Westlake

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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, Westlake's population is estimated at around 4,539 as of November 2025. This reflects a decrease of 8 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,547 people. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 4,539 following examination of the latest ERP data release by ABS (June 2024) and address validation since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,315 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth for Westlake was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 56.99999999999999% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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 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; hence proportional growth weightings are applied in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Projections indicate a decline in overall population by 358 persons by 2041 according to this methodology. However, specific age cohorts like the 75-84 group are expected to grow by 193 people over this period.

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, allocated from statistical area data, shows Westlake has recorded approximately one residential property granted approval per year. Around nine homes have been approved over the past five financial years, between FY21 and FY25, with zero approvals so far in FY26. Despite population decline, development activity has been adequate relative to other areas, which could benefit buyers due to the focus on premium developments with an average construction cost value of $516,000.

This financial year, $49,000 in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Westlake shows substantially reduced construction activity, with 57.0% fewer approvals per person, which typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. This activity is also lower than the national average, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. Recent building activity consists entirely of standalone homes, preserving Westlake's suburban nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 2262 people per approval, Westlake shows a mature, established area.

Population projections indicating stability or decline suggest reduced housing demand pressures in the future, benefiting potential buyers.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects that could affect this region: Middle Park Intersection Upgrade (Eumong Street/Riverhills Road), Metro Middle Park Mixed-Use Redevelopment, McLeod Country Golf Club Retirement Village, and Centenary Motorway Upgrade Planning. These are the key projects, with details about those most relevant provided below.

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 professional services well represented. Its unemployment rate is 2.2%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, 2,373 residents are employed at an unemployment rate of 1.8% below Greater Brisbane's 4.0%. Workforce participation is similar to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services, with a particularly strong specialization in the latter (1.4 times the regional level). Construction has limited presence at 6.2% compared to the regional 9.0%.

The predominantly residential area offers limited local employment opportunities, indicated by the Census working population vs resident population count. Over the 12 months to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 3.8%, and employment declined by 3.3%, resulting in a 0.6 percentage point drop in unemployment rate. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment grow by 3.8% and labour force expand by 3.3%, with unemployment falling by 0.5 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov shows Queensland 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%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Westlake's employment mix suggests local employment should grow by 6.8% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

AreaSearch reports median taxpayer income in Westlake at $63,560, average at $79,820, based on latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023. These figures are high nationally, compared to Greater Brisbane's $58,236 and $72,799 respectively. By September 2025, estimated median income is $69,859, average at $87,730, accounting for Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023. Census 2021 data ranks Westlake's household, family and personal incomes between the 79th and 93rd percentiles nationally. Income analysis shows 30.1% earn $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (1,366 residents), reflecting broader area patterns where 33.3% fall within this range. Westlake's affluence is evident with 44.7% earning over $3,000 weekly, supporting premium retail and services. Post-housing costs, residents retain 89.1% of income, indicating 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

In Westlake, as per the latest Census data, 96.9% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 3.1% consisting of semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is compared to Brisbane's metropolitan area where 91.4% were houses and 8.6% were other dwelling types. 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, which is higher than the Brisbane metro average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in Westlake was recorded at $550, compared to Brisbane's $450. Nationally, Westlake's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above 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, the percentage of residents aged 15 and above with university qualifications is significantly higher than broader benchmarks. Specifically, 44.9% of Westlake's residents hold such qualifications, compared to 25.7% in Queensland (QLD) and 30.4% in Australia. This educational advantage positions the area favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Among these university-qualified residents, bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 28.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 12.3% and graduate diplomas at 4.0%.

Vocational credentials also feature prominently in Westlake, with 25.6% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications. This includes advanced diplomas held by 11.2% of residents and certificates held by 14.4%. Educational participation is notably high in Westlake, with 29.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.8% in primary education, 8.9% in secondary education, and 6.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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 operating within Westlake, consisting of a mix of bus services. These stops are served by four distinct routes, collectively facilitating 271 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically situated approximately 303 meters from the nearest transport stop.

Service frequency averages 38 trips per day across all routes, equating to roughly 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 indicates robust performance across Westlake with a low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups.

The rate of private health cover stands at approximately 59% of the total population (2,670 people). The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma and arthritis, affecting 7.4% and 6.5% of residents respectively. A significant majority, 72%, reported being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 71.2% across Greater Brisbane. Westlake has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 22% (998 people), compared to the 20.4% in Greater Brisbane. Notably, health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, outperforming those of 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 cultural diversity than most local markets, 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 overrepresented at 0.3%, compared to 0.2% across Greater Brisbane.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (25.8%), Australian (19.3%), and Other (9.8%). Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: 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 a notably older demographic compared to the national average

The median age in Westlake is 43 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 years and Australia's average of 38 years. The 65-74 age group comprises 13.1% of Westlake's population, compared to a lower representation of the 25-34 cohort at 5.7%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 4.5% to 7.2%, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 11.9% to 13.8%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 cohort declined from 8.2% to 5.7%, and the 55 to 64 group dropped from 15.7% to 13.5%. Population forecasts for Westlake in 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes. Notably, the 75 to 84 age group is expected to grow by 47% (152 people), reaching 479 from 326. The combined 65+ age groups will account for 96% of total population growth, reflecting Westlake's aging demographic profile. In contrast, the 15 to 24 and 0 to 4 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.