Wakerley (Qld)

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According to investigations of ABS demographic releases covering the surrounding region along with quarterly address updates verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Wakerley has an estimated resident cohort of approximately 9,118 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 400 people (4.6%) from the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 8,718 people. This shift is calculated from the resident population of 9,118, which Districts projected after reviewing the June 2025 ERP release by the ABS and factoring in an additional 93 validated new addresses since the Census date. Such a population size corresponds to a density of 2,125 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the average across domestic locations evaluated by Districts. The suburb of Wakerley's 4.6% post-census growth tracks within 2.5 percentage points of the SA3 area (7.1%), showing competitive regional growth dynamics. Demographic expansion was mostly driven by natural increase, which made up approximately 52.0% of the overall population gains during the recent timeframe.

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Wakerley possesses a highly educated labor force with a strong contingent of professional services, an unemployment rate of just 1.2%, and an estimated 4.0% expansion in employment over the past year, according to Districts aggregations of statistical area data. As of March 2026, 5,906 local citizens are employed, with the unemployment rate tracking 3.2% below the Greater Brisbane rate of 4.3%, and labor force participation is exceptionally high (83.8% compared to Greater Brisbane's 70.4%). Census responses show that a significant 26.9% of residents worked from home, although the influence of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions should be taken into account.

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According to the latest postcode level ATO statistics released by Districts for financial year 2023, the suburb of Wakerley's median taxpayer income is $70,004, with an average of $93,771. These levels are exceptionally high on a national scale, and compare to a median of $58,236 and an average of $72,799 in Greater Brisbane. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, current estimates stand at approximately $77,956 (median) and $104,423 (average) as of March 2026. Census data from 2021 shows household, family, and personal incomes in Wakerley all rank in the top tier, placing between the 91st and 96th percentiles nationally. The largest income bracket contains 30.0% of taxpayers earning between $1,500 - 2,999 per week ( residents), which is similar to the wider region where this group makes up . A substantial earn over per week, reflecting pockets of wealth that support robust local business activity. Housing costs consume of income, and strong earnings place residents in the th percentile for disposable income, while the SEIFA index ranks Wakerley in the th decile for income.

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Residential dwelling types in Wakerley, as recorded during the latest Census, consisted of 84.2% houses and 15.8% other options (such as townhouses, apartments, or alternative dwellings), compared to Brisbane metro's split of 73.5% houses and 26.5% other options. Meanwhile, the level of outright home ownership in Wakerley was below the Brisbane metro average at 22.0%, with the remaining properties either under mortgage (56.0%) or rented (21.9%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was significantly above the Brisbane metro average at $2,362, while the median weekly rent was recorded at $510, compared to Brisbane metro's figures of $1,863 and $380. Nationally, Wakerley's mortgage costs are much higher than the Australian median of $1,863, while rent costs are substantially above the national benchmark of $375.

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Families make up the vast majority of households at 88.1%, consisting of couples with children at 54.6%, couples without children at 22.6%, and single parent households at 10.2%. Non-family households represent the remaining 11.9%, with single-person households at 10.5% and group living situations at 1.4%. The median household size of 3.1 people is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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Educational profiles in Wakerley are well ahead of regional averages, with 37.8% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree compared to 23.7% in the SA4 region and 25.7% across QLD. This educational profile positions the community well for professional services roles. Bachelor degrees are the most common credential at 25.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees (8.6%) and graduate diplomas (3.7%). Technical and vocational skills are also well represented, with 31.5% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational qualifications, including advanced diplomas (12.9%) and certificates (18.6%).

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Public transport analysis identifies 19 active passenger stops operating in Wakerley, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 6 unique routes, which together provide 377 weekly passenger journeys. Transport access is classified as good, with residents living an average of 297 meters from the nearest stop. As a suburban residential area, the majority of workers commute to other districts, and private cars remain the primary transport mode at 91%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.8 cars per household, which is above the regional average. A high 26.9% of residents work from home, based on 2021 Census data, which may reflect pandemic-era working patterns.

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Public health data shows exceptional outcomes throughout Wakerley, based on Districts' evaluation of mortality rates and chronic health conditions, which reveal very low rates of common illnesses across all age cohorts. Additionally, the rate of private health insurance is extremely high, covering approximately 64% of the population (5,867 people). This compares to 55.8% across Greater Brisbane and a national average of 55.7%.

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Wakerley displays greater cultural diversity than most local property markets, with 16.0% of residents speaking a language other than English at home and 29.5% born overseas. The most common religious affiliation is Christianity, representing 56.4% of the population. The most distinct statistical overrepresentation is Judaism, which accounts for 0.2% of the local population compared to 0.1% across Greater Brisbane.

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With a median age of 38, Wakerley is slightly older than the Greater Brisbane average of 36, though it matches the national median of 38 years. The 45 - 54 age bracket is highly represented at 18.5% compared to Greater Brisbane, whereas the 25 - 34 cohort has a lower share at 7.4%. This concentration of residents aged 45 - 54 is well above the national average of 12.0%. Since 2021, the median age has increased by 1.2 years from 37 to 38, showing a gradual aging trend. Significant shifts include the 15 to 24 age bracket growing from 11.5% to 14.8% of the population, and the 45 to 54 cohort increasing from to . In contrast, the to cohort declined from to and the to cohort fell from to . Future demographic modeling suggests Wakerley's age structure will change notably by . Leading this change, the to bracket will expand by ( people), growing from to residents. Conversely, both the to and to age brackets are projected to contract in size.

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Wakerley currently has an estimated 510 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 310 children aged 0-2 and 207 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 17% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 12% by 2041 (to approximately 449 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,254. Birth rates in the area have averaged 8.1 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a low rate (among the bottom 30% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.