Westlake (Qld)

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Evaluating demographic updates from the ABS for the surrounding region alongside validation of new addresses by Districts following the Census indicates that the population of the suburb of Westlake is approximately 4,520 as of May 2026. This represents a contraction of 27 people (0.6%) compared to the 4,547 people recorded during the 2021 Census. This adjustment is calculated from an estimated resident count of 4,517 established by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP release combined with 1 validated new addresses registered since the Census. This population level yields a density of 2,306 persons per square kilometer, a figure that exceeds the typical density found in other locations nationwide monitored by Districts. Inward overseas migration was the primary driver of growth, accounting for roughly 57% of all population increases in recent times.

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The suburb of Westlake possesses a highly educated labor force with a strong concentration in professional fields, alongside an unemployment rate of just 3.6% according to aggregated statistical area data from Districts. As of March 2026, there are 2,330 employed residents, representing an unemployment rate 0.8% below the Greater Brisbane average of 4.3%. However, the labor force participation rate of 65.1% trails the Greater Brisbane average of 70.4% by a wide margin. Census records indicate that a high proportion of residents, 26.2%, worked from home, though this figure may have been influenced by pandemic-related restrictions.

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Based on the latest postcode ATO statistics compiled by Districts for the 2023 financial year, the suburb of Westlake has a median taxpayer income of $63,560 and an average income of $79,820. These figures are very high on a national scale, contrasting with a median of $58,236 and an average of $72,799 in Greater Brisbane. Applying Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year yields estimated current figures of approximately $70,780 for the median and $88,888 for the average as of March 2026. According to 2021 Census data, household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Westlake are positioned in the top tiers nationally, ranking between the 79th and 93rd percentiles. The data shows that the weekly income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 contains of the population ( individuals), which is comparable to the recorded across the metropolitan area in the same bracket. The economic capacity of the area is highlighted by the of households earning high weekly incomes above which sustains strong consumer spending. Residents retain of their income after housing expenses, demonstrating strong purchasing capacity, while the SEIFA index ranks the area in the th decile for income.

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According to the latest Census, the housing stock in the suburb of Westlake consisted of 96.9% detached houses and 3.1% alternative dwellings (such as semi-detached properties, apartments, and other housing types), compared to the Brisbane metropolitan breakdown of 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. The level of home ownership in the suburb of Westlake was substantially higher than the Brisbane metropolitan average, standing at 44.0%, while the remaining properties were either held with a mortgage (44.8%) or rented (11.3%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,247 was well above the metropolitan median of $1,863, and the median weekly rent was $550 compared to the Brisbane metro median of $380. Compared to national statistics, mortgage payments in the suburb of Westlake are much higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are also well above the national average of $375.

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Families make up the vast majority of households at 87.8%, consisting of 46.8% couples with children, 31.7% couples without children, and 8.6% single parent families. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 12.2% of homes, with single person households representing 10.5% and group households making up 1.5% of the total. The median household size of 3.0 people is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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Educational attainment in the suburb of Westlake is significantly higher than regional and national averages, with 44.9% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 25.7% in QLD and 30.4% across Australia. This educational profile positions the suburb well for opportunities in knowledge-intensive industries. Bachelor degrees are the most common credential at 28.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 12.3% and graduate diplomas at 4.0%. Vocational and technical training is also well represented, with 25.6% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications in these fields, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.2%) and certificates (14.4%).

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Public transport research shows 8 active transit stops situated within the suburb of Westlake, consisting of bus services. These stops are serviced by 4 distinct routes, which accommodate 271 weekly passenger journeys. Transport access is rated as good, with residents living an average of 303 meters from the nearest stop. Because the suburb is primarily residential, the majority of workers travel outward for employment, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel at 88%, and train usage at 6%. The average number of vehicles per home is 1.9, which is above the regional average. A high proportion of residents, 26.2%, work from home according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.

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Health profiles show excellent outcomes in the suburb of Westlake, according to Districts analysis of mortality statistics and chronic condition prevalence, which indicates low rates of common health issues across all age brackets. Private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high, covering approximately 59% of the population (2,659 people), compared to 55.8% across Greater Brisbane.

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The suburb of Westlake features a higher level of cultural diversity than most comparable areas, with 25.8% of residents speaking a language other than English at home and 36.3% born outside Australia. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 51.0% of the population. However, the most pronounced overrepresentation occurs in Judaism, which accounts for 0.3% of the community compared to 0.1% across Greater Brisbane.

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The median age in the suburb of Westlake is 43 years, which is notably higher than the Greater Brisbane median of 36 years and the national median of 38 years. The 65 - 74 age group is highly represented at 13.0% compared to Greater Brisbane, whereas the 25 - 34 bracket is smaller at 5.8%. Post-2021 Census data indicates the 75 to 84 group has increased from 4.5% to 8.0% of the population, and the 15 to 24 cohort rose from 11.9% to 13.6%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 bracket fell from 15.7% to 13.0%, while the 25 to group declined from to . Projections for suggest significant demographic shifts in the suburb of Westlake, led by the + cohort, which is expected to grow by (an increase of people) to reach from . Combined, residents aged and over will account for of total population growth, reflecting an aging population profile, while the to and to groups are forecast to contract.

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Westlake currently has an estimated 171 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 102 children aged 0-2 and 67 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 26% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 24% by 2041 (to approximately 130 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 511. Birth rates in the area have averaged 7.0 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a low rate (among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.