Woolloongabba

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

Woolloongabba's population is estimated at around 10,532 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 1,845 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8,687 people. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 10,175 following examination of ABS' latest ERP data release in June 2024 and an additional 511 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 4,212 persons per square kilometer, placing Woolloongabba in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's 21.2% growth since the 2021 census exceeded both the national average (9.9%) and state average, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 67.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth were positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 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 adopted. Exceptional growth is predicted over the period to 2041 with Woolloongabba expected to grow by 7,859 persons, reflecting an increase of 71.3% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Woolloongabba when compared nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, Woolloongabba has seen approximately 160 new homes approved each year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 804 homes. So far in FY-26213 approvals have been recorded. Over these five years, there has been an average of 2.9 new residents per dwelling built, indicating strong demand which should support property values. The average construction cost value for new homes is $914,000, reflecting a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties.

In FY-26, commercial development approvals have reached $90.8 million, demonstrating high levels of local commercial activity. New developments consist of 5% detached dwellings and 95% townhouses or apartments, creating more affordable entry points and catering to downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This shift reflects the reduced availability of development sites and addresses changing lifestyle demands and affordability requirements, differing from the current housing mix of 30% houses. Woolloongabba has approximately 2852 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market.

According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the location is expected to grow by 7507 residents through to 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Woolloongabba 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 57 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Cross River Rail - Woolloongabba Station, Silk Lane Development, East Brisbane State School Redevelopment & Vertical School Expansion, and The Carter by Mosaic. Below is a list of projects most relevant to the area.

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.

The employment landscape in Woolloongabba shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Woolloongabba has a highly educated workforce with professional services well represented. The unemployment rate was 5.6% as of September 2024. Employment stability remained relatively consistent over the past year based on AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation.

As of September 2025, 6710 residents were employed while the unemployment rate stood at 5.6%, which is 1.6% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4%. Workforce participation was 76.3%, exceeding Greater Brisbane's 70.7%. Census responses indicated that a moderate 20.2% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Dominant employment sectors among residents included health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and professional & technical services.

The area showed strong specialization in accommodation & food with an employment share of 1.9 times the regional level. Conversely, construction employed only 4.8% of local workers compared to Greater Brisbane's 9%. With a ratio of 2.0 workers per resident as at the Census, Woolloongabba functioned as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from nearby areas. During the year to September 2025, employment levels increased by 0.2% while labour force grew by 0.9%, resulting in unemployment rising by 0.7 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment growth of 3.8%, labour force expansion of 3.3%, and a decrease in unemployment by 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offer further insight into potential future demand within Woolloongabba. These projections estimate national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Woolloongabba's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.2% over five years and 14.7% over ten years.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2023 indicates that median income in Woolloongabba is $51,528, with average income at $65,771. This is lower than national averages of $58,236 (median) and $72,799 (average). In Greater Brisbane, median income is $58,236 and average income is $72,799. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year ending June 2023, estimated current incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $56,634 (median) and $72,289 (average). According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Woolloongabba cluster around the 58th percentile nationally. The $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 34.9% of residents (3,675 individuals), similar to metropolitan regions where 33.3% occupy this range. High housing costs consume 21.4% of income. Despite this, disposable income remains at the 50th percentile, and Woolloongabba's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Woolloongabba features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Woolloongabba's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 29.8% houses and 70.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Brisbane metro had 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Woolloongabba was at 10.3%, with mortgages at 17.3% and rentals at 72.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, higher than Brisbane metro's $1,863. Median weekly rent was $440, compared to Brisbane metro's $380. Nationally, Woolloongabba's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,000 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Woolloongabba features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 48.2% of all households, including 13.2% couples with children, 26.7% couples without children, and 5.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 51.8%, with lone person households at 32.3% and group households comprising 19.5%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Woolloongabba shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Woolloongabba's educational attainment is notably higher than broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15+, 51.0% hold university qualifications compared to 25.7% in Queensland and 30.4% nationally. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 34.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.9%) and graduate diplomas (3.5%). Vocational pathways account for 22.8% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 9.4% and certificates at 13.4%.

Educational participation is high, with 40.0% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 25.0% in tertiary education, 4.0% in primary education, and 3.2% pursuing secondary education.

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

Woolloongabba has 43 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 148 individual routes, collectively facilitating 18,700 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 169 meters from the nearest stop. As primarily residential, most residents commute outward using cars (55%), followed by buses (18%) and walking (11%). Vehicle ownership averages 0.8 per dwelling, below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 20.2% of residents work from home, potentially due to COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 2,671 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 434 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Woolloongabba are marginally below the national average with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Woolloongabba's health indicators show below-average outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The level of common health conditions among the general population is somewhat typical but higher than the national average among older cohorts.

Private health cover stands at approximately 53% of the total population (~5,609 people), compared to 55.8% across Greater Brisbane. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 11.0 and 7.7% of residents respectively. 74.1% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 69.2% across Greater Brisbane. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 7.7% of residents aged 65 and over (810 people), lower than the 15.2% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but rank lower nationally than the broader population.

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

Woolloongabba has a high level of cultural diversity, with 34.5% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 43.0% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Woolloongabba, comprising 31.9% of people. However, Buddhism is notably overrepresented compared to Greater Brisbane, making up 3.7% versus 2.0%.

In terms of ancestry, English is the top group at 20.9%, followed by Australian at 16.3%, and Other at 12.7%. Notably, Russian (0.8% vs 0.3%), Korean (1.6% vs 0.5%), and Spanish (0.8% vs 0.4%) ethnic groups are overrepresented in Woolloongabba compared to the regional averages.

Woolloongabba hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Woolloongabba has a median age of 29, which is lower than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 and the Australian median of 38. The most prominent age group in Woolloongabba is those aged 25-34 years (33.7%), while the 5-14 year-olds are comparatively smaller at 4.8%. This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is higher than the national average of 14.4%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 35 to 44 age group grew from 12.7% to 14.8%, and the 25 to 34 cohort increased from 32.2% to 33.7%. Conversely, the 15 to 24 year-old cohort declined from 25.3% to 20.8%. By 2041, Woolloongabba's age composition is expected to change significantly, with the 25-34 age group projected to rise substantially by 2,045 people (58%), from 3,549 to 5,595.