Wooloowin

Population growth drivers in Wooloowin are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Wooloowin's population is estimated at 4,431 as of May 2026, reflecting a 10.0% increase from the 2021 Census figure of 4,029 people. This growth was inferred from AreaSearch's analysis of ABS ERP data released in June 2025 and validation of 49 new addresses since the Census date. The population density stands at 4,028 persons per square kilometer, placing Wooloowin within the top 10% nationally. Since the 2021 Census, Wooloowin's growth rate exceeded the national average of 9.3%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 64.0% to overall population gains during recent periods in the suburb of Wooloowin. 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 from 2023 based on 2021 data are used. However, these state projections lack age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 and based on 2022 data. Looking ahead, population projections indicate a median increase for the suburb of Wooloowin by 2041. Aggregated SA2-level projections suggest an expected increase of 480 persons over this period, reflecting a total growth rate of 10.8%.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Wooloowin when compared nationally

Wooloowin has seen approximately 15 dwellings granted development approval annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 77 homes were approved, with another 37 in FY-26 so far. Each year, an average of 3.1 new residents per dwelling constructed have arrived over the past five financial years.

Supply is lagging demand, indicating heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. Developers are focusing on the premium market, with new homes being built at an average value of $536,000. This year has seen $638,000 in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Wooloowin records roughly half the building activity per person but ranks among the 66th percentile nationally. Building activity has accelerated recently, with new developments consisting of 6.0% detached houses and 94.0% townhouses or apartments.

This shift towards higher-density living creates more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. The area currently has approximately 213 people per dwelling approval, indicating room for growth. Future projections estimate Wooloowin to add 480 residents by 2041. Building activity is keeping pace with growth projections, though buyers may face heightened competition as the population grows.

Wooloowin has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 18 projects that may impact this region. Notable ones are Greville, Northshore Hamilton Street Renewal, Lamington Markets, and Nouveau Albion, as detailed below.

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.

Wooloowin has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Wooloowin has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. As of December 2025, the unemployment rate was 4.6%. Over the past year, there has been relative employment stability.

The area's unemployment rate is 0.4% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%, while workforce participation is at 78.6%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 69.6%. According to Census responses, 27.4% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and retail trade. The area has a particularly strong specialization in professional & technical services with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level.

In contrast, construction employs only 5.5% of local workers, below Greater Brisbane's 9.0%. Over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 0.5%, while labour force increased by 1.2%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.7 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Brisbane saw employment grow by 3.2% and unemployment fall by 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Wooloowin's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.5% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

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

AreaSearch's data for financial year 2023 shows Wooloowin's median income is $64,619 and average income is $91,547. This is higher than Greater Brisbane's median of $58,236 and average of $72,799. By March 2026, estimates suggest median income will be approximately $71,960 and average income will be around $101,947, based on an 11.36% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. According to Census 2021 data, incomes in Wooloowin rank between the 73rd and 86th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. Incomes of $1,500 - 2,999 are reported by 31.3% (1,386 individuals) of Wooloowin's population, similar to the metropolitan region's 33.3%. Notably, 33.0% earn above $3,000 per week. Housing costs consume 16.4% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 72nd percentile nationally. Wooloowin's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

Wooloowin's dwelling structure in 2016 comprised 46.5% houses and 53.6% other dwellings. In Brisbane metro, the figures were 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wooloowin was at 17.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 32.3% and rented ones at 50.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,275, compared to Brisbane metro's $1,863. Weekly rent median was $350 in Wooloowin, versus Brisbane metro's $380. Nationally, mortgage repayments averaged $1,863 and rents were at $375 per week.

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

Family households constitute 57.6% of all households, including 25.7% couples with children, 24.0% couples without children, and 6.3% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 42.4%, with lone person households at 35.5% and group households making up 6.6%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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

Wooloowin's educational attainment is notably higher than broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15 and above, 46.8% have university qualifications, compared to 25.7% in Queensland and 30.4% nationally. University graduates comprise 31.2%, postgraduate qualifications are held by 11.5%, and graduate diplomas by 4.1%. Vocational credentials are prominent, with 26.2% of residents having them; advanced diplomas account for 11.6% and certificates for 14.6%.

Educational participation is high, with 29.9% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.4% in tertiary education, 7.3% in primary education, and 6.2% pursuing secondary education.

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

Wooloowin has 15 active public transport stops serving a mix of train and bus services. These stops are covered by 73 individual routes, collectively facilitating 5,429 weekly passenger trips. The average distance from residents' homes to the nearest transport stop is 151 meters, indicating excellent accessibility. As a predominantly residential area, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transport at 66%, with train at 21% and bus at 5%. On average, there is one vehicle per dwelling, below the regional norm.

According to the 2021 Census, 27.4% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, service frequency averages 775 trips daily, equating to approximately 361 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Wooloowin is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Wooloowin shows better-than-average health outcomes according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both younger and older age groups have low incidence of common health issues. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 63% of Wooloowin's total population (2,812 people), compared to 55.8% in Greater Brisbane and a national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues affect 10.4% of residents, while asthma impacts 7.7%. A total of 73.5% report no medical ailments, higher than the 69.2% across Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among working-age individuals are generally typical. Wooloowin has 9.9% (438 people) aged 65 and over, lower than Greater Brisbane's 15.1%. Senior health outcomes rank favourably nationally, even higher than the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Wooloowin was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Wooloowin's population was found to be more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 26.6% born overseas and 17.0% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Wooloowin, making up 46.2%. Hinduism, however, is overrepresented compared to Greater Brisbane, comprising 4.8% of Wooloowin's population versus 2.2%.

The top three ancestral groups are English (25.1%), Australian (21.8%), and Other (11.2%). Notably, French (0.7%) and Irish (10.5%) populations are higher than regional averages of 0.5% and 8.2%, respectively, while Samoan is lower at 0.4%.

Wooloowin's population is younger than the national pattern

Wooloowin's median age is 35 years, nearly matching Greater Brisbane's average of 36, which is somewhat younger than Australia's median age of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Wooloowin has a higher percentage of residents aged 25-34 (21.1%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (9.1%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.6%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the percentage of Wooloowin's population aged 75-84 has increased from 2.6% to 3.7%, while the 35-44 age group has grown from 17.3% to 18.4%. Conversely, the 5-14 age group has declined from 9.7% to 9.1%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes in Wooloowin. The 45-54 age cohort is projected to grow by 21%, adding 124 residents to reach a total of 732. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 35-44 and 0-4 age cohorts.