West End (Qld)

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Analysis of ABS demographic updates for the wider region, alongside new address points validated by Districts since the Census, indicates the population of the suburb of West End (Townsville - Qld) is approximately 4,025 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 134 people (3.4%) compared to the 2021 Census, which recorded 3,891 residents. This shift is calculated from the estimated resident population of 4,025, which was determined by Districts utilizing the June 2025 ERP data release from the ABS, along with an additional 16 validated new addresses since the Census. With this population level, the density stands at 1,302 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the average benchmark across locations evaluated nationwide by Districts. The primary driver of local growth was overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 53.0% of the total population gains in recent times.

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West End is characterized by a well-educated labor force with a strong presence in essential services, alongside an unemployment rate of 8.4% derived from Districts' statistical area data. As of March 2026, there are 1,995 employed residents. The local unemployment rate sits 4.4% higher than the Regional Qld benchmark of 3.9%, showing potential for labor market improvement, while the workforce participation rate is close to the Regional Qld average of 64.3%. Census data indicates that a modest 6.9% of the workforce worked from home, though this figure should be interpreted in the context of pandemic-related lockdowns.

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Based on Districts' aggregation of postcode-level ATO data released for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in West End recorded a median income of $66,732 and an average income of $86,587. These figures are among the highest nationwide, comparing to regional averages of $53,146 and $66,593 across Regional Qld. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, estimated figures as of March 2026 would be approximately $74,313 for the median and $96,423 for the average. In the 2021 Census, individual incomes ranked in the 70th percentile at $921 per week, whereas household incomes were in the 29th percentile. The dominant weekly income bracket is $1,500 - 2,999, accounting for 30.6% of residents ( people), which aligns closely with the regional share of . Affordability pressures are high, with residents retaining only of their income after housing costs, placing the area in the th percentile.

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At the time of the last Census, the housing stock in West End consisted of 49.0% standalone houses and 51.0% alternative dwellings such as townhouses and apartments, compared to Regional Qld where houses made up 76.4% and other dwellings accounted for 23.6%. The home ownership rate stood at 19.7%, which was lower than the Regional Qld average, with the remaining households either paying off a mortgage (28.2%) or renting (52.1%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,430 was below the Regional Qld average, as was the median weekly rent of $250, compared to regional figures of $1,655 and $345. On a national level, West End's median mortgage repayments are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and median rents are significantly lower than the national benchmark of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 50.4%, consisting of couples with children at 15.9%, couples without children at 22.7%, and single parent households at 10.7%. Non-family households account for the remaining 49.6%, with lone person households representing 44.4% and group households making up 5.1% of the total. The median household size is 1.9 people, which is smaller than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.

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The educational profile of the area is distinct within the region, with university qualification rates at 29.1% of residents aged 15 and over, exceeding the SA4 regional average of 20.1% and the Rest of Qld average of 20.6%. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary qualification at 19.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 7.1% and graduate diplomas at 2.6%. Vocational and technical skills are also widely held, with 36.4% of residents aged 15 and over holding qualification credentials, including advanced diplomas at 9.6% and certificates at 26.8%.

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Public transport services in West End include 20 active transit stops served by a mix of buses. These stops accommodate 4 distinct routes, which combine to offer 370 passenger trips per week. Transport access is rated as good, with residents living an average of 238 meters from the nearest stop. Because of the residential nature of the suburb, most workers commute out of the area, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 90% and cycling accounting for 3%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.0 car per household, which is below the regional average. A relatively low 6.9% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era circumstances.

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Health data highlights notable challenges in West End based on Districts' evaluation of mortality statistics and the prevalence of chronic health conditions across both younger and older cohorts, alongside an exceptionally high rate of private health insurance covering approximately 62% of the population (2,475 people). This compares to a coverage rate of 52.5% in Regional Qld and a national average of 55.7%.

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West End shows lower levels of cultural diversity than average, with citizens making up 85.1% of the population, Australian-born residents accounting for 82.7%, and English-only speakers at home representing 91.5%. Christianity is the largest religious group, followed by 48.2% of the population. The most distinct demographic variance is in the Other category, which comprises 0.9% of the population compared to 0.8% across Regional Qld.

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The median age in West End is 39 years, which is slightly below the Regional Qld average of 41 years but very close to the national median of 38 years. Young adults aged 25 - 34 are highly represented at 17.4%, while children aged 5 - 14 make up a smaller share at 7.9% compared to Regional Qld. Since 2021, the 25 to 34 age bracket has risen from 15.9% to 17.4% of the population, and the cohort aged 85 and over has increased from 1.1% to 2.2%. In contrast, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 15.2% to 11.6%, and the 5 to 14 group decreased from to . Looking toward demographic projections point to significant shifts in the age structure, with the and over cohort expected to increase by people () from to . Overall, the age groups and over are projected to drive of the suburb's total growth, highlighting the aging profile, while the to and to groups are projected to contract.

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West End currently has an estimated 253 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 142 children aged 0-2 and 94 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 25% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 4% by 2041 (to approximately 244 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 260. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 13.8 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.