Wavell Heights (Qld)

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Based on Districts' evaluation of ABS population updates for the wider region alongside new addresses validated since the Census, the suburb of Wavell Heights has a projected population of approximately 11,245 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 909 residents (8.8%) from the 10,336 individuals recorded in the 2021 Census. The calculation is based on an estimated resident population of 11,234 determined by Districts from the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with 20 new validated addresses since the Census. The suburb's density stands at 2,749 residents per square kilometer, placing it within the top quartile of Australian locations analyzed. The post-census expansion of 8.8% is within 0.5 percentage points of the national average of 9.3%, indicating solid local growth trends. Population increases were primarily supported by natural increase, which accounted for roughly 58% of the gains, with overseas and interstate migration also acting as positive contributors.

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The local workforce is characterized by high levels of education and strong representation in professional services, with an unemployment rate of only 2.3% and a 7.2% annual growth in jobs, according to Districts data. Working residents numbered 7,257 as of March 2026, with the local unemployment rate sitting 2.1 percentage points below the Greater Brisbane figure of 4.3%. Participation in the labor force is exceptionally high at 83.4% compared to the metropolitan average of 70.4%. Census records show that 25.5% of residents worked from their homes, though this figures reflects the influence of pandemic lockdowns.

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Based on ATO postcode data released for the financial year 2023, taxpayers in the suburb of Wavell Heights have a median income of $63,874 and an average of $80,479. This represents one of the highest levels nationally, comparing to the Greater Brisbane median of $58,236 and average of $72,799. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 11.36% since financial year 2023, estimates for March 2026 rise to approximately $71,130 for the median and $89,621 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes all placed between the 88th and 92nd percentiles across Australia. The most common weekly household income bracket is $1,500 - 2,999, containing 27.6% of residents ( people), which is close to the share observed across the wider metropolitan area. A high-income group earning over weekly makes up of the population, indicating substantial local spending power. Housing costs consume of income, while disposable income levels rank in the rd percentile nationally, and the SEIFA index places the area in the th decile for income.

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Census data shows that separate houses represent 90.8% of the housing stock in the suburb of Wavell Heights, while semi-detached properties, apartments, and other dwellings account for 9.2%. This compares to 73.5% houses and 26.5% other options across metropolitan Brisbane. The home ownership rate of 29.1% is higher than the Brisbane metro average, with mortgaged properties making up 43.2% and rental properties accounting for 27.7%. The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,450 is higher than the metropolitan average of $1,863, and the median weekly rent of $421 is higher than the metropolitan figure of $380. Compared nationally, local mortgage costs are notably above the Australian average of $1,863, and rents exceed the national benchmark of $375.

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Families make up 75.8% of households in the area, consisting of couples with children at 41.0%, couples without children at 23.8%, and single-parent households at 9.8%. Single-person households account for 20.4% of the remaining 24.2% of non-family households, with group housing representing 3.8%. The median household occupancy of 2.7 people is slightly higher than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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Higher education rates in the suburb of Wavell Heights are well above broader averages, with 40.3% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 25.7% in QLD and 30.4% nationwide. This provides a strong base for professional employment. Bachelor degrees are held by 27.5% of residents, followed by postgraduate degrees at 8.4% and graduate diplomas at 4.4%. Vocational education is also common, with 28.9% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas at 11.5% and certificates at 17.4%.

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The public transport network includes 74 active bus stops within the suburb of Wavell Heights, serviced by 11 routes that deliver 1,031 weekly passenger trips. Transport links are highly accessible, with residents living an average of 149 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, and most workers travel outside the area, with private cars being the primary mode of travel at 82% and trains at 10%. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.5 cars. A total of 25.5% of working residents worked from home during the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era arrangements.

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The suburb of Wavell Heights registers positive health profiles, with low levels of chronic disease and low mortality rates across all age brackets. Private health insurance coverage is high at 59% of the population (6,644 people), compared to 55.8% for Greater Brisbane.

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Cultural diversity in the suburb of Wavell Heights is comparable to regional averages, with Australian-born residents making up 80.2% of the population, citizens representing 90.9%, and English-only speakers at home accounting for 88.5%. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 54.6% of the population. Judaism shows a small local concentration at 0.2% of the population, compared to 0.1% across Greater Brisbane.

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The median age of 37 years in the suburb of Wavell Heights is close to the Greater Brisbane average of 36 and the national median of 38. The suburb has a higher proportion of residents in the 45 - 54 age bracket (14.4%) but fewer in the 25 - 34 bracket (11.5%) compared to Greater Brisbane. Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket grew from 11.7% to 13.8%, while the 25 to 34 age bracket fell from 13.4% to 11.5%. Projections for 2041 indicate demographic changes, with the 75 to 84 cohort expected to grow by 59%, adding residents to reach . Older residents aged + are expected to account for of all population growth. Conversely, decreases are anticipated in the to and to age groups.

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Wavell Heights currently has an estimated 730 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 446 children aged 0-2 and 296 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 3% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 11% by 2041 (to approximately 649 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,278. Birth rates in the area have averaged 11.8 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a moderate rate (among the top 30% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.