Wacol (Qld)

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Based on demographic evaluations from the ABS for the surrounding region, combined with updated addresses verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Wacol has an estimated population of 4,618 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 365 people (8.6%) from the 4,253 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. This adjustment is derived from the estimated resident population of 4,618, which Districts calculated using the ABS June 2025 ERP release alongside 7 validated new addresses identified after the Census. The resulting population density is 260 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density and space for potential future development. Over the last ten years, Wacol has shown steady growth with a compound annual rate of 2.2%, exceeding the SA3 average. The main contributor to these population gains was interstate migration, which accounted for approximately 51.0% of the growth, although natural increase and overseas migration also made positive contributions.

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The suburb of Wacol has a workforce distributed across manual and professional roles, with a strong industrial and manufacturing presence, an unemployment rate of 10.4%, and an annual employment growth rate of 15.1% based on Districts statistical aggregations. In March 2026, there were 458 employed residents, while the unemployment rate sat 6.0% higher than the Greater Brisbane rate of 4.3%. Participation in the labor force is low at 11.6% compared to 70.4% in Greater Brisbane. Census data indicates that only 11.9% of residents worked from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic restrictions.

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Postcode-level ATO data compiled by Districts for the 2023 financial year shows that taxpayers in the suburb of Wacol had a median income of $54,868 and an average income of $61,252. These figures are below national benchmarks and compare to median and average figures of $58,236 and $72,799 in Greater Brisbane. Factoring in a Wage Price Index increase of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, estimated incomes as of March 2026 are approximately $61,101 (median) and $68,210 (average). Census records show individual weekly incomes are in the 4th percentile ($514), while household incomes are in the 26th percentile. The largest income bracket contains 32.3% of the local population (1,491 people) earning between $1,500 and $2,999, which is similar to the regional proportion of . Housing costs consume a significant portion of earnings, leaving just of income remaining, placing the area in the th percentile for affordability.

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At the time of the latest Census, the housing stock in the suburb of Wacol consisted of 82.9% detached houses and 17.1% alternative dwellings (such as townhouses, apartments, or other formats), compared to 73.5% houses and 26.5% other formats in the Brisbane metropolitan area. Home ownership rates matched the Brisbane average at 27.2%, while mortgaged properties accounted for 24.3% and rented properties made up 48.5% of homes. The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,387, and the median weekly rent was $320, compared to Brisbane metropolitan averages of $1,863 and $380 respectively. Nationally, mortgage costs are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are below the national benchmark of $375.

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Families make up 65.1% of all households in the area. This group consists of couples with children at 21.3%, couples without children at 20.9%, and single-parent homes at 20.9%. Non-family households comprise the remaining 34.9%, with single-person households representing 24.7% and group households making up 8.4%. The median household size is 2.4 residents, which is slightly smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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Educational attainment in the area is lower than average, with university degree holders making up 10.8% of the population, compared to 30.5% in Greater Brisbane. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 10.0%, with postgraduate qualifications at 0.6% and graduate diplomas at 0.2%. Vocational training accounts for 12.4% of qualifications for residents aged 15 and over, comprising certificates at 11.1% and advanced diplomas at 1.3%.

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There are 19 active public transport connections in the suburb of Wacol, utilizing both trains and buses. These services cover 59 routes and provide 1,650 weekly passenger trips. Local transit accessibility is limited, with an average distance of 699 meters to the nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, and most workers commute out of the area; private cars are the main transit choice at 76%, with trains accounting for 17%. The average number of vehicles per home is 1.1, which is below the metropolitan average. Home-based workers accounted for 11.9% of residents at the 2021 Census, which may have been impacted by pandemic restrictions.

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The suburb of Wacol shows notable public health challenges, as indicated by Districts metrics on mortality rates and the prevalence of chronic illnesses across both younger and older demographics. The rate of private health insurance coverage is low, with approximately 51% of residents (~2,377 people) holding coverage, compared to 55.8% across Greater Brisbane.

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Cultural diversity is high in the suburb of Wacol, where 17.9% of the population was born overseas and 21.9% speak a non-English language at home. Christianity is the dominant religion at 46.6%. The most notable religious variation is in Buddhism, which is practiced by 2.9% of the population compared to 2.0% across Greater Brisbane.

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The median age in the suburb of Wacol is 36 years, matching Greater Brisbane but younger than the national average of 38. The 35 to 44 cohort is highly represented at 28.8% of the population (compared to 14.3% nationally), while children aged 5 to 14 represent only 2.9%. Since 2021, the median age has risen from 35 to 36, indicating an average aging of 1.4 years. The 35 to 44 age cohort increased from 27.1% to 28.8% and the 45 to 54 group rose from 13.7% to 15.2%, while the 25 to 34 group fell from to and the to cohort decreased from to . Projections for show significant shifts, with the to cohort expected to grow by , adding residents to reach while the to and to cohorts are expected to decrease in size.

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Wacol currently has an estimated 64 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 114 children aged 0-2 and 76 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 88% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 2% by 2041 (to approximately 65 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 266. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been low, with approximately 7.7 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the bottom 30% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.