higher than the 20.4% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing even better than the general population in health metrics.

Westlake 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

Westlake's population showed higher linguistic diversity, with 25.8% speaking a language other than English at home and 36.3% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion in Westlake, accounting for 51.0%. Notably, Judaism was slightly overrepresented at 0.3%, compared to 0.2% across Greater Brisbane.

In terms of ancestry, the top groups were English (25.8%), Australian (19.3%), and Other (9.8%). Some ethnic groups showed notable variations: Vietnamese at 3.0% in Westlake versus 2.6% regionally, Russian at 0.5% versus 0.4%, and New Zealand at 1.0% each.

Westlake hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Westlake is 43 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 years and Australia's median age of 38 years. The 65-74 age group constitutes 13.1% of Westlake's population, compared to Greater Brisbane, while the 25-34 cohort makes up only 5.7%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 4.5% to 7.2%, and the 15 to 24 cohort has risen from 11.9% to 13.8%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 cohort has decreased from 8.2% to 5.7%, and the 55 to 64 group has dropped from 15.7% to 13.5%. Population forecasts for Westlake in 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes, with the 75 to 84 age group expected to grow by 47% (152 people), reaching a total of 479. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are projected to account for 96% of Westlake's total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, the 15 to 24 and 0 to 4 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.