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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census Woolloongabba's population is estimated at around 10,518 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 1,831 people (21.1%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8,687 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 10,175, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 504 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 4,207 persons per square kilometer, which lies in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Woolloongabba's 21.1% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the national average (9.7%), along with the state, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 67.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and for years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data, are adopted. It should be noted that these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence where utilised, AreaSearch is applying proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort. As we examine future population trends, exceptional growth, placing in the top 10 percent of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch, is predicted over the period with the Woolloongabba SA2 expected to grow by 7,857 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 71.5% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers for Woolloongabba shows approximately 160 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 804 homes from FY-21 to FY-25. As of FY-26213 approvals have been recorded. Each dwelling built has gained an average of 2.9 new residents per year during this period, indicating strong demand and supporting property values.

The average construction cost value for new homes is $914,000, reflecting a focus on premium properties. In FY-26, commercial development approvals reached $90.8 million, demonstrating high local commercial activity. New developments consist of 5% detached dwellings and 95% townhouses or apartments, creating more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This shift from the current housing mix (30% houses) reflects reduced development site availability and changing lifestyle demands.

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 7521 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing buyer competition 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 impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 57 projects likely affecting the region. Notable projects include Cross River Rail - Woolloongabba Station, Silk Lane Development, East Brisbane State School Redevelopment & Vertical School Expansion, and The Carter by Mosaic. Relevant projects are listed below.

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

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

Woolloongabba has an educated workforce with professional services well represented. The unemployment rate is 5.6%.

Over the past year, it has shown relative employment stability. As of September 2025, 6710 residents are employed and the unemployment rate is 1.6% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation is at 69.4%, slightly above Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, accommodation & food services, and professional & technical services.

Notably, the accommodation & food sector employs a proportion that is 1.9 times higher than the regional level. Conversely, construction employs only 4.8% of local workers, below Greater Brisbane's 9.0%. The area hosts more jobs than residents, with a ratio of 2.0 workers per resident at the Census, indicating it functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 0.2% while labour force grew by 0.9%, resulting in an unemployment rate rise of 0.7 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment grow by 3.8%, labour force expand by 3.3%, and unemployment fall by 0.5 percentage points during the same period. Statewide, Queensland's employment contracted slightly by 0.01% (losing 1210 jobs) as of 25-Nov, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Woolloongabba's current employment mix suggests local employment should increase by approximately 7.2% over five years and 14.7% over ten years, assuming constant population projections for illustrative purposes.

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 2023 shows that Woolloongabba's median income is $51,528 and average income is $65,771. This is lower than the national average of a median income of $58,236 and an average income of $72,799 for Greater Brisbane. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates suggest median income would be approximately $56,634 and average income $72,289 by September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, Woolloongabba's incomes cluster around the 58th percentile nationally. The data reveals that 34.9% of individuals in Woolloongabba earn between $1,500 and $2,999, similar to the metropolitan region where 33.3% fall within this range. High housing costs consume 21.4% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 50th percentile. Woolloongabba's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Woolloongabba features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a predominantly rental market

Woolloongabba's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 29.8% houses and 70.2% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. Home ownership in Woolloongabba stood at 10.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 17.3% and rented ones at 72.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, while the median weekly rent was $440. Nationally, Woolloongabba's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially higher than the national figure of $375.

Woolloongabba features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a median household size of 2.1 people

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 comprise 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.

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

Woolloongabba's residents aged 15+ have a notably high level of educational attainment, with 51.0% holding university qualifications. This is significantly higher than Queensland's state average of 25.7% and Australia's national average of 30.4%. The area's residents have a substantial advantage in terms of educational qualifications, with bachelor degrees being the most common at 34.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 12.9% and graduate diplomas at 3.5%. Vocational pathways account for 22.8% of qualifications among those aged 15+, with advanced diplomas making up 9.4% and certificates 13.4%.

Educational participation is high in the area, with 40.0% of residents 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, serving a mix of train and bus routes. There are 148 individual routes operating in total, facilitating 18,700 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 169 meters to the nearest stop.

The service frequency is high, with approximately 2,671 daily trips across all routes and about 434 weekly trips per individual stop.

Woolloongabba's residents are extremely healthy with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Woolloongabba, particularly among younger cohorts who have a very low prevalence of common health conditions.

The rate of private health cover in Woolloongabba is approximately 53% of the total population (~5,601 people), leading that of the average SA2 area. The most common medical conditions are mental health issues and asthma, impacting 11.0 and 7.7% of residents respectively. A significant majority, 74.1%, declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 0% across Greater Brisbane. Woolloongabba has 7.5% of its population aged 65 and over (788 people). Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges that require more attention 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, making up 31.9% of people. Buddhism is notably overrepresented compared to Greater Brisbane, comprising 3.7% of Woolloongabba's population.

The top three ancestry groups are English at 20.9%, Australian at 16.3%, and Other at 12.7%. Russian (0.8%), Korean (1.6%), and Spanish (0.8%) ethnicities 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 also younger than the Australian median of 38. The age profile shows that individuals aged 25-34 years are particularly prominent, making up 34.4% of the population, while those aged 5-14 years are comparatively smaller at 4.8%. This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national figure of 14.5%. Post-Census data from 2021 shows that the 25 to 34 age group has increased from 32.2% to 34.4%, while the 35 to 44 cohort has risen from 12.7% to 14.6%. Conversely, the 15 to 24 age group has decreased from 25.3% to 21.1%. By 2041, Woolloongabba is expected to experience notable shifts in its age composition, with the 25 to 34 age cohort projected to rise substantially by 1,976 people (55%), from 3,618 to 5,595.