Wilston (Qld)

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Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by Districts since the Census Wilston's population is estimated at around 4,257 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 147 people (3.6%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,110 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 4,252, estimated by Districts following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025) and an additional 8 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,956 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by Districts. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 64.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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The workforce living in the suburb of Wilston is characterized by high levels of education, with a strong contingent of professionals, an unemployment rate of only 2.9%, and an annual job growth rate of 1.5% as calculated from Districts' aggregated statistical area statistics. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 2,696, and the local unemployment rate sat 1.4% below the 4.3% recorded for Greater Brisbane. Furthermore, the participation rate of 78.9% is considerably higher than the metropolitan average of 70.4%. Census records show that a substantial 32.7% of working residents operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by pandemic-related restrictions.

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According to the latest postcode-level ATO data from Districts for financial year 2023, the suburb of Wilston records exceptionally high incomes compared to the national average, with a median income of $73,220 and a mean income of $110,181. These figures are significantly higher than the Greater Brisbane median of $58,236 and average of $72,799. Adjusting these values for a Wage Price Index increase of 11.36% since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of approximately $81,538 for the median and $122,698 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census confirms that household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Wilston rank in the 93rd to 96th percentiles nationally. A weekly income of $4000+ is received by 38.3% of the community, representing residents, which differs from the metropolitan area where the most common bracket is - containing of individuals. Additionally, of residents earn more than per week, reflecting a prosperous population that supports local retail and business. After paying for housing, residents keep of their earnings, indicating substantial disposable income, and the area is positioned in the th decile of the SEIFA index for economic advantage.

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At the time of the latest Census, the residential landscape in the suburb of Wilston consisted of 70.3% freestanding houses and 29.7% alternative housing styles including townhouses and apartments, compared to 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings across metropolitan Brisbane. The rate of outright home ownership stood at 30.4%, which is higher than the Brisbane metro benchmark, while mortgaged properties accounted for 35.2% and rented properties made up 34.4% of local dwellings. The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,700 was substantially higher than the Brisbane metro average of $1,863, and the median weekly rent was $405 compared to the metropolitan median of $380. On a national level, mortgage costs exceed the Australian average of $1,863, while weekly rental payments are higher than the national figure of $375.

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Families comprise the majority of households at 71.2%, which is made up of couples with children at 38.1%, couples without children at 23.4%, and single-parent homes at 8.2%. The remaining 28.8% consists of non-family households, with single-person households representing 23.1% and group shared housing making up 5.9%. The median household size stands at 2.7 people, which is slightly larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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Residents in the suburb of Wilston demonstrate high levels of educational attainment, with 53.9% of those aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 25.7% across QLD and 30.4% nationwide. This high concentration of tertiary education positions the community well for professional and technical roles. Among residents with higher qualifications, bachelor degrees are the most common at 35.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 13.1% and graduate diplomas at 5.3%. Vocational qualifications are held by 19.9% of residents aged 15 and over, comprising 8.8% with advanced diplomas and 11.1% with certificates.

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Public transport services in the suburb of Wilston include 27 active stops, comprising both train stations and bus stops. These locations are serviced by 24 separate routes, which together accommodate 2,601 weekly passenger journeys. Transport accessibility is high, with residents living an average of 149 meters from their nearest transit stop. Given the residential character of the area, the majority of commuters travel outside the suburb, with private vehicles being the primary mode of travel for 72% of residents, followed by 13% using trains and 6% walking to work. Vehicle ownership stands at an average of 1.4 cars per household. A high proportion of residents, 32.7%, worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic conditions.

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Health indicators show positive outcomes across the suburb of Wilston, according to Districts data on mortality and long-term health conditions. Younger age brackets exhibit extremely low rates of common illnesses, and private health insurance coverage is high, encompassing roughly 71% of the population, which equals 3,016 people. In comparison, private health cover rates stand at 55.8% across Greater Brisbane and 55.7% nationally.

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Cultural diversity in the suburb of Wilston is similar to the metropolitan average, with 80.0% of residents born in Australia, 90.9% holding citizenship, and 89.4% speaking only English at home. The main religious affiliation is Christianity, accounting for 51.8% of the population. The most distinct religious variance is seen in Judaism, which represents 0.1% of the population, matching the 0.1% average for Greater Brisbane.

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With a median age of 38, the suburb of Wilston is slightly older than the Greater Brisbane median of 36, though it matches the national median of 38 years. The 45 - 54 age bracket is well represented at 15.6% compared to Greater Brisbane, while the 25 - 34 cohort has a lower share at 12.0%. Since 2021, the 55 to 64 age group grew from 11.7% to 13.7% of the population, and the 75 to 84 bracket increased from 2.8% to 4.8%. In contrast, the 25 to 34 age group decreased from 13.4% to 12.0%, and the 45 to cohort fell from to . Demographic forecasts for point to shifts in the age structure of the suburb of Wilston. The to cohort will see the most significant growth, rising by or people to reach individuals, up from . This aging trend is prominent, with residents aged and older accounting for of the projected growth, while the to and to cohorts are expected to experience population declines.

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Wilston currently has an estimated 200 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 120 children aged 0-2 and 80 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 4% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 8% by 2041 (to approximately 184 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 421. Birth rates in the area have averaged 8.2 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.